The Bowflex BXT116 is a commercial grade treadmill with a powerful motor, excellent cushioning and a very sturdy frame.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 boasts very similar attributes, and it has one or two unique features that are missing from the BXT116.
The goal of this post is to help you decide which treadmill is better suited to your needs. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Summary of Main Differences between the Bowflex BXT116 and the NordicTrack 1750
- The NordicTrack 1750 Has A Slightly Wider Belt – They both share the same treadmill belt length (60 inches), but the NordicTrack’s belt is slightly wider at 22 inches, versus the 20 inch width of the BXT116.
- The Bowflex BXT116 Warranties Are Longer – The BXT116 frame warranty is 15 years, while the parts warranty is 5 year. With the NordicTrack 1750, the frame warranty is 10 years, and parts warranty is 2 years.
- The NordicTrack 1750 Has Decline Settings – While the both share the sam max incline of 15%, only the NordicTrack 1750 has a max decline setting of -3%.
- Bigger Screen – The screen of the NordicTrack 1750 (10 inches) is significantly larger than the screen of the Bowflex BXT116 (7.5 inches).
- The NordicTrack 1750 is more compact when folded – The C1750 folds up to a more compact form than the BXT116. It essentially fold more upright, which saves you about 10 inches in treadmill length when folded completely.
- The BXT116 Has A Higher Max Weight Setting – The BXT116 caps out at 375 lbs. The NordicTrack 1750 taps out at 300 lbs. That’s a substantial difference, and it could be a deciding factor for heavier users.
- Adjustable Cushioning – The NordicTrack 1750 allows you to alter the cushioning settings with a very easy dial on the deck of the treadmill. This could be a dealbreaker. You can literally fine tune the Nordictrack 1750 to find your preferred cushioning setting. This is not available in the BXT116.
- Slightly larger treadmill rollers – The treadmill rollers are 2.75″ in the BXT116. This drops down slightly to 2.5″ in the NordicTrack 1750.
Key Similarities - Bowflex BXT116 vs NordicTrack 1750
Key Differences - Bowflex BXT116 vs NordicTrack 1750
Main Reasons To Choose the Bowflex BXT116
1. It has very similar specs, and it's a fair bit cheaper
Admittedly the belt is 2 inches narrower and the BXT116 doesn’t have decline settings. However, most people are unlikely to activate the decline settings regularly, and the length of the treadmill belt is exactly the same as the NordicTrack 1750.
In other words, the BXT116 and the NordicTrack are very similar in terms of treadmill specs, and the Bowflex even scores a few wins with the max weight capacity and treadmill roller size.
All this is ultimately to say that the BXT116 is slightly better value for money. You are essentially paying a fair amount less for a treadmill that
2. The Max User Weight Is Significantly Higher
The maximum user weight of the Bowflex BXT116 is 375 lbs. This drops down to 300 lbs with the NordicTrack 1750.
While most users probably fall well under the 300 lbs range, a higher max weight setting indicates that the BXT116 is more sturdy and resilient than the NordicTrack 1750.
3. It has an iPad Holder
I am genuinely surprised that the NordicTrack 1750 doesn’t have an iPad holder. You actually have to buy an additional accessory in order to comfortably hold your iPad/tablet in place.
Fortunately you can eliminate this inconvenience with the Bowflex BXT116. It has a 7.5 inch screen, and it also has a simple iPad holder. If you want to watch Netflix or Youtube while you run, this could definitely be a deciding factor.
4. The Warranties Are Much More Favorable
It will be easiest to re-emphasize the warranty differences using bullet points, which make it very clear that the BXT116 has significantly longer warranties.
Bowflex BXT116
- Frame Warranty – 15 Years
- Parts Warranty – 5 Years
- Labour Warranty – 2 Years
NordicTrack 1750
- Frame Warranty – 10 Years
- Parts Warranty – 2 Years
- Labour Warranty – 1 Years
Main Reasons To Choose The NordicTrack 1750
1. Decline Settings
The NordicTrack 1750 has a maximum incline of 15%, and a maximum decline of -3%. With the Bowflex BXT116, you are limited to a max incline of 15%.
Although this difference needs to be mentioned, it’s also worth noting that most people will run on the flat settings (ie no incline) or moderate incline. In fact, running at a 1% incline is generally considered the best way to mimic running outdoors.
2. Adjustable Cushioning of Treadmill Deck
Of all the reasons to choose the NordicTrack 1750 over the Bowflex BXT116, this is definitely the most compelling.
The ability to adjust the cushioning level is an absolute gamechanger. Finding the perfect cushioning level for your stride, weight and running style isn’t that easy to do, and with most treadmills you don’t actually have a choice. However, with the NordicTrack C 1750, you can literally dial the cushioning level to a level that you are comfortable with.
This is a big drawcard, because it drastically reduces the likelihood of experiencing buyer remorse (guilt over selecting the wrong product). You essentially get a super powerful treadmill that can be adjusted to your preferences as a runner.
3. The Treadmill Belt Is 2 Inches Wider
This is arguably the biggest technical difference between these two units. The width of the NordicTrack treadmill belt is 22 inches, while the width of the Bowflex BXT116 is 20 inches.
Wider treadmill belts are a bit easier to run on, especially if you are a pretty big person. This could be a dealbreaker for some people.
3. NordicTrack Is The More Established Treadmill Brand
Simply put, NordicTrack is one of the most trusted treadmill brands in the world. The company has been producing high quality products for decades, and they have continued this lineage with the NordicTrack C 1750.
This is not to say that Bowflex isn’t a great brand. It just isn’t quite as established as NordicTrack.
Final Thoughts
As we stated at the beginning, both of these treadmills have very good specs, and they could easily be placed inside a commercial gym without too much fuss. If you’re still on the fence at this point, these final buying tips might help.
Go for the Bowflex BXT116 if:
- You want better value for money
- You want longer warranties
- You intend to use your iPad while running on the treadmill
Go for the NordicTrack 1750 if:
- You need a wider treadmill belt
- You are worried about the treadmill cushioning, and want the ability to fine tune this setting
- You are likely to use the decline settings
- You are more trusting of the NordicTrack brand as a whole