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Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill
Equipment DetailsManufacturer: Bowflex Brand: Bowflex Model: Bowflex 3 Series Treadmill Product features: - 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, and hill intervals
- Folds-up for easy storage and portability
- Warranty: frame - 15 years, motor - 10 years, parts - 2 years, electronics and labor - 1 year
- Features a 1.75 horsepower continuous-duty motor
Accessories:
Sports reviews of Bowflex Series 3 TreadmillCustomer Review: Great Treadmill! Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I did a fair amount of looking before I bought this model and I am very happy with it. I became interested in Bowflex treadmills after Consumer Reports rated the Bowflex 7 series as one if its best folding models. Shopping on Amazon, I realized that Bowflex made 3 folding treadmills--the 3, the 5, and the 7 series. Online, these look very similar, with the 5 and 7 series having longer tracks and a bigger motors. Strangely, the best source of information on these was not the Bowflex website itself (it has *no* information on the 3 ,5 and 7 series treadmills--just those crazy tread climbers), but rather the specs from Amazon.
Consumer Reports indicated that the best way to buy a treadmill was to actually see how the machine felt. I agree. I managed to find a store that had a 7 series in stock. I was impressed. The 7 series was rock stable and has a very nice folding mechanism--it locks in the up position and drops down slowly when released (a great feature if you worry about your kids getting crushed by the track accidentally). Unfortunately, I could not find a dealer that carried the 3 series to try in person, but it seemed like it would be optimal and very cost effective.
I also tried several Nordic Track treadmills in person. These seemed to have very unappealing walking decks (sproingy!, in a bad way) and even on high hp power machines, the motor seemed to power the track very unevenly.
I decided to take a chance that the 3 series would be as sturdy as the 7 series I tried---I am very happy. Amazon shipped the thing super-saver in a relatively short period of time--very appealing! It was very straightforward to assemble once I got the thing in place--parts are labeled and the assembly pictures are really self explanatory. It is also a quiet machine and the deck is *very* sturdy even for a big guy like me (200+ lbs). One quibble--the grip heartrate monitor could work better--sometimes it does not give a reading after even 10 sec of holding. Also, be aware the deck will not lock in the up position unless you reset the incline to 0 degrees. The incline automatically resets to 0 every time the machine is powered on.
I use the machine primarily for walking, for this application it is great, the machine handles inclines and relatively fast walking speeds with no problem. I can't comment on how well this machine compares with others for running fast. For jogging it seems just fine.
A note on delivery and installation. This thing is *very* heavy (~275 lbs). The shipping company chosen by Amazon (Eagle) did a great job. I called them prior to delivery to schedule when they would drop it off--thats the good news.
The bad news, they would only bring it to the threshold (just inside the house). I asked if they would bring it upstairs for an extra fee and they said--"no way." Three calls to moving companies and an estimate of ~$250-300 to move it from my entry up a flight of stairs--this is not a two person job--the shipping box is enormous (80" x 35" x 16"). I solved this problem by recruiting my father-in-law (also a big guy). We turned the box on its side, opened it, and moved the main piece (track and motor together) by itself. Make sure not to cut the restraining strap, this keeps the frame and the track held in place making moving *much* easier. Even then, the main piece weighs about 200 lbs and was serious work getting around corners. Very glad at that point that I bought the shorter (56") track!
Overall, a great mo-chine--equal to much more expensive models! Glad I managed to avoid a hernia during installation.
Description of Bowflex Series 3 TreadmillBowflex Series 3 Treadmill, motorized and ready to go the distance in getting you fit! Get low-impact, high-cardio workout benefits right at home! With grip heart reading and 6 preset programs. Here's how Bowflex will have you flexing all your fitness muscles: Strike Zone deck suspension offers a comfortable surface that's easy on feet, ankles, knees and hips. You get a soft landing and a firm lift-off on the roomy 20 x 54" surface 6 preset programs. Quick keys for Walk, Jog, Run speeds, with speed range from .5-10 mph; 4-window LED dot matrix display; Durable 1.75 HP continuous duty motor, made to last 2" precision rollers; Contact grip heart rate sensors; Fold-up treadmill with soft-drop declining, so it's portable and easy to store; 2 bottle / cup holders; Measures 77 x 35 x 55 1/4"h. open. Folded it's 39 x 35 x 60"h. Weighs approx. 300 lbs. Some assembly required. Maximum user weight 250 lbs. With a fold-up capability for easy storage and durable construction for rugged use, the Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill is an intense cardio workout system for the home gym. It offers a 1.75 horsepower continuous-duty motor; six workout programs for workout variety (including manual, cardio, fat burn, and hills); grip heart rate monitoring; and an LED computer display to track your metrics as you exercise. 
The Series 3 offers a 1.75 horsepower continuous-duty motor, six workout programs for workout variety, grip heart rate monitoring; and an LED computer display to track your metrics as you exercise. | A generously sized walking and running belt surface area measures 20 by 54 inches and features Bowflex's unique Strike Zone deck cushioning system for ultimate support, stability, and comfort during your lift-off and landing motions. Whether you're looking for a slow walk or a fast run, the Series 3 has a speed range up to 10 miles per hour and an incline grade up to 12%, allowing you to customize your workout pace and program every time. Maximum user capacity weight is 275 pounds. Specifications: - Speed range: 0.5-10 miles per hour/0.8-16.1 kilometers per hour
- Incline range: 0-12%
- 1.75 horsepower continuous-duty motor
- Six workout programs: manual, cardio, running, fat burn, speed interval jogger, and hill intervals
- Grip heart rate monitoring
- Four-window LED computer display with 10 x 21 dot matrix
- Product dimensions: 77 inches long by 35 inches wide by 55.25 inches tall/196 by 89 by 140 centimeters
- Folded dimensions: 39 inches long by 35 inches wide by 60 inches tall/99 by 89 by 152 centimeters
- Machine weight: 298 pounds/135 kilograms
- Maximum user weight: 275 pounds/125 kilograms
- Power requirements: 120VAC 15A non-GFI grounded outlet
- Strike Zone deck cushioning provides soft landing and firm lift-off
- One-ply belt
- Rollers measure 2 inches/5 centimeters
- Walking/running surface area measures 20 inches wide by 54 inches long/51 by 137 centimeters
- Two bottle/cup holders
Manufacturer's Warranty Frame - 15 years; motor - 10 years; parts - 2 years; electronics and labor - 1 year What's in the Box? Bowflex Series 3 treadmill, user's manual, warranty information
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| Bowflex Series 3 | Schwinn 840 | Nautilus T514 | Bowflex Series 7 | Schwinn 860 | Nautilus T516 | | Motor | 1.75 horsepower | 2.5 horsepower | 2.75 horsepower | 3.0 horsepower | 3.0 horsepower | 3.2 horsepower | | Programs | 6 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 20 | 26 | | Deck Size | 20 x 54 inches | 20 x 55 inches | 20 x 55 inches | 20 x 60 inches | 20 x 58 inches | 20 x 58 inches | | Display | 4-Window LED | 2 Backlit LCD Windows | 2 Backlit LCD Windows | 3 Backlit LCD Windows | 2 Backlit LCD Windows | 2 Backlit LCD Windows | | Heart Rate Monitor | Grip | Grip and telemetric | Grip and telemetric | Grip and telemetric | Grip and telemetric | Grip and telemetric | | Speed | 0.5 to 10 mph | 0.5 to 10 mph | 0.5 to 12 mph | 0.5 to 11 mph | 0.5 to 12 mph | 0.5 to 15 mph | | Incline | 0-12% | 0-10% | 0-12% | 0-12% | 0-12% | 0-15% | | Dimensions | 77 x 35 x 55.25 inches | 74 x 32 x 54 inches | 74 x 32 x 54 inches | 83 x 35 x 55.25 inches | 78 x 34 x 54 inches | 78 x 34 x 54 inches | | Folded Dimensions | 39 x 35 x 60 inches | 39 x 32 x 60 inches | 39 x 32 x 60 inches | 40.87 x 35 x 65.5 inches | 41 x 34 x 65.5 inches | 41 x 34 x 65.5 inches | | Maximum Weight Capacity | 275 pounds | 300 pounds | 350 pounds | 300 pounds | 300 pounds | 350 pounds | | Product Weight | 298 pounds | 285 pounds | 350 pounds | 298 pounds | 345 pounds | 345 pounds | | Frame and Motor Warranty | 15 years, 10 years | 5 years, 10 years | 10 years, 10 years | 15 years, 10 years | 10 years, 10 years | 15 years, 15 years | | About Treadmills Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home. From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface. While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain.
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