The home run

Looking for more connectivity with home workouts? We test the first treadmill to sync with Apple and Samsung smartwatches

- Eve Boggenpose

If you're after a solid, well-designed treadmill that keeps things simple yet connected, the Bowflex T9 is a strong contender.

Whether you're chasing personal bests or just trying to keep moving through winter, the T9 is built for runners (and walkers) who value comfort, performance and app compatibility over flashy extras, promising gym-quality results in your own home. But does it deliver the goods? We put it to the test.

Getting started

First up, delivery is 'doorstep' - so make sure you have at least one, preferably two, extra people on hand to help you get the treadmill inside (assembled weight is 128kg, but when it’s still in the box it’s 155kg, thanks to protective wooden sheets in the packaging). You'll also need to ensure you have adequate space cleared at its final location (1m in front and at the sides, 2m at the back).

Setup was straightforward, and the attention to detail made the process relatively easy. The 50 or so nuts, bolts and washers in the hardware pack are sectioned off into assembly stages, so small parts don’t get mixed up, and arrows on the treadmill make sure you line everything up properly. We'd definitely recommend reading the instructions in full before you begin, though, or you might struggle with some stages (we were too impatient and didn’t realise there was a guidewire to feed the electrics into the treadmill legs - reading ahead would have saved us improvising with a ball of wool!).

And finally, make sure you have your phone to hand as you'll definitely need the torch to see some of the less-accessible screw holes - guesswork just won't cut it and you'll only end up frustrated. That said, there's a real sense of achievement setting up the treadmill, and it gives another dimension to the sense of ownership - it really does feel like ‘my’ treadmill now!

On the run