The Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT are elliptical machines that have gained popularity due to their ability to provide a low-impact yet high-intensity workout that blends the movements of a stair stepper and an elliptical machine. These machines offer time-efficient workouts that are perfect for individuals with busy schedules who desire to enhance their cardiovascular fitness and burn calories. With its unique resistance technology, the Bowflex Max Trainer allows users to modify the intensity of their exercises. At the same time, the Proform HIIT is equipped with various pre-programmed workouts and interactive features to keep users captivated and encouraged. Moreover, both machines have compact designs that make them suitable for home use.
If you want to achieve a complete body workout while staying in the comfort of your home, consider looking into the Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT. These fitness equipment options can be effective in helping you achieve your fitness goals. In this blog post, we compare the two machines head-to-head so you can decide which one is best for your fitness goals. If you are looking for the ultimate Bowflex Max Trainer vs Proform HIIT comparison, this blog post will assist you massively in your decision-making.
Why Are They Better Than Regular Elliptical Machines?
The Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT are great alternatives to a standard elliptical machine. Both machines feature a vertical elliptical / stair-climber motion designed to help the user burn more calories in less time. The Bowflex Max Trainer has a more stair-stepping motion, while the Proform HIIT has a vertical elliptical motion. Furthermore, they both take up less space in the home, making them ideal for people with limited space. Additionally, both machines offer streaming options, allowing users to access various exercise classes, world trails, and customized workouts.
Bowflex Max Trainer Overview
The Bowflex Max Trainer series, which includes the Max Trainer M6, Max Trainer M8, Max Trainer M9, and Max Total 40, is designed to provide a full-body, high-intensity interval workout or can be used for low-intensity steady-state training. The machines are designed with enhanced dual-mode LCD/LED screens with multi-grip dynamic handles and aero bars. Each of these machines also has 20 levels of resistance to choose from apart from the Max Trainer M6 and can support up to 300 pounds of maximum user weight.
Whether you’re looking for an intense cardio workout or a more relaxed workout, the Bowflex Max Trainer series has something to offer everyone. With their small footprints, these machines are perfect for any home gym or office space. The Bowflex Max Trainer is an excellent option to push yourself during your gym sessions and burn significant calories. It offers an upward step motion and can be progressively adjusted to become more challenging as you become stronger.
Proform HIIT
The ProForm HIIT series is an innovative range of steppers that offer an effective and efficient workout experience. The series currently includes the Pro HIIT H14 and Carbon HIIT H10 models, both of which feature a 10-inch vertical and 5-inch horizontal elliptical path. The Pro HIIT H14 has 26 resistance levels of silent magnetic resistance, while the Carbon HIIT H10 has 24 levels. Both models come with built-in workouts, iFit programming, and multifunctional handlebars.
The main difference between the HIIT 10 and 14 is that the HIIT 10 comes with a 10″ Smart HD Touchscreen while the HIIT 14 comes with a 14″ Smart HD Touchscreen.
Although this series is a bit pricey, it is well worth the cost for those who want to get a good workout. Assembly is also easy, so you can start your workout quickly.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: Lower Body Motion
The Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT offer a similar lower body motion known as an elliptical stride. This type of motion involves a smooth, low-impact movement that mimics the natural motion of walking, jogging, or running. It’s designed to provide a full-body workout while putting less stress on your joints compared to traditional high-impact exercises like running. However, there is a small difference in how these machines execute the elliptical strides.
The Bowflex Max Trainer is a stair-stepper with a basic up-and-down motion. It mimics a stair climber. You cannot pedal forward or backward with this machine; there is no horizontal movement as with the Proform HIIT machines.
The Proform HIIT trainer offers a unique lower body motion compared to the Bowflex Max Trainer. It provides a 10-inch vertical stride with a 5-inch horizontal stride, giving it a more climbing, vertical-elliptical style motion. This motion allows users to pedal forward and backward, giving them more crosstraining options. This motion can be preferred over the up-and-down stair-stepper motion of the Max Trainer, depending on the user’s preferences.
Compared to the Bowflex Max Trainer, the Proform HIIT trainer features a distinctive lower body motion that involves a 10-inch vertical stride and a 5-inch horizontal stride. This results in a climbing, vertical-elliptical style of movement that enables users to pedal both forward and backward, providing additional cross-training possibilities. Depending on individual preferences, this motion may be favored over the up-and-down stair-stepper motion of the Max Trainer.
Although no scientific studies have compared the effectiveness of different motions, the choice ultimately depends on personal preference as to whether you prefer the more distinctive motion of the Proform HIIT or the stair stepper motion of the Bowflex Max Trainer.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: Display
As mentioned above, the Bowflex Max Trainer series has 4 different models, including the Max Trainer M6, M8, M9, and the Max Total 40.
These 4 models differ in terms of their consoles which we will now briefly go over.
- Max Trainer M6: The M6 has a Backlit Full colored LCD display, and this display is the least appealing when compared to the other 3 models, which is to be expected as this is the cheapest model. This display lacks all the bells and whistles and doesn’t provide that much information, as it only allows you to view the basic metrics for tracking your workouts.
- Max Trainer M8: The display on this machine is slightly improved over the M6 and includes a dual mode for the LCD and LED screen. The colors on the LCD display are better than the M6 and the colors look much more enriched. The M8 also comes with a burn rate display.
- Max Trainer M9: This machine comes with a 10″ touchscreen that significantly improves the M9 console, as the touchscreen provides a much more immersive experience when using the machine.
- Max Total 40: If you want the whole experience, the Max Total 40 is your best bet. This model comes with a beautiful 16″ touchscreen that is really easy to use and provides gorgeous picture quality.
Now let’s move on to Proform and look at their machines, the Carbon HIIT H10 and the Pro HIIT H14.
There isn’t much difference between the H10 and H14 in terms of functionality; the only difference is that the H10 has a 10″ Smart HD Touchscreen and the H14 has a 14″ Smart HD touchscreen. Both Proform machines don’t offer the basic LCD option and only offer these two machines with touchscreen displays.
The Bowflex M6 models come with a basic LCD display that costs nearly as much as the Proform H10 that comes with a much better smart Touchscreen display, so, in terms of value for money, you’re getting more with the Proform machines.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: Streaming Options
In today’s world, streaming on fitness equipment has become increasingly popular for those looking to stay fit and healthy. With more people now working from home, the demand for connected fitness equipment has significantly increased as individuals strive to build their own home gyms. Companies like Peloton have capitalized on this trend and offer a wide range of services that integrate live video streaming to provide an in-person experience virtually.
Furthermore, the market is seeing new and advanced fitness devices being released which are technologically innovative and tailored to the needs of modern consumers. As a result, fitness gear, gadgets, and apparel sales have skyrocketed in recent years and will likely continue to increase soon.
Bowflex and Proform have streaming options called the iFit Coach and the Bowlfex JRNY. These programs are really interactive and allow you to have much more fun with your workout instead of looking at a boring timer.
iFit Coach from Proform is a revolutionary interactive fitness training app that provides access to thousands of workouts. It is accessible on NordicTrack, ProForm, Matrix, FreeMotion, and Weider equipment. It features interactive personal training on all iFit accessible equipment in the user’s home gym. With its vibrant Google Street View workouts and its mobile-based platform, it has become increasingly popular among consumers looking to get the most out of their fitness regime. On top of that, it allows users to train with superhuman iFit coaches who work out just as hard as they do. With iFit Coach from Proform, users can run virtually and access thousands of workouts, including cardio, HIIT, strength training, and yoga.
Bowflex JRNY is a personalized workout app that helps you live healthier. JRNY is a fitness program developed by Nautilus, the parent company of Bowflex. It provides personalized workouts that adapt and evolve based on your progress, targeting cardio, strength, and whole-body fitness. With their adaptive fitness membership, users experience hundreds of whole-body floor workouts like yoga, pilates, and more, along with on-demand strength classes made exclusively for your Bowflex equipment. Moreover, the app offers customized workouts based on their inputs and performance which adapts to their progress and recommends exercises to fit their needs. While exercising in over 40 destinations worldwide, users can also enjoy streaming entertainment options.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 and Max Total 40 come with a JRNY built-in experience, allowing you access to streaming entertainment during your workout. You can use your existing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney accounts on the built-in touchscreen. With the JRNY membership, you can explore something new and personalized every day of the week and thousands of ways to combine workouts and entertainment. Important to note, you will still need to subscribe to JRNY for the full streaming experience. The additional streaming services of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney are not included in the membership cost, so you must sign up for each of these streaming services.
Choosing between Bowflex JRNY and Proform iFit Coach as the better streaming platform is subjective and depends on personal preference. Proform iFit Coach, which has been available for longer, offers access to live workouts and more world trail videos. On the other hand, Bowflex JRNY allows users to connect their machines to online streaming services, which are not available on the iFit platform. In the end, the decision to choose between the two platforms depends on individual needs and preferences.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: Arm Bar Positioning
The arm bars on the Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT are quite different. The Max Trainer has a straight arm bar, while the HIIT trainer has a curved arm bar with multiple grip positions. This allows the user to change their hand position while exercising and get a more varied workout.
The curved arm bar also helps to reduce strain on the wrists and forearms, allowing for a more comfortable workout. The Max Trainer’s straight grip gives the user more stability and control when using the machine but won’t allow as much flexibility as the Proform. This isn’t a big deal to most, but it is something to consider.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: Pricing
Both these machines from both these companies will vary in pricing, so we recommend heading over to the manufacturer’s website to get the latest update on pricing.
Bowflex has 4 different models on its website, as mentioned earlier in this article. The pricing for these models starts from around $1499 for the cheapest model, the M6. The most affordable currently from Proform, the Carbon HIIT H10, is available on their website at $1403, slightly cheaper than the Bowflex. Remember that the H10 comes with touchscreen functionality while the Proform only comes with touchscreen capabilities on their more premium models, which would be the M9 and Max Total 40.
Bowflex Max Trainer vs. Proform HIIT: The Verdict
The Bowflex Max Trainer and Proform HIIT are great machines for those looking to get a high-intensity workout in their home. The Max Trainer offers an up-and-down stair-stepping motion, while the Proform HIIT trainers provide a more vertical climbing motion.
Both machines also offer streaming workout videos, with the Proform offering a full-color, HD, touchscreen console and Bowflex allowing you to connect to your streaming services with a JRNY subscription on premium models. In terms of price, the Proform HIIT trainers are more affordable and we believe they offer slightly more value for money. Ultimately, which machine is best for you depends on your preferred motion and features.
FAQ’s
Is The Proform HIIT Trainer Worth It?
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro is a great value for the money and offers an efficient, comfortable, and competitively priced workout. It’s packed with programs and features, and its smooth footpath feels even better than expected. It’s also extremely stable, not at all wobbly, and quieter than most machines of this price point. With its multiple handlebars allowing for various workouts, this machine is great for home use and provides an optimal workout experience. For those looking for a great quality stair-climber or elliptical machine, the ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro is worth considering!
Is Bowflex Max Trainer a HIIT Workout?
The Bowflex Max Trainer is ideal for those looking to get a full-body workout with high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The Max Trainers are designed to provide intense sprint interval training, but can also be used for general aerobics. They feature motion that emulates a stair climber, allowing folks to burn a bunch of calories in less time. With its full-throttle, high-intensity cardio feature that progressively gets harder as you become stronger, the Bowflex Max Trainer is the perfect choice for HIIT workouts.
Is The Bowflex Max Trainer Worth Buying?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a great investment for anyone looking for a full-body workout that won’t take up too much space. This machine combines a stair stepper’s motion and an elliptical machine’s features, giving users low-impact workouts with tons of variety. The Max Trainer M6 also offers 16 resistance levels, so you can adjust your workout to your fitness level. This machine is worth every penny for those willing to pay a premium for quality.
What Muscle Does Proform HIIT Work?
The ProForm HIIT Trainer is a great way to get a full-body workout in one single machine. Its moving handles, pedal motion, and multi-grip handlebars work in conjunction to activate major muscle groups throughout the body. It is particularly effective at targeting your lower-body muscles, such as your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves, but the multifunctional handlebars also help to create an upper-body workout. Depending on your grip, you can target different upper body muscles, such as the chest, back, and shoulders. In addition, the HIIT Trainer also promotes a low-impact workout, making it suitable for those who may not be able to engage in intense resistance training.
What Are The Disadvantages Of HIIT Training?
- Dizziness: HIIT can cause dizziness due to the high-intensity nature of the exercise.
- Injury Risk: HIIT places a lot more stress on the body, which increases the risk of injury.
- Longer Recovery: HIIT is a highly demanding form of exercise and can take longer to recover from than other forms of exercise.
- Glycogen Depletion: The high-intensity nature of HIIT can deplete glycogen stores faster than other forms of exercise.
- Overtraining: Over-training over extended periods of HIIT can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.
Is A 20-Minute HIIT Workout Enough?
While HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts are known for being intense and efficient, a 20-minute session can still provide cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of a 20-minute HIIT workout varies depending on factors such as workout intensity, exercises performed, and individual fitness levels and goals. To maintain progress, it is essential to prioritize proper form and gradually increase the workout’s intensity and duration over time.