Bowflex Exercise Bike Review 2024: A Complete Guide to Bowflex’s Exercise Bikes

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Whether you’re looking for an exercise bike to add to your home gym for the many benefits it offers (like improved heart health) or to explore the world with scenic rides from the comfort of your own living room, there are many reasons why you may want to consider investing in a high-quality bike in 2024. While it can be easy to lean toward the most popular and high-end indoor cycling brands, like Peloton or NordicTrack, there are many great brands to consider that offer well-built exercise bikes at more affordable price points—and one of our favorites is Bowflex.

Bowflex is a leading indoor fitness brand that sells affordable cardio machines like treadmills, ellipticals and indoor bikes, in addition to strength training equipment and accessories. It offers three exercise bikes that each cater to different interests and budgets, so if you’re shopping around or just getting started on researching indoor cycling bikes, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about them in one handy guide. Our Bowflex exercise bike review dives into the key features of each bike, what the cycling experience is like and how Bowflex bikes compare to other leading indoor cycling brands.

Bowflex VeloCore 22 Bike

Key Features:

• Dimensions: 59.8 inches L x 24.1 inches W x 55.3 inches H
• Weight: 158.3 pounds
• Weight capacity: 325 pounds
• Resistance levels: 100
• Monitor: 22-inch adjustable HD touchscreen
• Warranty: Two years frame and parts, one year electronics and one year labor
• JRNY included: Included for one year, then costs $19.99 per month
• Price: $2,199

Bowflex VeloCore 22 Bike is the higher-end model of Bowflex’s VeloCore series, offering a cinematic 22-inch adjustable HD touchscreen that’s much more immersive than the 16-inch screen offered in the lower-end model. While the touchscreen is arguably the crowning feature of this interactive spin bike, there are many details that make the VeloCore 22 a noteworthy buy. It has a durable and heavy-duty frame made out of corrosion-resistant reinforced steel (meaning it won’t rust), front and rear stabilizers to keep your rides from being wobbly and a narrow and adjustable racing-style seat. There are also four-way adjustable handlebars to meet various heights.

Another standout feature that the VeloCore 22 comes with is its dual riding modes that include a leaning mode and stationary mode—a unique feature that lets you ride the bike from side-to-side or straight forward, which does an excellent job of simulating real road riding. For people who like to alternate between cycling shoes and regular training shoes (or wear one rather than the other), VeloCore 22’s dual-sided pedals offer options for both styles. On one side of the pedals, you’ll find SPD clips for cycling shoes, while the flip side includes toe cages for regular gym shoes. This is a great feature to have on hand for people who don’t want to invest in separate cycling shoes, since they can run expensive and aren’t always as comfortable as training shoes.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro rider, Bowflex VeloCore 22 offers 100 levels of silent magnetic resistance that easily let you crank up your rides from light to challenging. While there’s no automatic trainer control or auto-adjusting resistance, you can use the manual resistance knob located beneath the handlebars to change your resistance level. The spin bike also has a media rack to hold your phone or tablet. It's equipped with Bluetooth, so you're able to connect to speakers, headphones, or the included Bluetooth heart rate armband that you can wear to measure your pulse while you exercise. Other metrics that the VeloCore 22 tracks are time, distance, calories, burn rate, cadence and resistance, plus interval when used with JRNY, a fitness subscription platform compatible with Bowflex bikes.

While the expansive 22-inch HD touchscreen provides a cinematic experience with JRNY classes or scenic rides, it’s also compatible with a number of popular streaming platforms that you can stream directly from the screen. The VeloCore 22 can stream Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max (with a JRNY subscription), in addition to JRNY radio; however, you’ll need an existing subscription to access these platforms on your bike. Another convenient high-tech feature that this stationary bike offers is its compatibility with Zwift and Peloton apps that you can stream on your own device. The only caveat is that you can’t stream them directly from the touchscreen, but the integrated media tablet holder makes it easy to prop up a tablet.

On the back of the spin bike are two dumbbell holders to hold the three-pound dumbbells that come with your purchase of the VeloCore 22, which you can use on your own or with guided classes for an upper-body workout while you ride. There are also two water bottle holders on each side of the bike to help you stay hydrated through tough workouts.

Overall, the Bowflex VeloCore 22 offers a quiet riding experience thanks to its silent magnetic resistance, a stable ride with its sturdy reinforced steel build and a budget-friendly interactive alternative to high-end spin bikes. The leaning mode is also a huge perk for anyone who loves the feel of realistic road cycling, but a handful of customers complain that leaning side-to-side makes them feel nauseous.

Best for:

• Simulated road riding
• Peloton alternative
• Third-party streaming

Bowflex VeloCore 16 Bike

Key Features:

• Dimensions: 59.8 inches L x 24.1 inches W x 55.3 inches H
• Weight: 158.3 pounds
• Weight capacity: 325 pounds
• Resistance levels: 100
• Monitor: 16-inch adjustable HD touchscreen
• Warranty: Two years frame and parts, one year electronics and one year labor
• JRNY included: Included for one year, then costs $19.99 per month
• Price: $1,799

The Bowflex VeloCore 16 Bike is nearly the same as the VeloCore 22 bike with two key differences: It has a 16-inch adjustable HD touchscreen (rather than 22-inch screen), and it’s slightly shorter by a little under three inches. Otherwise, you get all of the same great features as the VeloCore 22 for $400 less than the higher-end model. This includes leaning mode and stationary mode to let you simulate natural forms of riding; 100 resistance levels; and JRNY streaming compatibility with third-party apps like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and more.

You’ll also get the same included accessories, such as three-pound dumbbells for upper body workouts and a Bluetooth heart rate monitor to track your pulse as you exercise. Overall, the VeloCore 16 bike has a clean interface and functionality that makes it extremely user-friendly. The 16-inch touchscreen is highly responsive, the JRNY app easy to navigate and the tracking metrics detailed enough for you to accurately track your performance and fitness goals. (This can be helpful if you’re plugging in your exercises to calorie counter apps like MyFitnessPal.) While a JRNY membership elevates the interactive options that this bike offers, it’s not required.

Each purchase of a VeloCore bike nets you a complimentary one-year subscription to JRNY, a WiFi-powered fitness platform that otherwise costs $149 for a year's worth of service. While the warranty window is lackluster on both VeloCore models, the one-year subscription somewhat makes up for it, since most fitness brands offer only a one-month trial for subscription fitness platforms (like iFIT or Peloton). This gives you an entire year to try JRNY classes and make an informed decision about whether or not you want to continue having a membership.

Free trial aside, we love the VeloCore 16 for its comfort-first design, quiet ride and sturdy build, which are just a few reasons why this bike was a 2021 honoree for the CES Innovation Awards, an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering. It’s regularly hailed as one of the best exercise bikes on the market and beats the price of top competitors by $500 to over $1,000, depending on the brand. It’s a cost-saving, high-tech model that offers the same capabilities and features as other high-end exercise bikes at a fraction of the cost.

Best for:

• Small spaces
• Detailed metrics tracking
• Interactive fitness classes

Bowflex C6 Bike

Key Features:

• Dimensions: 48.7 inches L x 21.2 inches W x 51.8 inches H
• Weight: 112 pounds
• Weight capacity: 330 pounds
• Resistance levels: 100
• Monitor: Backlit LCD display
• Warranty: 10 years frame, three years mechanical parts, three years electronics and one year labor
• JRNY included: Included for one year, then costs $19.99 per month
• Price: $999

The most basic exercise bike in Bowflex’s roster is the Bowflex C6 Bike, a simple spin bike that doesn’t skimp out on features despite its low price point of $999 (and you can usually snag this bike on sale for a few hundred dollars less). Like the VeloCore models, the Bowflex C6 comes with a corrosion-resistant reinforced steel frame that feels sturdy and stable despite its smaller footprint of just over 48 inches long and 21 inches wide. It has front-mounted wheels for easy transport (which a light weight of 112 pounds makes much more doable), welded junction points that give an extra layer of security and a plastic drive cover to protect the mechanical parts.

Another key design element is the heavy 40-pound flywheel, which gives this exercise bike great momentum to propel you through high-speed rides. Like the VeloCore bikes, it also has 100 levels of silent magnetic resistance that offer a smooth and quiet ride, which is a bonus feature for those who live in apartments or homes where other household members require a silent environment to focus. The C6 has the same dual-sided pedals as the other two Bowflex bikes, with SPD clips on one side for cycling shoes and adjustable toe cages on the opposite side for athletic shoes.

The Bowflex C6 comes with a narrow, racing-style seat similar to those found on standard bicycles, but customers can choose to purchase an extra comfort bike seat for $39.99 that’s more similar to the seat found on beach cruiser bikes. Both the seat and the handlebars are adjustable (the handlebars can move up, down, front and back), and the C6 can accommodate a wide user height range of 4’ 6” to 6’ 6”. Therefore, this budget exercise bike is quite literally a good fit for most people. Similar to the VeloCores, it also comes with dual water bottle holders, three-pound dumbbells and a Bluetooth heart rate armband. You’ll also get a media tray at the very top of the handlebars to hold your phone or tablet.

However, there are a few key specs that set the C6 apart from the VeloCore models and ultimately give it a lower price point. Instead of an interactive touchscreen, the C6 comes with a small backlit display found between the handlebars. It still tracks all of your important metrics like time, speed, calories burned and distance, but you won’t get the high-tech features that the more expensive Bowflex bike models come with. While your purchase includes a free one-year trial to JRNY, you’ll need to stream it on your own smart device, but the integrated media tray makes that easy to do. You also won’t get the intuitive leaning mode and stationary mode that can be found on the VeloCore bikes, but if you don’t like riding side-to-side, or if this type of riding style makes you feel nauseous, this isn’t really a feature that you’ll end up missing.

Despite the lower price point, Bowflex C6 comes with several elevated perks that you won’t find on the more expensive Bowflex bikes. For example, you’ll get a much more robust warranty that includes 10 years frame, three years mechanical parts, three years electronics and one year labor. You’ll also get a slightly higher user weight capacity of 330 pounds, versus 325 pounds on the VeloCore bikes. And, if you just don’t care for guided fitness classes or prefer riding in a manual style, this bike gets the job done at a much lower price. It has a quiet ride thanks to magnetic resistance, a sturdy and stable build and a compact design that fits most spaces. The only real complaint we have is that it doesn’t have any built-in workout programs, so your two options are cycling manually or using JRNY or another cycling app for guided classes.

Best for:

• People on a budget
• Taller users
• Serious training

JRNY

JRNY is a subscription fitness platform that’s compatible with Bowflex exercise bikes and other Bowflex equipment like the Bowflex Treadmill 10, Bowflex Max Trainer M6 elliptical and SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells. Each bike purchase comes with a free one-year trial to the program; a subscription costs $19.99 per month after the trial ends. The platform offers adaptive workouts with real-time coaching, which are personalized programs that automatically adjust to your fitness level. This can be a beneficial feature for people with fitness goals or those looking to improve their fitness game. It has thousands of trainer-led classes that include interval training, VeloCore lean programs for VeloCore leaning mode, full-body workouts and more. You can also use JRNY for off-bike workouts like strength training, yoga, Pilates, core and barre. In addition, there are different class types such as HIIT, recovery and endurance.

For those who are fans of detailed metrics tracking, JRNY has real-time tracking that logs milestones, achievements and personal bests, so you can see first-hand how your fitness level improves if you become serious about riding your Bowflex bike regularly. Then there’s another interactive feature that JRNY offers called Explore the World, a virtual reality program that lets you bike through more than 200 scenic destinations worldwide. However, this program isn’t well-loved by customers, and many complain that the scenic routes are simply recorded loops. The Explore the World app on Apple store, for example, has a low 2.1/5-star rating. “The graphics are beautiful, but that’s about it at this point,” one customer writes. “There are a very limited amount of videos and all of these videos are with video only, no sound.”

Overall, our bottom line is that JRNY offers a clean and simple fitness interface that’s easy to navigate. It has a “just for you” feature that suggests fitness classes tailored to your interests and fitness level, a convenient filter function that lets you quickly find what you’re looking for and a moderate-sized library of on-demand fitness programs. While the offerings aren’t nearly as robust as those included in a Peloton or iFIT subscription, which both have live classes, they’re enough for basic training and enjoyable workouts that help you elevate your fitness level. The third-party app streaming integration is another great perk that lets you watch Netflix and more while you ride. Still, the lack of live classes and the more limited library may be a drawback for people seeking out a fitness community or a very diverse array of fitness programs.

Pros of Bowflex Exercise Bikes

• More affordable compared to competitors
• Leaning mode simulates real road riding
• Compatible with Zwift and Peloton apps
• Reinforced and corrosion-resistant design
• Silent magnetic resistance and quiet ride
• Heavy flywheel to support fast rides
• Dual-sided pedals with SPD clips and toe cages
• Cinematic touchscreens on VeloCore models
• High user weight capacity and height range

Cons of Bowflex Exercise Bikes

• Requires JRNY subscription for full access
• No pre-programmed workouts (only manual)
• Narrow warranty window on VeloCore bikes
• Additional fees for delivery and/or assembly
• Returns don’t include shipping costs

Bowflex Policies

Before purchasing any exercise bike (or major fitness equipment), it’s important to brush up on policies offered by the brand you buy from. This can help you make an informed decision that includes knowledge on what might happen in the event that your bike breaks down or you need to return your bike. Here’s everything you need to know about Bowflex policies in one place.

Returns

Bowflex offers a customer satisfaction guarantee that allows you to return your exercise bike within six weeks of delivery if you’re not happy with your purchase. Still, this is much easier said than done because returning heavy fitness equipment is no easy feat. This will require taking apart or disassembling your bike, packing it up and lugging it outside for pickup from a shipping company. You’ll also need to include all accessories and materials, like dumbbells, and the bike must be in its original condition. If you take this route, shipping and handling and assembly fees aren’t included in your refund, so you may lose a big chunk of money if you return your bike.

Assembly

Bowflex lets customers pick between assembling bikes themselves for free or purchasing in-home assembly for an additional $129 to $199, depending on the bike you choose. In-home assembly includes moving any boxes from your garage or covered areas (like your porch) into your home gym or workout room. It also includes full assembly by a qualified technician who will then remove all boxes and packaging materials and place them wherever you keep your trash or recycling. It’s important to keep in mind that Bowflex schedules assembly appointments after your bike has already been delivered, so chances are you’ll need to bring it inside yourself if you’re not comfortable leaving your boxes outside your door for security or weather reasons. This is something to consider if you or others in your home aren’t able to lift heavy boxes.

Contact info

While many fitness brands offer numerous customer service contact options that include chat, email and phone numbers that you can find listed on one website landing page, Bowflex does things a little differently (and you have to look in several places to find all of your options). There is a customer care line that you can contact by phone on weekdays and a Facebook page that you can message for support. However, if you go to the Facebook page, you’ll also find an email listed for direct contact that many customers may find more convenient. For reasons unknown, this email isn’t listed on the official Bowflex customer service page, so the brand could do a better job of including all customer service resources and contact info in one accessible place.

Warranty

Bowflex’s warranty options differ from one bike to another. Both VeloCore models, for example, come with a two-year frame and parts warranty, a one-year electronics warranty and a one-year labor warranty. This is a very short warranty window since an exercise bike taken care of well can last up to 15 years or more. The C6 model, on the other hand, which has a lower price point than the VeloCore bikes, has a significantly better warranty. The C6 comes with a 10-year frame warranty, three-year mechanical parts warranty, three-year electronics warranty and one-year labor warranty. If anything, we think these warranties should be flip-flopped because customers expect a better warranty when buying at a higher price point. That said, Bowflex offers the option of purchasing an additional five-year protection plan for $109, which gives you extended parts and labor coverage, but this protection plan doesn’t include extended frame coverage.

Financing

Bowflex customers who want to take advantage of financing options can apply for a Bowflex credit card. This credit card allows you to pay for your Bowflex exercise bike within 18 months with no interest, and any late payments over the 18-month period will start to charge interest (minimum payments are required). Keep in mind that opening any credit cards may affect your credit, so some customers may not like or be able to take advantage of this financing option.

Shipping

Normally, Bowflex bikes come with standard shipping that costs $99 for deliveries within the continental U.S. and $99 or $199 for deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii, depending on the model. This shipping cost is separate from the in-home assembly cost, so it’s important to consider additional expenses like these as you budget for your purchase and any accessories you may need to buy. To avoid shipping fees, you can also purchase some Bowflex bikes from Amazon with free shipping.

The brand sometimes does run free shipping promotions like the ones offered at the time of this article (these include free shipping incentives as part of a sale or product bundle).

Bowflex vs. Other Brands

Doing your research and comparing exercise bikes from different fitness brands can help you choose a machine that’s right for you. Here’s how Bowflex stacks up against competitors.

Peloton

When it comes to build and design, Peloton and Bowflex (especially the VeloCore 22) are pretty on par. Both have 100 levels of magnetic resistance that you can adjust with a resistance knob, dual water bottle holders, adjustable handlebars and seat and a nearly even-sized touchscreen. While it may not be the most popular option for Peloton users, you can also stream Netflix and some other third-party apps by doing a little digging through touchscreen options. A few features make the bikes different, though. The Peloton exercise bike doesn’t have the leaning mode that VeloCore 22 offers, but on the flip side, JRNY subscribers won’t be able to take advantage of live classes (just on-demand) or a leaderboard like they can on the Peloton bike and Peloton app. Therefore, if you’re seeking out a fitness community, Peloton will be a better option for you.

ProForm

ProForm offers a much more robust assortment of exercise bikes than Bowflex, which includes upright bikes and recumbent bikes. It also has a unique hybrid trainer that blends elliptical and cycling into one machine. However, ProForm’s Studio Bike Pro 22 (the closest competitor to the VeloCore 22 model) and the Carbon CX (ProForm’s variation of the C6) have significantly lower price points than their Bowflex counterparts. For the lower price, you still get many of the same features like dual-sided pedals, silent magnetic resistance and interactive classes with an iFIT subscription. One benefit that ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 offers over Bowflex VeloCore 22 (which have the same-sized screens) is that its screen can pivot for floor-based workouts.

NordicTrack

NordicTrack is a high-end fitness brand that sells three commercial studio bikes, one recumbent bike and one upright bike. The commercial studio bikes are the closest to the Bowflex VeloCore models, but NordicTrack doesn’t currently offer a model that rivals Bowflex C6 (all spin bikes have touchscreen displays). The studio bikes come with three touchscreen sizes of 10, 22 and 27 inches, beating out the largest touchscreen that Bowflex offers. While you can expect to pay more money for the 27-inch touchscreen, the NordicTrack S22i studio bike actually costs $200 less than the competing Bowflex VeloCore 22 bike. While it doesn’t have the same leaning mode capability, it does have an incline feature that lets you bike uphill and downhill. If you enjoy steep climbs, then you may want to consider investing in a NordicTrack studio bike over Bowflex.

Related Post: NordicTrack vs Bowflex: Which Brand is Better?

Schwinn

Schwinn is regarded as a leader when it comes to affordable fitness equipment for your home gym, and the brand is known for its indoor exercise bike line. While its cycling bikes don’t have nearly the same high-tech features (for example, you won’t find any touchscreens on Schwinn bikes; just LCD displays), both spin bikes, which include the Schwinn IC3 and Schwinn IC4 models, have dual-sided pedals, metrics tracking and magnetic or infinitely variable resistance. This type of resistance has no limit. Schwinn bikes are best for home gym enthusiasts on a budget who want to bring the cycling experience home without any bells and whistles, and at a great price.

Bowflex Exercise Bikes FAQs

Does Bowflex make good exercise bikes?

Bowflex makes affordable and sturdy indoor cycling bikes that offer a more budget-friendly alternative to high-end buys like the Peloton bike. Bowflex exercise bikes tend to be well-built and durable, with many Bowflex customers reporting a positive and enjoyable riding experience.

Do Bowflex bikes work without a subscription?

Yes, you can use any Bowflex bike without a subscription. While subscribing to the JRNY app will net you access to on-demand workout classes led by personal trainers, you can exercise on all Bowflex bikes on a manual setting. You can also use a third-party fitness app to stream a workout program from your phone or tablet; you just won’t be able to stream it on a Bowflex touchscreen. Bowflex is compatible with several third-party apps, including Peloton and Zwift.

Do Bowflex bikes automatically adjust resistance?

Bowflex bikes don’t come with automatic trainer control, so you’ll need to adjust your resistance manually with the resistance knob located beneath the handlebar, even with JRNY classes.

Final Thoughts

Adding a high-quality exercise bike to your home gym lets you bring the cycling experience indoors. You don’t have to splurge on a high-end brand to get features like interactive classes, detailed metrics tracking and a sturdy build. Bowflex offers three great indoor cycling bikes that offer the same attractive features as competitors for a much more affordable price point without skimping on quality. If you’re in the market for a new indoor bike, be sure to check out our Bowflex exercise bike review for specs, details and more on its three spin bikes, as well as how these models stack up to competitors. That way, you can feel confident in making the right choice for your home gym.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.