The Horizon Elite E7 is an Up-Level Trainer With Incline Capability

The Horizon Elite E7 is one of two up-level elliptical machines, offering more features than the Evolve series but keeping the price very reasonable, especially considering what they are able to pack in.

With incline, a large display and free wireless chest strap, it's solid choice in the under $1500 category.

What You Get

The Elite E7 has an enhanced 8.5" blue LCD display offering laps, calories, distance, heart rate, speed, RPMs and incline level.  It features an impressive 42 workout programs designed to vary your routine and up to 10 degrees of power incline.

Let's take a look at the specs...

• 20" Stride
• 23-lb Flywheel
• 42 Workout Programs
• 20 Levels Resistance
• 10 Degrees Power Incline
• Non-Folding
• Polar Wireless Heart Monitor Included
• Built-in Speakers
• SixStar Certified™ Frame
• 325-lb. User Capacity
• Unit Weight/Dimensions — 216 lbs; 75"L x 24"W x 66"H
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, 5 year parts and one year labor

The Word on the Street

Experts seem to love the Horizon elliptical machines, and the Elite series is no exception.  Each level you move up in the series gives you a few more features and capabilities, but the price stays in line, so you really can't go wrong with any of these ellipticals.

The flywheel is the same one on the Evolve 5 elliptical, at 23 pounds, but the Elite E7 adds the free Polar heart rate monitor for more accurate readings, up to 10 degrees of incline, a larger display and 5 more workout programs (42 compared to 37).  Even with the additional features it is typically $100 less than the Evolve 5, so unless you need a folding elliptical, the E7 is probably a better choice for you.

Expert reviews also talk about the larger LCD display which is easier to read than on some of the other models and offers a few more workout metrics.  The Six Star Frame is also a big plus as it focuses on ensuring the elliptical is designed for maximum comfort, ease of motion and natural movement.

Users love the ViaFit connectivity which uses Wi-Fi to track all of your workouts and sync them with your favorite fitness apps.  They also love Passport, which connects to your own TV and shows you two destinations in hi-def that automatically sync to your speed and intensity.  

So it's as if you are actually running in those locations.  (Currently it's the American Southwest and Northern Italy, and you can choose to add additional destinations if you'd like...although you have to pay for those.)

A few other nice touches on the Horizon Elite E7 are the built-in speakers, a bottle holder, a tablet rack and a fan.

Our Thoughts on the Horizon Elite E7

We prefer the Elite series models over the Evolve simply because we like to do incline training, so these are definitely a great option in that regard.  If you don't need the incline and want a folding machine the Evolve 5 is a better choice.

Still, there are loads of great features here, including the 20 resistance levels, large display, 42 workout programs, free wireless chest strap, ViaFit tracking and of course, Passport.  You also get a better warranty on the Elite E7 than you do on any of the ellipticals in the series.

If you are between the E7 and the up-level E9, note that the E9 has a touchscreen display, heavier flywheel and a few more programs, plus Passport is built right into the machine itself (no TV needed) with something called Virtual Active Integrated.

All in all, the Elite E7 is a great choice and one of our Top Picks in the price category.