Horizon Fitness AT1501 Ascent Elliptical Review

If you’re looking for an elliptical that offers a variable stride length and an incline, then the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Ascent Elliptical Trainer may be for you.  This Horizon Fitness AT1501 Elliptical review sets out in a very easy-to-read format the many features and benefits of this versatile elliptical trainer.

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OVERVIEW

An 18 pound flywheel drives the AT1501 Ascent Elliptical Trainer resulting in a smooth, fluid motion.  With a variable stride length, you can stride at your optimal gait with an incline option to boot.  You can also really workout hard on this elliptical because of the large frame with wide base giving you enhanced stability while striding away.

Features

Type	This is a front-drive elliptical trainer.  This means the flywheel is located at the front of the elliptical trainer.  With a front-drive elliptical you get a smooth motion – enhanced on the AT1501 with the heavy 18 pound flywheel.  The front-drive also offers easy access from the back of the elliptical.
Stride Range	18 inches to 20 inches:  Not a large range, but it is a variable option that is not offered on many elliptical trainers priced under $1,500. Reverse and forward stride options:  With a reverse stride option you get yet another type of workout you can do.  The first time you stride in reverse, it’s a bit awkward, but after a few minutes you get the hang of it.  It’s a good way to mix up your elliptical training.
Resistance Levels	18 resistance levels using magnetic braking technology.  Magnetic braking technology is a frictionless resistance system giving you a smoother motion when resistance is used. Without resistance, an elliptical would hardly be a workout machine.  It’s the resistance that gives your lower body and upper body a great workout.
Incline Option	Yes, you have the option to incline your stride on the AT1501 Ascent Trainer so you target different muscles and get a varied workout.  Elliptical trainers without an incline offer a flat stride – much like cross country skiing except the motion is slightly circular.  The incline option turns this elliptical trainer into a quasi-stepper. I personally prefer a flat elliptical trainer workout – but I overall prefer having the option to vary my workouts.  Any fitness equipment that offers options to vary my workout – with an incline feature on an elliptical, for example – is better than limited options.
Foot Pedals	Large, oversized foot pedals let you situate your feet in a stance that is comfortable for you.  The foot pedal material is non-slip and the edge of the pedals have a lip to further secure your feet in place.
Handle Bars	2 sets of handle bars:  Moveable: The Horizon AT1501 Ascent includes moveable handle bars that tie into the resistance levels.  This gives you both an upper and lower body workout.  Using the moveable handle bars works out your chest, arms, back, shoulders and core.  Of course the foot movement workouts out your calves, quads, hamstrings, and glutes – all resulting in a decent full body workout.  With 18 resistance levels you can create a slow, power movement elliptical workout, or set it to light resistance for a fast-paced workout. Fixed: Inside the moveable handle bars are two fixed handle bars that contain pulse sensors.  If you don’t wish to do an upper body workout, you can hang onto the fixed handle bars.
Noise	An advantage of an elliptical trainer over a treadmill is the lower amount of noise created.  Ellipticals are smooth, no impact, and hence quiet.  If noise is a consideration for you where you’ll be using your fitness equipment,, then consider an elliptical trainer or exercise bike over a treadmill.
Heart Rate Monitor	This is where the AT1501 Elliptical drops the ball.  There are pulse grips, and that’s good, but they are located on the fixed handle bars only.  If you do a heart rate-based workout, you don’t get to use the moveable handle bars because you must maintain a grip on the fixed handle bars.  This is a the biggest failing of the AT1501 Elliptical Trainer by Horizon Fitness.
Display Screen	Red LED display screen.  Pros:  large font and simple to use.  Cons:  I don’t care for the red LED screens – circa 1990.  I prefer a crisp graphical screen using LCD technology.  The con is clearly a personal preference.  I don’t mind simplicity, but if you’re going to own an elliptical in your home, a more complex graphical display is fine because you’ll have the time to figure it out.  If you like a simple computer set up, then the AT1501′s computer will suit you fine. Just a note about display – I do not place much emphasis on the display.  To me, the more important elliptical features are the weight of the flywheel, stride length, and resistance levels (and type).
Maximum User Weight	300 pounds.  I’m actually surprised by this maximum user weight given how solid the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Elliptical Trainer’s frame is.  Granted, this elliptical is not priced in the range of the elliptical trainers you use at commercial gyms – however, a 300 pound maximum user weight is limiting.
Sound System	Yes, you can play your music through the speakers or through the headphone jack.  It has an iPod dock centrally located on the console so you have full access to your music library.
Water Bottle Holder	Yes – there is one water bottle holder attached to the top of the console.
Reading Rack	Yes, there is a reading rack on the lower part of the console (which is good).  However, since the console is relatively narrow, the magazine rack is not quite wide enough to accommodate magazine.  A larger magazine rack would be better.
Programmed Workouts	8 workouts are programmed into the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Ascent Elliptical Trainer and they include:  Manual workout option; Boulder Run; Canyon Hill; Several forward/reverse formatted workouts.

Benefits of the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Ascent Elliptical Trainer

• Plenty of workout variety with the variable stride length, incline feature, forward and reverse pedaling, and the 8 built-in workout programs.
• Very stable base so you feel secure when using the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Elliptical Trainer.
• Easy access onto the elliptical trainer from the back.  This may not seem like such a great benefit, but for people who are recovering from injuries, or have any type of limitation, having easy access is an important consideration.
• Plenty of computerized resistance levels using frictionless resistance technology so you can get a great upper and lower body workout.

 

Warranty Information

• Frame and Braking:  Lifetime.
• Parts:  1 year.
• Incline Motor:  1 year.
• Labor:  1 year.

Complaints

• The heart rate monitoring sensors are on the fixed handle bars only.  This means if you do a heart rate-based workout, you don’t use the moveable handle bars.
• Variable stride length maxes out at 20″.  Yes, the Horizon Fitness AT1501 Ascent Elliptical offers a variable stride, but it’s only 18″ to 20″.  It would have been nice to see the range extend to 24″.
• LED display.  I prefer a more graphical display using LCD screens.
• Incline motor warranty is only for 1 year.
• 300 pound maximum user weight.
• Narrow magazine reading rack.

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