Perhaps one of the best value deals in the world of treadmills is the Horizon T101. Priced at just $649, it leads into the Go Series and is followed by the Horizon T202 and T303. I realize not all fitness fans want to spend $1,500 to $4,000 on a treadmill, especially if they’ll only use it a few times per week. Horizon’s entry-level T101 treadmill is one of the best-selling models in the industry. It’s an ideal treadmill for those who prefer walking or light to moderate workouts and are looking for a machine with a compact, foldable design that can be stored easily. Some of its best features include an incline, a Bluetooth speaker system, five built-in workout programming options, and a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. Well, Holy HIIT there Batman! For $649 that’s quite a bit.

As I walkabout on a T101, the fact is, I can tell it’s a smaller unit in terms of size, but not stability. The fact is, it has the same size rollers and deck thickness as the T202 and T303, which is pretty good for a budget-friendly model. If you’re wanting to check out the heavier units, try Horizon’s Studio series. Be sure to read our Five Point Buying Guide to get an idea of what to check when reading our reviews, and consider the value in high-quality deck, motor, and rollers that comes with a lifetime warranty.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Horizon T101

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline/decline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the Horizon T101. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2024 Horizon T101 is an entry-level treadmill which brings enough high-tech features to keep most folks happy. Measuring 71″ x 34″ x 57″ at a weight of just 180 pounds, the unit folds up to 46″ x 34″ x 61″ and sports up to 300 pounds in user weight. With a 20″ x 55″ deck, it can handle jogs and runs but is really best suited for walking and hiking, as opposed to belts which measure 60″ or more in length. With Bluetooth speakers and an Audio In/Out Jack, the machine comes with a USB charging port, fan, and media shelf with tablet-holder. Built-in programs include Calorie, Distance, Fat Burn, Hill Climb, Intervals, and Manual. Heartrate can be monitored via pulse sensors in the handlebars or Bluetooth, and readout can be seen on the three LED windows which serve as a screen. The unit inclines up to 10% and features a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour. Definitely a bring-your-own screen model, the T101 lacks a flashy high-definition monitor, but for $649 I wouldn’t really expect that. What does surprise me is the lifetime warranty on the motor and frame. Given the price, that’s a huge plus.

Can the Horizon T101 Help You Reach Your Walking Goals? (2024 Treadmill) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the Horizon T101

Why We Like It

It Comes With A User-Friendly Console

I have to figure if you’re shopping for a $649 treadmill, you’re not looking for a big 14″ high-definition touchscreen like on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, which retails for about $2,500. That said, the benefit to the T101 is it’s built with a media shelf that supports either tablet or smartphone. Given that the treadmill is Bluetooth, you can work about any program you want with this model and aren’t locked into just one app. Built-in workout programs include Calorie, Distance, Fat Burn, Hill Climb, Intervals, Manual and the data can be read on a three-window LED panel with calories, distance, heartrate, incline, speed and time. Other console features include Bluetooth speakers, USB charging port, and fan.

Easy to Manage Frame

The T101 is a smaller treadmill which weighs only 180 pounds and measures just 71″ x 34″ x 57″ when fully assembled. It also folds up with the touch of your fingertips, and when I’ve used it that action can occur in a matter of seconds. The deck locks securely into place when folded upright and you can wheel that unit around easier than a cabinet. One of the reasons the unit is so light is the deck is 0.7″ thick and it has 1.8″ rollers. On a more expensive unit like the $1,999 Horizon 7.8 AT you’ll see a 0.8″ thick deck and 2.4″ rollers. Of course that’s a 330-pound machine, too. In using the T101 I’d say you can get a terrific walking or hiking workout and, if you’re a smaller user, perhaps a good run. But the overall value here is that this unit is small and easy to manage.

User-Friendly Controls

Everything on the T101 is designed for ease of use. There’s very little to have to learn here. From the heartrate sensors in the handlebars, to the speed controls, this treadmill can be used by anyone. In reviewing treadmills over the years, I’ve seen friends struggle with some of the more advanced machines in terms of apps and programming. For folks like that who simply want to climb on exercise, the T101 is a go-to.

The intuitive speed and incline dials on the Horizon T101 make it easy to make quick adjustments. Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

Folding Frame Is Easy to Maintain and Clean

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the years of reading customer complaints, it’s just how much maintenance matters. So many people write in complaining of a treadmill which mysteriously stops working after a few years of heavy usage, and it turns out, they’ve never lubricated the deck even once. Don’t feel lonely there. I’ve used treadmills for years, but until I started reviewing them, I didn’t know how to lube them up either. The most obvious benefit I see to folding treadmills is just how easy they make the maintenance process from belts to alignment. The Horizon T101 folds up so so easily a user of any age and strength level can do it. When fully assembled, the unit measures 71″ x 34″ x 57″ and yet when folded it’s 46″ x 34″ x 61″. That can make a big difference when storing. Below is an instructional video showing just how easy lubricating a belt can be.

Unique Zone Cushioning System

The Horizon 3-Zone Cushioning System offers a different level of support at each of the three spots in which you’ll be placing your foot to better accommodate for impact. This can help reduce stress on the joints by up to 45%. Studies such as this one in the Journal of Gait and Posture affirm the value of treadmill cushioning when it comes reducing stress-related injuries. This is particularly true when moving at higher rates of speed. As someone who’s clogged along on the treadmill I can attest to the value of a cushioning system, and the Horizon’s 3-Zone system makes sense given the movement of the feet.

Horizon treadmills incorporate a unique 3-zone cushioning system.

What We Don’t Like:

• Short track: Although the 20-inch x 55-inch tread belt is a great improvement from the Evolve SG’s tiny 17-inch x 45-inch running area, it’s still not long enough for tall exercisers. I’d recommend spending about $200 more on Horizon’s T202 treadmill, which has a 60″ track.
• Motor: The T101’s 2.5 CHP motor is suitable for walking and jogging but won’t cut it for hardcore runners. What’s more, it only supports speeds up to 10 mph. You might find that a machine with a larger motor will provide a smoother experience.
• Lighter unit: This treadmill only weighs about 180 pounds. That’s great for the right person, but even though it sports a 300-pound user max, if you’re a larger runner I’d consider the Horizon 7.0AT.

I Recommend This Treadmill For You If:

• You’re looking for an entry-level treadmill for less than $700.
• You want a treadmill with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor.
• You want a treadmill with built-in workouts.
• You’re new to fitness and want to focus on light to moderate workouts or walking routines.

My Verdict:

The T101 is ideal for someone at the start of their fitness journey or for those who prefer light to moderate workouts. It’s easy for me to recommend the T101 to just about any of my clients on a budget with the variety of programming options. The Fat Burn program is excellent for weight loss clients while my endurance athletes enjoy the My First 5K, Distance, and Heart Rate training. Bluetooth speakers make streaming your motivating workout playlists seamless, and the warranty offers good coverage for the cost.

Although the Horizon T101 rates above average for a machine in its price class, don’t be misled. It’s great for what it is: a budget walking treadmill. If you’re on the hunt for a cheap treadmill that’s a bit more advanced, check out the Horizon T202. That said, another little gem a lot of folks don’t know about is the ProForm Trainer 8.7, which is marketed through Costco, which can also be found for under $700. Roughly the same size as the Horizon T101 in terms of its 20″ x 55″ deck and 2.75 CHP motor, this unit comes iFit-enabled and with a 7″ touchscreen. 

A few comparisons here to show you how tough that entry-level treadmill market is. Consider the T101 is priced under $700 and you’ll see why it’s tough to beat for the money:

Works Cited

1. Effects of Treadmill Cushion and Running Speed on Plantar Force and Metabolic Energy Consumption in Running. Journal of Gait and Posture. March, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.01.024

What’s Changed For This Year

Each year a few models get upgrades. Larger screens, stronger motors, or better tech are common. Occasionally you will see two treadmills with the same name on the manufacturers site, which is confusing enough for us treadmill experts, let alone a new consumer. Below is a quick breakdown of what is new on the latest version of this treadmill.

New for 2022 

• Price Drop: Price dropped from $849 to $649

Recent Updates

• July 13, 2021: Added some FAQs to the page.
• July 28, 2021: Added specs tested regarding the low noise level.
• October 21, 2022: Updated FAQs, added pros and cons table, updated new pricing information.
• May 12, 2023: Updated specs and pricing.
• November 15, 2023: Updated specs.