Bowflex Treadmill 22 Review

Bowflex is a big player in the home fitness market, and these days they make much more than the all-in-one home gyms that are their namesake. The Treadmill 22 is an impressive, heavy-duty machine that checks all of our boxes, but does so with a decidedly high-end price tag. With a huge tread surface, 12 mph top speed, and -5 to +20% incline adjustment, this model is sure to satisfy even serious runners. Add to that a 22-inch touchscreen, compatibility with the JRNY app, the ability to stream entertainment and work with other third-party apps, and the Treadmill 22 might just be the ultimate home training tool. If you can justify the expense that is.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

Bowflex didn't hold back when they designed the Treadmill 22, and this commercial quality model won't hold anyone back either. With a huge running surface, 12 mph top speed, and a large incline adjustment range, it can handle anything from recovery walks and jogs to super intense training sessions. Add to that a large touchscreen for viewing workouts through the JRNY app, compatibility with other third-party apps, and the ability to stream your favorite entertainment, and you've got plenty of variety and options to keep you busy.

When it comes to the running surface, bigger is usually better, and here the Treadmill 22 sets the bar high with belt dimensions of 60-inches long by 22-inches wide. We felt very comfortable running at higher speeds or doing sprints with no restriction to stride length and less concern about accidentally catching the side rails, especially when compared to narrower treads. The tread deck has Comfort Tech cushioning which we found to be one of the best at absorbing impact and helping to keep the legs feeling fresh. With a top speed of 12 mph, the Treadmill 22 can handle anything from walking speeds up to all-out sprints and everything in between. We feel it is well suited for virtually any ability level or training program, whether you're simply trying to burn some calories and maintain fitness or prepare for an upcoming 10k or marathon. We performed a speed-accuracy test using a rolling measuring wheel with the belt running at 6 mph for one minute, and found that it was just 7 feet over the perfect distance of 528 feet. We feel that is quite good, just 1.3% off. Additionally, the Treadmill 22 has the most incline/decline adjustability of any model we tested at -5 to +20%. This gives users the option to simulate gradual downhills as well as glute-busting climbs. Sure, there are incline training specific models out there with even steeper inclines, but we feel this should be more than adequate for the vast majority of users.

Starting a manual workout is quick and easy, so you can do any type of workout you choose. This is great for those who already have their own routine or structured training program. The screen displays all of your important workout metrics in real-time, with speed, distance, elapsed time, incline, heart rate (when using a connected monitor), and more. Of course, one of the highlights of the Treadmill 22 is that it works with the JRNY app to provide a wealth of training options at your fingertips. More on that below.

Companion App/Connectivity

The Treadmill 22 has a large 22-inch touchscreen that uses WiFi to connect to the JRNY app. It is also Bluetooth enabled to pair with wireless headphones and the included heart rate monitor or other aftermarket monitors. The JRNY app is a departure from other apps like iFit, Peloton, or Echelon, and it provides a good selection of studio and virtual coach workouts, Explore the World Scenic runs, and the option to stream your favorite entertainment or use third-party training apps. While the JRNY app itself isn't the most impressive, we think the versatility of the platform is great and gives you lots of options.

As far as we can tell, the Treadmill 22 doesn't really work without the JRNY app. You basically need a WiFi connection to connect to JRNY, and JRNY to activate the screen in any way. Like any other app, JRNY does have a monthly or annual cost to be considered. Fortunately, the membership is free for the first year with the purchase of the Treadmill 22 or any other Bowflex connected equipment like the VeloCore 16 or the Schwinn IC4 exercise bikes (Schwinn Fitness is owned by the same parent company as Bowflex). Once the free trial ends, the JRNY app is less expensive than competitor apps at $20 a month or $149 billed annually. Your app membership gets you unlimited user profiles so everyone in your household can track their own progress, and the adaptive workouts will be specific to each user. It can also be used across other JRNY compatible equipment, or on a tablet or smartphone for following along with the wealth of off treadmill workouts.

The JRNY app isn't quite as well developed as the competition, but there are plenty of options and variety to suit a range of tastes and keep you busy. During our test period, we counted around 121 studio-style videos, 130 or so Explore the World scenic runs, and approximately 130 virtual coach programs. It definitely feels a little sparse when compared to the thousands of options on iFit or Peloton, but realistically, they cover all the bases and then some. The videos and programs offer the typical options of runs, walks, sprints, hills, endurance, and more, with varying lengths of time and instructors to choose from. The virtual coach programs are a departure from the norm, but they add more variety and give you the option to view scenic videos and choose your music genre if you don't feel like looking at an instructor in a studio. The virtual coach programs are also adaptive, adjusting to you as your fitness level changes over time. Additionally, there are lots of off treadmill workouts including yoga, Pilates, strength training, and more to help you work on total body fitness.

One of our favorite features of the JRNY app is the ability to stream entertainment through the screen from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ (subscriptions required). It is important to note here that you can only stream entertainment through the screen if you have a JRNY membership, this is a feature of the app itself. None of the other apps that we have tried have this functionality, and it is a great way to pass the time while you catch up on shows and hit your fitness goals. The Treadmill 22 is also compatible with popular third-party training apps like Zwift, Kinomap, and more, although you will need to use your own device to view them. Regardless, we think it's great that you can choose the exercise experience you want, and appreciate the flexibility the Treadmill 22 provides.

User Interface/Ease of Use

The number 22 in the name Treadmill 22 is a reference to the size of the HD touchscreen. This large screen serves as the primary interface with the machine for navigating the various options on the JRNY app and viewing them while you work out. Well-placed speed and incline controls are user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to reach, even while running.

At the front of the Treadmill 22 is the main power switch that obviously needs to be turned on before use. The screen also has a separate power button to turn it off when not in use, otherwise, the screen puts itself to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity. Once everything is turned on, you are brought to the home screen with a number of just for you workout picks based on your previous activity, or you can navigate the JRNY app to find the video or program that suits your fancy. The screen is big and bright, with good resolution and touch sensitivity. Navigating the app is relatively straightforward through the touchscreen interface using the swipe and tap method that most people are already so familiar with. At the bottom of the screen are front-facing speakers that project directly toward the user and have surprisingly good sound quality. Two small buttons on the back right side of the screen can be used to control the volume. Otherwise, volume can be controlled through the screen, and you can adjust the levels based on what you want to hear more of, music or instructor. Connecting to Bluetooth accessories like headphones or the included heart rate armband is also done quickly and easily through the screen.

Bowflex didn't skimp on the controls for the Treadmill 22, and there are several ways to adjust your speed and incline. These include buttons in three locations on the handrail, extended handlebars, and the console. The handrails have grey buttons integrated into their design, speed on the right and incline on the left, which are large and easy to reach without breaking your stride. Additionally, there are speed and incline + and - buttons on the ends of the lower of the two handlebars that extend up towards the touchscreen. These are conveniently located next to the heart rate hand grips, so you have the ability to adjust your speed and incline, even while using the integrated heart rate sensors. Each press of the + and - buttons changes the speed by 0.1 mph, while incline adjusts by 1%. Beneath the touchscreen in the center of the large console, there are also quick jump speed and incline buttons. For incline, you have the option to quickly jump to -5, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 20% grades. For speed, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 12 mph are the options. While the quick jump buttons are great, we feel Bowflex dropped the ball a little here by not including 6 and 8 mph on the speed side, as those are two very common speeds that people run. In between the quick jump buttons is a start button, as well as controls for the small adjustable fan. Below the fan, there is a large stop/pause button, as well as the magnetic safety key/lanyard.

Features

The Treadmill 22 is the most feature-packed treadmill we tested, and it comes loaded with all the bells and whistles that you can think of. Whether for convenience or to enhance the exercise experience, Bowflex seemingly thought of everything.

The Treadmill 22 has a very robust and sturdy build, and it boasts a weight limit of 400 lbs, the highest of any model we tested. The tread deck has Comfort Tech cushioning, and an impressive incline adjustment range of -5% to +20%. The deck folds up for storage when not in use with a lift assist and soft drop system. It also has small transport wheels to help facilitate moving it around on firm, flat surfaces. At the front of the treadmill, there is an impressive number of places to stash your things with two bottle holders and multiple other spots to rest phones, tablets, towels, etc, while you exercise. There are heart rate sensors integrated into the upper handles, plus it comes with a Bluetooth heart rate armband. It has a small, three-speed adjustable fan in the middle of the console along with a magnetic safety key/lanyard. In addition to the standard handrails, it also has a large extended handlebar with two levels of out-front grip options.

Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the Treadmill 22 is the 22-inch touchscreen. This large screen serves as the main interface with the machine, and it connects with the JRNY app for everything that entails. One thing that sets the JRNY app apart from the competition is the ability to stream entertainment and work with other third-party training apps, so you aren't exclusively limited to JRNY content. The screen has a small amount of tilt range to optimize its angle for viewing, along with front-facing speakers, Bluetooth connectivity to pair with headphones or earbuds, and a USB port on the side that helps ensure that you keep your devices charged.

Ease of Assembly

The Treadmill 22 took a bit of a hit in this metric for its involved and time-consuming assembly process. Like most models, it is fairly straightforward, but there are A LOT of steps involved, and the weight and size of the machine make some of it a bit awkward. If you struggle with putting things together or have mobility issues, we would recommend paying to have it assembled for you (this is usually an option when purchasing).

One of the biggest challenges, and this goes for all of the treadmills we tested, is moving it in its shipping box and removing it from that box. The Treadmill 22 presents a bit of extra challenge here due to its very heavy weight. It weighs a claimed 336-pounds when assembled (we didn't have a scale large enough to verify that), so it stands to reason that the box and packing materials add at least another 20-pounds. You will not be able to move it without the help of at least 2 more people, and we'd suggest getting the delivery crew to drop it as close as possible to where you intend to assemble it to minimize the distance you need to move it yourself. We also highly recommend assembling it in the location where you intend to keep it, as it will not fit through most doorways or be pleasant to move up or down a flight of stairs once assembled.

Once you get the tread deck and all of its parts removed from the box, you've got quite a little project on your hands. Thankfully, it comes with detailed printed instructions with exploded diagrams explaining every step of the process. It also comes with the tools needed and a blister pack of hardware, although we found it to be easier to use our own tools than the ones provided. Again, most of the assembly is fairly straightforward, but there are a lot of steps, and you'll want an extra set of hands for some of them. Some of the more difficult parts of the process are dealing with the wire connections, and there are quite a few with the various handles, controls, and monitor. We found it really pays to follow the directions exactly. It took us a solid two hours to get the Treadmill 22 from the box to ready to use.

Storability

There are no two ways about it, the Treadmill 22 is a big machine. In fact, it is the largest treadmill we tested, and the heaviest with a claimed assembled weight of 336-pounds. This is the type of treadmill that you assemble in your dedicated workout space and try to avoid moving for as long as possible. Fortunately, the tread deck does fold up, reducing the footprint by about half when not in use. Regardless, it is still massive and certainly won't go unnoticed.

The Treadmill 22 is the longest, widest, and tallest treadmill we tested with open dimensions of 85-inches long, 39.6-inches wide, with a height of 70-inches to the top of the touchscreen. With the deck folded up, the length is cut nearly in half to 44.5-inches, opening up a significant amount of floor space, but it is still a large and imposing piece of equipment. At 336-pounds, it is also incredibly heavy. Even tipping it back to roll it on its transport wheels is fairly awkward and challenging, though it can be moved on firm flat surfaces with a little effort. Moving it through a doorway or up or down a flight of stairs, however, is no simple task.

Noise Level

Just looking at the Treadmill 22, it seems like it's going to be loud. It's huge, it has an almost aggressive appearance, and it has a larger 4 HP motor. Looks can be deceiving, however, and it is right about average in terms of its noise level. Using a decibel meter, we measured it with just the belt running on its own at 1, 4, and 7.5 mph at 46, 53, and 61 decibels, respectively. With a user's footfalls added to the tread, those numbers increased by exactly 6 decibels each to 52, 63, and 67. No treadmill is silent, obviously, but the Treadmill 22 proved to be about the same as the other high-end models we tested.

Should You Buy the Bowflex Treadmill 22?

If you're a serious runner and you want all the bells and whistles, the Treadmill 22 is an excellent, albeit expensive, option to consider. With a huge tread surface, 12 mph top speed, and -5 decline to +20 incline, this treadmill is ready for anything from casual recovery jogs and marathon training to hill workouts and sprint intervals. The 22-inch touchscreen integrates with the JRNY app for a variety of studio classes, virtual coach, and Explore the World scenic runs, plus it gives you the option to stream your favorite entertainment and it works with various third-party training apps. We appreciate the versatility and options it provides. Want to save a little money? the Treadmill 10 is essentially the same thing with a slightly reduced incline adjustment range and a smaller, 10-inch touchscreen.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

Short on space but still want a great workout? The Echelon Stride folds down to an impressively slim size for storage and still provides a solid exercise quality. It makes some compromises in tread size and incline adjustment compared to the Treadmill 22, a tradeoff for its storable convenience, but it costs significantly less while taking up very little room in your apartment. Do you like the immersive trainer-led scenic runs, walks, and hikes on the iFit app? Then look no further than the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. With a large running surface, 12-mph top speed, -3 to +15 incline, and excellent integration with the iFit app including AutoAdjust speed and incline changes, it is one of our favorites. Not to mention the fact it costs a bit less.