Taichung, Taiwan, was the birthplace of Horizon Fitness, which opened its doors in 1975. At the time, neither the firm name nor the name’s association with fitness had been properly established. Mr. Peter Lo, the company’s founder, started it as Johnson Metals. He got in contact with a highly significant client, Ivanko Barbells, who he would give his manufacturing services to, specialising in reselling scrap metal.

When Johnson Metals changed in 1998, we don’t know exactly how they transformed from a metal company to a fitness brand. Horizon Fitness is a subsidiary of Johnson Health Tech, which is based in Taiwan. Quality materials are used to build and maintain the company’s equipment, according to the company’s claims.

The business of Horizon Fitness is flourishing now, as seen by its appearances in numerous media outlets and the recognition it has received from various organisations. There are a number of accolades they’ve received, including IPSO Awards for their bikes in 2017 and Best Buy for ellipticals in 2016.

Pros:

  • Price Point:For those looking for an economical treadmill for their home gym, Horizon treadmills are a great option. You generally don’t want to spend a lot of money on a workout equipment if you’re just getting started. To get started, Horizon is the ideal location. Starting with the T101, which is currently discounted to $599, you can work your way up to the 7.8 AT model, which costs $1,999 and comes with a 5-year parts and 2-year labour warranty.
  • Rapid Sync Motor Tech:In Horizon’s Studio Series treadmills, the company has developed a new type of electric motor called Rapid Sync. High-intensity interval training benefits from the treadmill’s motor being able to accelerate and decelerate more quickly than the competition.
  • Program Variety:Treadmills made by Horizon provide a variety of on-board training programmes, so you won’t run out of things to do when using one of them.
  • Roomy Track Size:Horizon’s track size is ideal for runners, and it doesn’t disappoint. There’s a machine for everyone with lengths ranging from 55 to 60 inches.
  • Variable Response Suspension: Depending on where you are on the treadmill, you will get different levels of cushioning, allowing for ideal overall shock absorption.
  • Incline: Power inclines range from 10% to 15% on Horizon treadmills depending on model. This is fantastic news for anyone looking to increase their resting metabolic rate, tone their legs, increase their aerobic fitness, or all of the above.
  • Folding Capabilities: A cramped workout space? Horizon is here to help you with all of your needs. Using the FeatherLight hydraulic mechanism, you can fold all of their treadmills into their upright position for storage with ease.
  • High Weight Limits: With a weight capacity of 350 pounds, these treadmills are durable despite their light and readily folding design.
  • Easy Media Access: To keep you entertained during your workout, every Horizon treadmill in the current line-up comes equipped with either a tablet rack or a multi-position tablet holder, as well as built-in speakers (on some models, Bluetooth is available). There are USB ports on many of the machines in the range.
  • Excellent Warranty Coverage: Horizon offers a wide range of warranties, but the company is known for going above and beyond to make sure its customers are taken care of.

Cons:

  • Phone Wait Time: It can take a long time to get through to a Horizon customer service representative, but they’re courteous and competent.
  • Thin Decks: The decks on these machines are very thin, which makes them less effective at absorbing noise.
  • Small Rollers: The undersized belt rollers on Horizon’s entry-level treadmills result in shorter warranties. The belt system is put under more stress when the rollers are smaller. The T101’s rollers are only 46mm/42mm in diameter, whereas those on the Studio series treadmills are much larger.
  • Basic Consoles:The consoles on Horizon treadmills don’t have the same smooth touchscreens seen on many other treadmills in the business since they use third-party apps for streaming services. Simple technology still works, so it’s not inherently a negative thing, but it’s something to keep in mind.

What to Look for When Shopping for A Horizon Treadmill

Programming

Horizon, instead of building their own interactive/streaming training programming, provides customers with the option to sync up with a range of training apps, such as Studio, Peloton, Aaptiv, Daily Burn, and others.

As a result, they are able to avoid making a large upfront investment while simultaneously providing their customers with an increased selection of workouts to pick from. While the iFit capabilities of Peloton, Echelon, and NordicTrack are impressive, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to working out and teaching style. This makes it simple to switch between apps if you don’t like one. In addition, Horizon isn’t sacrificing built-in programming to make space for software like we’ve seen from other companies, so you can simply go on and work out on these machines without an additional monthly subscription cost.

Cost to Value Ratio

From $599 for the T101 to $1,999 for the 7.8 AT, Horizon treadmills are on sale. From one to five years of warranty, depending on the machine in our whole line-up:

  • T101
  • T202
  • T303
  • 7.0 AT
  • 7.4 AT
  • 7.8 AT

Walking vs. Running Horizon Options

The entry-level GO series treadmills from Horizon are designed for walkers and joggers rather than runners. To ensure a comfortable stride while jogging, we recommend the 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT models in the range. Check out our comparison chart below to discover how each Horizon treadmill stacks up in terms of track length, motor power, and other important metrics.