The Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer – Great Design, Good Value

If the Horizon E1201 elliptical trainer sounds vaguely familiar then it should be. This is the model replacing the 1200 which was an absolutely great machine.

The 1200 came out in 2007 equipped with a power incline and a bunch of other snazzy features and was value priced at $1,500. What could be better? How about the new improved E1201 at a lower price!

What You Get

The console on the Horizon E1201 elliptical trainer is greatly improved over the 1200’s display, as well as another Horizon model, the CE 6.0. They have paired down about 35 buttons to 12, and positioned the iPod docking station in the middle of the high tech console. The streamlined multiple LED windows provide feedback instantaneously for all program readouts. The rest of the specs on the Horizon E1201 elliptical include:

16 Levels of Resistance

19" Stride Length

7 Programs (3 open-ended; 4 saved workouts)

Power Incline™ to 16 degrees

iPod® docking station & speakers

MP3 input jack, headphone output jack

Contoured Handlebars

Contact Heart Rate Grips

Cushioned Pivoting foot plates

18-lb Front flywheel

300 lb. user weight capacity

Warranties: lifetime frame/brake, 4 years parts, 1 year elevation motor and labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: The E1201 elliptical has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale. You can check out all of the latest Horizon elliptical reviews here.

With its heavy duty 18-lb flywheel and magnetic brake resistance, you’ll experience a quiet, smooth ride with no wobble or vibration on a solid sturdy frame. Experts give the Horizon E1201 strong marks for value, quality, noise level, reliability, ergonomics, and warranty.

The elliptical trainer’s re-designed console is a welcome improvement and the eTRAK™ Performance Tracker technology gets you to your fitness goals that much faster.

Consumers who bought the Horizon E1201 like the no-slip and articulating footpads as well as the long 19” stride length and, of course, the entertainment options. The 16% incline ramp allows you to increase the intensity of your workout and target a larger range of the muscle groups.

The comfortable “aero bar” lets you lean over the console like a cyclist when you dial up the incline and work your legs. Mounting the trainer is easier than for most standard ellipticals; the pedal height is low to accommodate rear entry access.

As for home assembly, the directions that come with the Horizon E1201 elliptical could not be more user-friendly.

Horizon must have hired a new writer because their detailed instructions and illustrations are easy enough for even the most Allen wrench-challenged among us to follow.

Our Thoughts

Though Horizon Fitness advertises that it sells the E1201 model exclusively at Dick’s Sporting Goods, you can also purchase it online at their website’s e-goods store.

That’s a good thing because this is probably one of our two favorite Horizon elliptical trainers (the EX 77 being the other). We could spot a couple of cheap parts but that’s not enough to turn us off to it.

At just $1,299, the Horizon E1201 elliptical trainer is good value for such a beautiful, well-designed machine.