Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill vs TrueFrom runner

This is a comparison between the Horizon 7.4 AT and TrueForm runner 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 and review of the TrueForm runner

The TrueForm Runner comes in at $5695 - $6195. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

Overview of the trueform runner

The TrueForm runner is the latest and greatest in the treadmill industry. Compared to other treadmills it has the advantage that it is not motorized and propelled by your own weight. In addition, the surface you run on is curved so the impact of your footfall is not as hard as on a flat surface. This dynamic is achieved by a conveyor belt that runs on bearings. Think of the conveyor belt at the airport but moved by your own bodyweight. It has been used at the CrossFit games and has gained popularity since then. The dimensions of the TrueForm runner are:

Height 57’’
Width 36’’
Running surface 54’’ x 17’’
Weight 325 LB

You can choose from two different options, Enduro and Performance. Both options come in at the same price and with the same dimensions. The performance model provides a higher railing. This is especially useful when you have athletes who run very fast on the machine.

Apart from this, you can pay $500 extra to get grass or track and field topping on the running surface. If you use the TrueForm runner to train track and field or football athletes you might want to go with one of these options.

Pros of the TrueForm runner

There are several pros to the TrueForm runner

Better posture
Easier adjustment of speed
No power supply needed
No programming needed
Less impact
Good resell value
Low maintenance

Based on the setup of the Trueform runner it actively helps your clients and athletes to have better running form. If you strike with the heel the curve of the machine will help to remedy and correct this over time as you push the belt from the front to the back.

With the Trueform runner, you can adjust the speed at any given time yourself without worrying about faceplanting. Doing interval training on motorized treadmills can be really annoying as the acceleration and decelerations come in jumps rather than continuously when you program them in at the start of your workout. If you adjust them while exercising it is almost impossible, especially at high speeds.

If you deploy a whole row of these (10 - 20 machines) you might also be pleased that you do not need to plan for cabling when the gym is built and powering these treadmills all year around.

As mentioned before you can free run on these machines to your hearts contempt. No buttons or panic stops needed. Just slow down and the belt slows down with you. You will not be catapulted into the wall behind you.

The curve will also be helpful to have less strain in the ankles and knees from the impact of the food. This helps you to train longer for harder.

As with most things which are "hip" and high price you usually get a higher resell value out of them than for the lower range options. While this is mostly less important for individual buyers it can be important for a chain that regularly closes off unprofitable subsidiaries and wants to shuffle equipment around.

As there are no motors which can break down you will also have fewer maintenance needs. Although you are probably more likely to need a welder rather than an electrician when this beast breaks.

Cons of the TrueForm runner

The cons of the TrueForm runner are in my opinion:

Hard to do pace training
Not for beginners
Price tag
A big piece of equipment
Poor monitor

When I prepared for my marathons there was one thing I liked about treadmills, you could set an exact pace for some of your long runs. This is actually a strength rather than a weakness of a motorized treadmill. For me, it was handy to plan my splits and hit my target time as the pace I chose was slightly challenging. I would do one of these a week slightly above the planned pace for the marathon and add distance each time. The rest of my training would be outdoors. This raised my confidence to reproduce the exact pace I needed on race day. With the TrueForm Runner, it would have been hard to have that reference, but it would have been better to do Interval runs indoors.

Tell me what you want but this thing is not for beginners. This is designed for people who want to go like cheetahs and could not do it properly on normal treadmills. Fast acceleration and breaking are where this is at home. Not for beginners or someone who is wobbly on their feet because they do rehab or are overweight. A slow motorized treadmill is the better option here.

With $5000 a piece, this is a steep price. If you want to signal to your clients that you are doing well and justify the membership of $300 a month, this is a strategy. For two of these, you can get a 10 pack of concept 2 rowers, skiergs or bikes. 10 x $100 in membership fees from a spinning class is more than 2x $300 with a bigger spread of risk in your income.

Last but not least these are big. If you have a garden or basement gym I would almost consider this no option unless you live in a mansion. If you want to maximize floor space in your commercial gym this is also not the way to go. CrossFit boxes might like this, especially if they are in the middle of a busy city.

The monitor is poor compared to some of the concept 2 options where you have leaderboards implemented to keep yourself motivated.

Alternatives to the TrueForm runner

There are the following alternatives to the TrueFrom runner:

The assault air runner is one alternative to the TrueFrom runner if you still want a self-propelled treadmill. The assault air runner comes in at a lower price point than the TrueForm runner. The mechanics are also a little different which makes running easier on this one.

The Versa Climber is often referred to as one of the hardest things you can do in endurance on a machine. It simulates climbing a steep wall with a good grip. It comes in at about half the price and takes up less footprint than the TrueForm runner. If you want a good machine for your home to knock you out this is can be a great pick. For a commercial gym, you might not have the uptake as many people just want their treadmills.

The Rogue Echo bike is a solid choice for the home gym that wants to kick your butt. Combined to the Versa Climber and the TrueFrom Runner it comes in at a fraction of the cost. A good air bike workout will still challenge you and is highly recommended.

Summary for the TrueForm runner

This is a well-built piece of equipment which is worth the price if you have the need and space for it. Athletes who know how to pace themselves, have balance and want every workout to be as challenging and adaptable as possible will love this.

For the average gym with average clients it is probably a bit too intimidating and high performance. I do not see overweight stay at home moms or retired manly beer bellies stepping on the TrueForm runner first thing through your gym doors.

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.