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Bowflex Max Trainer M5 Review

Last Updated on March 24, 2021 by Jeff

Let’s Get Started:

UPDATE!!:  The Max Trainer M5 is no longer available on Bowflex.com, BUT the MAX TRAINER M6 is the next version and Bowflex is often offering discounts. Click here to check for the lowest prices on Bowflex.com.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is a best-selling trainer and a part of the Max Trainer series by Bowflex. The Max Trainer M5 provides one of the most efficient and seamless workouts, with virtually zero impact on the joints—making it a popular alternative to traditional treadmills, ellipticals, and stairmasters. The Max Trainer M5 is a state-of-the art, gym-quality trainer, providing a high variety of effective, built-in programs and 16 levels of resistance to keep you challenged. In addition, you’ll be able to sync your results on the Bowflex fitness app, making it easier than ever to keep track of your progress and fitness goals.

Along with the programming, the M5 comes in a compact size with wheels for easy storage. While the M5 is the more affordable choice within the Max Trainer series, not much is missing. With the M5, you’ll still get the efficient, proven programming that these hybrid trainers are known for. The only potential drawback may be the two-year warranty, which is low when compared to similar cardio models on the market. However, if this doesn’t deter you, there are few other drawbacks to this best-selling piece. All in all, the M5 is an innovative, high-quality and results-driven trainer that would be ideal for any trainee looking for results without the increased risk of injury that come with traditional forms of cardio.

Technical Info:

Dimensions:

  • Height: 62.9”
  • Width: 25”
  • Length: 41.6”
  • Item weight: 143 lbs
  • Max user weight: 300 lbs

Features:

  • Provides a virtually zero impact workout as compared to standard ellipticals and treadmills.
  • Each model comes equipped with a heart rate chest strap and integrated contact grips for monitoring to further target your workouts and control the intensity.
  • Water bottle and media shelf/tablet holder.
  • Premium grips for a comfortable workout.

Computer Features:

  • Backlit display screen keeps you work out programs right in front of you in vivid detail.
  • Syncs with Free Results SeriesTM App, making it easier than ever to track and record your goals and progress.
  • Bluetooth compatibility allows for hassle-free, wireless stats sharing and recording.
  • 8 pre-programmed workouts created by top-level fitness professionals and targeted to your specific goals, including:
    • Max interval, Smart Max Interval, Calorie Burn, Fat Burn, Calorie Goal, Stairs, Steady State, Fitness Test and Manual Mode
  • 16 levels of computer-controlled resistance.
  • Display readouts and user feedback include:
    • Total calories burned
    • Burn rate (per minute burn rate calculator)
    • Resistance
    • Distance
    • Heart rate
    • Time
    • Speed

Warranty:

  • Frame: 2 years
  • Parts: 2 years
  • Labor: 2 years

Shipping and Assembly:

Shipping costs will vary for the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 will vary depending on where you purchase from and what type of delivery you prefer, however Bowflex often offers free shipping – click here to check.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with a step-by-step assembly manual and is fairly straight forward and easy to assemble, coming out to about an hour and a half total to put together.

What We Love About the Bowflex Max Trainer M5:

Zero Impact Design

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is one of the most efficient total-body home-trainers on the market, outperforming treadmills, ellipticals, and Stairmasters in terms of total calorie burn—all the while delivering a virtually zero impact workout. Due to the lack of impact and ease of movement, working out on the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 provides the illusion of an easier workout—an added benefit, in addition to sparing your joints over time. This gentle trainer is an excellent alternative to standard ellipticals or treadmills for a pain-free workout.

Programming Variety

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 offers a wide range of resistance levels and built-in programs (8 to be exact) to keep you motivated and engaged with your workouts. In fact, the unique, built-in programming has been so successful, it’s known for its “ultimate 14-minute workout” which can help you burn more calories in less time, and with the perception of less effort, compared to other standard exercise equipment. Due to the performance engineered programming, the M5 is one of the most efficient and enticing exercise equipment pieces on the market for trainees looking to maximize their results.

Other Considerations:

Warranty

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with a two-year warranty (for the entire machine), which is low compared to other cardio-based equipment options available on the market for the price point. While the whole machine would be covered within the two-year window, it still is a bit riskier than some of the traditional cardio options on the market.

How the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 Compares to the Bowflex Max Trainer M7

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is very similar M7, just without the extra bells and whistles. The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 has more options for resistance (20 on the M7 versus 16 on the M5), more pre-set workout programs (11 on the M7 versus 8 on the M5), and it also comes with stainless steel, sports performance pedals, whereas the M5 does not. The automatic heart rate syncing is also exclusive to the Max Trainer M7.

Final Word on the Bowflex Max Trainer M5:

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is an enticing piece of cardio and strength training equipment and a more affordable trainer from the Bowflex Max Trainer series. Through innovative, zero impact design, robust built-in programming and high-quality parts, the M5 offers an efficient work out in a space-conscious machine. For trainees looking for a low-impact exercise modality at an incredible value, the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 might be your choice.

Again:  The Max Trainer M5 is no longer available on Bowflex.com, BUT the MAX TRAINER M6 is the next version and Bowflex is often offering discounts. Click here to check for the lowest pricing on Bowflex.com:

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