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- Good features for the money
- Sturdy, heavy frame
- Initial quality
- Breakdowns reported after warranty expires
- Customer service complaints
- Weak fans
- Some users report electric shocks
January 2009. The Bowflex 7-Series review at TreadmillSensei.com has a very important edge over Consumer Reports' expert test: The Treadmill Sensei (who, unlike many other treadmill reviewers, does not sell treadmills) takes customer service and repair history into account. A review at Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com reports that the Bowflex 7-Series has problems in these areas. The About.com review is shallow by contrast, including neither test results nor long-term insight into this treadmill's durability. Owners who post reviews at Amazon.com report problems with the Bowflex 7-Series that didn't surface in expert tests.
Breakdowns and customer service complaints keep some reputable reviewers from recommending the Bowflex 7-Series, even though they say it performs well -- for a while. The 7-Series is a top pick at one expert testing organization, and other reviews acknowledge its initial quality. However, they worry about the 7-Series' anemic warranty (15 years frame, 10 years motor, one year parts/electronics/labor). Indeed, a reviewer who repairs exercise equipment for a living reports that he spends a lot of time fixing Bowflex treadmills -- often just after the one-year warranty expires. Some owners report getting a runaround from Bowflex when they call about repairs; a complaint echoed by more than one professional reviewer. Weak fans are another recurring complaint, and some users say the Bowflex 7-Series gave them an electric shock. Reviews recommend the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500) instead; for just a bit more money, they say the F80 offers similar features, a stout warranty and good customer service.
| Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill | |
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Our Sources
The Treadmill Sensei, a professional exercise-equipment mechanic, reports that Bowflex machines tend to break down right after their one-year labor warranties expire. He says the 7-Series' sturdy frame -- its main strong point -- can't make up for its weak motor, electronics, user interface and customer service.
Review: The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Review - Below Average Warranty and Customer Service, Editor of TreadmillSensei.com, April 20, 2007
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Bowflex 7-Series is one of 23 treadmills tested by Consumer Reports. A chart ranks the treadmills from best to worst, based on their performance in five subcategories (such as ease of use) and overall.
Review: Treadmill Ratings, Editors of Consumer Reports
3. Treadmill-Ratings- Reviews.com
The Bowflex 7-Series is not a top pick at Treadmill-Ratings-Review.com, but reviewer Fred Waters likes this treadmill -- with some caveats. Waters does not mention testing the treadmill, but his comments about Bowflex's warranty, reputation and more are well researched and thoughtful.
Review: Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Review, Fred Waters
4. About.com
The Bowflex 7-Series is one of eight folding treadmills recommended in this roundup by Wendy Bumgardner, About.com's guide to walking. Bumgardner briefly outlines a few of the Bowflex's features in a one-paragraph write-up, but there is no real evaluation or comparison here. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Best Folding Treadmills, Wendy Bumgardner, Nov. 13, 2008
5. Amazon.com
Amazon.com tags the Bowflex 7-Series as an award winner based on its ranking at "a leading consumer magazine." More than 150 consumers have posted reviews for this treadmill, giving it an average of 4.5 stars (out of five). However, we found recurring complaints about weak fans, poor customer service and electric shocks.
Review: Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill, Contributors to Amazon.com
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