Best for Home Use
Best for Serious Runners
Best for Walkers
Best for Seniors
Horizon Elite T9 Review
Discontinued
The Elite T9 is Horizon’s top treadmill in North America and one of our favorite treadmills for runners. One of the best features is Passport video with Virtual Active tracking. This is a high-def video workout system that adjusts videos to your workout pace. You can virtually experience the Rocky Mountains, the French Riviera and other exciting locations. Passport videos are sold separately, but 44 standard workouts are built into the machine.
The Horizon Elite T9 Treadmill (which is an upgrade from the Horizon Elite T7) has a 60″ x 20″ track that requires no maintenance. It’s powered by a 2.75 CHP drive and has advanced cushioning. The maximum weight capacity is 350 pounds.
Horizon Fitness’s advertised price for this model includes Bronze Delivery. This means that the delivery people won’t leave the 232-pound machine in front of your door. They’ll bring it in to the first floor of your home. You must pay extra for delivery to another level.
What We Like:
- ViaFit Connect: Designed to save you time on tracking fitness-related activities, ViaFit is Horizon’s new application for collecting and combining data to help users reach their fitness goals. ViaFit is compatible with various fitness apps including Nike+, FitBit, and nutrition sites like MyFitnessPal.
- Free Polar Chest Strap Add-on: That’s right, you get a free Free Polar chest strap with the T9 which is a nice addition for heart-rate tracking/monitoring. Your heart rate data can also be streamed to apps or websites.
- 44 Workout Programs: The Elite T9 Treadmill has a digital calendar to help you plan workouts. You can choose from manual mode or dozens of programs that target calorie burning, distance, interval, performance and step goals. You can also design and save two personalized workouts.
- Passport: Passport video lets you virtually travel the world from your treadmill. Passport uses wifi to connect your treadmill to your home TV screen. High-definition video is shown to match your own speed and intensity. You’ll also hear ambient sound through your headphones or speakers. Passport videos are sold on USB sticks in sets of six. Some of their destinations include the Italian Alps, the French Riviera, and the red canyons of Arizona.
- Great Track: The Horizon Elite T9 Treadmill has a full 60″ x 20″ track. This track is infused with wax, which makes it maintenance-free (except for dusting).
- Variable Response Cushioning: Who needs running shoes when you have a track like this? Variable Response Cushioning provides a clever blend of shock absorption and firmness. Three levels of firmness are distributed beneath the track, with the softer section being up front where you land. The firmest section at the back of the track is just right for push-off.
- Incline: Walk uphill in your living room! The Horizon Elite T9 treadmill track can tilt by up to 15%, helping you dramatically raise your metabolic rate and gain impressive muscle definition.
- Display: The Horizon Elite T9 Treadmill displays data on a full-color 10″ touchscreen. The workout data displayed are time, distance, incline, speed, calories, heart rate, and pace. The time and date are also shown.
- High Speed: This treadmill’s top speed is 12 mph. The lowest speed is 0.5 mph.
- Console Extras: Each Elite T9 Treadmill has a reading rack, two beverage holders, a fan, and speakers.
- Audio: Rock out during workouts with built in speakers and a USB port for your MP3 player.
- Motor: This treadmill has a powerful yet quiet 2.75 CHP drive. The motor has a lifetime warranty.
- Folding: The Horizon Elite T9 Treadmill frame has a patented Feather Light Folding design. The hydraulic system makes it easy to quickly fold the track upward, thus saving floor space. The folded dimensions are 44″ long x 36″ wide. Unfolded, the footprint is 77″ x 36″.
- Low Maintenance: There’s no need to wax that track. It’s infused with hard synthetic wax which should provide enough lubrication for the life of the machine.
- Energy Saving: If you stop using the treadmill but forget to turn it off, the console will automatically shif into energy saver mode.
Horizon Elite T9 Treadmill - Key Specs:
| Star Rating: | 5-stars |
|---|---|
| Motor: | 2.75 HP |
| Incline: | 0 - 15% |
| Running Area: | 20" x 60" |
| Folding: | Yes |
| Top Speed: | 12 MPH |
| Weight Capacity: | 350 LBS |
| Dimensions: | 77" L x 36" W x 60" H |
| Built-In Programs: | 44 |
- Warranty: The manufacturer’s warranty is an alright match for the treadmill sale price of $1,899, but it’s not so hot if you pay the full $2,499. You’ll get a lifetime frame and motor warranty, a five-year parts warranty and a two-year labor warranty. Other treadmills in the $2500 price range are sold with far more generous warranty packages.
- Customer Service: The Elite T9 is one of Horizon Fitness’s most durable treadmills. You probably won’t need to order parts or service for a long time.
Our Verdict:
The Horizon Elite T9 is one of the brand’s most durable treadmill and a great option for serious runners. It features Horizon’s newest technology along with a well-cushioned track and an impressive array of preset workouts. The sale price of $1,899 with a five-year parts warranty is a pretty good deal. Still, there’s a lot of enticing competition at this price point. So make sure to shop around to find the right treadmill to suit your needs.