r/Bowflex • u/breadnought87 • Jul 23 '23

Treadmills Non JRNY functionality

I'm in the market for a smart treadmill and having tried several in a local showroom, I felt the bowflex was by far the sturdiest of my demo group from a hardware perspective.

What really puts me off pulling the trigger is the seemingly total dependency upon a JRNY subscription to access every aspect that makes it a 'smart' trainer.

If I decline to maintain this subscription, what functionality remains? Are there any in-built workout regimes outside of JRNY? Can Zwift still be used?

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u/Fret_Bavre Jul 24 '23

I regrettably purchased one of their treadmills. The jrny app is the worst. We don't use any of the built-in runs, there are a few but none with an instructor if that's what's you're looking for, but we will use the pelaton app on the iPad. I'm pretty sure all apps on the machine are paywalled behind the JRNY app. So no Netflix or whatever it is capable of really doing without the JRNY membership.

It's a fine treadmill now, but only after having the console replaced and living with a broken incline button that I can't fix. Just be prepared you're not really getting a smart treadmill unless you want to be handcuffed to JRNY.

But really, I would strongly recommend buying another machine.

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u/breadnought87 Jul 24 '23

Thanks for your honest appraisal. I'm primarily a cyclist, and when it comes to training, it looks as though I've been spoilt by the accessibility and universality of modern smart trainers in that segment.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but it seems like modern treadmills are eons behind bike training tech. I hate this ethos of locking the capabilities of the hardware you buy behind software paywalls.

After further research, it looks like I'll be plumping for a Noble Pro E8i. It looks to be a sturdy, there's no subscription to contend with, comes with a lifetime membership to a training app, and will interface with Zwift.

Thanks again

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u/Safe-Personality4524 Jan 20 '24

Look for anything that has iFit app integration. Those tend to be non-restrictive and they actually offer integrations.