What to know about Bowflex bikes

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At-home exercise equipment can make it easier for a person to regularly get the benefits of physical activity.

However, injuries can occur when people do not use this equipment correctly, so it is important to follow the instructions for safe use. If exercising causes pain, a person should stop immediately and talk with a doctor.

This article discusses the Bowflex brand and the bikes the company offers. It also looks at the health benefits and risks of indoor cycling before answering some frequently asked questions about Bowflex.

A quick look at Bowflex bikes

• Best for immersive training: VeloCore 16″
• Best for a large screen: VeloCore 22″
• Best for smaller budgets: Bowflex C6 Bike
• Best for smaller spaces: Bowflex C7 Bike

A person can consider the pros and cons of the Bowflex brand and its products.

Bowflex was founded in 1986, and the company describes itself as a leader and innovator in home fitness. Bowflex claims to employ people of all different fitness levels and develops products that allow individuals of varying experience to work out at home without paying for a gym subscription.

In addition to exercise bikes, Bowflex sells:

• JRNY, a membership-based digital fitness platform compatible with Bowflex equipment
• Max Trainers
• treadmills
• home gyms
• adjustable barbell and weights
• accessories, such as dumbbells, kettlebells, and stowable benches

Bowflex is for individuals looking for a wide range of at-home fitness products. There are many products that can help a person with weightlifting and strength training, so this brand may be suitable for people looking to focus on these types of exercises.

However, the company also sells exercise bikes at fairly moderate price points. The Bowflex app, JRNY, connects to Peloton and Zwift, meaning Bowflex could be a consideration for people interested in cycling.

There are products for beginners and people with more experience.

Bowflex does not currently have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). At the time of publishing, the BBB gives the company an A- grade.

The reviews on Trustpilot currently give Bowflex an average rating of 1.8 stars out of 5. However, the number of reviews is limited. At the time of publishing, there are under 50 reviews.

One reviewer states that Bowflex’s gym equipment allowed them to maintain their fitness levels while not going to the gym.

Negative reviews say that Bowflex’s customer service team was not helpful when processing refunds and returns. Other customers complained that they were waiting weeks for replacement parts.

Bowflex sells four exercise bikes across two models: the VeloCore, and the Bowflex.

These bikes offer users varying functionalities and different experiences.

Best for immersive training: VeloCore 16″

• Price: around $1,799
• Weight limit: 325 lb
• Heigh limit: users measuring 5 foot (ft) 1 in to 6 ft 5 in
• Dimensions: 59.8 in (L) x 48.4 in (W) x 52.6 in (H)
• Warranty: 2 years frame and parts, 1 year electronics, 1 year labor

The VeloCore 16″ is a leaning exercise bike. While stationary, this model can lean and sway from side to side, giving users an immersive riding experience that may be more similar to cycling outside. Individuals have the option of using the leaning feature at any point.

This model has 100 different magnetic resistance levels and is available with a 16-inch (in) HD touch screen. The screen displays fitness and health metrics, including time, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and resistance.

Individuals can stream or listen to entertainment through the bike’s touch screen. Additionally, this model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and is iOS and Android compatible.

The bike has a 1-year subscription to the JRNY app, which can connect to Peloton and Zwift.

The VeloCore also features an adjustable seat and handlebars, a Bluetooth heart rate armband, and a set of 3-pound (lb) dumbbells.

This model weighs 158.3 lb and is suitable for those weighing up to 325 lb. The bike has transport wheels that allow people to wheel it away when they need to use the space for another activity.

The VeloCore is 59.8 in long and 48.4 in wide when a user engages the leaning function. Individuals can assemble this product or pay extra for assembly on delivery.

Best for a large screen: VeloCore 22″

• Price: around $2,199
• Weight limit: 325 lb
• Heigh limit: users measuring 5 foot (ft) 1 in to 6 ft 5 in
• Dimensions: 59.8 in (L) x 48.4 in (W) x 55.3 in (H)
• Warranty: 2 years frame and parts, 1 year electronics, 1 year labor

The VeloCore 22″ bike offers the same functions and experience as the VeloCore 16″. However, there are some minor differences.

It provides a larger 22 in console for users to view their workout data and entertainment while exercising.

This may make it suitable for people who would like a more visually immersive experience or those who would find reading their data on a smaller screen difficult.

It comes with a 1-year subscription to JRNY, 3 lb dumbells, a heartrate armband, and 100 resistance levels.

A person can fully adjust the handlebars and seat.

Best for smaller budgets: Bowflex C6 Bike

• Price: around $999
• Weight limit: 300 lb
• Heigh limit: not stated
• Dimensions: 54.6 in (L) x 30.7 in (W) x 51.8 in (H)
• Warranty: 10 years frame, 3 years mechanical parts, 3 years electronics, 1 year labor

The Bowflex C6 has built-in Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports. It is iOS and Android compatible, and individuals can use a tablet or phone to stream entertainment or music using the product’s media holder. It does not include a screen.

A purchase includes a 1-year subscription to JRNY.

This model has magnetic resistance and 100 different resistance levels. The bike’s LCD console displays several fitness and health metrics, including time, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and speed.

The Bowflex C6 has a Bluetooth armband heart rate monitor and two 3-lb dumbbells.

While this bike does not offer the immersive leaning experience the Bowflex 16″ and 22″ provide, the C6 is a more affordable option for people working with smaller budgets.

It also offers a longer warranty on most elements of the bike compared with the 16″ and 22″ bikes.

This model is suitable for people who weigh up to 330 lb. Users can assemble this bike or pay extra for assembly on delivery.

Best for smaller spaces: Bowflex C7 Bike

• Price: around $1,015
• Weight limit: 330 lb
• Heigh limit: not stated
• Dimensions: 48.1 in (L) x 21.3 in (W) x 57.5 in (H)
• Warranty: may depend on the retailer

The C7 bike is a variation of the C6. The bikes are almost identical in size and resistance but come with a 7 in HD touchscreen.

Signing up to JRNY means users can access entertainment apps on the console. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney +, and Hulu.

People can also choose from over 50 global routes to make their training more immersive. These routes will adjust to a person’s riding speed.

This model includes fully adjustable handlebars, two 3 lb dumbells, and a heart rate armband.

The C7 Bike is the smallest of the Bowflex stationary bikes. This may make it suitable for people working in smaller spaces.

Currently, the C7 is not available through the Bowflex website. A person must shop with alternative retailers to buy the C7 Bike, such as Walmart, Amazon, or Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Warranties are available for each bike model, but each plan has some slight differences.

For VeloCore bikes, Bowflex offers a 1-year warranty on electronics and labor plus a 2-year warranty on frames and parts. Extra protection is available for an added cost.

For Bowflex models, the company offers a 1-year warranty on labor, a 3-year warranty on mechanical parts and electronics, and a 10-year warranty on the frame. Individuals can pay extra to get additional protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that regular exercise could prevent 1 in 10 premature deaths. However, it is important to exercise safely to reduce the risks of injury.

Health benefits

The CDC says that regular exercise has both immediate and long-term health benefits, including:

• maintaining thinking and learning skills
• improving the quality of sleep
• reducing the risk of developing depression and anxiety
• reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer
• strengthening bones and muscles

A 2019 systematic review notes that indoor cycling can contribute to these health benefits. The authors point to research showing that performing this activity for 3 months can increase aerobic fitness. Combined with a healthy diet, indoor cycling may reduce blood pressure, total cholesterol, and body mass.

However, the researchers note that the evidence they reviewed was of low quality. More research is necessary to determine the health benefits of indoor cycling.

Health risks

Individuals who exercise may sometimes experience sports injuries, such as sprained or strained muscles, tendons, or even broken bones. Anyone who sustains an injury should stop exercising immediately.

Most injuries resolve without medical treatment when a person rests the affected area and reduces physical activity. However, if an injury persists or the pain worsens, it is important to speak with a doctor.

There is also a risk of injury when using gym equipment. Research notes that common injuries include:

• overexertion and strenuous or unnatural movement
• dropping weights
• twists and awkward landings during exercise
• hard contact with exercise equipment or walls
• falling or tripping over exercise equipment

Individuals should carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and be aware of their surroundings while exercising using gym equipment.

People wishing to explore other options to Bowflex bikes may want to consider the following brands:

• Schwinn: This company sells several products, including exercise bikes, for people seeking aerobic workouts at home. These bikes have Bluetooth connectivity and variable resistance levels. People can purchase the company’s bikes online. Learn more about Schwinn bikes.
• Echelon: This company sells six exercise bikes online. Echelon bikes offer up to five user profiles for each bike, fitness and health metric tracking, and Bluetooth connectivity. Learn more about Echelon bikes.
• Peloton: Peloton offers two versions of its exercise bike, which have a large touch screen and include access to the Peloton app and classes. Learn more about Peloton.

Below, we answer the top frequently asked questions about Bowflex.

Are Bowflex bikes worth it?

Bowflex bikes offer immersive and relatively affordable indoor cycling. A person can connect to popular training apps, such as Peloton and Zwift, and watch entertainment on a wide range of popular streaming sites with the company’s app.

A person wishing to invest in an indoor cycling setup may find Bowflex bikes suitable due to their wide range of features, such as global routes, additional workout equipment, and a high number of resistance levels.

The bikes also come with a relatively long warranty on certain parts.

Is Bowflex cheaper than Peloton?

Bowflex bikes are cheaper than Peloton.

Bowflex bikes cost from $999–2,199. People considering Bowflex bikes may also have to consider an annual $149 JRNY subscription fee on top of the cost of the bike to access the full range of Bowflex features.

Peloton bikes cost between $1,445–2,875, and an annual subscription costs between $155–528 a year, depending on the plan a person chooses. However, Peloton bikes come with a wide range of accessories, such as cycling shoes, dumbbells, heart rate bands, and workout mats. This may save a person money when setting up their home gym.

Is Bowflex the same as Peloton?

Bowflex bikes offer many of the same features as Peloton bikes. They provide training sessions, a range of resistance levels, cycling routes, and fitness accessories.

However, Bowflex bikes may be more affordable than Peloton.

Can you use Bowflex bikes without a subscription?

Yes. People do not need a subscription to the JRNY app to use a Bowflex bike.

Bowflex bikes have Bluetooth connectivity and magnetic resistance, offering a quiet ride and streaming capability. Regular physical activity is important for health, and exercise bikes provide a convenient way for people to work out at home.

However, people can sustain injuries while using gym equipment. It is important to stop exercising immediately if pain occurs and to seek medical advice if an injury persists or becomes worse.