Running everyday has always been a hobby of mine but, after I started a career and was forced to move into colder climates I had to sacrifice my running. I have always enjoyed running it keeps me feeling healthy and active. It was extremely difficult to forfeit something that I enjoyed so much. When I finally found a way to enjoy running but still stay focused on my career it was great burdened lifted off of my shoulders.

When I first discovered the Bowflex 5 Series Tredmill I thought that the price was absolutely ridiculous, I mean come on I can go outside and run for free right? Well, after doing some serious thinking about where exactly I wanted to spend my money I decided to give it a try, what could it hurt? At first I was completely dissatisfied, the treadmill running was so boring. When running on the treadmill I had nothing to look at it; it was a blank wall and me staring out into space hoping that I don't step on the plastic ad tumble over myself. It actually took a lot to get me motivated enough to actually step onto the thin strip that rotates around this machine.

After a few weeks of me dragging myself onto the machine I realized that I didn't really have another option, other than the bitter cold outside. I decided to make the most of my purchase and start enjoying this treadmill. I began meditating and reading magazines while running, this centered my thoughts and prepared me for the day. After a few days of running on the treadmill with this outlook and seemed like a totally different run afterwards. I was actually enjoying running inside, it was amazing. I couldn't believe that I could get the same workout, inside in my own basement.

When I finally began to appreciate the Bowflex 5 Series treadmill I began playing with all the different gadgets available. The machine has twelve different programs with even a heart rate control. There is also a button that allows you to incline the treadmill which gives you an even more intense work out. One of the best parts about the machine is that you can monitor your progress just by gripping the handle bars, they actually tell you how far you've gone as well as your heart rate. At first I was afraid of falling off the machine but it really has a decent area of running room with about a 20" by 60" dimension. Not only does it have all of these unique features but if you get hot there is also a built in fan to cool you down during your long run. The Bowflex 5 Series offers many different benefits and is also easy to fold up and fit in a closet to save space. The machine is fairly big and really hard to store if you do not have room for this type of equipment. The machine could be a lot better if it was smaller. It probably is not very possible to make a smaller and more practical treadmill, but it would be nice. It is just really hard to keep in a smaller home.

The noise level of this machine was another issue that a lot of people will find to be a problem. If you are working out on a Bowflex 5 Series Treadmill the whole house is going to know it. That is the biggest problem with this machine. Running on a treadmill is very obvious to the rest of the house. It sounds like a loud pounding sound and it is just simply noisy running on a treadmill. If you can manage to find a good place in a basement with a lot of room then it is a lot easier to have a practical treadmill in your home. If you have the room and a good place to store it then it is a lot nicer to have then if you do not have space.

Before purchasing a Bowflex 5 Series I had my doubts about the machine; but after using it for awhile I realized all the different ways it can benefit a person. I have really learned to appreciate my machine, it helps me exercise in any degree climate and is available to me twenty four seven. Even though there are still a few small glitches that I might change it is pretty close to running free in the outdoors.