The Sole F80 Treadmill has long been one of the best treadmills for home use currently out on the market, and certainly within the $1500-$2000 range, it is arguably the best. Boasting one of the higher-power motors in the home treadmill category, with a substantial 3 Horsepower, the Sole F80 Treadmill caters for beginners all the way up to advanced, well-conditioned runners, and affords the user a very broad range of speeds from just 0.5 all the way up to 11 mph. The incline function (15% max incline) also adds an extra dimension to a workout and will really push even the very best of runners; the combination between the high maximum speed and high incline is a fierce one – results can be staggering provided you put in the time. To accommodate the faster maximum speed and steeper maximum incline, the running belt is considerably larger than most of the best treadmills for home use, measuring a very comfortable 20″ x 60″, and this extra space allows the runner to really exert him/herself on the more difficult workout settings. But it’s not just increased space that the Sole F80 Treadmill offers: a wide variety of features will ensure that your workout remains as comfortable and effective as possible. We all know that effective workouts can often be painful, and this will remain so whichever treadmill you use, however the Sole F80 Treadmill has implemented many extras to mitigate this. Most impressive and unique about the Sole F80 Treadmill has to be the ‘Cushion Flex’ deck, which reduces running impact force up to 40% relative to normal footpath/track running. Next, you get the nifty built-in cooling fans, a feature that can often mean the difference between success and failure on those scorching days. Heart-rate control and hand grip pulse measuring allow you to keep track of your most vital stats, which the 7 1/2″ LCD screen with blue backlight displays along with distance, speed, time, incline and of course the all important calories burnt. While the Sole F80 Treadmill is not the most compact of home treadmills, its extra power and features certainly justify its larger size. Furthermore, its stronger build can hold people of up to 350 lbs. Despite its slightly larger size the Sole F80 can be stored quite easily – it folds using a proprietary ‘Easy Assist’ system which enables vertical storage in double quick time.
Full list of features of the Sole F80 Treadmill:
- 3 HP D/C motor @ 0.5(min.)-11 mph(max.)
- Incline deck @ 15% maximum incline
- Cushioned deck to reduce joint impact by up to 40%
- Belt dimensions – 20″ (W) x 60″ (L)
- Vertical storage via ‘Easy Assist’ folding
- Wireless chest strap and hand grips to monitor heart-rate and pulse respectively
- 7 1/2″ LCD display with blue backlight
- 6 Pre-installed workout programs along with space for 2 custom programs
- Cooling fans
- Built-in speakers compatible with MP3 players
- Max. user weight – 350 lbs
- Total unit weight – 250 lbs
- 2 year warranty on labor, 5 year warranty on electronics/rollers/belt, lifetime warranty on frame/deck/motor
Amazon is currently offering $500 off the list price of the Sole F80 Treadmill. Click here to find out more!
Now comes the part of this Sole F80 Treadmill review where we consider what customers truly like and dislike about this treadmill. While the Sole F80 Treadmill is not without its faults (which I will come on to shortly), it is generally agreed from reviews both at amazon and consumer reports, that the Sole F80 is the best treadmill for home use on the market at the moment. One of the most helpful reviews on amazon (with 49/51 people finding the review helpful) clearly states this fact and I would be inclined to agree. However, the same user does note that this treadmill is very heavy, and while treadmills, even the cheap treadmills are not light objects in general, the Sole F80 Treadmill is still heavier than most of its cohort. The same reviewer as well as others note that the Sole F80 is more akin to a treadmill you might find at a gym, rather than a piece of home equipment. Many reviewers praise its solid construction, which is no doubt a contributing factor to its greater than average 350 lbs maximum weight capacity. Current owners are not, however, so impressed with the built-in speakers as they are with the rest of the unit in general. I don’t know why but this really seems to be an issue with all treadmills I have come across, whether professional gym units or treadmills for home use. Nonetheless, this slight downside is of minor concern both to me and the vast majority of home treadmill users due to the simple fact that you have access to your computer, hi-fi, dvd player, ipod dock and so forth when you are at home. Thus, speakers built-in to the treadmill are somewhat superfluous. In terms of the more important properties, i.e. the treadmill itself, there are very few complaints except one or two customers noting that the Sole F80 is slightly more slow at changing the running speed than treadmills at the gym. This is consistent with my personal experience, but a few seconds’ more to get up to full speed is not really that much of an inconvenience. Finally, a very important criterion to look for in any treadmill is ‘swaying’ of the unit, particularly at high speeds. The Sole F80 Treadmill is completely stable at all speeds, that’s based on my own experience and the many reviews of current owners which are available online.
Positive aspects of the Sole F80 Treadmill:
Arguably the best treadmill for home use out there
Powerful 3 HP motor, high 11 mph max. speed
Very comfortable cushioned running surface
350 lbs max weight, more than most home treadmills
Sole F80 Treadmill review page has some of the most positive customer reviews out there
Negative aspects of the Sole F80 Treadmill:
Heavier than most treadmills for home use
Poor quality speakers
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