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Bowflex Treadmills

★★★★★ 4.2 out of 5
  • Robust interactive training with JRNY workouts
  • Simple model lineup with affordable options
  • Generous deck sizes & incline capability
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BowFlex Treadmills and Max Trainer Reviews - New Treadmill 10 Model

Brand Facts

  • Price range $899–$1,999
  • Best for Interactive workouts similar to iFIT
  • Reliability Average
  • Warranty Lifetime frame & motor
  • Overall Value Good

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Wide range of workout options via JRNY membership
  • Warranty much stronger than on previous generations
  • Up to 15% incline capability on all models

Cons

  • Only the top model in the series has a touch screen display
  • JRNY trainer content is not as comprehensive as NordicTrack's iFit
  • Many of our visitors question the value at the higher price points

BowFlex treadmills came back on the scene in late 2020 after a short hiatus while the company was focusing on their super popular TreadClimbers.

Due to growing demand, the company introduced two brand new models to compete in the crowded mid-price level category.

The company, owned by Johnson Health Tech, has been highly successful with their Max Trainers, as well as their eponymous home gyms. It will be interesting to see how they fare with their new treadmills.

Check out all of latest models on special sale on the official BowFlex site!

Here you will find reviews of the new treadmills as well as the Max Trainers, a popular alternative to the traditional treadmill.

A Look at the BowFlex Treadmill/Max Trainer Lineup

Bowflex offers a wide variety of cardio equipment, and the list seems to be growing all the time. In addition to the popular TreadClimbers (recently discontinued), there are a handful of traditional treadmills and three Max Trainers.

Let's take a look at them here...

Traditional Treadmills

Currently you have three options to choose from: The T6, T9 and T16. The T6 gives you speeds up to 12 mph, a 20" x 60" running deck and up to 15% incline.

The mid-level T9 is very similar to the base T6, but you get a larger running area: 22" x 60". Otherwise they are very similar.

The top-end T16 gives you a large 16" touch screen display (tough is not available on the other models); otherwise it is very similar to the other two treadmills.

These are regular treadmills that compete head to head with brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, Sole and Horizon. You have a base model, a more advanced option and a higher end treadmill.

All of them come equipped with Bowflex's JRNY workout program, a paid membership giving you access to hundreds of workouts, trainers, tracking capability & much more.

Here is some information about the older Bowflex treadmill models in case you come across them while shopping...

The BXT8J isa more affordable model for those that want a BowFlex but don't have the budget for one of the higher end treadmills. It has a dual backlit display, speeds up to 12 mph, 15% incline capability, 20" x 60" deck and a 300 lb. maximum user weight capacity. It does come with Bowflex JRNY free for a year but you have to access it on your phone or tablet rather than on the machine itself.

Moving up the ladder you have the BowFlex Treadmill 10, with a 10" touch screen, incline/decline capability, larger 22" x 60" running deck, Bluetooth heart rate and Bowflex JRNY. It also has streaming capability so you can watch Netflix, Hulu and other channels.

The top end model is the BowFlex Treadmill 22, which is similar to the Treadmill 10 but adds a 22" touch screen and more incline capability (20% instead of 15%).

Max Trainers

The Max Trainers are ellipticals and steppers combined into one compact machine, allowing you to burn more calories than on the traditional treadmill with much less impact. They offer the moving handlebar option that both the traditional treadmills and TreadClimbers do not offer.

BowFlex Max Trainer M6

The mid-range Max Trainer gives you 16 resistance levels, 5 workouts, Bluetooth capability with workout tracking/syncing Bowflex JRNY), interactive display, upgraded features and a 2 year warranty, plus all of the features of the M3.

BowFlex Max Trainer M9

This advanced model gives you 20 resistance levels, 7 workouts, 4 user profiles, a 3 year warranty and all of the other features that the M9 gives you.

BowFlex Max Total 16

This top-of-the-line model gives you everything the M8 offers, with a 16" touch screen display, WiFi connectivity, 8 workouts and a heart rate armband.

You can read about each the Bowflex treadmills and Max Trainers below, or scroll down for helpful information...

Current Models

Why are BowFlex Treadmills and Max Trainers so popular?

Bowflex has always focused on the workouts more than anything else. It's about getting the very best results that you can in the shortest amount of time possible. The ability to be able to get in shape more efficiently has been a major selling point for them.

The new BowFlex treadmills are huge step up from the BXT models that they are replacing. The running decks are larger, the motors are more powerful, the cushioning is more advanced, and they now have touch screen displays and Bluetooth tracking capability to compete in the current marketplace.

The T6, T9 and T16 have some very appealing features that compare well with offerings from NordicTrack and Sole. But there is a lot of competition in that $1500-$2000 price range, so it will be a difficult battle.

As far as the Max Trainers, they are huge sellers because they are unique. There's really nothing else like them out there, offering a fast, calorie-burning workout with low impact. ProForm has the HIIT Trainers, but besides that there isn't much else. However, NordicTrack just released their Step Climber series which may give Bowflex a run for their money.

BowFlex Treadmill or Max Trainer...Which Should You Choose?

If you're looking for a traditional treadmill, then your choice is between the T6, T9 and T16. We would opt for the more advanced T16 if budget allows because you get a large touchscreen which makes the JRNY workout experience so much more enjoyable.

If you're looking for something a little different, then consider one of the Max Trainers. We would go for at least the M9 so you can get the touch screen display and additional resistance levels.

Note that the warranties on the treadmills have gotten much better recently. You now get a lifetime warranty on the frame and the motor, as well as 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor. That's a big upgrade and shows they're ready to compete with the other brands in the category.

Same isn't true with the BowFlex Max Trainers though. You get a two, three and three year warranty on the M6, M9 and M16, respectively, which isn't a lot of coverage at all.

That's really the only downside to the BowFlex lineup. Other than that they offer a truly unique workout experience with excellent features and capabilities.

Frequently asked questions

Are Bowflex treadmills worth it?

The BowFlex treadmill lineup has changed more than any other brand that we've reviewed over the years. This latest generation is better in terms of build quality, but we believe you are better off with a NordicTrack or Sole treadmill for overall value.

Do I need a JRNY subscription?

There are built in workouts on all of the BowFlex models, so you don't need a JRNY subscription to use it. However, just like with NordicTrack's iFIT, you get a huge amount of additional workout programs and added interaction/capability with a membership. As of this writing they do offer a free trial so you can always try it out to see if it makes sense for you.

How does Bowflex compare to NordicTrack?

As far as features and capabilities, comparing apples to apples NordicTrack offers a lot more for the money. Build quality and running deck sizes are comparable, but NordicTrack's iFIT platform has deeper, better-reviewed interactive programming than BowFlex's JRNY.

Which BowFlex model should I choose?

As with most treadmill brands, choosing a particular model comes down to how you are going to use it and budget. The mid-range BowFlex T9 is the most popular model and gives you a wider running deck than the base model. If you're just walking or doing some light jogging the T6 should be fine. If budget is wide open and you want the touch screen then look at the top-of-the-line T16 model.

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