Horizon Fitness T102 Treadmill Review

  Treadmill Articles

Are you looking for a treadmill that is priced under $1,000?  If so, you may have come across the Horizon T102 treadmill during your search.  How does this model compare to other treadmills in its price range?

Keep in mind that pretty much any treadmill that costs less than $1,000 is not going to be of the same quality as more expensive units.  Nevertheless, some models in this price category are better than others.  That said, the Horizon T102 DOES have a few good things going for it!

Horizon T102 Treadmill Features

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the T102 treadmill is health club quality.  I would, however, say that this treadmill has an appealing appearance, and it is generally sufficient for use by most walkers and light joggers of average height and weight.

Included among the features found on the Horizon T102 treadmill are the following:

• 2.5 HP continuous duty motor – This is a nice size motor for an inexpensive treadmill.  It should be adequate for walking and/or occasional easy jogging.  I don’t recommend using this treadmill for running, though!
• 20” X 55” active surface – The walking surface is long enough for individuals of short-to-average stature.  Tall users and those who have an extra long stride may feel a little crowded on this treadmill.
• 1-12% automatic incline – If you really want a great workout at a slow pace, try using this incline feature.  The higher the grade you use, the more intense the workout will be.
• LED display – In many cases, LED displays are better quality than LCD displays.  The display shows your workout progress, such as time worked, distance traveled, and calories burned.
• Twelve built-in workout programs – This many options provide enough variety to keep you from getting bored during your daily workouts.  Alternating among the different workouts can also present more challenge to your body and better help you to reach your fitness goals.
• MP3 dock and built-in speakers – Listening to music or audio books helps to motivate many athletes during exercise sessions.  The built-in speakers aren’t of the greatest quality, but they do make listening to your favorite tunes or books easy.
• Advanced Goal Center™ - Choose from three targets (time, distance, or calorie) and four workouts (manual, weight loss, hills, or intervals) and start working towards your fitness goals.
• Contact heart rate monitor – The monitor is located in the handgrips.  To check your heart rate, you need to grab onto the handgrips until a reading is taken.  For a more accurate reading, you need to continue working as you hold onto the handgrips.  This may be a bit awkward for some individuals.  This type of heart rate monitor is not quite as accurate as a wireless heart rate monitor.
• Folds for storage – This is an especially nice feature for people who have limited space in their homes.
• Cooling fan – Located in the console, the fan provides a slight breeze that may provide minimal cooling during workouts.
• 325 lb. maximum user weight – Pay attention to this!  Do not exceed this maximum user weight!  In fact, if your weight or the weight of any other users in your household exceeds 300 pounds, you might want to look for a more expensive, heavier treadmill. 

The Horizon T102 Treadmill: Our Review

For a treadmill in the below $1,000 price range, the Horizon T102 is ok and has some decent features.  As is common among treadmills in this category, however, the T102 is somewhat light and is not as sturdy as higher-end models.  It is really not suitable for large users, multiple users, or runners.

If you are of average size or smaller and want a treadmill primarily for walking, the Horizon T102 might be adequate for your needs.  You can still get a nice workout on this model by engaging the incline feature or by doing some power walking.

The T102 does have better warranties than a number of inexpensive treadmills, so you get a little more protection on your investment.  The frame and motor have lifetime warranties.  Parts and labor have one-year warranties.  Just keep in mind that the cheaper the treadmill, the cheaper are its components!  If your expectations are realistic, you’ll probably be satisfied with the quality of the Horizon T102.