Exercise and fitness your way

Can You Use a Bowflex Treadmill Without Subscription?

Are you wondering if you’ll still be able to use your Bowflex treadmill without subscription to the JRNY app? 

If you purchase a brand-new Bowflex treadmill, you can get a full year of JRNY for free when creating your account. And while the JRNY platform can help you get the most out of your Bowflex treadmill, you can still use your machine without a subscription.

This article will explore everything you need to know about using a Bowflex treadmill without subscription. We’ll also explain what the JRNY app is, what it offers, and what you’ll be missing if you decide to use a Bowflex treadmill without it.

 

Bowflex treadmill without subscription

Contents

Is Bowflex a good treadmill brand?

Bowflex is one of the highest-rated treadmill brands, with many Bowflex treadmills consistently garnering positive reviews across multiple platforms. 

Users love Bowflex treadmills because:

  • They are foldable yet solid and durable
  • The easy-to-use controls are located near the handlebars
  • The easily-adjustable incline and decline settings
  • They are also suitable for heavier users

Who makes Bowflex treadmills?

Nautilus, Inc., a company based in Vancouver, Washington, makes Bowflex treadmills and other Bowflex-brand products. This company specializes in manufacturing fitness equipment, and they also produce Schwinn Fitness and Nautilus products. 

Types of Bowflex treadmills

Bowflex has a number of treadmills available. These include:

  • Bowflex BXT128 
  • Treadmill 56
  • Treadmill 25
  • Treadmill 18

The most affordable of these is the Bowflex BXT128, while the most technologically advanced is the Bowflex Treadmill 56 with a 22” immersive console.

The Bowflex Treadmill 18 and the Bowflex Treadmill 25 also have touchscreen displays allowing users to access trainer-led fitness classes, virtual courses, video streaming apps, and milestone tracking via a JRNY subscription. The BXT128 lacks this touchscreen but is also compatible with the JRNY app.

What is JRNY?

JRNY is an adaptive fitness app available on the newest Bowflex treadmills. It uses machine learning to create personalized workouts that allow you to progress and reach your goals. You can take part in trainer-led classes, and adaptive workouts, explore hundreds of virtual courses plus stream entertainment apps.

Like Bowflex, JRNY is owned and operated by Nautilus, Inc.

Most new Bowflex treadmills come with a free year’s trial of JRNY, so you can get the most out of your treadmill and give the app a really good test drive. 

When the free trial period is over, users must either cancel their JRNY subscription or begin paying to access JRNY services.

What does JRNY membership include?

JRNY membership includes access to:

  • Personalized workout routines
  • On-demand trainer-led fitness classes
  • Virtual courses that take you through real-life destinations and landscapes
  • Access to streaming video apps like Netflix and Hulu

These features are available via the touchscreen on the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and Bowflex Treadmill 22, but members can also access JRNY via their smartphones and tablets.

What is iFIT?

The iFIT app is the go-to fitness app for NordicTrack treadmills. 

This app offers subscribers access to streamable, on-demand fitness classes. These classes range from treadmill workouts to cycling training sessions. For individuals, access to iFIT fitness classes costs $15 per month or $180 per year.

If you want to avoid paying this subscription fee, you might wonder what you can use instead of iFIT. Fortunately, several free or affordable alternatives are available, and some might suit your needs.

Can you use a Bowflex Treadmill without subscription?

Yes, a Bowflex Treadmill will continue to function without a JRNY subscription. 

However, many of the treadmill’s functions, particularly those related to the touchscreen interface, are disabled without a JRNY subscription. For this reason, many Bowflex treadmill users opt to pay the subscription fee after their first free year has expired.

What you can access without JRNY subscription

Without a JRNY subscription, you can use your Bowflex in manual mode. 

You can access manual mode by pressing the padded buttons along the front portion of the machine to select your preferred treadmill speed and incline/decline settings, then press the green “START” button in the centre.

What you can't access without JRNY subscription

If you cancel your JRNY subscription, you can’t access most of the treadmill touchscreen’s apps, including trainer-led exercise classes, streaming TV services, and virtual courses.

Which treadmill does not require subscription?

You can use any Bowflex treadmill without a subscription, though the machine’s features are bound to be more limited without a JRNY subscription.

Outside of the Bowflex brand, there are several treadmills that don’t require a subscription. Some examples include the:

  • NoblePro Elite E8i and E8.0
  • Sole F63 Treadmill
  • Sole F80 Treadmill
  • Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
  • Horizon Fitness T101

Generally, treadmills that lack an interactive touchscreen don’t require subscription services to unlock their full range of features. 

So, if you’re looking to avoid paying a monthly or annual subscription fee while using your treadmill, you’ll likely want to opt for a machine that doesn’t have a touchscreen interface offering access to online classes or apps.

Find the best treadmill without subscription today to lower your monthly fitness-related expenses.

FAQs

The Bowflex JRNY app is free for the first year, after which users can opt to pay for a JRNY membership or go without it. This applies to all new, store-bought Bowflex treadmills.

The JRNY app free trial lasts for one year. A free two-month JRNY membership is automatically started when you set up your Bowflex treadmill, but users can access the free one-year trial when creating their JRNY account.

JRNY subscriptions are available on a monthly or annual basis. The monthly subscription costs $19.99, while the annual subscription costs $149. Those who opt for the annual subscription can save roughly $90 per year over those who choose the month-to-month subscription.

You can watch Netflix on a Bowflex treadmill if you have an active JRNY subscription and membership. 

If you have an active JRNY subscription and membership, you can watch television via your favorite streaming apps, including:

  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max 

Bowflex treadmills work without a subscription but only in manual mode. Without a JRNY subscription, you can’t access many Bowflex treadmills features, particularly those available via the touchscreen display.

Summary

  • You can use your Bowflex treadmill without a subscription
  • Using a Bowflex treadmill without a JRNY subscription means you can’t access the machine’s full range of features
  • The JRNY platform allows you to watch streaming apps and access on-demand workout videos
  • You can opt for a free-year trial when setting up your JRNY membership