Horizon Elite T7 treadmill vs TrueForm runner

This is a comparison between the Horizon Elite T7 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 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.