Sole F63 Treadmill Review

At $1499, the new 2011 Sole F80 treadmill is one of the most affordable mid range treadmills on the market. It is currently the best selling treadmill at Amazon.com, which is not a surprise, as it is $100 cheaper than the very popular 2009-2010 version, while also including a longer deck (20x60in vs 20x55in), improved display and attractive new look. It still offers its impressive lifetime warranty on the motor, deck, and frame, 5 years on the electronics and 2 years on labor. (You can buy the Sole F80 at the following link: Buy Sole F80 at Amazon.com)

Over the past few years the Sole F80 has been one of the most popular and best selling treadmills on the market and this pattern has continued with the new 2011 version. This treadmill boasts a 3.0hp motor, 7.5 inch LCD display, built-in workout programs, cushioned running deck and supports up to 350lbs.

You can buy the Sole F80 here: Buy Sole F80 at Amazon.com

In the treadmill market you have three basic types of treadmills, budget treadmills, mid-range treadmills, and high end treadmills. The price of the Sole F80 puts it firmly in the Mid-range category though its specifications and features wouldn’t be out of place on a high end machine.

Price: Although the MSRP for the Sole F80 is listed at over $2,000 you shouldn’t have any trouble finding this treadmill for $1500 or less.

Notable Features
Cushion Flex Whisper Deck: In addition to being extremely quiet, especially when compared to other mid-range treadmills, the cushion flex whisper deck also allow for a much smoother workout. The deck is advertised as being able to reduce the impact of your exercise by up to 40%, quite a significant improvement if you are constantly having trouble with your joints.

Folding Frame: This feature is especially useful for people that want to have a treadmill in their home but really don’t have the space to leave it sitting out every day. With the Sole F80 all you have to do is fold the deck of the treadmill up into the body after your workout for easy storage.

Heart Rate Chest Strap: Not only does the heart rate chest strap monitor your heart rate during the workout, it also serves as a safety device. If the heart rate strap ever comes unplugged during the workout the machine automatically shuts off; an especially useful feature if you are elderly or exercise by yourself.

3.0 HP Motor: The 3.0 horsepower motor that comes with the Sole F80 is powerful enough to allow or a maximum speed of 12 MPH. While you won’t be winning any sprinting contests on this machine it should suffice for workouts that center around fast walking and light running.

The Good
The warranty for the Sole F80 is absolutely superb and goes above and beyond industry standards. With the Sole F80 you get a lifetime warranty on the motor, the frame and the running deck and with the Electronics, belt and rollers you get a 5 year warranty for parts and 2 years for labor. Thanks to its whisper Deck the Sole F80 is also considered to be extremely quiet, which makes it great for exercising in the home.

The Bad
At the $1500 mark the Sole F80 is a bit expensive which puts it out of reach of many consumers looking for a treadmill for a casual workout. At the same time the 3.0 HP motor, while good in its own right, can only reach a top speed of 12 Mph. For a casual workout this speed is fine but for a more intense workout the Sole F80 may lacking the power needed.

Bottom Line
For a mid-range treadmill you can’t do much better. You could easily end up paying $500-$1000 more for a different treadmill with similar features and even then you wouldn’t get the benefit of knowing you purchased a treadmill with the Sole reputation of quality and value. There are better treadmills out there, but you won’t find many at this price.

You can buy the Sole F80 here: Buy Sole F80 at Amazon.com

Filed under: Sole F80 treadmill review