NordicTrack vs. Bowflex: Which Brand is Better?
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NordicTrack and Bowflex are two of the most recognizable names in the fitness industry. The companies offer a lot of similar products, like treadmills and ellipticals, but there are some differences, too. For example, NordicTrack’s fitness app is much more immersive, and Bowflex offers more strength training equipment.
In this honest review of NordicTrack vs Bowflex, we’ll put these two fitness giants head to head to help you decide which one is best for your home gym. We’ll highlight some general similarities and differences, and then dive deeper into their lineup to compare some of the models side by side. We’ll also highlight other important considerations, like what each brand’s fitness app includes and whether or not you need a subscription to actually use the machines.
What Is NordicTrack?
NordicTrack
NordicTrack is an American fitness company that manufactures and sells cardio machines, strength training equipment, and related products. The company’s first product was a ski machine, and then it branched out into a full line of fitness equipment from there.
The company, which was started in 1986, is owned by iFIT Health and Fitness (formerly Icon Health and Fitness), which also owns ProForm, Weider, Freemotion and Sweat. NordicTrack is headquartered in Logan, Utah.
What is Bowflex?
Bowflex
Bowflex is also a fitness company that sells strength training and cardio equipment. The company made its first product (a home gym) in 1975 and has since expanded into a full—though not as extensive as NordicTrack’s—line of fitness products.
Bowflex is owned by Nautilus, Inc., which also manufactures Schwinn and Nautilus fitness equipment. Nautilus, Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.
What’s the Difference Between NordicTrack and Bowflex?
NordicTrack and Bowflex are similar in a lot of ways. Both companies have a wide range of exercise equipment, from cardio machines like treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bikes to strength training equipment like home gyms and adjustable dumbbells. Much of this equipment is connected, or considered “smart,” meaning they work best when used in conjunction with each brand’s fitness app.
Both companies are also conscious of different budgets, offering a range of fitness equipment at varying price points. The prices are pretty similar for comparable models, too.
One of the biggest differences between the two brands is the number of options, especially in lower-priced categories. For example, Bowflex has only two treadmills, while NordicTrack currently has nine listed on its site. NordicTrack has seven bikes, from recumbent models to spin bikes, while Bowflex has three—all of which are spin bikes, like the VeloCore Bike.
NordicTrack also makes two rowing machines (one of which is the popular NordicTrack RW900 Rower), and Bowflex has yet to add a rower to its line. Bowflex also doesn’t sell traditional ellipticals. Instead the brand makes Max Trainers, which are HIIT machines (more on that later).
How NordicTrack Works
NordicTrack is all about connected fitness. While you can use the machines independently, the brand really pushes the benefit of their fitness app iFIT—so much so that the parent company even changed its name to match the brand.
When you buy a machine directly from the manufacturer, you’ll typically get a free trial to iFIT that can range from 30 days to as much as three years. The iFIT subscription really makes the machines fully functional. Without it, you still get access to basic programs and manual mode, but you lose the immersive experience.
Many of NordicTrack’s cardio machines have large, full-color HD touchscreens to bring the iFIT workouts to life. For example, the NordicTrack commercial treadmills and the RW900 rower all have 22-inch screens that pivot and tilt—a feature that rivals Peloton. Even the newest version of the adjustable dumbbells work with iFIT.
Features:
- Wide range of cardio and strength training equipment
- Many machines have AutoAdjust technology for virtual trainer control
- Works with iFIT
- iFIT free trials when you purchase directly from the manufacturer
How Bowflex Works
Bowflex also leans into connected fitness, but to a lesser degree than NordicTrack. The Bowflex JRNY app has trainer-led classes, but overall, it’s not as immersive or adaptive as NordicTrack’s iFIT. One way that JRNY does stand out is in its streaming capabilities.
All of the Bowflex models that have JRNY come preloaded with the most popular streaming apps, like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max, so you can watch your favorite shows while you workout. iFIT is really just made for working out and doesn’t support these streaming services.
Bowflex also offers a free trial of its fitness app when you purchase directly from the site. New users will get a full year free. If you choose a machine that doesn’t have an HD or LCD screen, you can claim the free year by downloading the app on your phone or tablet and following along that way.
Without JRNY, the functionality of the machines is very limited, though. While NordicTrack offers a few preset workouts and manual mode, Bowflex machines only work in manual mode without a subscription. If you’re not planning on subscribing to a fitness app, this might be an important factor in your decision.
Features:
- Wide range of cardio and strength training equipment, but no rowing machine
- Works with JRNY
- Most machines come with a one-year free trial of JRNY
- Only works in manual mode without JRNY
Key Tech
Now that we’ve introduced the two fitness apps—as a refresher, NordicTrack uses iFIT, while Bowflex uses JRNY—let’s dig into them a bit more.
iFIT currently has more than 12,000 workouts in its library, and it’s constantly growing as new videos are added. There are on-demand workouts and live classes in every category, from HIIT to plyometrics. Workouts are led by personal trainers and filmed in hundreds of locations around the world. You can find adventurous workouts or boutique classes.
When using iFIT, many NordicTrack machines support what the brand calls AutoAdjust technology. When connected to iFIT, your trainers can control your speed and incline remotely. You do have the power to override them if you want, but this makes the workouts completely adaptive.
iFIT also has competitions that include a leaderboard. You can virtually compete with other users and see where you place in comparison when the workout is done.
JRNY also has thousands of workouts in its library, although the brand doesn’t say exactly how many. There are 30 different instructors, and all classes are on-demand. Unlike iFIT, JRNY does not currently offer live classes. There’s also no competition or leaderboard option; instead, it’s you against you.
Unlike iFIT, JRNY doesn’t allow your trainer to control your machine remotely. It does adapt to your workout history, meaning it will personalize workouts for you and recommend new ones based on your fitness progression. However, that’s where the interaction stops. During a workout, the JRNY won’t automatically adjust your incline or speed; instead, it will chime alerting you that it’s time to change it.
JRNY recently added motion tracking for Bowflex’s SelectTech dumbbells. The app can track your reps and form in real-time and make suggestions for improvements and/or future workouts to try.
Another major difference between these two fitness services is that JRNY allows unlimited access for everyone in your household for one price. iFIT offers two subscription tiers. You can use it individually, or pay an upgrade charge if you want to share it with others.
Outside of the fitness apps, the specific tech depends on each machine. But both of the brands prioritize connectivity, offering Bluetooth and/or WiFi-enabled machines that can support audio connections and heart rate monitors. The exact specs depend on the machine, but the options are pretty comparable.
Ellipticals
Bowflex
As previously mentioned, while NordicTrack and Bowflex have similar (and comparable) machines, NordicTrack offers more. There are two full-size ellipticals (including the premier NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical) and two FreeStride Trainers, which NordicTrack categorizes as ellipticals. All four of these machines use a flywheel and have digital resistance that can be controlled via the console. They’re all pretty bulky, too, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough room in your home to accommodate them.
While Bowflex categorizes them under ellipticals, the company has only three HIIT trainers instead of traditional ellipticals. These machines are really a hybrid stair stepper and elliptical in one. Instead of a fully horizontal stride path, they have some horizontal and vertical movement. The design is intended to give you a more intense workout, but it also makes the machine a lot more compact. The HIIT trainers have a smaller footprint than an elliptical, so they’re a good option for those who want the low-impact exercise, but don’t have a lot of space to spare. The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is probably the most popular of the three models.
Treadmills
Nordictrack
Treadmills are the bulk of NordicTrack’s offerings. As such, NordicTrack’s treadmill line is a lot more extensive than Bowflex’s. NordicTrack currently offers nine different treadmill models on its site. There are entry level versions, such as the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and NordicTrack EXP 14i, that have less powerful motors and a more budget-friendly price, all the way up to commercial machines that have all the bells and whistles and the price tag to match.
NordicTrack also makes a specialized incline treadmill line—the NordicTrack Commercial X32i and X22i. These two models incline up to 40 percent. For comparison, Bowflex’s top treadmill caps out at a 20 percent incline. If you’re looking for the best treadmill for home and you want some options, NordicTrack has a lot to choose from.
There are three Bowflex treadmills: the T22, T10 and the BXT8J, which is the most recently introduced model. For a while, Bowflex only offered the two T models, which are quite bulky and not for everyone. The BXT8J was its way to appeal to a wider range of people.
An apples-to-apples treadmill comparison is difficult, since the models are so different, but let’s take a look at the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and the Bowflex T22—two popular models that are about the same price.
The Commercial 2450 has a 22-inch touchscreen, auto-adjusting technology, Bluetooth and WiFi. It declines and inclines (it has a range of -3 percent to 15 percent), has a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and is run by a 3.6-CHP motor. It also has a 300-pound weight capacity.
The Bowflex T22 also has a 22-inch touchscreen, a max speed of 12 miles per hour and decline capabilities. However, this one has a greater incline/decline range of -5 percent to 20 percent. It also supports Bluetooth and WiFi, and has a 4.0 horsepower motor. Horsepower is typically not as reliable as CHP (or continuous horsepower) at estimating a treadmill’s power, but the T22 also has a 400-pound weight capacity, so most people shouldn’t have any problems with it.
While Bowflex wins this match in the specs department, these are both two powerful machines that will be more than suitable for the average user. As such, the decision between them will likely come down to whether you like iFIT or JRNY better.
You can also consider the warranty coverage when making your decision. The Bowflex T22 is covered by a 15-year frame and motor, five-year parts, two-year labor and one-year electronics warranty. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 warranty is 10 years for frame, two years for parts and one year for labor.
Strength Equipment
Bowflex
Bowflex’s very first product was the Bowflex 2000X, a home gym that was all about strength training. While the company has expanded into other home fitness equipment, it still offers a healthy collection of strength equipment.
There are two home gyms—the Xtreme 2 SE and the Revolution—which are both cable-based and multifunctional. In addition to Bowflex's home gyms, they also offer adjustable dumbbells (the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 and 552 dumbbells), an adjustable kettlebell, a barbell and curl bar and accessories like weight benches, a dumbbell stand and a barbell stand.
NordicTrack has the opposite story. The company started with a cardio machine—a ski machine—and has since expanded into strength equipment. NordicTrack makes a handful of adjustable dumbbell sets, including the newest iteration: a voice-controlled set that works with Alexa. The company also offers two cable machines, regular dumbbells, a weight bench and a dumbbell stand.
In response to the popularity of The Mirror, NordicTrack also introduced its own version of the workout mirror, the Vault, although it's was discontinued in 2023. The Vault has a reflective mirror that lets you follow along with iFIT trainers while watching (and correcting) your form. It houses dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands and yoga gear.
NordicTrack vs Bowflex: Subscriptions and Pricing
As far as pricing goes, the two companies are pretty on par with each other. For example, NordicTrack’s lowest priced treadmill is around $1,200, while Bowflex’s is $1,300. NordicTrack exercise bikes range from $1,000 to $2,500, while Bowflex exercise bikes range from $1,000 to $2,200. NordicTrack’s 55-pound adjustable dumbbells are about $350, while Bowflex’s 52.5-pound version is about $430.
All equipment categories have similar price ranges, with only a couple hundred dollars separating them. NordicTrack does have more equipment, though, so if you’re on a stricter budget, you have more choices in lower price ranges.
When considering pricing between the two brands, you may also need to factor in subscription costs. A JRNY subscription is about $20 monthly or $149 for the year. You only need one membership for everyone in your household.
There are three iFIT membership options: a yearly individual plan that costs $180 annually, a yearly family plan that costs $396 per year or a monthly family plan that’s $39 per month. The individual plan works with only one person, while the family plan supports a total of five users (you plus four other people).
NordicTrack vs Bowflex: App
NordicTrack and Bowflex machines come equipped with iFIT and JRNY, respectively. You do have to pay for the subscription, but if your machine has a digital console, you don’t have to download anything.
There is a corresponding app for each fitness service, too. If your fitness equipment doesn’t have a screen, you can download the apps and follow along on your tablet or phone as you workout.
Both the JRNY app and the iFIT app can be connected to compatible machines via Bluetooth. The apps only work with the brand’s they’re made for. In other words, you can’t directly connect JRNY to a NordicTrack machine and vice versa.
NordicTrack vs Bowflex FAQs
Can you use JRNY with NordicTrack?
No, JRNY comes preloaded on Bowflex machines and isn’t compatible with NordicTrack’s fitness equipment.
Can you use iFIT with Bowflex?
No, Bowflex machines don’t integrate with iFIT. Because you can download iFIT on your tablet, you can follow along with your workout on a Bowflex machine, but you won’t get the same immersive experience as you would on a NordicTrack machine.
Do you need a subscription to use NordicTrack and Bowflex equipment?
You don’t need a subscription to use NordicTrack and Bowflex equipment. Both brands offer basic functionality, like manual mode and a few preset workouts, without a subscription. However, if you want immersive workouts and the full experience, you'll need a subscription to the corresponding fitness apps.
Final Thoughts
NordicTrack and Bowflex are two well-known fitness brands with a lot to offer. You can get similar equipment from both brands, so the choice really depends on what you’re looking for. NordicTrack has a wider selection of equipment in most categories, plus a rowing machine and workout mirror. Bowflex’s line is more limited, but most people are still likely to find something that works for them. If large screens and really immersive tech are high on your must-have list, you may want to pick out a NordicTrack machine. If you like heavier duty equipment, Bowflex’s machines may be the better choice for you.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
