Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill Review

Quick Summary

The 7.4 AT is Horizon’s mid-range treadmill in their Studio Series, a collection of machines built for interactive training. As with the 7.0 AT and 7.8 AT, connected fitness is the key focus. And at just $1,599, the 7.4 AT is a durable runners treadmill that doesn’t break the bank. Highlights include a powerful 3.5 CHP motor which is ideal for interval training, a generous 22″ x 60″ running surface, and seamless Bluetooth connectivity. We love that the 7.4 AT works with a variety of fitness apps. This allows you to choose the right interactive training program for you, rather than being restricted to one or two. Read on for a detailed review of the 7.4 AT treadmill, including pros and cons.

Specifications

Model	7.4 AT
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	93.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$1,599
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1399
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0.5 – 12 mph
Incline Treadmill Incline measures the angle of the deck, and how steep it is relative to the floor (0% is flat, and 15% is like a steep hill).	0 – 15%
Motor The Treadmill Motor is what turns the belt as you run. We recommend at least 2 HP (Horsepower) motors, 2.5+ HP for jogging, and 3.0+ HP for running.	3.5 CHP
Deck Treadmill Deck dimensions are measured in inches: Width x Length. The wider and longer the deck, the safer it is (55-60 inches long recommended for running).	22" x 60"
Belt The Treadmill Belt is the surface you run on. The thicker the belt, the less impact on your joints. At least 2-ply (1 inch) recommended.	3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning
Folding? Some treadmills are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Programs Treadmill Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	10
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	325 lbs.
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Contact Grips Bluetooth Ready
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	76"L x 37"W x 63"H
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	8.25" LCD
Cooling Fans Treadmill Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout.
Accessory Tray Some treadmills include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Treadmills that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (no headphones).
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Motor: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Labor: 2 Years

Our Rating

Rating: 93.5/100.

The 7.4 AT treadmill is a connected fitness machine. It was designed with interactive training in mind and also responds to the ever-growing popularity of HIIT and interval training. This is seen in the design, for example, with the one-touch keys and handlebar toggles which simplify speed and incline changes. It’s also seen across the performance components such as the powerful motor, which supports smooth speed and incline alterations. These features complement the onboard Sprint 8 program, Horizon’s 20-minute high-intensity interval training workout. They also allow you to keep pace with whatever fitness streaming app you choose. The 7.4 AT is designed to work with a variety of fitness apps. Whether you want to track your stats with a wireless chest strap and push this data over to Fitbit, or stream a Peloton treadmill routine through the integrated speakers, the 7.4 AT allows you to build a connected training regime on your own terms.

Horizon’s confidence in the durability of this treadmill is clearly illustrated by its lifetime frame and motor warranty. And the 3-year warranty on parts and 2 years on labor isn’t a bad deal either. With all its features and this generous warranty considered, the 7.4 AT’s $1,599 price tag is impressive.

Having an incline function on a home treadmill can let your stroll the virtual mountains of Earth. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / Fitrated.com

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Large Deck: Large running surface (22″ x 60″) makes it suitable for taller runners.
Foldable: FeatherLight folding frame and transport wheels make it easy to store.
Motor: 3.5 CHP motor ideal for interval training and streamed workouts.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth connects to multiple devices for streaming fitness classes through the speakers and tracking your heart rate.
Preset Workouts: The unit features 10 workouts built in
Cushioning: 3-zone variable response cushioning allows for low-impact running.
Sprint 8: This built-in workout is touted for its fat burning capability.
Warranty: Generous warranty illustrates the durability and quality of the machine.
App Discounts: Free access and discounts on fitness apps such as Studio, Aaptiv and Daily Burn.

Cons:

No Touchscreen: You have to use your own tablet for interactive training, but this does keep costs down.

Horizon treadmills allow users to access a number of apps instead of just one. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / Fitrated.com

Introduction

Horizon Fitness excels when it comes to combining build quality and value. Rather than adding in fancy touchscreens or creating a dedicated brand app, Horizon has instead channeled its efforts into building high-quality treadmills that work with most fitness apps. This puts the power in the user’s hands. You can choose what training apps you use, how you track your stats, and what screen you bring to the table. Having to bring your own tablet to use as a screen may seem like a downside, but it’s a move that keeps costs down. As well as ensuring the 7.4 AT delivers a connected workout experience, Horizon has also made sure the treadmill can keep up with interval and HIIT workouts. Dig deeper into the details of the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill’s workout programs, features and buyer protections below.

Workout Programs

The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill has 10 onboard workout programs. These include 5K, calorie, custom, custom HR, distance, fat burn, heart rate, hill climb, manual, and Sprint 8. This isn’t that many, but the variety is inclusive enough for most trainees. Sprint 8 is the standout workout program on this machine. Each 20-minute sprint-based interval training workout contains just 4 minutes of high-intensity exercise. At just 20 minutes long, these workouts allow anyone to pack exercise into their busy day. Sprint 8 especially benefits from the 7.4 AT’s rapid speed adjustment capability.

As well as offering these onboard workouts, the 7.4 AT is Bluetooth-enabled for interactive training. It can connect to multiple devices, allowing you to stream fitness classes through the Bluetooth speakers and track your heart rate. Horizon offers discounts on the top fitness apps such as Studio, Aaptiv and Daily Burn to get you started. You can also use the free AFG Pro Fitness app to control your treadmill via your tablet, monitor your workout, track your progress, and view your workout history. The third-party apps such as Peloton or Studio don’t interface with the treadmill, so they won’t record your progress within the app. You will be marked as active in the class, but it will show that you are not making any progress. That’s why it’s useful to use the Pro app alongside the streaming apps for stats tracking.

It’s worth noting that when you stream workouts from apps such as Peloton or Studio with the Horizon 7.4 AT, your incline and speed won’t be automatically adjusted by the app. Although this happens on some trainers such as NordicTrack or ProForm machines via iFit, the Horizon 7.4 AT can’t do this. When streaming a workout video, you will have to manually adjust your incline and speed throughout the program. This could be seen as less immersive, as your personal trainer doesn’t control your machine for you. But with the user-friendly design features on the 7.4 AT (such as the one-touch keys and handlebar controls), it’s actually super easy to change your incline and speed without disrupting your workout.

Horizon treadmill motors are warrantied for life. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / Fitrated.com

Horizon 7.4 AT Features

The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill features an extra-long 22″ x 60″ running deck. This makes it a good option for taller trainees, and suitable for high-speed sprinting. Although the deck cushioning is not adjustable as it is on some treadmill brands such as NordicTrack, the 7.4 AT’s 3-Zone variable response cushioning does help to reduce impact on joints. The 3.5 CHP motor supports a maximum speed of 12 mph, and an incline up to 15%. As mentioned, this is ideal for keeping pace with streamed virtual workouts and interval training as it can support speedy changes in incline and speed.

Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair your wireless heart-rate monitor to the treadmill, and connect your smartphone to stream music or workouts through the speakers. There’s also an audio in/out jack and tablet holder to dock your devices. Although the 7.4 AT doesn’t have a flashy touchscreen, its 16-digit alphanumeric LED and 8.25″ LCD put all your essential workout data in front of you. This includes calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed, and time. You can also use the free AFG Pro Fitness app to control your treadmill via your tablet and monitor your workout from there. You can then push these workout stats to other apps such as Fitbit and Under Armour.

The 7.4 AT features a FeatherLight folding design and transport wheels for easy folding and storing after workouts. Its sturdy frame can support up to 325 lbs.

A treadmill that’s easy to fold makes for a great home workout. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / Fitrated.com

Warranty & Guarantee

The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Motor: Lifetime

– Parts & Electronics: 3 years

– Labor: 2 years

Horizon also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

The Horizon 7.4 AT is a solid treadmill for runners who appreciate connected fitness. If you have a budget of around $1,599 and prioritize quality and durability over flashy tech (such as large built-in touchscreens), the 7.4 AT is a good match for you. We love that you can choose which interactive training programs and stats tracking apps to use with the machine. The addition of the onboard Sprint 8 program is also a big plus, as this means you always have this at your fingertips even if you don’t have a smartphone or tablet on hand.

If you like everything about this model, you should also consider the Horizon 7.8 AT. It has everything the 7.4 AT has and more. This includes a more powerful motor, rolling controls (much like those found on the Peloton Tread), and a 9.3” color display. These features could be worth the few hundreds of dollars more when it comes to interactive training.