Horizon E901 Elliptical Trainer: The Right Equipment at the Right Price

The basic features of the Horizon E901 elliptical trainer include what most new users are in the market for. If you are looking for a cheap machine with a comfortable stride length, a bunch of challenging workout programs, an iPod music port, and a low step-on entry height, this might be the one for you.

What You Get

The Horizon E901 elliptical trainer features on-the-fly programming including a choice of 3 Goal and 4 Terrain Workouts that can be interrupted, stopped, or changed at any point during the exercise period.

The full list of specs on the Horizon E901 includes:

• 16 Levels of motorized magnetic brake resistance
• 19" Stride Length
• 7 Workout Programs
• Low step-on height
• Narrow Pedal Spacing
• Contact Heart Rate Grips
• iPod Docking Station & speakers
• Audio in/out jack
• Cushioned, Pivoting Foot Pads
• 14-lb front flywheel
• 300 lb. user weight capacity
• Warranties: lifetime frame & brake, 2 years parts, 1 year labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  The Horizon E901 elliptical machine has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale. You can check out the latest reviews here.

The Horizon E901 elliptical has many good qualities found in the more expensive E1201 unit. As far as components and engineering, Horizon’s E901 trainer rates about average for reliability, noise, value, and ergonomics.

Experts would question the user limit -- that the 300-lb weight capacity is a stretch -- but overall, this is a solid performer, and the better-than-average warranty is remarkable for such an affordable model.

Most elliptical reviews generally give the Horizon E901 good marks despite the fact that they did not have high expectations for a budget model.

They also remarked about being surprised by the solid (non-wobbly) ride, as well as the smooth elliptical motion, the narrow pedal stance, and the comfortable articulating foot pedals.

Our Thoughts

Some of these Horizon elliptical trainers have a slow response in the braking (resistance) system that can at times be unreliable. It just takes a few seconds longer to step up or down the resistance level.

Nevertheless, the Horizon E901 elliptical isn’t a bad machine. At $899, you are still getting a scaled down version of the E1201, which we liked a lot. The difference is the E1201 has a power incline and a larger flywheel, but a new user might not miss those features on the E901.

While this model doesn’t win any Best Buy awards, it does have solid construction and a decent warranty. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Horizon E901 elliptical trainer is a Good Buy.