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Go slow and steady, or dial your run up a notch with high-intensity interval training. This Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill review describes all of this treadmill’s training capabilities and more.
Updated: June 29, 2023
Cardio doesn’t have to be boring, and the treadmill doesn’t have to be the most dreaded exercise equipment. Leave the slow and steady runs behind with the superb interval training the Horizon 7.8 AT treadmill offers. Horizon treadmills adjust speed and incline settings faster than other brands, so you are always on pace. The Horizon 7.8 AT offers great onboard training content and controls without locking you into a subscription plan. If you prefer to train with premium training classes, the Horizon 7.8 AT supports your endeavor with Bluetooth connectivity and QuickDial controls.
The Horizon 7.8 AT has a powder-coated steel frame. The texture is rougher than some other treadmills, but it improves grip on the short treadmill arms. The treadmill is gray with white branding along the large uprights. The treadmill sports a crossbar between the uprights. Many treadmills have done away with crossbars to create a sleeker, modern look, but the 7.8 AT keeps them, which improves stability. The sturdy build reduces any console shaking.
The arms' rough texture is sufficient for providing support for exercisers. The arms are quite short, which keeps them out of your way, but some users may wish for additional support. The foot rails are grooved aluminum. I don’t have much grip on the bottoms of my running shoes, but the foot rails did not feel slippery like I expected. They are a bit narrow.
The Horizon 7.8 AT has a 4.0 HP DC motor. It is very strong and accelerates the belt quickly. The motor should support long-distance running or multiple users for many, many miles. The motor noise is comparable to most other treadmills. I did not find it remarkably loud or quiet, though noise is always hard to rate objectively.
The 7.8 AT has a spacious running deck that measures 22” x 60”. A 22-inch width is becoming a rarity in the home treadmill space, though it was once the standard width. I appreciate that the 7.8 AT maintains a larger deck.
The deck is not as cushioned as some walkers or runners might prefer. It provides a road-like underfoot feel. Road runners and walkers will appreciate the similarity to their outdoor training. The Horizon 7.8 AT has 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning. This cushioning is designed to give a softer impact toward the front of the treadmill and transition to a firmer cushioning near the back for a strong toe-off. I could not tell the difference between the zones, but that is not to say it doesn’t work.
The Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill folds with the help of a hydraulic arm. It lowers softly to the ground without assistance once released from its locked position. The deck is heavy, even with hydraulic assistance, compared to other treadmills. One user should be able to lift the deck on their own, but it may not be the best choice for individuals who live alone and have limited strength.
This treadmill can be tilted onto its two transport wheels for relocation. However, it weighs 330 lbs and is not the easiest to tilt. I recommend assembling the Horizon 7.8 AT in its permanent location and planning to fold and unfold the deck for storage only. Thus, the Horizon 7.8 AT requires a dedicated space.
A maximum incline of 15% provides the Horizon 7.8 AT with more training variation than the standard treadmill incline range of 0 to 12%. The treadmill remains stable while inclining and declining. It does not lurch while the user is running as some treadmills do. The incline is challenging, but I wish the Horizon 7.8 AT declined for downhill training. That is one feature Horizon really lacks in its lineup.
The Horizon 7.8 AT’s features give runners and walkers the freedom they desire. The lack of a built-in touchscreen keeps the treadmill’s price reasonable for its offerings and prevents users from being locked into specific content. The Horizon 7.8 AT offers plenty of features to keep you going for miles more than you thought possible.
The 7.8 AT console has a large console. It looks dated in comparison to competitors but don’t let that fool you. It provides loads of features that other treadmills lack. As others slim down on their offerings, the 7.8 AT has only improved its capabilities.
The 7.8 AT is one of the only treadmills that could do without the quick adjust incline and speed buttons. The QuickDial controls and interval keys are so easy and quick to use that the buttons located below the storage pockets are a little redundant. Yet, some users will appreciate the familiar speed and incline adjustment option. I wish there was a 15% incline button since the buttons are included, because when the full range is not represented, I think some users will forget the treadmill’s full capabilities.
The large push buttons in the console's center are media controls, the treadmill start/stop, and select. The round select (or enter) button works with the QuickDials, so users can set their profile and workout preferences. The media controls give exercisers quick access to their smart device without the fear of dropping or tripping trying to handle a phone or tablet during a run.
The console is easy to navigate, though it may seem busy initially. It is mostly intuitive, though the program icons look like buttons but are not. There are buttons for the fan and Bluetooth. These can be seen at the bottom of the console, just above the fan.
The 7.8 AT may not have a touchscreen, but it has two non-touch screens. The top screen is a color LCD screen, while the bottom window is LED. The LCD screen is more interesting to look at. It shows a countdown timer and pinwheel of the interval’s progress, so you can be ready for the speed or incline change approaching. You will also find large numerical representations of workout metrics. These metrics are repeated in the more simplistic LED window. The LED window doubles as a messaging center, directing users on how to set their profile and workout preferences.
There are two cup holders or pockets–one located on either side of the console. They are large enough for big water bottles and items you may need to keep on hand. Despite being shallow, they are sturdy.
The Horizon 7.8 AT treadmill has a fan, but it is underpowered. It points low, hitting my stomach more than my chest. It only has one speed that doesn’t feel the most cooling. It is also quite noisy.
The crossbar between the uprights provides additional storage compartments in addition to structural support. Whether you need to move your tablet or phone off the console during your workout, store a shirt or towel, or keep anything else you want on hand, the 7.8 AT provides excellent storage.
There are two device racks on the 7.8 AT. The top one is the most secure. It has a more grippy texture to hold a device in place and a lip to support the front of the device. The bottom device rack is more of a ledge. It sits beneath the LCD screen, so any device or book placed on it would cover that screen. The console shakes very little, so I feel safe keeping my devices on either rack. The device racks provide two different viewing options for streaming entertainment or training content.
The 7.8 AT’s speakers are Bluetooth and Aux compatible. They are sufficiently loud. In fact, I scared myself by playing my phone’s music at full volume. Trust me; maximum volume is probably not necessary. The speakers can play your music or streamed content while you view the video from either tablet rack.
The 7.8 AT is Bluetooth-enabled, allowing users to pair their phones or tablets. Bluetooth mainly allows users to play audio through the speakers or pair a compatible heart rate monitor. The Horizon 7.8 AT has limited connectivity with third-party apps.
Without a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, runners and walkers can check in on their heart rate using the pulse grips found on the curved handles extending from the console. These handles are comfortable to grip while walking. These sensors are not as accurate as most heart rate wearables.
The Horizon 7.8 AT is built for performance. The burly construction, lifetime motor and frame warranties, and powerful motor certainly indicate it. Running on the 7.8 AT proves it. I recommend the 7.8 AT for long-distance runners or walkers looking for a powerful and durable machine. The 7.8 AT works well for every type of run I incorporate into my training–intervals, long steady-state runs, and recovery runs.
Upon start-up, you can set up a profile and select a workout or bypass the process to get right into training. The setup is a little annoying because of the beeping of the select button. Nevertheless, it is a quick and easy process.
While training, you can program the interval keys by holding them down for three seconds at the speed and incline you wish them to remember. The right and left keys can be programmed separately, so you have two custom intervals. I liked the capability, as it is fast enough to program regularly. If you are following along with a third-party interval workout, you can program the interval keys during the first set.
The 7.8 AT has a lot features to like, but the one that helps my training the most is the fast speed and incline changes. I have tried several treadmills that take way too long to adjust. These slow treadmills leave me gasping for breath as the hard interval overstays its welcome or the acceleration from the recovery pace takes the entirety of the hard interval’s duration. The 7.8 AT prevents all these issues by getting you from one setting to another fast. During the preset workouts, the incline adjusts before the speed, which was a little strange to me, but it doesn’t take much time. Most of my transitions took three seconds or less.
The Horizon 7.8 AT unlocks your training. There are built-in workouts that are similar to those found on gym treadmills. Most users will be familiar with the speed and hill intervals or the distance and time goal programs. These are just fine but not where the 7.8 AT shines. This treadmill is customizable. Custom interval workouts can be created before exercise starts, with the user determining every interval’s speed and incline settings. If this process takes too long, quickstart manual mode. From there, hold down either interval key to set its speed and incline settings. Press one and then the other to transition easily from your work to recovery interval and back again.
The 7.8 AT is excellent for runners and walkers who already have subscriptions to other training services. It is even better for athletes who want to try a couple of months of one service and switch to another. A smartphone or tablet can be connected to the console’s dual speakers via Bluetooth or Aux port and then, set on either rack for convenient viewing.
The QuickDial controls allow users to keep up with third-party content with the turn of the speed and incline dials. The dials are located on the curved handles extending from the console. They sit pretty close to the arc of a runner’s arm swing. This location has benefits and disadvantages. It is easy to turn the dials with minimal interference to your workout, but they are also occasionally hit while running. I had this happen to me a couple of times while using the 7.8 AT. Yet, I like the QuickDials so much that I am willing to retrain myself to back away from the console a bit to continue using them effectively.
The 7.8 AT excels as an interval training treadmill. It can also support long, sustained running or walking workouts. Horizon backs its durable frame and powerful 4.0 motor with a lifetime warranty to assure you of its quality. The running deck is spacious, and the storage is extensive to keep you comfortable for all your cardio workouts. The console features and speed and incline controls allow users to train with any coached content they prefer while never dropping behind. The Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill has one of the fastest speed and incline adjustments on the market, supporting a great workout every time.
