Horizon Fitness T202 Treadmill Review

  About Fred Waters

The Horizon T202 Treadmill is a new release for 2011, although I am writing this review in September 2010. They are getting a jump. This treadmill has a good service record because it is based on the previous T102 with several new add-ons.

Itested it when I was at their corporate headquarters. I was overall impressed with the stability and also how quiet it ran. It has an appealing appearance, and it is generally sufficient for use by most walkers and light joggers of average height and weight.

Note: The Horizon T202 treadmill typically sells for $799 with free shipping. Go to www.Amazon.com/Horizon for the latest deal.*

Horizon T202 Treadmill Features

• 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 serious runners, 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.
• Progress Tracking Online - Through your iPod/iPhone you can record your workouts and download them onto NikePlus.com. This can help you set achievable goals and 31 day training period. In fact, there is a feature for setting goals like losing weight or running faster. There are also expert resources on training.
• 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. It has hydraulic to make raising and lowering the deck effortless.
• 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 280 pounds, you might want to look for a more expensive, heavier treadmill. 

The Horizon T202 Treadmill: Our Review

For an $800 treadmill the Horizon T202 is probably one of the more sturdier machines on the market at this price range. The previous T101 was a reliable machine, and since there are few mechanical changes, the T202 should be expected to hold up well under nomral use.

When jogging on it I found that it ran quietly, was stable and provided adequate cushioning. When you consider the additional features it is one of the best buys at $800.

Other brands to consider are ProForm and NordicTrack, both are built by Icon Fitness. Also LiveStrong treadmills, which is built by the Johnson Fitness, which is also the manufacturer of Horizon.