Horizon’s 7.0 AT – The Best Treadmill You Can Get For $1k [A Review]

Horizon’s 7.0 AT Treadmill is designed with one thing in mind: performance.

Wow, that’s not something I usually find myself saying about a treadmill in this price range, but it’s true.

With a 20″ x 60″ running surface, a 3.0 CHP motor, a top incline of 15%, and a sturdy frame that can handle users weighing up to 325 lb, the 7.0 AT is surprisingly capable for such an affordable model.

It doesn’t have the most sophisticated console, so you aren’t going to find any touchscreens or built-in entertainment apps here.

But what it lacks in higher-tech features, it makes up for in muscle and durability.

Although to be fair, it does have a few surprising features you don’t normally see on a $1k treadmill (like the QuickDial controls on the handle bars), but more on that later.

Long-story-short: I think Horizon’s 7.0 AT is the best budget-friendly treadmill on the market today.

If you’re interested in the longer story, keep reading.

In this review, I’ll not only go over all the specs and features this treadmill comes with, I’ll also compare it to a few of the other top treadmills in its price range.

You know, to help you do your homework and see how it really stacks up against the competition (you’re too kind, but you don’t have to thank me).

After reading, you’ll know whether or not the 7.0 AT is the right treadmill for your home gym.

Horizon’s 7.0 AT comes with a large deck, strong motor, robust frame, and great warranty, making it my top choice for treadmills in the $1k price range.

Horizon’s 7.0 AT Treadmill

Horizon’s part of the Johnson Health family, which also owns the Matrix Fitness and Vision Fitness brands.

Horizon is the budget-friendly brand in Johnson’s portfolio and they’re known for providing no-BS machines that are backed by great warranties.

They also happen to be one of my personal favorites when it comes to reasonably-priced cardio machines.

I actually own Horizon’s 7.8 AT and I couldn’t be happier with that treadmill – it’s given me years of headache-free performance.

But we’re here to discuss the 7.0 AT, so I should probably get to it already.

Horizon has their treadmills divided into 2 groups: the “Go” series and the “Studio” series.

The 7.0 AT is the entry-level treadmill in the “Studio” series, which consists of Horizon’s highest-end, most sophisticated models.

FYI, the “AT” stands for “Advanced Training” and the name is pretty accurate- this treadmill has the goods to handle running at high speeds and steep inclines.

And as I’m writing this, Horizon has this treadmill listed for $999 (although you might be able to find it a little cheaper from time to time at Dick’s Sporting Goods).

Pros

• 20″ x 60″ running surface
• 3.0 CHP motor
• Heavy-duty frame
• Convenient QuickDial controls
• Great warranty
• Max speed of 12 mph
• Top incline of 15%
• Max weight capacity of 325 lb
• Variable response cushioning system
• Folds for storage
• Compatible with heart rate monitors
• Bluetooth speakers
• Quick touch buttons for speed and incline

Cons

• Limited built-in workout programs
• No accessory tray

Running Surface

Right off the bat, I like that this treadmill comes with a large, 20″ x 60″ running surface.

Having a spacious running surface is crucial for me because I hate the sensation of feeling cramped on a treadmill – I’m not an overly tall guy or anything, I just like my space.

Well, 20″ x 60″ is basically the gold standard for home treadmills because at this size, folks of all heights should be able to walk or run as fast as they like without (literally) running out of space.

But it’s not a give in this price range – many budget machines still come with smaller dimensions.

But not this treadmill.

Horizon also includes their 3 zone variable response cushioning system on all their treadmills, even the more affordable ones.

This shock absorbing system is designed with gait kinematics in mind, providing the most cushioning where your foot initially lands and less in the back where you push-off (and don’t want a soft surface).

This same technology is found on the 7.8 AT and I have to be honest – I can’t really tell a difference in feel between the front and back of the deck.

But I guess it’s still nice to know it’s there.

And more importantly, it does provide a comfortable feel during workouts.

Like most home treadmills these days, the 7.0 AT can fold for storage and with the hydraulic lift, you can easily fold the deck up vertically when not in use.

This features saves you about 3 feet of floor space when you’re not using it, which can be a game changer for small workout areas or shared spaces.

The frame itself is surprising heavy-duty too, a feature that I love about Horizon treadmills.

And unlike a lot of bloggers that use the term “heavy-duty” indiscriminately for all fitness machines, when I use it, I’m being literal.

The 7.0 AT weighs 277 lb, which is really heavy for a $1k treadmill.

For the sake of comparison, ProForm’s similarly-priced Carbon TLX weighs just north of 200 lb and Sole’s highly-popular F63 weighs in at around 224 lb.

And seeing a heavier weight is a good thing because it means the treadmill is going to feel more stable while you’re on it.

And with this much bulk, the 7.0 AT is going to feel nice and stable whether you’re walking or running at faster speeds.

Another indicator of this treadmill’s build quality is the fact that it has a max weight capacity of 325 lb.

This is good news for the larger folks out there looking for an affordable home treadmill because a lot of cheaper options max out in the 250 – 300 lb range.

Overall, the 7.0 AT scores highly with its large running surface, durable frame, and high weight capacity.

Motor

This treadmill comes standard with a 3.0 CHP motor, meaning it can handle walkers and runners alike.

FYI, when it comes to motor strength and running – if you plan on running often, it’s smart to try and go with a treadmill with at least a 3.0 CHP motor to ensure smooth operation.

The last thing you want is for your treadmill to struggle to keep up with ya.

Luckily, that shouldn’t be an issue here.

This treadmill can reach a top speed of 12 mph (5 min/mile pace), which is pretty standard for a quality home treadmill.

But it can also reach a max incline of 15%, which is pretty impressive for a machine in this price range (NordicTrack’s T 7.5 S can only reach 12%).

I also want to point out that the 7.0 AT uses 60mm/46 mm tapered rollers – converted to inches, that’s roughly 2.3″/1.8″ respectively.

The rollers are the part that actually propel the belt along the deck and having a larger diameter usually equates to a smoother feel and less stress on the motor.

High-quality home treadmills usually have 2 – 3″ rollers, while more affordable machines usually come with 1.8″- 2″ rollers.

Based on these numbers, I’d say the 7.0 AT scores pretty highly for its price range – especially considering Sole uses 1.8″ on their F63.

Overall, this treadmill scores highly in this category – it has a powerful motor capable of reaching high speeds and high inclines, allowing it to accommodate users of all skill levels.

Features

The 7.0 AT treadmill comes with the following features:

7.25″ LCD console- the console on this treadmill is pretty standard stuff, nothing too fancy to speak of. But it’s big enough to see clearly and the additional LED windows make it easy to track all stats during use.

8 built-in workout programs- this isn’t a huge number, but it gives you a little bit of everything you need. Workouts include: 5k, calorie, custom, distance, fat burn, hill climb, manual, and target heart rate

Bluetooth speakers- this is a surprising feature to find on a budget treadmill. You can sync your tablet or phone to listen to your music or hear your movies through the treadmill’s twin speakers.

Quick-touch speed/incline buttons- a very handy feature, these buttons allow you to instantly set your speed or incline without having to manually select up and down with the arrows. These buttons come in really handy for interval training.

QuickDial controls- if you notice the 2 blue little dial thingies on the handles, these are the QuickDials. You use these to set your speed and incline settings during your workout. They are super convenient because you can rapidly set your values without having to keep pushing buttons. All of the “Studio” treadmills come with this feature and I love it.

Rapid charge USB port- you can charge your tablet or phone while you workout. Nice feature, makes sure you don’t kill your phone while you’re jamming out.

Built-in device holder- the device holder makes it convenient to hold your tablet if you want to watch Netflix while you run. Also handy if you want to use the free app to control your workout

App compatible- the 7.0 AT is bluetooth compatible with fitness apps like Zwift and Peloton, allowing you to sync up and track metrics (as long as you have your smart phone or tablet nearby).

Built-in fan- nothing fancy here, but it’ll help keep you cool and comfortable during your workouts.

Hand-grip heart rate monitor- the grip monitor will help you keep track of your heart rate during use if you prefer. It’s also compatible with bluetooth chest strap monitors, which are a lot more convenient to use while running.

Assembly

Putting the 7.0 AT together is pretty straightforward- no advanced mechanical engineering degrees necessary to get the job done.

The assembly instructions are clearly written with large, easy to follow illustrations matching each step.

I like how Horizon clearly defines what hardware will be used each step along the way.

They even give you images of what each bolt and washer looks like, which I find very helpful.

I hate it when instructions tell you to use “bolt #7” and you have to refer to another page of the instructions to identify which bolt that is.

Most users shouldn’t have any trouble putting this treadmill together themselves.

It’s a durable, well-built machine, which means it’s heavy, so it might be a good idea to have a second pair of hands available when putting this together.

Warranty

Horizon backs the this treadmill up with the following warranties:

• Lifetime frame
• Lifetime motor
• 3 year parts (including cushioning)
• 1 year labor

This is a great warranty, no ‘ifs’, ‘ands’, or ‘buts’ about it.

You can’t beat a lifetime frame/motor warranty and you don’t see a lot of these in this price range to begin with.

Three years on parts is also surprisingly generous, considering most (I’m looking at you Sole, NordicTrack, and ProForm) stop at 2 years of coverage.

A year for labor is standard stuff, nothing crazy going on there.

I mentioned earlier that Horizon is known for their warranties and the proof is in the pudding (do people still say that??)

Overall, a fabulous warranty.

Horizon’s 7.0 AT vs The Competition

	Horizon’s 7.0 AT	Sole’s F63	ProForm’s Carbon TLX
Running surface	20″ x 60″	20″ x 60″	20″ x 60″
Motor	3.0 CHP	3.0 HP	3.0 CHP
Speed/incline	0 – 12 mph 0 – 15%	0 – 12 mph 0 – 15%	0 – 12 mph 0 – 12%
Assembled weight	277 lb	224 lb	~210 lb
Warranty	Lifetime frame 3 year parts 1 year labor	Lifetime frame 2 year parts 1 year labor	10 year frame 1 year parts 1 year labor
Price	~$1000	~$1100	~$1000

It’s fair to say this treadmill has some great features, but if we’re going to really see how it stands, we have to take a look at the other treadmills out there.

So, let’s do that right now.

The 7.0 AT is priced right at $1k, so this is what I’ll use as my price range when picking comps.

And the first we have to mention is Sole’s F63, which is a fabulous treadmill.

The F63 matches the 7.0 AT in most regards, including deck size, motor strength, and weight capacity.

The F63 is also very similar in terms of console features, although it doesn’t come with Horizon’s famous QuickDials.

That said, the 7.0 AT weighs about 50 lb more, comes with a longer parts warranty, and costs about $100 less… (mike drop).

Moving on, let’s take a look at another solid treadmill in this price range, ProForm’s Carbon TLX.

The TLX is usually priced right around $1k and it comes with a 20″ x 60″ running surface, a 3.0 CHP motor, and is bluetooth compatible with iFit.

However, the TLX is much lighter-duty, comes with a much shorter warranty, and even comes with a less sophisticated console.

Honestly, we could list several more solid $1k treadmills here, but none of them are as heavy-duty or come with as generous a warranty.

So, moving on…

Horizon’s 7.0 AT vs The 7.4 AT

	Horizon’s 7.0 AT	Horizon’s 7.4 AT
Running surface	20″ x 60″	22″ x 60″
Motor	3.0 CHP	3.5 CHP
Speed/incline	0 – 12 mph 0 – 15%	0 – 12 mph 0 – 15%
Assembled weight	277 lb	318 lb
Weight limit	325 lb	350 lb
Warranty	Lifetime frame 3 year parts 1 year labor	Lifetime frame 5 year parts 2 year labor
Price	~$1000	~$1600

Before I wrap this review up, I wanted to provide a quick comparison to Horizon’s own 7.4 AT.

The 7.4 AT costs around $600 more, which is a pretty significant step up in price, but it does come with some pretty significant performance upgrades.

These include a stronger motor, a larger running surface, an even heavier-duty frame, a higher weight capacity, and a significantly longer warranty.

You can see the specifics in the table above, but basically, the 7.4 AT is a bigger and stronger version of the 7.0 AT.

The console features are pretty identical though.

If you’re a serious runner or like the idea of having a more spacious experience, the 7.4 AT could be worth the extra investment.

Homes with multiple users might also benefit from the larger, heavier-duty frame, but again, the 7.0 AT is remarkably heavy-duty in its own right.

Final Thoughts

Ok, that about does it for the 7.0 AT.

Based on what we’ve gone over so far, I think it’s reasonable to say this treadmill has a lot going for it.

Large running surface, powerful motor, robust frame, great warranty… there’s not much to complain about here.

I don’t think I mentioned this earlier, but one thing missing on this treadmill is a spacious accessory tray – if you look below the console, you’ll notice there’s nothing there.

Not a huge deal, but it would be nice to have that added luxury (and Sole’s F63 does come with one).

Another minor offense is that this treadmill doesn’t come with a ton of workout programs. It has enough to get the job done, but if workout variety is important to ya, this might be a bigger concern.

Personally, I never really use built-in programs anyway, so it doesn’t bother me.

Otherwise, I think the 7.0 AT is pretty amazing.

As mentioned earlier, I think Sole’s F63 is its closest competitor, but with the lower price and longer warranty, I’d take the 7.0 AT.

All things considered, I think Horizon’s 7.0 AT is easily the best treadmill you can get for $1k and likely one of the best deals in home treadmills period.

Highly recommended.