Bowflex Series 5 Treadmill Review

Get back into shape using bowflex treadmill series 5!
Debbie (Rural Nebraska, USA)
We live in the country on the great plains. Keeping in shape during
the spring and summer is easy, but when the cold winds and snow start
to blow across the prairie, it is impossible to walk the 2 to 3 miles
that I do during the warmer season. I've wanted a treadmill for years,
I've tried cheaper brands that didn't work or broke after a few months.
This is the absolutely best product that I've ever walked on. I've only
had it about 2 weeks, but have already lost several pounds and my jeans
are getting looser, so I know the inches are coming off. The features
that this machine has is superb! A fan to cool you off, two places for
water or gatorade. For an intense workout, set the incline higher. I do
want to mention, that this is a huge machine, it is not for a small space,
even though it is possible to fold-up the deck, it is very, very heavy,
so it will be great to clean under, but not to store away between uses,
as it weighs almost 300 pds. We also have a bowflex weight machine and
now have turned a small spare bedroom into a workout room, next we are
planning to put a flat-screen tv in there, so that will be an incentive
to not be a couch potatoes and to workout and watch our favorite shows and
movies, and get into shape during the long cold winter. If you do choose
to order this product, and choose free shipping, it will take 3 to 4 weeks
to get the machine. But it will save you around $200 for the free shipping
and well worth the wait.

Read more Bowflex Series 5 Treadmill Review

Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill Review

BOWFLEX JUST LIKE THE ONES IN GOLD'S OR BALLY'S GYM...

MULAN_2003 (APO AE, US ARMY)

For the price, it's outstanding. I based my decision off the already listed reviews for this item (THANK YOU AMAZON FELLOW CUSTOMERS) and the lady who said it was delivered to your threshold and that's it. That's right in the doorway. I followed the advise exact. I opened the box. First you take up the two smaller pieces and all the plastic hand guards and end pieces. Then the one thing I did differently is when it came to the base (which is the piece that weighs about 200 lbs), I enlisted the help of three other people (so two on each side) and it was very easy. So you don't need to hire any moving company or installation crew if you have some friends to help you on delivery day.

The rest of the set up was very easy (by following the instruction book). Total time was no more than 45 minutes as long as you have no issues like the one I mention at the end of this paragraph. Now there is one small thing that was confusing, it calls for 22 one of type of screw and your package only has 18. The instructions must be made for setting up the BOWFLEX 5 or 7 treadmill because all of the screws worked out perfectly. I was not short any screws. So no need to panic when you read the instructions and see the screw count doesn't match. OH AND DON'T REMOVE THE WIRE/STRING THAT IS CLIPPED INSIDE LEFT BAR. THE WIRE IS TO HELP YOU PULL/GUIDE THE WIRE CONNECTION to the console/control. I TOOK IT OFF IN THE BEGINNING AND I SPENT PROBABLY 30 MINUTES TRYING TO PUT IT BACK IN!

One last note, the handrails on this treadmill are shorter than what you would find at the commercial ones in the gym. THAT is the only downside, not a big deal for me but something you may want to consider if you are someone who likes to hang on to the rail while you walk or run.

great for quiet walking  

Clarktx (Too Close to Civilization)

I have to say this is a great product. What surprised me, and 4 other people I have shown it to, is how QUIET it is. Sure it hums. But its much quieter than its contemporaries. You can watch TV without headphones, for example, or talk to people, or whatever. Very quiet.

Its great for walking. The deck is a bit short for me to feel comfortable running (I'm 6'1") but my wife has a much shorter stride. But I only walk anyway as explained in the next paragraph.

As a side note, I made a monitor mount, and put a 19" LCD on the front (the three series lacks the center fan, so its ok). Then I put a brace over the handlebars for the keyboard and thus - I type while I walk. or do any other computer related work (anything artistic is impossible, but browsing, email, etc is very easy). I can get in up to 15 miles of walking a day that way. Otherwise, i wouldn't have time to walk. (I office from home, by the way).

Read more Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill Review

  

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Review

Solid build and performance for the price.
Brian Grzymkowski (Montclair, NJ)
I put a lot of time into researching treadmills and their relative cost because my room mates and my girlfriend all felt I was crazy in the first place for considering one on my budget.

I knew the treadmills at hotels & gyms had spoiled me, because I had no interest in a flimsy model that offered little support and lackluster features. I also knew there was no way I could afford a $3,000 gym caliber treadmill. I felt this was the best compromise and I have not been disappointed with my decision.

The delivery was prompt, but it went no further than the bottom of the outside stairs to my 2nd floor apartment. Thanks to previous reviewers, I expected this. I can tell you that I weigh 160 lbs. and my room mate is about 210 lbs. We're both 26 and carrying this behemoth up a very steep and angled flight of stairs between us was nothing short of miraculous. It cost him a severely bruised big toe. I would recommend no fewer than 3 healthy and reasonably strong individuals to attempt this.

We have neighbors below us, and hardwood floors, so noise and protection was a concern. I had purchased a "heavy duty" extra long mat which helped protect the floor, but was not enough to muffle the inevitable thumping sound. I purchased an additional set of interlocking foam gym floor pieces that I placed over the mat and I found the two together made it as sound proof as we could manage within reason.

Assembly is never fun, and this was no exception, but given the size of the item, it was relatively painless. Thankfully, one of my room mates is an engineer, so between the both of us we managed it in under an hour.

I have had the treadmill for a few months now and I am very pleased with its overall performance. It is relatively quiet compared to some of the other models I have used. The range of features meets and exceeds my needs. I have not noticed the general knee/ankle discomfort that can come with a worn/low quality treadmill so far. I generally run 3 miles 3 times a week. The display is a bit illogical in some regards, but having to wait a few seconds for the distance to show up again in the cycle of calories, time, and pace is hardly a make or break point for me. The fan is underpowered and close to useless, but I do feel a slight breeze and I suppose I probably would not want a powerful fan blowing in my face the whole time I ran anyway.

That it is able to fold up quite easily and still feel as solid as a gym model is a testament to its construction. The flaws are minor and the performance is a deal at this price in my opinion.


Pleased with the Bowflex Series 7
M. Hutchcraft (Florida)

We purchased the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill to help us with our exercise routines. We did lots of research, and this one rated very highly. We have not been disapointed with our purchase. Between my wife and I, we use it to run about 5 miles a day, and have lots of great things to say. It is solid and doesn't move around. The motor is very strong, and doesn't even flinch when I use it (at 205 lbs). The instant speed and incline buttons are great! The width and length of the belt are fantastic, and even at 6'4", have never felt like I was running off the end of the belt.

The down sides (which are minor, but worth noting) include the following: If you change your program in the middle, there is no way to back out without turning off the machine. If you are tall, you can't see the display that shows where you are on the digital "track". The pre-programmed speeds may not be for everyone. For instance, in program 4 (Fat Burn), the "jog" speed is 4 MPH, which is too slow for a run, but too fast for a comfortable walk. The "run" speed is 5, which could probably be a little faster. The fan is a good thought, but underwhelms you. The machine is big and heavy - so, unless you are really comfortable "hefting" things around, you might want to pay to have the machine delivered to its final location.

Delivery occured in about 7 days. They called the day before to arrange a delivery time, and actually showed up at that time.

All things considered, I would rate the machine and our purchase experience an "A". 

Read more Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill reviews