Bowflex T9 Treadmill Review – Run Simple & Stay Connected

Dimensions/Storability

While I wouldn’t call the Bowflex T9 a small treadmill, it is a folding treadmill. It folds very easily, and I didn’t find the deck difficult to lift at all. The T9 has assisted folding, which makes it easier to unfold and fold the treadmill.

You press the lever with your foot to release the deck, and it will softly lower to the floor on its own.

When the Bowflex T9 is unfolded, it measures 77.2” L x 37” W x 67.6” H. Folded, it shrinks to just 48.6” long, and you can roll it around on its transport wheels. I can do so on my own, but many exercisers will find it more convenient to find a permanent storage location.

The Bowflex T9 Treadmill has a deck height of 16” when fully inclined. We recommend a few additional inches to act as a buffer for any vertical movement while running and for comfort. I agree with Bowflex’s recommendation of user height + 20.75” (or round to 21”) for the maximum ceiling height.

A 6’ tall runner will need a ceiling height of 7’9” or so to train comfortably.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

I was very impressed by the Bowflex T9’s onboard training options. There are many programs to choose from, including 13 different distance targets, hill sprints, fat burn, hill climb, and Sprint 8. Many of these programs have multiple levels, so it’s not just the same workout again and again; you can progress.

There are also workouts with more customization options. “Record” allows you to do just that. You record a manual workout to save it for future use. Similarly, “Custom” lets you design a custom workout in advance. “Custom Heart Rate” allows you to set a heart rate target, and the treadmill speed and incline adjust to keep you there. All are really cool!

Doing a manual workout on the T9 is really convenient because of the speed and incline dials and fast adjustments.

There are even more options for training on the Bowflex T9. You have an optional subscription service and other third-party apps. I like that you can really customize your experience and won’t feel pressured to subscribe or use other apps.

JRNY

Bowflex offers JRNY, a subscription service that competes with Peloton and iFIT. It has scenic structured workouts and studio video classes. JRNY is more affordable, which is a big plus, but it doesn’t have automatic speed or incline. I wish they, at least, had incline adjustments like Peloton because the burn rate does a good job of guiding your speed.

The burn rate shows how many calories you burn per minute and is affected by speed and incline. JRNY workouts will display the burn rate range you should target for each section of the workout.

JRNY is a great deal for its price, though the app doesn’t feel as refined as pricier competitors.

Because JRNY is Bowflex’s platform, it integrates with the T9 better than any other app. New members get a two-month free trial of JRNY.

Third-Party Apps

You can pair the T9 with pretty much any FTMS app. FTMS is a protocol that makes an app compatible with fitness equipment. Some of your options include Zwift, Peloton, and Kinomap. Even apps that aren’t FTMS compatible can be paired with the speakers, at least, so you can listen to them.

Since the T9 has roller dials for the speed and incline adjustments and a red stripe down the middle of the belt, it creates a very close experience to running on the Peloton Tread. It might be my new favorite non-Peloton treadmill for Peloton workouts. Time will tell. Still, there are distinct differences between the two that set the T9 apart as a good treadmill in its own right.

The Bowflex T9 doesn’t box you into a subscription, and it’s the freedom to choose your own adventure that I love.

In addition to the apps you can pair, you can also connect the Bowflex T9 to entertainment apps. The console has media controls, allowing you to adjust the volume, skip songs, and pause or play your media.

Console

The T9’s console is relatively simple compared to the masses of treadmills nowadays that have fancy touchscreens. Yet, it doesn’t need to be anything more, and for many of you, the fact that it doesn’t have a touchscreen is going to be a huge plus.

For one, the LCD screen is way less likely to malfunction and may be more durable.

The simpler screen is also to thank for the T9’s openness to non-JRNY platforms. Treadmill brands tend to be very restrictive with what content they allow on their touchscreens, and you don’t have to worry about that with the T9’s LCD screen.

I like the LCD screen. It kept me entertained longer than I thought it would. It shows all your metrics and has a countdown, progress bar, and lap counter. I have a hard time not staring at the console on treadmills, counting down the seconds, and this one is one of the most pleasing, simple screens I have seen.

There are also LED windows to show you incline level, speed, time, heart rate/calories, and distance/pace.

There are plenty of buttons for adjusting the speed and incline on the T9. You can also toggle what metrics are visible in the LED windows. It will also change the metrics in the LCD screen so you can view all of them at the same time, just in a different format.

I love how the buttons for incline and speed light up to indicate what level you are currently on.

One of my favorite features on Horizon treadmills is the QuickDials. I was so excited when I saw that the T9 had these controls, too. They work great for getting from one speed or incline to the other without interrupting the flow of your run. It’s way easier than pressing buttons when you are going fast.

There are also programmable interval keys and EKG pulse grips right next to the QuickDial controls.

The console’s Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair it with apps, but it has one limitation. While the Bluetooth on the T9 is also compatible with heart rate monitors, you cannot have the T9 paired to an app and a heart rate monitor at the same time. However, you can have a device paired to the speakers and have a heart rate monitor connected.

A heart rate monitor is included with the Bowflex T9 Treadmill.

I wasn’t bothered by not connecting my heart rate monitor to the T9 while it was connected to another app. Most apps allow you to connect a heart rate monitor to them, so then I could view all of my metrics on my phone or tablet. I think that is a practical solution. The only thing that bothered me was manually switching between the device and heart rate Bluetooth modes.

The T9 also gets my approval for connecting to a variety of devices, including Apple and Galaxy watches.

To complement your training and entertainment, the T9 has a powerful set of front-facing speakers. I almost made a huge error, thinking the speakers were underpowered. I didn’t realize, at first, that you can turn the volume up all the way on your phone and continue turning it up on the T9 with the center dial on the console. It’s easy to miss, so don’t underestimate these speakers!

You can also store your device (or more than one device) in a few different places on the T9. There’s a top and bottom device rack. There are also storage compartments on either side of the console for a water bottle and other small items.

The top tablet rack is not as secure as I would like; my phone knocks against it while I’m running.

There are two fans on the T9 console. They have three speeds and are fairly effective at cooling. They aren’t the most powerful, but I like them.

Check Best Price

Build Quality

The Bowflex T9 is the first treadmill I put together almost completely on my own. I did everything I possibly could without help and got about 90% of the way. Putting the treadmill together solo got me up close and personal with this machine. I like its construction a lot, but there were a few spots that I think could have been better.

A few of the bolt holes didn’t line up as well as I would have liked, so it took me some extra time to get everything into place. However, given my experience with other machines, the T9’s parts were more precise than most in its price range.

Frame

Most of the T9’s frame is steel, though there are some plastic components. The frame has a 350-lb weight capacity, which feels realistic for this sturdy construction and exceeds the industry standard.

The handles on the T9 have a unique texture. They are steel with a soft plastic covering. The soft plastic has a textured surface that helps keep your hands in place. I really like resting my hands on them because they are comfortable and feel more premium than I expected from plastic components.

Rest assured of the Bowflex T9 frame’s durability, as it has a lifetime warranty.

The footrails are spacious and textured. It’s comfortable to stand to either side of the belt when you need to. The step-up height to the footrails is 10”, so it’s not too high but not the lowest we have seen either.

Motor

Bowflex is very quiet about their motor power, but other sites where the T9 is sold report that it has a 3.5 HP motor. I’m inclined to believe this value. It aligns with other models in the same price point, and the T9 definitely performs like a treadmill that can handle a lot of running.

Horsepower doesn’t tell the whole story. So take it from me, as someone who has tried the Bowflex T9, it’s a good one for long runs and interval training. The only case in which I would recommend a more powerful treadmill is when two or more really dedicated runners are using the treadmill every day.

The T9’s motor is reported to be 3.5 HP, and it performs on par with other such motors.

I was very impressed by the Bowflex T9’s performance on our treadmill tests. We assess motor responsiveness (time to adjust speed and incline) and noise level.

The T9 was very quiet, measuring only 48.7 dB at 3 mph and 66 dB at 12 mph. What impressed me even more was the incline motor. At 3mph, it was only 49.3 dB, adding barely any noise to that of the drive motor. This performance is very unusual for a treadmill that is as responsive as the T9 is.

It took the T9 22.4s to adjust from 0.5 mph to 12 mph and 20.7s to adjust from 0 to 15%. While that’s not the fastest on our list, it is respectable.

We very rarely see such an ideal combination of responsiveness and quietness in a motor.

The Bowflex T9 reaches a standard maximum speed of 12 mph. The incline, however, is more impressive. It goes from 0 to 15%. While there is no option to decline this treadmill (create a downhill slope), the range it provides is very nice. I would expect nothing less from Bowflex or Johnson Health Tech (Horizon), which are known for their more generous incline ranges.

A 15% incline makes working out on the Bowflex T9 more intense and interesting.

Deck

While running on the Bowflex T9, I almost immediately clued into the 3-zone cushioning that I know so well on the Horizon treadmills. It takes some practice to pick up on, but I can feel the difference when my foot lands toward the front of the deck or more toward the middle.

As I suspected, the Bowflex T9 has softer shocks in the front of the deck and firmer shocks toward the back.

The zonal cushioning allows the Bowflex T9 to complement your running form. It gives you a soft landing zone and a firmer toe-off zone, which is just what you need for performance. However, I initially felt like the T9 was a bit firmer than the Horizon treadmills. I’m not sure if that’s just because I expect a firmer treadmill from Bowflex or if it’s truly different.

I think the Bowflex T9 has a nice, moderately cushioned running deck.

Perhaps even more important than cushioning is the size of the running deck. It is 22” x 60”. This size provides plenty of space for running and is one of the largest sizes we normally see for a running treadmill. It’s comfortable to stretch out your stride and hit those faster paces.

I am happy to report that the deck and console positioning make it very unlikely for you to hit the motor hood. I normally conduct a test where I reach for the furthest point of the console and see where I have to stand to reach it. The T9 gave me plenty of room between my feet and the motor hood, so the risk of contact is very low.

I didn’t hit the T9’s motor hood with my foot while running.

Warranty

The Bowflex T9 has one of the most impressive warranties. It has a lifetime frame and motor warranty. While “lifetime” normally means the lifetime of the product (or for however long the brand continues to manufacture that product), the user manual actually specifies that it is for the lifetime of the original owner. That’s great!

Before you get excited and think this treadmill will last forever. Note that the warranty does not cover normal wear and tear. So, you could still wear this treadmill out with your training.

The warranty also covers electronics and parts for three years and labor for one year. This warranty length is pretty standard.

Should You Buy the Bowflex T9 Treadmill

I am happy to report that the Bowflex T9 lives up to the high expectations I have for both Bowflex and Horizon. It has a generous incline range, a quiet and responsive motor, and a spacious running deck. The moderately soft, 3-zone cushioning feels perfect for runs of all types, from intervals to easy runs to long runs.

With the simple console, you can unlock tons of training options. Twenty-two onboard training programs with various levels mean you don’t need a device to get moving. But you can pair your phone to JRNY, Peloton, or Zwift for even more fun. My only complaint is changing the Bluetooth from heart rate mode to app mode.

The Bowflex T9 doesn’t twist your arm to lock you into a subscription. It’s a treadmill that walkers and runners with various training goals and preferences can enjoy.

Check Best Price

Bowflex T9 Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

What is the difference between the Bowflex T9 and the T10?

The Bowflex T9 Treadmill is a low-tech treadmill that pairs with phones and tablets via Bluetooth. It has twenty-two onboard training programs. The Bowflex Treadmill 10 or T10 has a touchscreen display designed to pair with JRNY, a platform that offers trainer-led classes, scenic structured workouts, and entertainment apps.

Both treadmills are excellent for running. The T10 is better for someone who wants a subscription-based training platform with fully integrated features. The T9 is better for walkers and runners who want more freedom to choose their training style and are willing to sacrifice some connectivity and built-in features.

Is NordicTrack or Bowflex better?

NordicTrack treadmills have softer running decks than Bowflex, but the iFIT subscription costs twice as much as JRNY. While iFIT has more advanced features, Bowflex Treadmills, like the T9, also pair with Peloton, Zwift, and other apps. Bowflex treadmills have better warranties, but many NordicTrack treadmills have better weight capacities.

We like treadmills from both brands. If you want to compare the Bowflex T9 to a NordicTrack, we recommend checking out the NordicTrack Commercial 1250.

Is the Bowflex T9 worth it?

The Bowflex T9 is a great value for its price. It has extensive onboard and third-party training options, a quiet and powerful motor, and a nice incline range of 0 to 15%. We recommend the T9 for walkers and runners who want a powerful treadmill with a good warranty.

Can I use my Bowflex T9 without a subscription?

A subscription is not required to use the Bowflex T9, and you won’t feel any pressure to subscribe. The T9 pairs with JRNY, Peloton, Zwift, and other apps, but it also has many onboard training programs. If you don’t subscribe, you won’t miss out on a good workout and great experience on the Bowflex T9 Treadmill.

Check Best Price