The Bowflex TreadClimber helps you burn more calories than other weight losing equipment. Therefore, the claim is true – it helps you lose weight fast and efficiently. It also works on the core muscles. What is more – it works on the core muscle groups simultaneously. The machine is so designed to minimize any joint impacts. All the above benefits are without having to do running or jogging.

How does this wonder machine work? The design of this machine is innovative. It is based on a dual motion treadle system. The treadles are designed to move up and down according to your footsteps. You can ideally call Bowflex TreadClimber as a hybrid of the treadmill and the elliptical trainer. You need not run or jog on the TreadClimber but just walk. Because it is designed only for walking, it is shorter in length and therefore does not consume much space at your home or gym.

Compared to a treadmill, the Bowflex TreadClimber gives a better workout. The design of the machine allows you to burn twice the calories that you would burn at a treadmill running at the same speed. You can get the same output with a treadmill but you will have to do more effort and is not as efficient as the TreadClimber.

The impact that the joints have while working out on a TreadClimber is much less. When you work out on a treadmill, the impact can be up to 2.5 times of your body weight. In addition, since it is designed for walking, it does not cause as much stress as running can cause.

The disadvantage with the TreadClimber is that it works mostly on toning the lower part of the body. You would still need to do something more to tone the upper part. In addition, there are dual belts and rollers to minimize the impact on joints, which can get complicated at times, unlike the simple design of the treadmill. Overall, the TreadClimber offers a more efficient workout than treadmills.

Overview

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5500 is the top of the line TreadClimber model for 2010.  The G.O. Coach (Goal Oriented) technology is what’s new in this latest version of TreadClimber series.  G.O. Coach is an interactive system helps you setup goals and track your progress.  Not only that, the G.O. Coach also includes 9 Challenge Landmark workouts.  You can start with 3 landmarks, including Lady Liberty, Space Needle, and TransAmerica Tower.  As you complete each landmark, you earn trophies and with enough trophies, you unlock a new set of landmarks.  Think of G.O. Coach as a game, with each landmark being a new level in the game.  It’s designed to make your workouts fun and challenging at the same time.  The machine has speed range 0.4 to 4.5 mph and 0-12 resistance range.  The TC5500 now has 15 electronic functions with the added landmarks:  Time / Distance / Custom / Calorie Count / HR workout / and 9 Landmark Challenges.  It also has wireless heart monitoring with a wireless chest strap.  The console has plenty of room for water bottles and magazines.  Personalized Profiles keeps track of workout progress for up to 4 people.  The Quick Start feature will pick one the 3 Landmarks and get started right away.  The Climb Indicator visually tracks your distance in miles.  The machine weighs 217 pounds and has a maximum weight 300 pounds.  It also has transport wheels.  There is a 5 year warranty on the motor, 3 years on the parts, 3 years on the electronics, and 2 years on the hydraulics.  Nautilus offers a six week, money back guarantee.  The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5500 costs $3,299.

Pros

As with all the other TreadClimbers, the TC5500 provides a great workout and makes it more fun with the new G.O. Coach.  The TC550 has longer foot treadles which makes more comfortable to operate than the previous TreadClimbers.  The weight of the product has vastly improved at 217 pounds, as the previous top of the line models such as the TC6000 and TC5300 weighed 350 pounds

Cons

This is a very expensive machine compared to similar products offered by competitors such as NordicTrack.

Customer Reviews

We have not gathered many customer reviews yet as the TC5500 is very new; however, we have heard a couple customers complain of motor issues.

Conclusion

If you’re a Bowflex fan, this is the machine to get and the G.O. Coach feature is definitely unique and cutting edge.  There’s no doubt TreadClimbers provide a great workout , but we still find them very expensive.

This model has been discontinued.

Overview

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC6000 is a top of the line model of the TreadClimber series.  The speed range is 0.5 to 4.5 mph (same as the TC5300, but slightly faster than the TC5000).  It offers 12 resistance levels.  It also offers the same 8 electronic tracking features of the TC5300 and TC5000: speed, distance, total steps, time, calories per minute, total calories, climb indicator, and heart rate.  You also get the same wireless heart rate monitor offered on the TC5000 and TC5300.  The TC6000 console has two water bottle holders and a magazine rack and is a bit larger than the consoles on the TC5000 and TC5300.  It has a large, easy to read backlit LCD console.  Another thing unique to the TC6000 is that it offers 12 workout programs.  The TC6000 weighs 350 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds.  It has the Bowflex Advantage feature which keeps track of your total workout volume, your last 5 fitness tests, and it stores weight loss programs for up to 5 people.  The TC6000 also has remote controls so you can change speed without having to lean over to the console.  The Climb Indicator tells you how many floors you’ve climbed.  It is extremely heavy compared to the TC5000 and TC5300, so don’t plan on moving this around much, though it does have wheels.  It comes with a 5 year warranty on the motor, 3 years on the parts, 3 years on the electronics, and 2 year on the hydraulics.  The price of a used or refurbished Bowflex TreadClimber TC6000 is $1,900 – $2,299.

Pros

Faster speeds than previous models.  The TC6000 is very heavy and solid and feels like a real health club machine.

Cons

It is very expensive.  And, even at this price, you still can’t change the resistance levels without stopping the machine.  We feel the TC3000 offers the best value and features for the money.

Customer Reviews

Please note we do not have a very large sample of customer reviews.  Customers always like the workouts that the TreadClimber provides.  The machine appears to be quieter than the cheaper models.

Conclusion

The TC6000 is too expensive and we’d stick with the TC3000, unless you can get a good deal on a used model.

This model has been discontinued.

Overview

The Bowflex TreadClimber 5300 is a top of the line version of the TreadClimber series.   It has a speed range of 0.5 to 4.5 mph and 12 resistance levels.  It offers 8 electronic functions:  speed, distance, time, calories per hour, total calories, floors climbed, odometer and heart rate.  It has a wireless heart rate monitor (with a wireless chest strap).  Additional features include the Climb Indicator which tells you how many floors you’ve climbed and the Ergo Bar which lets you change speeds without leaning over to the console.  It has a single large LCD readout, water bottle holders and a magazine rack.  It also has the Quick Start feature which remembers your last resistance and speed settings.  The TC5300 comes with a 5 year warranty on the motor, 3 years on the parts, 3 years on the electronics and 2 years on the hydraulics.  It weighs 350 pounds and a 300 pound capacity with transport wheels for easy movement.  The price of a used or refurbished TreadClimber TC5300 is $1,699.

Pros

The Climb Indicator and Quick Start are nice advanced features for this top of the line model.

Cons

As with all TreadClimbers, the resistance level cannot be changed without stopping your workout.  It is also a very heavy machine.

Customer Reviews

There does not seem to be a large number of customers who have purchased this machine, so we do not have enough data to go on as far as reliability or feedback is concerned.

Conclusion

The TC5300 seems to a good machine, however, we would not spend the extra money and would stick with the TC5000, unless you can get a good deal on a used model.

Overview

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 is a top of the line version of the TreadClimber series. The speed range is 0.7 to 4.0 mph.  The resistance range is from 0-12.  8 electronic tracking features include speed, distance, total steps, time, calories per minute, total calories, climb indicator, and heart rate.  It has a wireless heart rate monitor (the machine includes a wireless chest strap).  It also has consoles for water and a magazine holder.  The handy Quick Start feature remembers your last resistance and weight settings.  The Climb Indicator tells you how many floors you’ve climbed (similar to what you’d fine on a stair stepper).  The TC5000 weighs 185 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds.  It comes with a 5 year warranty on the motor, 3 years on the parts, 3 years on the electronics, and 2 year on the hydraulics.  The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 costs $2,499.  It can be found used or refurbished for $1,699.

Pros

The added features such as the Quick Start and Climb Indicator are very convenient.

Cons

The machine must be stopped to change resistance.

Customer Reviews

Customers definitely enjoy the TC5000 and see significant weight loss along with improved health after using the machine after just a few weeks.  However, noisiness seems to be an issue with many customers who own any of the TreadClimber series machines.  A few customers have complained of motor issues.  And, it seems to go without saying that Bowflex customer service is mediocre at best.  Be sure to keep your receipt forever in case you run into a problem, as you will have to fax it in for any warranty claims.

Conclusion

Customers seem to be happy with the workout the TC5000 provides and definitely experience positive health benefits.  The $2199 makes it expensive, but the quality and ease of assembly seems to be improved over the TC3000 and TC1000 series.

Overview
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC3000 is a mid-level version of the TreadClimber series. The speed range is 0.7 to 4.0 mph. The intensity levels range from 0-12. Electronic tracking features include speed, distance, time, calories per minute, total calories, and total steps. There are five LCD screens to monitor your stats. The TC3000 weighs 185 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds. It comes with a 3 year warranty on the motor, 2 years on the parts, 2 years on the electronics, and 1 year on the hydraulics. The Bowflex TreadClimber TC3000 costs $1,799. It can found used or refurbished for $1,400 – $1,600.

Pros
Compared to the TC1000, for another $400, you get a slight increase in max speed, water and magazine holders, and a better warranty.

Cons
Taller people (anyone over 5’10”) or those with longer legs cannot use this model as they will not be able to take long enough strides on the treadles. Resistance levels cannot be changed without interrupting your workout.

Customer Reviews
Customers love the workout the TC3000 gives. On the negative side, some customers feel that the machine is noisy and also a pain assemble. A few others have complained of poor construction, hydraulic issues, motor issues, and subpar customer service.

Conclusion
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC3000 provides a good variety of workouts and is an enjoyable machine provided you don’t run into any mechanical problems.

Overview

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 is the entry level version of the TreadClimber line. The speed range is 0.5 to 3.8 mph. It has twelve resistance settings (0-12) that you can adjust to your fitness and comfort levels. It also lets you track your speed, distance, time, calories burned, and calories per minute and total steps. There are three small LCD screens to monitor your stats. The machine weighs about 185 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds. The TC1000 comes with a 1 year warranty on the motors, parts, electronics, and hydraulics. The Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 costs $1,499 direct from Nautilus. It can be found used or refurbished from $1,000 – $1,300.

Pros
At $1499, the Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 is the most affordable of the TreadClimber series.

Cons
The affordability / cheaper price are also a con for the TC1000 as the machine has a “cheap” look and feel. Taller people (anyone over 5’10”) or those with longer legs cannot use this model as they will not be able to take long enough strides on the treadles. You have to stop your workout in order to change resistance levels. It has limited features and the LCD readout screens are small. There is no water holder or magazine rack.

Customer Reviews
Several customers have complained of the machine breaking down or becoming noisy after a very short period of time. Other customers have noted that it is very difficult to assemble and that customer service is not very helpful.

Conclusion
While the TC1000 is the cheapest way to get into a TreadClimber, we feel for an additional $400 the TC3000 is a better value and more reliable.