The Horizon EX-78 Elliptical Trainer – Attractive, Solid, Good Value

The Horizon EX-78 elliptical trainer is nearly identical to the EX-68 with the addition of a power incline ramp beneath the roller tracks and a few other upgrades. This new model also features the SIXstar Certified™ Frame technology including a FLATellipse™ pedal design, and more.

What You Get

The easy-to-read console has two orange LED windows plus an alphanumeric window for messages. The Horizon EX-78 elliptical trainer has an Advanced Goal Center™ offering 11 programs including Target-oriented (Time, Distance, Calorie), plus Hills, Weight Loss, Reverse Train, Custom, Manual, and a 31-day goal training program.

The specs on the Horizon EX-78 include:

20" FLATellipse™ Stride

17.6-lb Flywheel

20 levels Resistance

Power incline

11 Programs

Pivoting Foot Plates

Contact Grip Heart Rate Monitor

Dual action upper body handlebars

MP3 port + Sonic Surround™ speakers

SixStar Certified™ frame

CoolFit™ fitness fan

300-lb. User Capacity

Unit Weight/Dimensions — 177 lbs; 75" x 22" x 65"

Warranty: Lifetime frame & brake, 2 years parts, 1-yr elevation motor & labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: The EX-78 elliptical has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale. You can check out the latest Horizon elliptical reviews here.

Trainers and equipment pros approve of the upgrades added to the Horizon EX-78 and the entire line, including the exciting new SixStar Certified Frame Platform to give the user a comfortable experience from the moment they step onto the low 11" pedal height. During the workout, the heavy frame, 17.6-pound flywheel, and magnetic brake system give the rider a smooth, quiet ride.

The FLATellipse™ pedal motion, which mimics a natural walking stride, is flatter than ellipse patterns found on other machines. The rubberized pedals have narrow spacing and actually overlap; this brings the feet closer together and helps eliminate stress on the hips.

The console on the Horizon EX-78 elliptical trainer includes a handy workout fan, an MP3 audio port, a headphone plug-in, and upgraded speakers.

The one-touch power incline is another exciting new design for this front-drive model. They do it by placing the elevation mechanism under the glide rails. An incline feature increases the intensity of the workout allowing the user to better target specific muscle groups: a low incline setting works the entire legs including the calves, while a high ramp incline targets the gluts and quadriceps.

Our Thoughts

While the power incline is a nice feature to have, it is potentially a weak point of the Horizon EX-78, which is why the warranty only covers one year on the elevation motor.

You will need to purchase an extended warranty from Horizon, or you can opt to get an affordable third-party parts warranty.

Other than the weak warranty, the Horizon EX-78 elliptical trainer is an attractive, solid machine and a good value for $1,199.