Horizon 7.8 AT treadmill vs Nordictrack 8.5

This is a comparison between the Horizon 7.8 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.

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 7.8 AT treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon 7.8 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.

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Overview of the Horizon 7.8 AT $1.799

The Horizon 7.8 AT is the Horizon treadmill with the most powerful motor and the sturdiest frame. The console has been pared back for longevity and therefore sacrifices a touchscreen. Comapred to the Elite line from Horizon the AT line has been designed with more compatibility with different Apps in mind and more cushioning. The full spec sheet is attached below:

Frame Type: FeatherLight Folding

Running area: 22" x 60" XL Deck

Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning

Drive Motor: 4.0 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: 330 lbs.

Assembled Dimensions: 76" x 37" x 64"

Folded Dimensions: 42" x 37" x 71"

Max User weight: 350 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 the machine to get if you want the biggest and meanest treadmill that Horizon has on offer. It will also integrate with most apps out there like the Peloton and Ifit app.

Pros of the Horizon 7.8 AT

The pros of the Horizon 7.8 AT are:

Motor
Frame
Compatibility
Warranty
Price

If you are looking for a very strong motor for HIIT training or interval runs this is the machine for you. This type of training puts more strain on the engine and therefore you want to have a powerful motor that can take the beating. The 7.8 AT delivers in this department and you can throw a brick and then some at it.

The frame of the AT line of Horizon is sturdy and powder coated. This makes it easy to clean and it will also take some falls or bumping into. Compared to hollow plastic this is a big step up for longevity so if you run a commercial gym where you expect a lot of movement of weights around the treadmill you might want to invest in the AT line.

The AT has also Bluetooth and is designed to send data to other Apps like Peloton and IFit if you wish to do so. Controlling the treadmill via the own Horizon app ok a tablet can be tricky but the data for your runs can be extracted. You can see that Horizon thought a little more about being compatible with this line than with the Elite.

The lifetime warranty on the frame and motor is a Horizon fitness staple. Parts come with five years and labor with two years which is the best warranty package that Horizon has on the shelves.

For the price, you are getting a lot of treadmill with a great motor. There is not a lot you can do wrong with the AT 7.8, if you have the budget.

Cons of the Horizon 7.8 AT

The cons of the Horizon 7.8 AT are:

Weight
Size
Console

The Horizon 7.8 AT is a beast of a treadmill. If you have to navigate it around narrow corners often or put it in a tiny room it is not the best choice. You need a big room and once you put it there it will most likely stay. The console has no touchscreen and no internet connection. Some companies tend to put more modern bells and whistles to their treadmills at similar price points.

Alternatives to the Horizon 7.8 AT

Alternatives to the Horizon 7.8 AT are:

The Horizon Elite T9 is the flagship of the Elite product line. Compared to the AT 7.8 it is very close in the two main differences are that it has a touch screen and is lighter. The Elite T9 is probably the better option to be used in a home gym. However, it comes at a slightly higher price.

The Horizon 7.4 AT is very similar to the 7.8 except for the motor which is smaller. The footprint is also slightly smaller. The 7.4 is a good option to save a little money on a good design without over compromising yourself.

The Horizon 7.0 AT is a good possibility if you want to stay below the $1000. With the smallest warranty and motor, it is my personal idea of too much of a compromise, but if you want the sturdy AT frame at the lowest possible price point this is a good snatch. I would always go for a smaller model with more bells and whistles.

For me, the Rogue Echo bike is one of the best cardio choices you can make for a home gym. It is compact, easy to move around, sturdy, and allows you to do HIIT like with no other treadmill. I like to go out for my runs so this is the better machine for me that is in my gym. The Titan fan bike is a low-cost copy of the Rogue Echo bike.

If you Insist on a treadmill and want to train for sprints and dashes the Assault air runner might be a better choice for you. Classical treadmills are not great for quick starts and stops which the Assault air runner fixes. The belt runs on bearings and therefore the treadmill is self-propelled. This way quick acceleration and decelerations can be done without breaking your feet.

Conclusion for the Horizon 7.8 AT

The Horizon AT 7.8 is a great option to get the most powerful motor from Horizon in a massive frame. If you are running a commercial gym or if you are a 140kg Rugby machine, this is a good machine for you. The downsides are the price and the massive amount of space it takes up. If you get it be sure where you put it and be prepared that it is going to stay there.