Our Fitness Director Says the Bowflex Treadmill Is Legit

An at-home tester also shared similar sentiments: “Delivery required two men and they took about 40 minutes to install and set up the treadmill.” If you live in a home or complex with several flights of stairs, Bowflex may not accommodate for that so again, read the fine print and keep this all in mind before your purchase. As always, ensure that the machine is fully functional and working properly before the technicians leave your home.

Dimensions

As I mentioned, this treadmill is massive with an overall footprint of 85″ L x 39.6″ W x 70″ H. It’s imperative to check the dimensions of your space before making a big purchase like this, but especially in this case given the T22’s high price tag. This treadmill has a very wide range of incline and decline, so Bowflex actually recommends measuring for a minimum ceiling height of user height + 16.1-inches. You’ll notice in these pictures that when on the highest incline setting, my head is just barely clearing our low basement ceiling.

This model is definitely larger than other at-home treadmills, but one thing that impressed me was that it does fold despite having both substantial incline and decline capabilities. The stowed dimensions are 44.5″ L x 39.6″ W x 70″ H, which can free up some space when not in use, but in order to fully fold the treadmill upright you’ll have to put it into its lowest decline setting before turning it off to fold. I found it fairly easy to fold, especially given the SoftDrop folding system which ensures that the deck slowly lowers at the end as you unfold it.

Keep in mind that the machine itself is super heavy (it weighs 336 pounds) and not something you’ll be rolling around regularly, so figure that it will stay put. “It’s a bigger model that takes up a lot of real estate but, boy, is it worth it! I’ve never been more excited to run,” a tester said.

One thing I always pay attention to is the maximum weight capacity of the machine, not only to ensure that the equipment is inclusive but also because that metric can serve as an indicator of quality and durability. A higher weight capacity tells me that the machine is typically constructed with stronger, more durable materials. This treadmill supports users up to 400 pounds, which is some of the best I’ve seen in this market.

Now let’s talk running path — this model has a substantial size running belt coming in at 22″ x 60″, which is ideal for accommodating users of varying heights. I’m very comfortable on it at 5’9″, and my husband at 6’4″ was even able to easily run on it (albeit just barely clearing his hair on the ceiling). It’s even a bit wider than what I typically look for in a quality treadmill.

Incline, Decline & Speed

One thing that testers especially liked about the Bowflex 22 is that the controls for incline and speed are in numerous places — you’ll find them on a keypad under the console, on the ends of the heart rate hand grips, as well as on the side rails of the machine. Not only can you run up to speeds of 12 MPH, but this model has both incline and decline capabilities to mimic real outdoor terrain. The range is pretty substantial too at -5% to 20% of a motorized incline, great for both leisurely strolls and intense uphill hikes. The 20% incline is some of the highest I have personally seen on a foldable treadmill.

Comfort & Convenience

Bowflex really thought through key features on this machine that make your workout so much more enjoyable. First, you’ll find a built-in fan beneath the console with three speeds to keep you cool during those longer runs (small but surprisingly powerful). There’s plenty of storage too — multiple holders for water bottles, and even a storage bar underneath the console to put smaller items. I’m able to comfortably fit my phone on the textured console, a baby monitor, a large water bottle and my headphones case with plenty of room to spare.

The T22 also features ComfortTech deck cushioning which made for a supportive and light workout, and it’s relatively quiet for a treadmill of this size and power. Bowflex doesn’t publish the motor size or horsepower though, but some reports online claim it’s as high as a 4.0 CHP Motor, meaning it’s designed for continuous and repeated heavy use. “I feel very grounded running at full speed,” a tester noted.

Special Features

I have without a doubt looked forward to every workout I’ve done on this machine, most importantly due to the smart features and JRNY platform itself. You don’t have to subscribe to JRNY to use this treadmill, but it will certainly help you get the most out of it. While you’ll have to pay an additional fee of $19.99/month to access all of the JRNY content, it’s well worth it. This gives you access to trainer-led workouts and virtual scenic runs in beautiful locations around the world. The JRNY membership also allows you to stream your favorite shows and movies from services like Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video at the same time as your workout (you’ll need an active subscription for those services though to access them on the platform).

“This machine has transformed my workouts,” a tester said. “It’s very high-end and makes half marathon training enjoyable when I can’t get outside. Plus I can pass the time by streaming Hulu and my other favorite services for those longer runs which really helps.”

The good news is that the JRNY All-Access Membership does allow you to have six users on one subscription. One cool feature is the adaptive workouts, which automatically adjust over time as you progress — this was great for creating a personalized workout plan to keep my runs challenging and interesting. JRNY itself is pretty straightforward to navigate on the platform, and there are hundreds of classes to choose from. I personally prefer some of the trainers from the iFIT platform on the NordicTrack devices better, but the JRNY trainers are still seasoned and engaging.

The 22-inch HD touchscreen is high-quality and provides for an immersive workout experience, though I was disappointed to see that it doesn’t pivot right or left. JRNY content includes some off-treadmill classes like strength training, and it’s nice to have the screen pivot when exercising off the bike — at this high price tag, it’s something I would expect of a premium treadmill like this. But the screen does tilt up and down a bit to help remove any glare.

Financing & Warranty

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 costs $2,799 (currently on sale for $2,399), making it a hefty investment. This is definitely on the higher end, coming in at more than the NordicTrack 1750, but less than the Peloton Tread+ which costs nearly double. Bowflex offers a 15 year warranty on the frame, five year warranty for the mechanical parts, one year warranty for the electronics and HD touchscreen, and two year warranty for labor. The JRNY membership is an additional $19.99/month after the free trial and one JRNY membership includes up to six user profiles.

Is the Bowflex Treadmill 22 Worth It?

If you’re looking for a premium treadmill to get you motivated to exercise at home, you can’t go wrong with the Bowflex Treadmill 22 (as long as you have the space for it). With its solid build, sleek design and impressive special features, it’s certainly a best-in-class machine. Streaming your favorite shows and movies, plus access to instructor-led classes and more, makes this treadmill something you’ll look forward to running on regularly.

That being said, if you’re not looking for built-in class content and already have a TV with streaming capabilities in your home gym, then the T22 is likely not worth it and you can opt for something with a simpler design. But the high-quality workout programming and substantial build make this one of the best foldable treadmills on the market at the moment.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Stefani Sassos has been working in the fitness industry for the past 10 years, specializing in indoor cycling and strength training. As a NASM-certified personal trainer and Women’s Fitness Specialist, she uses her expertise and exercise science knowledge to create informed fitness content for the Good Housekeeping Institute. From vigorously testing exercise equipment and apps to curating workout plans for GH readers, Stefani is passionate about leading an active lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same. After giving birth to her children, she actively used a treadmill at home to ease back into fitness postpartum when she couldn’t walk outside in the colder months. Stefani especially loves foldable treadmill models that can save space at home, making them a practical addition to any home gym.

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.