Sole F80 Treadmill is a “Best Buy”
Written by admin on February 14, 2010 – 3:22 am -
Rated and reviewed as a "Best Buy"
The F80 treadmill has been reviewed as "The best treadmill in its price range" by both consumers and numerous consumer resources. The F80 treadmill steps up to the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, shown in a study to reduce impact up to 40% (.365 - .400) as compared to running on asphalt. The strong, 3.0 Cont. Duty HP motor delivers challenging speeds up to 11 mph and inclines up to 15%. And when not in use, the treadmill deck safely locks into place, 100% secured.
SOLES's folding treadmill frame design originated from the demand of hotels for a treadmill as mobile as a room service cart, yet still stable and powerful. So whether it's a hotel room or your living room, you have the best of both worlds. Run up to six preset programs, two customizable workout programs and two heart rate programs. Other safety features include a large stop switch, starts from only .05 mph and low-profile running hood. A great value. Additional features include cooling fans and speed and incline controls on the arm rests.
The treadmill console is user friendly with a vibrant display. The information that is displayed at all times include Speed, Incline, Time, Distance Traveled, Calories, Pulse and Pace. There is also a 1/4 mile track feature and a Peak and Valley graph for different programs. The console also has built in speakers which allow you to hook up any MP3 player( iPod, etc.) for easy listening.
Specifications:
Motor: 3.0 HP Continuous Duty, DC type
Speed: 0.5 to 11 mph
Incline: 15% maximum, rack and pinion gear design
Weight: 250 lbs.
Deck Size: 33 X 75 - Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck
User Weight: 350 lbs.
Running Surface: 20 X 55
Belt: Double Woven 2 Ply
Rollers: 2 3/4 inches
Folding: Yes, with the Easy Assist folding feature
Heart Rate Control: Yes with wireless chest strap included
Hand Pulse Grips: Yes, and arm rest speed/incline controls
Display Color: Red LED Readout
Message Window: Yes - Scrolling Information
Standard Programs: Six
User Defined Programs: Two
Heart Rate Programs: Two
Cooling Fans: Yes
Shipping: Free in the continental US (AK and HI pay $250.00)
Limited Warranty: Motor, Lifetime -- Deck, Lifetime -- Frame, Lifetime -- Electronics / Belt / Rollers, 5 years - Labor, 2 years, In-Home service.
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Sole F80 Treadmill List Price: $1,999.99 Sale Price: $1,499.00 Average Rating: ![]() |
Description
The Sole Fitness F80 folding treadmill is equipped with cooling fans, a 6-window LED display, convenient speed/elevation controls in the handles and a high-output 3.0 continuous duty HP motor. Its 6 standard, 2 user-defined and 2 heart rate programs provide all of the options you need to reach your fitness goals.
Updated with enhanced features for 2009, the Sole F80 treadmill has earned a reputation as one of the best-quality treadmills in its price range thanks to its unbeatable combination of high-quality components and user-friendliness. The treadmill boasts a strong 3.0-horsepower, continuous-duty motor, which delivers challenging speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and inclines of up to 15 percent. At the same time, the F80's Cushion Flex Whisper Deck is built to protect your joints from excessive pounding, with the ability to reduce impact up to 40 percent compared to running on asphalt. And when you're not using the treadmill, it folds into a compact footprint and locks securely in place, thereby saving a ton of storage space. The F80 is equipped with a host of user-friendly features, including six preset workout programs, two customizable programs, and two heart rate programs, along with a red display that tracks your speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace. There's even a 1/4-mile digital track that you can follow as you run and a peak-and-valley graph that corresponds to individual programs. Other details include a large stop switch for safety; a low-profile running hood; armrest cooling fans; speed and incline controls on the armrests; a wireless chest strap that measures your heart rate; and a 20-by-55-inch running deck. The F80 treadmill, which offers a user capacity of up to 335 pounds, carries the following warranties: lifetime on the motor, deck, and frame; five years on the electronics, belt, and rollers; and two years on the labor. Specifications: The F80's LED display will track your speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace. Assembled Dimensions: 33 by 75 by 58 inches (W x L x H) Folded Dimensions: 68 by 43 inches (H x D) Motor: 3.0 horsepower Speed: 0.1 to 12 miles per hour Elevation: 0 to 15% Deck: 1-inch Whisper Belt: 2-ply Running surface: 20 by 55 inches Roller: 2.75 inches Fold-up: Easy Assist Fold Pulse Grip Heart Rate Control Heart Rate Chest Strap Included Display Type: LED Six-Window Display Color: Red Accessory tray Six Standard Programs Two User-Defined Programs Two Heart Rate Programs Quick speed/elevation buttons: 12 Speed/elevation in handles Built-in cooling fans Weight capacity: 350 pounds Manufacturer's Warranty Motor - lifetime, deck - lifetime, frame - lifetime, electronics/wear items - 5 years, labor - 2 years About Treadmills Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home. From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface. While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain. About Sole Sole brings over twenty years of treadmill and fitness product design and manufacturing to the table in their line of innovative equipment designed for fitness-conscious people. The company's treadmill line is simple in design, with an emphasis on quality and warranty all at a great price. Sole's easy-to-use treadmills offer a great value and feature a convenient, space-saving portable design. The treadmills have a very stable base with four wheels for ease of movement, folding decks to conserve space, and a 30-year motor and lifetime deck and frame warranty. Sole is always looking for ways to make their equipment better, more efficient, with higher quality at a great price.
Features
- Features a 3.0 horsepower motor and lift-assist to easily fold
- Includes grip pulse monitoring and a heart rate chest strap
- Six standard programs, two user-specific programs, and two heart rate programs; speed range is 0.1-12 miles per hour
- LED display tracks your speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace
- 350-pound maximum weight capacity; measures 33 by 75 by 58 inches (W x L x H) when assembled; folds to 68 by 43 inches (H x D)
Reviews
First treadmill I have bought but not the first I have jogged on. The box is huge and you will deff need someone to help you if you plan to move it before assembly. I have had it for two days so cant say much but its quiet and has alot of options and has incline wich is something big that I wanted. Well built and mad heavy but easy to move around when folded. Was easy to put together just watch the wires other then that a piece of cake. Has alot of room for mp3 player and bottles. If you want to get off your butt and move this is a good choice.
We have only had this treadmill for a few weeks but are very pleased with its performance. It was delivered into our garage and, since it is very heavy, we decided to set it up and use it in the garage. Set up was quick and easy. Four people use it daily and we have not encountered any problems with the unit. It is well constructed for its main purpose.The speakers are a little wimpy and the fans need to be supplemented by larger house fans for some users. For the price this treadmill appears to be very suitable for home use and if anything does go wrong the warrenties on the components refect the manufacturer's confidence in the product.
This treadmill is heavy and sturdy but the easy lift mechanism allows me to fold it and roll it with ease. And the same mechanism lowers the treadmill back into position gently. This was very important as I am 62 years old and arthritic--I did not need something I had to wrestle with. I was able to put the treadmill together by myself--easy to follow instructions. I did have some problems with the very small tools provided--not a long enough grip for me to get leverage so I had to improvise. I have used the treadmill for a week now and I love the ease of use. It is quiet and smooth. Transitions from start to movement and back to stop are gentle with no abrupt bumping. Digital display is clear, easy to see, with buttons in convenient locations. Buttons for elevation and speed are also located on the hand rails. I am very happy I bought this treadmill from Amazon--and the free shipping was a plus.
Delivery/Purchase I would highly recommend to go with "Inside Delivery" as the size and weight of the box makes it extremely difficult to move. I had to take the treadmill base out of the box and have two men carry my F80 downstairs into my basement (not included in my ABF delivery since we had to take it out of the box to fit the doorway however they will take it down stairs if they can get the box through). I purchased my treadmill through Sports Authority who routinely offers free inside delivery (and who in turn has Sole ship it direct to you so hard to beat). I saved $150 off the F80 by using my Discover Card through the ShopDiscover online link for Sports Authority (10% off purchase), just something to keep in mind for anyone considering. Assembly/Installation Assembly was very simple, quick and relatively easy - I definitely would not pay anyone to do this for me. It does help to have two people do the part where the arm covers clamp on since this can be tricky to not pinch any wires. One note that I haven't seen anyone really point out clearly is that this treadmill must not run off a GFCI. The manual clearly states that, and it's something I was aware of but thought maybe it would work anyway...not in my case. The treadmill would trip the GFCI every time it would go to start. It was a simple fix to replace the GFCI but just be aware of this as it may affect where you choose to put your treadmill. Treadmill Predefined Programs/Features The treadmill itself is very sturdy and has some nice features (quick speed/incline keys in increments of 2, iPod plug-in, storage wells on each side of console). In reading through the reviews I didn't see many people who had actually used the predefined workouts. I have used quite a few of them already, and they are excellent! You can download a PDF on Sole's website that contains the details of every one and how they are influenced by maximum top speed that you set and length of time for the program that you set. I personally use the Fatburn, Hill, Cardio, Interval and Strength programs but look forward to the user defined ones as well (two can be programmed). I briefly tried the heart rate programs that work with the wireless monitor but since I was just starting out, I had a hard time completing them. I didn't think I would use the predefined programs but so far they have been great because they challenge you to push yourself harder in terms of varying inclines and speeds. I find myself telling the treadmill to "Bring it on!" when it gently beeps that it's going to adjust the incline or speed throughout the program (which is nice). There are also displays that show you what is coming up for speed or incline changes in the next sections of the program which is great. Another thing I didn't see in reviews is that there is a warm-up and cool-down with each program. You can easily bypass it if you like, but they did add three minutes on each side of the program for this. My only minor "complaint" with the predefined programs is that they seemed to have included a warm-up/cool-down inside the program itself to some extent and now you have another warm-up/cool-down before/after the program officially starts/ends. It almost seems like they recently added the separate warm-up/cool-down feature to the F80 but didn't alter their pre-existing programs to remove this. You can adjust around it by increasing the duration or intensity (max speed) for the program and then bypassing the separate ones so no big deal but strikes me as odd. I find myself having to increase the intensity within the predefined programs at the beginning and end if I don't do this. Wireless Heart Monitor The wireless heart rate monitor is great, and I can't imagine not having it. I didn't honestly think I would use it, but it's great and for me has been very accurate. You do need to read the directions with the monitor that says to place it underneath the pectorals and to wet the monitor sensors. I have never had a problem with it being off since I have started doing this. Treadmill Usage There is a slight delay between speed/incline changes (~5 seconds), but I find this helpful because it allows me to adjust and prepare. The incline changes are subtle and smooth. I personally think the speakers are good and don't understand all the fuss about them. I use them with my iPod, and it works great, beats headphones. I also like the fans but agree that they are not overwhelming...provides a subtle path of air which is all I really need since I'm using the treadmill in my cool basement. There is a small ledge on the console for a book or magazine. I have been able to set my video iPod up on the ledge and watch my favorite TV shows while broadcasting the audio through the speakers...pretty nice setup. It doesn't vibrate or fall off since the ledge goes back far enough. My only reservation with the Sole F80 is what I would call a slight whine/hum at speeds lower than 2.0mph. I sometimes only notice it between 1.0 - 2.0, almost always at 2.0mph. It sounds like a motor whine like it's dragging/laboring but after it increases a little bit, the sound goes away. Another reviewer mentioned this as well, and I kind of wondered about it but nothing appears to be off as everything is lubed and the belt is centered. There must just be something around 2.0mph that does it. I am very happy with my purchase as it was a lot of money to spend so good to know that the product is worth it. I have been using it every day for half and hour for two weeks and have dropped 5 lbs so far. More importantly the Sole F80 seems like something that I will be able to continue to use toward my weight loss goals and on-going maintenance. I find that I look forward to using it, and the features it provides. I'm glad I purchased the F80 over the F63 because I find myself running more and more on my treadmill which I had not intended to do. I always thought I would power walk but with the heart monitor, I found that after two weeks my body had adapted to the challenge even with various incline changes so I needed the boost of running to get my heart rate back up to where it needs to be throughout my session. The Sole F80 should be all I need for a long time.
Superb machine. I concur w/ all the five-star reviews. Half the price, double the quality. It's a beast for the $$. Regarding those "low speed" errors you may read about: I had the same. I called Sole Hdq. in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and spoke w/ two techs who have worked on them for many years. 1) Could be the speed sensor, but that's a slim chance. 2) It was my error. When you assemble the right hand rail, be cautious not to crimp the wiring harness. This is exactly the problem. It's heavy steel and kind of difficult to handle by yourself - it's easy to crimp that harness. This one's a keeper for many years.
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