Horizon T303 Treadmill Review

If you’re in the market for a simple and affordable treadmill that offers good quality, the Horizon T303 could be a good fit for you.

It’s a basic treadmill for buyers who just want something that works. This makes it also ideal for beginners and intermediate level users.

Also, If you’re not concerned about expensive periodic internet subscriptions (as is common with advanced models), then you’ll do perfectly fine with this treadmill. Thankfully, it has 8 completely free built-in workout programs for you to explore.

The outstanding warranty sums the entire package up with lifetime coverages on the frame and motor. This is something every buyer wants: Absolute peace of mind.

Describing the Horizon T303 as budget-friendly or beginner/intermediate-level products may not be enough. It sticks not only to the essentials but also offers a couple of interesting add-ons.

That said, what can a well under-$500 treadmill offer you?

Let’s find out.

Review Topics
Horizon T303 Treadmill Review

Horizon T303 Treadmill Model Overview

The T303 is the best of the “GO or T Series” of treadmills by Horizon Fitness. The other two models are the T101 and the T202, of which the former is the first of the series.

These are all entry-level treadmills for budget home buyers, and for below $1000, you can buy any of the three. Our model under review, the T303, costs about $999.

The Horizon T303 Treadmill is an average-sized treadmill with assembly dimensions 75″ L x 34″ W x 58″ H and net weight 194 lbs. It has a spacious deck with measurements 20” x 60”. The weight-bearing strength follows suit impressively with a 325 lbs max.

T303 has a 12% maximum incline, a 3.0 HP motor, and a 12 mph maximum speed. These are moderate values, and we expect them for a home treadmill for everyday users. But we’re confident of one thing: You will get the workout that you need.

If you want a quiet treadmill that you can use almost anywhere without drawing unnecessary attention, the T303 is a good option. The motor sound is suppressed, while the running surface is almost sound-proof.

It’s easy to track your fitness performance and progress. In a time-guided manner, you can get feedback for distance covered, time is taken, the speed attained, pulse rate and calories burned. Thanks to the included electronic monitor, the Bluetooth heart rate tracker, and the attachable external tablet, all of which are integral to the tracking possibility.

If you’re not much concerned about internet-added engagements with expensive monthly subscriptions, then you’ll do okay with this treadmill. Luckily, it comes with 8 built-in workout programs, all diverse and interesting.

You can even link your treadmill to your tablet to act in the capacity of the preinstalled electronic monitor to control your workout, track your training, or save and share your workout data with other fitness apps—for free.

Extras include an audio jack, Bluetooth speakers, media tray, bottle holder, and cooling fan.

The warranty is exceptional: Lifetime on frame and motor each, 3 years on parts, and 1 year on labor.

Overall, we are impressed with the Horizon T303 treadmill and we’re convinced it will be a great buy for you.

But let’s look further.

Who’s it for?

The Horizon T303 will be perfect for you if you want a/an:

  • Affordable treadmill under $1000
  • A treadmill that simply does the job
  • Beginner/intermediate level treadmill
  • Subscription-FREE treadmill for easy program access
  • Lifetime warranty for absolute peace of mind

Horizon T303 Treadmill Specs Rundown

  • Manufacturers: Horizon Fitness
  • Model: T303
  • Rating: 4.5 star (90%)
  • Assembled Dimensions: 75″ L x 34″ W x 58″ H
  • Foldable: YES
  • Folding dimensions: 47″ L x 34″ W x 65″ H
  • Console: LCD screen (backlit) and 3 LED windows
  • Display: speed, time, distance, mode, pulse, and calories
  • Net weight: 194 lbs
  • Weight capacity: 325 lbs
  • Running area: 20″ x 60″
  • Belt thickness: 0.06” (1.44 mm) approx.
  • Speed: 0-12mph
  • Motor: 3.0 HP
  • Incline max: 12%
  • Built-in programs: 8
  • Deck cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response
  • Bluetooth: YES – Bluetooth speakers
  • Accessories: Bluetooth sound system, cooling fan, USB charging port, tablet holder, accessory trays, bottle holder
  • Package included: 1x treadmill, 1x silicone oil, assembly tools & user manual
  • Price: $999
  • Warranty: Lifetime on frame & motor each, 3 years on parts, 1 year on labor

Horizon T303 Treadmill Key Features Description

Construction

Horizon T303 is a fairly large and heavy treadmill targeted at home users. It has measurements 75″ L x 34″ W x 58″ H, and weighs 194 lbs (88 kg).

These mid-range values should be welcomed by homeowners because the metrics represent the best balance between polar end treadmills in terms of size.

With a large and heavy treadmill, you have enough running surface to express yourself comfortably and safely. The accompanying mass gives such a unit the strength and endurance to bear any kind of pressure without breaking down easily.

On the other hand, a small and lightweight treadmill extends SpaceSaver benefits as well as easy handling and transportation.

Offering the best of two is the average size/weight Horizon T303 Treadmill, which sits in the middle.

What does this mean for you?

It means that the T303 is large and heavy enough to accommodate workouts of any intensity at home. Roomy deck, great weight capacity: Impressive qualities for a home treadmill.

On the other hand, the unit will take up only a decent portion of your floor space, so no need to bother about space inconvenience. And it’s also foldable so that you can always chunk down the size and roll away on its transport wheels to better storage space.

Moving forward, the Horizon T303 is solidly constructed with a durable steel frame, tough aluminum & high-quality ABS plastic parts, all covered with amazing warranties (more on that later).

It sits planted to the floor and doesn’t budge from pressure. This is quite surprising for a machine with widely differing net weight and weight capacities of 194 lbs and 325 lbs.

The 20” x 60” deck isn’t quite a football pitch, but it’s large enough to accommodate the longest strides. Regardless of your height or gait, there is sufficient room to sprint, jog, and walk on. Covering the deck is a special 3-Zone Cushioning designed to absorb shock and reduce noise generated by your footfalls.

There are several ways to ramp up the challenge during workouts.

First off, the 3.0 CHP motor generates enough power for a fast-moving belt. You can always tweak speed levels to your preference by selecting options from 0 to 12 MPH. And to take things up a notch, you can elevate the deck to any desired incline level from 0% (flat) to 12% (maximum). There’s an incline lever beneath the deck, which lifts and lowers it according to your slope preference.

The T303’s hanging handlebars will be super helpful handgrips for balance during some of your exercises on the treadmill. They protrude about a foot toward you from both sides of the dashboard but quite far apart enough to keep your swinging arms from hitting them during, even the most intense workouts. The grip is solid and sweat-resistant, offering you comfort and safety.

Built into the handlebars are pulse sensors responsible for relaying your heart rate data to the digital LCD monitor for display.

The LCD monitor is located on the dashboard between the handlebars.

Strong transport wheels help you to easily move the treadmill from place to place.

Overall, the Horizon T303 Treadmill has a strong and durable construction. If well maintained, you won’t be wasting money on frustrating repairs; neither will you have the pressing need to replace it early, based on construction breakdown.

Deck size

The 20” x 60” running surface is up to the standard size for a home treadmill, which means that there is just enough room to run, jog, and walk on. Even taller users and people with long strides don’t have to worry about being restricted in any way.

Cushioning

We all know how regular or extended running on poor surfaces can affect the body joints and the entire system. Horizon eliminates that using the 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning tech. It absorbs the shock on your footfalls to soften the impact on your ankles, knees, hips, spine, and other body joints. This allows you to run longer, safer, and more comfortably.

Additionally, this special technology also dampens the noise created by your strides, so that you can enjoy a quiet and non-disruptive workout.

Folding

Folding design adds some space-saving convenience to your setting. After workouts, you can fold the treadmill into a smaller 47″ L x 34″ W x 65″ H unit. Sturdy transport wheels allow you to easily roll to the storage area.

Incline

Speed up the challenge and multiply output with the adjustable deck incline. It ranges from 0-12% with several levels of in-between. Each level above zero (flat deck) will give you a really good workout, helping you burn calories, improve endurance, enhance cardio fitness, and build lower body strength—in less time.

Motor & speed

The dynamic 3.0 CHP (Continuous Horse Power) motor allows you to perform anything from the most demanding HIIT training to casual walks. It supports a speed range of 0-12 mph, making it great for running and walking at all levels.

The motor is also designed to hush the noise, so that you can exercise in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. You won’t draw negative attention from people around you.

Interestingly, there’s a lifetime warranty on the motor. This is quite surprising, as we don’t often see this level of coverage for treadmills in this category.

Console

Get reliable feedback on your workout with the easy-to-use backlit LCD screen and the3 LED windows. These display helpful stats, among which the essentials are distance, time, speed, heart rate, and calories.

You can choose to integrate the supported external tablet with the free, compatible AFG Pro Fitness app. Your tablet can replace the built-in monitor as your treadmill’s new control and/or data storage unit.

Bluetooth

Advanced Bluetooth pairs with your tablet to keep you connected with your favorite music, movies, videos, or fitness classes and to track your heart rate. It’s a great way to spice up your workout and take off some stress, while you do what you love to do.

The audio jack also serves with the Bluetooth to enable you to play music through the treadmill’s speakers.

More on the Bluetooth’s heart tracking functionality in the next listing.

CONNECT TO YOUR CONTENT WITH BLUETOOTH

Heart rate monitor

The T303 has a 2-way heart tracking systems: The wireless chest strap and the pulse grips. Both collect your pulse readings via Bluetooth and display them on the digital console.

It’s possible to customize a particular workout session to the “Target Heart Rate” mode (one of the 8 preset programs) so that the round will be optimized specially for pulse readings.

This feature is very helpful in keeping you attentive to your cardiovascular health at all times.

Programs

Horizon T303 treadmill features 8 unique workout programs. Minus the default manual mode, the other seven include My First 5k, Fat Burn, Intervals, Hill Climb, Distance, Heart Rate, and Calories.

While these programs overlap in their functionalities, each one is developed more to perform a specific task; essentially, to perform according to their implied names. Each program has its button positioned on the treadmill’s console.

Users who want subscription-free programs will find these interesting and helpful.

Apps

The treadmill’s on-demand FREE Pro app allows you to control the unit from the easy touchscreen of your tablet. It automatically synchronizes all your workout data and puts them in one place for future reference, so that you can stay right on track with your fitness progress.

The T303’s fitness app system supports several other fitness software, some of which are the Horizon Pro App, Fitbit App, Under Armour App, AFG App, and Peloton App.

You can easily download any of your choice apps on Google Play and iOS devices.

Accessories

Extras on the T303 to make your experience richer. These include the Digital Console, Fitness App, Audio In/Out Jack, Bluetooth (Speakers), Heart Rate Monitor, Cooling Fan, Accessory Tray, and Bottle Holder.

The Digital Console monitors and displays your workout stats so that you can see your performance in real-time. When enabled for app access, your tablet can also act in this capacity, as well as store your output data for later reference. The built-in software is the free, no-subscription Pro App, which allows sharing with several other similar apps.

The Audio In/Out Jack and Bluetooth Speakers can be linked to your external devices so that you can enjoy your favorite tracks or stream media contents while sweating it out. Advanced Bluetooth also helps with Heart Rate Tracking by wireless transmission of pulse signals.

And while you’re at it, a smartly positioned Cooling Fan with 3-speed adjustments keeps you cool and energized. 

The Media Tray lets you place your phone, TV remote control, keys, reading material, or any other items where you can easily reach them when you need to.

A conveniently attached Bottle Holder is designed to keep your drink close by so that you can stay hydrated all through your workout.

Horizon T303 Treadmill Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Affordable treadmill for great quality
  • Simple and focused with a moderate number of features
  • The large running surface that gives enough leg room for comfort and safety
  • Comfortable deck with 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning that reduces joint impacts and suppresses noise
  • Great workout challenge with the 12% incline, 3.0 HP motor, and 0-12 mph speed options
  • Cooling fans keep you energized for longer periods
  • 3-screen displays: 1 LCD screen and 3 LED windows
  • Backlit console for easy reading in dim light
  • Workout tracking for time, distance, speed, calories, and pulse
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Free built-in workout programs, including the unique “My First 5K” program
  • ZERO subscription required
  • 2 Custom Interval Keys that allow for very quick adjustments
  • Bonuses including cooling fan, audio jack, integrated speakers, accessory holders, bottle holder, and fitness app
  • Sturdy & durable construction
  • Perfect home user’s treadmill
  • Outstanding warranty (lifetime on frame and motor)

Cons

  • No internet engagements for interested users
  • The 3.0 CHP motor may not be enough for elite and advanced runners
  • Some users may find the console too busy with buttons & functions
  • 8 preset programs aren’t bad, but there can be more

Pricing

For $999, the Horizon T303 can be yours. The competitive price is one of the best things about this treadmill. Minus internet-integrated engagements, this is probably the kind of treadmill you’d like to buy.

Lots of pros, few cons: At a customer-friendly price.

Warranty

The Horizon T303 Treadmill comes with an exceptional warranty, which includes:

  • Frame: Lifetime
  • Motor: Lifetime
  • Parts: 3 years
  • Labor: 1 year

There’s also a 30 days refund policy if you’re not satisfied.

Final Words

A good product is one that has a lot of wins and a few losses. And the Horizon T303 treadmill is one such quality.

Apart from the lack of internet engagements, no other downsides seriously stick out. In the first place, this is one reason why this treadmill is for users who just want a simple workout.

The T303 sticks to the essentials but adds a couple of extras to make your fitness journey easier. And as already mentioned, there isn’t much left to be desired apart from, perhaps, the online benefits.

The construction is great, the performance is standard, the essential accessories are featured, and the warranty is exceptional—all these for less than $1000.

A reminder as to why the Horizon T303 is perfect for you:

  • Affordable treadmill under $1000
  • Focused and simple—narrows things down to what truly matters
  • Beginner/intermediate level treadmill
  • Subscription-FREE treadmill for easy program access—save your money
  • Lifetime warranty (frame & motor) for absolute peace of mind

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