Horizon T401 Treadmill Review

  Treadmill Articles

Have you put on a little weight and want to get back in shape?  Or perhaps you’re already in good shape and want to stay fit by working out regularly at home.  Treadmill exercise is a really great way to burn calories and lose excess pounds.

Home treadmills can be rather costly.  Nevertheless, there are some good bargains out there.  But, before you buy, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

For a treadmill that costs below $1000, Horizon’s T401 model is a good basic machine for beginners of average size or smaller.  The treadmill is easy to operate and provides 6 workout programs for variety in exercise routines.

There are some downfalls with the T401, however.  This is true of pretty much all budget treadmills.  After all, you get what you pay for!

For one thing, the console is only so-so.  It does have LED display windows, but there’s nothing exceptional about the console’s appearance, in my opinion.  Also, the running area isn’t really big enough for a very tall person with a long stride.  However, it should be a comfortable size for most people under 5’10” tall. 

The treadmill is plenty sturdy for handling one or two walkers or easy joggers.  It may not be quite so dependable with multiple users or with greatly overweight individuals. 

Horizon T401 Specifications

20” x 50” running surface: Adequate for users of average height or shorter, although most many models in this price range have typically a 54" belt.

Six workout programs: Adds variety to your workouts to keep you motivated and on track to help you reach your fitness goals.

2 LED display windows: LED displays tend to be higher quality and last longer than LCD displays, so this is a plus for the T401.  The LED readouts allow you to monitor your progress throughout your workout.

1.75 hp continuous duty motor: Not quite powerful enough to keep up with joggers efficiently, but is sufficient for walking.

The following Horizon T401 treadmill features are fairly standard on treadmills of this caliber:

0.5-10 mph speed capacity: More than enough capacity for the typical user.  Can be increased or decreased to adjust the intensity of the workout.

1-10% power incline levels: A 10% grade can be quite intense and more than adequate for kicking up your heart rate to burn more calories and really work those leg muscles.  Most users will rarely (if ever) reach the highest incline level.

Contact heart rate monitor on the handlebars: Nice feature to have for monitoring your heart rate throughout your routine.  Following your heart rate allows you to increase or decrease the workout intensity to achieve your workout goals and ensure optimal results.

Deck cushioning for support and shock absorption: Eliminates impact to protect your joints from injury and to provide a more comfortable workout.

275 lbs. maximum user weight capacity - This maximum weight is usually a bit exaggerated.  To get the best performance and wear out of the Horizon T401, I’d keep the maximum user weight below 225 pounds.

Folds for storage: Easily folds for convenient storage in homes with limited space.

Warranties: Lifetime on frame and motor; one year on parts and labor…typical warranties on treadmills in this price range.  

Our Review - Horizon Fitness T401 Treadmill

The Horizon T401 treadmill is a decent affordable machine.  It isn’t top of the line, and it doesn’t have any fancy features.  It’s simply a basic power treadmill with a few good qualities. 

I do not recommend the T401 for runners, nor do I recommend it to overly obese people.  Such individuals would be wise to save up for a more expensive, more durable treadmill, if they cannot afford one right now. 

I do recommend the Horizon T401 to beginning athletes and older users who do not have a lot of extra weight to lose.  I recommend it to those who are average in size and stride and who plan to use the treadmill predominantly for walking.  It may not hold up well under extreme pounding and weight.

I suggest that you pay a little extra and get the extended warranty so that you’re covered if the treadmill breaks down.