Is the Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 a Good Deal?

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 is another heavily advertised piece of fitness equipment from Bowflex.

It’s a treadmill/stair stepper/elliptical trainer all in one, giving you a chance to really work on those leg muscles.

Let's see what it is all about.

The Machine

For about $1600 you can put Bowflex’s new TreadClimber technology to the test in your home gym.

The hydraulically powered “Dual-Treadles” are adjustable and can be used independently to work as a stepper or you can snap them together for a treadmill workout.

This arrangement also reduces the impact on the joints, which is certainly a selling point of this machine.

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 is a pared down model and doesn’t have a lot of flashy electronics, but it can certainly find its place as a beginner’s machine. Here are the main features:

• 0.5 to 3.8 mph max. speed
• 12 levels of resistance
• 300 lbs user capacity
• Transport wheels
• Motor warranty - 1 year
• Parts warranty – 1 year
• Electronics warranty – 1 year
• Hydraulics warranty – 1 year

The TreadClimber TC1000 comes with a 1-year limited warranty, which may be problematic, given Bowflex’s reputation for using cheaper parts and the fact that hydraulic shocks never last very long.

The Buzz

UPDATE: As of Summer 2021 Bowflex has discontinued both TreadClimber models in favor of their all new traditional treadmills. Check out the Treadmill 10 & Treadmill 22 as an alternative.

Experts agree that the Bowflex TreadClimber technology is certainly an innovative design in its combination of walking and climbing.

Some testers found this motion hard to master; the movement of the dual surfaces can be confusing to someone who is new to this type of a treadmill.

Users found the TreadClimber TC1000’s lack of a Climb Indicator or a heart rate monitor kind of limiting when measuring their progress. The Calories Burned Indicator is also missing on this model.

Bowflex TC1000 - Bottom Line

For its price tag, the TreadClimber TC1000 doesn’t offer a lot of value unless you’re looking to try out the climbing action that is getting a lot of attention in the fitness world – then this machine might be a good place to begin.

However, Bowflex’s use of plastic parts, inevitable future problems with the hydraulic shocks and the short warranty makes us wonder if the Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000 is as great a deal as the flashy TV commercials want us to believe.

We suggest you have a look at the NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer before you spend your money on this one.

Editor's Note:  The new TC100 and TC200 are nice improvements on this one, so they are definitely worth considering as the company has improved the durability a bit.

They've also upped the warranty, which is always a good sign.  Although it is not as strong as you'd find on comparably priced treadmills, it's definitely a step in the right direction.