Bowflex Max Trainer M5

Awesome – Had this for about 3 years. Use it most days. It’s brilliant. I reckon I’d be 30kg heavier without it. You have sweat dripping off your nose in 14 minutes.

Amazing machine – I got suckered in to the Bowflex infomercials on a business trip months ago. The price was pretty high so kind of put it out of my mind. I think looked on Gumtree a week ago. I bought a 4 year old M5 off Gumtree for $500. Very happy with it so far. Very hard at first but starting to get used to it. Looks awesome and doesn’t take up much room compared to a typical elliptical. Show details

be aware if you looking to buy the bowflex M6 or M8 – i just spoke to someone at the TV shop and he advised that the price for the M6 is now $6000 and the M8 is $8000 but they have a 50% discount special so the M6 will cost $3000.00 and the M8 will cost $4000. the difference between the M5 and M6 is minscule I bought the M5 in 2016 for $3000. i smell a rat... just saying BUYER BEWARE.  Show details

Waste of money - Buyer beware – Bought this machine 3 years ago. Had just paid it off and the warranty had just run out when the screen display stopped working - preventing me from changing gears. I emailed TVShop who took 3 weeks to respond and after sending multiple emails and videos back and forth they advised that the only solution was for me to pay another $109 for two new… Read more

parts. After making payment it then took another month for the parts to arrive as they were sent in 2 separate boxes with one of the boxes getting lost in the mail. When I finally received the two parts it didn't fix my problem to which TVShop had no other solutions. I then had to return the two parts to them to get a refund of my $109.98 - which I am still chasing to date 2 months after the parts were received by their facility (as confirmed by Australia Post). Very disappointed in the product - which is now unusable - and the customer service received from TVShop. I didn't use the product excessively - only for 1 - 2 x 16 minute sessions per day most weekdays. The customer service is poor - every time I phoned/ emailed I had to explain the story to a new person for them to chase it up. I have had to constantly send proof of the machine not working, money being debited and not refunded, Australia Post tracking receipt confirming delivery at their end. No offer of a new product or refund on the money I have paid for this product - no resolution for my faulty product that I can no longer use.

Bowflex m7 – I like the Mxflextrainer just got it and is good I am in love with it. I am looking at the ad for it now it is worth to get.

Got an Ex Demo M5 from TV Shop - Works wonderfully – Managed to get an ex demo from the TV shop for 2k, and the machine came delivered to me already set-up (in a HUGE box) Have not had any issues with it - been using it for almost 2 years now. Does not make any odd noises apart from a slight tap when the right pedal arm comes down and the pedal slides across a little. I notice a lot of people… Read more

have problems with this unit - I will only say to you that you should definitely ask to see if they have any ex-demo units (so pre-built), or make sure you ask them to send a professional to put it together for you. It seems as though if you do anything wrong in the install it might screw the whole thing up.

But yeah, I don't have back issues, although I do get a sore lower back when standing over something (like when doing the dishes). This machine does not stress my back at all, but I never expected it too. Feels like you have excellent posture on it though.

I don't really get a whole lot of upper body workout, its something I guess, but your legs and gravity really do most of the work. You can use your arms and lay off your legs, but its feels a bit strange. Perhaps this is something you could get used to, but I have never wanted to - I use my arms a bit for balance and I guess to slightly assist my legs, but the cardio is definitely coming from leg work.

One of the things I love about my M5 is that it looks fantastic - a bit like an F1 car of exercise machines, and it is so upright in its construction if really does fit almost anywhere and doesn't need much space. So I have this machine in my lounge without shame, and people always comment on how cool it looks. Just really great design.

I like the interval training program it uses, but I also like just getting on, You dont even need to plug this machine into power to get a workout, just jump on. But yeah the interval training is probably the best system for cardio and weight loss, just remember that if you are out of shape that it might take a little while to be able to finish even the simplest first level completely (it took me a little while, and I over did it the first time).

Good machine. Solid workout – I’m a male, 183cm tall and avid gym member. I recently purchased a 1 year old Bowflex M5 through Gumtree and over the last two weeks have found it to be challenging (in a good way). I’m seeing excellent toning results. It’s not immediately easy to use on account of using muscles I haven’t previously triggered on the treadmill or elliptical at the… Read more

gym, but the initial muscle discomfort has subsided and I’m getting a great workout without any knee pain. It generally takes me 10min to break into a sweat on a treadmill, but with the Bowflex 17min feels more like 30min on the treadmill. I’ve now built up to 30min on resistance level 3, so plenty more levels to hit. The swooshing sound it makes isn’t too loud, which is helpful so I don’t wake my girls up, one of which is an infant and sleeps in our room. Cheers

Can't live without it!! – This machine is excellent and I use it everyday!! Took me about forty minutes to assemble which initially was annoying but we eventually got it all done. I have a back injury which makes it difficult for me to do most forms of exercise, so this has been the solution I have been long looking for! It takes pressure right off my back and has given me… Read more

back control of my body. I have even lost 9kgs in the last two months of owning it! I'm glad I didn't read any of the previous reviews before purchasing because my experience has been excellent! The TV Shop have been extremely helpful as well, worth every cent I paid.

DO NOT GIVE CREDIT CARD DETAILS TO THE TV SHOP ***WARNING*** – To anyone thinking of purchasing products such as the Bowflex Trainer be very very warned ....this company will charge your credit card even after you returned the product!!! I had to cancel my credit card and get it reissued, call Consumer Affairs AND call a debt collection agency because these dodgy, rude, arrogant employees of TV Shop Brand… Read more

Developers tried to say I did not return a product (and I did) and kept helping themselves to debiting my credit card!!

Please please please do not use this company! Spread the word to your friends and family. Use social media to warn people. Smammers and Liars. Do your research

If there was a minus in the ratings bar, the score would be -10 – I purchased a Bow-flex at the beginning of last year. Since that time the machine has had to have parts replaced for knocking, another time - screeching so loud i could not use it, the third time it jammed so they replaced the machine. Now the hydraulics have gone...nice. So, yet again, sent off another request to have it repaired. I would… Read more

recommend purchasing this machine to anyone who has rocks in their head. It is poorly made, frustrating to assemble and if you can go for more than 2 months without it needing to be repaired you should be grateful.

What an awful service and the product is poor built quality – I have had my bow flex Max M5, for a few months and in this time I had to get it serviced and repaired by someone else 5 time as the TV shop just kept sending me the service manual every time I called. The fist day I opened my Bow flex max I was very excited. But it wouldn't even work when I called, someone was going to call me back to help me. I… Read more

had to call again of course.

What a let down!!!

You can not fix the issue as they tell you due to needing specialized tools??

Not worth the price.

IF it works, the exercise is good but that's a big IF.

Be Aware – the tv shop would be the worst company i have ever dealt with. Check your paperwork folks they are dodgy!!!!! I have had 3 machines they have all broken and taken 2 months for replacements and all while your account is still debited. Be extremely cautious....

Poor workmanship – good workout but very very poor workmanship, used it twice, so hard to turn started to knock, pulled it apart top drive belt only half on, was rubbing now half shredded, knocking? 3 of the 4 bolts on the top pulley were half out the 4th was only hanging by a thread which was hitting upper arm, clearly you've never heard of loctite, maybe at… Read more

$3000 it wasn't in the budget, now I'VE put loctite on all nuts n bolts & properly aligned all belts n pulleys, works good

The blowflex max is great for people that have joint or back problems – I have had 3 back surgeries in less then two years I'm still recovering from my third one. The blowflex max doesn't hurt my back I can only use the blowflex max for 15-20 minutes at a time a day bc I'm recovering from back surgery but it's good for older people that have joint problems like I do

Not worth the price tag – I purchased the Bowflex to use early in the mornings while my kids slept. It takes about an hr to put together as soon as I jumped on the machine it made a clicking noise. I didn't use it for about 2 weeks and when I jumped on the machine made a screeching sound on top of the clicking sound. The machine was so loud it was impossible to use. I… Read more

spoke with Bowflex sent a video of the machine was told to get off and stop using it they will send out another one. 3 weeks later I got my new machine so pulled the other machine down 1 hr put new machine up another HR. The boxes for the machine is huge and the courier missed the pickup and u have to wait another 5 days so I had a huge box sitting at front door for 2 weeks. Now to jump on my new machine it's not working properly it's pausing my workout it's not showing my rpm the entire control panel is not working! Called Bowflex was not hanging up unless I got a complete refund I was not wasting any more time with this machine. I was given a ninja present when ordered and I had to pay for this out of my total refund. Now to send the other crappy $3000 Bowflex back I had to purchase my own boxes and again the courier didn't show! So if u want a problem buy one but do I think the machine is worth the 3k price tag no way. I actually purchased thinking for that price there really shouldn't be any problems. Wasn't I wrong.

broken machine – This machine works in terms of weight loss. Fantastic for that. We saw results quickly! But the durability of the machine is very very bad. We went through 3 machines within 6months. Screws came undone internally. The TV shop promised a working replacement but failed each time. Very disappointed as this was the only machine that worked for us.

Great piece of equipment but I am replacing the control panel for the second time in 9 months – Great piece of equipment but I am replacing the control panel for the second time in 9 months and don't know the reason will be a problem when out of warranty

DO NOT BUY FROM THE TV SHOP!!!!! – The bowflex itself looks well made and designed, however once I put it together it was jammed, and then once I managed to get it going momentarily the noise was unbearable and very high pitched. I had huge difficulties getting through to customer service, and was told due to high call demands they would contact me in 12 hours, I am still waiting!… Read more

I then decided to return the machine and on calling told it was after hours, 3 pm Australia time!!! Turns out the call the centre is in NZ!!!! So far no resolution and I want all to be warned against buying ANYTHING from this company. Further more I have the belief the bowflex they sent me was one that had been previously returned by someone else based the condition of the packing.

Problem with TV shop- NO SERVICE as soon as they grab your credit card details – Hi I had similar experience. The TV Shop is after your credit card details. After that, they do not email you re what deal you have signed up and what amount / installments etc, I called them 8 times and they do not reply to you EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL.

Fantastic Machine – As mentioned by the previous reviewer, the first time you get on this machine you will probably struggle to do 2 minutes but stick with it! I can now do at least 1 and sometimes 2 x 14 minute sessions a day and feel great after the exercise. With 16 resistance levels and heaps of different programs you will never get to the point where you find this machine a push over. Not cheap but glad I bought it. Bye bye rip off gym memberships. :)

Absolutely Awesome and Life Changing!! – I'm so happy with my Max Trainer that it deserves a review! Ive had my M5 for one month now and use it every day. When i first got it i could only last one minute on it but as i got more use to it I'm now lasting the 14 minute Max interval. I'm finding a huge difference to my body, my legs and arms are toning, my bum is definitely getting smaller… Read more

and my overall fitness has improved hugely.

My knees have always been an issue for me but on the Max i have no trouble with them at all.

I had an exercise bike and went to the gym but i wanted something completely different to what you use at the gym and this machine has it all!

It's so addictive that you end up doing more time on it and my whole body feels like it had a decent workout.

The machine is built very well, my husband and son put it together easily and they both commented on how solid it is and it takes up no space!

Thanks so much for changing my life Max!!