Bowflex T6 Treadmill Review: An Expert-Approved Workout

Dimensions/Storability

The Bowflex T6 Treadmill is a folding treadmill, which makes finding a place for it a lot easier. It has transport wheels so you can roll it around if you need to, though I always recommend finding a treadmill a permanent location if you can.

I really appreciate the grab bar under the deck, because it makes folding the treadmill easier.

Measuring 76” L x 35” W x 71” H, the T6 isn’t remarkably large or compact for a home treadmill. When folded, it’s only 44” long. Then, the step-up height of the deck at the maximum incline is 15.5”. That means a 6-foot-tall runner needs a ceiling height of 7.5’ to 8’ to train at the 15% incline with plenty of room left for any vertical movement. I take the top deck height plus 6” and add that to the tallest user’s height to calculate the necessary ceiling height.

Folding the treadmill isn’t too difficult. The deck is pretty sturdy, so it’s a little on the heavier side. I think most people should be able to do it with two hands without issue. The deck also has a gas shock arm that allows the deck to lower softly on its own. This feature also helps with folding, as it prevents the device from slamming to the ground if dropped.

Soft lowering systems make it easier to fold and unfold a treadmill.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

This treadmill has onboard apps that you don’t have to pay for! You don’t have to connect the treadmill to Wi-Fi. You don’t have to subscribe to a training service. The buttons for the programs are clearly labeled, allowing you to set up your workout and start training within a couple of minutes.

The onboard workouts include manual (time goal), muscle toner, calorie goal, distance, rolling hills, intervals, strength builder, and target heart rate. The speed does not automatically adjust in these programs, but the incline does. You keep manual control of the speed.

If you don’t want to set up a workout, no problem! Pressing the start button will get you right into a manual workout without any other steps.

Apps

The app that works best with the T6 is Bowflex’s own JRNY app. After a 2-month free trial, you can train with JRNY in the app for $12/month. This app includes trainer-led workouts and structured scenic workouts.

JRNY syncs with the treadmill to track your metrics. Speed and incline adjustments are manual still, but there’s a burn meter on the screen. This feature provides a target for you to hit based on your incline and speed. Since you can use either incline or speed to reach your burn target, you can essentially make any treadmill a walking or running workout suitable for your fitness level.

When you first sign up for JRNY, you go through a fitness assessment, which helps the app scale to your abilities. The burn rate tailors to you!

Other apps that you can use include Peloton and Zwift. The T6 sends your speed and incline data to these apps so you can participate in the workouts and classes.

Console

The Bowflex T6 has a simple console—not a touchscreen. To access the apps I previously described, you’ll need a phone or tablet. On the console, there’s an LCD screen at the top and four LED windows on the bottom half. The LCD screen feels a little small, but I didn’t mind it since I can get all the information from the windows at a glance.

Quick-adjust buttons line the sides of the console so you can easily jump from one level to the other. I don’t mind that these numbers skip over a few levels because there are also incline and speed roller dials. I’m apt to use the dials of the buttons, as they are easy to reach and fun to use (in my opinion).

Underneath the dials, there’s a programmable interval key, which can be set to remember a speed and incline for manual interval workouts.

In addition to the speed and incline controls, there are also console buttons for starting and stopping the treadmill. A dial between the start and stop allows you to set the level for a program and select your choice. During a workout, this central dial also functions as a volume control.

There are also buttons for the fan and Bluetooth functionality.

The fan features multiple speeds and an adjustable angle. I found it effective at cooling me off while I was exercising. The fan also wasn’t too loud, I thought.

Bluetooth allows the treadmill console to pair with the third-party apps I mentioned. You can also switch the Bluetooth mode to pair with a heart rate monitor. You can’t pair an app and a heart rate monitor at the same time, but generally, you can pair a heart rate monitor to the app itself. The T6 comes with a heart rate monitor chest strap.

You can also connect your phone to the speakers on the T6 via Bluetooth.

They are loud enough and clear enough to hear while you are training.

For storage, there are two tablet racks at the top of the console. One of them can be removed if you would like. There’s also a little area at the bottom of the console where you could place a phone or other small item. Finally, there are two cup holders.

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Build Quality

For its price, the T6 definitely wows in terms of build quality. I’d put it on par with treadmills that cost twice as much for durability, if no aesthetic appeal. I don’t mean that it’s an ugly treadmill, just that it’s not particularly sleek. However, the stripe down the middle of the belt is a nice touch.

I helped assemble this treadmill, and it would be best for two people to do it together. There are a few steps that are difficult to do on your own. It can be done, as I did it with the Bowflex T9, but an extra set of hands will save you time and frustration. It took about 2 hours to complete. Most treadmills take between 1 to 3 hours in my experience (even if they say only 45 minutes on the manual).

Frame

The T6 has a steel frame that can support up to 325 lbs, which is a decent weight capacity. It has two leveling feet, which I recommend adjusting to reduce any shaking that you may experience while training. With the feet properly set, the incline is more accurate and the experience is more enjoyable.

The footrails are wide enough to stand on comfortably. They are also textured to make it easier to keep your footing. The treadmill handles are substantial enough, too.

Motor

While Bowflex doesn’t outright state the motor rating of the T6, I am more than happy to open up a treadmill motor hood. The T6 has a 3.0 HP motor, which is great for walking and running. It may not be the best for heavy use compared to more powerful treadmills, but it’s hard to nail down exactly what a treadmill’s limits are.

I like the Bowflex T6 for training at all speeds.

The T6 is great for a single dedicated user, but if you share your treadmill with others, run really high mileage exclusively indoors, or walk for 3+ hours at a time at a slow speed, the Bowflex T9 might be the better option. It’s important to avoid the hassle of replacing a motor if you can, even though the T6 has a lifetime motor warranty.

I tested the drive motor and incline motor for responsiveness. It took 22 seconds for the treadmill to accelerate from 1 mph to 12 mph. The incline adjustment from 0 to 15% took 15.9 seconds. The speed change is good, as the range we’ve recorded is 14 to 41 seconds. The incline is very fast compared to a range of 14 to 47 seconds.

As for noise, the T6 is 52.3 dB at 3 mph and 67 dB at 12 mph. This noise output isn’t particularly quiet, and I would call it average based on the data I have. The incline adjustment with the belt running at 3 mph raises the noise output to 53.5 dB, which is on the quieter side. There are some very loud incline motors out there, but this isn’t one of them!

My final test was for the incline’s accuracy. The stated range is 0 to 15%. I measured the incline range to be 1% to 14.4%. Consider that factors such as the height of the stability feet and the evenness of the floor can skew the results. There’s also room for instrument error. I consider any treadmill with an incline measurement within 1% of the stated measurement to be accurate.

The Bowflex T6 has a great incline range that surpasses the industry standard, especially considering its price point.

Deck

Measuring 20” wide by 60” long, the Bowflex T6’s running surface has plenty of room for training. I definitely feel like I have enough space to train.

The red line down the center of the deck creates a sporty and fun feel that also helps you stay centered on the belt.

I measured the step-up height to be about 9” when the deck is flat, which is an okay height. It shouldn’t be too difficult for most people to step up onto, especially since you can use the treadmill handles for support if necessary.

Runners seeking a sturdy and moderately cushioned running deck will be pleased with this treadmill. It’s not the most cushioned, but it’s not overly firm either. I think this type of cushioning has a wider appeal.

There are a couple of drawbacks to the deck. At a 15% incline, the belt slips. It didn’t happen to me, but a reviewer on our team who weighs more than I do experienced it while walking and running. The deck also bounces up and down when you are running on the incline. Some runners may appreciate the extra shock absorption, but others may need some time to get used to this feeling.

Warranty

A big plus for this treadmill is the warranty. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. The mechanical parts are covered for three years, and the labor is covered for one year.

The average coverage for a treadmill in this price point is 10 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. The Bowflex T6 surpasses that!

Should You Buy the Bowflex T6 Treadmill

The Bowflex T6 Treadmill is an excellent treadmill for its price. I love the design of this treadmill, as the console was very stable even during running. You can reach the console easily, and the incline and speed dials are helpful for making quick adjustments without interrupting your workout.

With both onboard classes and Bluetooth connectivity, the T6 offers tons of training options. The onboard programs are easy to set up and have several levels to challenge athletes of all abilities. You can also connect the treadmill to JRNY, Peloton, and Zwift, for example.

At an affordable price and with a nice folding frame, the Bowflex T6 will appeal to many walkers and runners. It has the incline and speed capabilities to get you through all sorts of workouts, too.

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Bowflex T6 Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

How long do Bowflex treadmills last?

Most Bowflex treadmills now have a lifetime frame and motor warranty, which is a good sign of their longevity. Typically, we expect treadmills, like those from Bowflex, to last about 10 years. However, many factors can reduce or prolong the lifespan of a treadmill: routine maintenance, usage level, storage location, etc.

Is Bowflex better than NordicTrack?

Bowflex does not require a subscription service, and even its more affordable treadmills have a lifetime frame and motor warranty. These features may appeal to some users more than the high-tech iFIT training platform and cushioned decks NordicTrack offers.

How much does the Bowflex T6 weigh?

The Bowflex T6 Treadmill weighs 233.7 lbs.

What is the best Bowflex treadmill?

The Bowflex T6 is the brand’s most affordable treadmill. It has a lifetime frame and motor warranty. It also has a 15% maximum incline. However, Bowflex also has a new premium treadmill, the Bowflex T16, which has a sturdy frame and a premium 16” touchscreen.

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