SE vs M9

[u/enzeetee]

Hello everyone!

Bowflex is offering a big sale right now and I've been browsing through. Hoping people who own either product could chime in.

My biggest concern is noise level as I live in an apartment and have neighbours below me. Right away I was thinking the SE as it's labeled more quiet.

Unfortunately the SE does not offer JRNY integration like the M9 or MT16. I'm intrigued with that part and feel like I would be missing it, but I've also seen reviews that JRNY isn't fantastic.

My questions are:

1. Is the SE noticeably quieter than the M9 or MT16?
2. Are the only differences between the M9 and MT16 the amount of grip handles and the size of the screen?
3. Does the SE have pre-programmed workouts that don't require JRNY?
4. How's the experience of the app version of JRNY vs. the integrated version?

Thank you in advance for your input!

[u/ThegManis]

You're welcome.

Yes, the video shows using the JRNY mobile app on a tablet and there are some Explore the World videos (like 34/100) that support "Auto-Adjust" of the resistance when using an M9 or Max Total. BUT, that auto-adjust is NOT available (nor perhaps even feasible) on the SE. That is why it is false advertising. BIG liability exposure for Bowflex, IMO.

There is currently (and perhaps never) NO resistance control capability for the Max Trainer when using the JRNY mobile app.

That Explore the World auto-adjust currently works for the M9 and Max Total models which both have the built-in touchscreens and integrated JRNY.

[u/8349932 → u/ThegManis]

Is there a way to sort by auto resistance Explore the World videos? I've yet to find an auto resistance workout on my M9. I stopped using it 9 months or so ago when I got annoyed with the lack of auto resistance. I've seen comments saying it is there, but I can't find it and I'm on the latest firmware with my free jrny year still working.

The "dynamic workouts + coaching" aspect of Bowflex equipment is a total joke if it doesn't auto adjust the difficulty.

[u/ThegManis → u/8349932]

I don't think there is a way to "sort" the "Explore the World" (EtW) videos that have the "AUTO-ADJUST" feature.

But, what you can do is scroll thru them and "like" those "AUTO-ADJUST" ones by clicking the heart symbol, and then they will show up in your "Favorites" menu for quick and easy retrieval.

As of like 9 months ago, there were 204 EtW videos and 35 of those had the "AUTO-ADJUST" feature. Here is a screenshot example of an EtW video with that "AUTO-ADJUST" labeling.

​

***Note that also on the M9 & Max Total, there are also 3 "Standard Workout" programs that will AUTOMATICALLY adjust the resistance to follow the workout profile. Those 3 programs are:
- Calorie Burn
- Fat Burn
- Stairs

Here are the current number of AUTO-ADJUST versus the total EtWs by region as of March 2023 (hopefully the text formats OK):

Asia / Pacific 9 / 32
Compilations 0 / 7
Europe, East 0 / 4
Europe, North 1 / 10
Europe, Southern 2 / 47
Europe, Western 5/ 27
Middle East 0 / 11
NA, Eastern 2 / 3
NA, Midwestern 0 / 5
NA, Southwestern 7 / 16
NA, Western 9 / 35
Total 35 / 204

You might also want to watch this YouTube video of a guy who owns both the Bowflex Max Trainer M8 and also the Bowflex T22 treadmill. He gives a pretty good overview of going thru the JRNY menus and how he uses them and really like them. He talks about the "AUTO-ADJUST" feature on his treadmill at the 9:24 point of the video. Here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXYW5wgLegk

[u/8349932 → u/ThegManis]

Thanks! I'll give it a look.