About Treadmills

Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home.

From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface.

While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain.

The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill is an intense cardio workout system for use in the comfort of your own home. It offers quick speed and incline keys 15 programs for variety and an extra wide running surface. Large 20 x 60 in walking surface provides comforts and security. It also has 3 speed fan cools you while exercising. Fold-up treadmill using SoftDroptrade decline position ensures easy storage and portability. Grip heart rate helps you measure your fitness. Strike Zonetrade deck suspension provides soft landing and firm lift-off. It also has a Skylighttrade backlit LCD display. Power requirement: 120 volt 15 ampere Non-GFI grounded outlet.

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Reviews

Great Treadmill, and more info
Reviewer: Argabarga Jones (Orlando, FL United States)

Got mine treadmill delivered yesterday, the company it shipped from was Nautilus, and the company that delivered it was Eagle Global Logistics.

I had made the mistake of ordering an Image treadmill from Walmart (DO NOT DO THIS), so I have some comparisions.

The Bowflex has much better build quality, packaging, assembly instructions, user manual. It’s a sturdy machine.

There is some assembly required, but it’s actually fairly easy to do. I think I had mine put together out of the box in less than 45 minutes. By comparsion the Image treadmill took a couple of hours to assemble. All tools required for assembly ship with the treadmill - although you’ll probably want your own phillips heads screwdriver. There are only about 30 bolts/screws you have to use.

Everything just feels solid on this machine. The control panel is not the best in the world, but you get used to it fairly quickly.

The folding mechanism is dead simple and you don’t even have to lift very strongly to fold it up.

However, to actually move it when it’s folded isn’t nearly as easy as the Image treadmill. The wheels are on the front instead of the back of the main motor assembly, so you have to pull the whole weight towards you instead of pushing it away from you. Putting it back down after rolling it somewhere feels like a dangerous affair. It’s a trivial concern as I don’t really plan on moving the treadmill around a lot.

Solid Machine, Gym Quality, Reliable, Good Price
Reviewer: R. Sierra “Clydesdale to racehorse” (California, USA)

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 Swimming 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 no stairs, double entry doors and a huge den with a wide entry. I moved furniture out of the way 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 Swimming 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. It feels solid and well built. Fun to use once in a while. Swimming still rules.

The Walker:
I was concerned about its size (it is a big machine!) but glad it folds up for special occasions.

A top quality treadmill
Reviewer: Stephen A. Nesbitt “snesbitt@houston.rr.com” (Houston, TX)

I received my Series 7 treadmill about 10 days ago and have been very impressed with it. First of all, the free shipping was great, with the treadmill arriving in less than a week. The EGL Shipping Co. even helped me bring it inside and place it in the room. This thing is very heavy, so be prepared with friends to give you a hand. It does fold up and move around like a refrigerator on a hand truck, though, so it can be moved within the room (not through the door, once it is assembled). Assembly was simple and took about 45 minutes. The delivery guys inadvertantly left with the manuals, but it was easy to figure out which bolts went in which holes. Bowflex responded quickly to my e-mail request for a PDF user manual. The Series 7 is sturdily built and feels very solid. It starts and stops with silky smoothness and runs reasonably quietly. The displays are no-nonsense and give you all you need without a lot of unnecessary graphics. I like the pre-set programs, especially the fitness test. Only time will tell how it holds up, but so far, I’m very impressed and it seems like a great deal for the money.

Entry Filed under: Miscellaneous, Fitness