Treadmills are a great way to get in your cardio from the comfort of your own home, but even if you've already decided to purchase a treadmill, elliptical, or another machine, it can feel like there are still barriers in the way. There are so many treadmills out there, each varying in cost, functionality, and features. So, how do you make the right choice?
No need to sweat; the ACTIVE Reviews Team is here to help with our Bowflex Treadmill review. Up for discussion are two treadmills from the Bowflex line, the T10 and the T22. They're both excellent machines warranting our recommendation, but they offer different features for your consideration. Read on for our thoughts on both models so that you can make an informed decision about which machine is best for your home gym.
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A Quick Look at the Bowflex T10 and T22 Treadmills
Bowflex is an established brand that manufactures functional, high-end exercise equipment. Their partnership with exercise class streaming service JRNY teams up nicely with the machines available—with most of their products including one year of JRNY membership for free with purchase. In addition to their treadmills, Bowflex also sells stationary bikes, ellipticals, weight machines, weight sets, and accessories.
Bowflex currently sells two treadmill models: the T10 and the T22. The Bowflex T10 is the more basic model, with fewer features and a reflective price point. The Bowflex T22 boasts more functionality, has a larger footprint and has a significantly larger monitor. But generally, the T10 and the T22 are similar in capability and quality, and the T10 is several hundred dollars cheaper. Of course, the cost is not the only factor to consider, especially when investing in a piece of equipment with the expectation that it will last a long time. See below for a fuller comparison of the two treadmills.
Bowflex T10 Treadmill
Quick Specs
- Footprint: 85"L x 39.6"W x 65.3"H
- Storage: Foldable
- Incline and decline: 15%, -5%
- Bluetooth capability: Yes
- Monitor: HD touchscreen
- Weight: 323 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
- Standard programs: Yes; 1-year JRNY membership included
- Custom programs: Yes
- Warranty: Yes; 15-years frame and motor, 5-years mechanical parts, 2-years labor, 1-year electronics
Footprint and Storage
The Bowflex T10 treadmill has a 22 by 60 foot running path (see above for the complete footprint breakdown) that should comfortably accommodate even the tallest runners with long strides. Because the T10 has a smaller display screen than the T22, it is shorter when not folded. When collapsed with its SoftDrop folding system, the T10 treadmill measures 44.5 inches by 39.6 inches by 70 inches.
Incline and Decline
Bowflex treadmills are unique in that they offer a wide range of both incline and decline options. Run downhill at a decline of up to -5 percent or uphill at an incline of 15 percent. These adjustable incline and decline options are helpful if you are looking to train indoors for a running event that will involve hilly or mountainous terrain.
Bluetooth Capability
The T10 includes Bluetooth connective capability. This means you can connect the display screen to your phone or tablet to stream TV, movies, or exercise classes. It can also connect to your smart fitness devices.
Monitor
The T10 treadmill includes a 10-inch HD monitor. You can display your content on the monitor with the Bluetooth connection or use the built-in functionality of the touchscreen monitor to download and access apps like Hulu and Netflix.
Weight and Weight Capacity
The T10 weighs 323 pounds when assembled. Its maximum user weight is 400 pounds, which is higher than most budget treadmills.
Programs
Customers receive one free year of JRNY with their purchase of a T10 treadmill. You can access the JRNY programming on the touchscreen or via the app. The built-in monitor allows you to play recorded exercise classes while working out using the display and built-in speakers.
Warranty
Purchase of the T10 from the Bowflex website includes a generous warranty. The warranty covers the frame and motor (15 years), mechanical parts (five years), labor (two years), and electronics (one year).
Delivery
Standard shipping is normally $199.00. You can pay more for in-home assembly if you don't want to put the machine together yourself.
Additional Thoughts on the Bowflex T10
The Bowflex T10 treadmill is a sturdy, versatile treadmill for anyone looking to level up their at-home workout game. It offers more functionality than other budget treadmills, and features like the JRNY compatibility, an HD touchscreen, and ComfortTech cushioning make working out with this treadmill more fun than work. Users are particularly fond of the screen/Bluetooth combo that can stream TV shows while you are walking or running.
Though it does receive great reviews, customers do have a few tweaks they'd like to see in the T10 design. Users report they find the terms and conditions regarding the JRNY membership, which after the first year requires recurring fees, to be confusing, and the treadmill doesn't work as well with other exercise apps like Zwift and Peloton. And, as with any large machine, there are some reports of assembly and delivery issues. If you're concerned about assembling the T10 yourself, you do have the option to pay for professional assembly with delivery.
For most users, from casual walkers to serious runners, the T10 is an excellent, sturdy treadmill that offers almost any function you could want at a reasonable price.
What We Like
- Speeds up to 12 mph
- Impressive incline and decline options
- Free JRNY membership
- Collapsible to save space
- Higher user weight maximum
What We Don't Like
- JRNY app commitment may be misleading
- Assembly issues
Bowflex T22 Treadmill
Quick Specs
- Footprint: 85"L x 39.6"W x 70"H
- Storage: Foldable
- Incline and decline: 20%, -5%
- Bluetooth capability: Yes
- Monitor: HD touchscreen
- Weight: 336 lbs.
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
- Standard programs: Yes; 1-year JRNY membership included
- Custom programs: Yes
- Warranty: Yes
Footprint and Storage
The Bowflex T22 is taller than the T10 because of the difference in monitor size between the two models (see above for complete footprint). The minimum ceiling height for safe operation is the user height plus 21 inches. The T22's running path measures 22 inches by 60 inches, the same measurement as the T10 model. The T22 is collapsible, and its folded dimensions are 44.5 inches by 39.6 inches by 70 inches.
Incline and Decline
Like the T10, the T22 includes both incline and decline options. The treadmill can decline up to -5 percent or incline up to 20 percent (a 5-percent greater incline than the T10). If you're looking for a treadmill that will let you practice running on steep terrain, this treadmill is a better fit than the T10.
Bluetooth Capacity
The T22 has Bluetooth capabilities and can connect to the machine with your phone, tablet, or smart device. You will need WiFi access to use the Bluetooth on the treadmill.
Weight and Weight Capacity
Assembled, the T22 weighs 336 pounds, which is 13 pounds heavier than the T10. Its maximum weight capacity is 400 pounds.
Programs
The T22 does include free access to the JRNY platform for one year if you purchase from their website. Make sure you check out the terms and conditions of the JRNY subscription when you purchase to avoid any unexpected fees after your free trial expires.
Warranty
The T22 warranty covers frame and motor (15 years), mechanical parts (five years), labor (two years), and electronics (one year).
Delivery
Standard shipping is $199.99, and you have the option to pay extra for in-home assembly if needed.
Additional Thoughts on the Bowflex T22
The T22 has all the bells and whistles you could want from a well-made treadmill. With its speeds of up to 12 mph, a range of incline and decline options, a generous warranty, and a large touchscreen for streaming video, it's the indoor runner's dream. The T22 has a couple of things that the T10 doesn't, the most noticeable being its HD touchscreen monitor, which measures 22-inches diagonally (compared to the T10's 10 inches). Additionally, if you want to add more challenge to your runs, this model has a higher incline than the T10's maximum.
Apart from those functions, there isn't much separating the T22 from the T10 besides a much higher price point. Still, many pros will want to opt for the T22 model over the pared-down T10 because of the larger monitor, which makes streaming exercise classes or other content much more enjoyable.
What We Like
- Sturdy and built to last
- Large monitor for streaming and classes
- More incline/decline options
- Collapsible
- Generous warranty
What We Don't Like
- Difficult to assemble/heavy
- Same JRNY-related complaints as T10
Final Thoughts on the Bowflex T10 and T22 Treadmills
The Bowflex T10 and T22 treadmills are sturdy, serious machines with more features than your run-of-the-mill budget treadmill. The built-in touchscreen for streaming exercise classes and other content adds something to the experience, and it's more seamless than trying to watch content on your phone while it rests in a device mount. Still, the touchscreen functionality isn't without its flaws. Many users report issues with the JRNY system, the exercise class streaming software that comes with your purchase of a Bowflex treadmill. Once your one-year trial of JRNY expires, you'll be required to pay for the subscription to continue using your machine with all its usual functions.
Something else to consider is that the sturdiness of these treadmills doesn't come without a cost; once assembled, the machines weigh in at nearly 350 pounds. Unless you pay for professional assembly, you'll have to manage that weight on your own as you put everything together. When you have it built, though, you are pretty much set, and the generous warranty should cover average use for some time.
That said, these Bowflex treadmills are an excellent option for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts who want to simulate mountainous terrain during their indoor runs. The T22 offers a bit more functionality, but for the cost-conscious, you really can't beat the T10 at $1,999.
Bowflex Treadmill FAQs
Can you run on a Bowflex treadmill?
Yes. In fact, Bowflex treadmills are excellent for running. They provide ample cushioning for runners and can go up to 12 mph with incline and decline settings. The longer running path (60 inches), while not the best for saving floor space, makes sure that even those with a long stride can comfortably run on these models. And if you are worried about available space, both the T10 and the T22 fold up to save floor space.
Can you use a Bowflex treadmill without a subscription?
You can use a Bowflex treadmill without a subscription, but you'll only have access to some of the machine's functionality. One of the advantages of the Bowflex treadmills is their large monitors you can use to stream exercise classes or watch TV while you run. Without an active JRNY subscription, which they provide free for the first year after you purchase, you won't be able to access all the functions on the touchscreen. Most users find this too difficult to ignore and opt to pay the subscription fee.
Should I lubricate my Bowflex treadmill?
Exact maintenance depends on the machine you purchase, but in general, it's a good idea to lubricate your treadmill every few months. Your owner's manual should have instructions on lubrication. Bowflex also sells this lubrication kit to make things easier.
Can you watch Netflix on a Bowflex treadmill?
Yes, you can watch Netflix on a Bowflex treadmill but to access the Netflix app on the T10 or T22's HD touchscreen, you'll need an active JRNY membership. The JRNY membership is free for the first year after your purchase, but after that, you'll have to pay a monthly or annual fee.