It seems a major concern for some treadmill buyers is the space an Exercise machine is going to take up. They need a treadmill that is not only compact, but also easy to move. One that will fit the bill is the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill, which is specifically designed for people who want the convenience of a treadmill in their home, but who lack enough space to have a treadmill constantly in place. Unfortunately with any compact treadmill there are some compromises, since you can not have a lightweight machine, that is easy to move without sacrificing in some other areas.
Compact – The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is designed to be stored either upright or flat. When it is upright, this allows you to store it against a wall or in a closet and when it is folded flat you can store under many beds. The folded thickness is only 10″, which is a huge bonus for people limited on space. Some treadmills when are folded up take up over 2′, and most do not fold flat.
Lightweight –The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill only weighs 99 lbs, making it easy to move around on its’ wheels. There are folding treadmills out there that weigh in excess of 250 lbs., and they are almost impossible to move. This treadmill is designed to easily move around, but with a lightweight treadmill you have issues of stability. Obviously, a 99 lbs. treadmill is not going to be as stable as a 250 lbs. treadmill, so only buy this treadmill for walking, the design does not make sense for people who want to use it for jogging.
Small Motor – The 1.5 continuous duty HP motor is designed primarily for walking. Even though they put the user weight limit at 250 lbs, I feel that this particular model is not suitable for anyone over 210 lbs and definitely not for multiple users.
17″ x 45″ Walking Surface – On the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill your walking surface is limited with only a 17” width and 45” in length. Most treadmills have a 20″ width, and at least a 54″ length. This treadmill is best suited for someone under 5′9″. Also, keep in mind that you are unable to incline this treadmill.
Easy Set-up – The Horizon Evolve SG Compact arrives fully assembled. So you just have to unfold it and plug it in.
Other Features – With this treadmill, you only get two programs – manual and weight loss. There are speakers built-in, so you can plug in your MP3 player, but an adapter is required. The console is very basic, but it displays time, speed, distance and calories. There is also a thumb sensor that shows your heart rate.
Warranty – Horizon stands behind there products by giving you a lifetime warranty on the frame, 5-years on the motor and 1-year on parts and labor. If you would like, you may want to opt for an additional year on the parts and labor.
There are several other brands that offer compact treadmills, but may be built like toys and are not recommend. The Horizon Evolve SG is a good buy if you are limited on space and is one of the more popular compact models.
Just keep in mind, you are sacrificing power, cushioning and stability for a compact design and mobility. Ultimately, if you have the space, consider a heavier treadmill with a larger walking surface and a more powerful motor.
