Classics are classics for a reason. The treadmill is one of the most iconic pieces of exercise equipment you can find in a gym setting.
It’s great for everything from slow walks to long, strenuous runs and most models give the option of controlling incline to make for an easier or more challenging experience.
While I’ve tried out many different treadmills in my time, I never personally owned one myself.
As I have a tremendous interest in maintaining my legs (they’re my best feature, I’ve been told) and keeping up on my cardio training, I decided to look for one.
After some thorough searching, I came across a couple of contenders for what best suits my needs, but one that stands out the most is the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill.
What You Need to Know About Treadmills
While almost everyone knows what a treadmill is, a lot of people probably aren’t aware of how truly beneficial they are to a person’s health.
Treadmills primarily work by stimulating the cardiovascular system.
Through a simulated walking or running motion that can match a person’s desired specifications and workout goals, the heart ends up having to pump a lot of blood throughout the body to meet the demands of exercise.
This not only strengthens the heart muscle, but also makes various blood vessels function more efficiently and causes cells to require less resources to operate optimally over time.
As the effects of cardio exercise encompass almost all parts of the body, even those not directly in use, the overall benefits for general health and bodily maintenance can be astounding.
Beyond just keeping your body in tip top shape, treadmill use can have the additional upside of helping with certain health conditions.
Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all medical problems that are eased considerably through consistent cardiovascular exercise.
When looking for a treadmill, it might be tempting to simply go with whatever seems alright or perhaps even purchasing the most expensive model available just to be safe.
However, not all treadmills are created equal and higher expense doesn’t necessarily translate into higher quality outcomes.
When looking for the ideal treadmills, there are a couple considerations to keep in mind:
Speed
Treadmills can have vastly different speed settings. If you’re planning on doing primarily walking or light jogs, this might not be much of an issue.
But, if you are looking to run at considerable, limit-pushing speeds, then you’ll need to figure out the max speed settings.
Typically, 10 MPH is enough for most runners, but that might be too low for what you want.
Size
If you’re planning to put your treadmill somewhere in your home, then how big a treadmill will be is an incredibly important consideration.
You don’t want it to take up too much room and depending on how it arrives when shipped, you might not even be able to get it into your living space.
Make sure to do measurements beforehand, then compare that to whatever you’re looking to buy.
Weight Limit
If you’re looking to get a treadmill to lose weight and you’re on the larger side, then make sure to see what the weight limit is for a given machine.
Most machines have weight limits between 300 and 325 lbs., but there are specialty models that can accommodate more weight if needed.
Control Panel
Most treadmills come with an LED display that lets you control speed and incline settings (and sometimes programs depending on the model).
Make sure it’s reasonably simple to use and that it’s not spaced weirdly on the machine or else you’re going to be in for an unpleasant exercise experience.
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The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill
The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill is one of the more advanced treadmill models available on the market.
It has a lot of tech-heavy features such as Bluetooth connectivity, various built-in exercise programs, and comes with exercise app compatibility.
The treadmill has heart-rate monitoring capabilities and has USB ports that keep attached devices such as tablets or phones.
Pros
- Has a lot of features
- Can easily suit different exercise needs
- Has a high weight limit (350lbs.)
- Decent warranty
- High speed limit (12 MPH)
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Its multitude of features can get confusing
- Fees for associated exercise apps aren’t covered
What Makes the Treadmill a Good Product?
The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill truly demonstrates many aspects of next gen exercise technology.
Not only is it designed well, but it comes with a bunch of features that make exercise less monotonous and provides unique ways in which individuals can connect with other exercise enthusiasts.
Comes with A LOT of Features
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve seen a treadmill with this many bells and whistles.
The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill comes with a Bluetooth-connected heart rate monitoring system, an app that lets you control machine settings for your phone or tablet, Bluetooth enabled speakers, audio jacks, a fan, a water bottle holder, easily positioned tablet holders, and multiple USB ports to allow charging of devices while exercising.
It additionally has a high incline range of 15% and customizable interval keys.
Compatible with Several Exercise Apps
Most advanced treadmill features are kind of limited by the fact that programs are built into the system, with limited options for customization.
However, the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill comes with unparalleled app compatibility.
Apps like studio.live, Peloton, and AFG are all easily connected to the machine and provide a long list of different ways in which you can exercise.
Some apps allows for daily classes, while others personalize workout routines based on your desired goals and workout statistics, although all the apps have routines that are suitable for both casual and hardcore users.
Zwift
One downside to using a treadmill like the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill at home, or even at a public gym, is that it’s a rather solitary activity.
Fortunately for those that have a keen interest in lots of human interaction, technological advancements have allowed for a greater degree of connectivity.
The Zwift app is a revolutionary video game program that allows you to compete with other users in simulated races that involve interactions in a virtual world.
There are over 200 separate races available which are great for not only testing your personal limits, but let you compare your abilities and progress with other players, effectively making treadmill usage a truly social activity.
Sprint 8
If you’re someone who’s always on a time crunch due to having lots of responsibilities, then I’ve got good news for you.
The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill comes equipped with a scientifically backed program that’s designed to maximize results in a minimal amount of time.
Spring 8 is an excellent, easy to access program that uses short bursts of high intensity exercise to build lean muscle while burning substantially more fat than traditional exercise.
Good Motor
New age features are a definite plus, but the core design of a treadmill is what truly makes for an enjoyable experience.
The folks at Horizon have definitely outdone themselves this time.
With the installation of a rapid sync motor, users are able to obtain an incredibly smooth transition between different speeds and incline levels that allows for incredibly simple and easy interval training when exercising on the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill.
Simple Controls
Changing exercise settings is more simple and convenient on the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill than it is for a lot of machines.
Typically treadmills have bulky, hard to change control settings that can disrupt the natural flow of your walking or running motion.
The Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill comes with a QuickDial mechanism that lets you seamlessly switch speeds and incline levels using an easy to control lever that lets you non-abruptly change workout settings.
What Others Are Saying About it
There are more than a few positives to the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill on paper, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into an exceptional real-world product.
To see whether it’s really as good as it seems to be, I searched online to look for what others were saying about it and the general consensus seems to be favorable.
Review #1 – Thomas
“A little cumbersome to move but set up was easy and the operation is top quality. So far it’s been fantastic.”
Review #2 – Katharine
“Awesome! Really love the functionality of the programs and being able to have multiple users info saved. Whole family is loving it!”
Review # 3 – Christina
“This product is great! There is nothing I would change about this item. It is built to last, I am beginning my journey heavy 300plus pounds but I can speed walk and feel comfortable on the machine. It does not move even with my weight! I fold and unfold the machine a few times a day for myself and my kids and it is super easy!”
Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill Alternatives
There’s a lot to like about the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill, but clearly it’s not for everyone.
There are a lot of features and physical specifications that might not match your personal preferences, which is why I compiled a list of possible alternatives that might better suit your needs.
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
Getting exercise on a treadmill doesn’t have to be overly cumbersome, or expensive for that matter.
Sometimes all you need is a simple machine that gets the job done, which is where the Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill comes into play.
It’s a small, basic treadmill which is easily foldable and fits into tight spaces with ease.
Nonetheless, it still retains certain features such as Bluetooth connectivity, a remote control, and an LED display.
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill vs. Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT
- Takes up much less room
- Is much less expensive
- Can be difficult to work with
- Doesn’t have a lot of advanced features
- Has a limited warranty in comparison
Nordictrack T Series Treadmill
Nordictrack has a pretty decent reputation in the fitness world and the NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is completely in line with what you would expect.
It’s a middle of the road model that possesses a SMART-Response motor for smooth transitions between speed settings and has features that allow it to be stored easily.
It also has some built-in exercise programs.
Nordictrack T Series Treadmill vs. Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT
- Is much less expensive
- Is easily stored
- Has similar dimensions
- Has a limited warranty in comparison
- Is compatible with fewer exercise apps
3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Incline Treadmill
This model is specifically designed to appeal to runners. Most treadmills keep a balance between walking and running capability in mind, but the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Incline Treadmill is definitely a limit-tester.
Many features are simple, yet still somewhat advanced, although what makes it unique is that it’s a specialty piece of equipment that can be folded for easy storage.
3G Cardio 80i vs. Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT
- Is more expensive
- Has way fewer features
- Lets you reach your maximum physical potential
- Doesn’t take up that much room
- Has a less advanced control panel
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of good treadmills out there that can suit your needs perfectly.
It’s not linear though; what’s better for helping you reach your goals is going to depend on a bunch of factors that may not be compatible for each other.
Still, the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill is an excellent piece of exercise equipment that guarantees a good workout experience, with plenty of options to keep you entertained and motivated.
If you think it would be a nice addition to your home, you can check it out here.
