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Near the top of the Sole Range of treadmills the Sole F80 Treadmill is bursting with features to make your workout as comfortable and easy as possible. Feeling like a higher end treadmill, there is a high power motor to power you along. Your stride is well cushioned and quiet, while the large treadmill deck will offer all the space you need to stretch out.
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Read our full review of the Sole F80 treadmill:
How does the F80 compare to the rest of the range, and with a price tag around $1500 is it the best you can get for the money? Read on to find out!
Motor
With a powerful 3.5HP motor the Sole F80 is well powered to propel runners of up to 375lbs to speeds of 12 mph. The minimum speed is just 0.5 mph allowing for an easy start and warm up.
If 12 mph is not enough for you then you can engage the electrical incline and move the ramp up to 15 degrees. The incline is controlled from the large LCD control panel, which is easy to read and has nice tactile buttons.
Treadmill Deck
Under the skin of the belt are some finely balanced 2.75″ rollers to keep the belt on track. The advantage of these larger rollers is to put less strain on the belt, and ensure it lasts longer.
As this is a folding treadmill it can be stored in a nice compact form, allowing you to regain the space after exercise. If you don’t need a folding treadmill then Sole do offer the S77 which gives more features in exchange for the folding mechanism for around the same price.
The whole frame is made from strong tubular steel. Combine this with the Sole’s inhouse ‘Cushion Flex Whisper Deck” and you have an exceptionally smooth and comfortable running deck. A deck that is built with the runner in mind, its great a cushioning the impact of running and preventing injury to the legs and feet.
Display
Facing you is the large confident expanse of the display. At the center is a 6″ Blue LCD display that shows all the key information you need, speed, distance, calories burned etc. The calories comes from the built in heart sensors.
Two rows of quick program buttons flank the display allowing you to at a press change to your desired speed, or incline. This is really handy if you want to quickly change your run profile.
If you have an iPad then there is a handy tray that will hold everything. But this does cover the display. If you are creative then you can use the cover to wrap over the top of the console and let the iPad hang over the top of everything.
Integrated into the console are decent fans, speakers and cup holders. There are more cup holders and storage underneath the console that is great for keys etc.
All the controls are easily accessible and intuitive to use. Its clear Sole have really thought about the user experience when putting this together.
Alternatvies to the Sole F80 Treadmill
| Product name | Rating | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill | $999.00 | ||
 | Nautilus T616 Treadmill | $999.00 | ||
 | NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill | $1,099.00 | ||
 | ProForm Power 995i Treadmill | $899.99 | ||
 | SOLE F63 Treadmill | $999.99 |
Programs
Built in to the console are some great workout routines, 6 in total are preprogrammed. My favourite is the heart rate one, this will keep your heart at the optimum level by changing the incline of the track. As your pulse rises too high the track lowers, and if it falls to low then the track moves back up. This is the best way to train your heart! If you have a chest strap then you can connect with this, (you cannot use the handles for the heart program). I prefer the chest strap that they include as when running the handles are not easy to keep hold of.
Other programs include Interval, Hill, and a manual option. For safety there is an auto stop feature. The programs each have a skippable warm up, and run from 10 minutes to 99 minutes.
As the workout starts, the machine gives you a three beat countdown before moving, enough time for you to get ready for the track to start turning. It gives plenty of time to prepare and then get upto speed.
We like the digital display showing the workout progress, based on a a running track. It shows you your progress round the track, along with how many laps you have.
If there are a couple of users then you can save their profiles so you don’t need to reter them each time.
Some FAQs
In my research a couple of questions kept coming up about this machine, let me point them out:
Overall Height: At maximum incline the treadmill deck is 1″ off the ground. You will need to ensure that your room is high enough to accommodate this and the tallest user.
Warranty: Sole provide an excellent warranty with this machine, as a result there is no real need to by extended warranties, as they will not be effective until the Sole warranty expires.
Transport: There are wheels fitted, and with care it is possible to move the treadmill about when its in its folded position.
Warranty:
Sole provide a good warranty of:
- Frame, motor, and deck: Lifetime
- Electronics: Five years
- Labor: Two years
What are other reviews saying about the F80 Treadmill?
This has scored a number of awards, and 80% reviews on a number of online sites. Most of the reviews are positive:
“Awesome product”
“Once again Sole hits it out of the park !”
“The extensive research paid off”
There is no one real feature that dominates, Sole have packed in great reliability, flexible program options and a great looking design. This has made this one of the top selling treadmills on the market.
Where to buy the Sole F80 Treadmill.
To save more legwork we have looked into the price of this treadmill:
Sole Direct have the treadmill listed at $1499.99. This includes shipping and sales tax to most states.
Click here to see the latest details from Sole Direct.
Compare Sole Treadmills
| Model | F60 2013 | Sole Fitness F63 Folding Treadmil | Sole F65 Folding Treadmill Review | Sole F80 Folding Treadmill Review | Sole S77 Non Folding Treadmill Review | TT8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Dimensions: | ||||||
| Height(in.): | 58" | 58" | 57" | 58" | 58" | 57" |
| Item Weight(lbs.): | 231 lbs. | 253 lbs. | 253 lbs. | 265 lbs. | 265 lbs. | 265 lbs. |
| Length(in.): | 80" | 80" | 83" | 80" | 80" | 83" |
| Weight Capacity(lbs.): | 325 lbs. | 325 lbs. | 350 lbs. | 375 lbs. | 400 lbs. | 400 lbs. |
| Width(in.): | 33" | 33" | 35" | 35" | 30" | 37" |
| Deck Size: | 33" X 80" | 33" X 80" | 35" X 83" | 35" X 80" | 30" X 80" | 37" X 80" |
| Running Surface: | 20" X 60" | 20" X 60" | 20" X 60" | 22" X 60" | 22" X 60" | 22" X 60" |
| Rollers: | 2.0" | 2.5" | 2.5" | 2.75" | 2.75" | 3.0" |
| Controls & Features: | ||||||
| Motor: | 2.75 CHP, DC Type | 3.0 CHP, DC Type | 3.25 CHP, DC Type | 3.5 CHP, DC Type | 4.0 CHP, DC Type | 4.0 CHP, DC Type |
| Speed: | .5 - 12 mph | .5 - 12 mph | .5 - 12 mph | .5 - 12 mph | .5 - 12 mph | .5 - 12 mph |
| Incline: | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design | 0 - 15% Rack & Pinion gear design |
| Folding: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Belt: | 2 Ply | 2 Ply | 2 Ply | 2 Ply | 2 Ply | 2 Ply |
| Heart Rate Monitoring: | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible | Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible |
| Chest Strap Included: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Standard Programs: | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Custom Programs: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Heart Programs: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cooling Fans: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System: | Yes (MP3 Compatible) | Yes (MP3 Compatible) | Yes (MP3 Compatible) | Yes (MP3 Compatible) | Yes (MP3 Compatible) | Yes (MP3 Compatible) |
| Workout Display: | 5.5" LCD | 6.5" LCD | 7.5" LCD | 7.5" LCD | 9" LCD | 9" LCD |
| Display Color: | Blue | Blue | Blue | Blue | Blue | Blue |
| Warranty: | ||||||
| Frame: | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Motor: | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Deck: | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Electronics: | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| Labor: | 1 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year | 2 Years | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Commercial Warranty: | ||||||
| Frame: | Lifetime | |||||
| Motor: | Lifetime | |||||
| Deck: | Lifetime | |||||
| Electronics: | 3 Years | |||||
| Labor: | 1 Years |
To assemble check this video:
<iframe width=”400″ height=”225″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/JI1WUng-EOc” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sole F80 Review Summary:
Thank-you for staying with me! Hope you found this review useful, if there are any questions you still have please ask below, or email me [email protected]
This machine is nice to use, its comfortable and looks great. It runs quietly, and soothly. With a bright clear and easy to see console there nothing not to like. All the features have been carefully thought about, the Sole F80 Treadmill is one of the best on the market.
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