Horizon T202 treadmill vs TrueForm runner

This is a comparison between the Horizon T202 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 T202 treadmill

This is an overview of the Horizon T202 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 T202 $709

The Horizon T202 is the middle treadmill in the T series of Horizon fitness. It is the middle-of-the-road approach to a treadmill in the lower-cost segment of Horizon fitness. You can go up to 12 miles an hour at an incline of 12% with this treadmill and edge away from the magical $1000 investment that many home gym owners do not want to surpass for a machine. The full specifications are:

Frame Type: FeatherLight Folding

Running area: 20" x 60"

Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning

Drive Motor: 2.75 Continuous-Duty Horsepower

Belt: 1.4mm, Silicone

Deck Thickness: 0.7" (18mm)

Roller Size: 46mm/42mm Tapered

Speed Range: 0.5 – 12 mph

Incline Range: 0 – 12%

Extras: Audio In/Out Jack, Bluetooth Speakers, Energy Saver Mode, Fan, Tablet Rack, Water Bottle Holder

Weight: 187 lbs.

Assembled dimensions: 75" x 34" x 58"

Folded dimensions: 47" x 34" x 65"

Max User weight: 325 lbs.

Electrical requirements: 60Hz - 120V

Home Warranty - Frame: Lifetime

Home Warranty - Motor: Lifetime

Home Warranty - Parts: 1 year

Home Warranty - Labor: 1 year

This is a good machine for the occasional use in the home to stay fit. IT will be good for joggers and modest runners. If more than one person in the household will use it on a regular basis you might want to consider upgrading to the T303 for better warranty coverage.

Pros of the Horizon T202

The pros of the Horizon T202 are:

Price
Motor
Incline

For a modestly priced treadmill below $1000, you get a decent motor and an incline up to 12%. These are nice perks against the budget of about $700. If you do not want to think too hard about your purchase and have no extra hardcore needs, this is probably the treadmill to get from Horizon fitness.

Cons of the Horizon T202

The cons of the Horizon fitness T202 are:

Console
Warranty
Frame

The console of the Horizon fitness T202 is pretty basic compared to the multimedia options you can have with other models from Horizon or their competitors. If you are intending to combine your treadmill with some of your other gadgets to build an experience tailored to you, that is great. Just be ready that you will have to do some Bluetooth pairing or cabling each time you step on and off.

The warranty is only 1 year on parts and labor which makes it not a great choice for commercial use. Also if you think that there will be more than one heavy user in the house I would recommend upgrading to the T303 to have a better motor and warranty. If you put more than 200 miles a week on the machine, definitely consider a switch to the T303 or the 7.0 AT.

The last thing is the frame. If you already know that you are a berserker that makes treadmills suffer, this is not for you. I weigh 100kg and my fastest 5k was under 18 minutes. The T202 and I probably would not be good friends for long.

Alternatives to the Horizon T202

Alternatives to the Horizon T202 are:

The Horizon T101 is the most barebone treadmill you can get from Horizon on the smallest frame they provide. While you can explore this road I would recommend that you might look into walking treadmills instead which are more convenient to store. $600 can buy you a very decent walking treadmill, but you will struggle with a new treadmill that is really good. The T202 already forms the underbelly of that market in my opinion.

The Rogue Echo bike is a great alternative for anyone who is getting a treadmill to stay fit and lose weight. If running is not your passion, but only a method to the end of staying fit, consider this airbike. It is sturdy, easy to move, and well suited to proper HIIT training. If you want to go hard at it and not worry about your equipment, this is the better choice than the T202. Some people might find the design intimidating and a little too masculine. A good budget alternative to the Echo bike is the TITAN fan bike, as long as you like the big wheels on it.

The concept 2 ski erg is a great cardio machine that saves space in your home and is relatively silent. The beauty of it is that you do not have the footfall. This is the main source of noise out of a treadmill and the concept 2 ski erg eliminates this element of cardio completely. It is still able to give you a savage workout if you are willing to push yourself hard enough.

Conclusion for the Horizon T202

The Horizon Fitness T202 treadmill is a good option for a jogger who wants to pay the bare minimum for a decent running treadmill. It will take some of the spikes of your training and play along with the occasional incline run. If you are a serious runner or weigh more than 100kg, stay away from this treadmill as you will not become friends, unless you intend to walk on it.