Bow flex treadmills are owned and manufactured Nautilus Fitness who have been in the fitness equipment business since 1986.
Nautilus also owns the Schwinn, Stairmaster, Trimline and of course Nautilus brands. They're the second largest producer of exercise equipment in North America (after ICON).
Bowflex is perhaps better known for their range of home gyms and of course, the famous Treadclimber. However Bowflex also makes several treadmills.
They used to make the Bowflex Series 3, Series 5 and Series 7 treadmills - however as of this writing you can really only find the Series 7 for sale. This probably means Bowflex may discontinue their treadmills altogether fairly soon.
Regardless - what are their treadmills like? Here's a quick review:
Strengths:
#1) Aesthetically Appealing - Bowflex units are sleek, attractive machines. They're certainly impressive to look at and if aesthetic appeal is important to you, you won't be disappointed with a Bowflex.
#2) Large Walking Areas - The Bowflex Series 5 and Series 7 have extra long treadbelts of 60" - along with strong motor powers to back them up.
This extra length is especially useful for taller people or runners who want to pick up their pace.
#3) Decent Warranties - Bowflex machines offer decent warranties which cover the frame for 15 years, motor for 10 years, parts/electronics for 2 years and labor for 1 year.
Overall, there are better warranties out there however compared to your average department store treadmill, the Bowflex warranty is superior.
#4) Excellent Bowflex Treadmill Reviews - As of this writing, users gave 4.5 out of 5 stars to the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill.
Popular features with buyers included the solid, stable feel of the units. They liked the long running surfaces on the Series 5 and Series 7. Several reviews also commented that the setup and assembly was easier than expected.
As for expert Bowflex Treadmill reviews, a leading consumer magazine also rated the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill a 'Best Buy' in 2006.
Weaknesses:
As stated above, the Bowflex treadmill brand seems to have stagnated and it's hard to even find these treadmills for sale anymore.
Other similarly priced treadmills like Sole have overtaken them in terms of what they give you for the money (higher motor powers, better cushioning longer warranties, built-in speakers with iPod hookups, etc.)
Conclusion:
Bowflex home treadmills offer some sleek looks, large walking areas and decent warranties on their treadmills. Plus they have great user and expert reviews.
However, it's fair to note that this brand seems to be dying out and you can just get more for your money with other brands like Sole.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can find Bowflex treadmills at a discount online. You can often get free shipping which will save you around $150.
