| The Bowflex Tread Climber is a remarkable piece of | | | | feel of the incline is more gradual than with a stepper, |
| equipment for the home gym. Essentially a hybrid of | | | | but it is a great workout nonetheless. Unlike an elliptical |
| three different kinds of machines, the Bowflex Tread | | | | machine, the arms stay static, so it is more like a |
| Climber provides a smooth, fluid and nearly impact-less | | | | traditional treadmill in that respect. |
| workout that will have you sweating and panting and | | | | The machine can also be used as a standard stair |
| burning loads of calories in no time. This makes the | | | | climber, by leaving the power off and simply adjusting |
| machine especially valuable for the elderly, those | | | | the resistance. Also, the dual-treadles can be snapped |
| recovering from injury, or those who are concerned | | | | together to create a traditional treadmill that runs at a |
| about the long-term damage, especially to the knees, | | | | 10 degree incline. |
| that running can do. | | | | What makes this machine such a great workout, and |
| About Bowflex | | | | an effective fat-blaster, is its ability to easily |
| The Bowflex brand is a subsidiary of Nautilus, a name | | | | accommodate interval training. Interval training is a |
| synonymous with quality and well known to gym users | | | | cardiovascular workout that is highly effective and |
| for the last two decades. Like the rest of the Bowflex | | | | used extensively by athletes. Essentially it is simply |
| line, the Tread Climber is a sturdy well built unit with | | | | interspersing all-out efforts with periods of lower |
| some great features. The frame is made of high | | | | activity, then back to another all-out effort. It is the |
| grade carbon steel, and the unit is quite heavy giving it | | | | most effective weight loss training there is, and this unit |
| a great 'feel' during use. The machine features a | | | | does it perfectly. By varying speeds, resistance and |
| system Bowflex calls 'dual-treadle', which is essentially | | | | incline, the Tread Climber easily adjusts the workout so |
| a treadmill split down the middle, with each left and right | | | | that intense intervals are followed by relatively |
| section working independently. | | | | light-walking, then back to more stairs. |
| Three Machines In One | | | | Make Room for a Bowflex! |
| The Bowflex Tread Climber is a combination of three | | | | Like all Bowflex equipment, the Tread Climber is |
| popular cardiovascular workout machines: the treadmill, | | | | designed for home gyms, and thus consideration is |
| the stair climber, and the elliptical machine. The Tread | | | | made for fitting inside a normal sized room. The unit |
| Climber uses the dual-treadle system for two | | | | measures 63 by 32 inches, and is mounted on wheels, |
| separate rolling platforms, like a treadmill, but with each | | | | for moving. It does, however, weigh in at 350 pounds, |
| of the two 'pads' lifting as you walk forward. This | | | | so it is not easily moved. Also, the unit requires some |
| creates the stair climber effect, though it is a smoother | | | | assembly when it arrives, and is best done by two |
| motion than with traditional stair climbers and without | | | | people. |
| the impact of using a stepper. The separate feet are | | | | For an all-around great piece of home gym equipment, |
| much like an elliptical machine, but the feet are free | | | | the Bowflex Tread Climber is a smart choice that will |
| and not held into a foot pad, so the motion feels much | | | | have you burning tons of calories and replacing all that |
| more natural. It is important to stress that this is not a | | | | fat with muscle mass in no time! |
| running machine, but rather a hill-walking machine. The | | | | |