The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill features include 3.0 continuous-duty horsepower motor, speed range of 0.5-11 miles per hour, 0-12 percent incline, quick incline and quick-speed keys offer easy access to desired settings, fifteen workout programs such as manual, cardio, running, fat burn, speed interval jogger, hill intervals, 5K run with 12 intervals, heart strength/recovery test, calorie goal, distance goal, fat burn heart rate calculation, cardio heart rate calculation, body mass index (BMI) test, and two custom programs. Other features include grip and telemetric heart rate monitors, skylight backlit LCD computer display, two bottle/cup holders, and built in three speed fan.

Consumers are sometimes disheartened after purchasing the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill, as it is not what they expect for the money. Many have found that the lap timer does not work, the fan does not produce much air even on high, the belt has problems staying centered, the bolt threads are poorly matched to slots, the heart rate monitor does not work, and the speed, distance, and other readouts work only occasionally. These are just a few of the problems that have been found with this treadmill.

Tech support can also be lacking, as phone techs are usually only willing to read instructions from a manual and guide the customer is guided through the repair process. Not what many customers expect after spending $1,500.

Although the Bowflex Series 7 treadmill has a lot of good features, overall it is not a good investment of time or money.

The Bowflex TreadClimber comes in three different models, the main difference between them being console features. The TreadClimber is an improvement over the old "stairclimber" machines with revolving steps. Those machines had one "step" and one size movement. The TreadClimber allows the user to choose the length of his stride in independent movements for each foot. In this way, the Treadclimber is like an elliptical trainer, without the upper body arms. However, the "steps" actually have moving treads, like a treadmill. Thus, you go "forward," (like on a treadmill) and "up," (like on stairs).

The TreadClimber provides more resistance than a treadmill. The difference is similar to the difference between walking upstairs and walking on flat surface, without an incline. Resistance is controlled by knobs on the console that adjust the air pressure in a hydraulic system. This provides for a spongier, airy feel that takes some getting used to. The manufacturer suggests getting off the machine to adjust the resistance, which would prevent effective interval training.

The TreadClimber certainly can burn more calories than a treadmill, and with less joint impact. However, the more useful comparison would be to an elliptical. More compact than a treadmill or elliptical, but pretty heavy. The top speed is only about 4 mph, and your strides remain short. TreadClimbers have a large number of moving parts, so there are many things that can go wrong. The TreadClimber is heavily promoted in TV informercials. For the $1,500+ price the TreadClimber sells for, you could buy a very high quality elliptical machine.