Horizon T202 Treadmill Review (2024): Horizon’s Go Series Gets a Nifty New Model

Sandwiched between the T101 and T303 in Horizon’s Go Series, the Horizon T202 Treadmill is as impressive as its siblings, delivering a number of the key features we look for in the best treadmills on the market. We haven’t gotten our sneakers on the T202 just yet, but we have logged miles on more than 40 treadmills from top brands — including the similar T101. After comparing the T202’s features against previous Horizon models, we feel confident in offering our opinion in this T202 review. 

During testing, our team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit professionals, and cardio fiends rated the treadmills they tested on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 13 different categories, including workout experience, portability, adjustability, ergonomics, and more. Given its $799 price tag, you’d be right to be skeptical of what the T202 has to offer, but it provides plenty of bang for its buck, with a roomy belt deck, impressive incline range, and powerful motor that will satisfy runners and walkers alike. Tighten those laces and join us as we climb atop the T202. 

Main Takeaways

• Horizon’s Three-Zone Variable Response Cushioning can help reduce the impact on your joints.
• With a 20-inch by 60-inch running surface, 12-percent maximum incline, and max speed of 12 miles per hour, you are covered for running, jogging, and walking.
• Quick-adjust dials in the handrails allow you to rapidly change your speed and incline levels during a workout.
• The lack of a screen or integration with fitness apps makes the T202 light on technology compared to other mid-range treadmills.

Horizon T202 Treadmill Highlights

• Price: $799
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Max Incline: 0%-12%
• Deck Size: 60” L x 20” W
• Weight Capacity: 325lbs
• Weight: 187lbs
• Roller Size: 1.8”
• Dimensions: 57″ H x 76″ L x 34″ W; Folded: 62″ H x 48″ L x 34″ W
• Step-Up Height: 7.25”

As you start to turn up the speed on any treadmill, your stride naturally lengthens to cover more ground — er, tread — with each step. The belt decks on many treadmills under $1,000 tend to max out at 55 inches. That may be long enough for shorter runners, but we like to recommend a 60-inch belt deck — like the one on the Horizon T202 — to ensure ample space for your stride. 

Certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto agreed when assessing the best treadmills for running for BarBend. “You’ll want a running deck at least 60 inches in length to accommodate the length of a typical running stride,” she says. “A padded deck can help offset some of the impact on your ankles, knees, and hips by absorbing a lot of the shock.”

Horizon’s Three-Zone Variable Response Cushioning is designed to support each phase of your stride by providing three levels of cushion. There is more flexibility at the front of the deck where your foot lands, then a neutral transition zone in the middle, with the firmest part of the deck in the rear to provide the most support for when you push off.

We had to do some digging to find out the horsepower of the motor — 2.75 CHP — as Horizon did not disclose it. Its max speed of 12 miles per hour is plenty fast for speed and interval training, and its 2.75 CHP motor is just within the 2.75 to 4.0 CHP power range Capritto recommends for serious running. Its 12-percent incline, meanwhile, allows you to engage in hill training or add variety to walking workouts.  

It does, however, lack the tech features that can enliven your runs, such as an HD touchscreen display with app integration and access to entertainment apps like Netflix and ESPN. Still, for $799, the T202 delivers the essentials at a price that’s $100 to $200 less than many comparable treadmills. 

Pros

• The roomy 20- by 60-inch belt deck is a rarity on treadmills under $1,000.
• Walkers and runners will like the T202’s 12-percent incline and top speed of 12 miles per hour. 
• Horizon’s Three-Zone Variable Response Cushioning works to ensure each footfall gets the right support in the right area.

Cons

• Outside of the Bluetooth speakers and USB charging port, there is not much tech. 
• With no integrated options for streaming, you’ll need to bring your own device to stream interactive workouts or entertainment. 
• It has a media shelf on the console, but your device will block the LCD display with your stats.

Training With the Horizon T202 Treadmill

Whether you plan to walk, jog, or run on the Horizon T202, you can rely on its 12-percent incline range and max speed of 12 miles per hour to provide tons of variety to your daily workouts.  There won’t be any Peloton or iFIT trainers on the console to pump you up, but there are six preset workouts that can provide some structure to your cardio. 

Incline and Speed Ranges 

The 12-percent incline range on the Horizon T202 is higher than you’ll see on many treadmills at this price range, and on par with some of the best incline treadmills we have tested. 

“This is beneficial for individuals who are training for an outdoor event that will require hill work, such as an outdoor race, obstacle course race, or hike/backpacking trip,” says certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. “Even if you’re not training for such an event, incline training is still a great way to build cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance in the lower body.” 

The T202’s 2.75 CHP motor is just inside Capritto’s recommended range for running treadmills — 2.75 CHP to 4.0 CHP — making it suitable for endurance and interval training. Having a treadmill with a strong motor and a max speed of 12 miles per hour can “offer runners a more controlled environment for training,” says Capritto. 

She continues, “Even the most experienced runners can struggle to maintain the pace they should be training at when running outdoors, whether they’re supposed to be holding a steady zone-2 or alternating between zone 1 and zone 4 intervals. A tread offers a set-it-and-forget-it running environment, which can take a lot of the mental tax out of running.” 

Display and Console

The design of the T202’s console is identical to the Horizon T101 treadmill, except it includes a 7-inch backlit LCD screen. Here, you can follow your progress and stats during a preset workout. This area doubles as the device holder, so if you want to use your tablet or phone to watch Netflix or follow an iFIT workout, it will be covering the screen. However, you can still see your time, distance, and speed on the three LED windows above the speed and incline arrows. 

On either side of the console are two bottle holders where you could also stash keys or a wallet. Our tester rated the identical conveniences of the T101 a 3.5 out of 5, saying, “I did stream some music through the Bluetooth speakers and appreciated the big storage bottle holders.”

Just below those are the dual Bluetooth speakers and quick-jump speed and incline buttons. This is an especially useful feature for interval training because you can jump from, say, 6 miles per hour up to 10 without having to mash sweaty fingers against the console. Of course, you can also make adjustments using the rolling dials — one for speed, one for incline — on either handlebar. 

Cushioned Belt Deck

If you have a history of joint issues or are recovering from an injury, having some cushion to help absorb the impact of each footfall can help you endure longer workouts.

While assessing the best cushioned treadmills for BarBend, Capritto made sure to point out the benefits of cushioned belt decks. “Cushioned treadmills reduce the level of joint impact sustained by walking and running. Instead of your limbs taking the impact, the treadmill deck’s cushion absorbs more of the shock from your footstrike,” she explained. 

The three zones in Horizon’s system each have a purpose. The impact zone at the front of the deck has the most cushion because it’s the area where your foot strikes. While your foot slides to the middle of the deck — the transition zone — you’ll feel less support as you prepare to push off for your next stride. The rear of the belt deck is the firmest, providing a stable zone to launch into your next step.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, logged multiple workouts on the similar Horizon T101 — also part of Horizon’s Go Series. It also features the Three-Zone Variable Response Cushioning system, and our tester believes it separates Horizon treadmills from comparable machines. “While other treadmills within roughly $100 of the T101 have similar features, what really separates it is the cushioning system in the deck,” they explained, rating its adjustability and ergonomics 4 out of 5.

What to Consider Before Buying the Horizon T202 Treadmill

After years training on over 40 treadmills, BarBend’s team of cardio fiends knows how to spot a solid treadmill. “There are many, many factors to consider when shopping for a treadmill,” says Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer. “They can be quite the investment, so it’s important to know what you’re getting.” As you scour the internet for your soulmate-level match, consider how much you want to spend, how much space you have available, and the amount of tech features you need to maximize your treadmill workouts.

Price

At $799, the T202 is less expensive than many other “mid-range” treadmills, which typically fall in the range of $1,000 to $1,500. Despite the price difference, you’ll see a handful of similar features, including a 12 percent incline and cushioned 60-inch running deck. 

Where the T202 falls short of its competitors is in its tech. The T202 has no touchscreen or fitness app integration, whereas many treadmills over $1,000 come outfitted with apps like iFIT, which includes a library of trainer-led fitness classes.  

Any time you’re going to drop $799, it’s important to consider how it will impact your finances, no matter how good a value the purchase is. Once you identify exactly how much you want to spend, start comparing individual features that will meet your needs.

Footprint and Foldability

With a footprint of 17.94 square feet, the Horizon T202 will occupy roughly one square foot more than your average two-seater sofa when in use. (3) Horizon’s FeatherLight hydraulic folding system will reduce its footprint by over 6 square feet when folded upright to just 11.33 square feet. The hydraulics provide a big assist in lifting the belt deck, especially if you need to raise it up after each use. 

Our tester commended the portability of the T101, which only weighs 7 pounds less than the T202, when rating its footprint a 4 out of 5. “The hydraulics took on most of the weight when I lifted up the deck, and the built-in wheels made it so much easier for me to move,” they said. 

Capritto pointed out what questions to ask when considering whether a folding treadmill will fit in your space. “Check the overall length, width, and height of the machine in its assembled position and folded position if applicable,” she said. “And triple-measure your space to make sure it will fit.”

Technology

While the T202 offers little by way of technology, that’s not always the first consideration for every person. If you’re looking at other treadmills in this price range, you can find some basic tech like Bluetooth connectivity, heart rate monitoring, a USB port, and tablet rack. But for high-tech elements like swiveling HD touchscreens or app integration, you’ll likely be looking at a treadmill over $1,000.

Don’t underestimate the power of a media shelf on a treadmill. If you have a phone or tablet, you can subscribe to an app like Peloton or iFIT, slot your device right on your console, and follow along with classes that way. 

Horizon T202 Treadmill Vs. The Competition

Two other machines that the BarBend team is familiar with are the Sole F63 and ProForm Carbon TLX. All three of these machines could be considered compact and share similar price tags. While there are key differences, these two treadmills provide valuable context as you decide whether the Horizon T202 is your match made in heaven. 

After you have considered what you want out of your ideal treadmill, you can start to get into the nitty gritty of the differences between options in your price range. Most “mid-range” treadmills come in around $1,000 to $1,500. The Carbon TLX and Sole F63 are in the lower half of that range, while the T202 comes in at $200 under it.

All three of these options feature at least a 12-percent incline range and hydraulic-assisted folding, but the Carbon TLX can only reach 10 miles per hour, compared with 12 miles per hour on the T202 and F63. However, with iFIT integration, the TLX can utilize the app’s SmartAdjust feature to automatically adjust speed and incline settings during classes. 

[Related: 8 Best Compact Treadmills for 2024]

The main difference between the T202 and these comps is the technology each brings to the table. The T202 is lacking in this department, but for some athletes, that’s a feature, not a bug — sometimes you just want to hop on your treadmill and start running without having to fiddle with menus and settings. 

Places to Buy the Horizon T202 Treadmill

You can buy the Horizon T202 Treadmill directly from the Horizon Fitness website, on Amazon, or at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Warranties

Horizon Fitness provides a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and a one-year warranty on parts and labor. You can also purchase extended warranties on parts and labor — 3 years for $119.99 and 5 years for $149.99.

Customer Experience

To reach the Horizon Fitness customer care center, call 888-878-9011 or visit them online. The website states that you can return your treadmill within 30 days of purchase for a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied. Our tester reached out to customer service about the T101 and rated her experience 4 out 5, saying, “You can reach them through a form on the website or by calling them. They did respond to my email pretty fast.”

Company Information

Founded in 1999, Horizon Fitness is a subsidiary of Johnson Health Tech. In addition to treadmills, the company is known for its ellipticals and indoor cycles.

In Conclusion

As part of Horizon’s Go Series, the T202 stands out because features like its 12-percent incline, max speed of 12 miles per hour, and 2.75 CHP are similar to what you’ll find on machines twice its price. While it lacks the technology often seen in high-end treadmills, it can still help you prepare for that 10k race that’s sneaking up on you. 

Before confirming that purchase, though, you’ll want to double-check the measurements of your home gym to make sure there’s plenty of space for the T202. You’ll also want to consider how important cutting-edge tech is to your routine — is a utilitarian machine like the T202 enough to keep you engaged during sweats? If so, we think the T202 is a solid piece of home fitness equipment for both beginners and experienced athletes.

FAQs

References

1. Mersy D. J. (1991). Health benefits of aerobic exercise. Postgraduate medicine, 90(1), 103–112.
2. Chan, L., Chin, L. M. K., Kennedy, M., Woolstenhulme, J. G., Nathan, S. D., Weinstein, A. A., Connors, G., Weir, N. A., Drinkard, B., Lamberti, J., & Keyser, R. E. (2013). Benefits of intensive treadmill exercise training on cardiorespiratory function and quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Chest, 143(2), 333–343.
3. Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/

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