Scouted: I Canceled My Gym Membership Thanks to This Luxury Treadmill

Mia Maguire
·4 min read
Horizon 7.0AT Treadmill Review | Scouted, The Daily Beast
Scouted/The Daily Beast/Horizon.

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Since the pandemic began a couple of years ago, my fitness routine has gradually declined from inconsistent to straight-up nonexistent, and while it’s been a while since it ended, my bad habits have lingered. After putting on the quarantine 30 (OK, maybe 20) despite it being four years later, I decided that not only had my lack of movement rendered my entire wardrobe unwearable, but, more importantly, my energy level, focus, and circulation were suffering too. It recently dawned on me that investing in a full-sized treadmill (along with Melissa Wood Health’s virtual pilates flows) would be more than enough to get my movement goals back on track. Until I received Horizon Fitness’ 7.0 AT Studio Series Treadmill, I was still spending over $50 a month on a gym membership fee—a total waste of money considering that I only managed to go in about once a month.

Thanks to this next-level treadmill, I can now get the same quality treadmill time I’d get at the gym from my home without the commute, subscription fee, or gym anxiety. In fact, my Horizon Fitness treadmill is far more advanced than any of the treadmills I’d use at my gym, so I canceled my membership altogether—and I don’t miss it at all whatsoever. Plus, thanks to Horizon Fitness’ financing plans, you can score one for your own home gym (or office, living room, etc., since it conveniently folds up when not in use to save space) for easy monthly payments. That’s way cheaper than any gym membership fee I’ve ever seen.

Plus, this treadmill is the most affordable treadmill on the market that delivers Apple Watch connectivity. The treadmill’s expanded fitness app compatibility makes tracking enhanced metrics easier than ever. Apple Watch users can now track their workouts by tapping their watch to pair and sync with the 7.0AT treadmill. Users will see metrics on the treadmill, including speed, distance, and calories burned, and the stats will match what they see on their wrist and what’s recorded in their Apple fitness journal.

Pros:

  • Highly responsive motor, which allows you to increase speed and incline almost instantly (33 percent faster)

  • Built-in fan

  • One-step hydraulic folding, which allows you to save space and hide when not in use

  • 60-inch 3-Zone cushioned deck for comfortable footfalls

  • Bluetooth allows you to stream media, utilize multiple devices, and take virtual fitness classes, including Peloton

  • The handlebars allow for added safety and even have selection dials to easily adjust speed, incline, or other settings without stopping or slowing down.

  • Equipped with wheels for easy transportation and raising the deck for stowing away when out of use

Cons:

  • You can’t easily switch between incline levels and speeds. For instance, to reach a 10 incline, you have to press 15 and then move down from there—the same for speed adjustments. This makes it a bit annoying for interval workouts

  • Only goes up to 15-level incline

  • Somewhat difficult and time-consuming to assemble

This is not a flimsy treadmill designed for leisure walking or just getting in steps—it is sturdy, heavy, and feels like it belongs in a new luxury fitness studio. As I said, the treadmills at my old gym didn’t even come close to the performance and durability of the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill. The belt feels secure, and unlike the treadmill at my former gym, I never feel worried about slipping and falling if I miss a step. The track material is dense, and the strong motor purrs with a solid low hum, not the frantic slipping noise of the usual cheap at-home treadmill models.

The Horizon 7.0 is a luxury, high-end at-home treadmill that will satisfy even the most particular running fanatic or impress and deliver above and beyond for the casual user. Regardless of your experience or needs, the Horizon 7.0 is a top-of-the-line, gym-replacement treadmill that will not disappoint and may even motivate you to get moving—it did the trick for me!

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