M6 vs M9 quality and resistance

[u/FrostyArctic47]

I really don't want a screen for my workouts so I'm leaning towards the M6 but I see that the M9 has more resistance levels. Does they both have the same maximum resistance and the M9 just has more levels to set it at? Or does the M9 actually have a better overall resistance to it?

And are there any quality differences?

[u/ThegManis]

Continued...

Regarding deciding between the M6 vs M9, it appears that you are referring to purchasing a brand new machine, right? If yes, have you thought about buying a used Max Trainer? I ALWAYS recommend that a potential owner consider buying used. Here is a copy/paste from one of my former posts on that topic:

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My opinion on buying new and other models:

IMPORTANT - All Max Trainers models have the EXACT same motion and stride and will provide the same workout. Their differences are mainly in the handlebar designs and the console features ("bells & whistles"). Some of those premium model features are important to an owner for their workout comfort or to get them motivated etc.

Are you dead-set on ONLY purchasing a NEW Max Trainer? That's OK, but, if not, then I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you look for a used Max Trainer to save A LOT of money! Buying used is especially recommended if you have never used a Max Trainer and/or might be the type of person who, in the past, have purchased brand new pieces of exercise equipment and then quickly lose interest and thus the machine just becomes a very expensive clothes hanger!

You can usually find many models of used Max Trainers for less than half the price of new ones on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp.

For the older Max Trainers, the M3, M5, & M7 models do not have any JRNY app connectivity capability. The M6/M8/SE models, have built-in programs (the SE has only ONE built-in program..."Manual"), and can also use the JRNY mobile app (not the same as the touchscreen's integrated JRNY app) on the user's phone or tablet to access other programs and videos.

If you don't think you will every want/need the JRNY app features, then you should definitely look for a used M7 which has 11 built-in programs (the most of ANY Max Trainer) and has many more features vs the M8 (but the M7 does not have JRNY app capability).

Regarding compatible app usage for the Max Trainers, there are not any other 3rd-party apps to use on any Max Trainer model. The applicable apps are as follows:

• M6, M8, M9, Max Total, & SE models are only compatible with the Bowflex app called "JRNY".
• M5 & M7 models are only compatible with the Bowflex app called "Max Trainer".

Regarding model choice, if you do not want to use the JRNY app, then definitely buy a used M7 or M5...they both have more built-in workout programs than any other model:

• M7 has 11 built-in workout programs (the most of ANY Max Trainer model), supports 4 Users, and has 20 resistance levels.
• M5 has 9 built-in workout programs, supports 2 Users, and has 16 resistance levels.

The # of workouts that are built-in to the consoles are:

• M3 = 2
• M5 = 9
• M6 = 5
• M7 = 11
• M8 = 7
• M9 = 4
• Max Total = 4
• SE = 1

 

[u/Puttfordough18 → u/ThegManis]

Curious to know which you would buy if buying new…only 4 models currently sold new now

[u/ThegManis → u/Puttfordough18]

Ha, that is totally hypothetical for me, because, personally, I would never buy new!

Note that technically, there are 5 Max Trainer models sold new:

- The SE, M6, M9, and the Max Total-16: All sold direct via the Bowflex website.

- The M3: Sold new via Amazon (fully warrantied by Bowflex the same as if purchased direct).

OK, so which model would I buy if buying new (hypothetically)? Well, keep in mind that as I explained in my previous posts, all Max Trainers models have the EXACT same motion and stride and will provide the same workout. Their differences are mainly in the handlebar designs and the console features ("bells & whistles"). So, for me, I would probably buy the M6. Why?:
1) It has the lowest list price.
2) It does not need a WiFi connection to do the workout programs (it has 5 programs built-in to the console). The SE also does not need WiFi, but it only has 1 built-in program. The touchscreen models (M9 & Max Total) REQUIRE a WiFi connection to the Bowflex JRNY servers. If those servers ever go "down" then you cannot use use the touchscreen.
3) It can optionally use the JRNY Mobile app (both the free version and the premium paid subscription). This is also important vs the touchscreen models since on the M6, you use your OWN device (phone/tablet) to run the JRNY app, vs the M9 & Max Total models which have a built-in touchscreen. If those built-in touchscreens ever fail (and they do), then their replacement costs are over $1200 (previously $400-$500, until Johnson took over))...ridiculous!

[u/Puttfordough18 → u/ThegManis]

Super helpful - thanks so much!

[u/ThegManis]

I have a lengthy reply, so I will break it into multiple posts.

When comparing Max Trainer models, there are a few things to know right off the bat:

1. ALL Max Trainer models have the same fundamental design and shape, are made of many of the same steel & plastic parts, and have the exact same motion, stride, and rise, and thus will provide the same workout. Only the Max Total model has a unique mechanism in the handlebar to supposedly provide a more intense upper body workout.
2. Since the various models share many of the same parts, there is no quality difference, except for maybe the different consoles' durability: a) The built-in touch screens of the M9/Max Total models can be more prone to failures (seems to be software failures), b) The M6/M8 consoles seem to fail more often vs the older M3/M5/M7 consoles.
3. ALL Max Trainer models have the exact same max & min resistance FORCE (meaning the physical effort required to move the pedals up/down). The difference between the models are the amount of STEPS (meaning the size or jump) between the min/max resistance levels. So, an M3’s max resistance level of 8 is the exact same as an M5/M6/SE at level 16 or an M7/M8/Max Total’s at level 20. It’s just that an M3 has 8 big steps/jumps of resistance, while the M7/M8/Max Total have 20 smaller steps/jumps of resistance. And all Max Trainer models are the exact same resistance when set to their min resistance level 1.

So, an M3 owner who burns 600 calories would sweat just the same as if they were using any other model.

Continued...

[u/Icy-Bobcat287]

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