Horizon Fitness treadmills are produced by Johnson - a well known name in the business that also owns high-end names like Matrix and Vision.
They are the 4th largest maker of fitness equipment in North America and have been making equipment for over 20 years.
Horizon home treadmills are generally economy to mid-priced units and they pack some decent value into the price.
However at this price point there is a lot competition. How do they stack up? Here's a quick review to help you decide.
Strengths:
1) Low Prices - One of the best things about Horizon units are that they are on the low-priced side considering what you get.
Many units are priced around $1000 and under. And yet most are built much better than your average $600 department store unit.
Perhaps this is because Horizon isn't as well known as other brands. Maybe it's because there tends to be less 'bells and whistles' included on these treadmills.
In any case, if you're looking for a bargain treadmill that still offers good design and build value, Horizon is an option.
2) Variable Cushioning - On most of their treadmills Horizon uses a variable cushioning system. This means there are different levels of cushioning at different points in the belt.
There are high levels of cushioning where your foot hits the belt and firmer cushioning where you push off. This causes less fatigue and can help you workout for longer, giving you faster results.
3) Attractive Consoles with Speakers - Most Horizon consoles have attractive, bright, easy-to-read consoles.
You can get built in fans and the new models also come with an mp3/iPod hookups and built in speakers. While this is becoming a fairly standard feature in treadmills, it's still nice to have and can make your workouts easier and more enjoyable.
4) Solid, Stable Feel - When we tried out the new Horizon models we found they gave a solid, stable feel, even when you pick up the pace. The decks are strong and while it's not a health club feel, we were still impressed overall.
5) Positive Horizon Treadmill Reviews - Although Horizon units don't top many 'Best Buy' lists, they do rate fairly well. The Horizon T20 (now discontinued) for example was a Consumer Guide 'Budget Buy'.
Also, users rate them very well, averaging about 4 stars out of 5.
Weaknesses:
While Horizon does have a fairly solid reputation, as stated above, this is a crowded market. There's a lot of competition - and many similarly priced brands like Nordic Track give you more in terms of cushioning, fitness programs and tracking tools.
Also, you may want to steer clear of Horizon units under $600 as they have weaker motor powers, shorter belts and fewer program options .
Conclusion:
Horizon has a fairly solid reputation for good value treadmills. With attractive consoles, solid, stable feel and strong motors they pack some decent value into a bargain price.
The newer models give you more in terms of goodies (speakers, fans, iPod dock) and heavier construction than the older models. And prices are excellent, with a range of economy to mid-priced units. Plus they have a very popular treadmill - the Evolve that's the most compact treadmill currently on the market.
If you really like the Horizon brand, you'll probably be very happy with a Horizon. However if you want a similarly priced brand with more bells and whistles you may want to check out Nordic Track first.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can by Horizon treadmills direct through the Manufacturer. They're currently offering Free Shipping which will also save you a few hundred dollars.
