The Bowflex Max Trainer SE is perfect for small spaces and tight budgets
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Elliptical machines are a great way to torch calories without stressing out your joints. Unlike running or HIIT classes, 20 or 30 minutes of exercise on an elliptical can raise your heart rate, boost stamina and increase endurance without putting any extra strain on your body. And as an added bonus, you can also improve coordination and balance, all while getting a targeted, low-impact workout.
The BowFlex Max Trainer SE ($1,299) boasts a 7-inch LCD color screen, 16 levels of resistance, a USB charger and Bluetooth connectivity, and it’s more affordable than the Proform HIIT H14 ($1,799). It also has a shockingly small footprint, which was a huge bonus for me, since I’m rapidly running out of space for gym equipment.
After spending several weeks testing out the BowFlex Max Trainer SE, here’s why I think this budget-friendly elliptical is the perfect investment for anybody who wants a great full-body workout in the privacy of their own home gym.
BowFlex Max Trainer SE
The BowFlex Max Trainer SE delivers a great low-impact workout without breaking the bank.
What we liked about it
The compact design
If you’re an apartment dweller or someone who doesn’t have room for a dedicated workout space, the Max Trainer SE is a great way to stay consistent with cardio workouts at home. Unlike most ellipticals, this one isn’t bulky or too large. Its footprint is only 46.9 by 30.5 inches, making it perfect for tight spaces. To compare, the Sole E25 ($1,100) is 78 by 36 inches and the Horizon 7.0 AE ($999) is 76 by 65.5 inches. The best part? Despite its compact frame, you can still easily burn 250 to 400 calories on the Max Trainer SE without ever setting foot in a busy gym.
It’s quiet
One of the toughest parts of working out at home is making sure you don’t disturb other family members. But the Max Trainer made that easy, even when I was waking up at the crack of dawn to work out, thanks to its extremely quiet motor. And when I say quiet, I’m not exaggerating. There was no noticeable background noise at all, which meant I could work out whenever I wanted without worrying about the whole household hearing me try for a new PR.
The smart features
One of my favorite things about the Max Trainer SE is that it combines a stepper and elliptical into one sneaky machine. If you loved step classes in the ’90s, you will adore this hybrid feature. It made all of my workouts tougher and, in my opinion, far more effective.
I could really feel my glutes and leg muscles being targeted and isolated, much more so than on a traditional elliptical machine. The result was a tougher, more intense workout, though I still never felt stress on my joints or knees.
The Max Trainer SE also has a spacious water bottle holder, a 7-inch color LCD screen, a media shelf, Bluetooth speakers and a USB charger so your smartphone stays charged for the duration of your workout. And, regardless of whether you’re just beginning your fitness journey or you’re already in the best shape of your life, the Max Trainer SE has 16 different resistance levels to choose from, so there really is something for everyone. You can also test out the company’s Jrny app ($12 per month or $99 a year), which offers elliptical and adaptive fitness classes that sync with the Max Trainer SE to see your calories, distance, speed, time and cadence in real time on the 7-inch LCD screen.
What we didn’t like about it
The classes
To be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of Bowflex’s Jrny app. The instructor-led elliptical classes were fun but lacked the excitement of more interactive platforms like Peloton and NordicTrack. In theory, the adaptive classes — which are unique to Jrny — are a cool concept and have a lot of potential, but it was sometimes tough to stay motivated. You take an initial strength assessment before you stream these classes and the app customizes each workout to your specific ability, which I loved. So as you continue to progress, these classes get harder and harder based on your fitness level.
However, you can’t actually stream any of these classes on the Max Trainer SE’s screen. Your only two options are to watch a series of dots light up your smartphone or take the adaptive fitness classes at the same time as the scenic rides to make them more enjoyable. I usually did the latter, stepping through locales like Las Vegas, Budapest and Berlin, which was a great way to stay entertained. But there was no voice-over or instructor for the scenic rides so I often got bored and wound up listening to music or reading a book instead.
The built-in monitor
At first, I thought I’d be able to stream classes directly through the 7-inch LCD screen. There’s a QR code to scan the Jrny app on the monitor, so I was under the impression the classes would automatically pop up once I downloaded the app. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Although the LCD screen is great for keeping a close eye on your metrics, you can’t stream any content to the elliptical without using a smartphone or tablet — which seems counterintuitive. The Bluetooth speakers and metrics sync up, but not the video, which is even weirder. There’s also no touchscreen, so you have to manually adjust your incline with the buttons located on the handlebars. So, if you were hoping for a less expensive alternative to immersive platforms like Peloton or NordicTrack, be forewarned that you won’t be able to cheer on other riders or compete on a leaderboard, since there are no interactive features.
How it compares
One of our favorite features on the Max Trainer SE is its space-saving design, which allows it to fit virtually anywhere in your home. It’s even smaller than the Schwinn 490 Elliptical, which is marketed to be a compact alternative to ellipticals like the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 and Sole E25. The Max Trainer SE also has a whisper-quiet motor and is very comfortable and easy to move around your house, thanks to the fact that it sits on four wheels.
There are a few big drawbacks to this machine, though. Yes, it was easy to move, but it didn’t feel quite as sturdy as a larger elliptical. And though I’m petite, which means it wasn’t really an issue for me, it might be a concern for somebody who is heavier or extremely tall. Bowflex advertises that the Max Trainer SE can hold up to 300 pounds, but I don’t know how comfortable somebody that size would be on this elliptical due to its smaller frame.
I also missed having a large touchscreen and streaming content built into the attached monitor. Although there are other machines in the Max Trainer line-up that have large touchscreens and can stream Jrny radio and classes, both of them are considerably more expensive. The Max Trainer M9 retails for $1,999 and the Max Total 16 is $2,499, both significantly higher price points than the Max Trainer SE.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for an affordable elliptical that does exactly what it says it will do, look no further than the Max Trainer SE. This machine is a great no-frills option for anybody who wants to get a hearty low-impact workout at home. Not only will you save a few bucks with this model, but you’ll also get a free two-month subscription to the Jrny app. So, even if you prefer to read or listen to music, you can still test out the instructor-led videos, adaptive fitness classes and scenic classes before you decide whether or not you want to commit to a subscription.
Although we wish this elliptical came with a few more features like a built-in touchscreen and a leaderboard, the space-saving design, stepper-elliptical combo and incredibly quiet motor make it a real steal as far as we’re concerned. We think it’s a great investment for anybody who wants to improve their cardiovascular health, increase coordination and shed a few pounds without stressing out their joints or their bank accounts.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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