Bowflex is a company that sells exercise bikes and other home gym equipment. The Bowflex C6 bike allows people to connect with trainers, track their progress, and exercise without disturbing others.

This article explores the Bowflex brand and its C6 bike in more detail. It also discusses the health benefits and risks of cycling and suggests alternative brands and products a person may wish to try. 

Bowflex brand overview

Bowflex has headquarters in Vancouver, Washington, in the United States.

The company has been manufacturing home gym equipment since 1986. It is a well-known maker of exercise bikes, treadmills, dumbbells, and barbells. 

Bowflex aims to help individuals exercise without paying gym membership fees, and the company has designed its products to suit individuals of any fitness level. 

The brand has a review rating of 2.4 on Trustpilot, with negative reviews mentioning customer service and shipping issues. Customers also reported that they found assembly instructions difficult to follow because they did not always match the product’s components.

However, according to other accounts, Bowflex exercise equipment may be helpful if a person is unable to exercise at a gym.

Nautilus, Bowflex’s parent company, has a rating of 1.03 out of 5 and an A- grade on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Additionally, Nautilus does not have accreditation with the BBB. Customers have also filed over 200 complaints, with many claiming they have not received their orders. Some individuals stated that the company’s exercise bikes malfunctioned and caused injuries.

The BBB website states that people have submitted 222 complaints in the last 3 years, with Nautilus closing 152 of them in the last 12 months.

Bowflex C6 bike overview

The Bowflex C6 Bike features:

  • a backlit LCD metric console
  • an adjustable seat
  • dual-sided pedals for easy grip during learning mode
  • a device holder for smartphones and tablets
  • dual water bottle handles
  • a weight capacity of 330 pounds (lb)

The bike has the following dimensions:

  • length: 48.7 inches (in)
  • width: 21.2 in
  • height: 51.8 in

The Bowflex C6 has 100 resistance levels, which reportedly offers a quiet and smooth ride. The company also states that it comes with four-way adjustable handlebars and two 3 lb dumbbells. Additionally, people may benefit from the Bluetooth-enabled heart rate armband monitor.

The Bowflex C6 bike comes with:

  • a 10-year frame warranty
  • a 3-year mechanical parts warranty
  • a 3-year electronics warranty
  • a 1-year labor warranty

A person can choose to assemble the bike themselves or use the Bowflex home assembly service for a fee. The company also offers a finance plan to help customers pay for their bikes in monthly installments.

Additionally, the C6 carries the P65 warning label, meaning that it may contain chemicals that can cause cancer, reproductive harm, and congenital anomalies. 

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JRNY compatibility

Bowflex’s exercise bikes come with free shipping and a 6-month JRNY trial. 

JRNY is the company’s digital fitness platform that offers personalized workout programs, which adapt according to the user’s workout intensity. 

This app offers:

  • daily workout recommendations
  • real-time coaching and help with reaching targets
  • streaming during workouts
  • over 50 destinations to explore virtually during exercise
  • music playlists
  • unlimited user profiles

JRNY also keeps track of a person’s milestones and achievements while offering easy navigation, without the need to scroll during exercising to view this information.

Health considerations

A person may wish to consider the health benefits and risks of indoor cycling before committing to this type of exercise.

Benefits

Physical exercise can be beneficial to a person’s health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that people who perform 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity may have a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. 

A 2019 systematic review notes that individuals who eat a balanced diet and engage in indoor cycling can lower their blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. 

According to health experts, some health benefits that cycling can provide include:

  • Less pressure on the joints: Cycling may be a more suitable type of exercise for those with back pain, arthritis, or damaged joints. 
  • Muscle building: Cycling is an aerobic exercise. The bike’s upright position and muscle movements involved in this activity target the upper body and core.
  • Calorie burning: Cycling can burn calories, which helps reduce the chance of a person developing obesity or postmenopausal breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
  • Improved balance: The American Heart Association (AHA) states that this activity may benefit individuals with obesity or those who have had a stroke. Exercises that improve balance can also help reduce falls and injuries. 

A 2017 study reviewed the effects of spinning and cycling classes in female middle school students. The researchers found that after 16 weeks, participants experienced a reduction in body fat and increased endurance and muscle strength.

Risks and safety

The CDC states that 31 million adults aged 50 years and older do not engage in any type of physical activity, resulting in $117 billion in healthcare costs every year. 

A 2015 study found that young girls experienced harmful changes in their blood flow after 3 hours of uninterrupted sitting. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that physical activity does not increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, or early delivery. However, pregnant people may wish to consult with a doctor to learn about safe exercise during pregnancy.

Other experts recommend that individuals seek medical advice before participating in indoor cycling sessions if they have a heart condition.

A 2017 study also shows that those who do not exercise regularly are more likely to experience muscle fatigue from indoor cycling than those who are regularly active. 

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Alternative brands and products

People interested in using home gym equipment, such as exercise bikes, may wish to consider alternative companies to Bowflex, including the below.

  • NordicTrack: Has been in business since 1975 and offers six exercise bikes, all with a 30-day return policy. Financing plans may also be available for people who wish to pay in monthly installments. Learn more about NordicTrack. 
  • Keiser: Keiser manufactures indoor bikes, elliptical machines, total body trainers, and power racks, among other equipment. Several of the company’s machines feature Bluetooth connectivity, allowing people to track their exercise progress.
  • Advenor: Advenor sells two foldable exercise machines, which may benefit those with limited storage space. People can also purchase rowing machines, vibration plates, treadmills, and weight benches from the company.

Individuals who enjoy cycling may also wish to consider other home exercise equipment, such as the below.

  • Treadmills: These offer suitable forms of low impact aerobic exercise to suit individuals of all fitness levels. A person can adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill to suit the intensity of exercise they prefer.
  • Rowing machines: Rowing machines offer a full-body workout because they target a wide range of muscle groups. In addition, they may be beneficial for those looking for low impact exercise, which does not place a lot of pressure on the joints.
  • Elliptical trainers: May also suit people who want low impact workouts, as they can use these trainers for stair climbs, walking, or running without putting much pressure on the joints.

Summary

Bowflex offers various home gym equipment for individuals who do not wish to exercise at a gym. 

The company claims that the C6 bike offers a quiet and smooth ride, which may suit individuals who live with other people. The JRNY app that can connect with the C6 bike allows users to access trainer-led workout programs and helps them reach their fitness goals.

However, according to online reviews, previous Bowflex customers have reported issues with assembly, shipping, and product safety. 

Indoor cycling and other types of exercise offer many health benefits, but they also come with risks. People who have a health condition or are recovering from an injury should consider seeking medical advice before beginning a new type of exercise.

Please note: Medical News Today does not imply warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or endorse any of these applications. Nobody at MNT has evaluated these apps for medical accuracy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them unless otherwise indicated.