For versatile training, the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is a good choice. It aids in low-impact workouts as well as high-intensity interval exercises.
You can read our review to learn more about it, but before then, take a look at our guide that addresses some things to consider before buying a treadmill.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Treadmill
A high-end treadmill can be a worthwhile investment as long as you get the right machine for your fitness needs.
If you don’t know where to start, we came up with some key considerations you may want to keep in mind that should help you narrow down your options and settle on the right product.
Running Deck Design
You need space to move even if you are just using the treadmill to walk, so take a look at how the running deck is designed.
It should be long enough to handle walks and sprints.
Also, check out the cushioning or shock-absorbing features. This can lessen the impact the machine has on your joints and back so you can exercise freely.
Space Availability
Another good consideration to take is the space you have to set the treadmill up. It’s nice if a treadmill can fold so that it won’t be in the way when it’s not used.
If it is foldable, consider an easy system that won’t slam down if you drop it. This keeps both you safe and protects your floor.
Console and Electronics
Another good consideration to keep in mind is the display console and overall electronic functions of the treadmill.
The display console should highlight all your vital workout feedback and be easy to read. Some are backlit, and others may have colors so that it’s bright and legible.
Non-backlit consoles can still serve you well if you know you’re going to exercise in well-lit areas.
Consoles should be easy to navigate too so you can get to various programs or change speeds with ease.
Also, check if the treadmill has Bluetooth connectivity.
This can allow you to sync up to play music through built-in speakers, follow along with a fitness program, or even connect a heart rate monitoring program.
In this case, it helps if the treadmill features a USB plug-in so you can keep your phone or tablet charged up the entire time.
A media tray is another handy design aspect so you don’t have to hold onto anything while you exercise.
Versatility
A versatile treadmill allows it to grow with your progress or be helpful in a household with multiple users.
Check that the treadmill offers a good range of speeds and incline settings.
Also, it helps if there are some different workout programs involved to switch up your routine every so often.
Durability
A quality treadmill is well-built so that it holds up to intense or frequent training.
If it has a high weight capacity that’s over 200lbs or 300lbs, that is a good sign that the frame and deck are made supportive.
With this knowledge in mind, take a look at whatever warranty may be offered. They’re usually separated into the frame, parts, labor, and motor.
Some parts have lifetime warranties, while others offer a couple of years or so.
At the time of writing, there was a great deal available. Click here to see if it’s still running..
Introducing the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is a high-end runner’s treadmill made with streaming fitness classes and tackling interval training in mind.
With an advanced Bluetooth connectivity setup and a companion app, the treadmill is the ultimate tool to get in a versatile, effective cardio workout.
It is designed with a spacious running deck, a full-color display to keep up with your workout feedback, and responsive controls so that it is seamless and quick to change incline and speed settings as needed.
When the training is complete, simply fold it up so it’s out of the way.
Pros
- Good width and length of the running deck
- Quick-control feature for speed and incline
- Includes a quality warranty
Cons
- Might help if it included more workout programs
- May need more than one person to assemble due to how heavy it is
- Lacks a touchscreen display for easier navigation
Features & Benefits of the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
To help you better understand the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill, we broke down all of the key features of the product so you can see just how beneficial they can be to your workout routine.
Johnson Digital Drive System
With a combined 4.0 Continuous-Duty Horsepower motor and a 500lb thrust incline motor, the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill has a highly responsive CHP RapidSync drive system.
Such a setup allows the treadmill to adapt with ease to various speeds and incline, maintaining a smooth operation without lags in between the changes.
This means that whether you are working your way up to a jog or using the treadmill for interval training that you won’t experience a rough delay by abruptly changing how fast or slow the belt moves or once the incline goes up or down.
It makes it both safer and more effective.
Extra Large Running Deck
The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill was designed with an extra-large running deck so that it supports users who wish to jog or sprint.
In fact, it is the commercial-standard size at 22in. x 60in.
Besides giving you space to stretch, this treadmill is built to keep you comfortable throughout your training.
This is done using the 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning technology.
It is a technology that adjusts the cushioning according to your typical strike zones.
So, near the front of the treadmill is where there would be the most cushioning as your heel would strike that the hardest as you run.
Meanwhile, near the back, cushioning is less so you have a firmer area to successfully push off from.
A good shock-absorbing setup such as this can make it far easier on your joints in the long run.
Durable Frame
Both the frame and the deck are made from heavy-duty materials meant to stand up to tough and frequent use.
It is one of the many reasons why the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill may be ideal for interval training as it can keep up with such adjustments over time.
This features a 1.6mm silicone belt and a 60mm/46mm tapered roller size. The treadmill is capable of supporting users who weigh up to 375lbs.
As for the treadmill itself, it weighs 330lbs, so it can be a bit heavy to move on your own. Still, it features a haudralic folding system so it isn’t difficult to fold up or pull down.
Adjustable Speed and Incline Range
There is plenty of versatility found with the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill.
You can adjust the speed range between 0.5mph and 12mph. It also has a good incline range from 0-15%.
This gives ample room for those of you who want something lower-paced to enjoy to simply get your heart rate going.
At the same time, if you want to participate in interval training, there are enough higher speeds and incline ranges to get to for that.
Electronics
On the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill, it features a 9.3in. high-contrast color TFT screen and a 16 digit alphanumeric LED.
This allows you to light up your workout feedback in full color for easier reading. Here you can check on your distance, heart rate, calories, time, speed, pace, and incline.
It is made with Bluetooth connectivity for straightforward syncing.
For one thing, you can connect with the built-in speakers so all sounds from music to exercise programs are readily heard without the use of headphones.
The Bluetooth 4.0 heart rate strap can also be used to connect with the Peloton app if you have already subscribed to it. Otherwise, you can use the contact grips on the handles.
This treadmill does, however, come with Zwift, a multi-player training app that features more than 200 different races daily for you to choose from.
It lets you go for marathons or simply run along with a supportive community.
Lastly, there is an integrated USB port so you can plug in your devices without fear of them dying in the middle of your fitness routine.
Quick-Control Setup
A great way that the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is user-friendly is with its QuickDial™ system.
This makes it simpler to manage the incline and speed settings without ever having to break or slow down your stride.
On the right handle, you can roll the dial forward or backward to increase or decrease the speed.
Whereas on the left handle, you can roll the dial forward for uphill use or backward to lower it down.
Workout Programs
Although such a premium treadmill like the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill could benefit from having more than 10 workout programs, the ones it does have are still useful for both average users and those looking for a bit of a challenge.
Here are the programs you can use with the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill: Calorie, Custom, 5K, Custom HR, Fat Burn, Distance, Heart Rate, Manual, Hill Climb, and Sprint 8.
The Sprint 8 may be one of the more talked-about programs with this treadmill. This is what allows it to be such a good treadmill for interval training.
Sprint 8 is a 20-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program that may help you better burn body fat.
With it being less than half an hour-long, it lets you get in an intense exercise in a short amount of time.
Extra Accessories
Along with all the other useful features, this treadmill features a fan, custom interval keys, a water bottle holder, an audio in/out jack, and an accessory/media tray.
A good point about this tray is that it is multi-positional, and it also sits above the console so you can view your workout feedback and your device at the same time.
Warranty
Another positive aspect of the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is the warranty program it comes with. The frame and the motor have lifetime support so you don’t have to worry about them.
When it comes to the parts, they get a 5-year warranty, while the labor for the treadmill is supported with a 2-year warranty.
Click here to learn more about the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill from the Official Website.
What Others are Saying about the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
To get a clearer picture of how users feel about the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill, check out a few consumer comments we found:
Review #1 – Lynn H
This user praised how useful this is for HIIT training, especially with how responsive the motor is. They like the cushioned deck as well. However, they did claim issues using the app.
Review #2 – Daniel L
With this brief review, the user enjoyed the silent operation of the treadmill in addition to how easy it was to operate.
Review #3 – Arnaud D
This user liked the simplicity of assembling the product and the smoothness of it. Still, they do feel that aligning the belt was a bit difficult.
Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Alternatives
If you want to weigh your options more before choosing any treadmill, take a look at some of our alternate picks.
Two of these are more budget-friendly while the other is around the same price as the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill.
XTERRA TR200 Treadmill
The XTERRA TR200 Treadmill is an affordable, flexible treadmill that folds up with ease when you’re done.
It features a large backlit display, speed buttons for fast access, and numerous pre-set workout programs.
XTERRA TR200 Treadmill vs. Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
- 250lb user weight capacity | 99lb treadmill weight
- 0.5-10mph speed | 3-level incline
- 12 pre-set programs | 1 custom program
- Blue backlit LCD
- Blue cushion shock-absorbing deck
- Warranty: lifetime frame | 1-year motor | 90-day deck, parts, and in-home labor
Bluefin Fitness KICK 2.0 Folding Treadmill
The Bluefin Fitness KICK 2.0 Folding Treadmill is a foldable treadmill that’s designed with a quality deck that can transfer energy from your joints with each of your strides.
It features a silent and strong motor, a backlit LCD, and app compatibility.
Bluefin Fitness KICK 2.0 vs. Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
- Adjustable speed range with an 18% incline gradient range
- Automatic drive recalibration
- Backlit LCD | Bluetooth connectivity
- Kinomap app compatible
- Multi-layer anti-static track
- Warranty: 12-month limited
LifeSpan TR5500i Folding Treadmill
The LifeSpan TR5500i Folding Treadmill is engineered for runners with its powerful motor setup, dozens of built-in workout programs, and spacious running deck.
It features a large, touchscreen console for simple managing.
LifeSpan TR5500i Folding Treadmill vs. Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
- 350lb user weight capacity | 271lb gross treadmill weight
- 0.5-13.5mph speed | 13-level incline
- 22in. x 60in. cushioned running deck
- 3-speed cooling fan
- Touchscreen console
- Over 50 exercise programs
- Warranty: lifetime frame and motor | 5-year parts | 2-year labor
Final Thoughts
The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is a high-quality, high-end workout machine made with runners in mind, yet ideal for users who want a straightforward, low-impact cardio experience.
It’s easy to use thanks to the quick-control settings for speed and incline adjustments, and it comes with a good interval training program as well as several others to adapt your workout.
This treadmill is comfortable to use as well thanks to the shock-absorbing extra-large deck. Take a look at the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill to discover more about it.
