Sole F85 Treadmill Review

2011/12/17 | Author Amy

The Sole F85 Treadmill has one of the most powerful motors in the home treadmill market, running comfortably at speeds from 0.5 all the way up to 12 mph. If you then consider this treadmill’s impressive array of both rudimentary and supplementary features, you have all the makings of a professional treadmill one might find in a gymnasium or health club, all within the comfort of your own home. Not only does the Sole F85 have speed, but it also has a total 8 pre-programmed workouts (6 standard, 2 custom) along with the simply essential incline capability of up to a massive 15% (even the best treadmills for home use generally average between 10 to 12%). The Sole F85 Treadmill also has the above-average workout space of 22″ (W) x 60″ (L) and maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs, making the unit accessible to a far greater proportion of the population, while the shock absorbing cushioned running surface ensures minimum impact upon contact, thus increasing comfort during workout and minimizing any strain on the body, particularly the joints.

Here’s a full list of features of the Sole F85 Treadmill:

3 1/2 Horsepower motor delivering speeds from 0.5 to 12 mph
15% max. incline
Cushion-flex shock absorbing running surface
Workout area dimensions – 22″ (W) x 60″ (L)
Folding capability for easy storage
Heart rate and pulse measurements with wireless chest strap and hand grips
9″ LCD display console with blue backlight
8 total programs – 6 pre-set and 2 custom
Fans for vital cooling during workout
Maximum user weight – 400 lbs
Total unit dimensions – 35″ (W) x 80″ (L)
Total unit weight – 280 lbs
Life time warranty on frame, deck and motor, 5 year warranty on rollers, belt and rollers, 2 year warranty on labor

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The specifications of the Sole F85 Treadmill certainly sound impressive, with a powerful motor, higher incline elevation, higher weight capacity (while maintaining same unit weight as comparable treadmills), and a comprehensive warranty; but what do present owners say about it? The response has been stellar, with an average 5/5 star rating over 12 reviews. While the Sole F85 Treadmill isn’t as popular as other cheap treadmills, presumably due to the higher price, it does have enough reviews for the rating to be reliable. In terms of specific details, users report that the Sole F85 Treadmill is easy to assemble in around 1 hour, runs quietly and has fans and speakers of adequate quality. The latter point is good to hear because I have lost count of the number of treadmills, even the more expensive ones, which have very, very poor quality speakers. Another user also makes a very useful comparison between the Sole F85 and considerably more expensive commercial treadmills, which can go for up to $5000, stating that the Sole F85 Treadmill costs a few thousand dollars less than commercial treadmills but does not sacrifice any quality – quite impressive praise indeed. However, the same user also adds that he is not impressed with the audio quality of the speakers, so there seems to be consistent problems with speakers and treadmills despite some users’ satisfaction with the speakers on the Sole F85. Anyway, that’s just a minor gripe. It’s not designed to be a surround sound hi-fi, it’s designed to get you fit, in the most pain-free way possible. One negative that I did notice was that the Sole F85 Treadmill does take a few seconds more to slow down, compared to your average commercial treadmill at a gym or health club. This may be due to safety concerns, but can be irritating if you just want it to change speed that very instant. Customers are generally happy with the higher weight capacity (400 lbs) of the Sole F85 Treadmill, and are content with the heavy weight of the unit (nearly 300 lbs), despite it being more difficult to move around than more light and flimsy home treadmills, given the fact that the more bulky treadmills tend to be more stable and last a lot longer. It all depends on your requirements – if you truly need to fold your treadmill up and move it about your house often, then maybe a lighter, cheaper treadmill would be more appropriate to your needs, but if you don’t mind paying a little extra and keeping it in the same corner of a room for that long-term dependability and security, then the Sole F85 Treadmill is for you. All in all, at prices anywhere between $1500 and $2000, the Sole F85 Treadmill is a serious contender for the best treadmill in its price range. You will notice, by the way, that we say this quite a few times on our site: This is because we have done our best to research and select only the best treadmills for home use available on the market today, for each respective price range. The Sole F85 is a very worthy inclusion to our list.

Positive aspects of the Sole F85 Treadmill:

Very powerful 3 1/2 HP motor
Very large maximum weight capacity (400 lbs)
Very high maximum incline (15%)