Horizon Treadmill Review
Table of Contents
About Horizon Fitness
Horizon Fitness is an exercise equipment company that specializes in treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and rowers. People from all walks of life use Horizon Fitness equipment—from those rehabbing injuries to amateur and professional athletes, from individuals wanting to keep up with friends and family, and more.
Trainer’s Tip: As a fitness coach, I appreciate that Horizon sells various exercise equipment. These options allow the consumer to purchase something that will suit their body, goals, injury history, etc.
Basically, with Horizon’s exercise equipment you can customize your workout to match your life realities, injury history, goals, and more.
And you’re probably aware that exercise is important. But, between work, your social life, and having a little bit of time to just relax, a daily exercise regime might be on the backburner. After all, does daily exercise really make that big of a difference in your life?
Well, research says “yes.” One popular study[1] showed that people who exercised for just 15 minutes a day were able to reduce their risk of all–cause mortality—meaning death from any cause—by 14%. For just 15 minutes a day, that’s a huge payoff. And let’s face it, we all have fifteen free minutes daily!
Still, you might find that you just don’t have the time to trek to the gym every day. With travel and changing time, even a fifteen-minute workout can take one to two hours out of your day. And for most of us, one to two hours is not realistic!
Trainer’s Tip: As I always tell my clients, your workout needs to be convenient, realistic, and something you enjoy (or at least something you don’t hate). Why? No one can make themself do an inconvenient, unrealistic workout that they hate long-term. And to meet your long-term goals consistency is key! What’s the main take-away? Choose a workout that’s convenient, enjoyable, and that you can do consistently.
This is where Horizon comes in. With all their exercise equipment, you can choose the one that’s right for you and workout within the comfort of your own home. Talk about convenience!
With thousands of customer reviews found online about this company, Horizon Fitness has also gained the attention of the press including Daily Beast, US Weekly, NBC News, and Wirecutter.
If you’re looking to get in shape, this exercise equipment company could be right for you. Keep reading, as this Horizon treadmill review will take an in-depth look at the brand.
I’ll check out their products, customer ratings, promotions, and more, to help you decide if their products are worth purchasing.
Overview of Horizon Fitness Treadmill
Horizon Fitness was established way back in 1975 in Taichung, Taiwan. The company name wasn’t formally created yet, and at the time, it wasn’t even affiliated with fitness. In fact, it specialized in reselling scrap metal.
Founded by Mr. Peter Lo., it was under the name of Johnson Metals. Mr. Lo was in contact with a very important client, Ivanko Barbells, to whom he would offer his manufacturing services.
While it’s not known how Johnson Metals shifted gears and turned into a renowned fitness company, we do know that they rebranded in 1998. Headquartered in Taiwan, Horizon Fitness is under its parent company, Johnson Health Tech. The company states that its equipment consists of high–quality materials and is expertly maintained by its skilled workers.
Today, Horizon Fitness continues to grow as a business and has been featured in many news publications. It’s also won several awards. For instance, it won the IPSO Award for its bikes in 2017, the Best Buy by the Fitness Professor for its ellipticals in 2016, and the Plus X Award for its treadmills in 2016.
If you’re wondering what the brand’s mission is, here’s a statement directly from Horizon Fitness: “At Horizon Fitness, we focus on what really matters in home exercise equipment — comfort, performance and value. Our thoughtful designs fit your body in a way that lets you move naturally.”
Before I dive further into this Horizon treadmill review, let’s go over some highlights.
Highlights
- A selection of high-quality treadmills, ellipticals, indoor cycles, and rowers
- Features include an integrated USB port and device holder and one-touch keys for quick speed and incline shifts
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Horizon Fitness has various apps designed for any workout, such as Daily Burn, Aaptiv, and the Peloton App. Apps are an excellent way to track your fitness goals, connect to a community, keep workouts engaging and keep you motivated!
- It offers a specialized training program that users can partake in called the Spirit 8 Workout that’s pre-programmed in select machines
- Convenient financing options are available, starting at 0% APR for monthly payment plans
- Free shipping on all home cardio machines
If you’re on the journey to good health, then Horizon Fitness might be perfect for you. It has a vast collection of exercise equipment depending on how you like to exercise, your injury history, goals, space, and price range.
Whether you’re looking for a safe/warm indoor option to improve your ‘walking game,’ training for your first 5km race or you’re running your tenth marathon, the treadmill is for you! However, if ‘running’ without the impact of hiking on trails is more your thing, opt for an elliptical instead.
On the other hand, are you looking for a low–impact workout that will strengthen your hips and knees? Or maybe you’re itching to simulate the Tour de France race. If so, try their indoor bikes! But, if you want a full–body workout, try the rower. Rowing requires you to pull with your arms and push with your legs, so it stimulates an excellent full-body burn.
In addition, Horizon Fitness has other accessories related to fitness, such as mats, massagers, and downloadable apps. So, with the help of this company, you could very easily set up your dream home gym.
Trainer’s Tip: Find what works for you—because you’ll thrive better in your own fitness lane. It doesn’t matter what works for your favorite celebrity or your mother or best friend. All that matters is what will work for you. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Decide what you’ll do consistently, then buy the proper fitness equipment to achieve your goals. Basically, do you for you!
Aren’t sure what to get? This Horizon treadmill review will cover all of the brand’s bestsellers to help you out.
Horizon Fitness Treadmills Review
Running is one of the most straightforward ways to get your heart pumping and your body moving. Plus, the sport doesn’t require you to learn complicated moves or rules, and you don’t need to budget for travel time. All you need is your own body, a positive ‘I can do it’ mindset, and a pair of decent running shoes. This might just be one of the most convenient workouts in existence.
Plus, running is amazing for your health. One study[2] consisting of a whopping 55,137 adult participants found that running for just 5-10 minutes a day at a slow speed is associated with a significantly reduced risk of heart disease and death from all causes.
Trainer’s Tip: For sure try running, but go slow and steady. Give your body time to adjust to the impact and repetitive motion. Start with one minute of jogging and three minutes of walking. Slowly increase the time you jog and decrease the amount of time you walk. Also, always warm-up and cool down properly.
Whether you’re just getting acquainted with your new exercise lifestyle, or you’ve been training all your life, there are multiple Horizon treadmill models depending on how serious you are about running.
Up next, this Horizon treadmill review will highlight three of the brand’s most popular treadmills.
Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Review
Designed for people who just want to get started, the T101 Treadmill only provides the simplest of features that prepare you to run.
This machine has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can listen to your pump-up tunes or exercise podcasts as you workout. And this isn’t simply a fun bonus: one study[3] discovered that listening to music while exercising actually improved the enjoyment of exercise. So, turn that music up!
Trainer’s Tip: Try ‘chorus pickups.’ While listening to your favorite song, amp up the speed or the incline every time you hear the chorus. Talk about fun and challenging. Chorus pickups are sneaky intervals!
To charge your device, there’s an integrated USB port and a device holder, so you can avoid the sensation of having your phone bounce around in your pocket. Plus, since this treadmill features quick shift speeds and inclinations with one-touch keys, you can easily adjust the speed that you’re running at.
The built-in 2.5 CHP motor runs at a lower RPM to minimize noise and efficiency. With the T101 Treadmill, there’s no need to worry about the impact you’ll make with your feet, as its 55” 3- zone cushion deck supports runners, joggers, and walkers alike.
For easy storage, this Horizon treadmill has one-step hydraulic folding so you can quickly turn your exercise space back into your living room. The T101 Treadmill has won over four awards, including Fitness Professor’s Best Buy.
Get in shape with this award-winning model for $699 (discounted from the original $999). You can also opt for the Horizon Fitness financing program for only $20 a month.
Horizon Fitness T202 Treadmill Review
Once you’ve become familiar with the treadmill, it’s probably time to level up. You can do so with the T202 Treadmill. This machine features a longer running surface of 60” for an extended training range and has a 3-zone cushioned deck for those minute sprints.
In fact, if you’re a seasoned runner but want to improve your health even further, sprinting could be the answer. One study[4] has shown that just six sessions of sprinting over the course of two weeks improved running performance in experienced athletes.
Trainer’s Tip: Watch your form as you sprint and progress appropriately. Don’t just decide to do thirty minutes of sprinting. Start with one or two sprints, then gradually build up your time and intensity.
Also, to prevent injuries, always let your form dictate your exercise choices. If you lose your core connection, or your hips start shifting side to side, slow your speed down to a more manageable sprint. Basically, always work within your tolerance range and listen to your body.
If you want to push yourself even further, this treadmill has a 12% incline to simulate foothills on a regular hiking trail. And training on an incline treadmill[5] has been shown to improve one’s running economy[6]—the energy demand required for running.
Trainer’s Tip: The best part of using an incline, is that when you come back down to the flat ground, you feel like you’re flying. What was once challenging (flat ground) now seems easy! Think of doing intervals of incline as analogous to city vs highway driving. When you first get onto the highway you feel like you’re going fast. However, after some time you acclimatize. But when you get back into the city, the speed that previously felt normal now feels slow. Intervals—where you climb a hill or increase your speed—alter what your body understands as ‘normal.’ In short, they help you get fitter.
This treadmill also comes with Bluetooth speakers, a 2.75 CHP motor, a USB port, and a device holder. This means you can watch a treadmill workout video without the unnecessary background noise of your machine operating.
Easily stored with its one-step hydraulic fold, this Horizon Fitness treadmill costs just $799 (reduced from the original $1299). If you choose the Horizon Fitness financing program, you can pay as little as $23 per month.
Horizon Fitness Elite T5 Treadmill Review
For those ready for level three, the Elite T5 Treadmill is built to be equally as serious as you are about running. Designed for high–intensity training, this machine has a running dimension of over 20” by 55”. This treadmill can accommodate the most intense running sessions with a drive motor that features 2.5 continuous-duty horsepower.
Featuring built-in speakers, a tablet rack, fan, energy saver mode, and a hydraulic folding system, this high-tech treadmill will have you running that extra mile.
It also has in-reach resistance controls and a water bottle holder to keep you hydrated. Plus, an extended power incline ranges from 0-15% to maximize calorie burn.
Trainer’s Tip: You don’t have to run at a 10 incline to ‘feel the burn.’ Try jogging at 1 or 2% instead. Even a slight incline will mimic the stress that the elements put on your body when running outside. Plus, the small incline will fire up your posterior chain (your bum and hamstrings). Just remember to listen to your body and progress gradually.
This Horizon Fitness equipment costs $1199 (discounted from the original $1699). You can also pay $34 per month using their financing program.
Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill Review
For those training to be the next Usain Bolt or Carl Lewis, the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill has all the features you need for your intense runs and sprints. Featuring a 15% incline with a powerful 3.0 CHP motor, this treadmill is ideal for interval training as it offers a 33% faster speed.
And studies have shown that interval training can reduce the risk of cardiometabolic[7] diseases—such as diabetes—among professional athletes.
Trainer’s Tip: Try ‘pyramid intervals.’ First, warm up for five minutes. Then do one minute hard, one minute easy, two minutes hard, two minutes moderate, three minutes hard, three minutes moderate, four minutes hard, four minutes moderate, five minutes hard, one minute easy, and five minutes hard. After that cool down for five to ten minutes.
The deck is measured at 60” and cushioned for comfortable footfalls. Users can also easily keep pace with their favorite workout classes with the quick dial controls and interval keys. In addition, it comes with a free Horizon fitness app with push data, a USB port, and a place to hold your phone so you can run alongside your trainer.
Integrated with Bluetooth speakers to stream your favorite playlist as you workout, you can run along to the beat. For a powerful workout, this treadmill costs $999 (reduced from the original $1999). With their financing program, you can pay $28 per month.
More Horizon Fitness Equipment
If running isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for an elliptical and indoor cycle instead. Horizon Fitness has a range of these exercise machines, depending on how serious you take your workouts.
The brand currently has four elliptical models and four indoor cycle machines. This Horizon treadmill review will look at four of their fan favorites.
Horizon Ex-59 Elliptical Review
If bad weather conditions are preventing your daily trip to your favorite hiking trails, you can still work off those calories indoors with the Ex-59 Elliptical. This machine features a 14.3 Lb flywheel and an advanced pulley system for smooth consistent motion.
Plus, this machine has a tighter Q factor (distance between the pedals) to reduce stress on your hips and back. Keep this in mind: elliptical exercise is low-impact, meaning it’s easier on your joints. So if you suffer from something like regular knee pain, you might want to choose an elliptical over a treadmill to kickstart your indoor exercise journey.
Trainer’s Tip: You don’t have to pick the elliptical over the treadmill. You can use both. Ellipticals are an excellent cross–training option, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you run outside or on a treadmill and/or play high-impact sports consider using the elliptical a few times a week for variety and active recovery.
This particular elliptical boasts Bluetooth connectivity so you can exercise along to your favorite tunes. You can set your device on the built-in device holder and charge it with the USB port. Users can also change the resistance using the one-touch keys depending on the intensity of their workout. And this convenient setup takes less than 30 minutes.
This Horizon elliptical won the Fitness Professor’s Best Buy Award. With a bestselling machine like this, getting in shape is as accessible as ever. Plus, it’s priced at an affordable $699 (reduced from $999). You can also opt for the Horizon Fitness’ financing program for just $20 a month.
Horizon Fitness Evolve 3 Elliptical Review
If the elliptical is no stranger to you, try the Evolve 3 Elliptical out for size. This machine features a heavy 18 lb flywheel and an advanced pulley system to ensure your workouts are smooth and consistent. It also has a consistent six-star certified frame that maintains ideal body positioning to make things more comfortable and efficient.
If you’re hungry to explore different places as you work out, this special elliptical has a pre-programmed Passport feature, so you can stay entertained and motivated by immersing yourself in exotic locations.
Simple to assemble with its one-step folding function and patented rear-folding design, it’s also compact enough to fit in your living space. So, it’s hard to say “no” to the Evolve 3 Elliptical.
This machine costs $1199 (on sale from the original $1599). You can also opt to pay with the Horizon financing program for just $34 a month.
Horizon Fitness GR3 Indoor Cycle Review
Bicycling is another excellent way to exercise. If you’re new to exercise and don’t want to completely change your lifestyle in order to meet your fitness goals, cycling is a great place to start.
One study[8] of overweight women showed that indoor cycling training, without dieting, was able to reduce their weight and improve their cardiorespiratory health.
Of course, not all weather conditions can permit a great afternoon ride on your bicycle. The GR3 Indoor Cycle is the perfect solution for those that want the cycling experience without having to go outside.
This machine has a micro-adjustable tension control knob that provides a smooth resistance change—similar to riding a real bicycle. Plus, the cycling machine has three-position handlebars that feature an integrated heart rate monitor to help you keep track of how hard your workout sessions are.
In addition, this indoor bicycle has a built-in LCD console, which offers real-time feedback on your exercise routine with a variety of other workout programs. It also includes a unique, glow ride lighting system that guides riders through three various phases of riding to simulate the real thing.
The GR3 Indoor Cycle costs $499 (on sale from the original 899). However, you could opt for their financing program and pay $14 a month.
Horizon Fitness Comfort R Recumbent Bike Review
Recumbent bicycles not only support your back but also strengthen your hips and legs and offer an effective cardiovascular workout.
Plus, cycling is low impact and so it’s a nice option if you’re concerned about your joints[9].
Are you worried that a recumbent bike won’t challenge you? No need to be! Studies[10] have shown that recumbent bikes can provide the same type of benefits as other forms of aerobic exercise.
Trainer’s Tip: Make your workout fit your needs. Sure, on the days you want a lower-key workout you can watch TV on the recumbent, but on days you want to work up a sweat you can increase the resistance and/or the speed. Also, try some interval training. I personally love mini pick-ups. After a warm-up try alternating 15 seconds of higher cadence and 45 seconds and regular speed.
For a unique way of working out, try out this Horizon Fitness bike. This machine has a fully adjustable saddle and ergonomic grips to help you get into a workout position that’s comfortable and fitted to your body.
Featuring built-in speakers, an energy saver mode feature, a reading rack, and a water bottle holder, it makes indoor cycling a lot more comfortable and fun than the real thing. Plus, this bike has over 12 different programs including fat burn, distance, and training intervals.
For a machine that’s compact in design, the Comfort R Recumbent Bike costs $779 (discounted from $999). You can also pay in monthly installments of $22 with their financing program, which includes a home use warranty.
Horizon Fitness Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Overall, customers seem to like Horizon workout equipment. On the brand’s website, Horizon states that it has an average customer rating of 4.5/5 stars. Also, there are many Horizon Fitness reviews listed on its page.
Customers noted that the machine works well with the provided exercise apps for the treadmills, which resulted in an efficient workout. People also loved the customizable features of the machines, such as monitoring speed and incline, which helped them reach their exercise goals.
“What I love about this treadmill is that you can quickly turn two dials to adjust the speed and incline. When they say that you can use it with fitness apps such as Peloton, that’s what they mean–those apps don’t control your speed, they tell you to do it,” one customer wrote for the 7.8 AT Studio Treadmill on their website.
This Horizon treadmill review hasn’t come across many outsider customer reviews. In terms of Treadmill reviews, the brand has a 9.2/10 rating.
On Trustpilot, Horizon Fitness has 2/5 stars, although this is based on only 30 reviews. Most buyers described the prices as affordable and stated the machines were easy to set up.
In terms of Horizon customer service reviews, there were red flags regarding poor customer service, delayed delivery times, and broken machine parts on Trustpilot.
Is Horizon Fitness Worth It?
This Horizon treadmill review recommends this exercise equipment. For affordable prices, you can get high-tech treadmills, ellipticals, indoor cycles, and rowers that vary depending on the intensity of the workout.
Plus, most of their machines come with Bluetooth connectivity, which is a great asset to have if you regularly workout with exercise videos or podcasts. They also have a wide range of exercise apps that are compatible with select models in order to achieve an efficient workout.
While there are limited customer reviews outside of the brand’s main website, Horizon Fitness has won several notable awards for its exercise machines. And the majority of customer reviews I found are positive, so I say go for it!
Horizon Fitness Promotions & Discounts
This wouldn’t be a complete Horizon treadmill review if I didn’t give you the scoop on deals. After scoping out its website, I found that you can save some money on select fitness apps. For the Studio app, Horizon customers get 20% off for 12 months. For the Aaptiv app, you can get 30% off for 12 months.
They also have a deals category where select models have a discounted price.
Where to Buy Horizon Fitness Equipment
Customers can buy this exercise equipment by visiting HorizonFitness.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or The Treadmill Factory. Canadian buyers can shop through HorizonFitness.ca.
FAQ
Where is Horizon Fitness located?
Horizon Fitness headquarters are located in Taichung, Taiwan. They have locations all around the world.
Who manufactures Horizon treadmills?
According to their ‘our story’ webpage, Horizon Fitness products are manufactured by Johnson Health Tech—the parent company of the brand.
Is Horizon T101 good for running?
Yes, the Horizon T101 is designed for people who are just getting started running.
How long does Horizon Fitness take to ship?
Horizon Fitness ships within the US and Canada. According to their shipping policy, all products ship directly from their warehouse facility. Shipping time varies by product. All of their items usually have shipping and delivery information within their product description.
The company states that it usually takes 1-3 business days for orders to leave the Horizon Fitness outlet. From there, transit time usually takes up to 10 business days.
Horizon Fitness provides free shipping on all home cardio equipment. They also have room of choice delivery and white glove delivery.
What is the Horizon Fitness Return Policy?
Horizon Fitness has a warranty policy that is automatically applied when a customer purchases one of its products. Customers can also purchase a ‘warranty boost’ if they’d like longer coverage. You can find a full list of the brand’s different warranty options and prices on its website.
In terms of returns, customers have up to 30 days to return their unused and new condition items for a full refund. Items may be subject to a restocking fee.
Horizon Fitness encourages its customers to contact their support team for additional information on initiating a return.
How to Contact Horizon Fitness
If you have inquiries beyond this Horizon treadmill review, here’s how you can contact the company.
- Fill out a message form on their website
- Shipping support number: 844-961-0329
- Email: [email protected]
- Warranty-covered parts and tech support: 800-244-4192
*The stated motor Horsepower (HP) is based on measurement in a laboratory setting. It is an indication of the robustness of the motor and does not reflect the operational HP in home use, which is typically limited by home electrical systems.
Add to your home gym setup with these popular exercise equipment brands:
Onnit kettlebells
Crossrope jump ropes
P.volve workout kits
Article Sources
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- Lee, D. C., Pate, R. R., Lavie, C. J., Sui, X., Church, T. S., & Blair, S. N. Leisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 64(5), 472-481
- Bigliassi, M., Karageorghis, C. I., Hoy, G. K., & Layne, G. S. The Way You Make Me Feel: Psychological and cerebral responses to music during real-life physical activity Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 41, 211-217
- Koral, J., Oranchuk, D. J., Herrera, R., & Millet, G. Y. Six Sessions of Sprint Interval Training Improves Running Performance in Trained Athletes Journal of strength and conditioning research, 32(3), 617
- Ferley, D. D., Osborn, R. W., & Vukovich, M. D. The Effects of Incline and Level-Grade High-Intensity Interval Treadmill Training on Running Economy and Muscle Power in Well-Trained Distance Runners The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28(5), 1298-1309
- Saunders, P. U., Pyne, D. B., Telford, R. D., & Hawley, J. A. Factors affecting running economy in trained distance runners Sports medicine, 34(7), 465-485
- Kessler, H. S., Sisson, S. B., & Short, K. R. The Potential for High-Intensity Interval Training to Reduce Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Sports medicine, 42(6), 489-509
- Bianco, A., Bellafiore, M., Battaglia, G., Paoli, A., Caramazza, G., Farina, F., & Palma, A. The effects of indoor cycling training in sedentary overweight women Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 50(2), 159
- Peterson, N. E., Osterloh, K. D., Et al. Exercises for Older Adults With Knee and Hip Pain The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(4), 263-267
- Albarrati, Ali. Effect of Body Posture on Cardiovascular Performance and Recovery during Cycling Exercise Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin, 27(01): 53-57
I purchased a treadmill directly from Horizon in January 2021. The treadmill is fine: easy to assemble, runs well, etc. The customer service has been really pretty dreadful. The company forgot to charge me sales tax for my online order – so now, nearly six months later, they’ve emailed me demanding payment with no apology for their error (found due to an internal audit). When I suggested that this was problematic because they’d made the error and then failed to notice, and that it might be appropriate customer service to at a minimum admit their mistake and offer an apology before demanding money from me, I was met with a “we all need to do our part, your part is paying this bill” email response from them. Really, they should pay the sales tax they failed to collect – it’s what a grown-up would do.