Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill Review – 2023 – Treadmill Reviews 2022 – Best Treadmills Compared

In-depth Review of Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

Functionality

The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is quieter and has updated controls on the 2020 model.

Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is good for running

Excellent for walking

The 7.0 AT is also well-suited for walkers since the added cushioning makes it a good option for those with joint issues or mobility limitations. Walking indoors on a cushioned surface can help improve overall mobility and range of motion.

Strengthens the Cardiovascular system

When you run, jog or walk your muscles have a greater need for oxygen and other nutrients. As a consequence, your heart has to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, but especially to the large powerhouse muscles in your legs. The harder you work, the higher the oxygen demand. As a result, both your heart rate and your breathing increase during exercise. This heart-lung engagement is called “cardio” (heart) “vascular” (circulation) training. Cardio training is an important part of overall fitness. The more you engage and train this system, the more efficient it becomes at providing oxygen. Like any muscle, your heart is strengthened with use so it can pump more blood with each beat (stroke volume). Similarly, your lungs can inhale more oxygen with each breath (tidal volume). Those who regularly train the cardiovascular system are able to walk upstairs without getting winded and can engage in challenging exercise for longer without becoming fatigued. Cardiovascular training underscores all other elements of fitness and is an important component in staying healthy throughout your life.

Helps strengthen muscles in your legs

In addition to strengthening the cardiovascular system, working out on a treadmill also strengthens the working muscles in the legs, core and arms. Muscular development occurs as you swing your arms, stay upright and balance with your core, and walk forward with your legs. While this type of training does not create hypertrophy similar to strength training, it is a good way to gently strengthen those muscles used in daily activities. The large muscles in the legs such as the quadriceps and hamstrings require significant nutrients and oxygen. As you strengthen these muscles, you will increase your daily caloric need which stimulates a higher metabolism.

Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is good for weight loss

Since using a treadmill increases cardiovascular conditioning and gently strengthens working muscles, it also increases your body’s daily need for oxygen and other nutrients. This increases your need for calories as fuel. Everyone knows that working out burns calories, which is why we do it! This is why treadmills are a good option for those who want to lose weight. Simply by increasing your daily activity, you can facilitate weight loss. Too often people think that they have to work out harder, longer and more intensely to achieve weight loss. However, simple, easy activities like brisk walking, hiking, and light jogging will also promote weight loss as long as you maintain a calorie deficit (burn more than you eat). So whether you are a fit marathoner training for your next event or a busy mom who wants to drop a few pounds, the Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill is a great tool for achieving your desired weight loss.

Features

+ 15% Incline

The Horizon 7.0 AT inclines and declines so you don’t have to just walk on a flat road.

• There are several benefits to a wide incline/decline range. Varying the height of the track allows runners to engage different muscle groups. When working on an incline, you engage glute and hamstring muscles to offset quad dominance. More balanced musculature between the anterior (front) and posterior (back) leg muscles helps prevent issues such as a tight IT band, inflamed piriformis, sore hips and knees, etc.
• The 0-15% Incline levels support varied training. If you are training for a hilly marathon course, you need a treadmill that can help you train in real-world conditions. The 7.0 AT does this nicely with smooth adjustments and lots of variability.
• Positioning: Be aware, when level at 0%, the treadmill deck sits 8” off the ground. When fully inclined at 15%, the top of the deck pivots to 14” off the ground. You will need an extra two-feet of overhead space to provide room for yourself while running on an incline. If you plan to put your treadmill in a small room or garage, make sure you have enough ceiling clearance.

3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning

• Horizon’s 3-Zone Variable Response cushioning is designed to provide a soft foot strike (zone 1) with more support through the stride (zone 2) and a solid toe-off (zone 3). This helps runners develop and maintain a proper midfoot running stride where you can get as much power as possible out of each step while minimizing impact at the same time.

Bluetooth Compatible with 3rd Party Apps

• Zwift Running App: Horizon specifically syncs with the popular Zwift app. Using this app you can interact with other runners while competing in a virtual run. The interactive live community makes your runs more engaging and more fun. Zwift is only supported by a few treadmill manufacturers and Horizon is one of the few.
• Peloton, Map my Run by Under Armour, ViaFit and several others are also compatible with the Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill.

Preloaded workouts

• Distance, Calorie Burn, HIIT, Hills, 5k, Intervals
  • The SE7i does fold; the console collapses down onto the track so the machine sits folded on the floor. You could easily set the SE7i parallel with the back of a couch so it extended alongside the couch when in use and then folded down behind the couch when you finished.
• Manual option
  • For the minimalists out there who just want to set a speed and run — you can easily skip the preset programs. When in manual mode, the screen and the digital display boxes both provide your running metrics.

Construction of the Horizon 7.0 AT

In addition to some impressive features and functionality, the Horizon 7.0 AT has a solid frame and sturdy construction.

Frame

• Built on an all-steel frame, the 7.0 AT has a sturdy feel. It is quiet and supportive. Horizon covers all their treadmills, the 7.0AT included, with a full lifetime warranty on the motor and frame.

QuickDial Controls



• A new update on the Horizon 7.0 AT is the addition of QuickDial controls on the upright handles that attach to the console. These blue dials will quickly adjust the speed and incline up or down with just a flick of your thumb. These were previously only found on the 7.8 AT treadmill and we are happy to see them on the updated 7.0 and 7.4 treadmills.

Sturdy Deck

• Deck Size: The 20×60” belt provides enough room for running. This is a good size belt for a folding treadmill. The 60” of length offers enough forward step and kick back length so even taller users should be able to get a full stride on the 7.0 AT. It is also plenty of space for walking and jogging as well.
• Balanced Tapered Rollers: The rollers pull the belt along the running surface and then underneath the deck. When roller diameter is large, less belt tension is necessary because there is additional surface area to grab the belt and move it along. In machines with smaller rollers, the belt must be strung very tight which wears out the belt and increases foot drag.

3.0HP RapidSync Drive System

• This hearty 3.0 HP motor enables the machine to achieve and maintain a smooth pace with even incline adjustments. I appreciate the upgraded RapidSync drive system that controls both speed and incline. The motor performed well when I challenged it with several quick changes. I didn’t lag during speed segments or slow down when adjusting incline. We recommend a minimum of a 3.0 HP motor when looking for a treadmill that is best suited for running.

FeatherLight Folding System



• The 7.0 AT folds up and locks securely. You have to press your foot against the release bar to get the deck to unlatch, so this treadmill is secure when folded. It won’t come unlatched and drop onto children or pets.
• Folding it is simple: Just grab the bar at the base of the deck and lift. Once locked in place, the treadmill is stable so it won’t easily tip over and shouldn’t accidentally come unlatched.
• How to unlock: The locking bar on the underside of the deck has to be pressed with some force to get it to unlatch, so children or pets should not be able to accidentally unlock it or knock it over. Unlocking it is easy, just grab the bar at the base of the deck, press the release bar with your foot, and it will gently unfold on its own using a built-in hydraulic system.

Console/Controls

7” LCD Screen

• There are two displays on the Horizon 7.0 AT. The upper LCD screen provides a graph display of workout metrics. As you progress through the workout, this screen displays your time, calories, distance, wattage, etc.



4 Alphanumeric Boxes with 16 digits

• A lower set of boxes displays the same metrics as on the main LCD screen, but these are simply digital numbers that are easy to see at a quick glance. If you use a tablet on the shelf just in front of the upper screen, it will block the larger LCD screen. The lower digital boxes make it so you can still see your metrics while using a tablet.

Console Layout

• My only complaint with the Horizon 7.0 AT is the console layout is a bit confusing at first. There are lots of buttons but no words, so you have to know what each program button is since it isn’t labeled. For example, the Calorie Burn program button just has a picture of a plate on it. Distance is a squiggly line and Heart Rate has a heart.



• The LCD screen is placed at the top of the console with a tablet shelf just in front. Below the tablet shelf are two audio jacks and a USB port which makes it easy to charge your device while it’s on the shelf. All other buttons are on the lower display. Incline buttons for levels 0-2-4-6-8-10-12-15 flank this lower panel on the left side, with 0-2-4-6-7-8-10-12 buttons for speed on the right. You’ll find the program buttons here as well, just below the alphanumeric boxes.
• Start/Stop/Select buttons sit below this along with the buttons for fan and volume.

Fans

• A single fan is located on the base of the console. The fan only has one power mode, it’s either on or off. The fan directs air flow towards the user’s chest, it is too low to hit your face, but still provides a cooling effect.

Storage Capacity

• Two large storage pockets are found on either side of the console. These will hold a phone, keys, water bottle or other item needed within reach

Overall Performance of the Horizon 7.0 AT

Quiet in use

The Horizon 7.0 AT is one of the quieter treadmills. We tested it in various scenarios to see how the noise output changed. Horizon treadmills are consistently one of the quietest treadmills we test here in our studio, and the 7.0 AT is equally quiet. The belt moves silently along the deck. There is a bit of footnoise from walking and more from running, but this is consistent with treadmill use. The motor makes very little noise in the background. When we run the treadmill without anyone on it, it is nearly silent. Larger users and running will generate more noise.

Good for people of all fitness levels

As we’ve mentioned, the 7.0 AT is good for runners, power walkers, gentle walkers, hikers or anyone who wants to improve their training and fitness. This machine is a nice, well-rounded option for users of all fitness levels and abilities.

Excellent for Interval Training

One area where the Horizon treadmills excel is with interval training. Adding the QuickDials on the upright handles enables users to quickly roll up or down with just a flick of their thumb. A preset program option also allows users to set their own interval speeds that you can quickly toggle between for easy interval training. If you are looking for a treadmill that supports HIIT training and/or other interval systems, the Horizon 7.0 AT is impressive in this regard.

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Bottom Line: Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

The 2020 Horizon 7.0 AT is a sturdy, quiet treadmill that works well for running, walking, and interval training. There are preloaded programs, manual mode and quick touch buttons and also the new QuickDial controls on the upright handles. This combination of features along with the fact that the Horizon 7.0 AT will sync with third-party apps makes this a great treadmill for intense training and/or gentle walking. You can use your favorite app in conjunction with the 7.0 AT for any type of training.

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