BowFlex makes some of the most practical space-saving equipment for home training, led by SelectTech adjustable dumbbells and the compact Max Trainer. Sale pricing is frequent and the JRNY app is optional and inexpensive. Warranties are shorter than some rivals, so consider an extended plan on bigger machines.
What we like
- SelectTech 552 replaces 15 pairs of dumbbells (5–52.5 lb) in one compact set
- Max Trainer M6 delivers hard, low-impact cardio in a 46 x 26-inch footprint
- JRNY app is optional, $11.99/mo or $99/yr, covering up to 3 users
- Frequent promotions, e.g. Xtreme 2 SE home gym at $899 vs $1,499
- 30-day return window on purchases
Keep in mind
- Standard warranties are fairly short (e.g. 2 years parts, 90 days labor on the M6)
- Returns deduct shipping and handling, which can be significant on big items
- Max Trainer console is a basic LCD, not a touchscreen
- Free shipping applies only to promotions and the 48 contiguous states
For many people, BowFlex is the first brand that comes to mind for home fitness, from the late-night home gym ads to the dial-adjustable dumbbells now found in countless spare rooms. Today the brand sits within Johnson Health Tech, the manufacturer that also owns Horizon and Matrix, and its range spans adjustable weights, cable-style home gyms, treadmills, bikes and the distinctive Max Trainer.
What BowFlex does best, in our research, is compress equipment. A pair of SelectTech dumbbells replaces a full rack of fixed weights, and a Max Trainer gives elliptical-plus-stepper cardio in a fraction of the space of a treadmill. Here is how to choose between the main products and what to know about pricing, the JRNY app and policies.
SelectTech adjustable dumbbells and kettlebells
SelectTech dumbbells use a dial on each end to select how many plates the handle picks up from the cradle. They are BowFlex's most popular products and an easy recommendation for home strength training.
- Results Series 552 ($399 on sale, $479 regular, per pair): adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell across 15 settings, in 2.5 lb steps up to 25 lb and 5 lb steps above that. BowFlex says it replaces 15 sets of weights.
- Results Series 1090 ($649 on sale, $799 regular): the heavier option for stronger lifters who need more load on presses and rows.
- Results Series 52 and 90: priced alongside the 552 and 1090 respectively.
- SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell ($149): one adjustable kettlebell for swings, goblet squats and presses.
The SelectTech 552 carries a two-year parts warranty, with optional Protection+ plans at $69 for three years or $99 for five years.
Which SelectTech set should you buy?
For most beginners and intermediate lifters, the 552 is enough. Choose the 1090 if you already press or row heavy dumbbells, or if several people with different strength levels will share the set.
Max Trainer: compact, punishing cardio
The Max Trainer combines the motion of an elliptical and a stair climber, with moving handles that bring the upper body in. The Max Trainer M6 was on sale for $999 (regular $1,299) and offers:
- 16 magnetic resistance levels and a built-in 14-minute interval button for HIIT.
- A footprint of 46 x 26 inches, a height of 64.2 inches and a weight of 136 lb.
- A 300 lb maximum user weight and an 8.5-inch step-on height.
- A backlit LCD console with a burn-rate dial, contact heart-rate grips and Bluetooth armband compatibility.
Check ceiling height before ordering: BowFlex recommends at least your height plus 20.5 inches. Warranty is two years on frame, mechanical parts and electronics, with 90 days labor; extended plans range from $149 to $199. The larger Max Total 16 was listed at $1,999 for buyers who want a bigger console and more features.
See Bowflex's current range
Home gyms, treadmills and bikes
Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym ($899 on sale, $1,499 regular) is BowFlex's classic power-rod machine, covering a wide range of upper- and lower-body exercises in one station. The Revolution Home Gym ($2,199 on sale, $2,999 regular) is the more advanced version.
Treadmills include the T6 ($999 on sale), T9 ($1,499) and T16 ($1,999). The range also includes the C6 bike, VeloCore Bike 22 and the 5.1S adjustable bench.
Power-rod home gyms suit people who want guided, joint-friendly resistance without plates. Lifters focused on heavy barbell strength will be better served by a rack setup.
The JRNY app
JRNY is BowFlex's training app. It connects via Bluetooth to compatible equipment and offers guided workouts and progress tracking. New members get a two-month free trial, then pay $11.99 a month or $99 a year, with one subscription covering up to three users. Unlike some connected brands, BowFlex equipment remains usable without it, so you can decide after the trial whether it adds enough to keep.
That optional model is a real advantage over subscription-locked smart gyms. If you prefer to follow a coach, use another app or write your own program, your BowFlex equipment loses nothing. If you like guided sessions, the annual JRNY plan costs less per month than most standalone workout apps and is shared across a household.
Pricing, shipping and returns
BowFlex list prices are rarely what people pay. During our research, a sitewide sale cut hundreds of dollars from most products, with free standard shipping included on sale offers to the 48 contiguous states (excluding P.O. boxes, APO/FPO addresses, US territories and international destinations). Outside promotions, shipping is charged; for the Max Trainer M6, FedEx Parcel was $99 and white-glove delivery with assembly $399.
You can return purchases within 30 days of delivery for a full product refund, minus shipping and handling. On large items, that deduction can be meaningful, so be confident about fit and space before ordering.
Who BowFlex suits
BowFlex is a strong fit for apartment dwellers, busy parents and anyone building a first home gym who wants equipment that tucks into a corner. SelectTech dumbbells plus an adjustable bench cover most strength needs, and the Max Trainer delivers intense cardio in very little time. It is less ideal for heavy lifters who need more than 90 lb dumbbells or a full barbell setup; Bells of Steel and Major Fitness serve them better. For a fully guided smart strength experience, Tonal is the premium alternative.
Our verdict
BowFlex remains one of the smartest places to start a home gym, thanks to genuinely space-saving products, frequent sales and an optional, reasonably priced app. Shorter standard warranties and return deductions keep it from the top of our range, so time your purchase around a promotion and consider an extended plan on larger machines.
Bowflex products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells | Pair of adjustable dumbbells, 5–52.5 lb each across 15 settings. | $399 sale ($479 regular) |
| Results Series 1090 SelectTech Dumbbells | Heavier adjustable dumbbells for stronger lifters and shared households. | $649 sale ($799 regular) |
| Max Trainer M6 | Elliptical-stepper hybrid with 16 resistance levels and a 300 lb user limit. | $999 sale ($1,299 regular) |
| Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym | Power-rod home gym covering dozens of exercises in one station. | $899 sale ($1,499 regular) |
| SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell | Single adjustable kettlebell for swings, squats and presses. | $149 |
| T9 Treadmill | Mid-range BowFlex treadmill for home walking and running. | $1,499 sale ($1,799 regular) |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
Bowflex FAQs
Do you need JRNY to use BowFlex equipment?
No. JRNY is optional. New members get a two-month free trial, then it costs $11.99 a month or $99 a year for up to three users.
What weights do SelectTech 552 dumbbells cover?
Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lb across 15 settings, in 2.5 lb increments up to 25 lb and 5 lb increments above that.
What is BowFlex's return policy?
You can return products within 30 days of delivery for a full product refund, minus shipping and handling.
How much space does the Max Trainer M6 need?
The M6 measures 46 x 26 inches and is 64.2 inches tall. BowFlex recommends a ceiling height of at least your height plus 20.5 inches.
Who owns BowFlex?
BowFlex is part of Johnson Health Tech, the fitness manufacturer that also owns Horizon and Matrix.
Home exercisers who want space-saving strength and cardio equipment with optional app coaching
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