The BowFlex T16 Is a Premium Treadmill That Packs Gym-Style Features Into a Home Model
- The 16-inch HD touchscreen display allows runners to access popular streaming and training apps.
- Like other BowFlex models, the T16 is designed with Flexzone cushioning to help enhance your stride.
BowFlex is no stranger to creating intuitive and practical at-home gym equipment that can last for years, and the T16 is no different. It’s a sturdy treadmill that’s quiet, and entertaining, so it will fit right in with all your other equipment.
I first fell in love with this treadmill over the winter, when I didn’t want to run outdoors after sunset. Like BowFlex’s entry and midlevel treadmills, the T16 is equipped with Quickdial controls and Flexzone cushioning, so it felt easier to run on whether I was doing a quick or long workout. The spacious runway and touchscreen display—where you can access apps, training plans, and controls—are what set it apart from the rest of the Bowflex collection.
Pros
- The incline and speed controls are easy to access
- Flexzone cushioning enhances your stride and lessens the impact on your joints
- Syncs to Apple and Samsung watches so runners can better monitor pace, heart rate, and distance
Cons
- Tends to rock at a higher incline
| Motor | Estimated 3.5 hp, good for running, walking, and interval training |
| Running Path | 22” wide x 60” long |
| Speed | Speeds up to 12 mph |
| Incline | Up to 15% incline, no decline |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame and motor |
A Feature for Every Type of Runner
There are quite a few people who dread treadmill running for one reason or another, but I’d argue the BowFlex T16 has the ability to quiet even the loudest haters because it has a feature for every type of runner.
You can use the touchscreen display to watch your favorite show on Netflix or Amazon Prime, access your Kindle library, and listen to your favorite music. And your options don’t stop there; you can also stream YouTube, play solitaire, or train with JRNY (you get a two-month free trial with your purchase). It has built-in speakers, too, (though, they aren’t the loudest) and Bluetooth.
The T16 also has the ability to sync with Apple and Samsung watches, allowing you to better monitor pace, heart rate, and distance while running. (The downside is you can’t access custom workouts from the watch while connected.) The Quickdial control system ensures a smooth transition between speeds, making it easier to pick up or slow down the pace when needed, and the super-quiet drive belt is a feature all runners—especially heavy-footed ones—can appreciate.
How the BowFlex T16 Makes Workouts Simpler
Whether I’m running outdoors or indoors, I like to stay on top of my average running pace and total distance. Pairing my Apple Watch to the T16 gives me one less thing to worry about. I can start running knowing my pace, heart rate, and distance are accurate, and having that synergy makes monitoring my training progress simpler. It’s the feature that caught my attention first, but it was all the other ones (touchscreen, cushioning, and controls) that kept me coming back.
With the T16, I like that I can hop on, set my exact pace down to the decimal point, and go. The touchscreen display makes it much easier to toggle between my run/walk paces, and it’s the small details like this that I appreciate the most. Senior Gear Editor Cat Bowen agreed, noting the transition between speeds and inclines is smooth and well-paced. “Adjusting the speed is intuitive, which is wonderful, and the same goes for the incline. It has a huge deck, so there’s plenty of space to kick out,” she said. Her only gripe is that at the top range of the incline the treadmill tends to rock, but that also happens with comparable models.
As mentioned, the deck is another reason to invest in this treadmill. The runway is split into three zones to assist every phase of your stride. There’s enhanced cushioning in the front of the platform to promote a softer landing. The supported mid-zone improves turnover, and firmer cushioning toward the back of the belt to encourage a powerful push-off. All of these components translate to a light and airy feeling when on the treadmill, and that’s why I continuously choose this model over the other seven treadmills in the office.
Bowen is a huge fan of the treadmill's multi-zone cushioning, too, because it lessens the impact and contributes to a plush ride. We both rely on the bright red line down the middle of the platform to stay centered while running on the treadmill, and it also serves as a reminder to maintain good form.
Who Should Invest in the T16
The BowFlex T16 is built for all runners, but especially those who need a little more motivation and guidance. The sleek design makes it a good addition to any at-home gym, and it eliminates the need to invest in a TV or entertainment center for your space. All of the features combined make it a good treadmill that will keep you coming back for more runs, training cycle after training cycle.
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BowFlex T16 Treadmill
Monique LeBrun is a health and fitness editor who is based in Easton, Pennsylvania. She covers a wide range of health and wellness topics, with a primary focus on running performance and nutrition. Monique is passionate about creating content that empowers runners to become the best versions of themselves. As an avid runner and parent, she loves spending time outdoors with her daughter, who often accompanies her on weekend runs as her personal mini run coach.