Anyone ever use these Max Trainer things?

[op2]

The Bowflex versions are in the link below but other companies make them too. They're kind of a combination of an elliptical and a stepper. When I mean have you used them I mean for an extended period, not just for a couple minutes on the demo model in a store.

https://www.bowflex.com/max-trainer/compare

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

At first I thought you were referring to one of those Male member enlarging things. Never needed one of those, so answer is NO.

 

[op2]

At first I thought you were referring to one of those Male member enlarging things. Never needed one of those, so answer is NO.

I wouldn't have to ask about those, rather I assume everybody on the board uses one of them.

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

I wouldn't have to ask about those, rather I assume everybody on the board uses one of them.

LOL!

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

To answer your original question, my gym has a similar one but I've only tried it once. I found it to be kind of cumbersome and not what I really wanted to do for exercise. Make sure you demo one before buying.

 

[op2]

To answer your original question, my gym has a similar one but I've only tried it once. I found it to be kind of cumbersome and not what I really wanted to do for exercise. Make sure you demo one before buying.

I demo'ed once and I'll try again this weekend when I go back to Dick's Sporting Goods. The demo seems okay but that's why I asked if anyone had used it for an extended time, since even if the demo is okay the long term usage might not be.

From what I've read those things can kick your arse, which is good in that I want something to make me sweat but OTOH if it kicks my arse too much it might discourage me from using it.

But generally I'm looking for something you do while standing/moving (unlike say, a rower or an exercise bike) and that can give me a good cardio workout and make me sweat. And up to this point you're probably thinking, treadmill or elliptical, but those things are both giant and very heavy whereas those Max Trainer things have a smaller footprint and aren't too hard to move. I'm open to other suggestions though.

 

[SeronimusPratt]

That pays for 10 years of my current gym membership

 

[op2]

That pays for 10 years of my current gym membership

I guess that depends on what your gym membership costs (and which of those Bowflex models you buy). My gym membership was $480 per year and about to increase to $540 per year a year ago when i didn't renew because I was using it less and less. But I need to do something so I'm thinking of a Max Trainer and the fact that it would be in my home means I wouldn't have to spend any time and money getting to and from a gym. But OTOH that's all for naught if I buy it and then don't use it.

I know that Planet Fitness does the $10 per month thing now and if there was one near me I'd take them up on it but the nearest one if five miles away and if you start adding up the trouble to get there each day plus gas costs it's not that great a deal. It's a 10 mile round trip. If I went five days a week that would be 250 times a year, or 2,500 miles on my car. If I get 25 mpg then I buy 100 gallons of gas, which at $2.75 per gallon is $275 per year. Suddenly my $120 per year membership costs $395, which doesn't yet count the added cost for more wear and tear on my car and plus my time. That makes it a not so good a deal compared to the $540 per year the gym a quartile mile from me I could walk to wanted when I didn't renew.

Something your house is good if you have the space and money for it and if...this is the big if...if you'll use it.

 

[HairRaid]

I used something similar during physical therapy for my first ACL reconstruction. My advice would be if you can find a good elyptical for cheaper get that instead because there isn’t all that much difference in what it works and how much it helps.

 

[WVUALLEN]

Have them at my local gym and they absolutely suck. I can buy a used car for that price and get more enjoyment from the back seat.

 

[SeronimusPratt]

I guess that depends on what your gym membership costs (and which of those Bowflex models you buy). My gym membership was $480 per year and about to increase to $540 per year a year ago when i didn't renew because I was using it less and less. But I need to do something so I'm thinking of a Max Trainer and the fact that it would be in my home means I wouldn't have to spend any time and money getting to and from a gym. But OTOH that's all for naught if I buy it and then don't use it.

I know that Planet Fitness does the $10 per month thing now and if there was one near me I'd take them up on it but the nearest one if five miles away and if you start adding up the trouble to get there each day plus gas costs it's not that great a deal. It's a 10 mile round trip. If I went five days a week that would be 250 times a year, or 2,500 miles on my car. If I get 25 mpg then I buy 100 gallons of gas, which at $2.75 per gallon is $275 per year. Suddenly my $120 per year membership costs $395, which doesn't yet count the added cost for more wear and tear on my car and plus my time. That makes it a not so good a deal compared to the $540 per year the gym a quartile mile from me I could walk to wanted when I didn't renew.

Something your house is good if you have the space and money for it and if...this is the big if...if you'll use it.

Absolutely. You won't find any equipment like that in my Gold's. Everything is Matrix cardio equipment. You definitely get what you pay for in bowflex. Have you looked into Pelaton?

 

[op2]

Absolutely. You won't find any equipment like that in my Gold's. Everything is Matrix cardio equipment. You definitely get what you pay for in bowflex. Have you looked into Pelaton?

Aren't Peleton's just bikes? I had an exercise bike and I didn't use it so I think it's not for me. The only thing I've ever used consistently was the elliptical at the gym. I liked it and I was considering getting another one but now I'm thinking a Max Trainer. The ellipticals are just so darn big, as in like seven feet long for some of them.

 

[SeronimusPratt]

They are, but man they are impressive.

 

[V-LUV]

The Max Trainer is not easy. Kills your quadriceps. Good luck getting twenty minutes in on it. Especially the programmed workouts.
I have one and would rather run on my treadmill.

 

[WVUALLEN]

If you have a bad knee forget using it. You scream in pain in about 2 minutes.