Finding a balance between “low-impact” and “challenging” is simple when you have the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100.
Combining an elliptical, a stair climber, and a treadmill all in one provides a unique workout experience.
If you’re interested in the Bowflex TC100, take a look at our review below.
Things to Consider before Buying a Workout Climber
Many workout climbers are similar in design, but they differ in some features.
These factors are among the considerations you should keep in mind while shopping around for the right equipment.
Size
If you’re building your home gym, size tends to be the number one factor to think about when choosing equipment.
Thankfully, workout climbers don’t leave too large of a footprint.
Some are slightly smaller than others, so the best way to decide which is right for you is to understand how much space you’re working with at home.
Display
Some exercise climbers feature a simple, small display that highlights important information such as calories burned.
Others feature a more extensive display, often backlit, that’s often as large as a screen on a treadmill. These usually provide more details on things such as time and distance.
What’s best may depend on just how much information you want to know as you workout.
Also, machines with larger displays are typically bigger in overall size compared to ones with simpler screens.
Adjustability
Adaptability is important for exercise machines. There are various ways a workout climber can adjust to suit your needs.
For starters, let’s check out height levels. Height adjustability is only vital when it comes to vertical climbers since not everyone may be able to reach the handlebars.
In this case, it helps if you can lower or raise the height.
Otherwise, always consider the minimum and maximum height settings to know if a specific climber is suitable for you.
Next up in terms of adjustability is the resistance. Much like other equipment like treadmills, workout climbers feature various speeds and exercise levels.
This allows you to adapt your routine, making it more challenging if need be.
Durability
Exercise equipment should last you for some time before you need to upgrade to something new.
Quality workout climbers feature reliable frames often made of steel so they can withstand frequent use.
Also take a look at the weight capacity. Some manage just over 200lbs, while others are supportive up to 300lbs.
It’s important to respect the capacity to ensure nothing damaging happens to your machine.
Additional Features
There are some extra features some exercise climbers boast.
For instance, some have a companion app you can download to keep track of your fitness journey, or they have a USB port where you can connect your phone or music device.
Others feature quality handlebars made with anti-slip or sweat-absorbent material to help you maintain a better grip.
Consider the storage function of the machine as well. There are many climbers with built-in wheels that allow you to roll the machine out of the way as needed.
Others, mainly vertical climbers, can fold for a space-saving storage option.
Introducing the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 is a redesigned model of the company’s TC200 machine.
They deliver similar features, but the TC100 is geared toward those of you seeking a more affordable experience that doesn’t go hard on your joints.
This compact climber touts itself as a 3-in-1 workout machine that allows you to experience a thorough low-impact workout and all you have to do is walk.
There’s a comfortable speed range, four electronic functions, and the function to track and store data from two different users.
Pros
- Quality exercise progress tracking
- Works easy on the joints
- User-friendly design
Cons
- Noisy operation
- Arms might wobble sometimes
- Belts are known to shred
Features & Benefits of the TreadClimber TC100
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 is a follow-up of another Bowflex climber, but it does have similar, unique features the company’s known for.
Workout Functions
When you use the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100, you can adjust from speeds of .5mph to 4mph. Because of this range, the machine is only able to accommodate walking.
However, you can still adapt the intensity of your workout based on how fast you want to walk and the incline of the climber.
Tracking
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 can help you keep track of your exercise progress.
For starters, there are four electronic functions on the interactive LCD backlit display: speed, distance, calories, and time.
The display is large enough that it’s easy to take a glance and note your progress as you workout.
Next is the heart-rate monitor. Simply take hold of the integrated contact grips and you’ll always be aware of your pulse during your exercise routine.
If you’re sharing this machine with someone else in the house, you can separate your progress since the climber can track and store two different users.
Size
Compared to its predecessor, the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 is slightly more compact. It seems about as bulky width-wise as a common treadmill.
However, thanks to the integrated wheels, you can slide it out of the way or into a corner of your workout room.
Once assembled, the climber weighs about 158lbs and can support users up to 300lbs.
Extra Features
Throughout the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100, you’ll notice a few other useful bonus features.
There’s the media rack where you can place your phone or your tablet out of the way. You can also make use of the built-in USB charging port to keep all your devices energized while you exercise.
This is close enough to the media rack so that you can rest your device in the holder and charge at the same time.
Also in the area are two integrated water bottle holders so you’re never too far from your drink.
This section is spacious so that you can set a bottle and other small items inside like the remote for your TV.
User-Friendly Layout
One of the highlights of the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 for home workout users is how straightforward it is.
The screen is backlit and easy to read, and the buttons are large and obvious so you know exactly what to press to start it, stop it, and adjust the speed levels.
You can reach the handles well enough, and the heart-rate monitors are on the front handles and the side ones so you can adjust your hold and still track your pulse.
The wheels allow you to move it around with ease, and with such a high weight capacity, various types of people can successfully use this.
Warranty
If this climber breaks down, more so considering the belts tend to shred, you can still get it fixed for a good amount of time after you purchase it.
Bowflex provides a 2-year warranty for the frame and parts of the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100. There is also a 90-day warranty given for labor.
What Others Think About the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100
We understand the importance of unbiased reviews concerning exercise equipment. This way, you can get a well-rounded opinion to know if it’s right for your home.
Luckily, there are dozens of user reviews about the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100. For the sake of our rundown about the climber, we picked three quality responses to address.
- Jefffisher: This user left an extensive review about the TC100, praising the practicality of the machine for a good workout. They appreciate how you can adapt to how intense you want it to be, and they also enjoyed how well it does at keeping track of all your progress.
- Scottie P.: In a brief, helpful response, this user touched on how the setup seemed easy enough. However, they mentioned that it could benefit from being sturdier considering how much it costs. Their main concern seemed to be the arms fitting too loosely. They did say the treads appear to stay on well, however, and the tension control is well made.
- Kristi Alexander: This user appeared to enjoy the machine, but did note how obvious it was that the belts shred. They also mentioned the loud noise coming from the treadles when you walk, but they still feel as though it is a quality machine.
Alternatives to the TreadClimber TC100
We wouldn’t want you to leave here without finding the right workout climber for your home and exercise needs.
So, we discovered three other quality pieces of equipment that may suit you if you find the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 is lacking in some aspect.
To give you a better perspective, we addressed the basic features of the following alternative options as well as how they hold up against the TC100.
Maxi Climber the Original Vertical Climber
The Original Vertical Climber from Maxi Climber is a popular workout machine that’s easy-to-use and designed for people at various fitness levels.
It offers a full-body, low-impact experience through the use of weight resistance, aerobic, and muscle toning skills.
This comes with the free Maxi Climber fitness app where you can set up your personal fitness goals such as meal plans and track your progress.
It features a small display where you can monitor your steps.
Maxi Climber vs TreadClimber TC100
- Lower weight capacity of 240lbs
- Adjustable height with a maximum of 6.2ft
- Lightweight design
- Free companion fitness app
- Compact folding for storage
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber
This quality Vertical Climber from RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE comes with four metal supporting guide rails for stability and support.
It features five different levels to play around with so you can technically change the resistance.
Levels 1-2 are akin to jogging, levels 3-4 are running, and lastly, level five is similar to rock climbing.
It’s straightforward enough to adjust, and to ensure you receive a safer workout experience, the pedals are at a slight incline to keep your center of gravity closer to the main body of the climber.
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE vs TreadClimber TC100
- Adjustable, foldable design for storage
- High-density, anti-slip foam handlebars
- Four guide rails for stability
- 5-level adjustable resistance
- Lower max weight of 260lbs
Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Cardio Climber
The Premium Cardio Climber from Sunny Health & Fitness is closer to an elliptical machine than any of the other climbers.
It features a heavy-duty frame with smooth operation and eight levels of magnetic resistance so you can adapt your workout routine.
With a performance monitor, you can readily track your progress such as your RPM, speed, and calories burnt.
There are also pulse-sensing grips so you can keep a close eye on your heart-rate. When you’re finished, you can use the transportation wheels built-in to roll it out of the way.
Premium Cardio Climber vs TreadClimber TC100
- Low maximum weight of 260lbs
- Climb and stepping exercise options
- Pulse-sensing heart-rate grips
- Performance monitor built-in
- Full-motion handlebars
Final Thoughts
Although we’ve provided a few alternatives to look at, we still feel the Bowflex TreadClimber TC100 is the best out there if you’re an average user who just wants a low-impact, simple workout experience at home.
Depending on where you buy it from, it’s affordable compared to its predecessor.
It’s also simple to use and features a high max weight capacity of 300lbs to allow for various users.
Also, there’s the chance to set and track the progress of two different people at the same time so you can share the machine.
It tackles various areas of the body with ease, and you can control the speed to change how difficult or easy the workout is.
Overall, it’s a straightforward, simplistic machine that’s designed for entry-level or intermediate users who are looking to get healthy in the comfort of their homes.
