Horizon fitness Elite T9 treadmill vs 7.8AT

This is an overview of the Horizon Elite T9 treadmill and 7.8 AT 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 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 fitness Elite T9 treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon Elite T9 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 Fitness Elite T9 $1999

The Horizon Fitness Elite T9 is the flagship treadmill from Horizon. Its main distinguishing features are the most powerful engine at 3.25 CHP, the side rails, and the touchscreen which the other models from the Horizon elite line do not have. While it is lightweight build and comes in at 275lbs, it is still the heaviest of the elite series. This makes it more stable and resistant for serious runners, but might be overkill for walkers. The full list of specifications runs as follows:

Frame Type: Feather-Light Folding

Running area: 22"x60"

Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning

Drive Motor: 3.25 Horsepower

Belt: 1.4mm, Silicone

Deck Thickness: .75

Roller Size: 2.4"

Speed range: 0.5 - 12 mph

Incline Range: 0% – 15%

Extras: Aluminum Side Rails, Built-in Speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Passport Ready, Tablet Rack, Water Bottle Holder

Weight: 275 lbs

Assembled dimensions: 78.75" x 39.38" x 63"

Folded dimensions: 47.25" x 39.38" x 71"

Max User Weight: 350

Electrical Requirements: 110 - 120V

Home Warranty Frame: Lifetime

Home Warranty Motor: Lifetime

Home Warranty Parts: 5 years

Home Warranty Labor: 2 years

This machine appeals to a wide range of walkers and runners and is best chosen in a commercial setting or when you are a serious runner who has to travel far to get to a good area for running long distances. If you want to walk only it is overkill. The same goes for anyone who does not need a lot of technology or rails on their treadmill. Here you might get a better motor for less money with other treadmills if you strip back on some other features.

Pros of the Horizon Fitness Elite T9

The pros of the Horizon Fitness Elite T9 are:

Folding mechanism
Belt tested up to 21.000 miles
Touch Screen
Sidebars
Automatic incline / decline
Polar heart rate monitor included

The folding mechanism of the Horizon fitness T9 elite is smooth and also protects you from falling onto you. The frame is reinforced compared to other Horizon models which make it a good pick for serious runners or heavier athletes.

The belt has been tested up to 21.000 miles without a need of change. For someone who runs 100 miles a week, this means that you can for 210 weeks or 4 years without changing the belt. The motor also needs no cooling as it runs with magnets.

The touch screen is another bonus over the other models from Horizon which have classic button navigation. The included sidebars make it family-friendly or more appealing when placed in a gym.

The automatic incline goes with the running programs that Horizon has included in the package. You can also purchase some extra courses in scenic locations which will make use of the INcline options too.

The whole package is rounded up by including a polar heart rate monitor which you can strap to your chest and connect to the machine for heart rate training. Walkers can also use the bars which come with heart rate monitors inbuilt.

Cons of the Horizon Fitness Elite T9

Cons for the Horizon fitness elite T9 are:

High Price
Outdated technology
Not fit for HIgh-intensity interval training
Can not be stored under the bed

$2000 for a treadmill is a big bankroll. If you are savvy with craigslist and Facebook groups you might get an entire gym with several machines and a treadmill for this budget. Of course, this takes time and connections and not everyone is a hustler like the cowboys in the good, the bad, and the ugly or patient as Nelson Mandela. But if you are into used goods and sourcing them, spending $2000 is a lot to shell out for one piece of equipment in a private setting. For a commercial setting, it depends on how many you are going to buy and who will use them. If you have a very varied clientele and only need a few treadmills to make your community happy, this is the buy and do not think about it again option. If you have to buy in bulk and cater to a narrower fitness community you might want to consider more focused / cheaper options.

The technology on this treadmill seems a little outdated and needs a facelift. If you look at the newest peloton and Nordictrack models the entertainment options far surpass the ones on offer on the horizon flagship. In fairness, there is also a $1000 gap between the Elite T9 and the X32i, but if you are already considering $2000 for what is basically a convenience upgrade within the Horizon portfolio, then you might as well go all the way.

High-intensity interval training, or ins short HIIT, has been quite a rage in the fitness industry as of late. What most treadmills have in common is that they are not particularly well suited for this type of training as the motor and belt do not accelerate and decelerate naturally. The models which come closest to a proper stop-start sprint experience are the Assault air runner and the True Form runner. Personally, I am a huge fan of Airbikes as these are great for HIIT and do not take up a lot of floor space. They are also a lot cheaper than treadmills. The model I own is the Rogue Echo Bike and its direct copycat competitor is the TITAN fan bike.

This treadmill is a beast that is great when you are serious about running and willing to give up the necessary space in your home for your hobby. If you are just an occasional runner or walker you can not store this treadmill under the bed, sofa, or in a cupboard after use. Therefore it is not recommended for use in apartments with limited space unless you also want to use it as a bed.

Alternatives to the Horizon Fitness Elite T9

Alternatives to the Horizon fitness elite T9 are:

The elite T7 has a 3.00 CHP horsepower motor and no railings. It also has no touch screen. This might be the better option for home athletes who are serious but do not want to fast for very long periods of time. If you are willing to compromise on the motor power and railings you can save yourself $500 on the sticker price within the Horizon portfolio by going with the Elite T7 instead of the T9. Definitely, the better option if there are no walkers to be expected to use the treadmill or someone who goes full throttle for an hour and weighs 200 pounds or more.

The elite T5 has a slightly smaller belt than the T9 and a 2.75 CHP motor. If you also feel that you need to save a little space because the treadmill will just about fit into your home space, then this is the one to make. You will also make some considerable compromises with the T5 on the warranty so it might not be the best option in a commercial setup. On the positive side, the T5 brings you far away from the $2000 mark and very close to the $1000 mark at $1199 retail price.

If you are willing to spend $2000 on a treadmill the Nordictrack 1750 might be a desirable option for you. This treadmill not only has incline but also a 3% decline inbuilt. The IFit software subscription for your runs is a little more up to date than what Horizon has on offer and you will get a more powerful motor at 3.75 horsepower. The warranties are also longer than with Horizon, too. The only downside is that negative feedback about the Nordictrack brand is more readily available than for Horizon. Whether this is due to a higher sales volume and therefore a higher likelihood for complaints or down to product quality and design is a matter of opinion.

Conclusion for the Horizon Fitness Elite T9

The Horizon Fitness Elite T9 is the best that Horizon has to offer. If you want a great, durable treadmill for commercial use or the very serious home athlete that presses 100 miles a week or more, this is the one to get. It might not be at the forefront of the current market developments anymore, but you are getting a lot of belt, frame, and miles for a relatively small price. All other flagship treadmills in the market usually come in at $1000 more with a massive screen included. Not everyone wants that.