Nordictrack Incline Trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer – Which is Best For You?
Trying to compare the Nordictrack incline trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer?
These are both two of the highest-calorie burning fitness machines on the market right now. So it makes sense if you’re trying to narrow it down between these options.
While I’m obviously a little biased towards the Nordictrack incline trainer, I do think the Bowflex Max Trainer has its advantages as well.
How do they compare? And which is best for you?
This post will break down the main differences between the Nordictrack incline trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer to help you decide.
Note that this is a general comparison only. There are 3 different incline trainer models and 3 different Bowflex Max Trainer models – so there are smaller details that are a bit different across these models that I don’t have time to cover here.
Nordictrack Incline Trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer – Price
The Bowflex Max Trainer has the edge on the Incline trainer as far as price goes. The Max starts at a lower price than the Nordictrack incline trainer – around $999 with Free Shipping here.
There are 3 different Max Trainer models – the M3, M5 and M7. The M3 is the most affordable, the M5 is the mid-grade model around $1599 and the M7 is the premium model and runs up to $2399.
The Nordictrack Incline Trainer also has 3 different models – the X9i, the X11i and the X22i. They start around around $1999 with Free Shipping here. This is for the X9i model.
The X11i is about $2499 and the X22i, the premium model, is around $2999.
Which Machine Burns More Calories?
One of the main reasons people love both the Nordictrack Incline trainer and the Bowflex Max Trainer is that they are monster calorie-burners.
You can burn calories a lot faster on either machine than you would on a regular treadmill or elliptical. So you’ll see faster results and a slimmer, more toned body in less time with either one. Who doesn’t want that?
What about when you put them head to head?
According to the Manufacturer, the Bowflex Max Trainer can burn up to 2.5 times more calories than a standard elliptical, treadmill or stair stepper. That’s pretty darn good.
In fact, some Bowflex Max trial users burned up to 600 calories in just 30 minutes – which is amazing.
The Max trainer gets the high calorie burning effect from two things – the stair climbing motion (which uses more lower body muscles than other exercises) and the high intensity training workouts that come with the machine (also known as HIIT training workouts).
The Nordictrack Incline trainer can burn almost 5 times the calories vs a regular treadmill, according to the Manufacturer.
In fact, this is the machine that contestants on the TV show “The Biggest Loser” used to lose pounds super-fast.
The incline trainer gets its high calorie-burning power from high incline walking – which (like the Max Trainer) also uses more lower body muscles than standard walking. While a regular treadmill gives you up to 15% inclines, the incline trainer treadmill gives you inclines of up to 40%.
Plus it can be used as both an incline trainer – with high incline walking – and as a treadmill, if you just want to lower the incline and walk on a flat plane. The incline trainer is basically a treadmill on steroids.
So putting it all together, the Bowflex Max Trainer can burn up to 2.5 times more calories than a regular treadmill whereas the incline trainer can burn up to 5 times more calories than a regular treadmill.
Overall, if you’re looking for the fastest-calorie burning machine, the Nordictrack incline trainer is a slightly better bet than the Max Trainer.
What Type of Exercise Do You Enjoy?
This is one of the most important distinctions between the two machines – they give you two very different types of motion. So you have to determine which type of exercise you prefer.
On the incline trainer you can walk at a high incline (i.e. hike). You can also walk at a lower incline, walk on a decline or run as well.
With the Max Trainer you’ll be doing more of a climbing, up-and-down lower body motion. The lower body motion is more like a stair climber. Then you also have the option to work your upper body as well with the arm bars.
So on the one hand, the incline trainer gives you more versatility (hike, walk, walk on a decline, run). But with the Max Trainer you can also work your upper body at the same time as your lower body. It comes down to what you prefer.
Nordictrack Incline Trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer – Console
The Bowflex Max Trainer has a number of different console models. However they all tend to be simpler in design and in options than the Nordictrack Incline trainer.
Here’s the top Max Trainer model – the M7 console:
Now compare this to the Nordictrack X22i Incline Trainer console:
Or even the Nordictrack X9i Incline treadmill console:
As you can see, that’s quite a difference.
Basically there’s a lot more you can do to entertain yourself on the Nordictrack incline trainer consoles.
They come with a full-color web browser with touch-screen. You also get an iPod dock with speakers and the option to add iFit Coach (where you can run trails all over the world and watch landmarks pass you by in the console screen in full color).
The Max Trainer console is only dual color and doesn’t not come with an iPod dock (although they have recently added a free app you can use to track your workouts over time).
Nordictrack Incline Trainer vs Bowflex Max Trainer – Upper Body Arms
The Max Trainer edges out the Incline Trainer here. You can use the moving upper body arm bars to train your upper body during your workout. With the incline trainer you could buy an extra set of handweights to use as you walk – but that’s about it.
Space Considerations
The Max Trainer has the advantage here. It’s much more compact than the incline trainer. The Max trainer footprint is about 46.1″ L x 25″ W
The incline trainer footprint is about 70.2″ L x 39.6″ W – which is much larger.
So if you have a smaller workout area or are concerned about space, then the Bowflex Max might be the better option.
Bottom Line?
So which machine is best when comparing the Nordictrack incline trainer vs Bowflex Max trainer? Each one has their benefits.
The Incline trainer will help you burn more calories in less time overall. It also has a better console and a lot more fitness options to entertain you like iFit, iPod docks with speakers and built-in web browsers.
However the Max Trainer is more compact than the Incline trainer, offers you upper body training and starts at a more affordable price.
At the end of the day it comes down to your budget, preferences and space considerations.
Want to Learn More?
Click Here For Free Shipping on Any Nordictrack Incline Trainer
Click Here For A Coupon Code on Any Bowflex Max Trainer
