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.
2025 UpdateThe Bowflex 22 hasn't changed much on the outside, but several minor tweaks have improved the treadmill's operating system. The processor in the display has been upgraded, providing the 22 with a faster response time and improved integration with the iFit app. The machine's Bluetooth integration has also been overhauled, making it easier to connect heart rate monitors and wireless headphones. The speakers and fan also received a slight power boost, providing increased comfort.
Bowflex didn't hold back when designing the Treadmill 22, and this commercial-quality model won't hold anyone back either. With a huge running surface, a 12 mph top speed, and a large incline adjustment range, it can handle everything from recovery walks and jogs to 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 a belt that measures 60 inches long by 22 inches wide. I felt extremely comfortable running at higher speeds or doing sprints with no restriction on stride length and was less concerned about accidentally catching the side rails, as I might on narrower treads. The tread deck features Comfort Tech cushioning, which I 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. During the months I ran on this machine, I found it well-suited for virtually any ability level or training program, whether simply trying to burn calories and maintain fitness or preparing for an ultra. I performed a speed-accuracy multiple times 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. This should be accurate enough for all but the most competitive runners, with an error of just 1.3%. Additionally, the Treadmill 22 has substantial incline/decline adjustability, moving from -5 to +20%. This gives users the option to simulate gradual downhills as well as glute-busting climbs. While there are incline training-specific models available with even steeper inclines, this one should satisfy the vast majority of users.
Starting a manual workout is quick and easy, allowing you to choose any type of workout you prefer. This is great for those who already have their own routine or structured training program. The screen displays all 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.
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, offering a diverse selection of studio and virtual coach workouts, scenic runs, and the option to stream your favorite entertainment or utilize third-party training apps. While the JRNY app itself isn't the most impressive, we think the platform's versatility is great, offering many options.
The Treadmill 22 doesn't really work without the JRNY app. Without a WiFi connection to connect to JRNY, you can't activate the screen or initiate a workout. Like any other app, JRNY has a monthly or annual subscription cost to consider. Fortunately, membership is free for the first year with the purchase of the Treadmill 22 or any other Bowflex-connected equipment, such as 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, costing $20 per month or $149 billed annually. Your app membership provides unlimited user profiles, allowing everyone in your household to track their progress. Additionally, the adaptive workouts will be tailored to each user. It can also be used across other JRNY-compatible equipment or on a tablet or smartphone to follow along with the wealth of off-treadmill workouts.
The JRNY app isn't quite as well-developed as the competition, but it offers plenty of options and variety to suit a range of tastes and keep you busy. During our test period, we counted 121 studio-style videos, approximately 130 Explore the World scenic runs, and around 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 a range of options, including 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 allow you to view scenic videos and choose your music genre if you prefer not to look at an instructor in a studio. The virtual coach programs are also adaptive, adjusting to your fitness level as it 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 my favorite features of the JRNY app is the ability to stream entertainment from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ through the screen (subscriptions required). It is essential to note that you can only stream entertainment through the screen if you have a JRNY membership; this is a feature and limitation of the app. None of the other apps we have tried have this functionality, and it's 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, such as Zwift and Kinomap, among others. However, you will need to use a separate tablet or smart TV to view these apps. Regardless, we think it's great that you can choose the exercise experience you want, and we appreciate the flexibility Treadmill 22 provides.
The number 22 in the name Treadmill 22 refers to the size of the HD touchscreen. This large screen serves as the primary interface with the machine, allowing you to navigate the various options on the JRNY app and view them while you work out. Well-placed speed and incline controls are user-friendly, intuitive, and easily accessible, even while running.
At the front of the Treadmill 22 is the main power switch, which must be turned on before use. The screen also features a separate power button to turn it off when not in use; otherwise, it automatically goes to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity. Once everything is turned on, you are brought to the home screen with several workout picks tailored to you based on your previous activity. Alternatively, you can navigate the JRNY app to find the video or program that suits your needs. The screen is large and bright, with fine 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 familiar with. At the bottom of the screen are front-facing speakers that project sound directly toward the user, offering surprisingly good sound quality. Two small buttons located on the right side of the back of the screen can be used to control the volume. Otherwise, volume can be controlled through the screen, and you can adjust the levels to focus on what you want to hear more of: music or the instructor. Connecting to Bluetooth accessories, such as 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, offering several ways to adjust your speed and incline. These include buttons in three locations on the handrail, extended handlebars, and the console. The handrails feature grey buttons integrated into their design, with speed controls on the right and incline controls 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, allowing you 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 the 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 can 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 that Bowflex dropped the ball a little by not including 6 and 8 mph on the speed side, as those are two very common speeds that people typically run. 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 lanyard key.
The Treadmill 22 is the most feature-packed treadmill I've tested, equipped with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Whether for convenience or to enhance the exercise experience, Bowflex seems to have thought of everything.
The Treadmill 22 features a robust and sturdy build, boasting a weight limit of 400 lbs, the highest of any model tested to date. The tread deck features 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 features small transport wheels to facilitate movement on firm, flat surfaces. At the front of the treadmill, there is an impressive number of places to stash your belongings, including two bottle holders and multiple other spots to rest phones, tablets, towels, and more, while you exercise. There are heart rate sensors integrated into the upper handles, plus it comes with a Bluetooth heart rate armband. It features a small, three-speed adjustable fan located in the middle of the console, along with a magnetic safety key and 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 primary interface with the machine, connecting to the JRNY app for all its functions. One thing that sets the JRNY app apart from the competition is its ability to stream entertainment and integrate with other third-party training apps, so you're not exclusively limited to JRNY content. The screen features a small tilt range to optimize its viewing angle, along with front-facing speakers, Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with headphones or earbuds, and a USB port on the side that helps ensure your devices stay charged.
The Treadmill 22 suffered a slight setback in this metric due to 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 them a bit awkward. If you struggle with assembling things or have mobility issues, we recommend paying to have it assembled for you (this is usually an available option when purchasing).
One of the biggest challenges, and this applies to all the treadmills I've tested, is moving its shipping box and removing it from that box. The Treadmill 22 presents an additional challenge here due to its substantial 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 two more people. We 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. I can also highly recommend assembling it in the location where you intend to keep it, as it will not fit through most doorways and will be nearly impossible to move once assembled, either up or down a flight of stairs.
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 and exploded diagrams that explain every step of the process. It also comes with the necessary tools and a blister pack of hardware, although we found it 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 challenging aspects of the process involve dealing with the wire connections, as well as the various handles, controls, and monitor. It pays to follow the directions exactly; it took me a solid two hours to get the Treadmill 22 from the box and ready for use.
No two ways about it; the Treadmill 22 is a huge machine. It's the largest treadmill we tested and the heaviest to date. 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 I've tested, with open dimensions of 85 inches in length and 39.6 inches in width, and 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 considerable amount of floor space, but it remains a large and imposing piece of equipment. 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 some effort.
Just looking at the Treadmill 22, it appears to be quite loud. It's huge, with an almost aggressive appearance, and features a larger 4 HP motor. Looks can be deceiving, but it is right about average in terms of its noise level. Using a decibel meter, I measured the sound level with just the belt running on its own at 1, 4, and 7.5 mph, which corresponded to 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. While no treadmill is silent, the Treadmill 22 proved to be about as noisy as the other high-end models tested.
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 a -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 coaching, and Explore the World scenic runs. Additionally, it provides the option to stream your favorite entertainment and 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, with a slightly reduced incline adjustment range and a smaller 10-inch touchscreen.
Short on space but still want a great workout? The Echelon Stride folds down to an impressively slim size for storage, while still providing a solid exercise experience. 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 space. Do you enjoy the immersive, trainer-led scenic runs, walks, and hikes available 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 my favorites, not to mention that it costs a bit less.
