I’ve been asked to compare the three machines in the Bowflex treadmill series. To make this easy to understand I reviewed the 7 Series. I then compared the 5 series with the 7 series. I will now compare the 3 series to the 5 series and hopefully you will be able to make an informed decision.
Bowflex is owned by Nautilus, Inc. The retail price of the 3 is about $1200 but you can get it for around $1,000. The retail price of the 5 is $1,800 but you can get it for several hundred dollars less as well. Still the 3 will save you several hundreds of dollars.
It seems that the less expensive the Bowflex series the more it weighs. The 3 comes in at 298 pounds which is almost 50 pounds more than the 5.
They both fold with the SoftDrop technology. After I folded it I just pushed on it a little and the deck went gliding to the floor softly.
The 3 is smaller in length than the 5 measuring 77 inches long by 35 inches wide by 55 inches high. The 5 measures 83 inches long by 35 inches high by 55 inches high. Those six inches probably won’t make a huge difference unless it is fitting into an exact space.
You will get a good warranty on these machines. You’ll get 15 years for the frame; 10 years for the motor; 2 years for the parts and electronics and 1 year for labor.
I have determined that all these treadmills in this series will accommodate a person who weighs up to 300 pounds.
The belt sizes are different and that is something I look at carefully. The 3 comes in at the same width of 20 inches but it is 6 inches shorter at 54 inches. I like a wide long belt. I don’t like hitting the front of treadmill and I am only 5 feet 4 inches tall. I’d rather have the 60 inch length of the 5. However 54 inches isn’t bad and for the price it may not matter unless you are very tall.
I found the deck on the 3 to feel the same as the 5. It felt firm when I stepped and soft when I landed. I don’t run but I do walk. My feet hurt me in general so a comfortable deck is crucial for me. The absorption system is called Strike Zone. I like it
You’ll get a 1.75 horsepower motor on the 3 versus a 2.5 horsepower motor on the 5. This is fine. You don’t want a machine with a horsepower of less than 1.5 so you’ll be all set with the 3.
I didn’t notice any difference in the noise of the machine. Since the decks are the same and they were both sturdy and stable I found the machine to be a pleasure to power walk on.
They both have heart rate sensors in the handlebars.
The console:
The console showed me my speed, distance, workout time, incline level, heart rate and burned calories. This is true of the 5 as well.
They both have quick keys which I really like. These keys allowed me to increase my speed or decrease it immediately. I don’t have to push the incline or decline button for each tenth of a mile per hour faster that I want to walk or for each level of incline I want to walk. If I am walking at 3 miles an hour and want to go to 4 rather than pressing the up arrow, which is what is usually done, I just pressed 4 and it immediately jumped to 4.
The 3 goes from .5 mph to 10. The 5 goes to 11. Really I don’t think one more mph makes a difference unless you are training for a marathon and then you would need more like 12 mph.
The biggest difference I saw was the number of workout programs. The 3 has 6; the 5 had 12. The 6 include manual which I don’t consider a program so that leaves us with 5- cardio, fat burn, running, speed interval jogger and hill intervals. For the person who is just starting out this number is absolutely adequate. For those working out for a long time the only thing that in my experience happens is boredom.
In summary:
I like this Bowflex series. The 5 will cost you about $300. For some the additional programs will be worth the extra money. For others you may want a lighter machine which will cost you about $300. There certainly is a place for the 3 series though I am giving it 4 stars rather than 5. My bottom line is I would recommend paying the extra money and grow into it.
You can find all my fitness equipment reviews here.
Speed range is 0.5 to 10 miles per hour; incline range is 0 to 12% Workout programs include manual, cardio, running, fat burn, speed interval jogger, ...More at Amazon
Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill is ideal for walking , jogging and running. It is an intense cardio workout system for use in the comfort of your own home....More at globalfitness™
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