Of all the benefits running offers aspiring athletes, the sport’s approachable cost is paramount. You really don’t need much more than a quality pair of shoes and comfortable running clothes to knock out some good loops. But there’s one major investment plenty of runners make to dodge rough weather and take control of their workouts: a high-quality treadmill.
Most models we recommend cost thousands of dollars, meaning it’s a wise idea to look out for a discount that shoulders that burden as much as possible. And for a limited time, one of our favorite treadmills from Horizon Fitness has a three-figure price tag—one of the best deals on a piece of gym equipment you can land right now.
Horizon’s 7.0 AT, at least at its current price point, is a rare example of a treadmill we’d recommend buying for less than $1000. Normally, with that kind of budget, you’re limited to fragile, unstable treadmills with small decks and underpowered motors. That’s not the case with the 7.0—while its deck is still a little narrow for our preferences, its overall stability, ease of adjustment, small footprint, and connectivity with our devices make it a competitive option, even when stacked against models that cost twice as much. We like it so much that we even gave our test sample a long-term home at Runner’s World headquarters, where editors of all skill levels use it for their lunchtime walks, easy shakeouts, and quick intervals.
The first detail you’ll likely notice when you step aboard the 7.0 AT is its nifty thumb-actuated speed and incline adjusters. They’re infinitely more comfortable and intuitive to operate than the thin, formless buttons you normally have to mash on other treadmills to change your pace, and they tuck away neatly at chest level for an ideal balance of easy access and unobtrusiveness.
During runs, we’ve appreciated how steady this model is—no shaking whatsoever, even after months of heavy use by multiple testers and editors. Better yet, despite a limited range of built-in training programs, this treadmill connects seamlessly to your phone or tablet, allowing you to stream Peloton classes, Zwift simulations, and more while giving your apps free rein over the speed controls.
We have no clue how long this sale will last, but it’s one of the most significant we’ve seen all year. Even though we aren’t exactly entering prime treadmill running months, especially if you live somewhere sunny, it’s always nice to have the option when the weather turns dour—and you’ll be happy on the first snowy day of next winter, knowing that you didn’t pay full price for a reliable means to keep your legs moving.
Shop the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner’s World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam’s writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he’s also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he’s not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.