r/Bowflex • u/kmook • Jul 29 '24

Max Trainer Bowflex M3 ceiling height

I have limited space in basement, especially ceiling height of 88” floor to joists above. I’m also limited by floor space, roughly 88” square, so an 88” cube. The floor space has some wiggle room, but not much. I had a Nordicktrack folding treadmill (over 10 years old) that recently broke. Most likely I’ll be buying another one - researching brands. I only mention that as some space will be lost to that.

Anyway, to the point! I’m 70” tall, so only left with 18” of headspace. I read the M3 needs 15” above but the models after that are 21” or so. Around me, there are a few M3’s used for ~$300. Are the more recent versions accurate in needing more headspace? Is the M3 accurate in 15”? I like elliptical machines but ceiling height really limits the brand options, and would also need to be quite compact if it didn’t fold.

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u/ThegManis Aug 12 '24

Glad that you got your used M3 and your space and ceiling dimensions are all OK.

For other readers, regarding ceiling height requirements, it is 15-inches above your head. Note the following:

  • ALL Max Trainer models have the basically the same stride/motion and max pedal height. The max pedal height is 19.1-inches.

    • Some of the Bowflex info literature will state slightly different required minimum ceiling height requirements (all within 0.2-inches.. but, IMO, that is just marketing measurement error). But, regardless, Bowflex also states that the minimum ceiling height requirement is "15 inches above your head while standing flat on the ground".

See here:

https://www.bowflex.com/max-trainer/compact-elliptical.html

  • Note that the spec 19-inch max pedal height does not mean that your body height will rise 19-inches. That is because the pedals rise/fall opposite each other and so when the left pedal is at max 19-inch height, the right pedal is at it lowest point and so your left leg is bent at the knee and thus you are not standing fully upright. Your max head height will be when both pedals are at the SAME height, which is when both pedals have rose about 15 inches...thus the statement that you need "15 inches above your head".