JRNY App Review (2024): Does This Bowflex Fitness App Stand Up To Competitors?

Are you on the hunt for the best online workout program? What about one for beginners? From hands-on experience, our Garage Gym Reviews testers think the JRNY app has a lot to offer for newbie strength trainers. Additionally, JRNY is ideal for home gym owners who own Bowflex or Schwinn cardio equipment (like the treadmill in our Bowflex 10 review). 

I’m going to walk you through my experience, explain the AI-adaptive features, and show you what I liked (and didn’t like) about using JRNY. Let’s dive in. 

Two Personal Trainers Put JRNY To The Test

For this JRNY app review, GGR expert tester and ISSA-certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele tested the app on the Bowflex Treadmill 10 machine for treadmill-specific workouts. I also tested JRNY, but used the mobile-only membership for off-machine workouts using dumbbells, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises. 

Both Lindsay and I used our certified personal training experience to help inform our testing process when using this app. We also used an in-depth testing methodology to score a variety of categories on a scale of 1 to 5, including: 

• Pricing
• Set up and ease of use 
• Accountability 
• Instruction 
• Equipment demands 
• Progressive overload
• Workout variety 

JRNY App

JRNY App

GGR Score: 3.25

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Product Highlights

• Cardio and strength workout app
• Designed for Bowflex and Schwinn equipment
• Workout data tracking
• Real-time form correcting

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Motion tracking and real-time form correction
• Tracking for unlimited users
• Ability to stream third-party entertainment

Cons

• Lackluster classes
• Limited variety

Bottom Line

JRNY is an interactive app specifically designed to integrate with Bowfelx, Schwinn, and Nautilus cardio equipment. It can also be used as a stand-alone app on your phone for both cardio and strength workouts. One unique feature is that you can access your favorite third-party entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu.

A Quick Look at the JRNY App

JRNY is owned and operated by Bowflex, which is a sister brand of both Schwinn and Nautilus. 

This fitness app features cardio workouts specifically designed for JRNY-enabled cardio equipment, which are machines manufactured by Bowflex and Schwinn. 

RELATED: Best Schwinn Exercise Bike

However, you can use the app to take advantage of a wide range of strength workouts and bodyweight training including HIIT, yoga, and mobility. There is an all-access membership option, which you’ll need if you own a Bowflex or Schwinn machine with a built-in touchscreen. There’s also a mobile-only version of the app if your machine has Bluetooth connectivity or you just want to use it for strength workouts. 

Before You Buy

• JRNY offers a generous two-month free trial period with a super easy cancellation process if you don’t like it. There is also a limited free-forever version of JRNY. 
• Certain Bowflex and Schwinn cardio equipment will have Bluetooth functionality to sync your mobile device to the machine for trainer-led video workouts. 
• If you don’t have Bowflex or Schwinn machines, you can’t access the cardio workouts on JRNY. 

Is the JRNY App Worth It?

The JRNY app will be worth it for certain people, namely folks with a Bowflex or Schwinn cardio machine. It can be a machine with a touchscreen or one that is JRNY-enabled, but the app is a no-brainer if you’ve purchased from either of these brands. 

If you don’t have a Bowflex or Schwinn treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical machine you may be better suited for another fitness app because you won’t be able to access cardio workouts unless you can connect to a JRNY-enabled machine. 

RELATED: Bowflex Max Total 16 Review

That said, if you are in the market for one of the best workout apps to help you learn proper form and start your fitness journey, this app could be a solid choice for beginners due to the real-time AI feedback features on strength training exercises (which I’ll touch on more later). 

JRNY is unlikely to be worth it long term for most folks using mobile-only. However, the most expensive membership option is only $20 per month and you get a two-month free trial. There’s no harm in trying it out. 

JRNY App Specs

Workout Experience with the JRNY App

While neither myself or tester Lindsay were blown away by JRNY, I think it’s worth mentioning a few features I thought were unique about this fitness app. First, JRNY uses AI-powered real-time form correction. I think this feature could be a game-changer for beginners and may even be implemented on other apps in the future. 

Second, unlike NordicTrack equipment, Bowflex and Schwinn equipment with built-in touchscreens allow you to access and login to your existing third-party apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ to stream entertainment while you workout. 

RELATED: Best NordicTrack Treadmills

The unique part is that your workout metrics will be displayed around the edge of the screen so you don’t have to toggle between apps or screens to know how long you’ve been running or check your heart rate. Lindsay tested this feature by logging into her Netflix account and had no problem accessing her account or selecting a TV show to watch while running. 

Last, both Lindsay and I noticed the coaching on JRNY is not quite as “hype” as you might expect if you’ve ever tried an app like Peloton. If you want a hype man on your screen, JRNY might not cut it for you. Most coaches are much more subdued and there is plenty of silence from the coaches (but not the music) while you finish a set. I thought that was totally fine, but Lindsay thought it was a bit underwhelming. 

RELATED: Best Treadmill App

Pricing and Trial Period 

Both myself and Lindsay agree the JRNY app offers an affordable price point for the all-access membership and we appreciate the fact there are two other membership tiers you can take advantage of, too. If you plan to use JRNY on your phone without connecting it to Bluetooth-enabled cardio equipment from Bowflex or Schwinn you can use the mobile-only membership, which is a bit cheaper. Plus, there is a limited version of JRNY you can use for free and it doesn’t require a credit card on file. 

RELATED: Best Free Workout Apps

What’s more is the fact that the paid membership has a two-month-long free trial period, which is much longer than we see on similar apps. For this reason, JRNY earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to pricing and a 5-star rating for the trial period. Here’s what you can expect for the pricing structure: 

• All-access: $19.99 per month or $149 per year
• Mobile-only: $11.99 per month or $99 per year
• Free version: limited library of JRNY workouts

Plus, these prices reflect the ability for your entire household to share one account.

App Set Up and Ease of Use

For me, setting up the app was a piece of cake. I have an iPhone, so I went to the Apple App Store and downloaded the JRNY app. I created a new user account and selected the mobile-only membership version, entered my credit card information and started the two-month free trial. I also promptly canceled the trial knowing I didn’t want my credit card charged in two months time. I had no issues with canceling from my iPhone settings. 

You can use the app on Android and iOS devices along with Bowflex and Schwinn equipment with touchscreens like the Bowflex Treadmill 22, Max Trainer M9, and the Bowflex VeloCore indoor cycle bike. 

RELATED: Bowflex VeloCore Review

After the initial set-up, I went through a brief questionnaire on my fitness level, workout preferences, and what I have available for equipment. After I was done with the questionnaire, the app brought me to the “just for you” section on the main menu where there were a few workout suggestions waiting for me to try. I was ready to workout in less than five minutes. 

If you use the all-access version of JRNY on a built-in touchscreen machine, you’ll be given a fitness assessment so the app can learn about you and suggest workouts for you based on your current fitness level (much like the questionnaire but with more data). 

JRNY earns a 4-star rating when it comes to overall ease of use. Although it’s fairly straightforward to use the mobile-only membership, I found myself fumbling through workouts outside of the “just for you” page. Plus, getting motion tracking started for real-time feedback was super frustrating at first. 

I did the first workout without because I was so irritated, but I got it to work for the second workout. And you know what I did? I turned my phone on its side to a horizontal position and that’s all it took for the phone to recognize my body and initiate motion tracking. 

I will say that motion tracking doesn’t remember you from workout to workout, you have to activate it every time, which is essentially just a body sensor so the app can give you form feedback. 

Not all workouts have this motion feature (I’ll cover more details about motion tracking in the next section), but you may like knowing you can filter workouts by equipment, instructor, level of difficulty, and length of time. And if you’re new to fitness or short on time, you’ll appreciate the fact this app has tons of workouts that only take 10 minutes. 

Trainer Instruction and Equipment Demands 

JRNY as a fitness platform offers something much of the competition does not (or at least not yet): motion tracking. This AI technology calibrates your body before individual workouts to then be able to offer real-time feedback. 

This AI feature is separate from the on-screen personal trainer providing virtual coaching—you’ll have that, too. Let’s say you’re performing a superset of dumbbell goblet squats and planks. The motion tracking can detect if your chest is caving at the bottom of the squat or if your hips are sagging on a plank. Essentially, another voice chimes in (on top of the coach and background playlist) to say something like, “Keep your chest up.” And you can expect the cue to repeat if you don’t correct your form. 

RELATED: Best Workout App for Beginners

If you prefer this type of feedback on your workouts, be sure to look for “adaptive workouts” in the description while browsing for new workouts. And when you complete an adaptive workout, JRNY uses an algorithm to track your workout data, suggest load and rep ranges, and suggest future workouts on your “just for you” screen. 

Because of this AI feature and the clear instruction I received on workouts, JRNY earns a 4-star rating. I also appreciated the fact there was pretty much always a countdown timer for rest periods so you always knew what to expect, even when the coach was giving instructions for the next exercise. 

When it comes to equipment demands, you can complete most of the strength and off-machine workouts with minimal equipment. A pair of adjustable dumbbells (like the Bowflex SelectTechs) will be pretty much all you need. I used a pair of kettlebells for most of the workouts I completed. 

RELATED: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review

That said, if you plan to use JRNY for cardio workouts, you’ll need a JRNY-enabled machine. This isn’t an app like Zwift that is compatible with multiple name brands and types of equipment. JRNY is specific to Bowflex and Schwinn. 

Variety and Progression 

If you plan to use JRNY to connect to your JRNY-enabled cardio equipment, you’ll have more variety than I experienced. I was limited to strength-based (with dumbbells, kettlebells, and curl bars) and bodyweight workouts (like HIIT, pilates, yoga, or stretching) because I don’t have Bowflex or Schwinn machines at home. 

I honestly thought I’d be able to use the videos on my phone without a connection, but I couldn’t even watch the video let alone follow along on my Horizon Fitness treadmill. I couldn’t use the Explore the World feature without a compatible machine either, which is just a series of videos with scenic locations without coaching cues.

Lindsay was able to follow along with trainer-led cardio workouts on the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and try out some Explore the World scenic workouts. However she says, “Almost all the classes are shot in a very basic studio. It’s hard to compare it to the iFIT trainer-led classes in scenic locations and cities.”

“I have to admit iFIT is more engaging than looking at the JRNY screen where it’s essentially a person just running in a room,” says Lindsay. “It also didn’t seem like they have the same level of variety of classes that you find on iFIT or Peloton.”

RELATED: Peloton vs iFIT

Overall, Lindsay says JRNY classes are a bit lackluster and gives the app a middle-of-the-road 3-star rating for variety. As for progression, the app gets another 3-star rating. 

Lindsay reports there is data tracking on the cardio workouts. And as you improve, you’ll get more difficult or longer workouts suggested for you. I also noticed data tracking for strength workouts—when you’re done with each workout you’ll have the opportunity to input or adjust the weight used and repetitions performed on each exercise. 

Based on your workout data, your algorithm will feed you more difficult workouts. This alone isn’t really enough for me when it comes to progression. Most workouts are stand-alone sessions. There is a “program” option in one of the dropdowns, but it just felt like collections of standalone workouts organized by length of time. 

JRNY vs iFIT 

iFIT

iFIT

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Over 16,000 live and on-demand classes
• More than 60 types of workouts
• Immersive experience
• Classes filmed worldwide
• Live races and events
• World-class trainers
• Syncs with Nordictrack and ProForm equipment

Pros & Cons

Pros

• At-home training
• World-class coaches
• Immersive training experience
• Vast library of workouts
• Record and track workout metrics
• Individual and family memberships available
• Free trial

Cons

• Pricey for some
• No true path for progression

Bottom Line

iFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT.

JRNY is a competitor of interactive apps like iFIT and Peloton but on a smaller scale. However, for the right person, JRNY may offer the right amount of variety and simplicity. 

I personally appreciate the top-notch cinematography of iFIT but the app can be a bit overwhelming for me. I only use it occasionally and it takes me a while to find what I want. On the flip side, Lindsay says she prefers the variety of the iFIT library and appreciates how many options there are, which we discuss more in our iFIT reviews. 

One of my gripes with the JRNY app is the fact I can’t access any of the cardio workouts because I don’t own a JRNY-enabled machine. You won’t have that problem with iFIT; you may not be able to connect to a non-iFIT-enabled machine, but you’ll still be able to view the workout on your phone or tablet. 

That said, the price of a JRNY all-access membership at $19.99 monthly (or $149 annually) covers up to five different users. For a family plan on iFIT, it’s $39 per month or $369 per year. 

While JRNY may not have as much variety, the motion tracking and real-time form correction may be worth checking out during a free trial if you’re new to weight training. That’s a feature we haven’t seen on other fitness platforms yet. 

Customer Experience 

On jrny.com you’ll find a variety of videos highlighting how to use the app, motion tracking, Explore the World content, and streaming entertainment. If the videos don’t help you find the information you need, JRNY offers a separate support website (support.jrny.com) that hosts a myriad of instruction videos and FAQs. 

This site even has a button you can click to view a list of known issues within the JRNY app including error codes and connectivity issues. You can also call JRNY customer support at 888-986-5528 for more assistance. 

Customer Reviews

On Google Play, JRNY has a 3.9 average rating and over 4,000 customer reviews. On the App Store, JRNY has a 4.6 average rating with more than 16,000 reviews. Many of the reviews I read dated back to 2021 and 2020 and many of those reviews stated the app was buggy. 

More recent reviews are generally better, but it’s still all over the place. Many reviews talk about not liking the general navigation of the app or not being able to use the app on non-JRNY-enabled cardio machines. 

Final Verdict of Our JRNY App Review

JRNY is ideal for home gym owners with Bowflex or Schwinn cardio equipment with either built-in touchscreens or JRNY-compatible connectivity. With the all-access membership, you’ll be able to fully take advantage of your machine with trainer-led programming, scenic vistas, or enjoy third-party entertainment (without missing a beat on your workout metrics). 

If you don’t have a Bowflex or Schwinn machine, JRNY will be suitable for beginner exercisers looking for an affordable way to get form correction on full-body workouts with weights. We also like the fact that there is a free-forever version of the app and a generous two-month trial period to test it out yourself. 

Full Rating

JRNY App

JRNY is an interactive app specifically designed to integrate with Bowfelx, Schwinn, and Nautilus cardio equipment. It can also be used as a stand-alone app on your phone for both cardio and strength workouts. One unique feature is that you can access your favorite third-party entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu.

Product Brand: JRNY

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 11.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.25

JRNY App: FAQs

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

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