Bowflex Series 3 Review

What the reviewers like:
Experts agree that the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill has an attractive design and a solid feel. Some sources say this is an especially good machine for walking, and the price is reasonable. A two-year parts warranty (with one-year labor) is a plus.

What the reviewers don't like:
Some reviews say the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill has an underpowered 1.75-hp motor and a shorter-than-average (54" x 20") belt. Also, this treadmill lacks features found on other models in its price range, such as a heart-rate monitor. One reviewer says it's unusually noisy.

Bowflex Series 3 review highlights

Reviews are mixed about the virtues of the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill. Two professional sources give this Bowflex treadmill good scores, saying it's a good-looking, solid, entry-level model for walkers. However, two other experts criticize the Series 3 treadmill for its underpowered 1.75-hp motor, relatively short (54" x 20") belt and for its lack of features like a heart-rate monitor. One expert also doubts the Series 3 treadmill's 275-pound user capacity, saying 225 pounds seems like a more reasonable user weight limit. The New Balance 1400 (*est. $1,000) gets far better reviews in this price range.

The Bowflex Series 3 treadmill has attracted a lot of attention from experts. We found reviews of this treadmill at TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillDoctor.com, ExerciseEquipmentExpert.com and Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com. The Bowflex Series 3 also receives comments from over a dozen owners posting on Amazon.com. However, it has not been evaluated by Consumer Reports magazine.

Also see full report: Treadmills

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. TreadmillSensei.com
The Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill Review
"The Treadmill Sensei"
May 18, 2007

The Treadmill Sensei -- who repairs, but doesn't sell, exercise equipment -- says the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill looks great and has a solid feel. However, he complains about its noise, an underpowered motor and a short belt, among other drawbacks.

2. TreadmillDoctor.com
Bowflex 3 Series
Clark & Jon Stevenson

The Stevenson brothers say the Bowflex Series 3 is "not a bad little machine for the money," but they do note the compromises needed to get the price down to the $1,000 range. They conclude that "it's not a bad option for walkers."

3. Exercise Equipment Expert.com
Bowflex 3 Series Treadmill Review
Bret Spottke

Like the Treadmill Sensei, Bret Spottke (a fitness trainer and treadmill critic) says the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill looks great, but has an underpowered motor and short belt. He does note, however, that Bowflex offers better warranty terms than Smooth or Sole treadmills in this price range.

4. Treadmill-Ratings- Reviews.com
Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill Review
Fred Waters

Like other sources, this site praises the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill for its snazzy appearance and stable build, but it criticizes the underpowered 1.75-hp motor and doubts the 275-pound weight limit (the writer says 225 pounds may be a more accurate estimate).

5. Amazon.com
Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill Review
Contributors to Amazon.com

The dozen or so owners posting to Amazon.com give the Bowflex Series 3 treadmill near-perfect scores, though we wish the write-ups went into a little more detail.

Also see full report: Treadmills

Bowflex Series 3 Review