The Bowflex Max Elliptical is a very popular hybrid elliptical-stair-stepper machine. It’s extremely popular right now – the main benefit being that it can help you burn 2.5 times more calories than a regular elliptical.

But the Max elliptical also has other benefits that most people don’t even realize.

So with that in mind, here are 5 little-known benefits of the Bowflex Max Trainer:

#1 takes up less space in your home

The Bowflex Max takes up less space in your home than a standard elliptical trainer. Measuring around 46.1″ long x 25″ wide, it’s about half the size of a regular elliptical or treadmill.

This is ideal for smaller workout areas, condos, or apartments. With a lower step height than many ellipticals, it also requires less space above you (ceiling height) than an elliptical.

You need approximately your height plus 15 inches above you for the Max Trainer to fit comfortably in your room. So if you are 6 feet tall, you need a ceiling height of around 6 + 1 foot 3 inches (15 inches), which gives you a ceiling height of 7 feet 3 inches.

#2 Engages More Core Muscles

Testing in the Bowflex lab showed that the Max Trainer engages more core and lower body muscles than a standard elliptical.

It also engages up to 80% more upper body muscles. So he’s getting a better total-body workout, helping him get toned up fast.

#3 You don’t need a lot of time to see results

Bowflex designed special high-intensity workouts that are included with every Max Trainer model.

The most popular is the 14 minute high intensity workout. You get all the cardiovascular benefits of a much longer workout in just 14 minutes. If you’re too busy to work out or don’t have a lot of time in your day, this is a great way to make sure you’re still getting fitness results.

#4 Take advantage of the Afterburn Effect

High-intensity training workouts like the ones you find on the Bowflex Max elliptical have been shown to keep your metabolism revved up and burn calories for up to 48 hours after your workout.

So again, this is another way to burn calories (even after your workout) on this trainer.

#5 Online tracking now available

Bowflex has added Bluetooth tracking on the M5 and M7 models. You can track your activity and calories burned with the free Bowflex app on your phone. This is a great way to stay motivated, set and achieve new goals.

So are there any downsides to the Max Trainer? Well, it takes some getting used to as this is more of a vertical climbing movement than the regular elliptical flat running movement that most people are used to.

So if you are new to this type of exercise, start slow and listen to your body. Just do what you can.

Another challenge facing Bowflex is that it’s not the only game in town anymore. Similar machines like the Proform Cardio HIIT Trainer are coming out with different options for people to choose from.

But at the end of the day, if you want a fitness machine that’s proven to give you better results than a standard elliptical, you really can’t go wrong with the Bowflex Max Elliptical.