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Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill vs Nordictrack 8.5

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Mar 7, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill vs Nordictrack 8.5

This is a comparison between the Horizon 7.4 AT and Nordictrack 8.5 including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which Horizon treadmill to get.

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Overview and review NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

This is a review of the Nordictrack 8.5 S model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

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Overview NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill $1399 - $1999

 
The T 8.5 is the small brother of the T 9.5 from Nordictrack. The main difference is an HD touch screen which 10 inches on the 8.5 instead of 14 on the T 9.5. Apart from this, you get a top speed of 12 miles an hour, 12% incline and a foldable treadmill. The full list of specifications for the T 8.5 runs as following:
 
  • 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership
  • Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
  • Dual 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • FlexSelect™ Cushioning
  • 20” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • Integrated Tray
  • 0-12% Incline
  • 0-12 MPH Speed
  • One Touch® Controls
  • 3.5 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • 1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
  • 300 Lb. User Capacity
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
  • 50 On-Board Workout Programs
  • 78.5” L x 35.5” W x 59” H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a treadmill for the smaller budget and a mid-range option at it. I personally do not like the middle of the road solutions and either go alls guns blazing or very low budget. Personally, I think the 1750 is more balanced or go for the T6.5 if you want to save money and space.
 

Pros of the  NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

 
The pros of the 8.5 treadmill are:
 
  • Foldable
  • 300 lb capacity
  • Cushioning
If you want to save money on a treadmill that can take a pounding this is the right choice. You can save space when storing and it takes up to 300 lbs. of weight. All of this makes it a good option for a mid-range home treadmill.
 

Cons of the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill

 
Cons of the Nordictrack 8.5:
 
  • Somewhere in the middle
  • High price to compromise 
As the Nordictrack portfolio has evolved the 1750 is just the better option in terms of value for money in my opinion. With the T 8.5 you compromise on the size of the belt, incline, and screen while still paying a good bit of money. It is a reasonable price for a cardio machine compared to other machines in the market, but I would lean more towards the 1750 to spent my money wisely. 
 

Alternatives to the NordciTrack T 8.5 treadmill

 
Alternatives to the T 8.5 are:
 
 
The Nordictrack 1750 is, in my opinion, the most balances option in the Nordictrack portfolio at a reasonable price. Therefore I think it is the best option for budget-conscious treadmill buyers from Nordic Track. The T 8.5 just sits a bit oddly against this as it has the same sized screen while having less incline and a smaller belt, while the prices are not that far apart. 
 
The Nordictrack 6.5 is the ideal option for people who want to maximize saving money and space when buying a new treadmill from Nordictrack. This model comes in around $1000 and has the smallest footprint of the Nordictrack models. Ideal for walkers or limited spaces. 
 
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite if you are looking for maximum calories burned per minute. It comes in at only $700, has a small footprint and packs a hefty punch.
 
If you are looking for a different concept of a treadmill the True form runner is for you. This treadmill is self-propelled and therefore has no motor. The belt rests on bearing and your footstrike accelerates or breaks on the speed. This is the ideal treadmill for runners who want to simulate fast acceleration and deceleration at home. 
 

Overview and review of the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in which Horizon treadmill to get. Follow the links for more details.

You can get the most up to date content and ask direct questions on my Instagram Account.

 

Overview of the Horizon 7.4 AT $1.499

 
The Horizon 7.4 AT is the middle version of the three AT treadmills from Horizon fitness. It is slightly smaller than the 7.8 AT and still has the same belt. The main difference is the smaller motor with 3.5 horsepower. This is a big treadmill for commercial or for someone really serious about their running who weighs more than 100kg. The full list of specs is:
 
Frame Type: FeatherLight Folding
Running area: 22" x 60" XL Deck
Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning
Drive Motor: 3.5 CHP RapidSync Drive System
Belt: 1.6mm, Silicone
Deck Thickness: 0.8" (20mm)
Roller Size: 60mm/46mm Tapered
Speed Range: 0.5 – 12 mph
Incline Range: 0 – 15%
Extras: Accessory Tray, Aluminum Side Rails, Audio In/Out Jack, Bluetooth Speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Fan, Multi-position Tablet Holders
Weight: 318 lbs.
Assembled Dimensions: 76" x 37" x 63"
Folded Dimensions: 42" x 37" x 71"
Max User weight: 325 lbs.
Electrical Requirements: 60Hz - 120V
Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty - Motor: Lifetime
Home Warranty - Parts: 5 years
Home Warranty - Labor: 2 years
 
This is a great treadmill in a commercial setting. For home gym owners it is a good pick if you have a basement or garage gym to fill. If you live in a small apartment this might not be the best choice as you can not move it around a lot.
 

Pros of the Horizon 7.4 AT

 
The pros of the Horizon 7.4 AT are:
 
  • Big frame for a modest price
  • Strong motor for a modest price
  • Can be used by heavier athletes
 
The 7.4 AT is a great treadmill for anyone who likes their equipment big and does not want it to cost a leg and an arm. For a proper treadmill, the price is reasonable. I won’t say it’s cheap as any fitness equipment over $1000 is a considerable investment for most. What I do say is that you get a proper commercial standard frame and a massive motor for your money.
 

Cons of the Horizon 7.4 AT

 
The cons of the Horizon 7.4 AT are:
 
  • Size
  • Price
  • Console
 
The Horizon 7.4 AT is a big machine and is north of $1000. This means it is a considerable commitment in space and Money for any home gym. For commercial gyms, I think this is a great option to buy in bulk, as long as there are read TVs in the vicinities for entertainment. The console is sturdy but has little entertainment value. This is probably the biggest downside of the Horizon AT 7.4.
 

Alternatives to the Horizon 7.4 AT

 
 
The Horizon Elite T7 is the middle treadmill out of the elite line. If you want a similar machine that is a little lighter and therefore easier to move the T7 is a good pick.
 
The Horizon 7.8 AT is the big brother of the 7.4 AT. With a slightly bigger frame and a more powerful motor, it builds the Creme de la Creme of the AT Series. In my personal opinion, these are a better pick than the elite series and you still save $300 compared to the Elite T9.
 
The Horizon 7.0 AT is the option under $1000 out of the AT series. It has the smallest motor, belt, and the smallest warranty package out of the series. A commercial buyer might want to stay clear and stick with the 7.4 AT for better warranty options. Budget-conscious home gym buyers can consider this one, especially if they are not particularly heavy or go very fast.
 
The Rogue Echo bike is in my opinion one of the best options for cardio for home gyms. The price is fair, it is overbuilt, easy to move, and you can do proper HIIT training on it. I personally like to run outdoors and therefore do not get a lot of use out of treadmills. A low-budget option of the same idea is the TITAN fan bike.
 
The Assault air runner is a self-propelled treadmill. This makes it a good option for anyone who wants to do sprints but has not the space for a full basketball court or football pitch in their estate. The downsides are the price and the space needed for it. These are even bigger than regular treadmills, so really pay attention to your measurements.
 

Conclusion for the Horizon 7.4 AT 

 
The Horizon 7.4 AT is a great value-for-money treadmill in the upper echelons of fitness budgets. You will get a lot of treadmill with a good motor for a modest amount of money. Be aware that you need quite a bit of space to place it.

Topics: Treadmill, Horizon