Bowflex Treadmill 22: Features, Drawbacks and Specification (2023 Updated)

Back view of young fit woman running on a treadmill

Image by diana.grytsku on Freepik

By Simon Gould

The Treadmill 22 is the flagship treadmill from Bowflex. It’s called 22 because it has a 22″ interactive full HD touch screen front and center. This is the size TV’s were a few years ago and is what makes the treadmill so unique. I’ll talk more about it later but know that it uses the latest technologies to make sure you enjoy and have the most fulfilling workouts.

The treadmill 22 is very high spec and is designed in such a way that anyone can get an effective workout indoors. Whether you want to lose weight by power walking up the 20% incline. Or you want to do high intensity interval training at high speeds as an experienced runner. This treadmill can cater for your needs as I’ll discuss in this review.

The picture above shows some detail of the display screen and you can see it’s formidable size. Regarding some of the specs the weight capacity is 400 lbs which is one of the highest you can find for a home treadmill. Maybe someone in the family is a little heavier and wants to lose weight, well they can do it on the 22.

The speed goes to 12 mph which is standard for most good treadmills. This equates to a 5 minute mile and very few runners can achieve that kind of time. If you’re close to an elite runner, you’ll know what kind of speed on a treadmill you need. I used to do some speed training and I never needed 12 mph and I consider myself a proficient runner.

Features of the Bowflex Treadmill 22

+ 5% Decline and 20% Incline – Apart from incline trainers that can go up to 40% (and have a very large price tag), I usually see 15% incline on treadmills. The 22 has a 20% incline which is very unusual and very good for those who want to use the feature. I think the best use for an incline like this is to walk uphill to lose weight.

For the average person walking on a 20% incline for 10 minutes will burn 140 calories. This is massive for such a short period of time and if you can do regular workouts like that, you’ll do wonders for your weight management. When you consider the weight capacity is 400 lbs means heavy users can get a workout. Weight loss is a good reason to consider the Treadmill 22.

I personally don’t use the decline feature on a treadmill. They can put extra pressure on the knees if you exercise downhill for long periods. A decline is something I usually see on high end treadmills and we have it here. It will exercise different parts of the lower body so you shouldn’t neglect it altogether. You should use it as part of your overall workout routine.

+ 336 lbs Treadmill Weight – It may seem unusual that I’m listing the weight of the Treadmill 22 as a feature but I’ll explain why. A light treadmill would indicate a flimsy or weak structure. If something can withstand a 400 lbs weight of someone running on it then it needs to be substantial and that’s reflected in the weight.

I always like heavy treadmills but there are disadvantages. It’s going to take multiple people to set up and move it. Make sure it’s assembled where you plan to keep it for this reason, even though it is folding. A heavy treadmill is indicative of a sturdy frame and heavy components. These tend to be stronger than their light counterparts.

I consider a heavy treadmill as a good thing 99% of the time. Due to this you may want to consider paying for assembly too. Not only does a professional who’s assembled many treadmills do it, but it’s also taken to the room of your choice. You can see by the pictures the treadmill 22 is a big beast and it’s all the better for it.

+ 22″ Interactive Touchscreen – Treadmill consoles have come a long way in the past few years. We used to have an LCD display with various graphics showing your speed and other essential information. This Bowflex console is a full HD 22″ interactive touchscreen. The model below which is the Treadmill 10 has only 10″ of viewing screen.

Peloton and NordicTrack have similar treadmills as Bowflex for the price. The Peloton Tread has 23.8″ and the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 has 22″. They are both good treadmills and high end models like the Treadmill 22 are now featuring good screens to get the most out of the features they offer. There is a lot of detail to show so I think 22″ is good.

The stand out difference between the brands is that only this Bowflex gives you the ability to watch streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and more on the screen as well. You would need a tablet with the others and they’re not really designed to hold one. You could always mount a TV on the wall. I think some entertainment is essential, especially if you’re exercising for a long period.

+ Bowflex JRNY app – Peloton have their app, NordicTrack have iFit and Bowflex have their own app too. All the leading treadmill manufacturers have their own apps. The Treadmill 22 is built around the app and through it’s features is what takes your health and wellbeing to the next level. You do need an internet connection for it and it works using Bluetooth which is built in.

You get a 2 month free trial then it’s $19.99 per month or $149 for the whole year. The apps with other brands require a monthly payment as well, it’s standard. The good thing is you only need one account per household, everyone in the family can use it. The Treadmill 22 can be used without the app but to use it at it’s full potential then you need it. It’s essential really, but worth it.

The JRNY app gets good reviews and high marks on the Apple and Google app stores. People who have downloaded the app give it 4.6 stars from over 3,700 users. You start with a fitness assessment and are given workouts to do based on this result. These workouts get gradually harder as your fitness progresses. Or if you like one workout, you can repeat it.

You can exercise in a choice of over 40 worldwide locations shown on the screen alongside your speed, distance and other important stats. Everything you do is tracked and you are shown your progress with rewards and celebrations after every milestone you hit. There are trainer led videos, friendly virtual coaching and curated playlists to help you stay motivated.

+ Installation and Assembly – If you choose to assemble the Treadmill 22 yourself, there are clear instructions included. Bowflex plan videos of assembly to help you further but they’re not done yet at the time of writing this. You don’t need a special outlet in your home it’s powered using a standard 15 amp power cord through a normal household outlet.

I always advise you pay for assembly by a professional who will also take it to the room of your choice. As I said before it’s a heavy treadmill so multiple people will be needed for assembly and some tools. The treadmill comes in 25 parts with the major components like the deck and console pre assembled in the box. Bowflex have tried to make it as straight forward and simple as possible.

+ Heart Rate Arm Band Included – I’ve heard of chest straps being included on some high end treadmills but an arm band is impressive. It uses Bluetooth to transmit your heart rate to the console and means you don’t have to worry about it being the right frequency. I’ve bought a heart rate strap my treadmill couldn’t read before.

I have experience that knowing your heart rate during a workout is a great way of telling how hard your exercising. It’s a way of ensuring your working out optimally however old or heavy you are. Our maximum heart rate decreases as we get older and working out is harder the heavier you are. By exercising in the ideal heart rate range we can get the most out of every workout we do.

Detailed instructions are in the manual about what your ideal heart rate should be. It shows the optimal heart rate depending on your age to burn the most amount of fat and calories. You maintain this rate for 20 minutes or more for maximum benefits. I’ve done this before and it really works. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, exercising in this range will give you the best health benefits.

+ Large Deck – The width is 22″ which is better than 90% of treadmills on the market today. If you’re new to a treadmill and even if you’re not and you like to do speed training, you need a big surface to do it. To exercise with confidence you want to concentrate on the workout and not about your safety if the deck was small.

To have such a large deck that also folds is another benefit. Sole make good treadmills but even their 22″ inch wide deck on their best model can’t fold. Exercising on a treadmill always requires a degree of concentration because you don’t have the freedom of outside, but with a large surface like the Treadmill 22 has, your workout routine gets the priority.+ Satisfaction Guarantee – So confident are Bowflex in their Treadmill 22 that you can return the treadmill within 6 weeks for a refund. All you need to do is contact them for a returns authorization number and as long as the package is postmarked within 2 weeks of that, you’ll get a refund. Make sure you read all the terms on their website.

I like any company that has confidence in it’s products to offer something like this. Shipping and handling aren’t refunded which is to be expected but I think it’s a great offer. If something bad happens to your circumstances or anything else outside of your control, you can get your money back. I don’t know any other manufacturer that offers this.

Drawbacks of the Bowflex Treadmill 22

 Stable Internet Required – This treadmill, like all that need the internet, needs a constant connection. If your’s is choppy and sometimes disconnects, then you may get frustrated at the Treadmill 22 HD console not functioning like it should. This is the same with all decent treadmills now but is something to think about.

Remember you could be exercising for an hour, whether that’s walking or running, and you want all the features of the JRNY app to remain. These days most internet connections are reliable and the treadmill will still work if the internet stops. If you live in a rural area or far from the main service area you may have issues.

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Specifications

ModelBowflex Treadmill 22 (T22)
FoldingYes, SoftDrop folding system
Motor4.0 CHP
Running Surface22″ x 60″
BluetoothYes, and heart rate arm band included
Display22″ interactive console and adjustable HD touchscreen
DimensionsL 85″ x W 39.6″ x H 70″
Weight Capacity400 lbs
Treadmill Weight336 lbs
Speed0 to 12 mph
Incline-5% to 20%
Warranty15 Years: Frame & Drive Motor
5 Years: Mechanical Parts
1 Year: Electronics
2 Years: Labor

Bowflex Treadmill 22 Review Summary

With Bowflex you have a choice between the Treadmill 10 and the Treadmill 22, I think the 22 is worth it if you can afford it. The difference between the size of the touchscreen’s is big and visible. You can’t underestimate the benefit of a clear and crisp screen whether you’re using the app or watching Amazon Prime. I think they’re both very good but my preference is this one.

You also get a 20% incline versus 15%. If it’s something you may use, it’s great to have that little bit extra and makes the 22 like an incline trainer. It can make all the difference if you’re looking to workout for weight loss for example. Bowflex are a very reputable maker of fitness equipment and they have succeeded in making a quality product in the Treadmill 22.

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