Horizon Fitness treadmills are produced by Johnson - a solid name in the industry that also owns 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 usually 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) Bargain 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 a great 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 can lessen fatigue and help you workout for longer.
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 Fitness 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. Plus, unlike some brands, there are a lot of user reviews - which gives the high ratings more credibility.
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 bells and whistles in terms of tracking tools, fitness programs and advanced consoles (although Horizon is getting better in this area).
Conclusion:
Horizon Fitness is a proven name with a solid reputation for good value treadmills. With attractive consoles, solid, stable feel and strong motors they pack a lot of 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.
Overall, if you're looking for a strong alternative to the ICON treadmills (Weslo, Image, Reebok and Proform), you'll probably be very happy with a Horizon.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy Horizon fitness treadmills direct through the Manufacturer. They offer some discount online deals and are currently offering Free Shipping which will also save you a few hundred dollars.
