Treadmill Articles

Although I have never been impressed with the Bowflex strength equipment, or the Treadclimber, I find the Bowflex treadmills to be a good value. They are well-constructed machines with a reputation for durability. The Series 5 is the mid-range machine of the three Bowflex models.

There are two features that make the Bowflex Series 5 treadmill standout.

• 20' x 60" walking/jogging surface. This is one of the longer surfaces for a treadmill under $1,500. Typically a treadmill in this price range has a 54" surface. The extra 6" really makes a difference, and will accommodate taller individuals.
• A hefty 250 lb. weight. When it comes to a treadmill the heavier the better. It contributes to a solid, stable feel. This is particularly important if you are sporting a few extra pounds. The downside is it does make it difficult to move around.

Other important features include 2.5" rollers. With rollers the bigger the better. The larger roller requires less revolutions. It reduces wear on the belt, motor, roller and bearings - components that often require maintenance or replacement.

The Bowflex Series 5 comes with a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor. This size is adequate to handle joggers. When I was on the treadmill, it didn't seem to strain at moderate speeds. I would suggest if you plan to run, or have multiple users, you consider upgrading to the Series 7 with the 3.0 HP motor.

Regarding the shock absorption on both the Series 5 and Series 7, both treadmills have what is called the Stride Zone deck suspension. It offers a surface that's reduces shock to the feet, ankles, knees and hips - an important factor for any treadmill design. The design allows for a soft landing at the front of the deck, while providing a firm lift-off towards the back.

Finally, you get a generous selection of workout programs, including speed interval jogger, hill intervals and heart strength-recovery test. You can monitor your progress on a 4 LED window display.

Our Review - Bowflex Series 5 Treadmill

Overall, the Series 5 is a good value at $1,300. It offers an excellent array of features, has a reasonable warranty and is known as a low maintenance machine.

However, for $100 more I would upgrade to the Series 7. And when you look at the customer reviews on Amazon, it is obvious that the Series 7 is the treadmill of choice. It has 103 review in comparison to the Series 5, which has 2.

See Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Review.