Bowflex Treadmills - Well Treadclimbers

Bowflex treadmills are. . . well, unique. In fact the Bowflex treadmill is actually called the Bowflex Treadclimber, a combination treadmill and elliptical machine said to increase the intensity of fitness exercise over a shorter period.

On the Bowflex Treadclimber, there is not one treadbelt but two, one for each foot, and each of them oscillates up and down to meet the foot and reduce impact.

Bowflex sees three advantages to this design: the first, and the biggest, is that it reduces impact to knees, back and hips during training, while allowing the user a more natural movement than on an elliptical training machine.

The second is that a study from Adelphia University shows the exercise intensity, even at the Treadclimber's slower speed, is higher resulting in more calories burned and higher levels of aerobic conditioning.

The third advantage is the machine's smaller footprint, very desirable in a home gym.

Intensity, Not Speed, Is What Counts

The Treadclimber Bow Flex treadmill comes in three current configurations, the TC1000, a basic model at $1500, the TC3000 at $1800, and the TC5000, top-of-the-line at $2200.

The TC3000 has a speed up to 4MPH, which on this design, is equivalent to power walking, and 12 intensity settings from a beginner to an athlete doing sports training.

Readouts give speed, time, distance, calories burned and per minute, and (this is different) total steps taken, Its maximum user weight capacity is 300 lbs.

The warranty on each of the Bow Flex treadmill models is different, coverage increasing with price.

The Bowflex TC3000 covers the motor for 3 years, parts and electronics for 2 years, and hydraulics for one year.

The hydraulics, pistons that control the up-and-down movement of the treads, are a concern for online reviewers like TreadmillDoctor who, in their review, wonder if the complexity of the design will be its shortcoming.