Let’s focus on interval training for a minute. We’re looking at the ProForm HIIT Trainers and the Bowflex Max Trainer series. These two companies have created cardio machines that work both upper and lower body, similar to an elliptical and stair stepper, that uses short bursts of high intensity for an effective, time-conscious workout.
ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer Series
The ProForm SMART HIIT trainer series focuses on shorter workouts with higher intensity and limited impact on joints. They range in price from $999- $1399. As the more affordable option, the ProForm SMART HIIT trainers offer more settings, onboard workouts, resistance levels, and tech, with a better-developed subscription service through iFit.
ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer — $999
- 7” backlit LCD display
- Tablet holder included
- Bluetooth + audio port
- Built-in fans
- Compatible with iFit — 1 month subscription included with purchase
- 32 on-board workouts + iFit library
- 28 lb flywheel and 350 lb weight capacity
- 24 resistance levels
- EKG HR sensor on handlebars
- Moving and stationary handlebars
- Footprint: 66.7″ H x 29.25″ W x 52″ D
- Warranty: lifetime frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer Pro — $1399
- 10” HD touchscreen display
- Tablet holder included
- Bluetooth + audio port
- Built-in fans
- Compatible with iFit — 1 month subscription included with purchase
- 34 on-board workouts + iFit library
- 30 lb flywheel and 350 lb weight capacity
- 26 resistance levels
- EKG HR sensor on handlebars plus chest strap HR monitor
- Moving and stationary handlebars
- Footprint: 66.7″ H x 29.25″ W x 52″ D
- Warranty: lifetime frame, 5-year parts, 2-year labor
Bowflex Max Trainer Series
The Bowflex Max trainers range in price from $1000 – $2799. Each Max trainer uses foot pedals and moving handlebars to move an airdyne fan for resistance. Each machine has an outdated LCD backlit display, accept for the newest model — the Max Total — which has a 9.6” touchscreen display.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 — $999
- Backlit LCD display
- No Bluetooth or Wifi
- No buddy app or subscription service
- 2 settings (14-minute interval or manual)
- No data storage
- 8 resistance levels
- Includes HR chest strap monitor
- Moving and stationary handlebars
- Footprint: 49″ L x 26″ W x 64.7″ H
- Warranty: 1-year frame, 1-year parts, 90-days labor
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 — $1699
- Backlit LCD display
- Bluetooth + USB charging port
- Compatible with Max Intelligence subscription (free for two months with purchase)
- 5 settings (14-minute interval, calorie burn, fat burn, stairs, manual)
- 2 user profiles for data tracking
- 16 resistance levels
- EKG handlebar HR monitors
- Moving and stationary handlebars
- Footprint: 46″ L x 26″ W x 64.2″ H
- Warranty: 2-years frame, 2-years parts, 90-days labor
The Bowflex Max Trainer M8 — $2299
- Backlit LCD display
- Bluetooth + USB charging port
- Compatible with Max Intelligence subscription service (free for two months with purchase)
- 7 settings (14-minute interval, 7-minute interval, 21-minute interval, calorie burn, fat burn, stairs, manual)
- 4 user profiles for data tracking
- 20 resistance levels
- EKG handlebar HR monitors
- Footprint: 47.9″ L x 30.8″ W x 65.2″ H
- Warranty: 3-years frame, 3-years parts, 90-days labor
The Bowflex Max Total — $2799
- 9.6” touchscreen Display
- Capable of video streaming from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
- Wifi, Bluetooth, and USB charging port
- Max Intelligence subscription service is accessible through the built-in touch screen. 12-month membership included with purchase.
- 7 settings (7-minute interval, 14-minute interval, 21-minute interval, calorie burn, fat burn, stairs, manual)
- Unlimited user profiles for data tracking
- 20 resistance levels
- EKG pulse grips on handlebars and arm bad HR monitor
- Footprint: 49″ L x 30.5″ W x 65.5″ H
- Warranty: 3-years frame, 3-years parts, 90-days labor
Comparing The ProForm and Bowflex $999 HIIT Trainers
The ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer adds a lot more variety to interval training than thee Max Trainer M3. 32 onboard workouts + more on iFit hugely outweigh the meager 2 workout programs available on the M3. The SMART HIIT Trainer is going to add more variety and engagement, making it more likely you’ll continue to use this cardio machine longer.
ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer
$999
7” backlit LCD display
Tablet holder included
Bluetooth + audio port
Built-in fans
Compatible with iFit — 1 month subscription included with purchase
32 on-board workouts + iFit library
28 lb flywheel and 350 lb weight capacity
24 resistance levels
EKG HR sensor on handlebars
Moving and stationary handlebars
Footprint: 66.7″ H x 29.25″ W x 52″ D
Warranty: lifetime frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
Bowflex Max Trainer M3
$999
Backlit LCD display
No Bluetooth or Wifi
No buddy app or subscription service
2 settings (14-minute interval or manual)
No data storage
8 resistance levels
Includes HR chest strap monitor
Moving and stationary handlebars
Footprint: 49″ L x 26″ W x 64.7″ H
Warranty: 1-year frame, 1-year parts, 90-days labor
Comparing The ProForm and Bowflex High-End HIIT Trainers
First and foremost, we noticed that the SMART HIIT Trainer Pro is much less expensive than Bowflex’s new Max Total. The HIIT Trainer Pro has more workout videos and content with more fitness tools available in the iFit app.
ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer PRO
$1399
10” HD touchscreen display
Tablet holder included
Bluetooth + audio port
Built-in fans
Compatible with iFit — 1 month subscription included with purchase
34 on-board workouts + iFit library
30 lb flywheel and 350 lb weight capacity
26 resistance levels
EKG HR sensor on handlebars plus chest strap HR monitor
Moving and stationary handlebars
Footprint: 66.7″ H x 29.25″ W x 52″ D
Warranty: lifetime frame, 5-year parts, 2-year labor
Bowflex Max Total
$2799
9.6” touchscreen Display
Capable of video streaming from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
Wifi, Bluetooth, and USB charging port
Max Intelligence subscription service is accessible through the built-in touch screen. 12-month membership included with purchase.
7 settings (7-minute interval, 14-minute interval, 21-minute interval, calorie burn, fat burn, stairs, manual)
Unlimited user profiles for data tracking
20 resistance levels
EKG pulse grips on handlebars and arm bad HR monitor
Footprint: 49″ L x 30.5″ W x 65.5″ H
Warranty: 3-years frame, 3-years parts, 90-days labor
Comparing Max Intelligence with iFit
It’s hard to compare the two when Max Intelligence is so limited in content and iFit has a massive library of workout videos, options, and fitness tools. They really are two very different fitness programs.
Max Intelligence
Max Intelligence helps you to find your fitness level, then offers workouts created for your current level to help you build strength and endurance. It learns and adapts to your abilities as you get stronger. Max will show you a new workout every day or you can select your own workout.
iFit
iFit gives you access to trainer-led workout videos for your SMART HIIT Trainer. You can also select workouts that follow scenic trails around the world. But this subscription service is way more than a library for your HIIT trainer. You can take it outdoors to track your activity when you run and walk. Select from the iFit library different floor exercises like HIIT, cardio, kickboxing, yoga, and more. Additionally, with iFit on your HIIT Trainer, your equipment will automatically adjust the resistance levels to follow along with your HIIT trainer workout video.
You Can Save $$$ On Your ProForm SMART HIIT Trainer Purchase
You don’t even have to mess with entering a promo code when you make your HIIT Trainer purchase. All you have to do is click the link above. It will take you straight to the ProForm website. From there, you’ll add your HIIT Trainer to your shopping cart. When you’re ready to check out, you can see that our discount has already been applied. It’s really easy. No codes necessary.
