I Tested the Bowflex Treadmill 22 for Over a Year

You've probably heard of Bowflex, whether it's because you or someone you know owns its popular adjustable dumbbells or its noteworthy home gyms. The brand has built a solid reputation for quality exercise equipment, and their treadmills are no exception.

As the Nutrition & Fitness Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, I’ve tested dozens of treadmills. It's impressive how far the industry has come in recent years, with machines continually outdoing one another. But among all the treadmills I've evaluated, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 stands out as one of my favorites. In addition to personally using it myself for over a year, we also had two additional testers use this model in their homes to assess its performance over time. Here’s everything you need to know about the Treadmill 22 and whether it’s worth the cost of adding to your home gym setup.

Bowflex Treadmill 22

$2,399 at Bowflex

Pros

• Large HD touchscreen
• Well-built and sturdy design
• Incline & decline capabilities
• Up to 12 MPH
• Folds upright
• Access to streaming platforms and workout content

Cons

• Additional membership cost for full JRNY experience
• Difficult to assemble
• Touchscreen does not pivot side to side

Dimensions	85" L x 39.6" W x 70" H
Folded Dimensions	44.5" L x 39.6" W x 70" H
Maximum User Weight	400 lbs
Product Weight	336 lbs

The T22 typically ships within five business days of placing your order. You’ll receive notifications from the delivery service, along with a call to schedule the most convenient delivery time. Here’s the catch: this is a massive, heavy treadmill. Be sure to read the fine print regarding shipping options.

I chose the delivery with assembly service for an additional cost of $349, which was well worth it. This option included delivery to a room of my choice, unpacking, complete assembly and removal of all packaging. I found the delivery process to be smooth, and especially loved that they took care of all the packaging disposal.

One of our at-home testers shared similar sentiments: "Delivery required two men and they took about 40 minutes to install and set up the treadmill." If you live in a home or complex with several flights of stairs, be aware that Bowflex may not provide assistance for this, so it's important to read the fine print carefully. Additionally, always make sure the machine is fully functional and operating correctly before the technicians leave your home.

This treadmill is massive, with an overall footprint of 85" L x 39.6" W x 70" H, so it's really important to check the dimensions of your space before making a big purchase like this — especially considering the T22's high price tag. With its wide range of incline and decline settings, Bowflex actually recommends a minimum ceiling height of your height plus 16.1 inches. You’ll see in some of the pictures in this article that when I had it at the highest incline, my head was just barely clearing our low basement ceiling!

Although it's larger than many other at-home treadmills, one thing that really impressed me is that it folds, even with its substantial incline and decline capabilities. When folded, the dimensions are 44.5" L x 39.6" W x 70" H, which frees up some space when you're not using it. However, to fold it upright, you'll need to set the treadmill to its lowest decline setting before turning it off. I found it pretty easy to fold, thanks to its special system that ensures the deck lowers slowly as you unfold it.

Just keep in mind that this treadmill is super heavy, too — it weighs 336 pounds — so it's not something you'll be moving around often. It's pretty much going to stay where you set it up. As one tester said, "It's a bigger model that takes up a lot of real estate, but boy, is it worth it! I've never been more excited to run."

One thing I always look at is the maximum weight capacity of a machine — not just to make sure it's inclusive for a wide range of users, but also because it can be a good indicator of quality and durability. A higher weight capacity usually means the machine is built with stronger, more durable materials. This treadmill supports users up to 400 pounds, which is one of the highest capacities I've seen in this market.

Now, let’s talk about the running path. This model has a generously sized belt, measuring 22" x 60", which is perfect for accommodating users of different heights. At 5'9", I feel very comfortable running on it, and even my husband, who’s 6'4", was able to run easily (though he just barely cleared his hair on the ceiling!). The belt is also a bit wider than what I usually expect from a high-quality treadmill, which is a nice bonus.

One thing that our testers especially liked about the Bowflex 22 is that the controls for incline and speed are in numerous places — you'll find them on a keypad under the console, on the ends of the heart rate hand grips, as well as on the side rails of the machine. Not only can you run up to speeds of 12 mph, but this model has both incline and decline capabilities to mimic real outdoor terrain. The range is pretty substantial too at -5% to 20% of a motorized incline, great for both leisurely strolls and intense uphill hikes. The 20% incline is some of the highest I have personally seen on a foldable treadmill.

Bowflex really nailed the key features on this machine that make your workout much more enjoyable. First, there’s a built-in fan under the console with three speeds to keep you cool during those longer runs — it's small but surprisingly powerful. The storage options are great too, with multiple holders for water bottles and even a storage bar beneath the console for smaller items. I can easily fit my phone, a baby monitor, a large water bottle and my headphones case on the textured console, with plenty of room to spare.

The T22 also comes with deck cushioning, which made for a supportive and comfortable workout, and it’s surprisingly quiet for a treadmill of this size and power. While Bowflex doesn’t officially publish the motor size or horsepower, some reports suggest it could be as high as 4.0 CHP, meaning it's built for continuous and heavy use. As one tester noted, "I feel very grounded running at full speed."

I’ve genuinely looked forward to every workout on this machine, mainly because of the smart features and the JRNY platform. While you don’t need a JRNY subscription to use the treadmill, it definitely helps you get the most out of it. For $19.99/month, you can unlock all the JRNY content, and I think it’s totally worth it. You’ll get access to trainer-led workouts and virtual scenic runs in beautiful locations around the world. Plus, the JRNY membership lets you stream your favorite shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video while you work out (you’ll need active subscriptions to those services, though).

"This machine has transformed my workouts," a tester said. "It's very high-end and makes half marathon training enjoyable when I can't get outside. Plus I can pass the time by streaming Hulu and my other favorite services for those longer runs which really helps."

The good thing about the JRNY All-Access Membership is that it allows up to six users on one subscription. One cool feature is the adaptive workouts, which automatically adjust as you improve — perfect for keeping my runs challenging and interesting with a personalized touch. JRNY is easy to navigate, and there are hundreds of classes to choose from. While I personally prefer some of the trainers on the iFIT platform with NordicTrack devices, the JRNY trainers are still experienced and engaging.

I found the 22-inch HD touchscreen to be high-quality, making for an immersive workout experience, but I was disappointed that it doesn't pivot left or right. Since JRNY offers off-treadmill classes like strength training, having a screen that pivots would be really useful — especially at this price point, which you'd expect from a premium treadmill. However, the screen does tilt up and down slightly to help reduce glare.

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 costs $2,799 (currently on sale for $2,399), making it a hefty investment.

Clearly, this treadmill is on the higher end, priced above the NordicTrack 1750 but still less than the Peloton Tread+, which costs nearly double. Bowflex does offer a solid warranty: 15 years on the frame, five years on mechanical parts, one year on the electronics and HD touchscreen and two years for labor. The JRNY membership costs an additional $19.99/month after the free trial, and one membership includes up to six user profiles.

If you're in the market for a premium treadmill to keep you motivated to work out at home, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a great choice — assuming you have the space for it. With its sturdy build, sleek design and impressive features, it's definitely a top-tier machine. The ability to stream your favorite shows and movies, along with access to instructor-led classes, makes this treadmill something I actually looked forward to using.

That said, if you're not interested in built-in class content and already have a TV with streaming capabilities in your home gym, the T22 might not be worth the investment. In that case, I would suggest opting for something simpler. But if you're after high-quality workout programming and a durable build, this is one of the best foldable treadmills on the market right now.

Stefani Sassos, a NASM-certified personal trainer and Women's Fitness Specialist, has over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, specializing in indoor cycling and strength training. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, she leverages her expertise to create informed fitness content, from testing exercise equipment and apps to curating workout plans. After having her two children, she relied on a treadmill at home to ease back into fitness during colder months. Stefani especially loves foldable treadmills for their space-saving design, making them a practical addition to any home gym.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT

Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.