Sole treadmills have been the choice of major hotels like Hilton & Omni for several years and have recently made their treadmills available to the home treadmill market.
If you're looking for a mid-priced treadmill that feels like a commercial unit, the Sole F 80 is a great option.
Is it right for your workout needs? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $1499 (Regular $1999)
Motor: 3.0 HP
Speed: 0.5-11 MPH
Incline: 0-15%
Treadbelt: 20 x 55"
Folding: Yes
Heart Rate Control: Yes, with wireless chest strap included
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame, Motor and Deck, 5 Years on Electronics/Belt/Rollers, 2 Years on Labor
Strengths:
Excellent Cushioning - The Sole Cushion Flex running surface is one of the best cushioning systems currently on the market and has been shown in a study to reduce impact by 40% compared to running on asphalt
Strong, Stable Feel - Sole treadmills in general feel very strong and stable when you walk or run on them. When we tried them, they felt much more solid and substantial than several other similarly priced brands.
The decks are strong and can take a beating. Plus they're covered by a lifetime warranty which tells you something about the quality of construction.
Built In Speakers with iPod/Mp3 Hookup - Plug in your iPod or mp3 and listen to your favorite music through the built in speakers. There's also a headphone jack if you prefer. This is a handy feature that can help make your workout time more productive.
Excellent Warranty - The Sole F 80 comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, deck and motor. Electronics, belt and rollers are covered for 5 years and labor is covered for 2 years. This is one of the best warranties on the market.
We also love the 2 years on service. Even with well built treadmills, you usually only get 1 year on service.
Folding - The specially built double horseshoe frame gives you one of the most stable folding treadmills on the market. Plus the safety lock makes it extremely secure when moving the treadmill.
When unfolding the treadmill, the Easy Assist Folding Deck design lets you release the deck, step back and watch the deck unfold itself. Since these decks are quite heavy, this is a great feature to save the strain on your back.
Console - The F80 Console is easy-to-read, attractive and offers a scrolling information window. Unlike other consoles that flash information at various intervals, the F80 console gives you constant feedback on speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse and pace.
Although it's not as flashy or advanced as the higher end Sole models, it's still great for the price.
Overall Conclusion: Highly Recommended
If you're looking for a well-built, solid, stable treadmill under $1500, the Sole F80 is one of our favorites.
It's built with a higher grade of construction than many other similarly priced treadmills. You also get excellent cushioning, stable feel, decent console and incredible warranty. Plus the iPod/Mp3 hookup with speakers can help make your workouts more enjoyable.
Although more experienced exercisers may want to step up to the Sole F83 or F85 with more advanced options, for most users the Sole F80 is an excellent value.
Where To Buy:
You can buy the Sole F80 directly from the Sole manufacturer and save money on sales tax and store markup. You can also get free shipping.
