Overview and review of the Horizon T202 treadmill

 

 

 

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.

 

 

The pros of the Horizon T202 are:

 

 

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.

 

 

The cons of the Horizon fitness T202 are:

 

 

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 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.

 

 

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.