The best treadmill reviews you can trust
This Horizon T101 Treadmill review covers what makes this machine excellent for walking. As a part of Horizon’s Go series, the T101 simplifies your cardio workout, so you can get going.
Updated: August 28, 2023
The real beauty of cardio machines over outdoor activity is the ability to multitask–at least, for me, it is. With so much content to watch, podcasts to catch up on, and books to read on my Kindle, I feel a little better about the hours I spend doing these things if I am exercising, too. Cue this review of the Horizon T101 Treadmill.
We have so many things vying for our attention these days, and maybe we don’t need our cardio machines to put more content in front of us. Instead, let the Horizon T101 make you feel better about your screen time. Choose one of the basic training programs, and get going!
The Horizon T101 Treadmill has a steel frame which is quite supportive for this little treadmill. The steel uprights hold the console fairly steady while running at high speeds. The minimal shake impacts performance insignificantly as my items did not shift in the pockets or the device rack. I had no trouble seeing the LED windows; there is not much to look at on the console itself.
The 2.5 CHP motor is perfect for walking. While the treadmill’s speed range encompasses running speeds, I suggest upgrading to a treadmill with a higher-powered motor for anything more than occasional jogging.
The silicone belt is 20” W x 55” L with a thickness of 1.4mm. The shoes I wear while testing treadmills have minimal traction, but I had no problems there. The belt is not slippery.
Taller or larger users may find the running surface size insufficient. I would recommend looking at the T101’s sister treadmills, the Horizon T202 and T303, for a longer belt length (60”). Most users should find the 55” length suitable for walking.
The Horizon T101 is a folding treadmill with a relatively light weight, which improves its portability and storability. Alas, Horizon has neglected to outfit this treadmill with a handle, making repositioning it quite cumbersome. With a dedicated space for the treadmill, you won’t have to worry too much about the lack of a handle. There is hydraulic assistance for lifting and lowering the treadmill, which makes folding and unfolding easier.
Much to my surprise, the treadmill feels more stable at a slight incline (1-2%) as opposed to fully flat. This was particularly true while I was running; in fact, it got quieter! The incline motor is a bit louder than in Horizon’s Studio series and not as smooth. I experienced a few rough transitions while testing the treadmill; however, I tend to push treadmills pretty hard with quick intervals while testing, so I don’t think this reflects real-life use. This is not a treadmill I would recommend for running incline intervals, but overall it performs just fine.
The large handrails have an almost plush feel to them. I was impressed by this detail, which made me feel secure getting on and off the treadmill. The handrails are short to keep them out of your way and reduce the treadmill’s weight. With their non-slippery texture and sturdiness, the length feels adequate.
There are two handles beneath the console with QuickDial controls built in for ease of controlling speed and incline, as well as selecting user preferences. These handles also have EKG pulse sensors for measuring heart rate. I find the positioning of these sensors better than those of the Horizon 7.0 AT, which improves their effectiveness. Remember, these sensors are not as accurate as a chest strap, so be mindful when training in a heart rate zone.
The T101 comes with non-intrusive features. The T101 is a hop-on-and-go cardio machine. This treadmill offers you enough features to make your walk comfortable and uncomplicated.
The Horizon T101’s low-tech console has 3 LED windows that provide two metrics each: time/calories, speed/incline, and distance/heart rate. The ‘Change Display’ buttons make it easy to toggle between these options. At the same time, a light indicates which set of metrics you are currently viewing.
There are five preset training options in addition to the manual activity. These six options correspond to six icons presented at the top of the console. In order, these icons represent the manual activity, fat burn, time, distance, calorie burn, and incline training.
There are both arrow buttons and quick-adjust numbered buttons for changing speed or incline. An enter button allows you to select the option presented in the middle LED window. The two remaining buttons indicate Bluetooth status and control the fan.
My overall impression of the T101 console is that it is low-tech, simplistic, and easy to use. One of the biggest appeals to low-tech equipment is its user-friendliness, which the T101 certainly is.
The T101 does not have a touchscreen or LCD screen. This fits in with its low-tech appeal and keeps the cost low. I recommend this treadmill for users who plan to watch TV or use their tablets, so they won’t miss having a screen.
The T101 has two shallow pockets for placing your phone, water, or other items. These pockets are reasonably large, but the shallowness may reduce what kinds of items you can put inside.
I love a tablet rack on a treadmill. The T101 provides one which is excellent. Even pricier treadmills like NordicTrack’s Commercial series neglect to provide you with a device rack. What a big win for this little treadmill!
The extra features of the T101 are basic. There is a USB charging port and an aux port. The treadmill easily connects to your smart device via Bluetooth, but the built-in speakers are weak, though not unusable. While there is a fan, I need a stronger one for my workouts. The features are rather mediocre, but I prefer this over an increase in price for higher-end features.
My first impression of the Horizon T101 is how small it is. We have a lot of treadmills in our studio, and the T101 looks small next to most of them. At 5’4”, I stared right over the top of the console. The low profile of the console means you could easily watch a mounted TV without the treadmill obstructing your view.
I knew going in that this was going to be a walking treadmill. Horizon makes their Studio series for runners, so I’m not the target audience for this machine. That said, the T101 impressed me while I ran on it. I do not recommend it for running, but I think that it kept up with me is a testament to the sturdy build of this treadmill. For walking, it was excellent.
The programs follow a basic structure: warm-up, progressing you through intervals or smoothly toward your goal, and then a gradual stop once you hit the specified time. I do wish that the programs included a cool-down period. The stop was not abrupt, but only a few seconds of deceleration. You would have to do a manual activity to cool down.
The Horizon T101 put into perspective what I really need when I am using a treadmill. I have a daily step goal that I like to hit, and I don’t think I need anything else to reach my goal comfortably. In the T101, you only pay for the necessities, making this treadmill affordable and utilitarian.
When you first start the treadmill, you are invited to select which program you want to follow. These programs are referred to as P1-P6, with the icons at the top of the console serving as a quick reference for which program is which. After selecting the program, you are asked to provide any relevant metrics for using the program. For example, in the incline training program, you must specify the intensity you want to train at. There are 10 different levels. I would rate level-5 as the first run/walk level. You can also override the speed and incline settings at any point during the program.
While these programs are not as robust as the training content found on pricier treadmills, they are easy to use and do not require a subscription. This treadmill is a great low-tech treadmill with simple program options that keep the price of the T101 low.
At its price point, this treadmill feels like a legitimate cardio option, not flimsy or cheap like its generic competitors that you might find on Amazon. The Horizon T101 is recommended for most walkers and occasional light jogging. With a user-friendly interface, Horizon delivers an excellent walking treadmill from the aptly named Go series. The QuickDial controls allow for easy speed and incline changes. The six different training programs have different levels of intensity for progressive non-subscription-based training. Budget-conscious exercisers will find few similarly priced treadmills with the T101’s build quality and features.
