Horizon 7.8 AT vs. Peloton Tread | Which One HIITs the Mark?

Dimensions/Storability

Side by side, the Horizon 7.8 AT is bulkier by design than the Peloton Tread.

To unfold, you press the metal bar under the deck, and it will slowly lower to the floor.

The Peloton Tread is 68″ L x 33″ W x 62″ H, in comparison.

The Peloton Tread doesn’t fold up, however. So, even though the 7.8 AT is a large treadmill, its folding deck makes for added convenience. To fold the deck, you lift the back end.

Both treadmills have transportation wheels, but we don’t recommend moving them often. It’s best to keep them in the place where you plan on using them. The Horizon can be moved when folded. The two front wheels engage when the deck is tipped back. This heavy treadmill is 330 lbs, so some people might find it too difficult to move.

The Peloton Tread weighs 290 lbs but is also difficult to transport. If you need to move it, though, two front wheels mounted under the frame engage when you tip up the back end of the treadmill.

For both treadmills, we recommend factoring in the unfolded dimensions for floor space and a few extra feet surrounding the treadmill in order to have room to use it. Ceiling height is also important to consider. For a 6-foot-tall runner, we recommend having an 8.5-foot high ceiling.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

A treadmill’s content includes workout programs and subscription streaming options (if applicable) built into the console. Some treadmills have simple designs with standard workout programs, while others have touch screens. The Horizon 7.8 AT and Peloton Tread are perfect examples of each type of treadmill.

The content options and experience on each are vastly different.

Horizon 7.8 AT Content

These are similar to commercial treadmills in public gyms. Each program features set speed and incline settings, as well as time and distance goals. Programs like my first 5k, fat burn, target heart rate, and hill climb are available. Manual mode, which allows you to do your own thing, is available too.

For a more old-school approach, the Horizon 7.8 AT includes ten onboard workout programs.

The interval training program Sprint 8 comes integrated into the console for free, too. It is great for HIIT training, and there are 20 difficulty levels to choose from.

You can set your device on the built-in rack to stream whatever you want. The 7.8 AT is also Bluetooth-enabled to use with apps like Zwift and Peloton. It’s nice having a lot of entertainment options and the freedom to use your own phone. It’s also a plus not having to pay a subscription fee since they’re not for everyone. You can also park the 7.8 AT in front of a TV.

Peloton Tread Content

Peloton’s content, on the other hand, is subscription-based. You pay $44 per month for the Peloton All-Access Membership. With the membership, you have access to live and on-demand trainer-led workouts. These are primarily filmed in a professional studio, but there are also outdoor workouts filmed in different locations.

The studio workouts are why Peloton is so popular.

The studio workouts are why Peloton is so popular.

An instructor leads each workout. The instructors are like mini-celebrities with significant social media followings. There are workouts on the treadmill, like walking, hiking, running, and treadmill boot camp, as well as workouts in other disciplines, like strength training and cycling.

A leaderboard is displayed on the right side of the screen. This shows who is taking the class with you and how you rank in comparison. Most members enjoy competing on the leaderboard. Another standout feature is the music. Each class has a curated playlist of music hand-selected by the instructor. This, along with each trainer, makes the workouts fun and engaging.

Another cool feature is Lanebreak. These are gamified workouts in which you control an avatar that moves through various lanes to hit specific targets. You vary your intensity to hit the targets. Each Lanebreak game is structured like a workout with a built-in warm-up and cool-down.

On the touch screen, Peloton also includes streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube TV, Max, Disney+, and NBA. You can log into your account for each of these apps and start streaming.

Note: You must subscribe to Peloton’s All-Access Membership to access the streaming apps and all of the content on the touch screen.

Without a subscription, the touch screen’s functionality is very limited. Only your speed and incline are displayed on the screen; no other workout metrics like time elapsed or distance traveled are shown unless you pay for the subscription membership.

Horizon 7.8 AT vs Peloton Tread Console

Along with the different content features, the overall console layouts also differ greatly. A treadmill’s console is where you adjust the speed and incline, view the workout options, and start and stop the machine.

Horizon 7.8 AT Console

The 7.8 AT’s overall look reminds me of a gym treadmill. It definitely has a dated look compared to treadmills with touch screens, like the Peloton Tread. The 7.8 AT has a 9.3″ TFT color display and a 16-digit LED screen below that. The TFT screen displays the workout programs as graphs and charts, and the LED screen shows your workout metrics.

It’s easy to use with much less frills than the Tread.

A black, circular button below the display is where you select the program you want to take. There is also a green start button and a red stop button.

On either side of the console are numbered quick adjustment buttons. These allow you to jump back and forth between specific speed and incline settings. The 7.8 AT also has two blue roller adjustment dials to quickly adjust to specific settings. These buttons are directly in front of the console, making interval training quick and easy.

The speakers are loud and Bluetooth-enabled. You can pair them with your device to listen to your chosen content. They have a good volume range.

The fan is small and not very well powered. It’s also positioned a little low for our liking. If you need to cool off, it’s best to plug in your own fan.

The Horizon 7.8 AT has plenty of storage. Two pockets for your water bottle are on the sides, and a storage tray is below the console for other items. Plus, there are two device racks to hold your phone or tablet when you want to stream content.

Peloton Tread Console

The Peloton’s console is much sleeker, in comparison. That is because of the 23.8″ touch screen. I will say that this touch screen is of very nice quality. Not only are the graphics clear, but it has no glare.

This is a large screen, so it’s great for viewing Peloton’s subscription content and the streaming apps like Netflix.

The screen tilts up and down, not pivoting from side to side like the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. Despite its size, though, it can still stream off-the-treadmill workouts, such as yoga and strength training.

The Tread has very few adjustment buttons. The only buttons are the roller knobs fixed on the inner parts of the side handles. They roll forward and backward to adjust the speed and incline levels. You can also press the center of these knobs to jump to specific increments.

Peloton also has an Auto-Incline feature. During a Peloton workout, the deck’s grade adjusts to match the format. The speed doesn’t auto-adjust.

The speakers match the quality of the screen. The volume range is good, and the sound quality is clear. The console doesn’t have a fan, so you’ll need to use your own.

A tray for your water and phone is in front of the screen. There isn’t a device rack to place your phone or tablet. This keeps you locked into the subscription training content.

The touch screen also locks when you aren’t using the treadmill. To unlock it, you must pick a 4-digit code. This is for safety and to ensure the treadmill cannot be turned on accidentally.

Build Quality

Being premium treadmills, we expect the Peloton Tread and Horizon 7.8 AT to be well-made. These are both high-quality treadmills with solid constructions. They differ in the overall design and price. The Peloton Tread is almost $1000 more than the Horizon 7.8 AT.

Horizon 7.8 AT vs Peloton Tread Frame

Both treadmills have steel frames that support the base. The carbon steel frame sits under the entire deck on the Peloton Tread, and the steel floor frame is positioned under the front part of the deck on the Horizon. This is because of the foldable design. Steel uprights extend up to hold the consoles and handles in place on both treadmills.

The Horizon 7.8 AT has a beefier look than the Peloton, which is sleeker. It also has another steel component.

A steel crossbar is mounted under the console in between the uprights to provide even more stability to this large machine.

When running on the Peloton Tread, the touchscreen shakes slightly, especially at higher speeds. We don’t experience any shaking of the console on the Horizon. It is like a tank and one of the heavier folding treadmills we’ve tested.

Speaking of heavyweight, the 7.8 AT has an impressive 375 lb weight limit. This makes it more suitable for larger users, compared to the 300 lb weight limit that the Tread has.

I do like the coating on the Peloton Tread’s handles.

They have a soft texture that doesn’t feel slippery. Also, the front handle is one continuous piece to hold onto for balance. The side and front handles provide stability when you need it on the Horizon, too. This is just my personal preference.

The front handles on the 7.8 AT have pulse grips to read your heart rate. This treadmill also comes with a heart rate monitor strap. The Peloton Tread connects to Garmin, Apple Watch, and Fitbit for heart rate tracking.

Horizon 7.8 AT vs Peloton Tread Motor

We’ve tested these treadmills for a few years, which has allowed us to test their motors. In our testing, we’ve found that a 3.0 to 4.0 HP motor is best for running. The Horizon 7.8 AT has a powerful 4.0 HP motor that has held up well with regular use. It’s quiet and quick to adjust. This component pairs well with the blue roller dials and the Sprint 8 programming for interval training.

There’s no waiting for the motor to adjust the speed and incline.

The Peloton Tread’s motor also adjusts quickly.

This treadmill has a 3.0 HP motor. This is the low end of what we recommend for running. Our model of the Tread has handled regular use fairly well for the past few years, though. It is fairly quiet, but the Horizon is quieter.

The 7.8 AT has a max speed of 12 mph, and the Tread has a max speed of 12.5 mph. This equates to around a 5-minute mile running pace, the top speed most home treadmills offer. The 7.8 AT inclines up to 15%, a little more than the 12.5% that the Peloton Tread includes. With either treadmill, though, you have plenty of training options. Neither treadmill declines.

Horizon 7.8 AT vs Peloton Tread Deck

Beyond the fact that the Horizon folds up and the Peloton doesn’t, the decks also differ in other aspects. The 7.8 AT has a larger deck that’s 22″ wide and 60″ long. The Tread, in comparison, has a 20″ wide and 59″ long deck. Both support all stride lengths, but you might want to check out the 7.8 AT if you want more room to run.

They also differ in how they feel to run on. Deck cushioning is the amount of give in the deck when your feet land on it while running. More give equals more shock absorption and less impact on your joints. The Horizon 7.8 AT isn’t the most cushioned treadmill we’ve tested; NordicTrack’s are, but the deck is absorbent and comfortable underfoot.

The Peloton Tread has minimal cushioning, making it feel firm underfoot. This is okay if you prefer running on harder surfaces, such as pavement outside, but it isn’t best if you get joint sensitivity and discomfort while running. The Horizon is the better choice if you want a softer surface to run on.

Warranty

Horizon offers impressive warranties on its treadmills. The 7.8 AT comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, which helps instill confidence in the construction, knowing that the brand will back it up with this coverage. Peloton includes a 5-year frame and a 3-year motor and belt warranty.

Should You Buy The Horizon 7.8 AT or Peloton Tread

Our top recommendation between these two treadmills is the Horizon 7.8 AT. Its forgiving shock absorption, standard workout programs, and simple yet easy-to-use design make it convenient for most people. This treadmill doesn’t require a subscription to use; instead, you can stream content from your phone or tablet or just park it in front of a TV.

If you’re a die-hard Peloton fan who wants to stream their workouts straight from a treadmill, then the Peloton Tread is for you. Peloton’s treadmills are the only treadmills to stream Peloton’s training content directly from.

Along with trainer-led workout classes, you can stream Netflix and play gamified workouts directly from the touch screen. Remember that you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to access this. Without a subscription, the Peloton Tread has minimal functionality on the screen. The Tread also doesn’t fold up.

The Horizon 7.8 AT folds up, and you can use the Peloton App while running on it.

Horizon 7.8 AT vs. Peloton Tread Q&A / FAQ

What treadmill is closest to the Peloton Tread?

There are two types of treadmill that are “close” to the Peloton Tread. The first is the best substitute for the Tread when using Peloton’s content. In that case, I propose the Horizon 7.8 AT as my first pick and the Sole F89 as my second. If you mean alternative subscription service, too, I would go with the NordicTrack X22i or an Echelon treadmill.

Is a Horizon treadmill compatible with Peloton?

The Horizon 7.8 AT has some connectivity with the Peloton app. It won’t give you all the features you would have on the Tread or Tread+, but it is one of our top substitutes. It’s easy to keep up with the trainer’s cues with the 7.8 AT’s QuickDial controls and speedy adjustments.

What is the Peloton treadmill’s design flaw?

The design flaw on the Tread+ was the lack of a rear guard to prevent things from being pulled under the deck by the slat belt. As for the Peloton Tread, the biggest cons are its weak motor strength and lack of folding mechanism.

What treadmill works with the Peloton app?

The Peloton Tread and Tread+ work best with the Peloton platform, but the Horizon treadmills also work well with the app classes.