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8Dec: Received a new Bowflex Max Trainer M6 on 8Dec2018, assembled it that evening, and tried it for the first time the next day, completing the initial configuration and fitness assessment. This video chronicles the assessment, including an error that I made that forced me to restart it when it was 75% complete. I've also included my impressions of the M6 and the accompanying Max Intelligence app for iPad.

Assembly was simple and took about 1.5 hours while watching TV. Two people were needed to carry the main unit down some stairs, and it was helpful to have two when assembling the main unit to the base, although it could have been done solo. I was surprised that it wasn't heavier overall, and it moves quite easily after assembly (on the supplied wheels). Needed tools are included, except a #2 Phillips Head Screwdriver.

See my Bowflex Max Trainer M6 playlist for other videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGqGh6XM2Fe1x5ASswotIPIbcTA3-XdY-

22Dec Update: I've had the M6 for 2 weeks and am quite happy with my purchase. There are some annoyances, but they're mostly minor. Main issues that I'm dealing with:

- The Max 14 Minute workout has no warm up period, so I do a couple minutes of a Manual workout (at the same resistance that I'm using for Max 14) beforehand, and then start the Max 14.
- I’m getting a gentle knocking sound when each peddle reaches its lowest position. I asked Bowflex Customer Support how to correct it, and they suggested "wave" washers, which are add-ons for the earlier versions (M3, M5, M7) but were included with the M6. I need to try to isolate the source of the noise and call back. I suspect that I may just have the roller arms screwed down too tightly to the main body, preventing the "wave" washers from being effective.
- I'm getting a slight side-to-side rocking of the peddles. More on that below.

Suggestions that I posted to Bowflex's Facebook page...

M6 SUGGESTIONS
- Because the installation holes are larger than the supplied bolts, the peddles can “rock” slightly side-to-side (even when the M6 is motionless). It would be handy if you provided a shim or similar to insert under the peddle (inside the housing tube) to keep it from rocking.
- User Manual page 23 says that the USB port may not provide enough power to charge a device while it is on. That seems like a significant oversight, given the M6's focus on using a smart device. It shouldn't be hard to output the full 5W needed for the USB port to charge a device.

MAX INTELLIGENCE APP SUGGESTIONS
- The Max 14 program starts immediately with a sprint and no warmup, so the user is required to warm up in manual mode. It would be better if Max 14 opened with a rest/warmup period, or offered the option for the user to enable it.
- Some programs on the M6 are not available in the app (calorie burn, stairs, etc.). I'm told that they may be added. Please do that. :)
- Allow users to manually set resistance values for sprint/rest periods, then automatically set those resistance levels. Right now, users must manually adjust up/down at each sprint/rest change, if they're not using the same resistance level for both phases.
- Allow individual workouts to be deleted. When a friend comes over and wants to try the M6 for a few minutes, that's recorded as a manual workout, but it should be possible to delete it from the Journal and exclude the results from any Max computations for the future.
- While watching a video workout, the regular workout display (dial, RPMs, etc.) should still be displayed as an overlay or in the corner.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS
- I purchased the M6 from bowflex.com and checked out as a guest. Later, I created an account on bowflex.com, but there is no way to "attach" my M6 purchase to my bowflex.com account. It would be very nice if that were possible.

If you have an M5 and are wanting some of the M6 features, I have read in the FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/bowflexmaxtrainer/ that there's an upgrade for the M5 (called the M5u) that gives it most of the features of the M6 for $249. I'm not sure if it's shown on the Bowflex website, but you can contact their customer support to order it. Check out this FB Post from a guy that did the upgrade https://www.facebook.com/groups/bowflexmaxtrainer/permalink/2221725667860866.