Bowflex LateralX vs. Max Trainer: Differences, Pros & Cons

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Bowflex is a well-known brand that provides high-quality fitness equipment for home and gym use. Their two most popular workout machines include Max Trainer and LateralX, which are way better and efficient than standard elliptical devices. Both the machines have different features but work great to get rid of extra fat and burn calories in less time.

To decide between these two elliptical trainers, let’s look at their working, functionality, and size.

Bowflex Max Trainer

Bowflex Max Trainer

4.8

Pros:

• Compact size with a smaller footprint
• Full-body workout
• Low-impact and smooth motion
• Burn calories at a faster rate

Cons:

• Little bit assembly required

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This workout unit combines a stair climber with an elliptical machine to burn calories at a higher rate while motion remains smooth. In short, Max trainer gives you the cardio and full-body intense workout of a stair-stepping machine with a low-impact elliptical motion that’s easy on your joints and knees.

This equipment features an upright orientation and has an incredibly small footprint that makes it great for smaller rooms. Not only do you get a smooth and effective stair-stepping motion, but the Max trainer also provides an upper-body workout with three different hand positions. Specifically, you can engage more than 80% of your upper-body muscles (lat, chest, deltoid, biceps, and triceps activated).

Additional features include built-in Bluetooth for smartphone connectivity, a touch-screen full-color display screen, and 8-20 levels of resistance. With just 14 minutes of workout, you can burn a lot of calories. To help you achieve long-term fitness success, Max trainer offers customizable guided workouts and virtual coaching.

Max trainer series includes four models: 2 entry-level M3 and M6 while two premium models M8 and Max Total. You can see a detailed comparison of the 3 models here and our review on M6.

Bowflex LateralX

Note: The LateralX LX3 & LX5 are no longer available on Bowflex.com.

Discontinued

Bowflex LateralX

4.5

Pros:

• Three different motions
• Low-impact
• Engages full-body muscles
• 39% more calorie-burn rate
• Customizable program workout

Cons:

• Larger footprint

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The elliptical machines use one motion plain. Either forward or back and it does not engage multiple body muscles. So, you get your body workout in 3 different positions. The LateralX cardio breakthrough machine offers a full-body workout that moves in 3 directions. It is low-impact that gentle on knees and joints while allows you to push and pull, side to side smooth glide, stand and squat with no jarring impact.

Not only will you burn calories, but LateralX also tightens and tones your body into the perfect shape by activating muscles you use every day in less than 16 minutes. Through guided workout and training via the LateralX App, you can easily burn 39% more calories than an ordinary elliptical machine.

The three directional dynamic workout motion targets spots like glutes, quads, and hamstrings while upper-body muscles activated during exercise include arms, shoulder, back, and core. Workout with LateralX makes you stronger for your daily activities. It is built for beginners, fitness experts, and even advanced athletes for a lateral low-impact workout.

Bowflex LateralX line has two models: streamlined LX3 and upgraded version LX5 that has the adjustable lateral range to customize the comfort and intensity of the workout. You can see a detailed comparison of the two models here.

Comparing TreadClimber and Max Trainer

Now it’s time to deep dive into some detail, so you can understand which machine is best for your needs. But first, let’s take a quick look at the main differences in the following comparison table.

Comparison Table

Note: The LateralX LX3 & LX5 are no longer available on Bowflex.com.

What Part of the Body Works more

Max Trainer and LateralX offer two entirely different workout experiences. In terms of motion direction, Max trainer has up and down stair-climb movement while LateralX has a side to side motion that is a big significant difference. Upper-body motion remains quite similar, but there is more variety of lower-body exercises in LateralX. It has a 3-directional lateral motion that is great for the core and lower body. These three directions of movement allow you to do push, pull, stand, and squats, which mimic your everyday motion.

Workout Programs

In LateralX machines, you can choose from 11 different workout programs for muscle strengthening, whereas Max trainer has a maximum of 8 workout programs.

Calorie Burn Rate

Based on Bowflex’s claim, a Max trainer burns 2.5x more calories while Lateralx burns 39% more calories than an ordinary treadmill or elliptical machine. Using theoretical calculations where standard elliptical burns 100 calories, a max trainer will burn 250, whereas LateralX will burn 139 calories. So, Max trainer is faster when it comes to calorie burn. Max trainer has a much smaller footprint as compared to LateralX that makes it compact and space-saving for smaller rooms or apartments.

Conclusion: Which equipment should you buy?

Well, the equipment you choose depends on the type of workout you want to do.

F5F Editorial Team

The article has been researched & compiled by the Editorial F5F Team, a group of experienced fitness & health writers.