Optimum Fitness Fitness News and equipment reviews
The $1200 price point is well contested in the treadmill market, this is the price where you should be able to buy a full featured machine that will last. The Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill is no exception.
Read our full review of the Sole F63 Treadmill>>>
This highly competitive machine will be able to deliver a great workout. It has enough power in reserve to keep users of all abilities challenged and motivated with its range of programs.
Full features and Benefits of the Sole F63 Treadmill:
For the full details see below, if you are interested in other machines about the same price see the comparison table of other $1300 treadmills in the tabs.
Motor
With 3.0 CHP on tap, the Sole F63 has the most powerful motor in the sub $1200 market. This will deliver a good smooth run, even up the steep inclines . 3.0 CHP is the minimum that we would recommend for a machine running at 12 MPH. Any less and the motor will struggle and wear out early.
Running Deck
Again another strong feature of the F63 is its expansive running area. Measuring 20″ by 60″ its plenty big enough for even the tallest runner to stretch their legs. Again this is a class leading size, and combined with the powerful motor makes the Sole a very attractive proposition.
The deck is supported on a series of springs, which cushion the deck as you run Sole call their technology Cushion Flex and users seem to find this comfortable and quiet to run on.
Sole have also fitted large rollers, 2.75″, to ensure that the belt is not folded to tight. Smaller rollers can put too much pressure on the belt and again reduce its lifespan.
Console
The console is huge, designed to support the weight of the side arms it is one of the largest displays I have seen. All the buttons are there, with the main controls (speed, incline, start stop) easily accessible. There are quick selection buttons for the speed and incline which I like as you don’t have to keep pressing the up/down buttons to reach your target.
A pleasing blue screen displays the main workout information including: heart rate, speed, pace, calories burned. The heart rate is monitored via grips, which are not so convenient when running, but if you have a chest strap you can link that up.
Incline and Speed
For the adventurous the incline can go upto 15%, and the speed increases to 12MPH in 0.5 MPH increments. Coupled with the programs you can enjoy workouts such as rolling hills, gentle paths, interval training. In addition there are 2 custom programs where you can build your own plans, and 2 heart rate programs that will keep your pulse in a preset training zone.
Bluetooth Conectivity
New for this year, the F63 finally includes blue tooth capability. Allowing users the freedom to transfer workout data from their fitness equipment to their smart device. Users can track their fitness info on the Sole app, or have their data be transferred to other compatible fitness apps.
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Warranty
The warranty is middle tier for the category: lifetime on frame, motor, three years on deck and all other components and 1 year on labor .
What are other reviews saying about the Sole F63 Treadmill?
This is a popular treadmill, and has received a rating of 3.3 out of 5 from over 20 reviews.
“You get a lot of bang for your buck here.”
“I love this machine! Great treadmill for the money!,”
The main feature that users like is the powerful motor, which is more powerful than others at the same price. They also like the large treadmill deck which gives plenty of space to run without feeling hemmed in.
Any negatives?
For the price this is an excellent choice, OK so its not quite Commercial Gym quality, and some of the extras like the fan and speakers are not up to much. If you are looking for a solid all round machine this is hard to beat.
Alternatives to the Sole F63:
| 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 |
Comparisons with other Sole Treadmills
Specs in Full
[table id=19/]Sole Comparison Chart:
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Review Summary and Verdict
Sole have a great reputation for building some great solid cardio machines, and the F63 is no exception. Sporting a value price ticket, it does pack all the features you need for a good running workout. If you are looking for a challenge, and want to run at full speed then this machine is an excellent choice.
While up there with our leading $1200 treadmill, the LifeSpan 1200i, the Sole F63 treadmill packs more power, speed and a bigger running surface. For a full fledged running machine, for less than a $1200 this is our choice.