Bowflex C7 Bike

Quick Summary

The new Bowflex C7 Bike brings big bang for the buck when it comes to interactive workouts. In addition to the Bowflex JRNY Fitness App, the bike also connects with the Peloton App, Zwift, and streaming features from Netflix to Hulu. Priced at just $1,299, it can be found online for as low as $1,099 with a free year of the JRNY Fitness App, free shipping, and dumbbells included. The mid-level model between the $899 Bowflex C6 and the $1,799 VeloCore Bike, the new C7 hits a sweet spot in terms of screen size and performance.

I’m a big fan of indoor cardio. If you are too and like biking, check out our detailed spec analysis below to see if the C7 is right for your home studio.

Specifications

Model	Bowflex C7 Bike
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	91.0%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$1299
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1999
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	1-100 variable
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Magnetic
Type Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).	Indoor Cycle
Drive System The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.	Silent Magnetic Resistance
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Heavy-Duty Steel
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Padded Road Bike Style, Adjustable
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Dual-sided — Toe Cages and SPD Clips
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	Multiple streaming options available
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Bluetooth
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	7-inch HD
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	330 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	52.3" x 21.3" x 50.6"
Accessory Tray Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers
Cooling Fans
Portable? Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: 3 Years Parts: 3 Years Electronics/Labor: 1 Year

Our Rating

Rating: 91.0/100. When it comes to the Bowflex C7, it’s hard to find things not to like. Priced to compete with the best bikes on the market, it brings a solid machine and great entertainment options.

Pros:

Built for the Bowflex JRNY Fitness App and compatible with Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO
Purchase includes a one-year subscription of the JRNY Fitness App, valued at $149
Compatible with Peloton, Zwift, and several other training apps
Silent Magnetic Resistance and 40-pound flywheel
100 levels of resistance
Bluetooth-enabled
Compact measurement of 52.3 x 21.3 x 50.6 inches
The 118-pound bike can support up to 330 pounds in user weight
Adjustable padded saddle with universal stem
Dual-sided with both SPD clips and toe cages
7-inch HD touchscreen
Integrated media rack for phone or tablet
Pair of 3-pound dumbbells included with purchase

Cons:

Bowflex JRNY Fitness App costs $19.99 per month or $149 per year after the introductory offer expires
Standard warranty is relatively short at 3 years for the frame and parts, 1 year for electronics and labor
The bike’s 7-inch screen is smaller than many rivals’

Introduction

Bowflex is a relative newcomer to the field of indoor bikes, with the C6 Bike serving as its initial entry just last year. With the C7, I can see they’re heading in the right direction by keeping the price low and the features relatively high. In terms of the bike itself, like most Bowflex products, you’re getting quality. One big plus for this lineup is the JRNY Fitness App’s compatibility with so many other streaming services. Given the difference in pricing, it does make sense for Peloton shopper’s to consider the C7 given its compatibility with the Peloton app. There’s also Zwift, but Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO, are also available with the JRNY Fitness App. Silent magnetic resistance is a favorite for good reason, and 100 levels of resistance is plenty for any rider to earn the burn.

Workout Programs

A 7-inch HD screen does seem small compared to the MYX Bike II or Stryde, but frankly some folks like that. The bike doesn’t have any built-in programs, but it’s obviously designed with the hopes that users like the JRNY Fitness App and continue with it. That said, JRNY is a great app. Priced lower than its rivals such as iFit, it brings bang for the buck. To read up on the Top Fitness Apps for Indoor Cycling on the market, read our review here.

One plus for JRNY is it offers unlimited user accounts, so if you wanted to have one for your cardio and another for strength training, or perhaps multiple for your family, you’re safe there. Like most apps, it tracks individual metrics, offers personalized workouts, on-demand classes, and videos. The program offers smart recommendations based on past performance and can calibrate the workouts to suit your targets. Real-time coaching, trainer-led workouts, and heart rate monitoring is all wrapped in. The feature of “Explore the world” has been added into the JRNY app with more tan 50 virtual destinations users can explore.

What really sets JRNY apart is its partnership with other streaming services. A big drawback to other bikes is their screens don’t allow you to watch movies on Netflix, whereas with JRNY, that’s part of the plan.

Bowflex C7 Bike Features

The C7 is a pretty basic bike by itself, well-made for sure. Measuring 52.3 x 21.3 x 50.6 inches and weighing just 118 pounds, the unit is compact and easy to move about the home gym. Yet it still affords up to 330 pounds in user weight. It brings an easy-to-adjust seat and does come with a pair of 3-pound dumbbells which fit beneath the handlebars for a quick grab if you like floorwork.

With 100 levels of magnetic resistance provided by way of a 40-pound flywheel, riders get smooth action quiet enough to not be heard in the next room. This 40-pound flywheel is among the heavier on the market, and as a rule, the heavier the better for stability. Workout metrics displayed include RPM, time, speed, calories, distance, resistance level, and pulse. And, the pedal design offers SPD clips on side, fitted for those with cycling shoes, while on the other, conventional toe cages if you’d rather ride in sneakers.

Questions/Answers

How much does the Bowflex JRNY Fitness App cost?
Purchase includes one year free. After that it costs $19.99 per month or $149 per year.
Can you use the Bowflex C7 without the JRNY Fitness App?
Yes, the bike functions without the app, you just lose access to that programming.
Does the Bowflex C7 have to be plugged in to use it?
The bike’s flywheel and magnetic resistance will work without power, but for the console to display metrics, or to utilize any apps, it must be plugged into a power source.

Warranty & Guarantee

The standard warranty for the Bowflex C7 Bike is bit short:

Frame: 3 years
Parts: 3 years
Electronics and Labor: 1 year

A 5-year extended plan can be purchased for an additional $99.

Conclusion

The Bowflex C7 is a great mid-level bike priced like many introductory units. Yes, the screen is a little smaller than rivals’ but frankly a 7-inch screen is probably sufficient for most. It does have an integrated device holder too, and as compact as it is, parking it in front of a television is always an option. Overall, I’d recommending giving this bike a good look if you want a durable unit and aren’t into bells and whistles. The 40-pound flywheel and magnetic resistance mean you’ll have no trouble earning the burn with this bike.