JRNY App Review: Why Is It a Game-Changer for Workouts?
JRNY by Bowflex is the latest fitness app to hit the scene that gives personalized workout selections designed to be used with Bowflex or Schwinn touchscreen cardio equipment.
9 min readUpdated September 20th, 2023
MLRNCWritten By Meg Lambrych RN, NASM, CPT
OVERVIEW
JRNY has unique standout features like the ability to stream your favorite Netflix shows in-app, workouts worldwide, and customized daily suggestions based on your current fitness level, accomplishments, preferences, and workout history.
Keep reading this JRNY review to master everything there is to know about the JRNY app experience, your equipment options, and how JRNY measures up to industry rivals.
JRNY App Overview
As science and technology advance rapidly, it’s becoming clear that a personalized approach to health is the way of the future.
If cancer treatments and nutrition plans will be customized to fit our genes, preferences, and goals soon, why not our workouts?
As an experienced personal trainer, I can tell you that you are more likely to stick with an exercise program you enjoy and that is in line with your specific fitness goals and values. This may seem obvious, but most fitness apps simply offer a host of pre-recorded workout classes and leave you on your own to create your own journey.
The JRNY app seeks to take the concept of fitness personalization and make it accessible to the masses with its adaptive workout programs based on a personal fitness assessment.
After a 14-minute fitness assessment, you will have a tab in your app screen aptly named ‘Just for you’, where you get 2-4 personalized workout recommendations each day.
JRNY has on and off-equipment workouts, including cardio, strength, HIIT, core, yoga, and Pilates, but the app is definitely designed to be used with one of their cardio machines or strength sets.
A unique experience the app offers is virtual coaching. The JRNY app comes equipped with a virtual coach who offers encouragement, applause and pushes you throughout your workouts.
The JRNY app also has features you won’t find anywhere else, such as streaming your favorite movies or shows from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, or Hulu. The visuals and workout data seamlessly integrate into your screen for a truly immersive experience.You get the convenience of these features and data seamless data tracking, all in one place.
JRNY offers a basic subscription designed for users who have their own machine and want to stream classes on their phone or tablet for $12 monthly or $100 yearly. This tier includes thousands of pre-recorded classes, adaptive workouts, trainer-led videos, whole-body workouts, and more.
The all-access membership gives you access to everything JRNY has to offer, including streaming entertainment, unlimited profiles for your household, plus all the basic subscription features for $20 monthly or $150 yearly.
JRNY offers a generous 60-day free trial for either subscription tier.
*Note that the all-access subscription is required if you plan on purchasing one of their paired machines*
You can download the JRNY app for iOS and Android devices from the App Store, Google Play, or the website.
To get the best JRNY experience, the company recommends purchasing one of their cardio machines or strength sets. You can use the JRNY app without a paired machine, but your workouts are limited to body-weight sessions only.
JRNY by Bowflex: Our Take
Starting at $11.99 per month
JRNY by Bowflex
Best for use with Bowflex and Schwinn connected equipment
- One subscription for entire household
- Motion tracking for realtime feedback
- Streaming apps available during workouts
- Trainer led classes
JRNY App Features
The JRNY app holds its own against other industry favorite apps because it combines top-rated fitness equipment with a sleek user interface and stand-out features. Let’s dive into everything that makes the JRNY app special and all the ways it can help you reach your fitness goals.
Personalized Fitness with Adaptive Workouts
JRNY's adaptive, personalized workouts are the app's crown jewel. After taking a brief fitness assessment, the app's algorithm learns what you like, your fitness level, what type of workouts you complete most, and more.
You'll get daily customized workout recommendations to help you reach your fitness goals. But just because the program gives you suggestions doesn't mean you aren't in control.
Say, for example, you log in for the day and only have 30 minutes to get a session in, or you're super sore from your workout yesterday and aren't up for much.You can adjust the workout accordingly by using the time and difficulty slider at the top of the screen.
This novel approach to exercise truly reflects the reality that our needs and abilities can change day to day, and JRNY designed a fitness experience that reflects that.
Cardio, Strength, Yoga, & More
JRNY also does a great job of offering well-rounded programming, so you can get all your workouts in one place. With strength programs, including dumbbells, kettlebells, bodyweight workouts, Bowflex equipment Barre, and Pilates, you have plenty of resistance options to choose from.
JRNY also has running, walking, max trainer, cycling, and cardio HIIT options for heart health. You also get recovery day options like yoga and stretching.
Virtual Coaching
An exciting feature of the JRNY app is the built-in virtual coaching programming. While some apps offer live classes, personal training chats, and video or audio instruction, JRNY leverages the latest technology with an automated coaching voice that uses smart tech to chime in when you need an extra push or encouragement.
Trainer-led Workouts
Looking for the energy of a fitness class but don’t want to leave home? The JRNY app has you covered with thousands of pre-recorded studio fitness classes covering everything from running, to cycling, to strength.
These videos have good production quality, and the instructors are knowledgeable and experienced.
Explore the World
A popular feature is the Explore the World tab, which lets you bike, cycle, run, and walk in gorgeous locations across the globe.
You can forget the stress of the office and get carried away to any corner of the globe, and just like that—your workout will be over before you know it!
Streaming Entertainment
My personal favorite feature of the JRNY app is its streaming option, which you won’t find anywhere else. JRNY seamlessly lets you integrate your favorite TV show directly into your workout. You can binge your favorite shows while watching your performance metrics, all in one seamless experience. Talk about high-tech!Â
Tracking for Multiple Users
A crowd-favorite JRNY app feature is the number of users allowed. Unlike other premium fitness brands, you don't have to pay extra to have two or more accounts.
This is great news for couples or roommates who want a basic subscription and want to save some cash.
Motion Tracking Dumbbells
I’m usually disappointed by how most fitness apps approach strength coaching—with a lack of feedback on form.
Everyone needs to lift weights, but lifting with improper form can lead to injury, muscle imbalances, and bad habits.
JRNY uses tech to avoid the pitfalls of other apps with its motion-tracking dumbbell system. You can get real-time feedback on your weight-lifting form by using your tablet camera and their SelectTech Dumbbells to capture and count your reps.
JRNY’s form feedback for weight lifting means no more struggling through the session, wondering if you're doing it right or forgetting what rep you're on. JRNY does that work for you, so you can focus on enjoying your session.
Bonus Features
Few things keep you invested in a workout routine like positive reinforcement and gamifying fitness. JRNY has you covered with awards, workout tracking, and reminders so you never miss a workout or the chance to celebrate your hard work.
JRNY App Pros & Cons
There’s a lot to love about the JRNY app, and it’s one of the best I’ve reviewed. It’s clear the designers understand the opportunities in the current fitness app market and avoid the weaknesses of other fitness apps.
The only complaints I have about the app are services JRNY isn’t trying to offer, like a lack of live classes and nutritional guidance.
All in all, JRNY is a wonderful app, and if you’re interested in buying a Bowflex or Schwinn machine and getting all your fitness needs in one place, it’s worth the price.
JRNY Pros
- Virtual Coaching
- Adaptive workouts
- Motion tracking for realtime feedback
- Affordable
- Easy to use
JRNY Cons
- No live classes
- Generic music playlists
- Bowflex or Schwinn products required for best experience
- Limited strength options
JRNY Equipment Options
Like most apps created by an equipment company, the JRNY experience is designed to be used with their own equipment. All the JRNY-paired cardio machines come with a built-in touchscreen preloaded.
Generally speaking, Bowflex equipment is less expensive than competitors like Peloton but has similar quality.
Bowflex
Best for equipment variety
Bowflex is known for its innovative products and personalized workout programs that cater to the needs of customers of all fitness levels.
Variety of equipment to suit your preferences
JRNY App makes your equipment & workouts interactive
Financing options available
Strength
Bowflex sells four different home strength training options, including two dumbbells, a kettlebell, and a small barbell curl bar.
The dumbbell resistance goes up to 90 lb, and you can get up to 90 lb resistance with the curl bar(120 lb with an additional upgrade). This amount of weight is enough to keep most people progressing for quite a while if used creatively.
Prices start at $149 for the kettlebell and up to $599 for the heaviest dumbbell set.
Treadmill
Bowflex sells three different kinds of treadmills that are compatible with the JRNY app. If you’re a treadmill enthusiast, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.
Prices start at $1,299 and go up to $2,999 for their premiere treadmill option.
Bike
You have six stationary bike options from two different companies: Bowflex and Schwinn. Both companies are highly rated and are much more affordable than other companies, such as Peloton.
Prices for JRNY-compatible stationary bikes start at $699 and go up to $1,899.
Schwinn
Best for multiple app integrations
Schwinn offers a full lineup of groundbreaking and affordable cardio solutions - smartly designed upright and recumbent bikes, treadmills and elliptical trainers that integrate the latest apps, innovations and entertainment options.
High quality equipment
Connectivity with JRNY app
Heart rate monitor available standard on some models
Minimum 5-year warranty
Max Trainer
Max Trainer is a stationary cardio machine that combines the movement patterns of an elliptical and a stair stepper. Bowflex has 3 different models for you to choose from.
Bowflex max trainers start at $1,499 up to $1,999.
JRNY User Experience
I have nothing but positive things to say about the JRNY app experience. The app is easy to download, navigate, and enjoy.
The user interface is sleek, streamlined, and fun to play around in.
If you want to explore your other options, you can quickly navigate from the ‘Just for You’ tab and view all the JRNY program offerings, Explore the World classes, as well as save your favorite workouts.
Each workout can also be filtered by length and difficulty using the slide bar, and you can find classes taught by your favorite instructor.
The reception to JRNY has been positive, and it has a 4.6-star rating in the Apple store, with multiple users noting how they enjoy that the multiple workout options keep their training fun and engaging.
How Does it Compare with Similar Apps?
It’s clear that JRNY is competing directly with industry giants like Peloton and iFit, both of which are large equipment companies that also have fitness apps.
While JRNY may not quite have the same production value as Peloton (and let’s face it, who does?), it’s a solid choice. In addition to a great user experience, they have less expensive equipment options and the subscription costs are also less expensive for JRNY than both Peloton and iFit.
I also appreciate the lack of clutter and sales pitches found on so many other app homepages.
What makes JRNY truly stand out from the competition is its integration of the latest technology to make a sleeker, smarter, more tailored fitness experience.
The novel adaptive workouts based on an actual fitness assessment, the virtual coaching, and the optional dumbbell tracking tech are a fresh take on the fitness app genre and one I think you’ll enjoy.
In a world obsessed with using the latest technology just to use it, the JRNY app makes good on the promise of better fitness through tech.
Who is JRNY Best For?
JRNY is a great option for anyone looking to invest in a workout machine or who already has one and wants all their workouts in one place. It’s also great for couples, families, and households who want to have their individual profile data tracked and saved without shelling out a pricier fee.
Because JRNY has so many different workout options and customizable features, anyone from beginners to advanced exercisers will be challenged and make progress with their programs and classes.
No matter your fitness goal, JRNY’s virtual coaching, adaptive training, varied workout programs, and fitness tracking will keep you on point and moving forward.
If you’re not able to invest in one of their cardio machines or strength sets or want a strength-driven program, there are apps with better value for you.
Bottom Line
JRNY is a great fitness option for anyone who owns a Bowflex cardio machine or is considering one and wants all their workouts and data in one place. JRNY is also for those who love technology and want to use smart tech to guide their workouts.
The JRNY app has special features like integrating your favorite TV streaming with your workout TV service and the ability to work out around the world.
The JRNY app is affordable and offers great value to anyone interested in investing in their equipment.
You can try the JRNY app for 60 days free.
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