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If you’re landing on this Bowflex BXT8J treadmill review, you’re probably looking for one of the best treadmills for home gyms that’s also cost-effective. And we’re here to help. Our Garage Gym Reviews experts assembled, used, and scored the BXT8J so you can get a glimpse of the machine before you decide to buy (or not). Let’s get started!
Over 50 Treadmills Tested and Reviewed
Your friends at Garage Gym Reviews have collectively tested more than 50 treadmill machines ranging from the best budget treadmills to the best treadmills for heavy people. We’ve had our feet on all the top treadmill brands and have extensive experience with the Bowflex brand as a whole.
Our industry knowledge and in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology can help you make informed decisions on your home gym and fitness investments. Lindsay Scheele, our lead reviewer for our Garage Gym Review Everything YouTube channel, put the Bowflex BXT8J to the test. She was tasked with scoring and reviewing the treadmill based on price, footprint, durability, customizations, ergonomics, and tech capabilities.
Bowflex BXT8J
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill
Product Highlights
- No-frills treadmill
- 60-inch running deck
- LCD display
- 300-lb user weight capacity
- Bluetooth speakers
- Built-in workout fan
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price tag
- Incline training
- Inclusive weight capacity
- Spacious running deck
Cons
- Heavy machine
- No decline training
- Not intuitive console
- Basic display
Bottom Line
The BXT8J is an entry-level machine for the Bowflex treadmill lineup. It offers a affordable price tag, a simple display, and pre-set workout programs.
A Quick Look at the Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill
Bowflex is a long-standing home gym brand with exercise equipment ranging from home treadmills and exercise bikes (like the one we featured in our Bowflex VeloCore review) to functional trainers and some of the best adjustable dumbbells.
The Bowflex BXT8J is the brand’s entry-level treadmill option with a basic backlit display, 26 built-in workout programs, a motorized incline, and a “SoftDrop” folding system.
You’ll be able to use the Bowflex-brand fitness app, which we cover in more detail in our full JRNY app review. However, you won’t be required to pay for a subscription. The machine will have full functionality with or without the JRNY membership.
Before You Buy
- Bowflex does not disclose the horsepower of the treadmill motor.
- Unlike other Bowflex treadmills, the BXT8J is not compatible with the Zwift app, only the JRNY app.
- The BXT8J comes with a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor and pulse sensors on the treadmill handlebars.
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Video Review
Is the Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Worth It?
GGR expert tester and certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says the BXT8J is worth it for folks looking for a no-frills treadmill. It offers a spacious 60-inch-long running deck, which is ideal for a natural running gait and folks on the taller side.
Plus, this Bowflex treadmill isn’t going to lock you into an ongoing subscription. When you buy the $1,300 treadmill, you don’t have to pay membership fees for full functionality of the machine. Honestly, this is a rarity in today’s treadmill market—looking at you, Peloton and NordicTrack.
You can pay for the mobile-only JRNY membership (about $11.99 per month after a two-month free trial) but Bowflex actually provides a free version with a limited number of workouts. Plus, the machine has 26 pre-programmed workouts that don’t require your phone or tablet to access.
RELATED: How Much Does a Treadmill Cost?
Great for:
- Anyone seeking a quiet treadmill
- Long strides and tall runners
- Avoiding monthly subscription fees
Not recommended for:
- Tech-savvy folks looking for built-in touchscreens
- Folks who want decline training
- Anyone over 300 lbs
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Specs
| Price | $1,299 |
| Footprint | 78″ L x 37.6″ W x 62.8″ H |
| Running deck | 60” L x 20” W |
| Weight | 253.5 lbs |
| User weight capacity | 300 lbs |
| Display | Backlit 7” LCD display |
| Max incline | 15% |
| Max speed | 12 mph |
| Motor | N/A |
| Warranty | 10 years frame, 3 years mechanical parts and electronics, 1 year labor |
Workout Experience on the Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill
GGR expert tester and certified personal trainer, Lindsay Scheele, used the BXT8J for several workouts. For her first workout, she chose a simple pre-set program where you set the distance you want to run and hit start. Her subsequent workouts utilized more pre-set programs, incline and speed settings, and the JRNY app.
Overall, Lindsay reports the BXT8J is pretty solid. There are a few things she didn’t like—namely the functionality of the quick jump buttons—but we’ll cover her callouts in more detail in the sections below.
Footprint and Portability
The BXT8J treadmill earns 4 out of 5 stars in the footprint and portability category. It’s a folding treadmill with a “SoftDrop” safety feature, which makes it easy to get back precious floor space in your home gym without the risk of the deck crashing to the floor.
“This treadmill is super slow when lowering to the floor. It could be a great option for anyone with small pets or folks concerned about children and treadmill safety,” she says.
“It’s also really easy to fold and the deck doesn’t feel heavy at all,” Lindsay adds about the 253-pound treadmill. Although it’s pretty heavy, Lindsay found it doable to move around GGR HQ on both turf and traditional gym flooring with the transport wheels on the front of the machine.
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Lindsay warns that older folks or people who don’t strength train may have trouble moving this Bowflex treadmill. Plus, she notes there should be a handlebar on the underside of the machine or a specific area to grab while rolling the treadmill around. “But for the most part, it was easy to move around,” she says.
Durability and Construction
When our testers score for the construction and durability of a treadmill, we’re looking for a machine that doesn’t rock, shake, or move while in use. Movement like that leads to unnecessary wear and tear with repeated use.
Lindsay scored the BXT8J a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in this category. “This treadmill was very stable during workouts and during incline changes,” she says. “I experienced the slightest shake during high-speed workouts, but I don’t think the average treadmill runner would expect anything less at top speeds.”
The one feature that struck Lindsay as odd was the location of the stabilizers. The BXT8J has stabilizers on the front end of the treadmill under the motor hood rather than on the back. “Most foldable treadmills have floor stabilizers on the back, but because the Bowflex treadmill has them located on the front, it adds a little bounciness to the running deck,” says Lindsay.
While she didn’t mind the slight rebound, she docked a half point in the durability category knowing it could add extra wear and tear to the running deck and folding mechanism.
Adjustments, Ergonomics, and Conveniences
Speaking of a bouncy running deck, Lindsay says the Bowflex BXT8J offers belt cushioning but warns that it’s not the best shock-absorbing treadmill she’s used (not like the treadmill we tested for our Bowflex Treadmill 10 review).
The 60-inch-long running deck certainly helps with comfort and allows tall runners and folks with long legs to get a full stride. Both Lindsay and a few of our other GGR expert testers thought it was a comfortable machine to run on, which is why it earns 4 out of 5 stars for adjustments and ergonomics.
When it comes to making adjustments on the BXT8J, you’ll be able to change speed and incline with the quick select numbers flanking the LCD screen. However, if you press on the quick selection numbers (versus the arrow keys), you have to then press “enter” for the treadmill to change speed or incline. “That extra step was really annoying and would be even more so during an interval cardio workout,” says Lindsay.
RELATED: How to Use a Treadmill for Interval Training
When it comes to conveniences on the BXT8J, you can expect a built-in workout fan, two oversized water bottle holders, and a media shelf for your phone or tablet that doesn’t cover your workout metrics. There are also pulse sensors for heart rate monitoring on the handlebars.
Tech Capabilities and Programming
The no-frills BXT8J treadmill earns a 3-star middle-of-the-road rating for tech capabilities and programming. Lindsay has used the JRNY app in the past and didn’t enjoy it as much as Peloton or iFIT programming.
RELATED: Peloton vs iFIT
In comparison to cardio machines with built-in touchscreen displays, the BXT8J does not require you to have a membership to JRNY in order to use the machine. However, JRNY offers three tiers of programming:
- JRNY Free: Offers a limited library of workouts, no credit card required.
- JRNY Mobile-Only: Available on mobile or tablet devices for $11.99 per month after a two-month free trial.
- JRNY All-Access: Required for the full experience on Bowflex products with built-in touchscreens for $19.99 per month after the two-month trial.
Keep in mind the BXT8J also has 26 pre-programmed workouts hardwired in the machine that don’t require WiFi. Lindsay notes that finding the built-in programs was harder than she anticipated and not intuitive. “The ease of use on this machine needs some improvement,” she says.
It’s also important to note the BXT8J has Bluetooth speakers, but the Bluetooth functionality doesn’t go beyond the audio. You’ll be able to connect your own music or the audio from JRNY to the built-in speakers on the treadmill, but you won’t find Bluetooth features that automatically adjust speed and incline (like iFIT does on NordicTrack treadmills).
RELATED: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Review
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill vs Sole F63
Sole F63
Sole F63 Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Folding treadmill
- Costs around $1,200
- Bluetooth speakers, USB port, and cooling fans
- Powerful 3.0 HP motor
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Financing is available
- Bluetooth speakers
- USB port
- Device holder
- 15 different levels of incline
- Cushioned deck
- 20" W x 60" L belt
- 325-lb weight capacity
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
Cons
- Heavy machine
- No touchscreen
Bottom Line
The Sole F63 Treadmill is an affordable option for people who want a powerful, reliable machine that folds without breaking their budget.
The Sole F63 is one of our favorite no-frills treadmills that’s designed for long-distance running and high-speed sprints. The specs on the BXT8J and the F63 are similar when it comes to deck size, weight of the machine, maximum user weight, and speed and incline capabilities.
However, there are two big distinctions that set the Sole F63 apart from the Bowflex treadmill. First, Sole Fitness states the motor size on all its treadmills. The F63 comes with a 3.0 horsepower motor, which is powerful enough for sprints and endurance running. Additionally, the F63 has a lifetime warranty on the steel frame and the motor—a major plus for home gym owners.
For around the same price, the Sole F63 has just a few more features we appreciate (and we think you will, too). From our testing experience, the console on the F63 is easier to use and the pre-set programs are more intuitive to navigate. Learn more about this top-rated machine in our Sole F63 treadmill review.
| Bowflex BXT8J | Sole F63 | |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,199 |
| Footprint | 78″ L x 37.6″ W x 62.8″ H | 67” H x 77” L x 35” W |
| Running deck | 60” L x 20” W | 60” L x 20” W |
| Weight | 253.5 lbs | 224 lbs |
| User weight capacity | 300 lbs | 325 lbs |
| Max incline | 15% | 15 levels |
| Max speed | 12 mph | 12 mph |
| Motor | N/A | 3.0 HP, DC type |
Customer Experience
Bowflex offers a pretty standard warranty of 10 years on the frame, 3 years on mechanical parts and electronics, and 1 year on labor. If you were to run into issues with your machine, the website has a library of video guides, product manuals, replacement parts, and a robust FAQ section. You can also call Bowflex at 1-800-605-3369 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
Ordering and Assembling the Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill
At the time of writing this review, the Bowflex BXT8J treadmill is temporarily out of stock on the Bowflex website but available for purchase on Amazon. If you decide to buy through Amazon, your purchase is eligible for returns within 30 days of delivery. Starting a return on Amazon is a cinch with a quick click of the “Returns & Orders” button at the top right corner of your Amazon browser.
When it comes to the assembly process, Lindsay says to skip the white glove option and assemble it on your own. “It was pretty easy and took one of our expert builders 35 minutes to assemble,” says Lindsay. “I bet most people doing it themselves can get it done in under an hour with help.”
Customer Reviews
The Bowflex BXT8J does not currently feature customer reviews on the Bowflex website, but we were able to see product reviews on Amazon. The BXT8J has an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
It’s worth noting there was more than one customer review with complaints of the buttons and console not working after just a few months. However, most customer reviews are positive and feature happy customers.
Final Verdict of Our Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Review
Based on our testing experience, the Bowflex BXT8J treadmill is a solid option for anyone looking for a no-frills running machine. Our treadmill experts think the Sole F63 is a better value with similar specifications, but it ultimately comes down to your needs and preferences. The BXT8J is an ideal choice if you:
- Are on a budget and want to spend less than $1,500 on a treadmill
- Don’t want to get stuck with monthly workout app subscription fees
- Want a folding treadmill with moderate cushioning
- Need a 60-inch-long treadmill deck for your running stride
Full Rating
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill
The BXT8J is an entry-level machine for the Bowflex treadmill lineup. It offers a affordable price tag, a simple display, and pre-set workout programs.
Product Brand: Bowflex
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 1299
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.68
Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill: FAQs
How long do BowFlex treadmills last?
Bowflex treadmills come standard with 10- to-15-year frame warranties, which can offer perspective on how long the frame is meant to hold up. However, the lifespan of a treadmill is greatly impacted by frequency of use and the maintenance. If you’re the owner of a Bowflex treadmill, you’ll need to perform routine treadmill maintenance for optimum performance.
What size motor is in the BXT8J treadmill?
The motor size is not listed on the Bowflex BXT8J treadmill. For the price and size of the machine, our experts speculate it’s a 2.5 horsepower motor.
What is the warranty on the Bowflex BXT8J?
The Bowflex BXT8J comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame, 3 years on electronics and mechanical parts, and 1 year on labor.
Can you use the Bowflex treadmill without a subscription?
If you purchase a Bowflex treadmill with a built-in touchscreen display, you’ll be able to use the machine without a JRNY All-Access membership, but you may experience limited functionality. Bowflex machines without touchscreen displays don’t require a membership to JRNY for full functionality.
Further reading
See how this entry-level treadmill stacks up in our ProForm Cadence LT Smart Treadmill review. Read more
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