The Horizon T84 treadmill has been on the market for a few years now, which is a good indicator of its reliability and its popularity among those seeking a sturdy mid-range treadmill with all-around appeal. Horizon is a division of Johnson Health Tech, which is one of the world’s biggest fitness equipment manufacturers, with a long history of providing superior commercial and home gym equipment.

The Horizon T84 has reportedly had a great track record when it comes to the incidence of problems requiring repairs or adjustments. It does not seem to suffer from the shimmy and shake problems that people have come to expect in a treadmill in this structural and price category. This is especially nice for those who are just acquiring their first treadmill to know, as an inferior product might make them skeptical about future upgrades. Speaking of which, due to its size, weight capacity, the motor size and the length of its tread belt, the T84 is considered one more suitable for lighter usage than for hardcore trainers.

For those runners who enjoy a good, thorough workout in the safety and convenience of their homes, this product delivers. The 2.75 CHP motor is strong enough to support a vigorous workout, and yet operate with quiet efficiency. The orthopedic tread belt is thicker than a standard belt, providing less impact on the joints. It measures 20 x 55, a good, average size that can easily accommodate most users comfortably, although some people taller than 6’2” may find it somewhat restrictive.

The deck is designed with variable cushioning, which gives more cushioning in front and less toward the back, where a more solid surface provides a better push-off. The deck’s ComfortZone plus Air Cell cushioning offers good shock absorption for reducing the high impact of jogging and running. The adjustable speeds have a good, solid range from .5 to 12 MPH, and the incline can be set up to 12%. The T84 also features Horizon’s FeatherLight hydraulic lift system, which allows the treadmill to be folded almost effortlessly for storage.

Those who want a few more comforts and perks from a treadmill design than the standard models offer will appreciate the console and program features of the T84. For starters, it offers built-in cooling fans to keep you comfortable for a longer workout. The console also includes a jack for MP3 players and speakers that offer easy music listening without the need to be tethered to earphones. The high-resolution LCD screen displays clear readouts of speed, distance and all the other stats, including heart rate supplied by the monitor in the handgrips and chest strap. A nice touch is the heart rate control programs included in the 18 different programs that come with the treadmill. One can automatically adjust the intensity of the workout in order to achieve the user’s ideal level for losing weight and building endurance. Other programs include settings for hill and mountain runs, weight loss goals, intervals and custom settings.

This is a good quality, reliable treadmill without too many superfluous gizmos. It has just enough special qualities to make a user feel comfortable and a bit pampered without going overboard. If you are looking for a model that will provide lasting wear and a solid workout under average conditions, the Horizon T84 treadmill is a very good choice.