Sole treadmills are produced by Sole Fitness and have been used by hotels like Hilton and Omni for over 20 years. A few years ago they made their treadmills available to the home market.
The main strengths of these treadmills are their rock-solid decks, industrial grade construction and high-end cushioning that reduces impact by 40% (compared to road running).
But in a crowded market, how do they really measure up? And are they right for you? Here's what you need to know about Sole treadmills:
Strengths:
#1) Cushioning Reduces Joint Impact by 40%
Good cushioning is important in a treadmill since poor cushioning and shock aborption can hurt your back and damage your knees.
Sole uses CushionFlex cushioning (except the F63) - which is one of the better cushioning systems on the market. It's been proven by a university study to reduce impact on your joints by 40% (as compared to road running).
So you get extra impact protection when running on these treadmills.
#2) Strong Decks
When running on these treadmills you'll notice that the decks are really tough and can take a pounding - another plus for runners or heavier users.
The deck is covered by a lifetime warranty so you never have to worry about replacing it. Sole will do it for you - free.
#3) Tough Construction
Sole uses commercial parts like industrial size motors, heavy duty flywheels (flywheels cause the motor to run cooler with less amp draw and extends the life of the motor), large 2.75" rollers, copper ground wires for each roller to reduce static, and all steel welded frames.
The tougher construction makes these treadmills ideal for runners or frequent exercisers (or anyone looking for a tougher, longer-lasting treadmill).
#4) Backlit Consoles
The consoles on these treadmills are backlit, bright and easy to read. They show your workout stats like speed, time, incline, calories, pulse and pace constantly (instead of toggling back and forth like some brands).
There's also a 1/4 mile track feature and a Peak and Valley graph on several models - which many runners like.
#5) Extra Long Warranty With 2 Years on Service
Most Sole Treadmills are backed by a lifetime motor warranty, as well as a lifetime deck and frame warranty.
Also, Sole warranties offer 2 years on service - which is quite good and can save you quite a bit of money should you have to use it.
Weaknesses:
The economy model (the F63) does not have the Cushion Flex cushioning or the lifetime deck warranty that the other models have.
Also, while Sole used to be a leader in construction, many brands like NordicTrack and Smooth have caught up with commercial grade construction. They've even added more entertainment options (web browsers, online workouts, TVs) that you don't get with Sole.
Conclusion: Recommended
Sole treadmills offer you industrial grade construction, strong decks and tough motors. Along with a superior cushioning system, this makes them ideal for runners or frequent exercisers.
While they fall down a bit in terms of fitness tools and entertainment options, they still offer solid, well-built treadmils that will probably last you a long time.
Where To Buy Online:
You can buy Sole treadmills direct from the Manufacturer. They're currently offering Free Shipping and $0 Sales tax which can save you $150+
