Sole F80 Treadmill
June 7, 2010 by Mohamed
Filed under Best Treadmill To Buy, Sole Treadmills
Sole F80 Treadmill
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 List Price: $1,999.99 Sale Price: $1,499.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping |
Product 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.
Details
- 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)
Rating
I have waited so long to get a new treadmill. My first one was a Sears model (2003) that held up pretty well but let’s just say when I decided to get serious about running (not walking) that I needed a treadmill that was up to that challenge!!!! I spent a month reading treadmill reviews…….
I had the AWESOME delivery man put this GIGANTIC box in my garage where days later my husband and I lifted it out to get it to the next room (6 ft away). IT WAS VERY HEAVY and LARGE in EVERY WAY and I am NOT WEAK but let me say once more IT WAS VERY HEAVY so be prepared for that.
Assembly: I am not a rocket scientist but I got the treadmill assembled all by myself and did not need help….. I just went slow and remembered from another reviewer that I should put all screws in but wait to tighten until the end and everything worked out fine. I also took special care with the console wires and was careful not to pinch them with the screws as they basically are “inside/outside” the upper handle areas.
I was missing my chest strap and the rail was damaged in shipping but Sole was EXCELLENT about getting me replacement parts and I had NO HASSLE from them AT ALL:)
After using the F80 I found it has a very sturdy frame, nice strong motor with a consistent speed (the other brand I had would speed up if I did and I could slow it down with my pace without actually decreasing speed on the unit itself).
I WISH I could have one touch speed buttons numbered 1,2,3,4 etc….. for MPH instead of 2mph increments but I know this model wasn’t built for me personally so you can’t have everything.
There really isn’t anything BAD about this treadmill…… I LOVE IT ! It has tons of features, cooling fans, holders for pretty much anything you can use during a workout. It is pretty quiet – I watch television when I run (most of the time) and don’t have to turn the t.v. up too much more (compared to my old treadmill).
Amazon had FREE delivery and with the store card it was NO interest, NO payments for 12 months which was a BONUS for me and why I finally took the plunge to get this treadmill and I AM SOOOOOOO HAPPY I DID !!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CANNOT BEAT SOLE’S WARRANTY and it is nice to not have any worries for a while. The only other treadmill I considered was the SMOOTH brand but SOLE won in the end.
I am glad I spent a little more for a quality treadmill and I HOPE this one performs the way it does today for YEARS to come !!!!!
UPDATE 1-4-10 : I have put on about 200 miles on my Sole F80… had no real problems at all. The one thing that happened was when I hit 100 miles I got the LOW SPEED message and the treadmill wouldn’t run so I unplugged it for a few minutes and when I plugged it back in it seemed to work fine (ever since then too). I would purchase this treadmill again and again………
Rating
I just finished my first week with my Sole F80 and I’m still sure I bought the best treadmill for the price. I had been looking at treadmills in the $700-up price range since I saw a Nordic Track in [...]. I’m 6ft and 360lbs so I quickly decided I needed something most industrial than what you get at the sub $1000 range. Also my only other experience with tread mills has been full blown gym units so I’m probably a little more bias towards spending the money for a machine closer to what I’ve used previously.
I read a lot of review but only really looked at the Sole F63 and F80. Honestly I really had a hard time spending the extra $500 on the F80. With some of the occasional horror stories out there I was tempted to get the F63 and an second party extended warranty, just to cover the bases. I was lucky enough to be able to see the machines in person as a Dick’s Sporting goods. The pictures and product description just don’t convey how much more substantial the F80 is. The F80 has the higher weight rating and much longer warranty on parts than the F63 for a reason.
So I ordered the F80, I didn’t go look up exactly how many days it took but it was timely, about 10 days from order to delivery. For west coast people, mine shipped out of a Reno, NV. warehouse and the delivery company called me on a Wednesday and gave me a two hour window for that Friday (9-11am) and they were there at 9:00 sharp. If you take away only one thing from this review, let it be this: HAVE HELP UNLOADING! Even if they bring a truck with a lift gate, this thing weights in around 300 lbs in the box and it’s BIG. It’s packaged pretty well but you WILL damage it trying to manhandle it into the house.
Assembly was pretty straight forward. In fact the hardest part of the process is the plastic covers. One of the reviews I read stated they accidentally cut some of the wiring with a screw for the covers near the hand grips. This is VERY easy to do if you aren’t paying extra attention. If you’re not too worried about it looking pretty, heck just toss the covers in the closet.
I try and use the beast an hour a day, the stock programs are 20 minutes so I mix and match the fatburn, cardio, and interval programs to make up my hour. More me personally this just breaks things up and time seem to pass faster then a single 60 min program.
Good stuff:
I love the wireless heart monitor. When I was comparing the F63 to the F80 I don’t really care that the F80 had the monitor, now I can’t imagine not having it. Was shocked that it fit my 3x torso without issue.
It can take as much punishment as I can endure. The interval program includes 4 mph peaks at 6-7-8 inclines. Does it move, sure it does, but I don’t have a second thought about whether it’s stable and concentrate on what I need to do.
Other stuff:
The fans are…well….”subtle”, they are fine for me but if you are expecting something to blow your hair back, you’re going to need something else.
Speakers… I’m kind of a music person so I’ve WAY over critical, they play music, and it’s nice they included a cable. I used them for about 30 seconds and then fired up my home system.
In another review someone complained that you can’t change the time remaining on a workout once you start it. This seems to be true and it is something I was able to do on the gym machines I used. Not really that big a deal, you can adjust the time of a program before you start it and stopping one program and starting another takes about 5 seconds and 3 seconds of that is the 3-2-1 countdown on the start.
I also didn’t think I would be folding up the machine very much. I ended up leaving the treadmill in a front room for awhile until I decide it’s final home so I fold it every time I use it. VERY handy even it you’re just going to fold it up and not move it. Rolls ok when folded, just bare in mind the 265 pound weight.
To sum it up, the F80 works, looks and feels like a home version of the expensive machines at the gym, not the bigger brother of a cheap machine you’d buy at the fitness version of best buy. Get one..
*** Update 20 August 2009 ***
I didn’t really get in the groove of daly use until about the beginning of July. Since then I’ve put 130+ hard charging miles on my F80. I’ve also had to disassemble it so I could move it into a different room in the house (just wouldn’t make the turn down a hallway). I’m now 30 lbs lighter and still love my F80. I’ve been giving it a pounding, typically doing 60-70 minutes (time to get to 1000 Calories). with a manual program of 3.0 mph @ 8 deg or I use the autopilot with a 135 heart rate. The A/P is a little evil. It seems to discover I have a harder time with higher speeds compared to more incline and it slowly transitions from my normal workout to something like 0-4 degrees at speeds between 3.0-4.0 mph when it needs to raise my heart rate.
All the good stuff I mentioned previously is still just as good today. The wireless heart monitor and being able to fold it up are still my two favorite features that I use. More a “wish list” than cons, here are a few new thoughts:
- able to change the time of a program on the fly
- a way to change speed/incline in more than 0.1 increments. There are the 2-12 buttons but I always seem to be beween them. I was thinking it would be nice if the buttons on the console did 0.5 increments and the buttons on the arms did 0.1
- a little bigger feet on the rear. The feet make a pretty good indentation in the carpet which you can see all the time since its folded up. Not a big deal to put something else on the floor to stop this, but as long as I’m wishing….
- In it’s new location the front and left sides of the F80 are very close to the wall. It works great here but the heat from the motor has nowhere to go but straight up the wall to where the fans are. This makes the air temperature blowing out noticably hotter. Again not really the F80′s fault. I didn’t have this problem before when it wasn’t close to any walls. Just something to keep in mind if you’re going to try and put this in a small space. I just leave the fans off and turn on the ceiling fan in the room.
Rating
I purchased the Sole f80 to help me continue my training through the winter months (and anytime the weather is poor). I hate running in snow, ice, and frigid weather (I live in the northeast). I’ve had it for less than a month and am very impressed.
It’s heavy. You need to have someone help you move it near to the place it will be assembled. Putting it together by me – 1 person – took 90 minutes, and I am not particularly clever or bright. I was careful and read all of the directions first. Having a second set of hands would have shortened the assembly time. I bought a mat to place under the Sole f80 and it is sitting in my basement on a level floor.
It is easy to use, sturdy, can adapt to my training regimen as I need it, and looks like and feels like it will last a long time. There may be up to four adults using it in my home for walking and running, ages 50 to 85. There are nice, big buttons START, STOP etc., and a clever safety feature: a string tether that clips to your shirt or pant. The other end plugs into the machine to turn it on. If you should stop running while the device is still rolling, the tether will pull out of the machine and turn it off, thus saving you from falling off the back.
Expect to perform regular maintenance like lubricating, adjusting and dusting. That’s not unreasonable. Plus, it will tell you when you need to lubricate the track.
The preset routines are programmed, I think, with caution in mind. I prefer a tougher workout and as I said before, it’s easily modified.
I feel you will not be disappointed if you invest in this quality machine and use it regularly for what it’s meant to be used for (and not an expensive clothes hanger).
Let me know if this helps you.
Rating
I love my F80. I ordered it actually from Dick’s Sporting Goods after going to see it in the store and thought it was pretty sturdy and small. The price and shipping deal was the same as Amazon’s. In any case, it was delivered today. I assembled it myself. It took about 1.5 hours, but wasn’t too bad. Instructions aren’t super clear, but clear enough. I turned it on and ran my usual hour. It’s smooth, quiet, stable, easy to use, speeds up nicely, inclines well. I could hear the TV well. I had a great little workout. It folds nicely and as an added bonus rolls on wheels when fully folded so I can tuck into the corner of the room, no problem! By the by, I’m 5’2″, female, and in my late 30′s. I’m planning on running on it everyday at least 5 miles. I consider this investment in my health well worth it.
Have had my treadmill now for about a year now. Still love it. Still run on it. No problems.
Rating
I have been a runner for over 30 years and this is the second treadmill I have owned. I bought my first treadmill in the mid 90s and paid exactly what this Sole F80 cost me. There are barely any similarities between the two. Technology advances and bells and whistles aside, the Sole F80 is nearly commercial grade and I do not believe there is a better buy on the market. Simply stated, this treadmill is a substantial piece of gear and gets the job done handily.
I took the hint from some of the other reviews and paid for inside delivery. The delivery company was nice enough to haul it up to our second story bedroom. They were two brutes, and even they struggled a bit with it. The box is nearly seven feet tall and the marked gross weight is 295 lbs. If you feel froggy, go for it. At my age, I prefer to sip a cold beverage and let the young folks vent their excess energy. The roads are safer that way.
Assembly took about an hour, mostly by myself. The only assistance I needed from my wife was when connecting the control unit to the treadmill arms.
Here’s a helpful hint for anyone who plans to assemble this treadmill himself: Do not tighten any of the bolts until everything minus the plastic trim is put together…just get the bolts started in the holes and leave it at that. This allows the structure to flex for all of the holes to align properly as you progress through assembly. Doing it this way, I did not have any problems with hole/bolt alignment. After you have the structural bolts tightened, THEN put the screws and bolts into the plastic trim pieces (this is out of order per the instructions, but it works better this way).
It is fair to say that the assembly and operation instructions are not the most extensive I have seen, but they are sufficient.
Most of my running these days is confined to treadmills due to a knee problem I encountered a few years ago. I think I know treadmills pretty well and can spot a treadmill that is up to the task. The Sole F80 fits that profile in my eye.
Rating
This thing is solid. I’m very happy with it. We’ve put over 150 miles on it since X-mas and have only one small complaint, the heart rate monitor sometimes cuts out during your workout but a little water on the chest strap contacts usually does the trick.
I was also concerned that the tread length might be too short but it is more that adequate for me running at full pace (I’m 5′-10″ tall).
Very solid, stable, quiet and comfortable to run on, as good as the ones we used to run on at Bally’s. You won’t be disappointed with this one.
Rating
This is a very robust design. It looks like the frame could support a small car. It’s rock solid – like the treadmills you use in the health clubs – except you don’t have to wait to use this one. I’ve had zero problems with it. The drive system, lift system, and electronics work perfectly. It’s very quiet and easy to use.
Rating
Just received the treadmill yesterday. I actually opted to pick it up at the ABF facility as it was so close to my house. I put the treadmill together this morning with absolutely NO PROBLEM in 45 minutes. Once I had it together I did a 30 min walk/jog utilizing cardio mode and let me tell you this treadmill is rock solid! I am 6’2″ 245lbs and I read that tall people should opt for the F85. I thought about it, but honestly I did not want to spend more than $1500 on a treadmill. I am so glad I went with the F80. I once had a Horizon and there is absolutely no comparison. Sole is commercial quality! I really look forward to the coming months and shedding some pounds. Do not waste your time researching all the brands, just get this one. Having won 2 World Powerlifting Championships along with numerous National Championships in Powerlifting I know a thing or two about fitness equipment. Will post a follow up after 6 months of use.
Rating
I have owned this treadmill for about a year and I love it. It is sturdy and has all the features you could ever use and more. It has a super quiet motor and the fans are great. There are buttons on the handrails that allow you to raise and lower the deck and to increase or decrease the speed. This is a great feature but it also has a negative side to it. Occasionally, while running it is easy to accidentally hit one of these buttons and change the settings.
As others have said you need to pay for the inside delivery service unless you have 2 – 3 big and strong family members that will be at home when it arrives. The two delivery guys were barely were able to get it in my old 1950′s house. They struggled and struggled to try and turn a corner into the den. Finally they gave up and just broke it apart in the living room and took it piece by piece into the den. I did assemble it myself and it was no trouble at all, though the instructions were not all that great. As has been said here you do need to be careful with the wires that run through the handles.
My only complaint so far would be that I would expect a better instruction manual from a $1600 treadmill. It is only about 25 pages and doesn’t have that much information at all on how to use the various settings.
Overall, I would highly recommend this treadmill.
Rating
I owned a Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill for a couple of years. It was repaired several times after suffering mechanical and electrical problems, but never again ran properly. After disappointing customer service with Bowflex (Nautilus), I replaced it with a Sole F80. When comparing my ownership experience with both treadmills, I recommend the Sole F80.
Bowflex Series 7:
a. 20×60 running surface (better for tall runners)
b. 3.0 hp motor gets belt to full speed in about 2-3 sec
c. no countdown before belt begins to move
d. stylish console, but not as easy to use
e. no speed or incline controls on handles (only on console)
f. metallic handrails (causes static electricity shock)
g. must tip/lean treadmill backwards to move (dangerous!)
h. warranty: 10 yrs motor, 2 yrs electronics, only 1 year labor
Sole F80:
a. 20×55 running surface (good for most people)
b. 3.0 hp motor gets belt to full speed in about 6-8 sec
c. 3 sec countdown before belt begins to move
d. console not stylish, but functional and easy to use
e. speed and incline controls located on handles AND on console
f. hand rails covered with rubber compound for better grip
g. treadmill slides along ground without tipping or leaning
h. warranty: lifetime on motor, 5 yrs electronics, 2 years labor
Delivery of large box is supposed to be made inside front door or garage. Both times, I gave the delivery person a generous “tip” for their prompt delivery service, and both times the treadmill was generously brought down into my basement. Delivery drivers were quite pleasant both times.
Assembly for both treadmills was relatively easy and both treadmills took just under 2 hours to assemble (screwing in hand rails on BOTH treadmills can be tricky-need to make sure you don’t puncture and/or pinch console wires!). All necessary tools were supplied for both.
The Bowflex Series 7 and Sole F80 both have powerful and quiet 3.0 hp motors.
The decks on both feel about the same when running/walking on them. Neither deck is “whisper quiet” when running on it. To me, the deck of the Bowflex Series 7 was slightly louder (a problem that became progressively worse during my ownership of the Bowflex Series 7). If you’re a taller runner (over 6 feet tall) or run with a long stride, then the F80′s deck may be a little too short for you (or course, Sole makes a longer treadmill for a few hundred dollars more). But for most of us who walk/jog/run on a treadmill, the Sole F80 is a very good size and fit.
I can see why hotels use the Sole F80 treadmill. First of all, the F80 has a much better warranty (about double of what Bowflex offers). Also, from a safety or “hotel liability” standpoint, the Sole F80′s has better user-friendly features such as: (a) 3 sec countdown before belt begins to move (avoids surprises/injuries); (b) belt takes 6-8 sec to get to full speed (avoids surprises/injuries); (c) easy grip handles with rubber compound (remember: most people grab the handles when they get into trouble!); (d) speed/incline controls on console AND handles (really easy to use controls on handles when running or walking); and (e) no need to tip or lean treadmill backwards when moving (easy on your back, plus treadmill won’t fall on you).
Had I done my homework the first time, I would have initially bought the Sole F80 instead of the Bowflex Series 7. Although the Bowflex Series 7 was highly recommended, it did not hold up well over time. If you are considering a folding treadmill for under $1,500.00, you should consider the Sole F80.
Good product. Great value. Great warranty.