Horizon Fitness makes sturdy, high-powered treadmills that are designed for all types of runners and a range of budgets. None of the treadmills in Horizon's line—there are a total of six—come with fancy screens or high-end technology, but they do deliver where it matters: They have powerful motors, performance monitors, cushioned decks, and Bluetooth connectivity so you can bring your own tablet and follow along with your favorite fitness apps. This also means you don't have to pay for extra technology that you don't want to use, making these more affordable treadmills for the power.
The best Horizon Studio treadmills include the 7.0 AT, 7.4 AT, and 7.8 AT. They have similar construction and features with the biggest differences being the motor power, screen size, deck size, and included workout programs. In this guide, we'll dive into all three models, highlighting what we like and what we don't to help you make a decision about which one is best for you.
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Horizon Studio Treadmills
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7.0 AT Studio Treadmill
SPECS
- Display: 7" LCD screen
- Max incline: 15%
- Top speed: 12 miles per hour
- Dimensions: 76.5" x 36" x 59" (Folded - 41" x 36" x 70")
- Weight: 303 lbs.
- Max weight capacity: 325 lbs.
- Key features: 20" x 60" cushioned running deck, 7" LCD screen, 2.5-HP motor
- Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill was designed to help you stream fitness classes at a more budget-friendly price. It doesn't have a large, interactive screen, but it does offer advanced Bluetooth capabilities that allow you to connect multiple devices and stream through the treadmill's speakers. You can bring your own tablet and follow along with your favorite fitness subscription without having to sign up for another program that's exclusive to this machine. If you don't want to connect a tablet, you can view metrics and progress via the 7-inch LCD screen.
In addition to smart connectivity, the Horizon Studio 7.0 AT has a generous 20 by 60-inch running deck with zoned cushioning and shock absorption, a 0.5-12 mph speed range, and up to a 15% incline. Quick dial controls on the handle allow you to adjust speed mid-stride without interrupting your workout, while a responsive drive system and 2.5-HP motor ensure the motor doesn't stall between incline and speed changes. It also has basic comfort features like a water bottle holder and a fan.
What We Like
- Quick-dial handles make it easy to change speed and incline
- Up to 15% incline
- Responsive motor to prevent stalling during interval training
- Foldable
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't have a large screen
- No decline
7.4 AT Studio Treadmill
SPECS
- Display: 8.5" LCD screen
- Max incline: 15%
- Top speed: 12 mph
- Dimensions: 76" x 37" x 63" (Folded - 42" x 37" x 71")
- Weight: 386 lbs.
- Max weight capacity: 350 lbs.
- Key features: 22" x 60" deck, 3.5 HP motor, 8.5" LCD screen, adjustable tablet holder
- Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, 5-year parts, 2-year labor
While it's a slightly heavier duty machine, the Horizon 7.4 AT Studio shares a lot of specs with the 7.0 AT. It has the same quick dial controls, rapid-drive motor, 0.5-12 mph speed range, and maximum 15% incline. But it has a more powerful 3.5-HP motor and a larger deck that measures 22 by 60 inches and is 2 millimeters thicker for a little extra shock absorption. Like all Studio models, the deck has a three-zone cushioning system that offers varying levels of support and flex as needed during your running stride.
The 8.5-inch LCD screen is a minor upgrade from the 7.0—it's a bit bigger but it's still pretty basic and displays only performance metrics and progress. If you want to connect your own tablet, the 7.4 AT supports Bluetooth Smart FTMS connectivity, the latest and greatest for following along with a fitness app. The tablet holder adjusts, so you can find your ideal viewing position instead of being limited to one. The 7.4 AT also comes with more pre-programmed workouts, including Horizon's Sprint 8 program, a 20-minute high-intensity interval training session.
What We Like
- Larger, cushioned deck
- Adjustable tablet holder
- Powerful 3.5 HP motor
What We Don't Like
- No integrated touchscreen
- No decline functions
7.8 AT Studio Treadmill
SPECS
- Display: 9.3" color screen
- Max incline: 15%
- Top speed: 12 mph
- Dimensions: 76" x 37" x 64" (Folded - 42" x 37" x 71")
- Weight: 391 lbs.
- Max weight capacity: 375 lbs.
- Key features: 4.0 HP motor, adjustable tablet holder, Bluetooth connectivity, 10 pre-programmed workouts, interval timer
- Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, 5-year parts, 2-year labor
The 7.8 AT Studio treadmill is Horizon's top-of-the-line model. It has the same 22-by-60-inch, tri-zoned cushioned deck of the 7.4 AT, but with a 9.3-inch color screen and a more powerful motor. The screen is still a performance monitor, not an interactive touchscreen, but it displays basic metrics as well as heart rate and fat burn targets. It also has a color-coded 60-second countdown timer for interval workouts. If you want a more immersive experience, you can connect your tablet and utilize the included Bluetooth 4.0 chest strap that can connect right to the Peloton app, if that's your preferred streaming fitness service.
The biggest upgrade with this machine is in the 4.0 horsepower motor. When combined with the rapid sync drive system, this faster motor ensures no lag time when changing incline and speed and is ideal for interval training.
What We Like
- 4.0 HP motor
- Color-coded interval timer
- Bluetooth 4.0
What We Don't Like
- Unimpressive screen for this price point
- Max weight capacity is low compared to other machines
About Horizon Treadmills
Horizon's goal is to make cardio machines that are ideal for connecting to fitness streaming services without locking you into a specific app subscription. There are six treadmills that fall into two main categories: the Go series and the Studio series.
The Go series includes entry-level treadmills that come with all the basics, but don't have a lot of extras. There are three models—the T101, T202, and T303. The T101 is the most basic model. It has a screenless console, a 20 by 55-inch deck, a 10 mph top speed, and a max incline of 10%. The T202 has a slightly larger deck (20 by 60 inches), a 12 mph top speed, and a max incline of 12%. The T303 has similar specs to the T202, but with the addition of custom interval settings and multi-device Bluetooth connectivity. The prices of these treadmills range from about $500 to $2,000 at full retail price, but you can often find them discounted.
The Studio series are the more advanced models. While these treadmills still don't have interactive smart screens, they have bigger LCD screens, wider decks, additional training programs, and a more generous incline—they all go up to 15 percent—than the Go series.
How to Choose a Horizon Studio Treadmill
- Motor: The motors on the Horizon Studio treadmills range from 2.5 to 4.0 horsepower (HP). In general, the faster you want to run, the higher the motor you should get. If you're going to stick to lower speeds, the 2.5 HP motor will be plenty. If you want to do sprints and interval training, you're better off spending more on a more powerful motor.
- Features: As far as features go, the Horizon Studio treadmills are pretty similar. Aside from the motor size, the biggest differences are the size of the screen and the number of pre-programmed workouts. The 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT also have adjustable tablet holders, while the 7.4's is fixed. If you like to stream workouts or watch shows and want some freedom over positioning, this is something to consider.
- Deck Size: While they all have the same tri-zoned cushioned design, the 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT have slightly wider decks than the 7.0. If you want more room, you'll likely want to go with one of these picks.
- Price: Of course, you'll want to consider your budget, as well. These treadmills range from about $2,000 to $2,700, although you can often nab them on sale
FAQs About Horizon Fitness Studio Treadmills
How long do Horizon treadmills last?
With proper care and maintenance, Horizon treadmills can last up to 10 years. The frame and motor are covered by a lifetime warranty, though, so if anything happens during the life of your treadmill, you'll be able to get at least some of the cost of repairs covered.
Who manufactures Horizon treadmills?
Horizon treadmills are manufactured by Johnson Health Tech, a fitness and wellness company headquartered in Taiwan. The company also owns Matrix, Vision Fitness, Synca, and Fujiiryoki, a Japanese massage chair company.
How long is the Horizon warranty?
The length of the Horizon warranty depends on the specific model. They all have a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, but the 7.0 has slightly shorter coverage on parts and labor. The 7.0 is covered for three years on parts and one year on labor. The warranties on the 7.4 and 7.8 include parts and labor for five and two years, respectively.
You can also purchase a warranty "boost" that extends parts and labor warranty coverage up to five years. The additional cost depends on the purchase price of the machine, but ranges from $80 to $350.
How do you fold a Horizon treadmill?
All three Horizon Studio treadmills fold for storage. All you have to do is grab the end of the deck with two hands and lift it into the upright position until you feel the lock engage. Slowly let go to make sure the treadmill is secure before releasing support completely.
To unfold, there's either a foot lock latch or a deck lock latch. If it has a foot lock latch, you hold the end of the deck and press down on the foot lock latch with your foot until it releases. Once it does, you can slowly lower the deck. If there's a deck lock latch, pull it with your hand to release it and then slowly lower the deck to the ground.