Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill
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List Price: Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill
Bowflex 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. |
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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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.
Sports reviews of Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill
Customer Review: Good, but NOT GREAT.
Sport shop rating: 3 Stars
Nice machine. Good feel. Heavy. Solid. Falls a little flat. Not quite enough follow through in design and programming.
The users manual is almost useless. It doesn't explain how to use the pre-set workout programs, or HOW to perform the machine's routine maintenance. For example it says "lubricate belt" but doesn't say HOW to do that. And it says "be sure the belt is at the right tension." How the heck would I know if it is at the right tension? How critical is the tension? Worst of all, the manual seems to be a general guide regardless of which machine you have, so you are never sure (or you have to read Really carefully) whether the particular feature it references even APPLIES to the Series 3.
A nice feature is that the installation hardware arrived neatly packaged in plastic shrunk to a piece of cardboard that made it easy to identify everything and ensure you have everything you need before starting. Unfortunately I was supposed to have 22 of a particular type of screw, but I only had 20 of it. There was another screw type that I only needed four of, but the kit had 6. Fortunately the two extra fit where the two missing needed to go, so I just made sure where I used the "extras" installed where I don't see them. (Since they are shiny silver, compared to the flat black of the missing ones.) Incidentally there was a small "7" sticker on the back of the piece of cardboard the hardware kit came on, which made me wonder if perhaps they gave me a series 7 hardware kit?
Unfortunately during my ten mile walk yesterday I got static electric zaps 50 or 60 times. Maybe if I wore the safety clip I wouldn't build up a charge, but I won't wear the safety clip because when I accidentally pulled the safety key out (twice!) yesterday the machine wouldn't restart my program from where it had left off... I had to power down, power up, and re-enter my weight, desired program, etc.
The static electric zaps are NOT because my receptacle isn't grounded; it is definitely grounded.
The heart rate monitor is unreliable enough to be dismissed as worthless. Heart rate can be an excellent workout guide, but if I were serious about using it I'd get a stand alone system that I could link up to my computer, so this worthless feature doesn't bother me too much.
The area where you should be able to place your books or magazines is NOT shaped right for placing your reading materials there. Whatta fail! How hard would it have been for them to make a nice ledge? Instead the ledge has no lip and everything is curved plastic. You can sort of balance your magazine there, but I keep thinking it's going to fall underfoot and I'll sprain my ankle. I happen to watch TV while walking/jogging, so the reading materials issue doesn't affect me too much, but it sucks to know the designers were so worried about making the dashboard accommodate the FAN that is present there in the series 5 and 7 that they threw the series 3 customers to the dogs.
I'm not the most intense runner in the world, but I do like to walk or jog 10-15 miles at a time at about 5mph. Since I am so slow I end up having to break up my workout into a couple sessions because the machine won't let me simply enter my desired DISTANCE. I have to enter how much TIME I want to work out. And it maxes out at 90 minutes. (Or maybe it lets you enter 99 minutes, but I go with a couple of 90 minute workouts for easier math.) It would be nice if I didn't have to break up my routine and keep track of my stats and add them together later. That seems silly for what could be such a nice machine.
It would be nice if the workout keys were labled, but they aren't. You have to either simply remember which programs are which, label the buttons yourself, or turn the machine on and off while you select each program to see what it is, then turn it off and on again if that wasn't the program you wanted, and try the next program.
Also, I don't mean to complain, but I really miss having a decent "intervals" setting. I was expecting there to be a good "intervals" setting because every "nice" machine I've ever used has had a great one.
I'm talking about the kind of program that lets you rest a minute then kicks up the speed and incline for a minute or two then lets you rest, then kicks it up higher, then lets you rest, then kicks it up til you think you're going to die, etc. THAT is a great workout. This machine doesn't really have anything like that.
Here is a description of the programs and the led icons for each program:
1. CARDIO (oval track)
-you basically adjust the speed and incline manually throughout your workout
2. CARDIO (2 litle hills)
3. RUNNING (6 little hills)
4. FAT BURN (6 little hills)
5. SPEED INTERVAL (8 little hills)
6. HILL INTERVAL (2 big hills)
Bascially Running, fat burn, and speed interval look like pretty much the same program, just with slightly different speeds and inclines. The cardio and hill interval programs also look pretty similar to each other, except the hill interval raises the incline a lot more.
Bottom line: this is a good, basic, solid machine. It could have been a great machine but Bowflex was more interested in the bells and whistles they gave their series 5 and series 7 customers.
That won't stop me from getting the most out of my new treadmill, but it will stop me from buying from this company again.
Customer Review: Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill and Shipping Procedure Review
Sport shop rating: 3 Stars
Shipping:
My treadmill shipped relatively quickly from the date of purchase. The treadmill was shipped via Eagle Freight. Eagle shipped the treadmill from Dallas, TX to Memphis, TN. The treadmill was then handed off to R&L carriers for delivery to my residence in central MS.
When I received the treadmill, the box looked like it was not handled with great care. The box had several dents, holes, and tears in the box. When we opened the box, several pieces of the treadmill looked like they had been through a war zone. The metal pieces of the treadmill had black scuff marks. One of the plastic pieces near the track of the treadmill had obviously taken a large blow because there are stress cracks and a hole about the size of a quarter in the plastic.
The R&L carrier driver seemed to take great care and pride in his job when he delivered the package. The treadmill was also the only package on the R&L truck and the driver mentioned he only had a few deliveries in our area. So, I feel the damage most likely occurred with the treadmill in Eagle's possession.
Customer service was acceptable by both delivery parties. They both called promptly to schedule delivery and Eagle called me to notify me that they had handed off the treadmill to R&L.
The Treadmill:
Ok, on to the treadmill. The treadmill required some assembly. The assembly was reasonably easy. The instructions were well written and all required tools come with the treadmill. Assembly took a total of 30 minutes.
The controls of the treadmill are easy to use and documentation of each program can be easily found in the owner's manual. The treadmill is also very quiet when in use at a jogging pace.
Overall, this is a decent treadmill for the price. I would have given the treadmill a much higher rating if it wasn't damaged during shipping.
Customer Review: Warranty Warning! Misleading and Frustrating...
Sport shop rating: 2 Stars
I had this treadmill for less than 6 months when it simply stopped working. The power would come on, but that's it. No problem... it's under warranty, right?
Thus began the customer service/warranty nightmare with Bowflex/Nautilus.
Day 1: Called customer service from work, explained the problem and asked them to send someone out. I was informed that I would need to go over the problem with customer service when I was at home and could access the treadmill.
Day 2: Called customer service and was informed that I needed to grab my multi-meter so we could take the treadmill apart and diagnose the problem. Not owning a multi-meter and not knowing exactly what a multi-meter was, I asked again, can you please just send out a tech to fix it. That's when I was informed that Bowflex/Nautilus will not send out someone to diagnose the problem, they will only send someone out to FIX the problem. Not being a treadmill repair tech myself, I thought this was absolutely ridiculous. I was informed by customer service that they could recommend someone for me to HIRE to come out and diagnose the issue, but that the warranty only covered replacement/repair of the treadmill, not diagnosing the issue. Unbelievable.
Day 6: After going to the hardware store, spending $20 on a multi-meter... I am unable to get through to customer service after being on hold two separate time for a total of 57 minutes.
Day 7: Called customer service and attempted to diagnose the problem with the multi-meter. The customer service rep (not a repair technician) pulled up the Series 3 repair manual on her computer screen and began reading steps to me. We took off the motor housing and began disconnecting wires. I was instructed to test the wires with the multi-meter. However, she was not even able to tell me the proper setting/reading I was looking for on the multi-meter. So, basically after testing the first wire, not understanding the reading I was getting, she declared that this wire MUST BE the problem and would order the part and send it to me. Expressing my uncertainty at this diagnosis got me nowhere... which didn't really matter, because at least now a tech was coming. Well, maybe not. She was simply sending me the parts to replace myself. After some extended discussion... she backtracked and said they could send a tech.
Day 11: The parts arrived. Now I am given a telephone number and instructed to make arrangements with the third-party tech company to come and repair the treadmill.
Day 15: Tech arrived... he was shocked that Bowflex/Nautilus made a lay person take apart the machine, go out and buy a multi-meter, and mess around with the insides of the machine. In fact, I heard him on the phone with his boss telling him how unbelievable that was. The tech informed me that, of course, the problem had nothing to do with the parts Bowflex/Nautilus sent and that it was the motor control board that must be replaced. He stated that he would advise Bowflex/Nautilus immediately and get the new part ordered.
Day 21: Six days passed and no part. So I call Bowflex/Nautilus to check and surprise... they had no record of the request or order. But, they'd be happy to order it right away and send it out to me. Another delay.
Day 28: Part arrived and tech re-scheduled.
Day 35: The tech returned... such a nice guy, definitely placed the order for the new part immediately after leaving my house the first time. He replaced the motor control board and finally the treadmill was fixed. I wished him a fond farewell and told him, no offense but I hope to never see him again... he smiled and said "oh you will, you own a Bowflex/Nautilus treadmill."
Hard for me to give this any more than two stars. The machine itself is nice... but it lasted less than six months before needing repair. And the warranty is absolutely ridiculous. It cost me hours of my time, a trip to the hardware store where I had to spend my own money to buy a product to assist a customer service rep, not a repair tech, diagnose the problem, then wait a month for it to actually be fixed. Needless to say, I won't be buying a Bowflex/Nautilus product again.
Best of luck to those who buy one anyway.
Customer Review: Cross your fingers and hope you get a good one
Sport shop rating: 1 Stars
Bought this treadmill about 18 mo.'s ago in July 2007.
The Good: Solid, sturdy treadmill. Clearly not a cheap piece of junk. Not difficult to assemble. East to fold up (we don't really use that feature but I've tested it and it's not a problem).
The Bad: If you get a defective one, you're stuck; good luck trying to get it repaired, and good luck trying to return it. The problem with our treadmill (Bowflex Series 3) is that the running deck is at a permanent incline/elevation even after an attempted repair. First, we had to wrangle with Bowflex to get them to send someone out to look at it. When Bowflex did send someone out for us, the guy told my wife that the treadmill deck angle was "normal" and that there was nothing wrong with it. Luckily I work close to home, because I had to come home from work and argue with the guy! When I got my 6 foot level out and showed him that the degree of incline was in excess of 15 degrees, he finally relented and agreed that there might be a problem. He then - lo and behold - discovered a problem with the motor-mount and bowflex agreed to send a part and have it repaired. It's been a year since the "repair," and it's better - at about a 5% elevation now - but still not right. I also use the treadmills at the gym in my office building and it's clear to me that our treadmill running deck angle is not "normal." I'm all for running on hills, but not 100% of the time!! So, I now have a board under the rear wheels to help make the treadmill level (in case you're wondering, the floor under the treadmill is perfectly level). Anyway, just what you want with a $1000 treadmill right, a board under the back end.
I'm not saying that all Bowflex treadmills are bad, but I do caution you that you may be gambling with your $1000 because you risk getting a defective one. You also risk not having the company repair the product properly even if they are willing to send someone out to look at it. Also, our problem occurred about a year ago, but I've seen a recent reviewer state that bowflex now refuses all responsibility for treadmills sold through Amazon. If I were purchasing this treadmill, I would sure want to find out whether that's true before plunking down my grand.
Customer Review: Hastle
Sport shop rating: 1 Stars
I ordered the Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill on 4/25/2008 and received it 05/09/2008. I received a damaged treadmill that appeared to have been damaged in shipping. Bowflex made we jump through hoops in order to obtain replacment parts under warranty and but were glad to ship the parts once their requirements were fulfilled. I recieved the replacement parts on 5/23/2008. Bowflex was unwilling to provide additional assistance because the item was purchased through Amazon. So, I received a damaged treamill that I have to fix, but I still paid a retail premium price for the item. I have not been able to use the product since I received it.