Horizon T101 Treadmill Review: Features, Pricing and More
Horizon Fitness
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Treadmills can be an expensive investment in your home gym, and you certainly don’t want to shell out $1,000 (or more) for a machine you don’t end up using. At $649, the Horizon T101 Treadmill is more affordable than many others on the market. Its basic design, convenient tech features and easy controls make it a great entry-level treadmill for light to moderate jogging and walking. Plus, its compact design doesn’t take up much room.
To find out more about how the Horizon T101 compares to other top-rated treadmills, keep reading for a complete, well, rundown, to learn more about its key features, who it’s best for (or not best for) and what to consider before making a purchase in 2024.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth speakers
- Secure holder for phone or tablet with USB port
- Water or shaker bottle holder
- One-touch keys for quick speed and incline adjustments
- Controls on hand grips to change speed and incline
- Convenient folding frame
- Lifetime warranty
What is the Horizon T101 Treadmill?
Of all of the treadmills that Horizon Fitness produces, the Horizon T101 is their best-selling and most-awarded model. It’s an entry-level, foldable treadmill with average features and performance, including a 2.5 horsepower motor, 55-inch running deck and Bluetooth connectivity. While we’d like to see features like a built-in screen, longer running deck and higher max speed, the T101 costs less because it caters to new treadmill owners who want a quality machine, but aren’t ready to spend the big bucks on a luxury model.
Horizon T101 specs
Horizon Fitness
Controls
Like virtually all other treadmills, the Horizon T101 has arrow touch buttons to increase or decrease speed and incline. You can also simply press one of the numbered options on the sides of the panel (incline options are on the left and speed options are on the right). A third way to adjust your speed and incline is by rolling the controls on the hand grip (again, left for incline and right for speed). The hand grip controls are only at the tips of the handles, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally kicking your tread into high gear when merely holding the handles.
Display
The Horizon T101 has three simple, blue LED digital windows to display data, including calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed and time. The display doesn’t include a screen for streaming shows or instructor-led workouts, but it does have a tablet holder, USB port and Bluetooth speakers.
Running deck
The deck on a treadmill is its running/walking surface. The compact treadmill deck on the Horizon T101 is a bit smaller than many other treadmills (20-inches wide and 55-inches long), so if you’re tall with a long gait, this probably isn’t the best treadmill for you. The treadmill can support weight up to 300 pounds.
Like other Horizon treadmills, the deck is made with the brand’s three-zone Variable Response Cushioning System. The first zone, the Impact Zone, is located at the front of the deck and absorbs impact when your shoes hit the surface. The second zone, the Transition Zone, is a neutral zone, and is located in the middle. The third zone is the Push-Off Zone. Located at the back of the running surface, this zone is used to push off firmly.
Engine
The Horizon T101’s motor clocks in at 2.5 horsepower. The more horsepower a treadmill’s motor has, the more powerful it is. Someone who runs on their treadmill a lot or has more weight will especially want to be mindful of how powerful their treadmill’s motor is. A 2.5 horsepower motor is the average for treadmills, meaning you’ll have a powerful engine, but not the capacity to exceed speeds of 10 miles per hour.
Set-up
Initially setting up the Horizon T101 takes less than half an hour out of the box and is very straight-forward. In between uses, folding and unfolding the treadmill is simple and doesn’t require much effort.
Storage and portability
One of the major reasons why so many are drawn to the Horizon T101 is that it folds up and is easy to store. If you don’t have the space (or desire) to leave your treadmill out full time, this is a big selling point. When it’s fully set up, the Horizon T101 is 70-inches long, 34-inches wide and 55-inches tall. When it’s folded up, the length shrinks to 46-inches, although the height increases to 61-inches.
Folding the treadmill is relatively easy: Simply grab the back of the treadmill, lifting the back until it’s upright and you hear the lock latch catch. To move it, lean the machine back on its two wheels, grab the handles connected to the front of the treadmill, carefully pull the machine toward you and roll it to where you want it stored.
Warranty and return policy
You also have the chance to return the Horizon T101 for your full money back as long as it’s within 30 days of being delivered to your home. After that initial month, you won’t be able to get a refund, but the warranty will cover maintenance tips and repairs. The frame and engine are protected by a lifetime warranty, while the parts and labor are only covered for one year.
Who is the Horizon T101 best for?
- Walkers and light joggers: Considering that the Horizon T101’s running surface is slightly smaller than some other treadmills and it has an average-sized motor, this treadmill is best for people who will primarily be using it for walking or light jogging. It’s a reliable option if you plan to walk on your treadmill while watching a show on your tablet or you want to run a few miles several times a week.
- Those following instructor-led workouts: The one-touch controls for speed and incline make it a good pick for those who want to follow instructor-led treadmill workouts, since you’ll be able to change the speed and incline with just the press of a button.
- Those trying to lose weight: If you’re trying to lose weight, the Horizon T101 can help support this health goal through its weight loss program setting. This program is specifically crafted to keep users in the fat burning zone by varying the incline and speed.
- Small spaces: The fact that the Horizon T101 folds up and is easy to store also makes it a great option for people who don’t have a lot of space to dedicate to their treadmill.
- Those who want to spend less than $1,000: The Horizon T101 is one of the best budget treadmills on the market, costing only $649.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Those who are big and tall: Even with the deck’s three-zone Variable Response Cushioning System, this treadmill is not made to support anyone over 300 pounds. Those on the taller side may also find that the deck is too short for their stride.
- Runners who want to exceed 10 miles per hour: With its 2.5 horsepower motor, this treadmill is best for walking, speed walking and light jogging. Its speed maxes out at 10 miles per hour, so it’s not the best option for those who regularly use a treadmill for long, intense runs or HIIT workouts that involve sprinting.
- Those who want built-in live classes: While the Horizon T101 Treadmill does have setting options for working toward distance or calorie goals, as well as a program specifically designed to stay in the fat burning zone, it doesn’t provide live or on-demand classes.
For more information on other Horizon treadmill models, check out our complete Horizon Treadmill Roundup Review!
What to Consider Before Buying the Horizon T101 Treadmill
Horizon Fitness
Performance
The Horizon T101’s running surface is 20 inches long and 55 inches wide. This is long enough for jogging at a moderate speed, but if you have a long stride or like to sprint, you’ll want to go with a treadmill that has a bigger running surface.
As previously mentioned, the running surface is outfitted with Horizon’s three-zone Variable Response Cushioning System. This provides cushion every time you strike down, which is especially important if you have sensitive knees and joints.
The speed reaches up to 10 miles per hour and the incline reaches up to 10 percent. All of this is adjustable using the arrows, quick one-touch keys or the hand grip controls. Overall, it’s a very intuitive, easy treadmill to use; you won’t get bogged down reading the manual when you’re trying to get your run in.
Tracking metrics
Steps, distance and calories burned can all be tracked with this treadmill. In fact, there are multiple workout settings where users can select a specific step amount, distance or calorie goal before starting their run. You can also change the miles to kilometers, which is helpful if you’re training for a 5K or 10K.
The machine doesn’t have a memory bank to store stats from previous runs, so there isn’t a way to track your metrics over time. You’ll have to use an app on your phone or runner’s log for that.
Connectivity
This treadmill comes with Bluetooth technology, which means that you can listen to shows, music or workouts through the machine’s speakers. The USB port also ensures that your device will stay fully charged throughout your workout.
Programs
The Horizon T101 has several different programs. The first is manual, which allows users to adjust their speed and incline to whatever they want it to be throughout their workout. There’s also a calorie program that allows users to set a goal based on how many calories they want to burn. The machine determines how many calories are being burned based on distance and speed. Since the user’s individual weight, height and other factors are not part of the calculation, it’s meant to be an approximation.
The treadmill also has a program for distance, where users can choose from 13 different options, ranging from one mile to an all-out marathon. For these programs, users determine what speed they want to go. There’s also a time program, where users can set up their workout based on how long they want to be on the treadmill.
The last program the Horizon T101 comes with is a weight loss program. This workout is specifically designed to burn fat by keeping the user in the fat-burning zone. It does this by varying the speed and incline throughout the workout.
Portability
The ability to fold up the machine’s deck makes it more portable and easier to store than many other treadmills on the market. There are even two little wheels on the back of the machine that allow for easy rolling to wherever you want to store it. That said, there is no way to collapse the front of the machine, so you can’t shrink the height. (In fact, folded up, the treadmill’s height gains six inches.)
Durability
The Horizon T101 weighs 180 pounds and can support users up to 300 pounds. For runners falling under that weight who are using it for jogging, it’s durable enough to hold up and ensure that you feel supported. However, if you log a lot of miles on a regular basis or want to use your treadmill for sprints, it’s best to consider one with a more powerful motor.
Price
One reason why this treadmill is so popular is because of the price. At $649, it’s less expensive than many other comparable treadmills on the market. If you can’t or don’t want to pay the full price up front, Horizon also offers several payment plan options, starting at $28 a month (for two years). To take advantage of the payment plan, users must qualify for the company’s financing program.
What Customers Have to Say about the Horizon T101 Treadmill
Even with all its positive features, the Amazon customer reviews on the Horizon T101 Treadmill are split. Of the 181 customers who rated the product on Amazon, 29 percent rated it five stars while 30 percent give it only one. The rest of the customer ratings fall somewhere in between.
One customer commented that they rated it low because they found the manual and customer service unhelpful. Another customer, who purchased the product through a third party seller and not from the company, said their treadmill arrived already looking beat up and stopped working after four months. A few other customers voiced similar complaints about their treadmill arriving with broken pieces.
There are plenty of positive reviews, too. “It has been 12 years now and it is still going strong,” said one customer, who gave the treadmill a five-star rating. Another customer, who gave it four stars, said they like how light and easy the treadmill is to fold and store. Another four-star reviewer said, “I am incredibly jazzed now that I have this treadmill because it's very solid, runs great, is pretty quiet, and has most of the ‘bells and whistles’ I wanted but thought I couldn't afford.”
Comparing the Horizon T101 Treadmill to Competitors
Horizon T202 Treadmill
If you’re on the tall side (and therefore have a longer stride than most), Horizon’s T202 model may be a better fit for you. The running surface is slightly bigger (20-inches wide and 60-inches long), compared to the T101’s 20-inch wide and 55-inch long running surface. The T202 also has a wider range of speed, increasing to 12 miles per hour instead of only 10. You’ll pay a little more for the T202 ($799 vs $649 for the T101), but otherwise, the two machines are very similar. You can still fold up the T202, and it has the same controls and Bluetooth capabilities.
Sole F63 Treadmill
Like the Horizon T101, the Sole F63 Treadmill also folds up, so the two are often pitted against each other. The major difference between them is that the Sole F63 is slightly bigger, with a running surface of 20-inches wide and 60-inches long (compared with a 55-inch length on the T101). It also has a 3.0 horsepower motor, which is more powerful than the Horizon T101’s 2.5 horsepower motor. Because of this, the Sole F63 can support slightly more weight (325 pounds compared to the 300 pounds the Horizon T101 can support).
There is also more variability in the speed and incline with the Sole F63 than the Horizon T101. The Sole F63 can go up to 12 miles per hour and an incline of 15 percent, while the Horizon T101 stops at 10 miles per hour and a 10 percent incline. These extra features will cost you though: The Sole F63 is considerably more expensive at $1,199.99.
NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill
The NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill and the Horizon T101 have the exact same size running surface, the same ranges for speed and incline, support the same weight and both fold up for easy storage. However, the NordicTrack costs $1,999.99, compared with $649 for the T101. What do you get for shelling out the extra dough? One big difference is that the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill has a five-inch LCD touchscreen. Every purchase of the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill also comes with a free month of iFit, NordicTrack’s interactive training platform that can be watched on the screen. If you want built-in programming, then the NordicTrack may be worth the extra money.
Horizon T101 Treadmill FAQs
How do I reset the Horizon T101 Treadmill?
Resetting the treadmill is easy. Simply hold the stop/pause button down for three seconds or longer. Once the machine starts beeping, you’ll know it did the trick.
How do I connect my Horizon T101 Treadmill to Bluetooth?
To connect your phone or tablet to the Horizon T101 Treadmill’s Bluetooth speakers, open the Bluetooth settings on your device. Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on, and then scan for new devices. The Horizon T101 Treadmill should pop up as an option, which you can then select.
Does Horizon T101 have auto incline?
Yes. Instead of relying on arrows to increase the incline, the Horizon T101 Treadmill has one-touch keys ranging from one percent to 10 percent incline. You can also use the machine’s hand grip control to increase the incline.
Final Thoughts
In general, if you’re looking for a treadmill for walking, speed walking or jogging that isn’t going to take up a ton of space or break the bank, the Horizon T101 Treadmill is a great one to consider. If you’re a hardcore runner or are looking for a machine that’s tricked out with the latest tech, it’s probably not what you’re looking for.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
