Bowflex Treadmill 22 Review (2024): A Big Machine to Support Big Goals

Much like Columbus, who discovered America while searching for India and said, “Close enough,” your hunt for the best treadmill may leave you feeling lost, confused, and ready to settle. But despair not, those with a few extra bucks to spend may find their destination in the Bowflex Treadmill 22, a high-end splurge that can support those with serious goals looking to tackle sprints and hills. 

This treadmill’s HD touchscreen allows you to follow along with trainers, explore the world via scenic routes, track your workout stats, and even access streaming services to view movies and TV shows. With a top speed of 12 miles per hour, 20 percent incline, and -5 percent decline capabilities, you can also up the ante with hill sprints. The $2,499 price tag is a hefty one, but the Treadmill 22 is a hefty machine that can support the cardio goals of fitness fanatics — and entertain them along the way — across daily workouts. 

Main Takeaways

• You’ll have access to train hard with 12 miles per hour max speed and -5 to 20 percent incline capabilities.
• The 22-inch touchscreen is integrated with the JRNY app — an additional $19.99 a month — giving users access to workout programming. 
• JRNY also lets users stream entertainment from apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video.
• The steel frame supports users up to 400 pounds, but weighs a whopping 336 pounds, making it difficult to move around.

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Highlights

• Price: $2,799
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Max Incline: -5%-20%
• Dimensions: 70″ H x 85″ L x 39.6″ W
• Weight: 336lbs
• Weight Capacity: 400lbs
• Warranty: 15-year frame, 5-years mechanical parts, one-year electronics, touchscreen, and labor

If you’re looking to invest in a home treadmill to take your training to the next level, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a worthwhile consideration. This machine is a tank, with a 400-pound user weight capacity that makes it suitable for cardio fiends of many shapes and sizes. The 12 miles per hour max speed and a -5 to 20 percent incline can supplement your cardio with heart-pounding hill sprints.

Certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto assessed qualities to look for in the best treadmills for tall runners. “For running and especially sprinting, you’ll want a deck… 60 inches long. As for width, 20 to 22 inches is ideal in order to accommodate arm motion while running and potential side-to-side movement that can occur when sprinting.” The Bowflex Treadmill 22’s spacious 22-inch by 60-inch tread deck provides enough length for tall runners and enough width to comfortably power through your sprints.

While many high-end treadmills provide touchscreens with access to apps like iFIT or Peloton, the Treadmill 22 is integrated with JRNY, a fitness app that pairs workout programming with access to apps like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. The only catch is that you’ll have to keep up with your JRNY subscription in order to stream on the treadmill’s 22-inch display. 

Our biggest qualm with this treadmill is its 336-pound weight and 85-inch by 40-inch footprint. That’s a heavy machine that’s nearly 10 inches longer and 5 inches wider than many of the high-end treadmills we’ve tested. While there are folding capabilities, we prefer to get our workout on the treadmill rather than from trying to maneuver this goliath of a machine around.

Pros

• JRNY integration allows users to access workout programming and entertainment apps like Netflix via the 22-inch touchscreen.
• The max speed of 12 miles per hour and -5 to 20 percent incline offer a substantial amount of training versatility.
• The treadmill’s steel frame can support users up to 400 pounds — roughly 50 to 100 pounds more than most treadmills.

Cons

• Bowflex won’t tell consumers what motor sizes they use for their treadmills. 
• At 336 pounds, this treadmill is nearly 40 pounds heavier than other high-end treadmills with screens we’ve tested. 
• Despite its folding mechanism, the 85-inch by 40-inch footprint may make this treadmill unsuitable for apartments or small homes.

Training With the Bowflex Treadmill 22

While we haven’t gotten our hands on the Bowflex Treadmill 22 yet, we have tried and tested over 40 of the most popular treadmills and took note of how this machine stacked up against the competition. We’ve also rigorously tested the Bowflex Treadmill 10, which provides similar training capabilities, mechanical parts, folding mechanics, and belt deck design. The primary difference is the 22-inch screen on the Treadmill 22 compared to the 10-inch screen on the Treadmill 10.

JRNY Interactive Programming

At $11.99 a month or $99 for a full-year subscription, JRNY is one of the most affordable training apps for treadmill running. With a subscription, users get access to scenic routes, in-studio classes with personal trainers, and adaptive workouts that adjust your workout based on your ability. Whether you’re looking for how to run a faster mile or just want something to help you start a new routine, the JRNY provides. However, “JRNY doesn’t have as many offerings as iFIT does,” noted our tester who gave this dynamic programming a 3 out of 5.

You’ll also be granted access to some of your own subscription services, like Hulu, Prime Video, or Netflix so you can stream your favorite shows or movies from the 22-inch screen.

If you like to cry while you run, may I suggest the first season of Michael Chriton’s “ER” (the same Chriton who brought us, “Jurassic Park”)? Perhaps the serotonin you get from exercise will help to balance out how grim and upsetting (in a good way!) that season is. 

Speed and Incline Control

The 20-percent incline, -5 percent decline, and max speed of 12 miles per hour allow users of any fitness level the ability to climb, walk, sprint, or jog at the intensity that’s right for them. The incline range, in particular, is impressive, as it’s the largest range we’ve seen on any folding treadmill.

This range of training capabilities is great for those looking to mimic outdoor terrain or incorporate hill sprints. Walking at an incline activates different muscles than on flat ground and can also reduce knee pain. (1) Our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto notes, “If you plan to use your treadmill to train for outdoor events such as a marathon or a hike, incline is essential.”

A max speed of 12 miles per hour allows users to pick up their workout to a 5-minute mile pace, providing ample resistance for HIIT workouts or sprint trials. Speed and incline adjustments can be made in three different locations: there are quick-adjust buttons on the bottom of the console, and speed and incline buttons located on the arms and beside the heart rate monitor hand grips. The customizations on the Treadmill 10 scored a 4 out of 5 for a smaller incline range.

Rumor has it that the Treadmill 22 has a 4.0 HP motor. If the rumors are true, this is less robust than the 3.0 CHP motors we like to see for more serious runners. I even called customer service to verify the motor size and was told Bowflex doesn’t share this information. Certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto noted, “Ideally, a running treadmill will have a powerful motor with at least 3.0 CHP.” 

Belt Deck

The 22 by 60-inch deck is spacious enough to accommodate taller runners or those with long strides. “This treadmill deck is really comfortable to use. Because of how wide and long it is, I had a ton of space to move freely and never felt like I was close to falling off,” said our tester when trying out the identical Treadmill 10 running surface. Both models also utilize Bowflex’s ComfortTech deck cushioning, which works to absorb shocks to help reduce joint pain. We scored the Treadmill 10’s adjustability and ergonomics a 4.5 out of 5.

Conveniences

This treadmill has tons of storage space, with water bottle holders and a media shelf. Bluetooth connectivity makes tracking your workout with apps like Zwift or Strava simple. And we also like that it has a built-in fan with multiple power levels. 

Plus, you can keep track of how hard you’re training with the heart rate sensors on the handrails, which can help you maintain a fat-burning heart rate zone. Of course, you could also utilize the included Bluetooth armband heart rate monitor.

What to Consider Before Buying the Bowflex Treadmill 22

There are many factors to consider before pulling the trigger and bringing a treadmill into your home. When scanning models, you’ll want to have a budget range in mind, the amount of floor space you can dedicate to a machine, and the type of training you’d like to use your treadmill for.

Price

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 costs $2,799, which lands between the $2,000 to $3,000 average range for a high-end treadmill. It certainly earns its price point with its max speed of 12 miles per hour, 20-percent incline, -5-percent decline, 22-inch HD touchscreen with JRNY integration, and 400-pound weight capacity, but before emptying your wallet it’s worth asking if this level of versatility and stability aligns with your needs. 

If you’re not one to engage with dynamic programming, you could save a few bucks by opting for a more utilitarian machine that eschews a screen entirely. The same goes for this treadmill’s impressive incline and decline range — if you’re more interested in endurance than hill training, you can certainly find a more budget-friendly model with a more modest range. But if you’re in the market for a top-of-the-line model that can support your training goals (and entertain you at the same time), then we think this model is absolutely worth the price. 

[Related: The 8 Best High-End Treadmills]

Footprint and Portability

Only you can know how much floor space you have available for a treadmill, but we can provide you with detailed dimensions so that you can take some measurements to help envision how a treadmill will fit in your home. 

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 takes up 85 by 40 inches of floor space. When folded, you’ll save 40.5 inches, as the 85-inch length folds up to 44.5 inches. Folded or unfolded, the 70-inch height remains the same. Folding and unfolding this treadmill is easy with the SoftDrop folding system, which uses hydraulics to assist in lifting and lowering the belt deck. 

[Related: The 8 Best Folding Treadmills of 2024 (Expert Tested)]

Training Modality

With impressive speed and incline capabilities, this machine was built for hikers training for their grand adventure, athletes looking to train for endurance races, or those looking for some hill work or sprint intervals to increase their speed. 

If you’re a cardio fiend, then the Treadmill 22 delivers. If you’re more in the market for a jogging treadmill, then this machine may be overkill. Before scooping it up, ask yourself: Will you be cranking up that incline to 20 percent? Will you be sprinting at 12 miles per hour? Consider your own fitness goals, then assess whether the Treadmill 22 aligns with them or if a less expensive machine can still check your boxes. 

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Vs The Competition

The chart below highlights some comparisons between the Bowflex Treadmill 22 and its competition.

When comparing the Bowflex Treadmill 22’s specs to similar products, the price paid for a screen size of 22 inches is nearly $200 cheaper than the NordicTrack 2450 or the Peloton Tread. Additionally, the warranty for both the Bowflex 22 and the 10 are more substantial than Peloton or NordicTrack’s.

You’ll also have access to more affordable programming with the JRNY app ($11.99 a month), which costs nearly $30 less than Peloton’s All-Access ($44 a month) or NordicTrack’s iFIT membership ($39 a month). Of course, there’s a reason Peloton and NordicTrack are so well-renowned in the dynamic programming space — their virtual classes are among the best we’ve taken — so if you’re looking for immersion in your fitness classes, those apps are worth the cost. 

The dimensions are where the Bowflex Treadmill 22 doesn’t impress. At 85 inches long, it’s nearly 17 inches longer than the Peloton and 6.5 inches longer than the NordicTrack. As for width, it’s also about 4 to 7 inches wider than the competition. While you may save some cash if you opt for the Bowflex Treadmill 22 over the Peloton Tread or NordicTrack 2450, you’ll be losing out on more space-saving designs.

Places to Buy the Bowflex Treadmill 22

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 can be purchased directly through the Bowflex website.

Warranty

Your purchase comes with a 15-year frame and motor warranty, 5 years for mechanical parts, one year for electronics and HD touchscreens, and 2 years for labor. Shipping is free, although they will not ship to P.O. boxes or international destinations.

Company Information

Bowflex started over 30 years ago with at-home gym equipment. Over the years, they’ve expanded to become one of the most popular fitness manufacturers, with treadmills, ellipticals, spin bikes, home gyms, and a variety of innovative free weights.

If you need to speak to someone in customer support, you can reach them at 1-800-618-8853. In my experience, I was able to speak with a living, breathing, real-life-not-a-robot customer support agent within 2 minutes of calling.

In Conclusion

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is stable, sturdy, and built to withstand a beating. Featuring a max speed of 12 miles per hour, a -5 to 20 percent incline, and a generous 22-inch by 60-inch running deck, the treadmill provides the space and versatility for high-intensity training and longer endurance runs.

The 22-inch touchscreen display allows you to access content to keep you entertained from apps like Netflix, Max, and Hulu. However, access is limited to those who subscribe to JRNY, which provides training programs at a reasonable $11.99 monthly subscription. All in all, If you’re looking to invest in a treadmill to support serious training, and floor space isn’t an issue, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a worthwhile consideration. 

FAQs

References

1. Haggerty, M., Dickin, D. C., Popp, J., & Wang, H. (2014). The influence of incline walking on joint mechanics. Gait & posture, 39(4), 1017–1021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.12.027

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