In case you’ve been looking out for brand spanking new dwelling exercise tools, you could have been tempted by BowFlex weights, good treadmills or train bikes. Nevertheless, in March 2024, the corporate filed for chapter and is up on the market. So, is it nonetheless a good suggestion to purchase BowFlex tools?
Years in the past, this wouldn’t have been a lot of a query — weights are basically plates of metallic, in spite of everything — however BowFlex, the corporate behind BowFlex tools and Schwinn machines, made its title with good tools that syncs information to your cellphone and integrates with an app.
So, whereas the corporate makes a few of the greatest adjustable dumbbells and nice train bikes, what’ll occur to your good tools now it’s up on the market? Plus, we’ll dig into whether or not it’s nonetheless value nonetheless shopping for BowFlex merchandise, even at a reduction.
Which BowFlex tools must you purchase on sale?
Usually, the most suitable choice, if you wish to choose up BowFlex tools (together with Schwinn-branded train bikes) on sale, is to stay with the non-smart machines that don’t completely depend on the corporate’s JRNY exercise app to operate.
So, it might nonetheless be value contemplating BowFlex weights, Schwinn bikes, and BowFlex multigyms. Nevertheless, you’re taking extra of of venture for those who purchase BowFlex-branded train bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills, as a lot of the options are locked behind the JRNY membership.
Now is a good time to spend money on these machines and weights, because the information of BowFlex’s chapter has meant that a number of the tools is on sale proper now, just like the BowFlex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell which is at the moment down to only $329 at Amazon.
Which Bowflex tools must you nonetheless purchase?
BowFlex (the corporate previously often called Nautilus) owns BowFlex and Schwinn Health. The BowFlex model primarily focuses on power coaching tools like dumbbells, kettlebells, and residential gymnasium multigyms, nevertheless it additionally manufactures train bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills.
Most of BowFlex’s tools is built-in with its JRNY exercise app and has a built-in show for streaming courses, in an analogous technique to Peloton, which produces dwelling exercise machines and a digital membership for courses and coaching periods.
Schwinn-branded train bikes typically have non-smart shows for monitoring your exercise, however you’ll be able to obtain the JRNY app and use the machine for instructor-led courses. Plus, Schwinn additionally produces a few of the hottest recumbent bikes for low-impact train, just like the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike.
Though we don’t have particulars on what is going to occur subsequent with the BowFlex firm, the most secure choice is to solely purchase objects that don’t depend on the JRNY exercise app. This fashion, if the brand new proprietor does shut down the app or depart it to fall into disrepair, you’ll be able to nonetheless use your tools.
Is the JRNY exercise app nonetheless out there?
The JRNY app is an important a part of most BowFlex merchandise, even the SelectTech dumbbells, which use the app’s motion-tracking function that will help you enhance your weight-lifting kind. The JRNY app was final up to date on March 6 on the Google Play Retailer — a day after the chapter submitting.
The app can be out there on the Apple App Retailer, and the latest replace was on March 12, though that’s seemingly the identical replace you’d discover on Android, however the week-long delay is probably going as a consequence of Apple’s app evaluate course of. And, importantly, it’s nonetheless out there to obtain on each platforms.
However, it’s additionally embedded into the show on many BowFlex machines, and it’s not clear when the latest replace to that model was. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless join a JRNY membership for $11.99 monthly or $99 yearly.
That offers you entry to hundreds of on-demand exercises, a digital teaching function, body weight periods, and courses designed in your tools. That is fairly aggressive, because the Peloton equal, the Peloton App+, prices $240 a 12 months, though that features reside exercises too.
What are the very best Bowflex options?
Peloton and NordicTrack are BowFlex’s closest opponents. Each manufacturers produce good dwelling exercise tools, designed round a subscription-based exercise app (Peloton App+ or Peloton One, NordicTrack’s iFit app).
In case you’re after reside courses, Peloton is your most suitable option. The model popularized on-demand and reside dwelling exercises with the Peloton Bike+, and the Peloton Tread is among the many greatest dwelling gymnasium tools you should purchase proper now. However for those who’re questioning how Peloton escaped BowFlex’s destiny, it very practically didn’t.
The model had a horrible 2023, with obligatory remembers affecting the entry-level Peloton Bike as a consequence of security dangers, and a stuttering demand for its Tread and Row machines. Nevertheless, the app had a makeover and the corporate refocused on extra inexpensive coaching choices, just like the Peloton Information.
In the meantime, NordicTrack is a good Peloton various and essentially the most related model to BowFlex in its vary of merchandise. The corporate makes normal and good tools, so you’ll be able to choose up gym-style rowing machines and train bikes, or Peloton-esque treadmills and ellipticals built-in with the iFit exercise app.
These studio-grade treadmills are nice, and two NordicTrack fashions even made our greatest treadmills roundup. However, given the similarities between the 2 manufacturers, it may be onerous to determine between them. Happily, we pitted Peloton in opposition to NordicTrack that will help you discover the appropriate bike in your dwelling.
What occurred to BowFlex?
BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 chapter in March 2024, which permits different companies to make affords to purchase the corporate. We don’t know whether or not any new proprietor will determine to maintain the BowFlex title going, discontinue some or all of its merchandise, or shut the model altogether.
This resolution adopted a troublesome buying and selling interval as pandemic lockdowns eased, gyms reopened, and demand for dwelling exercise tools dropped. The pandemic was a good time for health manufacturers like BowFlex, with thousands and thousands of individuals desirous to spend money on dwelling exercise tools.
As lockdowns lifted, the demand for costly machines and weights mainly disappeared, leaving BowFlex in a difficult place. The corporate, beforehand often called Nautilus, rebranded as BowFlex in late 2023 and tried to reverse its declining gross sales.
However it was an enormous mountain to climb, because the monetary 12 months 2022/23 noticed BowFlex’s gross sales drop 43% and losses widen to $21 million. By February 2024, BowFlex warned that the corporate might file for chapter, which it finally did a month later.