Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Review 2024

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Last Updated: December 21, 2023

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Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill

The Bowflex BXT8J pairs with JRNY for smart, trainer-led workouts and offers 26 onboard workout programs.

The Bowflex BXT8J is an affordable running treadmill with a compact folding frame.

Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill: Bottom Line

A newer treadmill from Bowflex is the BXT8J. Unlike the brand’s higher-end Treadmill 10 and 22 models, the BXT8J has a more compact design and a cheaper price point.

The standard folding design has a simple LCD console that is Bluetooth enabled to use with the JRNY App on your device and includes 26 onboard workout programs to follow along with for structured training. The BXT8J doesn’t require wifi to use so it’s less tech-reliant than Bowflex’s other treadmills.

This treadmill has a nice-sized deck of 60” long and 20” wide so it’s compact while still being accommodating for most people. In this review of the Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill, I’ll go over what to expect.

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We Have Been Building Our Treadmill Expertise Since 2010

Here at TRG, we spend a lot of time testing treadmills. We’ve been doing this for years, so we know what to expect from most models, especially if we’ve used others from the same brand. When creating this spec review of the Bowflex BXT8J, we relied heavily on our experience using the Bowflex Treadmill 22, as well as other equipment like the Bowflex C6 and Velocore Bike. By using various equipment from this brand, we can get a good idea of how a model performs before it comes into our studio. We also get a great idea of how it works based on its list of specs and features. So, until we get the Bowflex BXT8J in our studio for testing, we hope you find this spec review helpful.

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Bowflex BXT8J vs Similar Treadmills

We know an important part of treadmill shopping is comparing multiple viable options. See how the Bowflex BXT8J compares to treadmills we’ve tried and tested below.

In-depth Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill Review: Testing & Analysis

Workout Experience

There are two different workout options on the BXT8J. You can stick to the onboard workouts or you can subscribe to JRNY for more training options. The onboard workout programs will guide you through preset incline and speed levels. The maximum and minimum speeds are under your control. Thus, you can tailor these programs more closely to your fitness level.

The BXT8J can also be paired with the JRNY app via Bluetooth on your phone or tablet. You will need an active subscription to access these content options. JRNY has options for on-demand classes, scenic routes, and adaptive workouts. The adaptive workouts are nice, because they adjust to your fitness level. JRY lets you provide feedback on the workout’s difficulty to ensure that future training sessions align more with your training needs.

The training experience on the BXT8J is suitable for a wide range of users. It does not require a subscription training service, but the JRNY platform can supplement the onboard training for an even more exciting walk or run. It is great for budget shoppers and runners or walkers who want smart, guided content.

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Dimensions/Storability

The BXT8J’s dimensions are 78″ L x 37.6″ W x 62.8″ H. The deck folds up using a lift assist so you don’t have to lift the entire weight of the deck or hold onto it while it’s unfolding. You can grab the back end of the deck to lift the deck to fold it. And then to unlock for unfolding, you just have to push your foot against the red part of the vertical bar under the deck when it’s folded. When pushed, the deck will lower to the floor on its own. This design is really common on folding treadmills. When folded, the BXT8J is only 54.9″ L x 37.6″ W x 66.6″ H.

There are 2 front transportation wheels, so when it’s folded you can move the BXT8J when needed. You’ll need to tip it back by grabbing the top of the back of the deck to tilt it to engage those wheels though. With its lighter weight and smaller design, we assume the BXT8J is much easier to move than the Bowflex Treadmill 22, which also folds but is challenging to move.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Preprogrammed Workouts And JRNY

Although the Bowflex BXT8J doesn’t include as much tech as the higher-end treadmills from the brand, it still comes with some nice features and training options. This treadmill is a good choice if you want a more basic layout with included features that don’t require wifi, although if you want to use wifi and a training app, you can.

The BXT8J offers 26 different workout programs. These are all pretty standard and include preset speeds and incline settings for the treadmill to automatically adjust to. They’ll probably remind you of what most commercial treadmills in public gyms include. As far as metrics, the console tracks your time, speed, incline, distance, calories, heart rate, burn rate, workout profile, and fitness score. The burn rate is tied to the JRNY App which is compatible to use with the BXT8J Treadmill. It comes with a wireless heart rate chest strap to track your heart rate on the screen.

JRNY is a fitness app that comes enabled on the Bowflex Treadmill 22 and Treadmill 10. Since the BXT8J doesn’t have a touch screen, you have to use your device to stream JRNY. The app also includes fewer features than the version enabled on Bowflex’s equipment. It’s a good option if you want on-demand trainer-led workout classes to follow along with, or outdoor-filmed videos to explore different areas around the world while you use the BXT8J. You can also access JRNY Radio which features preselected playlists of songs split into different genres that you can listen to through the app. The Adaptive Workouts are also a good option because they adapt to you and your fitness level for custom training.

Console

The Bowflex BXT8J technically includes 3 LCD screens that are backlit, so they should be easy to see. This is where you can view the workout programs and keep track of your metrics.

As far as functionality, the console includes quick-adjusting buttons that are numbered for speed and incline. This way, if you want to jump to a certain speed or incline level, you can by pressing a button. There are also arrowed buttons below to adjust to more specific increments. I’m assuming you can adjust by 0.1 mph for the speed and 1 or 0.5% for the incline, but it’s impossible to know until we test the BXT8J ourselves.

The speakers are to play JRNY content through and they are front-facing. The fan is tiny, but it might actually be useful. The Treadmill 22’s tiny fan is pretty powerful, but we won’t know for sure until we use the BXT8J. It does have cupholders for your water or whatever small item you might need nearby. There is also a device rack above the LCD screens to place your phone or tablet when you want to stream content.

Overall, this console is pretty standard and should be pretty easy to use.

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Build Quality

The Bowflex BXT8J has a pretty standard, foldable design. It is rated to handle users up to 300 lbs and it weighs around 253 lbs itself, so it should be pretty sturdy and appropriate for most people. It isn’t as large and overbuilt as the premium Treadmill 22, but for a more affordable model that’s fairly compact, it has nice specs.

Frame

The steel frame supports the deck and two steel uprights connect to the floor frame and extend up to hold the console. There is also a steel crossbar mounted between the uprights which should help add stability to the treadmill as well as help hold the console still when you run. On budget-friendly treadmills, we like seeing steel crossbars.

Motor

The motor is one spec that Bowflex tends to not include on their treadmill product descriptions. I wish they would so we could get a better idea of how powered this treadmill is. Once we get the BXT8J in our studio though, we’ll be able to more accurately access the motor size and determine its appropriate level of use. Other reviewers online say the motor is 2.5 HP. I’m guessing it might be closer to 3.0 HP since Bowflex’s other treadmills have higher-powered motors of 4.0.

At a minimum, I assume the BXT8J is good for light to moderate walking and jogging and some light running. It might be more powerful than that though, so we’ll update this review once we know more and can accurately recommend the level of use.

As far as training options, the motor goes up to 12 mph and has a 15% incline range. This is pretty standard for most treadmills of this size. It’s nice to see an entry-level model offer a great range of speed and incline though. Most people should find that the speed and incline offered are enough for lower and higher intensity workouts.

Deck

The deck size should make the Bowflex BXT8J best for most people. It is 60” long, which we’ve found supports all running stride lengths. So, most should be able to walk, jog, and run comfortably on the belt. The width is 20” which should be enough space for the majority of folks. I think this width and length is kind of the sweet spot for treadmill decks because it’s accommodating for most, yet a little more space-saving and compact than larger 22” wide decks. If you know you prefer wider decks though, you’ll want to check out other treadmills like the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and 22.

We can’t speak to how the deck cushioning feels underfoot without having tested this treadmill first. The Treadmill 22 has firm deck cushioning, so we’re assuming the BXT8J will feel similar to run on, but it’s hard to know for sure.

Warranty

Bowflex includes a standard warranty of 10 years for the frame, 3 years for mechanical parts and electronics, and 1 year for labor.

Should You Buy the Bowflex BXT8J

The Bowflex BXT8J Treadmill is a lower-end option from the brand. It’s more affordable and compact than the Bowflex Treadmill 22 and 10.

It comes with a backlit LCD screen console that includes onboard workouts and optional Bluetooth connectivity to the JRNY App on your device. It doesn’t require wifi so you don’t have to worry about having a connection.

The BXT8J has a deck size that supports all strides and it folds up to save a little more space in your home when you’re not using it. With the motor size unlisted and the fact that we don’t have this treadmill in our studio for testing yet, we can’t accurately recommend the level of use it’s best suited for, but we assume it should handle moderate walking and jogging and some running. Once we get the Bowflex BXT8J in our studio, we’ll update this review with how it performed for our team.

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Bowflex BXT8J Q&A / FAQ

How long do Bowflex treadmills last?

The Bowflex BXT8J has a nice warranty. The frame is covered for 10 years, the mechanical parts and electronics for 3 years, and labor for 1 year. We have seen many treadmills last from 10 to 15 years. However, a treadmill’s longevity depends on the maintenance it sees. For the best results, keep up with the BXT8J’s maintenance as prescribed by the user manual. Some treadmill users are willing to replace treadmill parts at their own expense after the warranty expires to extend their treadmill’s lifespan. This may not be a suitable option for every user depending on the cost of the part and the cost of replacing the treadmill.

What size motor is the Bowflex BXT8J treadmill?

Because Bowflex does not outright state the BXT8J’s motor power, we rely on secondary sources. We have seen reports that the BXT8J has a 2 to 2.5 horsepower motor. However, this treadmill was designed for running, which is typically at least 3.0 HP. It’s hard to say which rating is correct, but keep in mind that the horsepower rating may not tell the full story of a treadmill’s performance.

Does the Bowflex BXT8J work without a JRNY subscription?

Yes, the BXT8J has 26 onboard programs. These programs do not require a subscription to use. JRNY can improve your training experience, but it is not required.

Is your Bowflex BXT8J treadmill review a paid review?

No, we were not paid for our BXT8J review. In general, we receive products from brands for free, but that is where the brands’ influence over our reviews ends. Our review process and opinions are all our own. We work with most top home fitness brands, like NordicTrack, ProForm, Sole, Bowflex, and Horizon, as well as many others. We are impartial to which brand you choose, which keeps us honest and ensures you get our expert opinion.

How do we make money? We include affiliate links around our website. When you make a purchase through one of our links, we are a commission. This does not add any cost to you. Instead, it shows us that you appreciate our reviews and liked our resources. We hope you found this review helpful enough that you will decide to use our links to purchase the BXT8J if that is what you have decided upon.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.