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Horizon Elite T7 treadmill vs 7.8AT

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Mar 4, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Horizon Elite T7 treadmill vs 7.8AT

This is a comparison of the Horizon Elite T7 treadmill and 7.8AT 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.

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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.

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

 
 

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.
 

Overview and review of the Horizon Elite T7 treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon Elite T7 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 Elite T7 $1.599

 
The Horizon Elite T7 is the middle of the Horizon treadmill elite product range with a reinforced frame for serious runners. It has a middle motor size and no touch screen. It is considerably lighter than its bigger brother the T9 and comes in the dimensions. This makes the T7 a good deal for anyone that is serious about running, is big but does not want to spend close to $2.000on on their treadmill. The full specifications of this treadmill are:
 
Frame Type: Feather-Light Folding
Running area: 22"x60"
Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning   Drive Motor: 2.75 Horsepower
Belt: 1.4mm, Silicone
Deck Thickness: .75
Roller Size: 2.4" rear 1.8"
Speed range: 0.5 - 12 mph
Incline Range: 0% – 15%
Extras: Built-in Speakers, Built-in Speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Fan, Passport Ready, Tablet Rack, Water Bottle Holder
Weight: 236 lbs.
Assembled dimensions: 77" x 35" x 60"
Folded dimensions: 44" x 35" x 69"
Max User Weight: 350
Electrical Requirements: 110 - 120V
Home Warranty Frame: Lifetime
Home Warranty Motor: Lifetime
Home Warranty Parts: 5 years
Home Warranty Labor: 1 years
 
You make minimum concessions on the warranty and power while still getting close to the best from Horizon. If you are a budget-conscious buyer who still wants to enter the premier league, this is a good model for you.
 

Pros of the Horizon Elite T7

 
The pros of the Horizon Elite T7 are:
 
  • Big belt in a smaller frame
  • Good warranty package
  • Good value for money
 
The best feature about this treadmill is that you get a big belt in a smaller footprint compared to the T9. Combined with a price tag that is $500 lower this makes it a great option to buy in bulk for a commercial gym that is able to install some televisions within the vision of the treadmill park. If you are rowing up 5 to 10 in a line this does make a difference to other bigger models.
 
You are also getting a good value-for-money treadmill for serious runners who do not need all the bells and whistles. This is a sturdy and reliable treadmill that will go along
 

Cons of the Horizon Elite T7

 
  • No touch screen
  • No Bluetooth
 
The biggest con of the Elite T7 is Technology. The screen is not a touch screen. If you want to use the digital enhancements of the Horizon fitness brand you will have to hook this treadmill up to a television. This means you have to add the cost of that television to the overall setup to get to where the Elite T9 already is. Never mind that the setup with a TV and earphones will be a bit of a pain as there is no Bluetooth available.
 

Alternatives to the Horizon Elite T7

 
Alternatives to the Horizon Elite T7 treadmill are:
 
 
The elite T9 is the better alternative if you want to make sure that you are at least somewhat connected to the modern age. If you just want a machine to run on for miles and listen to your music via your phone the T7 is great. If you want to make use of Peloton-ish gamification of your runs the T9 has at least Bluetooth and a touchscreen accommodate better for this type of training.
 
The Elite F5 has the smallest motor out of the Horizon fitness Elite setup, drops considerably in warranty, and has a smaller belt than the T7 and T9. If you are a serious runner on a budget who is mainly interested in a sturdier frame on a foldable treadmill then this is the right option. Otherwise, you might look for one of the higher-priced adventure models of Horizon fitness that offer more entertainment options on a less sturdy frame.
 
The Nordictrack 1750 sits bang in the middle of the Nordictrack lineup and is in my opinion one of the strongest competitors to the Horizon elite line. If you are willing to spend up to $2000 you get a longer warranty, a more powerful motor, and a connection to the IFit subscription to make your runs more interesting. IFit seems a bit more up-to-date than the digital alternatives from Horizon. The only downside is that you will find more negative feedback about NordicTrack as a brand than about Horizon. Whether this up to higher sales volumes or poor quality is a bit hard to judge for definite.
 

Conclusion for the Horizon Elite T7

 
The elite T7 is a great buy for commercial gyms that want to get a sturdy treadmill for all types of runners and walkers and already have TVs installed for entertainment. A home gym owner looking for a treadmill to put more than 100 miles a week on should ask themselves whether they want entertainment included in the treadmill or not. If yes, wait for a month or two and add the extra $500 to get to the T9. If you don’t need entertainment go for the T5. Before you make your final decision, have a look at the Nordictrack 1750 for availability and whether you like the look and feel of it.

Topics: Treadmill, Horizon