126 of 130 people found the following review helpful:
Very Happy with this Treadmill
I have had this treadmill for a few weeks now and have been very happy with it. It's very sturdy and has a lot of features for a home treadmill. The comments I list below fall into the category of "just be prepared for" and mainly involve the delivery process.
One caveat I have is that this machine is *heavy*. My delivery guy brought it into my garage and...
175 of 189 people found the following review helpful:
Sturdy and well-built, but terrible ergonomics.
As many of the other reviews have said, this is a solid, well built treadmill. However, I think there are some issues which Bowflex should fix in the future. (And shame on Consumer Reports for rating this machine with "excellent" Ergonomics). These issues are:
1. The instruction manual is not as clear as it could be regarding which fasteners to use where...
I have had this treadmill for a few weeks now and have been very happy with it. It's very sturdy and has a lot of features for a home treadmill. The comments I list below fall into the category of "just be prepared for" and mainly involve the delivery process.
One caveat I have is that this machine is *heavy*. My delivery guy brought it into my garage and despite my attempts to have him put it just inside a room off the garage, no dice. I had to have the help of a very strong guy to move the treadmill where I wanted it. The good news is that after that, it was a piece of cake to put together, involving about 30 big screws and took exactly an hour (probably could have taken even less time).
This treadmill is supposed to fold up, but I can't imagine ever using that feature -- for one, it's too heavy and two, it's so big it's not like you could really hide it anywhere. These are not complaints -- the fact that the machine is big and heavy translates into sturdiness and a larger running surface.
Finally, there's no instant gratification when you click the Purchase button online. Be prepared for this item to take up to a month to be delivered. It's worth the wait, though!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I read consumer reports looking for the best treadmill for someone other than a serious distance runner. This was the recommended machine. Its a bit pricey and you do have to do assemble it when it arrives, but its a great machine. It even has a built in fan. One caution, make sure to assemble it in the room where you want it to be and don't expect to be able to move it between rooms because when assembled its too wide for standard doorways.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I just recently purchased a Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill off of Amazon. The other reviews definitely helped me in my decision making process, so I definitely wanted to pass my thoughts along. I respect Consumer Reports as well, so it was an added plus to find out that they rated this treadmill a top buy.
First off, I am very pleased with the overall value. I received a free Bowflex mat to go underneath it, and also got free super saver shipping. The Bowflex mat is decent. I probably would not have purchased it for the $99 price-tag, but it does protect our carpet very nicely, and I'm glad to have it.
The thing I was most nervous about was the free super saver shipping. Other reviewers had mentioned that their boxes arrived in very poor condition, so I didn't know what to expect. Thankfully, my treadmill box arrived in excellent condition. One guy delivered it, and he had quite the time getting it off the truck. He did a great job, though, and nothing was damaged in any way.
As other reviewers have noted, this is one HEAVY machine. It took me (a 200 pound guy), a strong friend, and my wife to lift the thing into our house.
Once the machine was in place, setup was a breeze. Probably took me 45 minutes to an hour, and everything was pretty self explanatory. The instructions were very easy to follow. Probably one of the easiest assembly projects I have ever encountered.
I have already had the opportunity to run on this machine a couple times, and it is even better than expected. Although the machine is very heavy, which makes for an interesting time getting it into the house, I believe the weight also makes it an extremely sturdy machine. I am a 200 pound guy, and the machine has no trouble handling me when I run. It is very smooth, reasonably quiet, and the 3.0 horsepower motor has no trouble handling inclines or running. I have had health club memberships in the past, and this machine is as good, if not better, than some of the "commercial quality" machines I have used.
Also, the 20"x60" deck provides ample running space. The two-ply belt looks thick, and does not appear to be something that will wear out any time soon. The deck also folds up and drops down very easily, with minimal assistance needed.
Here's the stuff that is so-so:
Don't expect the fan to do much. You do notice a difference if you have the fan on high, and then you turn it off. At most, it provides a very light breeze on your face.
As one other reviewer noted, the grip heart-rate monitor seems to take a very long time to provide a reading. I haven't had a chance to use the wireless monitor yet, but it seems like that has received very positive reviews.
Another reviewer mentioned that his belt was off center when he received the machine. My belt was a tad off center as well, but it is very easy to make the needed adjustment to get it centered again.
My only other complaint is that I wish the treadmill had a warranty that would rival Smooth Fitness. I was close to purchasing the Smooth 6.25, but the Bowflex Series 7 was slightly less money, and I felt it offered more features. That said, the Smooth 6.25 has an unbelievable warranty that Bowflex cannot match. Nothing about the Bowflex Series 7 leads me to believe that it will be anything but a great machine for years to come, but I do wish it had a longer warranty.
Overall, the Bowflex Series 7 appears to be an awesome machine, and hopefully it proves to be a workhorse that can standup to years of use.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
As many of the other reviews have said, this is a solid, well built treadmill. However, I think there are some issues which Bowflex should fix in the future. (And shame on Consumer Reports for rating this machine with "excellent" Ergonomics). These issues are:
1. The instruction manual is not as clear as it could be regarding which fasteners to use where. There are two types of Allen screws to use during assembly. Both are the same size, but they differ in appearance. The "plain" looking Allen screws are used on a non-visible, internal part of the treadmill. It would have been nice if the manual stated this up front, instead of leaving the user to figure out where they went.
2. The usability of the display is really bad. Several of the buttons on the display have "modes", and it is not always clear which mode you are in. For example, the "Enter" key doubles as the "Cool Down" key. When you enter your speed, it is not clear if you are to key in your speed and press the "Enter" key, or key it in and wait for the treadmill to speed up. If you are unsure of which mode you are in and you press the "Enter" key at the wrong time, you've just ruined your workout, and need to shut the machine off and reprogram it to continue your workout.
3. There is no way to fix a programming mistake without turning the machine off. Although I admit this is a bit of hyperbole, it is akin to restarting MS Word if you make a simple typing mistake.
4. The "action" messages presented to the user are shown in a marquee format (scrolling horizontal), with only two letters visible at a time. You have to stare at the display to piece the word together. Cognitively, this is extremely difficult. Here is an example: (pretend you can only see two letters at a time) CO OL DO WN or EN TE R WE IG HT or TI ME (cooldown, enter weight, time). Bad! Show the whole phrase at once.
5. The fan is completely pathetic. The Bowflex engineers could have at least provided a better opening in the panel behind the fan, so the fan could provide decent throughput. It isn't worth turning on.
So those are the bad things about the treadmill. Otherwise, it is very quiet, sturdy, and like many of the other reviews have stated, well built.
As many of the reviewers have stated, this thing is extremely heavy! I was fortunate to have 2 delivery people, whom I, and a couple of "Jackson's" *convinced* to move it its final location. From what I understand, there is "white glove" delivery service available, for less than a "Jackson". It is unclear what this service entails, but you have to request it through Amazon at the time you order it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I ordered this treadmill in October 2006 and have been very satisfied. The price has gone up $100 since I ordered it but with free shipping and no tax, you might still come out way ahead. I researched several treads (probably 8-10 different models) through Consumer Reports and other sites and this seemed to have everything I wanted at the best price. I believe CR still rates it as a Best Buy.
In our family the Clydesdale (me) uses it 3-5 X's a week. I initially weighed 235 pounds and it took my pounding without any problem.
The Cross Country star (my youngest daughter, a junior in high school) uses it off and on throughout the week and more in the off season. The Swim Star, (my other daughter, a sophomore in college) uses it when she's at home during the weekend or holidays.
The Walker, my wife, has used it only once.
All in all, its used almost every day and we've had no problems since October.
PROS and CONS
Clydesdale:
This runs and feels like a solid, gym quality machine. The belt runs smoothly, the motor is fairly quiet for the horsepower, it changes speeds and elevation quickly (faster than the one at my gym, I believe) and has a variety of programs that will keep you satisfied but that I rarely use. Shipping was earlier than expected and polite. Eagle brought it right in and left it boxed where I wanted it but in fairness to others who posted complaints, I have double entry doors, a huge den with a wide entry way and no stairs. I moved furniture out of the way the day before delivery date to ensure they wouldn't just drop it off. With consistent use, I have lost weight with this treadmill and incurred no problems. It is a heavy machine, put it where you want it, and don't expect to fold it up every night without major help. Assembly was OK but must be done with a partner. The biggest complaint from me is the static shock that builds up with each use. Annoying but not a deal breaker, in my opinion.
The Cross Country Star:
A good machine. I thought my Dad was buying a cheap toy, but this is as good as the gym with some exceptions. The display looks cheap, graphics could be clearer and sharper, and more interesting (i.e. multiple colors, charts, etc.). The fan is weak. Other than that, you can really break a sweat with this thing and it works great. It's good for off-season training and it gives my legs a break because of its cushioning effect.
The Swim Star:
When I use it, I enjoy experimenting with the variety of programs. The belt stays even and aligned. I can shift from a run to a walk easily and smoothly. The emergency stop clip feels silly to wear. The treadmill itself feels solid and well built. Fun to use once in a while.
Swimming still rules.
The Walker:
I was concerned about its size (it's a big machine!) but glad it folds up for special occasions.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
We've all heard the old Lakota Indian quote, "let me never judge another until I have walked 1000 miles in his moccasins." Well, I didn't want to judge this product until I had run 100 miles on its treads. Now that I've completed 100+ miles I can provide a review.
I've seen a lot of complaints about delivery. None here. Eagle put it right where we asked. I was at work when it was delivered but my wife asked them to bring it around the back of the house, down the steps into the basement and into it's permanent location. And that's what the delivery guys did. No problem.
Assembly was a breeze. I put it together in under an hour with my two young kids running around jumping on the box and asking questions the entire time. If you can follow simple instructions you can do this.
I wouldn't call it a space-saver since it takes a lot of space even when it's folded, but it's a big treadmill. What do you expect? It is maneuverable though. Lock it in the upright position, lean it back on its wheels and away you go.
This is a great product. The cushioned platform means my knees and feet do NOT hurt after running. If I run outside I'm in pain for at least the next day.
It runs quietly (although I do NOT).
The soft-landing feature when you lower it is a very nice touch.
The multiple running programs are great. I've used a few of them but for now I've settled on the run/walk program. A few minutes of running, half those minutes of walking, more running, more walking, etc.. When my heart rate gets down to where I want it during the walk phase, I like that I can override the speed setting and crank it back up to my running pace. So, you don't have to walk three full minutes after you've just run for six. If you're ready to hit it after one minute of walking you can.
I've used the incline a couple times. It works perfectly, but right now I'm focusing on getting my endurance where I want it to be. For me that means no incline, just 60 minutes of running and increasing the pace until I can start hitting my mileage goal consistently.
The heart rate handles are useless. I'm not sure if it's possible to make them work correctly but what's the point? You shouldn't be reaching out and grabbing those anyway. Why break your pace? The Polar heart monitor that comes with the treadmill is all you need. In fact, you shouldn't run without it. It's been interesting to see how, as I steadily increase my running distance, my heart has grown stronger. This is measurable with the output provided by the heart monitor. Amazing.
Everyone complains about the fan. Yep, I'll confirm that. The fan is weak. It might as well not be there. But, I didn't buy this thing for the fan. If it can generate any breeze at all, that's just a bonus.
Consider me one very satisfied customer. Also consider me a healthier customer than I was before I began using this fine piece of equipment.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I ordered the Bowflex Series 7 on 9/6/06. It was delivered via Eagle on 9/21/06. It was available for delivery on the 20th, but I wasn't able to receive it on that date.
The review from Consumer Reports and reviews here at Amazon was the deciding factor for my purchase. So far I am extremely happy with the treadmill. The only drawback that I can see is the heart rate monitor on the machine. It takes a LONG time to read the heart rate. It's practically useless. However, the package came with a remote monitor that works excellent.
Warning: The delivery. There was one guy who delivered the machine. A middle aged, strong man. But he really struggled with the thing. There should have been two men. I saw the box as it came off the truck and it was really beat up. And then with the one guy struggling with it, as he was getting the thing off the dolly in my garage, it came down hard on the floor. So here I am with a box that looks pretty beat up, and it hits hard on my garage floor. I worry about the delicate computer parts of the machine. I immediately contacted Amazon. They said if there was any problem, there is of course the return policy. Not sure how it would be returned if needed, as the box has to be pretty much demolished to get the thing completely out for assembly. But, so far, so good.
As you can see from my above paragraph, the machine is very heavy. I was able to bring in all parts except for the biggest part... the deck. My husband and two others really had to muscle that thing in. Yes, it can be folded and rolled, but not to get into my house and through hallways and doorways. Folded, it won't work. It was quite a job. Once the unit was where it needed to be, the assembly was a snap.
Like I said, so far so good. It is working great. I really like the machine. Just as good as the ones I've used at the gyms. I hope this will continue for a long time to come.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I have never written a review for any product, ever, but here is my first attempt.
About 18 years ago, I bought my wife an el-cheapo treadmill from Montgomery Wards for around $500, thinking that she would probably use it for a couple of months and then it would gather dust and eventually be donated to Goodwill. To my astonishment, she ran on that thing for at least an hour, 3 to 5 days a week right up until last month when the deck finally fell apart and the belt began to shred. If I could have simply bought that treadmill again, I would have, but since that wasn't possible, I decided at least to get my wife a higher-end treadmill to replace it.
The first challenge was to narrow down my choices. Since Consumer Reports and the Treadmill Doctor website both rated this model highly, I was torn between it and models from Sole and Bodyguard, but a quick internet search revealed a (since ended) Amazon "secret sale" on the Bowflex models that lopped hundreds of dollars off the final price of the Bowflex, so that clinched my decision to get the Series 7.
A few days after I ordered it, the Eagle truck backed into my driveway, and a nice old (60+) guy began wrestling to get the huge, heavy box off the truck. He refused to let me help, and eventually got it tipped off the truck and onto a dolly without killing himself, or losing control of it. I didn't want him to risk injury trying to get it up my 2 porch steps and over my threshold though, so I just let him wheel it 10 feet into my garage and we eased it to the floor there.
The box was pristine, as was the treadmill itself, and it only took 4 guys to haul the deck down my curving stairway and into a basement bedroom.
I assembled the unit alone, using the supplied tools and two of my own phillips screw drivers. It was easy to do, and only took about an hour and a half.
The assembly instructions are beautifully illustrated and well-written, so you shouldn't have much trouble getting it together.
Once I got it assembled and plugged in, I tested it out a little, and everything seemed to work fine. Until I tried to use the INCLINE feature.
While it APPEARED to be working well according to the output on the display, the deck stayed flat. Why? Because, although it is not clearly stated in the owner's manual, you MUST do the calibration sequence on page 28 before the incline feature (and who knows what else) will actually work. Fortunately it is an easy procedure, and only takes a minute to do. Another thing the manual should state but doesn't is that you should NEVER use WD-40 to lubricate your belt. According to Nautilus, this is something a lot of people do, and any consequential damage will NOT be covered by your warranty.
The Series 7 is easy to operate, FAR quieter than our old treadmill, and was a bargain at the price we paid.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
We chose this treadmill because of the high rating Consumer Reports gave it and because of the 60 inch belt. When we ordered the treadmill we were kind of disappointed that it said 3 to 5 weeks for delivery. It came in 3 weeks. My husband had to help get it off of the truck as there was only one delivery person and it does weigh about 300 pounds. Once we finally got it into the house, it took about an hour to get it put together. Nothing happened. We had power to the base but not the console. We tried to reconnect the wires, nothing. Next step was to call customer service. They were closed. I was beginning to get upset especially after reading the previous review. The next day however, we called again and they shipped us out a new console. None of this trying to get replacement parts for something that is brand new. The new console took about 5 days to come and now the treadmill works wonderfully. Customer service even called us to see if we received it and if it was working to our satisfaction. Other than a small glitch at first, we are very satisfied with this treadmill.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
When my machine arrived it was not working properly. The motor is making a very loud noise. I understand that sometimes there are problems with equipment; however, I am extremley dissappointed in Bowflex customer service. Everytime I have called there has been an minimum of a 30 minute wait to speak with someone. Once I got someone live, they agreed that the machine needed repair. They said I would be receiving a call from a repair person to fix the machine. That was over 5 days ago and I still have not been contacted. For the price of this equipment, my expectations are to receive proper working equipment and great customer service. This has been extremely inconvenient.
The machine was easy to put together and looks like it would be great if it worked, but if you receive a defective machine good luck with customer service.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
