Bowflex BXT116 Treadmill

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Incline	Motor	Console
Bowflex BXT116 Check Discounted Price	L:84.6" W:36.3" H:55.2"	375 lbs	Automatic, 0% - 15%	3.75 CHP, 0-12 MPH	9 programs, 4 user profiles, Bluetooth

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty treadmill, the Bowflex BXT116 is definitely one of them. Although it’s not advertised and sold as a commercial-grade machine, it definitely has the durability and range of features quite superior to some models. It’s a fitness machine similar in several ways to the Nautilus T618. However, it has a more powerful motor and a slightly higher weight capacity.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 84.6L x 36.3W x 55.2H inches (215L x 92W x 140H cm)
• Tread belt dimensions: 60L x 20W inches (152.4L x 50.8W cm)
• Assembled weight: 280 lbs (127 kg)
• Max. weight capacity: 375 lbs (170 kg)
• Deck cushioning: Comfort Tech™
• Motor: 3.75 CHP
• Speed levels: 0-12 MPH
• Incline: Automatic, 0-15%
• Console: 9 workouts, Bluetooth enabled
• Amenities: HR chest strap, sound system, cooling fan, USB charging port, 2x bottle holder, accessory tray with towel support
• Warranty: Frame 15 years / Motor 15 years / Parts 5 years / Electronics 5 years / Labor 2 years

Frame and deck

The Bowflex Results Series™ BXT116 is a heavy-duty treadmill built on a very sturdy steel frame. The fully assembled machine weighs approx. 280 lbs (127 kg), which means that it offers a lot of stability and support. There are several plastic and ABS parts in its construction; however, these only fulfill a protective or cosmetic role and don’t influence its overall sturdiness in any way. Plus, its overall stability is improved by its adjustable, rubberized stabilizers on the front metallic base frame.

The machine’s steel parts are double-coated with a corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, with the Bowflex logo painted red and white.

This Bowflex treadmill is considerably large. When fully assembled, it’s 84.6″ (215 cm) long, and 36.3″ (92 cm) wide. On top of that, it requires at least three feet of clearance at the rear of the deck, and at least two feet of clearance on each side for safe operation. This being said, it’s not exactly a machine for a small room or apartment.

On the other hand, the frame features a folding design. The deck can be folded up, and in this position, the machine’s length is reduced by more than half, offering better storage possibilities. The folding mechanism integrates a hydraulic lift which assists you with unfolding the deck, preventing any damage related from dropping quickly.

Despite its impressive weight, this treadmill isn’t too difficult to move, once it is assembled. The mid part of its metallic base features two small transport wheels which ease the relocation of the folded machine.

The Bowflex BXT116 treadmill features quite an impressive deck construction. To begin with, it can support users up to 375 lbs (170 kg). It is equipped with the Comfort Tech™ cushioning system which consists of six trapezoidal deck cushioners (three on each side). Four cushioners are placed at the front, in order to absorb a great deal of the shock related to the strike of each foot, while the other two cushioners are placed at the rear to promote a better loading. This shock absorption system is designed to cushion your joints and muscles rendering each run or walk much more comfortable than walking or running outside, on concrete or asphalt. Therefore, you will experience considerably less running-related joint or muscle pain, which can result in longer, more enjoyable workouts.

The deck integrates extra large, crowned rollers, equipped with industrial-grade ball bearings for a smooth motion and a long lifespan. The belt is a 3-ply type (2.5 mm), highly durable, stretch-resistant, designed to provide superior adherence. The running surface provided by it is 60″L x 20″W (152.4L x 50.8W cm) and can accommodate comfortably users up to 6’6″ (198 cm), promoting a healthy, natural motion, without any restrictions.

One last aspect to mention here regards the accessory tray. This Bowflex treadmill features a crossbar that unites the two console masts and serves as a support for an additional PVC tray, which gives you the possibility to store your water bottle, towel, or other small accessories.

Incline and step-up height

The Bowflex BXT116 treadmill is equipped with an automatic incline system. It consists of a small lift powered by the incline motor, situated at the front of the deck. The deck incline can only be controlled from the unit’s console, and the machine needs to be connected to a power circuit for it.

The incline system offers an incline range between 0% and 15%. Adjustments can be done in increments of 1%. The console features quick incline controls for the 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 incline settings, but keys for gradual incline adjustment are also available. Also, it’s important to know that some of the onboard programs of the machine control incline along with the speed of the belt. So, by using one of them, the machine will auto-adjust the incline of the deck according to the current workout segment.

At 0% incline, the running surface of the deck is situated at approx. 12″ (30.5 cm) above floor level. With the incline set all the way up to 15%, the highest point of the deck reaches a height of 16″ (40.6 cm). Therefore, it’s recommended to place and use the machine in a room with a ceiling that is at least 16″ (40.6 cm) higher than your own height.

Motor

This Bowflex BXT116 Results Series treadmill is equipped with a 3.75 CHP, heavy-duty motor. It’s a continuous duty motor, made to withstand prolonged workouts at maximum speed without overheating or losing performance, even if the user is close to the maximum weight capacity. A small flywheel is a component of this motor, a component that helps reducing vibration, rendering the running experience much smoother.

The motor itself generates very little noise when the machine is in use. However, when running at high speeds, your cadence will produce some noise. So, it’s best to keep this in mind if you’re going to use the machine in an apartment building.

The speed range offered by this motor is between 0.5 MPH and 12 MPH. Needless to say, speed is adjusted exclusively from the console. Just as for incline, you’ll find gradual and quick adjustment keys for speed. Speed can be adjusted in increments of 0.1 MPH. This gives you the possibility to find the perfectly suited pace for you, for each workout.

The machine comes with a standard U.S. 3-prong plug, not an adapter. It requires a 120V 15A power circuit. It’s recommended that the machine is connected to a power circuit solely, without other devices connected to the same circuit, to avoid surges. Also, it’s not a bad idea to use a surge suppressor, to prevent any damage to the motors or console, in case a surge happens.

Console unit

The Bowflex BXT116 is equipped with a high-performance console featuring a large, 7.5″ LCD display with LED backlight and multiple panels. It shows time, distance, speed, incline, total calories burned, average calories burned per minute, heart rate, and heart rate zone. It has a multi-color Burn Rate Display which shows the rate of calories burned for a minute at the current workout levels. It has a Sprint Display section for the remaining sprint segment during an interval program. It also shows the segment grid of the workout program in use.

Speed and distance traveled can be calculated in both metric and imperial units. The console can monitor your heart rate via the integrated pulse sensors into the front handlebars. However, it’s also telemetric; it can read your pulse via a Heart Rate Chest Strap Transmitter that operates in the 4.5kHz – 5.5kHz range. An HR chest strap accessory is included with the machine.

One of the best features of the machine’s console is its Bluetooth connectivity. It offers the possibility to sync it with the Bowflex Trainer™ fitness app on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. This app tracks your goals gives you awards for reaching those goals and allows you to keep a journal for your progress.

The Bluetooth connection allows you to automatically transfer your workout data to other fitness apps or websites, such as MyFitnessPal®, and Under Armour® Connected Fitness. Plus, the console has a USB port which not only that allows you to save and manually transfer your workout data online, it also doubles as a docking/recharging port for your tablet or smartphone.

The unit’s console features 7 preset workout programs, one custom program, and the manual program. The 7 preset programs are Fat Burn, Calorie Burn, Calorie Goal, Target Heart Rate, 8 Min. Interval, 16 Min. Interval, and Strength. The Custom program gives you the possibility to design your own program, save it, and re-use it every time you want. The Manual Mode allows you to run, jog, or walk freely, adjusting the speed and the incline as you like, during your session.

The unit has four user profiles. This feature is great to have is multiple persons use the machine. Each user can have their own settings with their personal data, such as age, weight, gender, display units, and sound volume. This way, the console can calculate the number of calories burned by each user with a higher accuracy.

In terms of extras, the Bowflex BXT116 console features a cooling fan, a sound system, a tablet holder, and several accessory trays. The cooling fan is placed at the bottom of the unit; it has 4 settings (off, low, medium, and high). The sound system consists of two speakers situated at the top of the console. This sound system is compatible with most MP3 players, tablets or smartphones so you can play your music through it anytime you exercise. The sound rendered by it is notably superior to the one of a tablet or smartphone. And finally, the tablet holder is placed in between the unit’s speakers. It has an anti-slip surface, and it’s conveniently placed above the console display, so if you place a tablet on it, it won’t block the view of your workout stats.

Assembly and Maintenance

The treadmill’s deck with its motors, cushioning system, rollers, and belt, comes completely assembled. Therefore, you only have to add the two console masts, the handlebars, the console and several plastic covers. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. All the necessary tools for the assembly are included. Also, the manual provides very clear and concise assembly instructions and schematics.

For maintenance, the lubrication of the deck is required after every 25 hours of usage. For this, 100% pure silicone lubricant is recommended. The belt and the surface underneath the deck should be vacuumed and cleaned periodically to prevent any objects, textile fibers or dust from being dragged into the motor or clog the air vents. It’s also recommended to periodically inspect the machine for loose or damaged parts.

The Pros

• Sturdy overall construction;
• Durable deck, being able to support users up to 375 lbs;
• Professional-looking design;
• Adjustable stabilizers with rubber caps;
• Transport wheels;
• Folding deck, equipped with a soft-drop hydraulic cylinder;
• Comfort Tech™ deck cushioning which softens the landing of the foot at the front and propels kick-off at the rear for an energy boost;
• 3-ply light commercial belt for a prolonged lifespan;
• 3.75 CHP, heavy-duty motor;
• Speed range between 0.5 and 12 MPH, offering the possibility to perform a wide array of workouts;
• Speed control in increments of 0.1 MPH, offering the possibility to find the pace that fits perfectly to you;
• Automatic incline, 0% – 15%;
• 9 workout programs;
• Bluetooth enabled console, allowing you to directly use the Bowflex Trainer app, or stream your workout data into your MyFitnessPal account;
• USB port for charging your tablet or phone, and for workout data transfer;
• Various amenities, such as sound system, tablet holder, 3-speed fan, bottle/accessory holders;
• Pulse sensors and telemetry enabled console;
• Heart rate chest strap transmitter included;
• Easy to assemble;
• Smooth and fairly quiet operation;
• Little maintenance required;
• Consistent warranty plan.

The Cons

• Heavy unit, requires at least two people for transport and assembly;
• The cooling fan isn’t too powerful.

Summary

Although the Bowflex BXT116 is not advertised as a commercial unit, it does have the construction and sturdiness of a gym-grade machine. It can support users up to 375 lbs, it has a powerful 3.75 CHP motor and an automatic incline system. Its deck features an excellent cushioning system, while the console offer 9 workout programs and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a trainer perfect for light to intense cardio workouts, interval training, stamina and strength development, and weight loss. And finally, although it’s not exactly an affordable unit, it definitely offers an outstanding value for the price.