Comparing Bowflex Treadmills
One thing that you will find when you begin to shop around for a treadmill is that there are a lot to choose from in todays market. The ever popular treadmill has been around for a good number of decades now, so you can find them in a wide range of size, quality and price.
The treadmills from Bowflex are considered to be one of the best built and most durable available. But don't take my word on it when you can check with Consumer Reports Magazine, which recently gave the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill their top rating of all treadmills on the market today.
| Model | Price | Speed Range | Workout Programs | Display | Deck | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowflex 7 Series Treadmill |
Check | .5 - 11 mph | 15 | Skylight™ backlit LCD | 20" x 60" | 10 - 15 years. |
Bowflex 5 Series Treadmill |
Check | .5 - 11 mph | 12 | 4-window LED display with 10 x 21 dot matrix | 20" x 60" | 10 - 15 years. |
Bowflex 3 Series Treadmill |
Check | .5 - 10 mph | 6 | 4-window LED Display with 10 x 21 Dot Matrix | 20" x 54" | 10 - 15 years. |
A Summary of the Top 3 Bowflex Treadmill Models: Series 7, 5, and 3
Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill
^ Just a quick video from someone that was selling the series 7 on craigslist. It shows a lot of the treadmill and its features.
A step up from the Series 5, the 7 is their premium model. However; with this treadmill you do seem to get substantially more on the surface for the extra $200 in price difference from the Series 5. This is contrasted greatly with the $800 price difference between the Series 5 and the Series 3 that seem to have so much in common. I think that the decision makers at Bowflex saw that they had to do what they could to make the Series 7 a much different machine that the Series 5.
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Hence; the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill contains several features that are different from the Series 5. Granted, their differences can at times seem minimal but none the less, they are different. For instance, the Series 7 has a maximum speed of 11 mph, which is a whopping 1 mph more than the series 5. Will you notice the difference? Probably not but none the less, 11 mph is faster then 10. Another difference that you may or may not notice is the 3 hp motor, which is a whopping one half a horse power more then the Series 7 motor.
The Series 7 also lists a total of 15 program functions, which is 3 more then the 12 that the Series 5 features. So, for someone who is serious about their workout, this would be a great choice for a treadmill machine for two key reasons. They are the 3hp motor, which will take the heavy use and the fifteen functions, because with fifteen to choose from you are bound to find some that suit your workout style.
Features and Specs
- 3 hp motor (One half hp more than the Series 5)
- Maximum 11 mph speed (1 mph more then the Series 5)
- Fifteen total programs (three more than the Series 5)
- All the features and specs listed for the Series 5
Bowflex Series 5 Treadmill
The Bowflex Series 5 treadmill is so similar to both the Series 3 and the Series 7 that one has to wonder why they even make it. Sure, back when the Series 3 had a 1.75 hp motor, the Series 5 offered the option of a 2.5 hp motor but that is no longer the case since Bowflex began installing 2.5 hp motors in their Series 3. There are a few other differences though such as a 60'' long belt, (6'' more then the Series 3) a built in three speed cooling fan and six additional motivating workout programs for a total of 12.
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Of course, one other difference is price, with the Series five carrying a recommended list price of $1800, which is $800 more then the Series 3. Other then that though, it is the exact same machine with the same features as the Bowflex Series 3. However; if you decide to buy a used Bowflex Series 3 treadmill don't assume that it has a 2.5 hp motor in it, because it is only recently that Bowflex began installing them in this model.
So is it worth the $800 more than the cost of a Bowflex Series 3? Thats for you to decide, because it all depends on what the 6'' longer pad and the handful of added features mean to you. They do help and each person tends to have their favorite to use. They are as follows: Cardio, Manual, Fat Burn, Running, Speed Interval Jogger, Heart Strength Recovery Test, Hill Intervals, Calorie Goal, Custom Program One, Custom Program 2, Fat Burn HRC “Heart Rate Calculation”.
Features and Specs
- Maximum User Weight 275 pounds.
- Total machine Weight 249 pounds.
- 20'' x 60'' Running Belt. ( Same width yet 6'' longer then the Series 3
- Speed quick key.
- Incline Quick key.
- Built in 3 speed cooling Fan.
- 12 motivational workout programs (6 more than the Series 3)
- All the same features and specs. listed for the Series 3.
Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill
As it stands today, the Bowflex Series 3 is the number one selling treadmill on the market in its price range and considering the number of models on the market in the $1000 range, this is no small feat. So, what is is about this one machine in particular that makes it the number one choice for so many people today?
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To start with, it and all Bowflex treadmills are “soft folding” treadmills which makes for “easy and gentle” folding and easy storage. Granted, there are a lot of folding treadmills available but so many of them are just “too light” and portable. It's important to remember that if you are going to be walking and running on a treadmill, you definitely want it to be solid and sturdy under your feet and this 298 pound, carbon steel framed machine is definitely that.
An extra wide and long 20'' X 54'' contact zone also sets this machine apart from so much of the competition, as does the unique “Strike Zone” suspension. You may not know it, but running on a treadmill can be just like running on concrete. This is why most of the top manufactures offer padded belts that you can buy for around $100-$200 and have installed.
All Bowflex treadmills however, come complete with this new “foot friendly” Strike Zone padded suspension technology built right into them, so there is no need for any alterations, ever. Clever user friendly convenience features such as the “Hand Grip Pulse Monitor” also make this machine different from others on the market. With the Hand Grip Pulse Monitor, your heart rate is monitored and displayed on the console by an automatic, no fuss sensor that is built right into the hand grip.
Features and Specs
- 15 year warranty on carbon steel frame.
- 10 year warranty on 2.5 hp motor (Recently upgraded from1.75 hp)
- 2 year warranty on parts and electronics.
- 1 year warranty on labor.
- User weight limit – 275 pounds.
- Machine weight – 298 pounds.
- Speed range 5 – 10 mph.
- 0 – 12% adjustable incline.
- 120 volt common household current.
- 4 window LED display.
- 6 workout programs.
- Smooth functioning wheels.
- 2 water bottle holders.
Nautilus vs Bowflex Treadmills – Whats the Difference?
What many people don't realize, is that Bowflex is a subsidiary of Nautilus, which is why these two brands of treadmill do have so much in common. Unique cushion suspension systems, as well as welded carbon steel frames for instance, are just two of the similarities that they have in common. However; they do also have many differences that set them apart.
Commercial vs Personal Use Treadmills
For instance, Nautilus manufactures a wide range of commercial grade treadmills while Bowflex does not. Bowflex treadmills cater exclusively to people who simply want a quality treadmill in their home for personal use. Nautilus does have several personal use treadmills available but they also tend to be more expensive then what Bowflex has to offer.
Easy Folding vs Non-Folding
Another difference between Nautilus and Bowflex treadmills is that all Bowflex treadmills fold up for easy storage. While Nautilus treadmills do come on high quality wheels they have tended to avoid getting into the folding treadmill market. The design engineers have also mastered the “easy smooth fold” system so their treadmills are all known to be “easy folding”.
Weight Restrictions and Climb Grade
Then there is the weight restrictions. While all Bowflex models stick to a maximum use weight of 300 pounds, Nautilus has several personal use models that allow for a 375 maximum use weight. Also, while Bow maxes out at a 12% climb grade, Nautilus goes to 15%.
Top Speeds and Electronic Personal Training Features
While Bowflex and Nautilus both have a good choice of personal use treadmills that contain 3 hp continual use motors, the maximum speed on the top Series 7 model from Bow is 11 mph. On the other hand, you will have no trouble finding a Nautilus treadmill to top that speed. Nautilus also has several personal use treadmills that have far more personal training electronic features then even the Series 7 which is the most feature laden model.
Nautilus vs Bowflex Guarantees
Then there are the guarantee packages that also place Nautilus well above. While they do vary, in general they cover a Nautilus treadmill several years longer then the guarantees that come with a treadmill. This is most noticeable when it comes to the frame, which Nautilus will guarantee for life, while the most Bowflex will go is ten years.
The Same Welded Carbon Steel Frames
Now, bear in mind that this is basically the same welded carbon steel frame that you will find on both brands of machine. Also, while they both contain the same continuous use motor, their guarantees on that motor are a few years away from each other. Also, while Nautilus offers several custom choice options when purchasing their top personal use model of treadmill, Bowflex offers none.
The Same Level of Quality in Both Nautilus and Bowflex Treadmills
Is Bowflex a lower quality treadmill when it comes to their personal use models? The simple answer to that is “nope”! In fact, as far as overall quality is concerned, both are running pretty much neck and neck. However; what Bowflex does have over Nautilus by far is price difference, with its models on average running a full $1000 less than similar competing treadmills.
Final Notes
All Bowflex treadmills have "continuous-duty" motors in them and you may be wondering what this means. A continuous-duty motor is a motor that has been rated to have the ability to operate continuously without sustaining any damage as a result. Not all motors are alike and “continuous-duty” is a phrase that is used classify this type of electric motor. However; this does not mean that a continuous-duty motor will endure any level of abuse that is heaped on it.
So, if you are a large person who is going to be giving your treadmill heavy use, you will want to take this into consideration when deciding on which model suits you best. In other words, if you weigh 300 pounds and plan on giving your machine a good run for its money every night, consider the 3 hp motor that comes in the Series 7 and you and your machine will both be better off.
Another item that is worth noting is Bowflex warranties. Its a trend that can be seen in virtually everything that Bowflex manufactures. In short, they tend to be lagging way behind their competition in this area and one can't help but ponder the reason why. The odd thing about it though, is that all Bowflex equipment from their weight machines to their treadclimbers and treadmills is universally recognized as the highest quality available.
In my opinion, the real decision to be made in choosing a Bowflex treadmill is between the Series 3 and the Series 7. This is even more true since Bowflex began equipping the Series 3 with a 2.5 hp motor. The reasons are simple and that is that the Series 3 and the Series 5 are just so much alike, other than the $800 price difference. Also, the Series 3 is for the most part universally accepted as the best machine on the market in its price range. One the other hand, while the Series 7 does cost twice as much as the Series 3, it is definitely twice the treadmill.