My Favorite Things About The Horizon 7.0 Treadmill (& What I'd Change)

Upgrading your home with expensive gym equipment can be an intimidating process—and most of us share the same goal of getting the best value from our investment. So when I decided to add a treadmill to my home, I quickly went on a hunt to find the best treadmill for under $1,000.

My research led me to the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill, which promptly arrived on my doorstep at the end of 2023. After nearly a month of training on the Horizon, I can confidently say it's one of the best bangs for your buck (and you don't have to be an avid runner to appreciate the sleek, simply design).

When researching cardio equipment, Horizon Fitness is often one of the first brands to pop up for treadmills, rowers, ellipticals and more. When it comes to treadmills, the brand offers two lines: the Go series and the Studio Series.

The Go series tend to be more affordable, however small changes are made with each design to justify the lower price-point. For example, the most basic model, the Horizon T101 Treadmill, sacrifices about 5 inches of deck space, 3 miles of speed, and two levels of incline to save you about $300.

The Horizon 7.0 Treadmill is the most affordable design from the Go series, and in my opinion, the best value for the money. Along with Bluetooth connectivity, it has a 60-inch running deck (taller folks rejoice) and comes with the same Rapid Sync Motor as the other models in the Studio Series.

Similar to other budget-friendly treadmills, the Horizon 7.0 AT also has eight built-in programs, such as the Hill Climb and Target HRT. Additionally, the machine provides feedback on calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed, and time. These additions weren't dealmakers (or breakers) for me, as they're pretty standard with most treadmills.

First and foremost, the shipment is huge! The treadmill weights 277 pounds, but the packaging brings the total weight to 332 pounds. You're going to need at least one additional person to help set up the treadmill—though ideally I'd try to have at least two people around.

To thoroughly test this treadmill, I used it five days a week for two weeks straight. I don’t normally use a treadmill daily, but I wanted to learn the ins and outs of this thing pretty well. 

After learning how to operate the treadmill, meaning, how to use all of its functions, I realized that it was now an integral part of my workout routine. 

The incline and decline function is probably my favorite feature because it seamlessly allows me to target my muscles and prepare for an effective workout.

What’s more, this treadmill hasn’t just helped me improve my workouts, but it’s helped other members of my family as well. My mother recently had a kidney transplant, so low-intensity exercise is super important for her health. 

There are thousands of treadmills on the market, so you may also be wondering why I’m raving about this particular one. 

Apart from my favorite features listed above, Horizon stands out to me for its versatility and adaptability to various workout styles (walkers, runners, weightlifters, climbers— you get the idea).  

While this has probably been the best treadmill I have ever used, let’s face it, nothing is absolutely perfect. My biggest woes with the treadmill were the size and shipping—two things that can easily avoided by setting up expectations of opting into paid delivery.

The folding component of the Horizon 7.0 gives the impression that the treadmill is more compact—but the deck size should be a tip-off that this is a relatively large machine. It's not bulky per se, but the frame has a pretty sizable footprint.

The Horizon 7.0 is most often compared to the Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill, which is about $500 more expensive. A larger deck, thicker deck, and heavier frame make the 7.4 a slightly more luxurious buy—but ultimately I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.

Both treadmills have the same powerful motor, and the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill has sufficient space for both me and my 5'11 boyfriend to run without issue. While the extra 2mm of deck might make the deck feel more luxurious, I feel it's already pretty cushioned.