Horizon T83 Treadmill Review

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I was by my neighborhood Play It Again Sports store and checked out the Horizon T83 treadmill. It was interesting, I was the only person in the store and no one bothered to ask me if I had any questions. Must be some new form of passive sales.

Anyhow, let's talk about the Horizon T83 treadmill. For a $1,000 treadmill, it isn't a bad deal. Is it the best deal for that price range? There is considerable competition at $1,000 from brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, Smooth, BowFlex and Sole.

Considering the features, the service record and the warranty, I would rank the Horizon T83 as a contender, but not the champ.

Features on the Horizon T83…

Adequate 2.5 Continuous Duty HP Motor - The motor gives enough power to handle walkers and joggers. It should hold up for the duration, and at high speeds is fairly quiet.

20" x 55" Treadbelt - The length of the belt is adequate for average height users. If you are over 6'2" you want to consider a longer treadbelt, particularly if you plan to jog.

Average Warranty - The motor comes with a lifetime warranty, which suggests it is a durable motor. The parts and labor warranty is one year. There are other models at this price, which are offering 2-3 years parts coverage. With any treadmill at this price range, I would suggest you get an extended warranty for at least two years parts coverage.

The Deck - The Horizon T83 treadmill has what is called ComfortZone plus Air Cell. I didn't find that the deck offered any more shock absorption than other comparable models.

Orthopedic Belt - Orthopedic belts on a treadmill are more hype than actual benefit. Yes, the belt is thicker, but you are really not going to notice that much of a difference in the impact.

Console Speakers with MP3 console input - Speakers are getting to be a popular feature, in fact they are standard on all Sole treadmills, and come on many of the NordicTrack models. These speakers are not all that great. The best I've found are on the NordicTrack models that also include a subwoofer.

User Programs - You get 16 programs, giving you a wide selection and variation. For those not familiar with user programs, they control the incline and speed of the treadmill and can simulate going up and down hills. In particular, there is a 9-hole and 18-hole golf program. Not sure how they mix the speed and incline with golf, and come out with a strenuous workout. My experience with golf is you only get serious exercise when you carry your own bags.

Our Review - Horizon T83 Treadmill

This is not a bad machine, and it has some decent features for the price. I would shop around, because at this competitive price range there are other models to consider.

Overall, I would say this is one of Horizon's better attempts.

Note: They suggest the maximum user weight is 325 lbs. I would suggest not to purchase this machine if you are over 250 lbs. Also, this treadmill is primarily designed for walking and light jogging. Runners should upgrade.

Customer Review

Impressive and a must buy!

I am truly impressed with this treadmill! I didn't think it would be as nice as it is. It is better than most health club treadmills. It is very heavy so put it in the room where you want to leave it. It took me an hour to put it together by myself (I'm female, 36 and 5'6") and the instructions were so easy to follow.

Also see:

Horizon T73 Treadmill Review

Horizon T84 Treadmill Review

Horizon T82 Treadmill Review