Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill Review: heavy duty machine with a mid-level price tag

I am a fan of Horizon Fitness. These guys have always offered high-quality, heavy-duty machines. Even their low-cost treadmills, the Horizon T101, and T202, surprised me with their rock-solid builds.

They’re a company that produces heavy-duty, durable treadmills without breaking the bank. The Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill is a near-commercial-grade machine with a sub $2k price tag, which is excellent to see. It’s one of only two treadmills in this price range that can boast a semi-commercial badge.

I’ve been reviewing their gear for over a decade, and their equipment gets even more impressive with each update.

So yes, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty treadmill that can handle pretty much anything, including intense running sessions, the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill could be for you.

Today, I want to take a close look at everything this impressive machine has to offer, including its pros and drawbacks. At the end of the review, I’ll also compare it to Sole’s F85 Treadmill, another beast of a treadmill that’s been a favorite of mine for years. It will be interesting to see how these two match up.

First a quick look at the Horizon 7.4 AT product specs!

Why Do We Like The Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill?

What sells this treadmill for me is how much it offers for the price point; as I mentioned in the intro, you’re not that far off commercial grade with the 7.4 AT. It’s a 320lb beast.

When it comes to treadmills, the heavier, the better. The weight is a telling sign of the quality of the parts used in the build. Also, that extra weight really helps keep this treadmill planted on the floor.

It’s a rock-solid treadmill that feels much more expensive than its price tag.

Commercial treadmills weigh between 300 lb and 400 lb and cost $5k+, so 320lb is pretty impressive for a machine that costs under $2k.

The first thing you’ll notice about this treadmill once you unbox it at home is how sturdy and well-built it is.

You also get a 22″ x 60″ running belt, which is about as good as it gets for a treadmill. This size running belt is large enough for all types of workouts and has a maximum height limit of about 6’1″ for running and around 6’3″ for jogging and lighter cardio.

3.5CHP 500lb Thrust Motor

The power of the motor is another important feature, especially if you plan to use this treadmill for running.

The 7.4AT treadmill boasts a 3.5CHP motor, which is powerful and similar in power to most commercial machines.

When a treadmill motor is rated in CHP (continuous horsepower), you know it’s a serious machine. Treadmill motors rated in CHP instead of HP are heavy-duty motors. A 3.5CHP motor will have a peak performance of around 5HP, which is more than enough for any type of workout or training. That 500lb thrust makes it perfect for interval training, as it adjusts the speed so quickly.

Click here to check price of Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill on Amazon

Impressive 5-Year Parts Warranty

Something else I thought I needed to mention was the warranty on this treadmill. It’s impressive for the price point and far better than any other treadmill in this price range.

The warranty includes a lifetime on the frame and motor, 5 years on parts, which is excellent, and 2 years on home labor. It’s the best warranty I’ve seen on any treadmill costing under $2000, and the 7.4 AT is currently on offer for way under $2000 right now.

A warranty this good shows Horizon’s confidence in this treadmill and should give you peace of mind when purchasing it.

Still, their customer service is known for being quite slow, and it always has been, so if you do have a problem, be prepared to wait a little while.

Impressive 15% Auto Adjust Incline – Smooth Adjust 500lb Thrust

Another standout feature of this treadmill is its incline. It’s so smooth and fast when it adjusts, thanks to the 500-lb thrust of that motor. 

Also, finding a 15% incline is excellent, as so many treadmills offer just 10% or 12% at best.  

The 7.4 AT treadmill has adjustment dials at the top of the handrails for adjusting the incline, a cool feature I’ve only seen on the Horizon line of treadmills.

You roll the dials forward to increase the incline and back to decrease it, and the same goes for the speed. The quick-access dials save you from having to reach forward to the monitor controls, which is really handy in the middle of a workout.

I always recommend choosing a treadmill with a decent incline feature. You double calorie burn running on an incline, and you’ll work, tone, and strengthen those hard-to-train muscles such as your calves, glutes, and hamstrings.

It really is an essential feature, one I wouldn’t go without, and the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill incline is one of the best in its class.

Decent Easy To Use Monitor With BlueTooth

I think the best thing about this monitor is that it is not subscription-bound, so there is no need to sign up for any paid subscriptions to use all the treadmill features.

It’s a nice, easy-to-use monitor with large buttons and handlebar quick access dials for speed and incline adjustments.

As I already mentioned, Horizon fitness treadmills and ellipticals don’t come with high-end monitors. Most are pretty basic and don’t include a large HD screen.

Still, I think it’s a decent monitor. You have wireless heart rate monitoring, which I like to find on any monitor, as it’s a much more accurate way to measure your heart rate than the handrail pulse sensors.

Also, Horizon includes the heart rate Bluetooth chest strap with the treadmill, which saves you a few bucks.

Another good thing about Horizon treadmills is that they work great with Apps like Zwift, Kinomaps, and the Peloton app. Plus, there are free training classes and scenic routes to enjoy atZone. So, there’s more than enough to keep you challenged and coming back for more.

Other features of the monitor include a workout fan, Bluetooth speakers, 10 built-in workout programs, large, deep cup holders, and a clear, backlit LCD display that tracks all your workout stats.

Overall, I like this treadmill monitor. It’s not too complicated, and there are no subscription apps, and I love the quick-access dials for speed and incline.

And you save a few hundred dollars by not paying for a large HD screen. Nice.

It’s a Breeze To Fold – Soft Drop Folding System

The soft drop folding system, like the one on the 7.4 AT Treadmill, is my favorite folding system for treadmills because it’s just so easy to use. Anyone will find it a breeze to unfold and fold this treadmill. The soft drop system uses hydraulics, which do all the heavy lifting for you.

To unfold the treadmill deck, just give it a little kick or push the hydraulics with your foot, and the deck will fold down gently in front of you.

Folding the deck is just as easy. It can be lifted with one hand. Once folded, the treadmill’s overall footprint is almost halved. A handy feature for those of you who are tight on space.

3 Zone Deck Cushioning System

Although this deck cushioning system isn’t adjustable like you’ll find on some high-end treadmills, it’s still one of the better ones I’ve come across on a treadmill in this price range.

It’s a three-zone system that works well. It’s similar to a running shoe, where the running deck provides three distinct cushioning zones: the push-off, transition, and impact zones.

A system like this will help protect your joints. It is said to reduce the impact of each foot strike by at least 30%, so it’s much better for your joints than running on hard impact surfaces like roads.

Do I Need a Treadmill Mat?

A lot of people buy a treadmill mat as it aids the stability of the treadmill, especially on polished floors. Stability is usually only a problem with the lower-cost lightweight treadmills as they don’t have the weight to keep them firmly planted on the floor.

The Horizon 7.4 AT Studio Series is a heavy machine that weighs 320lb and has more than enough weight to keep itself firmly planted on the floor. There is no movement when running on this treadmill, so there is no need to buy a treadmill mat.

However, you may need a treadmill mat to protect your floors from scratches. This is why I use them.

Also, a treadmill mat is always a good idea if you live in an apartment, as it helps absorb the vibrations from your workouts.

1 Hour Assembly

Because of this treadmill’s size and weight, you will need at least one other person to help you with assembly. Assembly isn’t particularly difficult, you’ll need to attach the uprights to the deck, etc., and if there are two of you, you’ll get the job done in under an hour.

Horizon offers a white glove service, and they’ll assemble it for you. However, it costs $299, so it’s a bit expensive.

Things to remember: I always like to lubricate a treadmill before first use, they’re supposed to be lubricated at the factory, but you never know if they forgot or just missed it, so to be on the safe side, I recommend you lubricate the belt before your first run. And then every 3 months for medium use.

Also, center the belt if it’s not centered. If it’s loose, tighten it with an Allen key. All tools for the job are provided.

Alternative

Sole F85 Treadmill

Sole Fitness, like Horizon Fitness, is a company known for building heavy-duty treadmills.

However, Sole has even more experience than Horizon Fitness in building semi-commercial and commercial treadmills, as Sole used to produce treadmills for health clubs and gyms. So these guys really know what they’re doing.

The Sole F85 is their flagship treadmill. It’s a 300-lb beast, rock-solid, and can cope with any type of workout. The build quality is what sells this treadmill. Sole is very similar to Horizon Fitness. They concentrate on the essentials and leave tech until the second.

So again, we see a machine that is near commercial-grade and has a very competitive price tag.

I’ve always liked the Sole F85. It’s such an impressive treadmill, and with its recent update, this already impressive machine is now unbeatable for its price point.

So, the best features of this treadmill are its all-steel, heavy-duty, heavy-gauge frame construction, the commercial-size running belt, Sole’s most powerful motor, the high-torque 4HP motor, the excellent 15-level auto incline and 6-level decline, and the new monitor, which now includes a crystal-clear 15.6″ touchscreen. It also has access to the Sole+ app and comes with 7 pre-loaded apps, including Netflix, YouTube, and a few news channels.

Again, this is a no subscription machine, which is always great to hear.

However, the Sole F85 costs a little more than the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill, and that is mainly due to the update and the addition of the 15.6″ screen, but they didn’t hike the price by much. The Sole F85 is still by a long way the best treadmill on the market for around $2k

If you’re looking for a solid treadmill for running, the Sole F65 should be at the top of your list. It’s certainly a machine worth taking seriously.

To Sum Up

With the Horizon 7.4 AT, you’re getting a heavy-duty, powerful treadmill for under $2k. Yeah, the tech isn’t impressive, but that’s why the price is so competitive. You’re not paying an extra $300-$400 for a large HD screen. Instead, you pay for a treadmill that’s got all the essentials right, which is most important.

It’s also not tied to a subscription, which is always a bonus. Subscriptions become expensive after a few years and end up costing more than the treadmill, which, in my opinion, isn’t worth it.

So yes, an impressive heavy-duty machine at a great price, you won’t be disappointed.

Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill FAQs

What is The Motor on The Horizon 7.4 AT?

The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill boasts a 3.5CHP motor. Usually, only high-end treadmill motors are rated in CHP (continuous horsepower). This powerful motor is suitable for all types of workouts, including intense running sessions, and with its 500lb thrust, you can adjust the speed quickly, making it a great choice for interval training.

Can I use My Own Heart Rate Monitor With The Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill?

Horizon Fitness was kind enough to supply a heart rate chest strap with this treadmill. Of course, you can also use your own, but it must be Bluetooth and set to “open mode.”

How Do I Adjust The Incline on The 7.4 AT?