Last Updated: November 9, 2023
Bowflex began as a failed college assignment to invent an ergonomic chair. Lifelong inventor Dosho Shifferaw turned a sudden stroke of inspiration into a revolutionary fitness product. The first Bowflex machine and the ones in use today use PowerRod technology to replace the traditional weight plates found in cable home gym machines. The machine received initial skepticism but grew in popularity through infomercial demonstrations. A project that began in 1986 turned into a well-known brand by the early 2000s.
Since its creation, Bowflex has been entangled with Schwinn Fitness, another home fitness brand. Today, both brands are owned by Nautilus Inc. Bowflex has expanded its offerings to include cardio equipment and free weights while remaining true to its beginnings as a complete home gym solution. Despite being best known for resistance equipment, Bowflex also makes great treadmills. Check our list of Best Treadmills to see where Bowflex lands among the best.
Bowflex Treadmill Product Line Summary
Bowflex has a small range of treadmills, but the brand has created a powerful construction and impressive performance specs. Bowflex, as a Nautilus brand, offers smart equipment compatible with JRNY, a subscription-based, digital fitness platform. Bowflex treadmills are designed for runners but are great for walkers, too. All of Bowflex’s treadmills are built on folding frames, so you can save a bit of space when the treadmills are not in use.
Bowflex Treadmills with Touchscreens
Bowflex offers two smart treadmills with touchscreen displays: the Treadmill 22 and the Treadmill 10. These treadmills are named for the size of the HD smart displays and present JRNY content and streaming entertainment apps with an active subscription. These treadmills require a WiFi connection and are best for users planning to train with the subscription platform. Other than their screen size differences, the treadmills differ a bit in performance. The Treadmill 22 has the top incline range of any folding treadmill at 20% while the Treadmill 10 peaks at 15%. Both treadmills have a maximum -5% decline and a maximum speed of 12 mph.
Bowflex is a little hush-hush about the power of the treadmill’s motors, but we believe the treadmills are more than capable of supporting runners through intervals or long runs. The Treadmill 22 may be a bit more equipped to handle a multi-user household, but both treadmills are powerful. These treadmills are also great for the high user weight capacity of 400 lbs. In fact, these treadmills have one of the sturdiest constructions we have seen with large, triangulated uprights.
While other brands have taken a minimalistic approach to their treadmills, Bowflex has maximized this treadmill series. These treadmills have several storage compartments–a textured tablet rack, large cup holders, pockets, and a large storage tray. The Treadmill 22 and 10 are built to last but at the cost of requiring a lot of space and being difficult to move. The decks have a firm underfoot feel that will appeal to roadrunners trying to maximize their performance, but may deter users looking to recover with higher shock absorption. Overall, these treadmills are a fantastic choice for a dedicated runner, as long as that runner has ample space for such a large machine.
Bowflex Treadmills Without Touchscreens
The Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill is a great entry point into the brand. It has a lower-tech console than the Treadmill 10 and 22. The BXT8J has a more traditional construction with narrower uprights reinforced with a crossbar. The BXT8J will support walking and some running. The deck is still spacious, though it is not as burly as Bowflex’s other treadmills. It is definitely the most space-saving option from Bowflex whether folded or unfolded. The maximum user weight capacity is only 300 lbs. This treadmill is definitely a toned-down experience compared to the brand’s other offerings, but it is a great value.
For performance features, the BXT8J is still very nice. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph. It inclines to 15% but does not decline like the Treadmill 10 and 22. The BXT8J is the best option from Bowflex’s treadmill offerings for users who do not want to be roped into a monthly subscription. There are 26 onboard training programs to choose from. The treadmill is compatible with the JRNY digital fitness platform, but the integration isn’t as smooth as the Treadmill 10 and 22. Still, you get smart training without the commitment.
The Bowflex BXT8J has most of the basic features you might expect on a treadmill. The console is a bit more user-friendly with tactile buttons and an LCD screen. There are cup holders and a tablet rack, providing a decent amount of storage. There are also speakers, Bluetooth audio, and pulse grips. The Bowflex BXT8J is a more affordable option that still allows for smart trainer-led training content.
Other Bowflex Equipment Reviews
Bowflex is perhaps best known for its other equipment, namely the home gyms. In the cardio sphere, Bowflex offers bikes and ellipticals in addition to treadmills. These products often support JRNY content through their smart touchscreen displays or through a Bluetooth connection. Even the strength equipment from the SelectTech series pairs with JRNY through motion tracking or on-demand workouts. Bowflex has stayed true to its origins as an innovator in the fitness space by keeping up with modern trends and exceeding them.
Top Bowflex Equipment Reviews:
Content Options With Bowflex Treadmills
JRNY provides digital fitness content to all compatible fitness equipment from Nautilus’s brands. Bowflex integrates the smart training platform into its treadmills with touchscreen displays or Bluetooth connection. The platform provides on-demand trainer-led classes, training tailored to your fitness level, and entertainment content. JRNY is not quite as expansive as other digital fitness platforms, but it is growing constantly. I consider JRNY to be one of the most well-rounded platforms for offering diverse training content and entertainment streaming apps.
New users can get two months free from JRNY before subscribing on a monthly basis. Bowflex equipment varies by how essential the training platform is to the machine. Typically, cardio equipment with a touchscreen is best when paired with the content while equipment without a touchscreen can be used seamlessly without it.
Common Features On Bowflex Treadmills
Bowflex treadmills typically support content from JRNY, the digital fitness platform. They may vary in level of support by either having full integration with touchscreen displays or connecting to your personal device via Bluetooth. To further support this type of use, Bowflex treadmills are also equipped with tablet racks and Bluetooth speakers. Bowflex supports smart content without being as restrictive as other smart treadmills.
These treadmills are large and built on folding frames. The maximalist consoles sport adequate storage. Bowflex treadmills usually have pulse grips and limited Bluetooth heart rate connectivity. Bowflex treadmills vary by in their other amenities with some having more tactile buttons than others. They may also have additional handles and speed/incline switches.
As a result, Bowflex treadmills are a good blend of smart and low-tech features. These treadmills sport higher inclines than average with burlier constructions and maximized features. Bowflex offers treadmills best paired with subscription content and others that are fine without.
Bottom Line Bowflex Treadmill Reviews
Bowflex has three treadmill options with two differing in little more than their screen size. These two smart treadmills, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 and 10, are large machines with smart features. They are best used with the JRNY app and are ideal for runners or multi-user households. The BXT8J is a more affordable entry point into the brand’s lineup, offering fewer built-in smart features but great integration with a personal smart device. Thus, walkers and runners with varied training preferences should be able to find something suitable from Bowflex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bowflex make good treadmills?
Bowflex makes durably built, powerful treadmills. The treadmills have a decent warranty that varies by the model but starts at 10 years for the frame, 3 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. Our experience with Bowflex treadmills leads us to believe they are quality machines that perform well. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is one of our favorite running treadmills.
How heavy is the Bowflex Treadmill?
The largest of Bowflex’s treadmills is the massive Bowflex Treadmill 22 at 336 lbs. The Treadmill 10 comes in a little lower at 323 lbs. The BXT8J is a more compact machine, but still weighs 253.5 lbs. These treadmills are heavy-duty. They fold to save you some space, but they are not machines you want to move around regularly.
What are the cons to a Bowflex treadmill?
The major con to the Treadmill 10 and Treadmill 22 is the limited functionality without a JRNY membership. These treadmills lose most of their features, including access to entertainment streaming apps, without JRNY. They must also be used with a good WiFi connection to function. The BXT8J is best for users who want to skip the monthly membership. The size of these treadmills can also be a hindrance as you will need a dedicated space for any of these treadmills.
Can you use Bowflex Treadmills without a subscription?
As mentioned, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and 22 work best with an active subscription. Users who do not want to subscribe to JRNY may be disappointed with what they get for the price. Instead, walkers or runners who do not want to be tied to a subscription should consider the BXT8J. In defense of the JRNY platform, you get quite a few features not found with other digital training platforms and at a lower cost. You can access entertainment apps in addition to the training classes. JRNY is currently priced at $19.99/month or $149 per year, which is half the cost of competitors.
