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Bowflex Treadclimber TC1000

Overview

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This model was discontinued by Bowflex in 2011. The new models currently available in Bowflex offer are the TC100 and the up-level TC200. Click on each name to read the reviews of the latest models.

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The Bowflex Treadclimber TC1000 is one of the first products Bowflex released in the Treadclimbers Series. It has a few years on the market so you can imagine that it’s already obsolete equipment in comparison with its competition.

Since it was first launched on the market (4-5 years ago), the price decreased a lot. This is because meanwhile new versions have been released on the market (like TC3000, TC5000, Nautilus Mobia, TC5500).

Now you can buy it at $1,200 from Bowflex. But from our point of view it’s still a high price for what it offers.

Specifications

Click Specifications to see detailed model info

Speed : 0.5 to 3.8 MPH (0.8 to 6.1 KPH) Speed is controlled with the Faster or Slower buttons available on the console.

Treadmill Incline : 0%

Motor : 0.5 CHP

Supported user weight : 0-300 lbs (0-136 kg)

Technical Dimensions : Length 46 inches (117 cm), Width 28.5 inches (72.5 cm), Height 55.25 inches (140.5 cm), Assembled weight 185 pounds (84 kg)

Frame : Steel

Belt : 7.75 in x 38.5 in (19.5 cm x 98 cm)

Warranty : You receive a 1 year warranty for motor, parts, electronics and hydraulics. This is the poorest warranty any treadclimber has included.

Features

Display

On the display you see the following exercise feedback, while you’re working out:

– Time (minutes:seconds)

– Distance Display (miles)

– Speed (miles per hour)

Workout Setting Cylinders

All Bowflex Treadclimbers use Hydraulic Resistance Cylinders, with 12 levels of intensity.

The efficiency secret for each workout is to choose the firmness level that suits you, your weight, fitness level, belt speed and how deep you want to step.

These parameters are not listed in the console. You have to look for this info in the User Manual.
For example, at 143 pounds I weigh I chose Level 11 to workout, and 2 mph speed. But I have a 3 year running experience behind me.

Be aware of the ‘bottom out’ effect which happens when the treadles bump against the base because you use too much force.

The Cylinders are changed when you are off the treadmill. Move the knobs only clockwise to level 12 and counterclockwise to level 1.

Workouts

You have no weight input setting, and no Workout Level on the console. The only control you have during workout is the Cylinders levels (read the previous feature).

Treadmill workout: lock the treadles and start working out. During exercise you can control only speed values.

Stair Stepper Workout: Don’t push Start button. Just climb. No info will be displayed during workout.

Treadclimber Workout: Push Start and control Speed level settings.

Other features

– Safety Key Port
– Side Foot Support Platform
– Belt Adjustment Bolts
– Transport Wheels
– Rear Step
– Transport Handle
– Treadle Locking Lever

Remote Heart Monitor

NOT available

If you want this feature, only TC5000 and TC5500 have it. Read these reviews to find out more details about these versions.

Conclusions

We have so many reasons to not recommend this Treadclimber and we will stick to this opinion for now as its disadvantages have had a much bigger impact on us than its advantages.

We will start by commenting on the Warranty. It’s the first detail that makes you question this equipment’s quality. 1 year for the entire machine is way too little when you must invest $1,200.

The second impact was the high effort needed to assembly and move this machine. You can definitely spare some stress and choose Home Assembly services which, unfortunately, add more costs to the price you have to pay.

Then you start working out…

Exercises become slightly boring after one week. There is no challenge in the basic workouts you can do on this Treadclimber.

For tall people, the treadmill workout is unusable( Bowflex TC1000 is definitively not a machine for tall people of for the overweight ones). Even so in this mode you can only walk, but slowly (like a walk in the park).

The Treadclimber workout is the most interesting, but the motor is not the best. It’s really noisy and the machine needs to be lubricated very well and very often. This is not an impediment, but you do need to take good care of it if you want to have it for a long time…This is because it’s not the strongest piece of equipment.

You don’t want to use it if your weigh is over 200 lbs. It will start annoying you from the first day.

It is still a Bowflex product and these guys have a reputation to keep, but the Bowflex Treadclimber TC1000 is definitely obsolete.