High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great way to get the most out of your workouts without training for hours. Mustering up the courage to tackle a 20-minute HIIT workout is one thing. Finding a treadmill that you don’t have to wait to adjust during it is another.
Picture this: you’re in the last 5 seconds of a 30-second sprint. Lungs are burning, and legs are about to give out. You hit your treadmill’s speed button to bring it down to a walk. With your eyes on the clock, you notice you’re still running 10 seconds after your sprint ended. You only have a few more seconds before starting your next sprint.
Annoyed and discouraged, you contemplate giving up and throwing in the towel. Before you do that or discredit your fitness entirely, I implore you to look into the Horizon 7.8 AT. In all my years of testing treadmills, I’ve never run on one more perfect for HIIT training.
Although it’s not the prettiest treadmill in the friend group, it’s the one I choose when I HIIT the deck. Here’s why you should consider it for HIIT and beyond.
Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill Review: Bottom Line
Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill vs Similar Treadmills
Check out this overview of how the Horizon 7.8 AT compares to other popular treadmills.
 Horizon 7.8 AT |  NordicTrack 1750 |  Sole F85 |  ProForm Pro 9000 |  NordicTrack 2450 | |
| Price (MSRP) | $2,399 | $2,2991799 | 2,299 | $2,299 | $2,999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Horizon’s premium model features a quick-adjusting motor, roller dials, and Sprint 8 programming for the ultimate HIIT training treadmill. | A high-quality, interactive folding treadmill for most people that streams iFIT and features forgiving deck cushioning. | A durable folding treadmill for heavy runners that inclines, declines, and streams Netflix. | A compact, folding treadmill with a large, beautiful 22” touchscreen for streaming iFIT while running. | A leading folding treadmill in deck cushioning, max speed, and motor power, all with iFIT features like automatic adjustments and Netflix. |
| Awards Earned | |||||
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Product | Horizon 7.8 AT | NordicTrack 1750 | Sole F85 | ProForm Pro 9000 | NordicTrack 2450 |
| Workout Experience | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Specs / Features | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Dimensions / Storability | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| On-Board Workouts & Apps | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Build Quality | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| Overall Score | 79 | 84 | 85 | 76 | 88 |
| # of Onboard Workouts | 10 | 2 | 100+ | 2 | 11 |
| Paid Programming - Cost | N/A | iFIT - $39/month | Sole+ App - Free | iFIT – $39/month | iFIT – $39/month |
| Netflix / 3rd Party Apps | N/A | Netflix, Prime Video (Beta Testing) | YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Peacock, Hulu, Spotify, ESPN, CNN, Audible, Kinomap | Prime, Netflix (beta testing) | Prime, Netflix, Spotify |
| Display | 9.3" TFT LCD screen, 16-digit LED | 14" HD touchscreen | 15.6″ touchscreen | 22″ HD touchscreen | 24” pivoting touchscreen |
| Dimensions (In Use) | 76" L x 37" W x 64" H | 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 64.7” H | 82.5″L x 38″W x 66″H | 77.3″ L x 35.3″ W x 59.6″ H | 77.3” L x 37” W x 63.4” H |
| Deck Size | 22" x 60" | 20" x 60" | 22” x 60” | 20″ x 60″ | 22” x 60” |
| Folding? | |||||
| Treadmill Weight | 330 lbs | 293 lbs (in box) | 319 lbs | 263 lbs (in box) | 332 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 375 lbs | 400 lbs | 375 lbs | 300 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Motor Size | 4.0 HP | 3.5 CHP | 4.0 HP | 3.6 CHP | 4.25 CHP |
| Max Speed | 12 mph | 12 MPH | 12 MPH | 12 mph | 14 mph |
| Incline/Decline | 0 to 15% | -3% to 12% | 15 incline levels, 6 decline levels | -3% to 12% | -3% to 12% |
| Warranty | lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 5-year parts, 2-year labor | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Lifetime frame & motor, 3-year deck, parts and wear items, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Lifetime motor, 10-years frame, 2-years parts, 1-year labor |
| Additional Features | QuickDial controls, Bluetooth speakers, 3-zone cushioning | AutoAdjust, ActivePulse, soft cushioning | Bluetooth speakers, wireless charging pad, device rack | ActivePulse, AutoAdjust, Google Maps | SmartAdjust, Active Pulse, soft cushioning |
Dimensions/Storability
The Horizon 7.8 AT is a fairly large treadmill that folds up. Its dimensions are 76” L x 37” W x 64” H. While the 7.8 AT isn’t as sleek as other treadmills like the NordicTrack 1750, its folding deck helps to save a lot of room in your home when you’re not using it.
To fold the deck, you lift the back end. The system in the deck kicks in when you lift it, so you don’t have to lift the entire weight of the deck. The 7.8 AT is heavy at 330 lbs, so this feature is really helpful. Once folded, it locks into place. To unfold, you just have to push your foot against the bottom bar that has a small latch. Once unfolded, the deck lowers to the floor on its own.
The 7.8 AT folds in half when you are finished.
To help you determine if the 7.8 AT will fit in your home, we recommend adding a few extra feet to the overall dimensions to factor in the extra room around the treadmill that you’ll need to use safely. We especially recommend allowing some clearance at the rear of the deck for safety and to allow you to fold and unfold the deck easily.
As far as moving, the 7.8 AT has two transport wheels mounted to the frame. When folded, you just have to tilt the treadmill back to engage the wheels. This is similar to treadmills from other brands, but considering the overall size and weight of the 7.8 AT, this isn’t the easiest task for some people.
It’s important to know your physical abilities and limitations, especially if you need a treadmill that you can move around periodically. The Horizon 7.8 AT can be moved, but it’s a good idea to keep it primarily in the area where you plan to use it.
The deck’s height, when flat from the floor to the top of the side rails, is over 9” high. The deck isn’t very high, but for someone who is 6’0” tall who plans to do high-intensity training on the 7.8 AT, we recommend at least an 8.5 ft high ceiling.
This should allow plenty of head clearance for running and utilizing the deck’s full incline range. To determine if your ceiling height is appropriate for the 7.8 AT, check out our guidelines here.
Related: Thinking of Placing a Treadmill Upstairs? Here’s How to Do It Right
Onboard Workouts & Apps
Many treadmills on the market come with subscription training content integrated into a touchscreen. This requires a subscription fee to access the content and use all of the treadmill’s features. For those who want to feel like they’re using a treadmill at the local gym, the Horizon 7.8 AT is one to check out. The console doesn’t include a touchscreen, and it comes with standard onboard workout programs.
In a sea of treadmills with touch screens, we like that the 7.8 AT has a simple design and standard features.
Onboard Workouts
The Horizon 7.8 AT comes with ten onboard workout programs. These include distance, my first 5k, fat burn, target heart rate, hill climb, custom, custom heart rate, calories, manual, and Sprint 8. Within each program, there are different distances, times, and intervals to choose from. There are five profiles and a guest profile for you to log and save your weight for the next time you use the treadmill.
Each program has a different icon with an indicator light that is displayed on the console.
Sprint 8 is an interval training program that is definitely a plus on the 7.8 AT. It’s a bit more involved than the other standard onboard workout programs. Sprint 8 is built in for HIIT training. There are 20 different levels of difficulty, which is essentially 20 different programs.
There is a graph display on the bottom of the 7.8’s screen that shows where you are in the program so you know when to expect a sprint or recovery. The speed adjustments are automatic, so you can just focus on your pace and heart rate while running.
Another nice aspect of the 7.8 AT is that you can pair it with external fitness apps to stream content on your device. This treadmill is Bluetooth-enabled and can be used with apps like Peloton and Zwift. You just need your phone or tablet to do this since you can’t stream anything from the treadmill’s screen.
Of course, you can also stream whatever you want on your device or even place the 7.8 AT in front of a TV.
Console
The Horizon 7.8 AT has two display panels. A 9.3” TFT screen sits at the top of the console. It is a color screen, but as I mentioned, it won’t show workout videos or other video content.
The graph and time dial in the center are color, while all program graphics are digital. The TFT screen provides workout feedback, such as calories, distance, heart rate, incline, pace, speed, and time.
The bottom display is a 16-digit LED screen. This shows the treadmill’s settings and tracks your metrics, too. The numbers are bright to see clearly and the color screen is bright, too.
The console could be streamlined to eliminate one of the two tablet shelves and the lower digital readout.
The console is a bit dated-looking, and its overall functionality could use a little facelift, too. There are many adjustment buttons to easily adjust the treadmill, but there aren’t many buttons to select between the different workout programs.
I wish the program icons were buttons to press to jump to each program. Instead, you push the round and black program buttons or use the right blue roller dial to select between the different programs and input different settings.
Adjusting the 7.8 AT is easy. There are numbered quick-adjusting buttons on either side of the console. The right side adjusts the speed to whichever numbered level you select. So, if you press ten, the treadmill adjusts to 10 mph. The same is true with the buttons on the left for the incline.
There’s also a green start button and a red stop button to start and stop the treadmill. I personally really like the blue roller dials that sit at the top of the front handles in front of the console.
The roller dials are placed just under your thumb, so you can quickly roll the dial to increase or decrease speed or incline.
These are a bit easier to reach than the numbered quick-adjustment buttons. If you flick these quickly, though, you kind of have to guess how much to turn it on and then watch to see where you land.
The dial on the right increases speed by 0.1, so even if you give it a good spin, it’s not going to jump you from 6 mph to 10 mph in one turn, which is a good safety feature. The left dial increases incline by 0.5 with each turn.
Along with Bluetooth connectivity to some 3rd party apps, the speakers are Bluetooth enabled, so you can play music from your device through them. They’re loud to give you plenty of volume to choose from.
There is also an included Bluetooth 4.0 heart rate strap so you can track your heart rate and connect directly to the Peloton App for extra tracking when you’re using training content on your device to follow along with on the 7.8 AT. We’re glad a heart rate monitor is included.
The fan at the bottom of the console is pretty small. It isn’t very powerful and is positioned a little low, especially for taller people. It hits my face, but I’m only 5’1”. When you really work up a sweat, you might want to plug in your own fan.
For storage, the Horizon 7.8 AT has two cupholders for your water, two device racks for your phone or tablet, and a storage tray under the console. You have plenty of room nearby for whatever you need. We appreciate being able to use our own devices to stream whatever we want while using the 7.8 AT.
Build Quality
Now, let’s get into the build quality section of this Horizon 7.8 AT review. This is Horizon’s premium treadmill made for home use. It has a pretty beefy design that definitely makes it feel very stable and comfortable to use. It has an excellent weight limit of 375 lbs, so it handles users up to that capacity.
Frame
The frame is solid, and we don’t experience any rocking or shaking on this treadmill.
The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT treadmill is sturdy weighing in at 330 lbs. It’s on the larger and heavier side of folding treadmills. The frame is made of steel to support the base of the deck. It sits on the floor under the motor hood and front part of the deck. Front there, two large steel uprights connect to the frame and extend up to hold the console.
Along with all of the steel components that make the 7.8 AT feel incredibly stable, there is a steel crossbar mounted between the uprights under the console. This is under the plastic storage tray. It is multi-functional and provides extra storage and stability to the treadmill.
The side handles extend on either side of the deck. They’re pretty standard and easy to reach, although they could be a little bit longer. The two front handles are vertical to hold onto when you need extra support, as well as when you want to use the roller dial adjustments and the pulse grips. The pulse grips read your heart rate when you hold them both.
Related: Horizon vs Sole Treadmills: A Detailed Comparison to Help You Decide
Motor
The Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill has a hearty 4.0 HP motor. This size motor is excellent to support all levels of training. So, if you are looking to train for a race or have multiple people in your household who want to run on a treadmill, the 7.8 AT is one to consider.
A big stand-out feature of the 7.8 AT’s motor is its responsiveness. This is one of the fastest-adjusting motors we’ve tested. It only takes the treadmill about 19 seconds to adjust from 1 mph to its full max of 12 mph. Other treadmills, like the NordicTrack 1750, take around 23.5 seconds to adjust. Sole Treadmills, like the F85, are slower to adjust.
The F85 goes from 1 to 12 mph in around 41 seconds. For this reason, the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill is our number one pick for HIIT training.
The 12 mph max speed is a 5-minute mile running pace. For most runners and exercise enthusiasts, this should be plenty of speed. For some, it might be an all-out sprint or, at the very least, a quick running pace to provide challenging workouts.
The 7.8 AT has a 15% incline. It doesn’t decline. You might want to consider one of NordicTrack’s Treadmills if you’re looking for a treadmill to train downhills. For the incline range, though, the 7.8 AT is quick to adjust, like the drive motor for speed. It takes around 20 seconds to go from 0% up to 15%.
So, if you want to factor in a challenging incline with your interval training, the 7.8 AT won’t leave you waiting for the speed or incline to adjust – you’ll just have to worry about keeping up!
The incline feature gives you more variety in your training.
The 7.8 AT is also accurate and quick-adjusting. The full incline measures at 14.8%, which is right around the 15% that Horizon claims the full incline range to be. When flat, the deck measures at 0.9%. Considering most other treadmills that we’ve measured when set to “0” for the grade actually measure closer to 1% or even 1.5%, the 7.8 AT is pretty on par.
One factor that we’re not able to accurately measure is the deck cushioning, which is the give in the deck when you run and walk. When running at the treadmill’s 0%, it feels flat, so you won’t have to worry about any discrepancy here.
As far as noise, the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill is quiet. It’s very similar to the Sole F85 as far as noise output. When we measured the decibels, the 7.8 ranged from 46.2 dB at 3 mph up to 65.6 dB at 12 mph. This is comparable to having music playing in the background when at a walking pace, and a window fan on high at the treadmill’s higher speeds. The 7.8 AT should be appropriate for most homes.
Deck
The deck is spacious for a folding treadmill at 22” wide and 60” long. This length is accommodating to all users’ stride lengths. The width is also sufficient for all fitness levels. As long as you have room in your home, the 7.8 AT is great for most people.
The deck cushioning features Horizon’s 3-Zone Variable Response cushioning. The deck is said to have three different zones of cushioning. You’ll probably be hard-pressed to notice the difference in each area, though. To give you an idea of how comfortable and cushioned the 7.8 AT feels to run on, it definitely feels softer than running outside.
When testing different treadmill brands, Horizon is somewhere in the middle when it comes to cushioning. It isn’t the softest or the firmest. The softest treadmills are usually from NordicTrack, like the 1750. The NordicTrack X22i takes it up a notch, as it is a bit bouncier underfoot. A treadmill with firm deck cushioning that feels more similar to running outside on asphalt is the Sole F85.
If you’re looking for a comfortable deck that will help lessen the impact on your joints when running, I would check out the 7.8 AT. I like that it isn’t too firm or too soft.
Overall, the build quality, training capabilities, and size of the Horizon 7.8 AT make this treadmill excellent for most people. We love how powerful, quiet, and quick the motor is to adjust. The motor also pairs well with the large and well-cushioned folding deck.
The cushioning provides nice shock absorption for your joints.
Related: Horizon 7.8 AT vs Peloton Tread: Uncovering the Differences That Matter
Warranty
The Horizon 7.8 AT comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty. We love that Horizon includes this with all of their treadmills. It really helps to back up the solid construction. The warranty also includes five years for parts and two years for labor, which is a bit more coverage than what we see from other treadmill brands.
Should You Buy The Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill
So, should you buy the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill? If you’re someone who wants a simple-to-use premium treadmill that’s well-priced, then yes. It is also a great option if you don’t want to pay for a subscription to use your treadmill, however, you can still follow along with subscription training content if you want to. Having the choice to stream content from your device, or just place the 7.8 AT in front of your TV is nice.
We highly recommend the 7.8 AT for HIIT training. Its quick-adjusting motor is one of the fastest in adjusting the speed and incline range, making this our top rated treadmill for HIIT amongst our most recommended treadmills. The Horizon 7.8 AT is also a great all-around treadmill for running if you are looking for a large, quiet, and powerful folding treadmill for your home.
Still confused? Check out our list of top-rated treadmills by Horizon Fitness
Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill Q&A / FAQ
How much horsepower does the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill have?
The Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill has a 4.0 HP motor. This is a large motor that can handle a lot of use, such as distance training and multiple users in one household.
Is the Horizon 7.8 AT a good treadmill?
The Horizon 7.8 AT is one of the best treadmills on the market, in our experts’ opinion. It has one of the fastest adjusting motors, a well-cushioned deck, simple to use console that doesn’t require a subscription, and it folds up when you’re finished. We love it for interval and HIIT training, however, it is an excellent all-around, quiet treadmill for walking and running.
Does the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill fold?
The deck on the Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill folds up. It uses a lift assistance, so you don’t have to lift the entire weight of the deck. To fold, you lift the back end of the deck and push it up to the console, where the deck locks into place.
To unfold, you push your foot against the latch on the metal bar under the bottom of the deck. Once unfolded, the deck slowly lowers to the floor on its own. This feature makes the 7.8 AT a lot more convenient for home use.
Is our Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill review a paid review?
We were not paid by Horizon Fitness to compile this review of the 7.8 AT Treadmill. This is a completely unbiased review that reflects our experience using this treadmill, as well as the results of our testing that we put each and every treadmill we review through. Horizon, along with other treadmill brands send us their treadmills to test and create reviews of.
To earn money, we have affiliate links for these brands to receive a small commission when you buy using our links. This doesn’t cost you anything and allows us to keep creating informed reviews that reflect our testing and experience. This way, we can help you find the best treadmill for you at home.
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We are trying to decide between this and a Nordictrack 2450. We like the form and function of the nordictrack but concerned about durability. We like the durability of the horizon but not in love with the form and function. Which would you choose?
Helen,
Honestly, for everyday use, we prefer the 2450. The size of the touchscreen is perfect – not too large, not too small. The incline/decline features are smooth and useful. It folds up when not in use and has a powerful motor. You get the most for your money on the 2450. The Horizon 7.8AT is also a good treadmill, but it lacks a bit of the functionality that makes the treadmill easy/fun to use on a daily basis.
I’m on the smaller size 5’7″ 150 lbs. How important is the extra 2″ going from a 20″ to a 22″ wide belt? Run at an 7- 8 min/mile pace and generally looking to do some HIIT mostly to stave off boredom.
Nicholas,
You should be fine with a 20″ wide deck. For larger users, the extra 2″ of width is useful. But since you are a conditioned runner you probably have good gait and running mechanics so you would be less likely to wander laterally on the deck. For your intended usage, the 20″ should be plenty.
You awarded the NordicTrac x22i the best treadmill for HIIT workouts as well. I mostly only do HIIT workouts but my husband will run longer distances. I am also concerned about cushioning in the deck as my knees can hurt on treadmills with poor cushioning. How would you compare these two treadmills as far as cushioning goes? Is the x22i worth the extra $1000? Thanks!
Kim,
Yes, the cushioning on the x22i is significantly more than on the 7.8AT. While the 7.8AT is a great treadmill, if you are looking for cushioning we recommend the x22i. The deck is very flexible and allows for a significant amount of give with each step to absorb the impact of walking or running. In my opinion it’s worth the extra $1000.
Thank you! I’ve been reading that lots of people are having issues with the x22i and also trouble with NoridcTrac’s customer service which makes me hesitant to shell out another 1000. Is there another treadmill that meets a higher cushioning standard but also works well for HIIT workouts? My favorite treadmills to run on at the gym were the Lifefitness treadmills – I thought their cushioning was better than most gym treadmills…so I’d want something that provides similar cushioning to that. Thank you so much for your help! I need to order one soon!:)
Kimberly,
That’s a good question. To be honest, I haven’t found another treadmill with as much cushioning as the x22i or x32i. In fact, at high speeds the cushioning can cause the deck to get a bit bouncy because there is so much travel underneath. It will be hard to find a comparable treadmill with as much cushioning, but there are certainly other models out there that should work for you.
Another treadmill I personally like is the LifeSpan 5500i. It has a color touchscreen but doesn’t display video content, so no subscription is required. It also has a full lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. The cushioning is certainly sufficient and will mitigate joint impact or other discomfort from walking or running. While it isn’t as cushioned as the x22i, it’s also $1000 less expensive, so that’s a perk as well. Check out our review for more information.
Hope this helps!
Hello Kristen, you mention in your comments about the frame that the 7.8 AT rolls on 4 wheels when folded, this is a feature I like, its one reason I am considering the Sole F85. I tried confirming with Horizon but I get mixed response. Per a chat conversation on their website they say yes, a local dealer indicated his rep said no, have you tested this feature?
Rob,
Sorry, if I stated the 7.8AT has four wheels that was my mistake. It does not. It only has two wheels under the center cross beam. You are still able to tip and roll it, but it only two wheels. The Sole F85 does have four wheels.
Hello! In your video review, you stated that the step up height is 10″. However, the Horizon site states 8.75″. Can you please confirm?
Jay,
Yes, the side rails measure are a bit over 9″ high so we mentioned 10″ in our review to account for the slight lip. The belt actually sits lower than the side rails and is probably close to the 8.75″. However, you have to actually lift your foot up over the 9+” side rail to step onto the belt. This is why we indicated the step up height is closer to 10″
Can you comment on the experience with the belt cushioning for barefoot running?
Bob,
We haven’t tried this barefoot. The belt has a bit of texture, but it could get slippery if it gets wet from sweat and the texture could possibly irritate the sole of your foot during longer runs.
I’ve read reviews that the speed dials sometimes change speed/incline without being touched (presumably from the shaking from the act of running itself). Have you heard of any difficulty like this? I love the speed dial idea but don’t want my speed changing inadvertently!
Patrick,
We haven’t had this problem. I can see how maybe that would happen, but I don’t think it would be a common problem. I can see people accidentally moving them as they run if your hand grazes the dial though.
Hi, your reviews are great! I’m ready to pull the trigger but am torn between the Sole F85 and this one. I’m basically just looking for a durable treadmill with a good warranty, which both of these seem to have. The console on the 7.8 AT seems a bit more intuitive than some of the quirks on the F85, and it seems like the 7.8 also has a quicker response time. On the other hand, people seem to love their F85’s and Sole seems to have a very good reputation for sturdy machines. Both have good reviews on Consumer Reports too. Which would you recommend?
Matt,
We prefer the Sole F85 over the Horizon 7.8AT While the Horizon has some nice features, the Sole F85 is a bit more user-friendly and we love the updated console on the 2021 model. You can’t go wrong with either one.
Hi Kristen! Thank you for the great reviews, I am debating between the Horizon 7.4 and the Sole F65. (mainly due to price range) I am a new runner I am building my endurance with running, I am barely at about 4.5-5 speed. New runner with flat feet and pronation, which one of these would you recommend that has a bit more cushion? I like to do a lot of HIIT workouts, time flies doing HIIT. I want to stay within this price range of 1k- 1,600K. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated. My goal is to run 3 miles x5 week. Thank you!
Araceli,
Great question! It sounds like you’ve done your homework! In your case, the Horizon 7.4 AT may be a better option. It provides slightly more cushioning and is excellent for HIIT training. It comes preloaded with the Sprint 8 program which you may find to be exactly what you’re looking for. Let us know what you decide! Good luck with your training.
Hi, I live in an apartment and am wondering about the vibration and noise for the person below me. I have a thick horse mat that I want to put the treadmill on . Can you explain more about the noise and vibration of the 7.8at or if there is a better recommendation? I am 6-1 175 and would be running 6-7 miles a day at 8.5mph.