When I go shopping for exercise equipment made by Horizon, one phrase comes to mind, “budget-friendly quality.” The EX-59 is part of EX series of front-drive elliptical trainers by Horizon Fitness and is the entry-level model to the series, offered for $699 online with a list price of $999. I realize not everyone wants a $1,000-plus elliptical complete with bells and whistles. Rather, they want a low-priced unit they’ll use a few times per week to get a solid workout in. If that’s you, you’re reading the right review.

The EX-59 offers very basic entertainment features including five workout programs including Calories, Distance, Intervals, Manual, and Weight Loss. The console comes with a 4.5” yellow-green LCD display screen and contact grips to monitor heart rate. At this price, I’m pretty happy with the integrated heart rate sensors. But keep in mind this is a Bluetooth unit which enables both the speakers and charging port, as well as wireless heart rate monitors if that’s what you want. If you want more than a small screen, the built-in tablet rack works great with my own iPad.

With 10 resistance levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance, a self-propelled, no-hum motor, and a 14.3-pound flywheel, you can get a good workout in that is easy on the joints and quiet to use in a home or apartment. Measuring 74″ x 25″ x 64.5″ it’s obviously smaller than the commercial-grade trainers you would find at a gym. The good news is I can easily move this around a living room as it only weighs 145 pounds.

As with others in the Horizon catalog, the EX-59 can be financed at 0% (with approval) on terms ranging from six months to two years. Given what it’ll cost to outfit an entire home gym this was a smart move on Horizon’s part. Regardless of your situation, 0% interest financing is a great way to get your home gym set up without traumatizing your bank account.

Horizon offers a lifetime warranty of the frame, one-year coverage on parts and labor, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Given the price, I’m pretty satisified with that warranty.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

At EllipticalReviews.com, we bring you comprehensive reviews of exercise equipment so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the ellipticals we review. We install them, ride them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every elliptical we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles riding. We listen and record the sound of the machine, try out all aspects of the console and try the machine’s features.

Every elliptical we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think.

Our reviewers are fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert when it comes to ellipticals, has been on this elliptical, and you can trust his opinion on all of the machines he reviews.

In Brief

The Horizon EX-59 is a low-priced workout wonder. If you were thinking about an elliptical for under $700, then keep in mind Horizon does make a great machine irrespective of the price. A non-folding unit with 10 levels of silent magnetic resistance and a 14-pound flywheel, it’s a basic elliptical with five built-in programs. In all fairness, when I’m using an elliptical, it doesn’t take that many levels of resistance to tucker me out and I do a lot of leg work. In my experience the average user looking for a budget-friendly unit will be pretty doggone happy with this level of intensity offered here. The whole machine when assembled measures 74″ x 25″ x 64.5″ and weighs 145 pounds. It’s solid enough for a 300-pound user but not so big that you’ll struggle to get it in and out of your living room. Bluetooth-enabled, the elliptical does have heart rate sensors built into the handlebars or you can bring a wireless unit. It also features a neat media rack and charging station for you phone or tablet. Priced at $699 online, it’s solid buy for the buck.

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Horizon EX-59 Elliptical (2024) - Notable Specs:

Overall Rating:	3-stars
Compact / Folding:	No
Incline:	None
Stride Length:	18 inches
Flywheel:	14.3 LBS
Programs:	5 programs
Fan:	No
Weight Capacity:	300 LBS
Dimensions:	74" L x 25" W x 64.5" H

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In-Depth Review of the Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

Why We Like It

Right off the bat, price is a big plug here for the Horizon EX-59. In my work with fitness shoppers over the years it’s become apparent that so many people simply want a machine they can trust works right, is easy to maintain, and won’t break the bank. Clearly that’s the customer Horizon has in mind here. That said, no matter how great an athlete you are, you won’t be dissatisfied by 10 levels of magnetic resistance and five workouts. Ellipticals are great machines because they work so many muscles at once without the joint stress. Whether you’re a senior citizen or a person with a higher bodyweight, these are good pieces to consider.

It Has A User-Friendly Console

No, this EX-59 console won’t knock your gym socks off, but for many people, that’s the point. You’ll get a handy media rack for your own tablet and very easy-to-understand readout screen for your workout data. The heart rate sensors built into the handlebars report directly to the screen, and the controls are simple enough for anyone to figure out. Like nearly all exercise, this unit is Bluetooth so your options to accessorize are great expanded, and there is a device charger built into the machine. In my experience, sometimes basic is beautiful.

10 Levels of SMR

I have to think that folks shopping in the $699 range are looking for a solid workout without all the frills. Trust me, 10 levels of magnetic resistance is enough to satisfy your needs. The big benefit to magnetic resistance is it’s silent, smooth as sailing, and there’s negligible maintenance required. The fact that you’re getting a total body workout with these elliptical movements make for a hard workout even at lower levels. Your own bodyweight serves as a level of resistance in its own right. But whereas other low-priced ellipticals may only offer a mechanical form of resistance using your own bodyweight, this does afford you the opportunity to increase that and to that degree, you’re unlikely to outgrow this.

 

18″ Stride Length

Shop around and you’ll have a hard time finding an elliptical of this price with an 18″ stride. The stride length can go a long in way in determining whether the elliptical movement is more like skiing or stepping. At 18″, even taller users will be able to use the machine. Without too much trouble, although if you’re over 6’4″ you might want to consider the Horizon 7.0 AE which has a 20″ stride and only costs $999.

Horizon EX-59 Dimensions

The Horizon EX-59 measures 74″ x 25″ x 64.5″ and has a step-on height of 10.75″. To estimate ceiling height requirements figure another 18 to 20 inches on top of your own height.

Horizon EX-59 Weight

The Horizon EX-59 weighs 145 pounds and can support up to 300 pounds.

What We Like:

• Nice Workout Variety

  With five built-in programs, you won’t go wanting for much. The good news is you’re not tied into a paid app subscription with purchase and you’ll be able to workout to your own beat. The built-in workouts include: Calorie, Distance, Intervals, Manual, and Weight Loss. Data readout comes directly to the screen.

• Media Shelf

  If you do want to bring your own screen or phone, you’re in luck. The handy media shelf beneath the screen in my experience, and there is a built-in device charger.

• Great Resistance

  With 10 levels of resistance, there’s little chance you’ll outgrow this elliptical. Personally, I can get myself pretty worn out with even a few levels of magnetic resistance.

• Bluetooth Speakers and Connectivity

  I had no problem syncing my devices with this machine in a matter of seconds.

What We Don’t Like:

• In-Home Assembly Costs

  If you want to opt for the Horizon “White Glove” purchase program, you can pay for room-of-choice installation. Frankly, this is such a basic machine you can probably do it yourself with the help of some friends. Having assembled a few of these myself, I’d strongly recommend having at least one other person to help as the parts can be a bit large for some folks.

This Elliptical Could Be For You If You Want:

• A high-quality elliptical under $700
• Some built-in workouts
• Built-in heart rate sensors and Bluetooth features
• 10 levels of silent magnetic resistance

Our Verdict:

If price is your point of concern, then the Horizon EX-59 is a great place to start shopping. At $699 you’re going to have a hard time finding a better deal with a lifetime warranty on the frame. There’s clearly no big flashy frills here, but that said, you get Bluetooth audio as well as built-in programs, magnetic resistance, and a machine you can trust. If you’re a budget-shopper with quality in mind, I’d strongly recommend considering this unit. Just for comparison, Horizon 7.0 AE does offer more features but costs $999, and the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 is priced at $1,999. What you’re getting with those machines is 20 levels of resistance, a heavier flywheel, and large screen. For the average user, the EX-59 is probably more than enough to get the job done.