If you are a master assembler and an amateur runner, then the Horizon brand of treadmills could be a great fit for your lifestyle. The treadmills look sleek and elegant once properly assembled, however assembly can take hours of painful effort as you realize that holes do not always align properly and bolts do not fit nicely where they belong.
These hours of effort might be better spent working out on a brand of treadmill that was easier to assemble and begin using.
These treadmill models are made in China, and this helps Horizon to maintain a price advantage over other similar models. The design looks great, and the company itself is ISO9001 certified, which says a lot about their dedication to quality, even if their machines are difficult to assemble.
Still, even the best of budget treadmills is still a cheaper treadmill, and might not stand up to the abuse of a consistent runner. Read on for some reviews of specific Horizon brand treadmills (also check out Amazon’s offerings below, many time with free shipping, that’s how I got mine!).
Horizon T74
This treadmill is great for those looking for a little bit of a harder workout without paying too high a price. The maximum speed for the machine is 12 miles per hour, and the grade can be increased to a 12 percent incline.
The treadmill is designed to run quietly and efficiently, even at high speeds, although some reviews state that the motor begins to buzz at higher paces.
The control buttons are easy to access and use, and the LED display is designed to be easy to read as well. There are eight preset programs to assist you in your personal fitness goals, with functions like hills, weight loss, and two custom programs.
Keep cool during your runs with a built in fan, and judge your skill with contact heart rate monitors built into the handle grips for your convenience.
The Horizon T74 is also easy to store, with Horizon’s Featherlight lift making it a breeze to raise or lower the deck. Their hydraulic shocks assist you in moving the deck up or down even at difficult angles, and the design folds into a very compact package for storage.
This machine may not be able to stand up to the handcore pounding of a marathon runner, but it is designed for regular use and is backed by a one year warranty. You take a gamble on cheap Chinese parts, but the machine is one of the better bargain treadmills.
Horizon CST 3.5
The Horizon CST 3.5 may be the best value for the money in the Horizon treadmill stable, and is a great compromise for those looking for a way to run indoors without the worst of the expense.
This product features the same 55 inch by 20 inch running surface as the T74 model, and includes the TriZone VS3 Cushioning system to keep down shock on joints while running.
This treadmill also matches the T74 in storability, with the same Featherlight lift system that makes it easy for even the frailest lifters to store the deck in an upright position out of the way of everyday life.
The speed controls allow you to easily take your speed up from a standstill to 10 miles per hour, and the incline, like the T74, will go up to a 12 percent grade.
This treadmill features conveniences like an accessory rack, a magazine rack for easy reading on the run, and a water bottle holder to make your run as comfortable as possible. You will also enjoy the same heart monitor, built into the crossbar grip, that helps you monitor your heart rate and estimate your calories burned.
The price is low, the value pretty good for the money, and the features are more than enough for most of us. If you are a serious runner, though, you may want to look for a machine in a higher price range.
