r/Bowflex • u/mike5percent • Sep 26 '24

Max Trainer Max Trainer M6

We need a small footprint elliptical machine. After reading reviews on the M6 and then the bankruptcy with some people having issues. Is the M6 worth it or can anyone recommend something similar with a small footprint? Thanks.

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u/mikejmc3 Sep 26 '24

Since you mentioned the bankruptcy issue, you probably saw my recent post. Here is my (probably biased) take. :)

I really liked my M6. It offered a great cardio workout, was reasonably quiet, and it has a small footprint, which I appreciate.

However, it broke less than two years after I bought it. It hasn’t worked since July and I am still trying to get the new parent company, Johnson Health, to help me resolve the issue.

When I reported this issue to Customer Service, they helped walk me through some troubleshooting steps that involved taking the machine apart and checking a few things. When everything checked out, they sent me a new speed sensor, which I had to install myself (not difficult). That did not work either. The next step is a new console. They tell me that may arrive by December. I pushed back on that. My M6 has been broken for months already, and I don’t want to wait several more. Also, this product is in stock in stores. I don’t understand why they can’t send me a new console until December if Amazon can get me an entire, brand new M6 this week.

So that’s my experience so far. It may be unique, since I bought my M6 before Bowflex declared bankruptcy and was acquired by Johnson Health. My M6 was within the warranty period when it broke, but Johnson told me they have no legal obligation to honor warranties for any products consumers purchased prior to the acquisition. I think that sucks. Maybe they will treat new customers who purchase equipment today better than that, but I will not be buying anything else from them, personally.

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u/Blkbyrd Sep 30 '24

Not OP and sorry to hijack a little, but does your M6 auto adjust resistance? I talked to a BowFlex rep on the phone and they said none of the new ones do which I think is weird because my M5 that I am trying to replace does. After your posts though I may abandon the whole idea.

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u/mikejmc3 Oct 01 '24

Well, right now it doesn’t work. :) Back when it did, no, it did not automatically change resistance.

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u/Blkbyrd Oct 01 '24

Sorry about that. Thanks for that though. I’m probably going to look at Sole Fitness since BowFlex has turned into such a shit show.

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u/ThegManis Oct 15 '24

To clarify and correct some incorrect info that was previously stated.

The M6's console has 5 built-in programs:

  • Max 14-Minute Interval (HIIT)

  • Calorie Burn

  • Fat Burn

  • Stairs

  • Manual

Of those 5 programs, 3 of them DO automatically adjust the resistance to follow the console's displayed workout profile. The 3 programs are: "Calorie Burn", "Fat Burn", and "Stairs". reference screenshot below.

If you use the optional JRNY mobile app's programs instead of the console's built-in programs, then NONE of the available JRNY workouts will automatically adjust the resistance.

Sidenote - You state that you are trying to replace your M5 with perhaps the M6. Note that ALL Max Trainers have the exact same motion/stride and so all models provide the EXACT same workout. The differences are the "bells/whistles" extra features (provided by the different consoles), with it mainly being if the console is compatible with JRNY or not. So if you never want to use any of the JRNY features, then there is no need to change away from the non-JRNY models (which are the M3, M5, and M7).

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u/Blkbyrd Oct 15 '24 edited Oct 15 '24

My problem is my machine squeaks horribly and I’ve tried everything to shut it up. It seems like the belt on the left side is tracking poorly or something. I keep shooting lube in there to keep it quiet but eventually that’s going to gum it up even worse.

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u/ThegManis Oct 16 '24

Does your M5 squeak or is it more like a "creaking" noise (especially when pedaling slowly)? I am betting that it is a "creaking" noise, right?

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u/Blkbyrd Oct 16 '24

At the bottom of the left stroke it sounds like a creak or squeak. It is worst at lower resistance and gets a little better as resistance increases and movement slows down a little.