Gear Review: Horizon T101 Connect Treadmill
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Once upon a time, we moved into a new house, where we had more basement room, and we decided to buy a treadmill. This was years before I started walking every day—and even my best intentions could not predict how much I’d end up using this thing. But it held up surprisingly well through mile after mile, year after year—so when it became clear that it was time to let my treadmill enjoy its hard-earned retirement, I ended up replacing it with an updated version of the same treadmill.
The Horizon T101 Connect isn’t a high-end treadmill designed for marathon runners who want all of the bells and whistles. It’s more of a budget-friendly workhorse that’s great for walkers who want more than just a walking pad. It’s got a long belt for long-legged walkers like me, though it isn’t as wide as some others. And it offers handrails for comfort and stability, along with a full display for everything you’ll need.
The majority of the features are all pretty standard. The display shows speed, incline, and time, along with distance, calories burned, and heart rate (which you can monitor using with the front hand bars). There’s also a three-speed fan and Bluetooth capability that allows you to connect to a number of different fitness apps, including Strava, JRNY, FitBit, and others. There are six different pre-programmed workouts (though I just stick with manual), two cupholder/hold-all openings, and two different ledges that can hold your phone, your tablet, your remote, or anything else that you might need to keep handy. It also has a foldable base, so you can fold up the base to save space when not in use.
There are also three different ways to change your speed and incline settings. There’s a bank of buttons on the right for speed (1-10 mph) and a bank on the left for incline (0-10). There are up and down arrows on the main console, which changes the speed by .1 mph or incline by .5%. And there are also dials on the front hand bars (again, speed on the right and incline on the left). So you can choose which is easiest for you.
Since I’m a walker, I haven’t tried the treadmill at higher speeds. Even on my best days, I don’t get a whole lot over 4 mph. So I can’t speak to how it runs at higher speeds. For walking, though, it runs smoothly, only sometimes getting shaky when I slow down the speed for my cool-down.
Admittedly, I’m not entirely sure of the accuracy of the speed. The treadmill’s readout and my Strava calculations are rarely similar, so I’m never quite sure if I’m going the speed it says I am. But, again, I’m not a professional marathoner in training, so it’s not a serious concern.
For my needs as a walker, then, the Horizon T101 Connect is a great choice. I don’t need a whole lot of extra features or a high speed. I just need a sturdy, reliable treadmill that allows me to control my workout and see how fast and how far I’ve gone. And this one offers all that and more for an affordable price.
Pros:
– Lower price point than the average treadmill
– More stable than a walking pad
– Clear display offers the important information
– Easy to adjust speed and incline
– Bluetooth capability
– Plenty of space for your necessities: water bottles, AirPods, remotes, etc.
– Foldable base to save space
– Long life—my original model lasted many years and thousands of miles
Cons:
– Can sometimes be a little shaky at lower speeds
– Not a lot of extra bells and whistles
– Accuracy of speed/distance is questionable
You can find the Horizon T101 Connect in stores or online from Amazon.
