Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill vs VersaClimber LX

This is a comparison between the Horizon 7.4 AT and VersaClimber LX 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.

Versa climber LX Model

The VresaClimber LX comesa in at $3995 - $4200. 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 VersaClimber LX

The VersaClimber range has been on the market for more than four decades. The LX model is one of their mid-range options which sits between the SM and H models from a budget perspective. The machine is hand welded and has the following specifications:

Weight 150lb
Height 7’ 10’’
Footprint 48’’x48’’
Color black
Climb angle 75 degrees

The VersClimber LX comes with a computer and fully assembled to stand upright in your home gym or professional facility. For $200 you can upgrade the handles for more options. VersaClimber recommends this option for anyone taller than 6’ 3’’. For an extra $100 it comes with a branded floor mat to protect your floors from scratches and sweat.

The VersaClimber range is a great alternative to treadmills, bikes, and towers. It offers some of the highest intensity cardiovascular workouts on the smallest possible footprint with minimum impact on the joints. Everyone who ever used this hates it. This is usually a good reference when it comes to workout machines.

Pros of the VersaClimber LX

These are the pros of the VersaClimber LX series compared to other options you might consider:

Small footprint
High intensity
Adjustable resistance
Unfamiliar workout

Compared to most treadmills and elliptical machines you will be able to fit a lot more VersaClimbers into your facility. When it comes to calories burned per square foot the VersaClimber is very hard to beat. The LX offers a commercial grade machine for a lower cost than the SM model.

The Versaclimber itself offers you and your athlete a great opportunity to power yourselves out. If the weather is bad or if you want to throw them a curve ball, this is the machine. Many climbers use this is a morning routine and climbers are usually quite good when it comes to endurance. Loss of grip means death for them so they won’t mess about with the equipment they pick.

This machine can adjust the resistance from 1-500 lb which makes it better than older models from VersaClimber.

If you are planning on establishing the best gym in town you will be able to offer extra diversity with this machine. Especially in Europe, I have not seen many of these around which might swing some reliable clients your way instead of to the gym around the corner.

Cons of the VersaClimber LX

Here are some cons of the Versa Climber LX:

Not specific
Not for beginners
Old computer
Price

Most people compete in sports to which a vertical climb is irrelevant. Treadmill and cycling training is more relevant to the movement patterns for long distance runners and endurance athletes. If it is not just about burning calories but also improving technique on relevant movements the VersaClimber might not be the right choice.

As this workout is super intense it might not be for beginners. If you have a lot of beginners in your gym you might want some alternatives for people who just walked through the door. Throwing something completely frustrating at your beginners will drive them away. You have to give them some small successes and build from there. Only very few of your clients will be like “yes another machine I can kill myself on”.

The computer unit on the LX is a bit outdated. The SM has a better one as this is the most recent update to the line. Personally, I think this does not matter that much. Most of the programs are not used anyway.

The price is a big con to the Versaclimber LX. The H version comes in for $1000 less but has no commercial use warranty. The SM costs $1000 more. What I would really consider when I built my own gym is what else I could do for $4000. For two VersaClimbers I can get a ten pack of concept 2 bikes to run spinning classes. For a home gym, I can get a rack fully equipped with barbell and plates.

Alternatives to the VersaClimber LX

Alternatives to the Versaclimber LX are:

The Versaclimber SM leaves you with more freedom around the machine as less material of better quality is used to build the frame for the VersaClimber. It also has a better computer and warranty. When you are in the market to buy a lot of these for commercial use, make very sure you understand the differences of the warranty and service differences between the LX and SM.

If you are considering a VersaClimber for your home base go with the H option. It will save you a lot of money and still give you the benefits. Unless money does it really make a difference (for example if you are outfitting a house that costs 10 million I personally would not be picky between a 2000 and 5000 dollar option for the home gym and just get the best of everything).

If you are not looking at the VersaClimber for home use but for a professional setup be very mindful whether it is your first purchase. The Rogue Echo bikes are of high quality, only cost a fraction and deliver a great, challenging workout which is different from treadmills and ellipticals. This might be a better option for a bulk purchase.

Summary for the VersaClimber LX

The Versaclimber LX is a great option but suffers the pros and cons of most middle of the range of products. Unless you very specifically want this one it is better to go with the best or lowest budget option form the portfolio. Same goes here for the LX. I went for the H and I am happy. For a commercial gym, I would have gone for the SM and tried to argue with the bank for a loan extension pointing to the good warranty (basically you buy 2 for 1 if one breaks you get it replaced unless you threw rocks at It). Talk to other gym owners who wanted to make use of the warranty to be really sure.

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.