The Horizon T203 Treadmill - An Upgrade of Last Year’s T103

The Horizon T203 treadmill offers advanced features such as Nike + iPod® equipped fitness tracking, a power incline, and adjustable cushioning.

The Machine

The Horizon T203 treadmill has a widescreen blue backlit LCD window, and 2 small blue backlit LCD windows showing readouts for time, distance, speed, calories burned, etc.

The pre-set programs with on-the-fly changes include 3 Targets (Time, Distance, and Calorie), 4 Terrain (Manual, Intervals, Hills, and Weight Loss), and 2 Custom programs. The Advanced Goal Center lets you set long-term fitness goals with the 31-day goal tracking feature.

The full specs are:

• 2.75 CHP Motor
• 0-12 mph Speed
• 0-12% Incline
• 20" x 60" Tread Belt
• ComfortFLEX™ Adjustable Cushioning
• 12 Workouts
• Made for iPod® docking station
• Sonic Surround™ Speakers
• Pulse Grip Heart Rate Monitor
• Coolfit™ Workout Fan
• 350 lbs User Weight Capacity
• FeatherLIGHT™ folding lift system
• Dimensions/Wt: 75"L x 33"W x 58"H / 197 pounds
• Warranty: Lifetime frame & motor, 2 years parts, 1-year labor

The Buzz

UPDATE: The Horizon Fitness T203 treadmill has been phased out.  Take a look at the latest Horizon treadmills to find a comparable model.

The advanced features on the Horizon T203 treadmill are impressive: adjustable cushioning that lets you select the amount of support you want, a smooth running 2.75 hp continuous duty motor, an extra long 60" running deck, a 12% incline (adjusting in .5% increments), a workout fan and speakers on the console, and hydraulic shocks that assist when raising and lowering the deck.

It is a Nike + iPod® equipped machine, which means you can connect your iPod nano, iPod touch or iPhone 3GS to the console right in a special dock. You can listen to tunes as well as save workout data and upload it to a personal account at nikeplus.com and store your complete workout history there.

Despite a weak warranty, reviews on the Horizon T203 focus on the best aspects of the treadmill. It rates well in terms of running area, motor power, cushioning, reliability (a big thumbs up there), features, quiet operation, and stable frame.

This would be a good entry-level machine for walkers and light runners. This is the upgraded model on last year’s T103, which was rated favorably by most consumer and pro reviewers.

What We Say

This is a solid 200-pound treadmill that doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. At $999, the Horizon T203 rates average to above average and reflects well on the nice line-up of Horizon treadmills in the $600 to $1200 range. However, above average isn’t good enough.

There are many quality treadmills at this price point and while this is a strong machine, you should also be looking at the no-frills and value-driven Yowza treadmills, which now offer the industry’s best warranties, as well as the best-selling Sole treadmills.

We suggest you also take a moment to review a cousin model to Horizon that also made by Johnson Tech, the heavy-duty Livestrong 10.0T treadmill that offers specs similar to the Horizon T203 treadmill but has a more heavy-duty design.