Bowflex 116 vs 216 Elliptical Comparison – How Do They Compare?

July 22, 2018September 17, 2020 BestEllipticalBlog 0 Comments archives

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Click Here to read our full affiliate disclosure.

Trying to decide between the Bowflex 116 vs 216 Elliptical Trainers?

These are two heavy-duty, front-drive trainers with massive flywheels and high-end construction.

The double-wheel-track design on both models helps to reduce side-to-side swaying and the lengthy 22 inch stride ensures you’re fully working your lower body as you run.

And the adjustable footpedals with the speed/resistance controls on the moving arm bars give you a more convenient, comfortable workout.

bowflex 116 vs 216 — Bowflex 216 Elliptical

But what about when you compare them head-to-head? How do they stack up?

This post will compare the Bowflex BXE116 vs BXE216 elliptical trainers so you can make a more informed decision and find the best elliptical for you.

Bowflex 116 vs 216 Elliptical – Price

The Bowflex BXE 116 is currently the most affordable model coming around $1499 with Free Shipping Here.

The Bowflex BXE 216 is the next model up with a few more perks. You can get it for around $1799 with Free Shipping here. So is the Bowflex 216 elliptical worth the extra money?

Stability and Feel

While both ellipticals have the same dual-wheel-track layout and front-drive design, the flywheel on the Bowflex 216 model is a bit heavier – 35 pounds vs 30 pounds.

A heavier flywheel helps to give you a smoother feeling ride without those jerky stop-and-start motions that you often get on cheaper machines. A heavier flywheel also helps to anchor the machine and makes it feel more stable.

So technically the Bowflex BXE216 elliptical is a bit more stable than the BXE116 model. It was made to stand up under heavier or more intense workouts over the long run.

The Bowflex 216 also has a heavier user weight capacity than the 116 elliptical – 400 pounds vs 375 pounds. This again shows you that it’s a bit more stable than the 116 model.

Having said that however, the 30 pound flywheel on the Bowflex 116 elliptical is still pretty impressive. It’s heavier than a lot of elliptical trainers at the same price point.

So really, the Bowflex 116 elliptical is no slouch when it comes to stability either.

Bowflex BXE116 vs BXE216 – Console

While the consoles are pretty much the exact same layout for both models, the BXE 116 (seen below) is slightly smaller than the BXE 216 elliptical.

It has a 7 inch console window whereas the Bowflex 216 elliptical has a 9 inch console (seen below). So it will be a bit easier to read your workout stats with the Bowflex 216 elliptical.

Again however – this isn’t a huge difference.

Both consoles give you a place to put your tablet (so you can surf the net or watch Youtube or Netflix as you run).

Both consoles also include the famous Bowflex Burn Rate meter as well as heart rate monitoring and even a USB port so you can charge your devices as you workout. It’s really just the size that’s different here.

Add Some Challenge With Built-in Workout Programs

Both trainers come with built-in workout programs. However the Bowflex 216 model has a few more – 11 vs 9. So you have a few more ways to challenge yourself as you workout on the Bowflex 216 elliptical model.

Upper Body Training Options

The Bowflex 216 has slightly upgraded arm bars that give you 4 different arm positions – vs 3 arm positions on the Bowflex 116 elliptical.

bowflex bxe116 vs bxe216 elliptical comparison — Bowflex 216 Elliptical

Again this isn’t a huge difference – but if you really want every option to train your upper body, you may prefer the 216 model.

bowflex 116 vs 216 elliptical comparison — Bowflex 116 Elliptical

So Which is Best For You?

So those are the main differences between the Bowflex 116 vs 216 elliptical.

Which is best for you? Well it really comes down to what you’re looking for.

The Bowflex 216 elliptical is a bit more stable with the heavier flywheel and higher unit weight. So it can stand up better to longer or more intense use (for example, if there are multiple users in the home).

It also has a few more “extras” like the extra workout programs and extra hand positions.

However the Bowflex 116 is still a very strong elliptical and comes in a few hundred dollars cheaper – making it more attractive if you’re on a budget.

Regardless, they both have some incredible benefits over other brands – like the double-wheel-track design, 22 inch stride and power incline for better crosstraining. You really can’t go too far wrong with either one.

Want to Learn More?