The best treadmill reviews you can trust
This Bowflex 10 Treadmill Review reviews the specifications of this more affordable treadmill from a highly-rated fitness brand. As the sister treadmill to the Bowflex 22 Treadmill, this treadmill has a solid build with a smaller screen.
Updated: June 8, 2023
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is either the cardio equipment of the future or from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Either way, in this review of the Bowflex Treadmill 10, I am happy to cover my initial thoughts on this large machine and speculate on how it might perform compared to the Treadmill 22. I loved its sister machine, so I am very interested in this treadmill which has most of the same specs with hundreds of dollars of savings.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is massive, and while I have not been able to use the Treadmill 10 just yet, its specs list it as only 13 lbs lighter. It looks almost identical to its pricier counterpart–only the screen size is noticeably smaller. I trust this treadmill's steel frame will be robust with its two steel uprights and crossbar.
Bowflex does not disclose the power of their motors, but like the Treadmill 22, we speculate that it is near 4.0 HP. It should support activity at the full range of its speed and incline, making this a runner-friendly treadmill. I would not mind getting a long run in on the Treadmill 10.
The deck is 22” W x 60” L. This size should work for a range of stride lengths and be suitable for running or sprinting. The width of 22” is a nice allowance since comparable treadmills in NordicTrack’s lineup have seen a 2” reduction. This ample running surface complements the maximum user weight of 400 lbs.
Contrary to its size, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a folding treadmill. It will require a dedicated space, so don’t plan on moving it often. I recommend Bowflex's $150 assembly option if you can afford it. The folding uses the SoftDrop system, which helps lower the treadmill slowly from being folded. A red handle right beneath the deck is useful for folding it back when you are done using it.
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 has a nice incline decline range of -5% to 15% for a folding treadmill. The Treadmill 22 goes up to 20%, so just 5% higher, which gives it the largest range of a folding treadmill. Yet the Treadmill 10 is still impressive. Bowflex recommends that the Treadmill 10 be declined completely for the most compact folding.
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 has premium features. Without having tried it, I like what it has to offer. The Treadmill 22 won me over, and I don’t anticipate the smaller screen size of the Treadmill 10 giving me any problems. Everything appears to be well-placed and proportioned.
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 does not skimp on storage or features in its console. With multiple ways to adjust speed or store your belongings, it is surprising that Bowflex has placed everything well within the treadmill user’s reach.
From previous experience with treadmills, I assert that a 10” touchscreen is the smallest I would like to go for the full experience of viewing the integrated content. Anything below starts to feel a little cramped, while 10”, such as in this treadmill, provides a sufficient viewing experience. If you prefer more immersive content, the Treadmill 22 would be the better option. The screen is positioned a little higher than other 10” screens I have used. I am exactly average height for an American woman, so I wonder if it would be a little high for me, given the screen size. The screen is adjustable, but treadmill screens rarely adjust adequately for very tall or short users.
The Treadmill 10 has two roomy cupholders and a device rack. There are also two shallow pockets for storing your smartphone or other flatter items. Over the crossbar, you will find a large storage compartment, so there is plenty of room for all your belongings while on this treadmill. I was pleased with the storage of the Treadmill 22, so it is nice to see that those options remain available at the lower price point.
The console has a mediocre range of quick-adjust buttons for changing speed and incline. I typically like to see increments of one for speed, but the Bowflex Treadmill skips around quite a lot. Bowflex has included two other ways to adjust for speed. There are buttons on the tops of the incline handles and switches on the treadmill arms. I preferred the incline arm buttons on the Treadmill 22.
In addition to the treadmill’s arms, there are incline handles. This adds to your sense of security while using the treadmill at an incline. You can easily adjust the incline with the buttons embedded into the handles or grip the built-in EKG pulse sensors for feedback on your heart rate. Use the included heart rate armband or your own monitor for more accurate heart rate monitoring.
The Treadmill 10 is Bluetooth enabled for pairing with a heart rate monitor. A heart rate armband is included with your treadmill purchase, but you can use your own Bluetooth heart rate monitor if you prefer.
Bluetooth also enables you to connect your smartphone’s audio to play through the speakers, or you can pair headphones to listen to premium JRNY content.
While I have not used the fan of the Treadmill 10, the Treadmill 22’s fan settings were strong enough to be cooling. I also anticipate that the fan is adjustable.
While I have yet to run on the Treadmill 10, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 was one of my favorite treadmills to run on because of its moderately cushioned deck and its assortment of features. The deck of the Treadmill 10 looks nearly identical to its more expensive counterpart, leaving me to suspect that its performance is identical, save with a smaller screen.
The deck had moderate cushioning. I am averse to too much bounce in treadmill cushioning, because I spend most of my time training outdoors and wanted to keep up my leg’s strength for those harder surfaces. The cushioning feels like a good middle ground between the overly soft NordicTrack Commercial treadmills and the firmer Sole treadmills.
I am really looking forward to testing out the Treadmill 10 when we get it in to see if it lives up to the Treadmill 22. I will be updating this review with my thoughts when we do.
For now, check out the Bowflex Treadmill 22 for a more in-depth look into how the Treadmill 22 performs.
JRNY is Bowflex’s fitness platform. A subscription to this service is required to access most of the Treadmill 10’s onscreen features. Even the streaming apps are behind the JRNY paywall and require a separate subscription to each. Generously, the Treadmill 10 comes with one year free of JRNY.
Compared to NordicTrack and Proform’s iFIT platform, JRNY is not as expansive. Yet there are many different classes to choose from. The beauty of subscription platforms is that they update regularly, so there is always more content. JRNY does not have the auto adjustments settings I like from other platforms, but it does allow you to customize your workout by following the trainer’s advice. If you are an advanced runner or a truly green newbie, the auto-adjusted programs of other treadmills might be too easy or too hard, respectively.
Overall, I appreciate JRNY as a platform. I particularly like that JRNY integrates outside apps for a more well-rounded experience. It makes the screen and subscription more functional. Without JRNY, there are a handful of preloaded, basic programs. You can also use the treadmill in manual mode.
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is the brand’s most affordable treadmill. It offers a pretty similar setup to their pricier Treadmill 22. The main difference I could identify was the difference in screen size down to 10” from 22”, as their names suggest. I am excited for what looks to be another super solid beast of a treadmill from Bowflex.
