Bowflex Treadmill 22 Review

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A large screen for programming and entertainment
• Incline up to 20% and decline to -5%
• A powerful treadmill that can accommodate long-distance running, interval training, and speeds up to 12 mph
• Interactive training and Bluetooth heart rate monitoring

The 2023 treadmill lineup has been tested in homes across the world and Bowflex has certainly come to compete. With the Bowflex Treadmill 10 serving as the entry-level model, the upper-level is certainly the Treadmill 22. Bigger and booming with a 22-inch adjustable console wit HD Touchscreen and Bluetooth speakers, the Treadmill 22’s price of $2,699 is already being knocked down a bit with discount offers on the company website.

That said, that price tag certainly warrants a thorough analysis as it comes well above rival brand’s favorite models such as the 7.4 AT treadmill and is more in line with the NordicTrack 2450. What you’re looking at though is not just a bigger, more dynamic screen but 20% incline and -5% decline, in addition to the usual bells and whistles found in a folding unit of this level. As with most Bowflex exercise equipment, the Treadmill 22 is designed to work in conjunct with the JRNY Fitness App, and a two-month membership valued at $25 comes with the purchase. The machine does work without JRNY but it goes into a manual mode and loses a lot of its benefits. The same is true with most app-enabled machines from other brands. If you’re looking for a simple machine without those features one can be had much cheaper. Check our review of lower-priced treadmills here that can be used more easily without an app.

That said, if you’ve never trained with a program like JRNY, I’d highly recommend giving it a try. Once hooked you won’t go back. I do like to watch television while using my apps on a treadmill, but the varied programming and heart rate monitoring is very helpful.

What We Like:

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Treadmill - Key Specs:

The next step up from the Bowflex Treadmill 10, which is priced at $1,999 but discounted to $1,599, the Treadmill 22 comes in significantly more expensive at about $2,600 and with the benefit of a larger 22-inch screen as opposed to 10-inch, a 20% incline as opposed to 15%, and a few more features. The question one has to ask is whether or not the screen size and extra incline are really worth the money. Granted, home treadmills are going into the direction of bigger and more dynamic screens, so there’s certainly a reason for the move here.

But in terms of nuts and bolts, this is a big, solid treadmill measuring 85″ x 39.6″ x 70″ and weighing in at 336 pounds. That’s pretty big for a folding unit, frankly. The upside is this frame can support users up to 400 pounds in body weight. The obvious downside is it will be tough to move about the room or up a flight of stairs.

Purchase includes one year of the JRNY Fitness App valued at $149 and the machine designed to work with it. Like other brand’s with associated apps, such as NordicTrack and ProForm’s iFit program, the JRNY program also works with the brand’s other equipment such as bikes and ellipticals. Compatible with both iOS and Android systems, it can be downloaded onto mobile devices or a smart television, taken on the road while traveling or to a gym. In addition to daily adaptive workouts, on-demand classes, and all-in-one workout metrics tracking, the program also works with Zwift, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO, and JRNY Radio. The big downside to this is that without the JRNY subscription the machine is effectively a big treadmill and one should figure that if they’re not going to continue with that app they really ought to look for a different, less expensive unit.

But for those who do buy into the program, the 22-inch adjustable screen provides a terrific immersive experience. The machine does come with both Bluetooth-enabling for heart rate monitoring as well as an armband monitor, as well as integrated contact grips. From a comfort standpoint, the treadmill comes with an accessory tray, built-in media shelf, water bottle holder, and Bluetooth speakers. As a folding treadmill, the unit comes with transport wheels and the 336-pound monster can be wheeled about the room when not in use.

With a maximum speed of 12 mph and incline/decline of 20% to -5%, the treadmill does afford users of any level a chance to earn the burn. The belt itself measures 22 inches x 60 inches which is sufficient for taller runners, and with a maximum user weight of 400 pounds, just about anyone can hit the trail. Finally, the 15-year frame and motor warranty comes with five years for mechanical parts, one year for electronics, and two years for labor, which is respectable.

Our Verdict:

The most obvious rival to the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is the NordicTrack 2450 which is priced at $2,699. With comparable screen sizes, we’d give the Treadmill 22 the plus when considering it has a 20% incline as opposed to just 15%, but the NordicTrack model can work independently of its iFit program much better than the Bowflex machine can without JRNY. For us, the deal really comes down to whether one is willing to pay for the JRNY app continually once the free year is up. If so, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 does bring better features than the Treadmill 10, such as the larger screen and incline and it’s a thumbs up. If not, we’d advise shopping around the other models mentioned here.

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