The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is named for its 22” touchscreen that delivers impressive entertainment and content options for runners and walkers alike. Continue reading for a more in-depth view of this treadmill’s features.
Updated: July 31, 2023
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has the largest incline/decline range of any folding treadmill, adjusting from -5% to 20%. This treadmill has the premium feel of large, non-folding treadmills while retaining the portability of a smaller machine. With the JRNY content library, you can get a great workout in or watch a TV show or movie through your favorite streaming app. This treadmill is eye-catching with its red and chrome accents. Appearance aside, it has an impressive range of features to be covered in this Bowflex Treadmill 22 review.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has a steel frame that feels very sturdy. In addition to the two uprights normally found on treadmills, Bowflex has included two additional supports. This triangulation on either side of the motor hood stabilizes the treadmill; the console did not budge while I was running. The crossbar adds even more reinforcement with more space for storage. At over 300 lbs, this treadmill is heavy but reassuringly solid.
Bowflex did not state the power of the Treadmill 22’s motor on their website, but it performs similarly to 4.0 HP motors. It is quiet and powerful. This is a treadmill that can keep up with me for long runs as well as support additional users.
The deck is 22” x 60”. I found this to be plenty of room for running, even at the highest speeds. I am 5’4”, but most users should find a deck of this size suitable for running. The belt does not feel slippery and has nice traction even at the highest incline.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 comes with all the features you could want and then some. It stacks up well against other premium treadmills, and I like that it chooses functionality over a streamlined look. The touchscreen, storage capacity, and Bluetooth connectivity add to the treadmill’s overall premium, if a little bulky, feel.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 provides three different ways to adjust your incline and speed–the quick adjust buttons below the screen, buttons on the handles, and switches on the handrails. Unfortunately, the quick-adjust buttons skip 6mph and 8mph. I was disappointed in that decision on a treadmill with a console of this size. I prefer either set of buttons much easier to use over the switches, as I like to run close to the console. The handrails have plenty of space behind the switches for you to support yourself as you get on or off the treadmill. The handles also have EKG hand grips for heart rate tracking.
With such a steep incline, it is important to be able to stabilize yourself. This treadmill has an extra set of handles specifically designed to support you at the top of the incline. I felt secure and supported the entire time I was on this treadmill.
As indicated by the name, this treadmill has a 22” touchscreen. At 5’4”, I find the positioning of the screen to be pretty nice, and it should work for users of a wide range of heights. It does tilt up and down a bit, though it does not pivot. The screen definition makes for a pleasant viewing experience of the content available through the JRNY platform.
As a heavy sweater, I was surprised that I had no resulting difficulty using the touchscreen, even toward the end of my run. Navigating the content could have been a little smoother. JRNY is not as intuitive as iFIT, so I had a little trouble figuring out how to do a manual activity compared to other treadmill models. I also would have liked an easier way to exit a program once I have started rather than pausing the content and then exiting. I like the screen size as it is big enough to see the content easily. If the screen were much bigger, I am afraid I would lose some of the other features I really want in a treadmill.
The device trays and cup holders are within easy reach while you are exercising. You can fit right beneath the console and even more on the crossbar. I routinely run for longer than 90 minutes, so having enough space to stow my phone, water, and nutrition is very important to me. I hate pausing my workout to hydrate or fuel, and with the Bowflex Treadmill 22, I don’t have to.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 comes with the Bowflex Heart Rate Armband. You can also add your own heart rate monitor through Bluetooth. The Bluetooth feature allows you to play audio into your headphones or from your smart device through the treadmill’s speakers. Listening to music can be a great way to set the tempo and make treadmill running more interesting. This treadmill understands the task of distracting myself from how much my legs are burning from that incline!
There is a small fan with adjustable speed on the console. Its strength and angle were suitable for me at 5’4”. I can adjust the fan to hit my chest and neck. Because there is very little wind resistance when running on a treadmill, it can be easy to overheat, especially if you have little control over the ambient temperature. This fan was effective in cooling me down.
Full disclosure, I am a former collegiate runner in track and cross country, and I still train pretty hard. Having said this, I am very impressed with the Bowflex Treadmill 22. I find myself out on the trails a lot these days, so keeping up my incline training is very important to me. I know I can push myself hard on this machine without having to worry.
I am drawn to a firm-cushioned treadmill like this one, so I really like the underfoot feel. If you are looking for something with a softer feel and more shock absorption, a NordicTrack or ProForm treadmill might feel better to you. The cushion is lacking in this treadmill. However, a firmer surface like that found in the Bowflex Treadmill 22 replicates the experience of road running more than a highly cushioned machine. The surface you are running on affects how your body moves and handles the force generated by each foot strike. With a firmer treadmill, I feel more confident about each step and know that my body is prepared for road racing or the rocky terrain I encounter on trails.
The motor is so quiet that it makes me a little self-conscious about how loud my foot strike is. Whether you are adjusting the speed or incline, it stays pretty quiet. I can hear the cues in the training programs or music through the speakers, even at a low volume. Despite the motor’s power and quietness, I do feel that adjusting the speed and incline is a little slow for my preference. A faster speed and incline adjustment is better for interval training, but a slower adjustment does make for a safer experience.
I was disappointed by the loud beep that sounded every time I adjusted the volume, as I was intentionally trying to turn it down to not bother other reviewers. I would not mind having the volume button demonstrate the volume level when touched, but it should reflect the current level and not the maximum.
On the other hand, I love to listen to music while I run, so I was very happy with the ability to play my own music through the speakers via Bluetooth.
I have everything right at my fingertips on the Bowflex Treadmill 22. The storage compartments are easy to reach, and additional compartments are located on the crossbar. There is plenty of room to store your phone, water, and nutrition for a long training session. Marathon runners rejoice, because this treadmill is long-run friendly! My phone did not bounce around in any of the compartments while I was running fast, which really proves how sturdy this treadmill is. Similarly, the touchscreen does not shake and is easy to reach while I am running.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is suitable for a variety of walkers and runners. With a weight capacity of 400 lbs and a large deck size, larger users should be comfortable on this treadmill. Unlike many competitors, Bowflex is a step ahead in entertainment through the integration of streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu into its JRNY platform. Users looking for entertainment during their workout will be pleased with this treadmill. One reason I like this treadmill so much is how much utility it has. It has a lot to offer to a variety of different users.
Folding the treadmill is easy with the hydraulic assistance of the Soft Drop folding system, but moving the treadmill on its two wheels is pretty difficult. If you are looking for a treadmill to move regularly and on your own, most other folding treadmills will be substantially lighter and easier to move. I feel a lot more comfortable having help to move this treadmill. I recommend having a dedicated space for it in your home rather than relying on moving it.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 comes with a year subscription to the JRNY platform. Afterward, you will need to subscribe monthly ($19.99) or annually ($149) to access most of the content options. Without JRNY, there are a few basic workout program options, and you can always use the manual activity option.
JRNY has a variety of content, from trainer-led classes to scenic routes that adjust to your speed. JRNY also adapts to your ability level by recommending content and keeping track of a “burn rate,” which represents calories burned per minute. The different types of content are very engaging and easy to follow. I cannot reiterate enough how brilliant I think it is to offer streaming apps as a part of the JRNY platform. iFit and Peloton do not have this feature, requiring you to use your TV or a tablet to view content from your favorite movie and TV streaming platforms. You must have your own Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, or Disney Plus account, as they are not included in JRNY.
The most neglected feature of JRNY is the music. There are genre stations available, but I prefer to listen to my own music off my phone over these stations. Unlike Peloton, the music is also not structured around the pace and intensity of the class, so it adds very little to my experience. You can play your own music from your smart device through the treadmill’s speakers, but it is worth noting the audio is only in or out–not both.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is improved by using JRNY. The content could be expanded, but the current offerings are really nice. Other services like iFit and Peloton have more extensive content libraries and better user interface. Yet the option to stream from the integrated apps puts JRNY a tiny bit ahead for me.
Zwift is another app integrated into the JRNY platform, though it requires a separate subscription. Zwift provides more training content as well as the ability to compete against others in the Zwift community.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a beast of a treadmill that surprises you with its ability to fold up compactly. I love the red and chrome on this machine as it looks like a serious piece of exercise equipment. Running on this treadmill proves that it is not all looks. The -5% to 20% incline range is impressive in a folding treadmill and sufficient for getting an incline workout in, especially if you are a runner. JRNY has many training options, though it might be lacking if you are used to its competitors, iFit and Peloton. The 22” touchscreen is positioned well and leaves ample space for storage compartments. I feel comfortable using all my devices on this treadmill without worrying about them shaking or falling.
For runners like me who prefer a firmer treadmill, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is an enjoyable experience. I would also recommend this treadmill to anyone with a dedicated space for a treadmill as well as exercisers who enjoy structured workout programs as much as they like to be entertained. This treadmill has a lot to offer, and if you like a little bit of everything done very well, this treadmill could be for you.
