Bowflex M6 vs M9 [2023 In-Depth Comparison]

This Bowflex M6 vs M9 review will help you decide whether the Bowflex M6 or M9 is the right machine for your home.

Bowflex Max Trainer trainers are designed to give you an awesome full-body HIIT workout, that will burn off a tonne of calories in no time at all.

They take up hardly any space and offer a great low-impact workout that is kind to your joints.

Max Trainers are great and a good choice for anyone looking to get fit in the comfort of their own home. But is the Bowflex M9 worth the extra compared to the Bowflex M6? Let’s take a closer look at the differences between them.

Bowflex M9 vs M6 Comparative Review

What is a Max Trainer?

The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 and Bowflex Max Trainer M6 are not your average ellipticals, they are ellipticals crossed with a high stepper, to create a unique way of exercising.

The Bowflex Max Trainers combine the features of an elliptical and stair climber.  This unique vertical movement pattern engages more muscles, including your glutes, hips, thighs, and calves. 

What Bowflex has come up with is a machine that is far more natural to use than an elliptical, so if you have tried one in the past and found the movement to be a bit awkward then I suggest giving this a try.

You’ll hopefully agree that it feels better to use plus you still get the low-impact exercise that has made ellipticals so popular.

The Max Trainers give you an upper and lower body workout so that overall you will burn nearly three times as many calories as you would over the same amount of time on other exercise equipment.

This is pretty awesome for anyone with a busy schedule as you can wave goodbye to separate cardio, arm, and leg workout, which saves you both time and effort.

Bowflex has come up with a 14 minute workout which is short enough to fit into anyone’s routine, but tough enough that it will really help you to achieve your fitness goals

Don’t forget that while these workouts are high-intensity, they are low impact on your muscles and joints. When you use a Max Trainer your feet and hands actually stay on the machine the whole time so there is far less impact than with an exercise like running.

You can also use the Bowflex JRNY digital fitness platform to access various classes and workouts.

This can be done from the integrated touchscreen which is also compatible with popular entertainment apps like Netflix which is ideal for people that prefer a bit of escapism while they exercise.

You’ll still get your exercise stats in the corner of the screen though to help you to stay focused and motivated. And with its compact design, a Max Trainer is perfect for those with limited space. 

>>> Read more at Bowflex.com

Bowflex M9 Max Trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer M6 – Key Differences

The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 is a new and improved version of the Bowflex M6 which costs slightly more. So what are the differences?

Well, probably the biggest difference between the Bowflex M6 and Bowflex M9 is that the M9 has a 10 inch touch screen while the M6 has a simpler digital display.

This allows you to fully integrate with the excellent JRNY app which provides you with fitness classes and the ability to stream you favourite shows while you exercise.

Its worth noting that you need to login via JRNY to use the M9 so you must be connected to the internet for the M9 to work. If you have no wifi where you’re exercising the M6 will still work perfectly.

The Bowflex M9 has 20 different resistance levels which is 4 more than the 16 on offer with the Bowflex M6 . This means that you get a greater degree of control over the level of intensity with the Bowflex M9 compared to the Bowflex M6.

I don’t feel that this is a huge deal. While having 20 levels is better than 16, both the M6 and M9 have a good range of resistance levels.

Another benefit of the Bowflex M9 is that it allows you to create an unlimited number of user profiles while the Bowflex M6 only allows you to have two. If you intend to share the machine with several other people then this is a feature worth having.

The other big difference is that the M9 comes with a Bluetooth armband that will monitor your heart rate more accurately than the hand grips do on the M6.

The M9 also has a hand grip heart rate monitor so you have options if you go for the more premium Bowflex M9.

Bowflex M6 vs M9 Review – Console Screen

One area where the Bowflex M9 stands out above the M6 is with the stunning 10-inch High Definition touchscreen that serves as a control center.

With this screen, you can access personalized training to take your workout to the next level.

With a JRNY membership, (which is free for the first year when you purchase the M9 Max). You’ll receive personalized coaching, custom workouts, virtual outdoor runs with Explore The World™, and live sessions with a trainer.

This crystal-clear screen also doubles as a window to your favorite streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Now you can stay entertained while you work up a sweat during your self-led workouts.

The M9 Max’s interactive console also comes equipped with a convenient media shelf/notch, allowing you to stow your tablet, phone, or even prop up a magazine while you train. Plus, with the onboard Bluetooth speakers, you can easily hear your instructors, music, or the latest episode of your favorite show.

The Bowflex M6 has a far simpler display but it does feature a burn rate monitor that shows you the intensity of your workout. If you follow a routine like the 14 minute workout you will use this monitor to keep your work rate in the right zone for high intensity and active rest periods.

As there is no screen for workouts you’ll need to watch them on your phone or tablet. You can still subscribe to JRNY and use all the features of that app but on your own device.

Bowflex have included a magnetic media rack so you can easily put your tablet where you can see it.

Bowflex M9 vs M6 – Price Comparison

The Bowflex M9 is more expensive than the Bowflex M6. The M9 costs around $1500 with the M6 usually around $300 cheaper.

This is to be expected given the added features that you get with a Bowfex Max Trainer M9. In particular, that lovely touchscreen must add to the cost of production.

You might get lucky though, sometimes Bowflex reduces the price of the M9 to the level of the M6 which makes it a true bargain!

Check today’s prices here

Bowflex Max M6 vs Bowflex Max M9 – Resistance

The Bowflex M9 offers a greater choice when it comes to setting the resistance as it has 20 levels or resistance compared to the 16 levels that the Bowflex M6 has.

It is also a bit easier to change resistance levels when you are using the M9 as it can be changed by turning a nice big illuminated dial in the middle of the console.

With the M6 you change levels by pressing buttons on the console. This is absolutely fine too, just not quite as slick as on the M9.

Bowflex Max Trainer M9 vs M6 – User Profiles

The Bowflex Max M9 edges ahead of the M6 when it comes to user profiles as it offers an unlimited number of user profiles. The Bowflex M6 is restricted to just 2 profiles.

If you live in a larger household this is a clear benefit of the M9, but many people will be happy with 2.

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 vs M9 – JRNY

JRNY is the fitness app that Bowflex use to provide interactive fitness classes and allows you to run virtually in locations all around the world.

JRNY also allows you to stream from the likes of Netflix or Disney+ whilst showing you key exercise stats on the screen.

JRNY is great and both the M6 and M9 come with a one year subscription to the premium service.

After that, you can pay to continue the full featured service or drop down to the free version of JRNY which has fewer features.

If you are using Bowflex M9 then you can access all of this straight from the touchscreen but if you are using Bowflex M6 you will need to use your own tablet or phone.

So, the M9 works better with JRNY in general but the M6 can also work with a tiny bit of effort.

It’s worth noting that to use the M9 you have to login via JRNY. This isn’t really an issue and you can have a free JRNY account with less content if you don’t want to pay for it.

But it does mean that you need an internet connection. If you don’t have good wifi in your exercise room go for the M6.

If you like the idea of joining exercise classes or streaming while you exercise (a great way to take your mind off it), then the M9 might be the one for you.

Bowflex M6 vs M9 – Heart Rate Monitoring

Both the Bowflex M6 and Bowflex M9 have EKG hand grip sensors that will monitor your heart rate.

However, the M9 also has a second (superior) option which is an arm band that connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to the M9 and gives a more accurate measure of heart rate.

Bowflex M9 vs M6 – Size Comparison

One of the great things about these Max Trainers is that they are so compact. They are about half the size of a normal elliptical or treadmill.

There isn’t a huge difference between the M6 and M9 when it comes to size.

The M9 measures 49.2″ x 30.5″ x 65.1″ (L x W x H). The M6 is slightly smaller, with a footprint of 46″ x 26″ x 64.2″.

So, the M6 is a couple of inches shorter and narrower. Both machines have a maximum user weight of 300 pounds.

Bowflex M9 vs M6 – Warranty

Bowflex provides the Max Trainer M9 with the following warranty coverage:

• 3-year frame warranty
• 3-year parts warranty
• 90-day labor warranty

This is longer than the warranty you get with the Max M6:

• Frame: 2 Years
• Parts: 2 Years
• Labor: 90 Days

This is probably what you would expect given that the M9 is more expensive but both warranties are on the short side. Fortunately, Bowflex is well known for producing robust and long-lasting exercise equipment.

What is Bowflex JRNY?

The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 is a highly interactive machine that is designed to integrate with the Bowflex JRNY app, which is a subscription-based app that offers on-demand workout classes specifically designed for your machine. 

By creating a user account, you can track your progress and receive personalized recommendations over time for a monthly fee of $19.99. When you buy the machine from Bowflex you get 1 year of subscription included.

Don’t worry, if you prefer not to pay the monthly subscription fee after the free year, you can still use the machine without a subscription. Although obviously, you will lose access to the fitness classes and other features of the app.

Despite this, the JRNY app offers a wide range of features to keep you motivated, including instructor-led videos that allow you to explore the world’s real-world destinations.

The JRNY app also allows you to log in to popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or HBO, so you can watch your favorite shows while you work out. 

The app even offers JRNY radio stations, so you can enjoy your favorite tunes while you exercise.

All of your workout metrics are displayed discreetly at the bottom of your screen, so you can stay focused on your workout while still enjoying your entertainment.

Bowflex Max M6 vs M9 – Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts on the Bowflex M6 vs M9 comparison?

Well, the Bowflex M6 is a bit cheaper and offers basically the same workout so if you want to save a few dollars then you can go for that one safe in the knowledge that you are getting a great home exercise machine.

The M6 is also the one to get if you have limited internet where you exercise.

The stand out feature of the M9 is the lovely touchscreen console. If you like the idea of taking part in exercise classes or travelling around the world while you exercise then you will love the JRNY app.

The fact that it is fully integrated in the Bowflex M9 does give a much better user experience and I think that if this is something you plan to use a lot it’s worth paying the extra to get the M9.