Horizon Fitness Treadmill - They're Now Manufactured Beyond The Horizon

Horizon Fitness treadmill models are now in two product lines, the Horizon and the Elite.

The Horizon holds down the lower price range around $1000, and the Elite goes on up to almost $2000.

Older models, like the 2004 model T20, can be found in updated versions in both product lines.

The T20, itself, is comparable to the current T52 treadmil or, for a lift in quality, the Elite 1.1t, but because it is an older model, it can be found at considerable savings.

Horizon Fitness treadmills are produced by Horizon Fitness, now a division of the Johnson Health Tech Corporation.

Those who review Horizon treadmills have usually found them to be sound and well-featured, but Johnson has moved production to Taiwan and insiders' confidence has declined. Even so, Consumer Reports rated one of the Elite models a Best Buy, as has TreadmillDoctor.

Quality Recognized

The top-of-the-line model for Horizon Fitness is the Elite 5.1t with a 2.5CHP motor and speeds up to 12MPH.

Its running surface is 20x60" with a 4-ply belt, and it has a Variable Cushion deck that inclines to 12%, supports up to 350 lbs, and features a ZeroFriction™ lubrication system, 20 Quickkeys control speed and incline.

It's suited for intense workouts and sports training, so it is not a light machine, but it is a folding design incorporating hydraulic assist.

The 5.1t has heart rate monitoring through contact pulse grips and via wireless remote, and two of its 10 programs are heart rate control programs.

The warranties on Elite models are better than on the Horizon line. For the 5.1t, the warranty covers for lifetime on the frame, 25 years on the motor, 2 years on parts, and 1 year on the motor.

A good place to start your research on the Horizon Fitness is at Consumer Reports, which rated the 5.1t and t53 models.