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Editor’s Note: The Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 is no longer in production. We suggest the Bowflex Treadmill 10 as the best alternative, or view our Best Treadmills list for more options.
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 was one of the top-of-the-line options for Bowflex’s unique TreadClimber series. The TreadClimber is a combination of three machines: a treadmill, stair climber, and elliptical.
This is a dedicated walking machine, with top speed being 4.5 MPH. Bowflex famously stated “All you have to do is walk” when advertising the TreadClimber, as they claimed that walking on a TreadClimber would burn 2.5 times more calories than an equivalent time on a traditional treadmill.
The TreadClimber series has been discontinued, but Bowflex still manufactures traditional treadmills. They also introduced a new combination machine, the Bowflex Max Trainer, a combination of a stepper and elliptical.
We Know Treadmills
Our expert team of CrossFit L1 Trainers, certified personal trainers, and other product experts have tested all kinds of cardio machines, including all the fitness equipment the TreadClimber combines: ellipticals, steppers, and treadmills.
We haven’t personally tested the TreadClimber because it was discontinued in 2021. We’ve looked at product specs and online customer reviews to let you know our thoughts on the TreadClimber.
Looking for an Alternative to the Bowflex TreadClimber TC200?
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a great machine. It features a 10-inch interactive screen, incline and decline training options, and an incredibly sturdy build.
Best Alternative to Bowflex TreadClimber TC200
If you’re looking for an interactive treadmill with a solid and sturdy build, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a great option for any runner. The Treadmill 10 supports speeds up to 12 miles per hour and, quite impressively, has both motorized incline and decline options ranging from -5%-15%, which makes it possible to train for any terrain. That said, it is odd that Bowflex shares no information on the motor’s power. In fact, they stated that they do not have that information on their website when questioned by a potential buyer. Other sites have reported a whopping 4.0 CHP motor, but we couldn’t confirm that. Still, users do report a powerful feel to the motor with little to no lag time. Use the interactive, high-definition, adjustable touchscreen to access a myriad of training content that comes with your one-year free JRNY membership. Bound to keep you motivated and on track with your fitness goals, the JRNY membership provides virtual coaching, trainer-led workouts and adaptive workouts that progressively get harder as your fitness improves. The Bowflex Treadmill 10 comes with some awesome conveniences, too. It’s Bluetooth-enabled for smart devices, has an included Bluetooth heart rate armband, a console fan and boasts speed and incline knobs for ease of use. The cushioned running deck will feel roomy, too, as it measures 22 inches by 60 inches, which is larger than most folding treadmills. To that end, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 uses a soft drop folding system to easily fold and unfold. However, weighing 323 pounds assembled, this tank of a machine is not easily moved around, so plan on dedicating a space in your home gym for its use.
A Quick Look at the Bowflex TreadClimber TC200
TreadClimbers were a series of machines dedicated to giving you a great walking workout. These machines were designed to help you “just walk your way to improved fitness.”
At the time of its release, the TC200 was Bowflex’s premier walking workout machine. The TC200 featured an improved console and improved digital connectivity. Walking workout programs on the TC200 are low-impact. Customers with a history of joint paint repeatedly pointed out in reviews that they loved the TC200 and its ability to give them a great workout without increased joint pain. You may still be able to find some TreadClimbers on Amazon, but they are priced in the thousands of dollars, and in our opinion, this machine is not worth that much.
Pros:
- Combination treadmill, stepper and elliptical
- Provides good walking workout
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Assembly requires 2 people
- Purely a walking machine
- Limited programmed workouts
- Short warranty for such a high-priced machine
- Rocks side-to-side when at higher speeds
- No touchscreen
Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 Specs
| Footprint | 55” L x 31.5” W x 62.5” H |
| Minimum Ceiling Height | Tallest user height + 17” |
| Weight | 202 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
| Motor | Information not available |
| Walking Belt | Two individual treadles |
| Display | Backlit LCD display |
| Speed | .5-4.5 MPH |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Grip and chest strap |
| Programs | Just Walk, Calorie Goal, Time Goal, Distance Goal, Interval |
| Warranty | 3-year frame and parts, 90-day labor |
Key Features of the Treadclimber TC200
The TreadClimber is a very unique machine. To use the machine, you walk on two individual treadmills, one for each foot, that Bowflex has dubbed “treadles.” It is important that you walk towards the front of the machine so that you get all the benefits of the TreadClimber because the treadles have an incline, which you won’t be taking advantage of if you walk towards the back of the machine.
Footprint, Portability, and Durability
The TreadClimber TC200 is a fairly compact machine, taking up less space than most ellipticals and treadmills, with dimensions 55 inches long by 31.5 inches wide by 62.5 inches tall.
The TC200 has rear-mounted transport wheels if you’d like to put the machine away between workouts. We would recommend this having its own space as it does weigh 202 pounds. The TC200 has a user weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is similar to many cardio machines. There is a short three-year warranty for this machine, which is worrying in regards to durability, as machines at this price point usually have a longer warranty.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
The TC200 improved on previous models with improved tech. The TC200 comes with Bluetooth connectivity to export your workout data to the free TreadClimber app. This app can also automatically share data with whatever fitness app you use: Google Fit, Apple Health, and My Fitness Pal. There is also heart rate monitoring via contact grip and a chest strap. You can create up to four different user profiles.
The console is a backlit LCD so you can easily track speed, time, distance and calorie burn. The TC200 also has an integrated media shelf with a USB charging port so you can watch your favorite shows and keep your devices charged while walking. There are also two water bottle holders so you can stay hydrated.
Customer Reviews
Customers generally enjoy owning and using the TreadClimber TC200 in their home gyms, with many people asking when Bowflex will start to make them again. Many users loved that it provided a low-impact workout that did not increase pain associated with previous knee and back injuries. They found that they were able to quickly get a good workout. They also thought that it was easy to put together as long as you had two people to help.
Negative reviews found the TC200 to be shaky or wobbly when walking above 3 MPH. They also found it unsteady, and they needed to hold the handlebars in order to safely walk on the TC200. Users also wished that there were more preprogrammed workouts included in the device. Additionally, they thought the companion app was not great.
Alternatives to TreadClimber TC200
If you are disappointed that the TreadClimbers have been discontinued you should look to the new Bowflex combination machine, the Max Trainer. This combines an elliptical and a stepper, and is geared toward high-intensity interval training.
You could also think about using a traditional treadmill with an incline to achieve a similar workout, and you’ll have the ability to progress to jogging or running if you’d like.
If you want something with a serious incline, the NordicTrack X32i has up to a 40% grade, providing a fantastic workout.
Final Verdict of Our Treadclimber TC200 Review
The bottom line is that the TC200 was a really unique and expensive piece of cardio equipment that people generally enjoyed using. It got a lot of people comfortably exercising following injuries since you could just walk, and helped them achieve their weight loss and other fitness goals. It was compact and combined the benefits of multiple pieces of cardio equipment.
Treadclimber TC200 Rating
Treadclimber TC200
In our Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 review, we detail what you can expect from this treadmill.
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TreadClimber TC200 FAQs
Why was Bowflex TreadClimber discontinued?
Bowflex has not shared why they discontinued the TreadClimbers. Around the same time, Bowflex reintroduced traditional treadmills and a new combination machine, the Bowflex Max Trainer.
Does the Bowflex TreadClimber really work?
The Bowflex TreadClimber does not work as Bowflex initially advertised, that you could just walk your way to weight loss using TreadClimbers. The National Advertising Division (NAD) found these claims to be misleading and not backed by evidence. Bowflex stopped their “all you have to do it walk” advertising.
However, walking is an excellent form of cardio and has a number of benefits.
Does the Bowflex TC200 fold up?
No, the Bowflex TC200 does not fold up. Its footprint is 55 inches long by 31.5 inches wide by 62.5 inches tall.
What year did the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 come out?
The Treadclimber TC100 and TC200 were announced by Bowflex in November of 2015.
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