Bowflex Review

Saturday, December 4th

2021 Treadmill Reviews

Bowflex

• Cost: $1,999 to $2,699

You probably think of strength training when Bowflex is mentioned, but did you know they offer other home fitness equipment too? While their treadmill selection is limited to just two models, they offer some features you might not find with other machines (like inclines up to 20% or a two-month complimentary membership to the JRNY app).

Equipment overview:

• Treadmill Style:
• Price Range: $1,999 to $2,699
• Different Models: 2
• Financing Available: Yes
• Livestream Classes Included: Yes, with complimentary JRNY membership or via Bluetooth connection to third-party apps
• Incline Range: -5 to 15% or 20%, depending on the model
• Speed Range: Up to 12 mph
• Return Policy: 6 weeks, minus all shipping and handling costs
• Warranty: 15 years on the frame/drive, 5 years on the motor, 1 year on parts/electronics, 2 years on labor
• Shipping: $99

Only two treadmill models

The lower-priced model of Bowflex treadmills is the 10. Priced at $1,999, it's still more expensive than some machines you might find with rival retailers (but hey, it comes with a free mat!) and it's rated as an average of 4.6/5 stars by over 50 customers on the Bowflex site. The 22, on the other hand, had just 10 customer reviews (averaging 4 out of 5 stars) at the time of our most recent visit, and it was priced at $2,699. The only differences between the two treadmills are the screen size (indicated by the number in the machines' names) and the incline capability: the 10 only goes up to 15%, while the 20 goes up to 20% and has extended handlebars for convenience and safety while climbing those higher inclines.

Attractive features come standard

Beyond that, both Bowflex treadmills have the exact same features. You'll get Bluetooth connectivity, adaptive workouts and coaching with a complimentary 2-month JRNY membership, the ability to stream shows from your favorite entertainment apps through the touchscreen, heart rate tracking, Bluetooth-enabled speakers, and available decline settings down to -5%. The warranty protection is also the same: 15 years on the frame/drive, 5 years on the motor, 1 year on parts/electronics, 2 years on labor.

Read user reviews first

We encourage you to look through all of the customer reviews on both treadmills, as well as the Q&As, to get a more in-depth look at the overall user experience with each machine. There are definitely some quirky things with the interface, especially with the 22, that you'll want to be aware of before you choose a treadmill.

Shipping fees and return policy are just average

Bowflex is about average when it comes to their return policy and shipping fees. You'll pay $99 to have your treadmill delivered - which isn't terrible, all things considered, but some of their rivals offer it for free. You'll have 6 weeks to return your treadmill if it doesn't live up to your expectations, but understand that your shipping costs both ways will not be included in your refund.

Reputation is nothing to worry about

Reputation-wise, Bowflex comes in average as well. Their BBB listing is included under their parent company, Nautilus Inc., which had a decent "A-" rating when we checked most recently. There were a few hundred complaints registered there, but it was easy to see that Nautilus representatives have done a more than adequate job of responding to each of them in a professional and efficient way.

Not bad but not great either

At the end of the day, Bowflex treadmills are good but not great. You won't have as many options to choose from as some of their rivals: no under $1,000 models for the budget-conscious, and no super-high-tech designs for the money-is-no-object folks either. We think you'll be satisfied overall if you buy a Bowflex treadmill, but we recommend shopping around with some of the higher-ranked stores in our review before making your final decision.