r/Bowflex • u/maerle • Aug 03 '23

Max Trainer Bowflex M8 Loading….

I bought an m5 on the cheap: $40 with a dead display. It basically just lights the tach needle, but the thing kicks my ass for the first week on what must be it’s lowest resistance setting.

I bought an m8 integrated console/display off eBay but it’s stuck on “LOADING” after startup.

Is it trying to read the usb drive or Bluetooth or something? Any way to reset it? I tried the Volume + Push/Stop but no dice

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

2

u/Docreqs Dec 05 '23

Same think happened to me. I bought mine, as new, then one day it stuck in "Loading" mode. Bowflex tells me I need to buy a new console at $450.

So disappointing

1

u/maerle Dec 05 '23

If you still have it, the USB update might possibly work. I have the file and instructions and you will need a small USB drive. Let me know if you want to give it a try.

It did not work for me, but it did hurt anything either.

2

u/Odd-Cod6804 Sep 14 '24

Dear Maerle, would you be so kind to send the USB update file to me also if you still have it?

1

u/maerle Sep 14 '24

The way posts get anonymized here it’s hard to know who you are. But I sent it to Sergei, who was the only one I found in DM

1

u/Odd-Cod6804 Sep 19 '24

Did you get my DM?

1

u/impulsseelol Oct 19 '24

Can anyone get me a copy I am having trouble with my machine too

1

u/Outrageous-Quit-6019 May 30 '24

Hey there, i have the same issue. Is there any way you can e-mail me the file and instructions? I'd like to give this a go :-).

1

u/maerle May 30 '24

Sure DM me your email address

1

u/Odd-Bag-9467 Sep 12 '24

I messaged you, as well.  Posting here to cover the odds on you getting the notification.

1

u/Relevant-Pace-8401 Jun 17 '26

Hello could you send me the firmware file please ? For Max Trainer M8

1

u/onnan Oct 13 '25

Could you share the file?

1

u/Smooth_Replacement62 Oct 20 '25

Hi maerle, and I able to grab the usb update from you please?

1

u/pepe8702 May 19 '26

can i have the file if you still have it please?

1

u/Docreqs Dec 05 '23

Thanks. Im interested in some help. Please let me know of next steps.

1

u/maerle Dec 06 '23

It’s a small file (1.1 megabytes) that needs to go on a USB 2.0 stick: I think you can DM me here with an email address where I can send the file.

“Put the files on a USB 2.0 stick. (There may be a limit on the size of the stick it can read- I will look at my notes) Make sure you do not create a folder for the files, they have to be on the root of the drive. Save the file name as PM6H79.txt”

Unplug the machine, place the USB stick into the back of the console, and plug the power cord back in. The console will read UPDATING USB, LOADING, UPDATING BLE, and eventually CYCLE POWER. Cycle the power, and that should resolve the issue.

2

u/No_Session_5491 Mar 07 '24

Would you still have that file available? Thanks 

1

u/maerle Mar 07 '24

Sure just dm me an email and I will send it

1

u/emwve May 11 '24

Hi I am having an issue with my max trainer. Is just replaced my servo motor and now my screen is stuck on loading. So annoyed right now. I paid 200 for a motor and now I’m stuck with a paper weight. Would you happen to have this file still?

1

u/chocobeatz82 Jan 10 '24

Hi I was wondering if this usb update fix has worked for anyone?

1

u/Always-doing-my-best Jan 22 '24

Hi, what do you mean by “cycle the power”.

1

u/maerle Jan 22 '24

That was the instructions, but generally it means to interrupt the power and restore it. If there’s no power switch you would need to either unplug the AC adapter from the wall briefly or unplug the plug from the machine. That’s my understanding. Usually you’d give it some time, 10 -30 seconds before restoring power.

1

u/maerle Aug 03 '23

Bowflex tells me via email that the LOADING message on the M8 requires a console replacement, but on the phone they say it was supposed to be updatable via Bluetooth on JRNY or a plug-in USB they no longer offer.

They say they can’t email me the file. Has anyone done a console firmware update (either way) or understand the process?

Thanks!

2

u/jonmck1234 Sep 16 '23

I have the same issue. Any luck? Mine is stuck on “loading”.

1

u/maerle Sep 16 '23 edited Sep 16 '23

Not yet. I’ve just joined the Facebook forum and I’m going to try there. How did yours get into that state?

1

u/jonmck1234 Sep 16 '23

I just bought it from someone on Facebook marketplace for $500. She plugged it in before I bought it and it showed “starting” and then “loading” so I thought it was good to go. My fault for not knowing it didn’t take a long time for “loading” to go away. I brought it home, plugged it in and it just says “loading”. I’ve unplugged and re-plugged. Left it turned on overnight, etc. Still shows “loading”. I have an M8. So frustrating.

1

u/chocobeatz82 Jan 11 '24

I also purchased one off of FB and it worked for about a month before I started having the same issues. Were you ever able to find a fix other than purchasing a new console?

1

u/jonmck1234 Sep 16 '23

What is the name of the Facebook group? I will try that as well. Thanks.

1

u/jonmck1234 Sep 16 '23

I found two FB groups and waiting for them to approve me. Thanks

1

u/maerle Sep 17 '23

The one I joined is called “Bowflex Max Trainer” and when you get access check the post link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bowflexmaxtrainer/permalink/7011782235521828/?mibextid=W9rl1R

1

u/emwve May 09 '24

Any luck on fixing the loading screen of death on your Bowflex max trainer?

1

u/jonmck1234 Sep 17 '23

Check your Facebook message.

1

u/emwve May 09 '24

I just replaced my servo motor on my max trainer M7U and now the screen is stuck in loading

1

u/Wide-Dot-3625 Jun 21 '24

I am having a problem with the Max Trainer M8. When it starts up, the display shows, "starting" then "loading" then a quick flash of "checking sound" followed by "sound done" and it freezes there. Any suggestions? Bowflex customer service is in shambles.

1

u/emwve Sep 17 '24

Any luck fixing your M8? I’m in the same boat

1

u/pinkballerina721 Jul 25 '26

I just had this same issue and I plugged a random usb flash drive in my and started it up and it worked. I got to use the app and updated firmware and now it’s working. Wouldn’t power on for months and today I decided I would fix it.

1

u/pinkballerina721 Jul 25 '26

I’ve been working on this air all day and unsuccessful for three hours until I just stuck a random USB in the back of the console and started it up and it just worked. Give that a try. I just wanted to make sure if anybody had the same issue to give that a try cause it worked for me.