Updated: January 19, 2024
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 and the NordicTrack 2450 are premium running treadmills with smart training content. These treadmills are for the runner who wants guided training content and doesn’t mind the investment into a subscription platform. Both treadmills are well-designed and have folding frames. After running and walking on both of these machines, I’m ready to break down their similarities and differences to help you decide on the right treadmill for you. While both of these treadmills are excellent for long-distance runners and households with multiple walkers, they have different strengths and weaknesses.
Bowflex Treadmill 22 Highlights
- The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has an impressive build with a 400-lb weight capacity.
- The running surface is 22” x 60”.
- The incline range is -5% to 20%.
- JRNY provides a variety of training content for a more affordable price.
- There are entertainment streaming apps available through JRNY.
- The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has tons of storage.
- A Bluetooth heart rate monitor is included with the Treadmill 22.
NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill Highlights
- The NordicTrack 2450 is more compact and portable.
- The running deck is softly cushioned and bouncy.
- The 2450 has faster speed and incline transitions.
- iFIT has thousands of training classes for the treadmill, other equipment, and mat workouts.
- The speed and incline automatically adjust smartly.
- Google Maps allows users to create virtual training routes anywhere.
Bowflex Treadmill 22 Specs
- Footprint: 85” L x 39.6” W x 70” H
- Deck size: 22” W x 60” L
- Deck Height: 10” (at 0% incline)
- Motor: 4.0 HP (estimated)
- Minimum Ceiling Clearance: User Height + 22”
- Machine Weight: 336 lbs
- Max Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
- Folding: Soft Drop hydraulic assistance
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 mph
- Incline Range: -5% to 20%
- Cushioning: Comfort Tech deck cushioning, firm cushioning
- Warranty: 15-year frame and motor, 5-year mechanical parts, 2-year labor, 1-year electronics
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 65” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.6 CHP; a sufficient motor for heavy use or multi-user households
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 303 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 mph
- Incline/Decline Range: -3% to 12%
- Cushioning: soft
- Roller Size: 1.9 precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
Treadmill Comparison of The Bowflex Treadmill 22 vs NordicTrack Commercial 2450
Build Quality
Both Bowflex and NordicTrack are established brands with a great track record for making quality equipment. These treadmills are premium options from each brand. For Bowflex, the Treadmill 22 is the top treadmill. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is only eclipsed by the incline trainers, the NordicTrack X22i and X32i.
Frame
The frame is one of the Bowflex Treadmill 22’s best features, because it is very solid. It has triangulated uprights that keep the console very still during training. The Treadmill 22 has a 400-lb weight capacity. This construction is quite impressive, but it comes with the drawback of being large and heavy (336 lbs). The 2450’s console is stable enough to view the screen clearly and use all of the features, but it has more shake than the Treadmill 22. It also only supports a maximum user weight of 300 lbs.
The 2450 has a 10-year warranty on its frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. The Treadmill 22 has a 15-year frame warranty, a 5-year parts warranty, 1 year for electronics and the touchscreen, and a 2-year labor warranty.
Overall, the Treadmill 22 has the better frame and construction compared to the 2450. That’s not to say that the NordicTrack 2450 is a poorly made machine. In fact, it is quite nice.
Motor
Bowflex is incredibly secretive when it comes to their motors’ horsepower. We know that the motor horsepower doesn’t tell the whole story, but rather than giving us more information to work with, Bowflex has chosen to give us less. That said, we believe it performs on par with 4-horsepower motors. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a 3.6 continuous horsepower motor. Either treadmill can support walking by multiple users and long-distance running. These treadmills are great for heavy-use households. Yet, it is NordicTrack’s transparency that allows it to conquer this category.
Running Surface
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has the running surface that I think most users will prefer. The cushioning is soft and bouncy, especially compared to running outside. The running surface is 20 inches wide by 60 inches long, which is plenty of room for running. As for the Bowflex Treadmill 22, it has a 22-inch wide and 60-inch long running surface, so it is just a bit wider. Larger users will appreciate that extra space. Yet, the Treadmill 22 is firm. While a firm running deck helps your running paces stay more consistent between the treadmill and the road, many treadmill shoppers prefer something with more shock absorption.
These treadmill running decks have pros and cons that make me want to call this one a draw. However, I think many walkers and runners will prefer the 2450’s cushioning.
Folding/Storage
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is a folding treadmill. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 folds up, but most users may not be able to move it around easily. The NordicTrack 2450 has the advantage of being more portable compared to the Treadmill 22. It weighs 303 lbs including its shipping materials, so it’s hard to say how much lighter it is than the Bowflex Treadmill 22’s 400 lbs. I can move the 2450 around but not the Treadmill 22.
Both treadmills use hydraulics to softly lower the decks to the ground. The 2450 uses a kick release while the Treadmill 22 uses a hand release lever. Some users may find the hand-release lever easier to use.
Incline/Decline
Incline and decline are great features to find on a treadmill. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 and NordicTrack 2450 have these features, but it is the Bowflex Treadmill 22 that stands out. It has a -5% to 20% range. The 2450 has an incline range of -3% to 12%, which is still good. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has the largest incline range I am aware of on folding treadmill. Despite the Treadmill 22’s slower incline adjustments, it’s the winner of this category.
Features & Accessories
These treadmills are designed for you to train with a subscription training service. Their features are curated to improve the training experience with these services. However, many of the features are also accessible without a subscription.
Console Overview
Where the Bowflex Treadmill 22 has a maximalist console, the NordicTrack 2450 has a more streamlined aesthetic. The Treadmill 22 has a large screen with a multitude of features arrayed beneath. The NordicTrack 2450’s console is dominated by its large touchscreen and has a smaller selection of physical features, such as storage. However, the NordicTrack 2450 has a button for each speed and incline level, unlike the Treadmill 22’s smaller selection. I prefer the console layout of the NordicTrack 2450 because of its quick adjust buttons.
Screen
These treadmills have 22-inch touchscreen displays. These large displays are specifically for the content available through their respective training services. I recommend both the Treadmill 22 and the 2450 for walkers and runners who plan to subscribe. If you are trying to avoid a subscription, neither of these treadmills is the perfect fit for you. I suggest looking at the Sole F85 or F89 for a treadmill with a large display without a required subscription.
The screen quality of both treadmills is really nice. The NordicTrack 2450’s screen sits a bit lower than the Treadmill 22, and it pivots and tilts for offscreen viewing. The Treadmill 22’s screen tilts slightly but does not pivot. Both screens are easy to use and see while training. I’ve got to give it to the NordicTrack 2450 for supporting off-treadmill training with its pivoting ability.
Speakers
The speakers are both good quality. I had no problem hearing the instructor’s cues or other audio. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is my preference, because the speakers are Bluetooth and can play music from your phone or tablet. The NordicTrack 2450 does not allow you to play your own audio through the speakers.
Bluetooth Audio
Both treadmills connect to Bluetooth headphones or earbuds if you prefer to train quietly. My only complaint is for the Bowflex Treadmill 22–it beeps out loud even when you are using headphones. I felt self-conscious about disturbing others around me. As an audio alternative, the 2450’s training service, iFIT, has closed captioning for its classes.
Heart Rate
While the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 supports most Bluetooth heart rate monitors, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 has more options. It has EKG pulse grips on its handlebars. It also comes with a Bluetooth heart rate armband.
Storage
The NordicTrack 2450 has two cup holders. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has two cup holders, two pockets, and a large tablet rack. There is also a storage compartment on the crossbar between the uprights. It’s no competition. If you need a lot of items nearby while you are training, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 has you covered.
Fan
Both treadmills have a fan. They are suitable for cooling you off, and their angle is pretty nice. The NordicTrack 2450 has an auto feature that allows the fan speed to speed up or slow down according to your training intensity. NordicTrack is great about creating hands-free walking and running workouts, and this is yet another way they succeed at their goal.
Performance
The NordicTrack 2450 has faster speed and incline transitions than the Bowflex Treadmill 22. This makes the 2450 the better option for runners performing HIIT-style workouts. Its soft cushioning is ideal for recovery runs, hitting faster paces, and increasing mileage. The 2450 suits many types of runs and is a good match for regular training.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has a steep incline and decline range. Trail runners and hikers can use the Treadmill 22 to supplement their outdoor training. These incline options are also great for runners and walkers trying to increase their intensity without increasing their pace. The firm running deck helps runners match their road running paces to their indoor training. It is hard to know how many miles or hours of use a treadmill could handle before it burns out, and we haven’t been able to test it. However, I lean toward the Bowflex Treadmill 22 as the better option for a multi-user household.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and the Bowflex Treadmill 22 are both excellent treadmills for walking and running. I can’t declare a winner in this category, because your preference will largely depend on which category of walker or runner you fall into.
Subscription & Content Options
Bowflex Treadmill 22 Content
JRNY is the Bowflex Treadmill 22’s training service. New members get two free months of JRNY with the Treadmill 22. There are trainer-led classes, structured workouts, and scenic routes to follow. In addition to training content, JRNY gives users access to entertainment options like Netflix and Amazon Prime. There’s also JRNY radio which gives users access to genre radio stations.
There are workouts available for other equipment and strength training available through the app. There aren’t as many classes on JRNY as on the NordicTrack 2450, but it is more affordable.
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 can be used without the JRNY subscription, but its performance isn’t as impressive. The training and entertainment content are so integral to the Treadmill 22 that training without it feels boring. There aren’t any free workouts available on the Treadmill 22 besides the manual workout mode.
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Content
The NordicTrack 2450 uses iFIT. This service costs about twice as much as JRNY, but it has much more training content. One membership gives you access to every iFIT class for the treadmill, cycling, elliptical training, rowing, strength training, yoga, and more. iFIT specializes in outdoor trainer-led classes. iFIT has genre radio stations, but it does not have entertainment streaming apps. It also has a Google Maps integration that allows you to create a route anywhere. The Street View feature of Google Maps creates a slideshow of images that speed up and slow down as you virtually run the route.
One of my favorite iFIT features is the ActivePulse technology. It automatically adjusts the treadmill speed to keep you in the right heart rate zone. You just need a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. Without a monitor, the classes automatically adjust the speed based on the preset parameters. The incline adjusts to match the terrain shown on the screen as closely as possible.
iFIT is not required to use the NordicTrack 2450. You can use manual mode to train without a subscription or WiFi. With WiFi and a free iFIT account, you can train with a sample iFIT class. The NordicTrack 2450 is best used with an active iFIT subscription.
Bottom Line Review: Bowflex Treadmill 22 vs NordicTrack 2450
Both of these treadmills are great for walking and running. I think more walkers and runners will be drawn to the NordicTrack 2450, because it has good cushioning, better training content, and a more compact size. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has a better incline/decline range, entertainment streaming content, and a lot of storage. I am inclined to recommend the NordicTrack 2450 as the best option for most users, but you really can’t go wrong with either one!
