Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Reviews (2023): Lifetime Frame Warranty for Under $500!

Looking for a quick, effective, and low-impact way to get a cardio workout in? The Horizon Fitness EX-59 elliptical is here to help! Our Horizon Fitness EX-59 elliptical reviews detail the warranty, useability, and our overall thoughts on this under-$500 machine.

At Garage Gym Reviews, we’ve tried some of the hottest elliptical machines on the market in the quest to find the best of the best. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly, tech-y, or compact, we have you covered with quality recommendations you can trust.

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At Garage Gym Reviews, we’re obsessed with fitness––and I mean obsessed. We analyze every little detail so we can give you the most in-depth information possible. Plus, we really know our stuff. Our team of expert product testers and reviewers are certified personal trainers, CrossFit L-1 trainers, and nutrition coaches. 

Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical

Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

The Horizon EX-59 is a front-drive elliptical that was ergonomically designed to provide ease of use. A step-up height of 10.75 inches, as well as pedals that are closer together than a standard elliptical, allow for more of a natural range of motion that mimics walking. The stride length is 18 inches, which is smack dab in the middle of the range you want to see on ellipticals, plus it comes equipped with 10 levels of magnetic resistance. Other positives include the tech capabilities, namely Bluetooth connectivity and speakers, plus a built-in device holder and USB port to charge your phone or tablet while you’re working out. The LCD display shows metrics including calories, distance, heart rate, program level, speed, time, and watts, and the machine comes with five pre-programmed workouts: Calorie, Distance, Intervals, Manual, and Weight Loss.With a footprint of 74 inches by 25 inches by 64.5 inches, the EX-59 is not a very compact machine. While a weight capacity of 300 pounds and a 14-pound flywheel points to less durability for long-time use, the machine does have a lifetime warranty on the frame, which is a definite plus. There’s a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

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A Quick Look at the Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical

Horizon has two elliptical trainers readily available: The Horizon EX-59 and the Horizon 7.0 AE elliptical. The brand has previously carried other models like the Evolve 3 and Evolve 5, but they are in the process of phasing these out. 

My Tips:

• Active military? Save 7% on your new Horizon Fitness cardio machine by verifying your military identification. 
• Don’t want to spend $500 all at one time? Take advantage of the financing options Horizon offers to break your payments up.

Is the Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Trainer Worth It?

Trying to figure out if the EX-59 elliptical machine will make your heart skip a beat? Don’t worry, I’ll break down who I think should stride right over to it and who should pick something different.

Horizon EX-59 Elliptical Trainer Specs

Gliding and Striding on the Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical

I’ve been on a dozen ellipticals myself, as has Cooper Mitchell, founder of GGR and the person who took the EX-59 for some test runs.

After stepping onto the EX-59 for the first time, Coop was pleased with just how sturdy this machine is, especially for just $500.

“It certainly is not as sturdy as a commercial model, but I was really happy with the stability for the price and size,” Coop explained. “When the resistance is turned up, it really only shakes if you’re trying to make it shake.”

I’m not incredibly shocked that the EX-59 is stable. After all, it does weigh 145 pounds, which is heavier than any of the other budget ellipticals we have tried in the past. Although it can make moving the elliptical a pain, a heavily weighted cardio machine usually means more stability and less play in the frame.

Coop also mentioned that the stride length was more than suitable for someone of his height or taller, which is another anomaly when it comes to budget ellipticals. Usually we find that inexpensive ellipticals have a shorter stride length, which can make the machine feel more like a stepper. In this case, the EX-59 has an 18-inch stride length, which hits the industry standard of between 18 to 20 inches. 

Portability

When it comes to the portability of the non-folding EX-59, Coop felt pretty neutral. 

“It’s not easy to move necessarily, but the front wheels and the weighted front make it easier to move around than some other devices,” Coop explained. “It does have wheels on the front, although they don’t work great on high-pile carpet or going over power cords and the like.”

Technology Benefits and Conveniences

Although the EX-59 doesn’t have a touchscreen, it does have Bluetooth connectivity, which is a big plus. Whether you want to hear your favorite Netflix show or an on-demand iFIT class, the EX-59 has you covered with integrated speakers. Obviously, you’ll have to use your own smartphone or tablet, but there is a handy device holder right above the display.

The 4.5-inch LCD display itself is underwhelming, but not bad at all. I think it is user-friendly and there are five different preset programs to choose from––manual mode, weight loss, intervals, distance, and calorie burn. These are nice options when you want to get started quickly with a little direction. 

You’ll also be able to view various metrics on the display, including your pulse, calories burned, distance traveled, speed, time elapsed, watts, and program level. There are also quick-jump resistance buttons from 1 to 10 on either side of the display for easy access.

There is a single water bottle holder planted firmly between two smaller accessories holders. You’ll likely be able to fit a smaller plastic water bottle in the slot, but not a huge Yeti tumbler. The accessories holders are small, but could likely fit tinier items like keys and a wallet.

Comparison to Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical

The Horizon 7.0 AE elliptical is essentially the upgraded version of the EX-59. At around double the price, you’ll get double the features. I would still consider the 7.0 AE to be a budget option since it is under $1,000, but it is still significantly more expensive than the EX-59. Check out the comparison specs below:

Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical

Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical

Bring your fitness classes, music and entertainment to your workouts with advanced Bluetooth speakers. Smart fitness technology pushes data to your favorite tracking apps. Ergonomic Six-Star Frame encourages ideal body position and movement for a more efficient and comfortable workout. Achieve better muscle tone and burn more calories with advanced power incline.Read our full Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical review.

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Want to learn more? Check out our full Horizon 7.0 AE elliptical review.

Customer Experience 

For the price, the EX-59 has an excellent warranty. You’ll receive a lifetime frame warranty and a year for both parts and labor. However, there isn’t any coverage for the flywheel, which I find intriguing. 

If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return the EX-59 within 30 days for a refund. It is worth noting that you’ll have to pay both a 20% restocking fee and return shipping (unless you initially paid for white glove delivery).

Ordering and Assembling the Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical

The EX-59 elliptical can easily be ordered on the Horizon website. You can either pay the full price all at once or you can apply for financing. If you qualify, you’ll be able to split up your payments into chunks and could pay as little as $42 per month.

It is worth noting that standard shipping is $99, but you could always wait for certain holiday sales periods like Black Friday to see if they offer any shipping discounts. If you want white glove delivery and assembly instead of the standard option, you’ll be charged $250.

Garage Gym Review’s Operations Manager Sam “asSAMbly” Presley is our version of getting professional assembly. Unfortunately, not all of you have a Sam at your disposal, so him describing the process is the best I can offer.

“The EX-59 comes nicely packaged in one large box,” Sam explained. “In most cases, you will probably want two people to move it. It is a large elliptical, so even though one person can build it on their own, having two people would be a huge help. Overall, the EX-59 went together fairly easily and the directions were pretty simple to follow. If you’re doing it by yourself, set aside about two hours for the build.”

Customer Reviews

The EX-59 has over 440 reviews on the Horizon website with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Happy customers enjoy the quality of the machine, price, and resistance options. 

“I was looking for an affordable machine that was smooth on my hips,” EX-59 purchaser Dennis explained. “The high-end, store-bought ones always felt jerky. Not like the ones at the gym. I didn’t need any fancy programs. Just a reliable, sturdy, not squeaky, elliptical trainer. My workouts range from 15-60 minutes and I absolutely love the EX-59. Pretty easy to put together also.”

Most of the negative reviews revolved around the elliptical arriving damaged or customer service being slow to respond to issues.

“I ordered this back at the beginning of May and I didn’t see it until mid June,” customer Mason said. “Which I understand due to COVID, but when it did arrive, the box and everything was crushed and destroyed. The delivery people were very nice and said I could request a new one, I did, but I haven’t heard back in over 5 days. Starting to really regret this purchase.”

Final Verdict of Our Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Reviews

If you’re looking for a sturdy elliptical machine under $500, you’ll likely enjoy the Horizon Fitness EX-59. Here are the main takeaways from this machine:

• The 18-inch stride length makes this elliptical suitable for most people.
• The lifetime frame warranty is an excellent added bonus, but it is also worth noting that the flywheel doesn’t have a guarantee at all.
• The 300-pound weight capacity seems accurate, as this machine feels very durable for the price.

Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Rating

Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical

Find the best Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical reviews, courtesy of GGR.

Product Brand: Horizon Fitness

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 499.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.76

Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical FAQs

Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1

Caroline is a former NCAA D1 Women’s College Soccer player who also played in the WPSL, the second highest level of professional women’s soccer in the United States. Although soccer was her first love, Caroline eats, sleeps, and breathes all things fitness. She credits her high school’s football coach, Jason Estep, with teaching her how to properly use a barbell at 15 years old and inspiring an enduring love for strength training. Caroline is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. Content wise, Caroline has a background in Public Relations and previously worked in the Communication department at Appalachian State University. When Caroline isn’t writing or working out, she works with dachshund rescue groups and listens to way too many true crime podcasts.

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