Bowflex Max Alternatives – Alternative Ellipticals To the Bowflex Max Trainer

Looking for a Bowflex Max alternative machine? The Bowflex Max Trainer is a hybrid elliptical trainer-stair climber machine that combines lower body climbing motions with upper body elliptical arm bars for a full body workout.

The Max is excellent for HIIT workouts (or High Intensity Interval Training) and according to the Manufacturer, you can burn up to 2.5 times more calories on the Max Trainer than you can on a regular elliptical.

But are there any alternatives to the Bowflex Max? Well, about a year ago, the answer was no – the Max was pretty unique and kudos to Bowflex for designing such a cool, fat-burning trainer.

But the good news is that now you have options. Other brands have seen the success of Bowflex and come out with their own options to build on the Max’s success. So here are 3 of your options with the benefits to each:

#1 Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer

The Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer is an elliptical that combines a 10 inch vertical stride with a 5 inch horizontal stride for a vertical climbing motion – very similar to what you get with the Max Trainer.

It also gives you upper body arms for whole body training and takes up half the space as a regular elliptical. Plus it comes with a few things you don’t get with the Bowflex trainer – like the option for iFit LIVE (which adds more workouts to your trainer including several HIIT workouts and lets you track your workouts over time).

You also get a built-in console fan to keep you cool and 24 levels of resistance (which is slightly more than the Max Elliptical).

#2 Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer Pro

This is a step up from the Cardio HIIT Trainer above, and my favorite option of all. It combines the same design of the Cardio HIIT Trainer – along with a full color console and built-in, touch screen web browser.

So you can surf the net as you workout, read the latest business news or watch YouTube videos for fun.

It gives you more levels of resistance than the HIIT trainer – so there’s more room to grow as well. There’s also a heavier flywheel for added stability.

Plus it’s actually a few hundred less than the premium Max Trainer model. So it’s a great value.

#3 Sole SC200 Stepper

This is another combo stepper-elliptical traner with upper body arm bars for a whole body workout.

It’s a bit simpler than the HIIT Trainer or the Bowflex Max with a scaled down console and a few less resistance levels than the HIIT trainer.

But it does come with several built-in workouts and a hand grip heart rate monitor to stay in your target fat-burning zone. You also get wheels on the bottom of the stepper to move it to anywhere in your home easily.

So those are 3 similar alternatives to the Bowflex Max Trainer. Each one has its own unique benefits.

Don’t forget however there are now 3 different Max Trainer models staring around $1100 and up – so chances are you may also find a Max Trainer that is right for you if you decide that’s what you want.

Remember to take your time, do your research and find a machine you really love – one that can grow with you as your fitness level grows over time. Then you’ll have a machine you can use for years to come!