Bowflex M7 Vs. M8: Your Comparison Guide

Amy TokicLast Updated: August 25, 2020

If you have had a Bowflex machine before and are thinking about upgrading or perhaps you are new to the fitness scene and have heard great things and are now looking to invest in one yourself, the Bowflex M7 and M8 are great options. The M8 is quite comparable to the M7 and is the upgraded model so as you might expect, it comes a few additional features that take it over and beyond the M7.

What are the differences? Let’s take a look.

Now that you have this brief overview of these machines, let’s look at them in greater detail.  As you may have noticed from the above, these two machines are very similar with only a few slight differences.

Price

First let’s talk price point. The M7 model comes in at $2249 while the M8 is priced at $2299. Given the fact that these two models are considerably alike, it comes as no surprise that they are priced almost the same as well.

With these being some of the highest quality machines in the industry, they are definitely ones that are going to be on the higher price point range.

This said, you will get a lot from each of these Max Trainers, so the price can easily be justified if you are serious about your fitness goals.

Dimensions

Looking at the dimensions, we can see that the two trainers are the same here as well. This means space is no question. If you can fit one, you can fit the other.

Max Weight

It’s important to consider max weight when looking at a machine as this will tell you first, whether you can indeed use it, and second, how sturdy it’s going to feel.

A machine that has a max weight of 250 pounds for instance is not going to feel as good when using it as a machine that’s build for someone who’s 300 pounds. The more weight that machine can support, the more solid it’s build and structure will be.

Warranty

The warranty on both of these machines is very good, coming in at 3 years total. This means it’s a perfect machine for those who are intending to use it for quite some time and want that back up coverage that a good warranty provides.

It’s important not to overlook warranty when purchasing a fitness machine because if that machine breaks down within the first year or so, the cost of having it repaired if it isn’t on warranty can easily equate up to a few hundred dollars or more, essentially setting you back what you would have paid for a higher priced machine.

Resistance Levels

Both of these machines come in with 20 different resistance levels, making them an excellent choice for those who are either more advanced with their workout sessions or who want to become more advanced as they make progress forward.

If the machine only has 7-10 resistance levels, it probably won’t be long before you find that you max out the machine and when that happens, it can be hard to continue to see optimal results with your workout session.

Note that those individuals who are heavier to start will also want a machine that has more resistance levels because this will factor into play. The heavier you are, the more force you’ll be directing in the machine to guide the movement and this can also make the entire workout feel easier.

Heart Rate Monitor

Both of these machines come with a built in heart rate monitor, which is great for keeping track of your progression. Checking your heart rate is going to allow you to ensure that you’re working out in the zone you want to be working out in, whether it’s a fat burning zone, a cardio improvement zone, or something else.

Many people overlook the importance of this and just go by how they feel. But your feeling vary based on your energy level for that day.

Both the M7 and M8 come with integrated hand strips as well as a chest strap, so no matter what your preference happens to be, you can get the stats on your workout in seconds. Some people really prefer the hand grips as they don’t want a strap across their chest while others feel these aren’t as accurate and find the chest strap gives a much more accurate reading.

Max Intelligence

Now so far, we’ve talked many of the similarities of these models. Here is the key point of difference: the M8 offers the Max Intelligence feature. This feature is basically going to serve as its own personal trainer. When you turn it on, you are going to input data and it is going to learn your own personal health level and what you are capable of doing.

From there, it’s going to give you fresh new workouts, each and every day you step on the trainer, ensuring that you continue to see progress and don’t drop off due to boredom.

The app also comes with new workouts streamed from personal trainers around the world and offers you the option of training in other areas of the world by following the screen.

It really is a step above when it comes to cardio machine offerings and is an ideal choice for those who need a little extra guidance with the workout routine or often find that they fall off their workout program because they are simply too bored doing the same thing over and over again.

For this reason alone, many will choose to pay the $50 more and get this added feature. Note that it will be a monthly subscription however after the machine is purchased, so you do need to weigh those long-term costs. This subscription runs about $15 a month (less if you buy annually), so it’s not a huge cost, but one that you do want to take note of.

This said, it will still be a lot cheaper over the long run than hiring a personal trainer, so the costs are typically justified. And, Max Intelligence will be with you every single day whereas a personal trainer may not.

So keep this all in mind as you make your selection. If you want guidance, go M8. If you don’t need it, M7 is for you. It’s quite an easy decision to make.