Sole F85 Treadmill Review: What You Should Know Before You Buy

Today, a lot of people are fond of working out on treadmills like the Sole F85 treadmill because it is more convenient than running outdoors. Some love it because it provides a great workout since it targets all the major muscles in the body.

However, the treadmill is not a modern invention. It dates back over 150 years. Back in the day, treadmills were used for very different purposes. There was a time when the treadmill was very important for the diagnosis of lung cancer and heart disease. That was in 1952 when Wayne Quinton and Doctor Robert Bruce invented the first medical treadmill at the University of Washington.

Later in 1968, Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s study on the benefits of aerobic exercise was published, thereby justifying the need to have treadmills at home and in medical outlets. That is why most homes and medical outlets have access to treadmills like the Sole F85 treadmill today.

Although treadmills had different purposes back in the day, there is one similarity they have with modern treadmills: the quality of the treadmill determined its effectiveness. Even today, you cannot afford to purchase the first treadmill you come across. You need to do some research to ensure the treadmill not only has the right features for you but also works great and is durable.

To see the most popular treadmills just click here. 

What Is the Sole F85 Treadmill?

The Sole F85 treadmill is one of the treadmills manufactured by Sole Fitness. According to the manufacturer, the Sole F85 treadmill is designed to handle the hardest workouts. They also claim that this foldable treadmill has the most innovative high tech features and unmatched durability.

Sole F85 treadmill specifications

The Sole F85 has several amazing features that make it stand out from other treadmills on the market. Some of these features include:

Motor

This Sole Fitness treadmill features a 4.0 continuous horsepower motor that provides speeds from 5 to 12 miles per hour (mph). In addition to this, the treadmill can support user weights of up to 400 pounds. That makes it great for individuals with different fitness levels and weight.

Track

Like other Sole Fitness treadmills, the Sole F85 features a two-ply track that requires very little maintenance. What’s more, this treadmill has some of the largest treadmill rollers on the market at 2.7 inches in diameter. These rollers promote machine longevity and quiet operation.

Deck

The Sole F85 treadmill features CushionFlex Whisper Deck technology that is capable of reducing joint impact by up to 40 percent. That exceeds the impact reduction you get from other major brands. In addition to this, it muffles the sound of running thereby making it home-friendly.

Incline

The Sole F85 treadmill track has 30 levels of incline topping out at 15 percent. That helps trainees to focus on different muscle groups.

Console

The treadmill also features a 10.1-inch screen display that displays all your workout data. In addition, it features 10 programs to support weight loss, muscle toning, and cardio training. It also gives you the option of saving customized programs, enabling you to start in your next session quickly. What’s more, it has a scrolling message center that makes it easy for you to select and set up your workouts.

Safety lanyard

Treadmill accidents are quite common. Even the most experienced treadmill runner can slip and fall off a treadmill. Sole Fitness incorporated an automatic cord system that allows you to stop the treadmill in case you slip. It also has a stop button that helps prevent serious injuries when you slip.

Folding technology

The Sole F85 has a hydraulic assist that allows you to fold the treadmill to save on space. Unfolding is also very easy thanks to the soft-drop system. This feature is great because it ensures the treadmill is safely locked to ensure children’s safety.

Audio

This treadmill is compatible with Bluetooth devices. That makes it possible for you to listen to music as you train.

Extras

The Sole F85 treadmill also features a wireless heart rate monitor that is said to be 99.9 percent accurate. It calculates the trainee’s heart rate based on age, gender, and other important variables. The console fan is also a great feature because it allows the user to extend their work out. Touch pulse sensors are also included in this treadmill. Sole Fitness offers a lifetime warranty for the deck, motor, and frame, a five-year warranty for parts and electronics, and two years of in-home labor.

How does the Sole F85 treadmill stack up to its claims?

It is common for manufacturers to exaggerate when it comes to describing what their products can achieve. Sole Fitness is an exception when it comes to the F85 treadmill. Based on user ratings, most of the claims they make about this treadmill are true. According to treadmillreviews.net, Sole Fitness is right in describing this treadmill as the “best folding treadmill on the planet.”

How the Sole F85 Treadmill Compares to Other Major Brands

Before you head out to get the F85 treadmill, it is important to know how it compares to other major brands. That will enable you to know whether or not it is the best option for you.

How we reviewed

We compared the treadmill to three of the top treadmills based on expert and user reviews.

In addition to this, we compared the features of the treadmills to the F85. We also checked the budget and other benefits that these treadmills have to offer compared to the Sole F85 treadmill.

Elite Runner

The Elite Runner treadmill is one of the highest-rated treadmills. The manufacturer of this treadmill, 3G Cardio, claims that this treadmill trumps the competition in terms of performance, specifications, and value. Is this true? Let’s find out.

Elite Runner treadmill specifications

There are several things that make this treadmill stand out from the rest.

First and foremost, it has program variety. With eight built-in workouts, three fitness test programs, and customizable programs, you get to tailor your workout to your needs. The Sole F85 treadmill is better because it offers 10 programs and also allows you to save your settings.

Another great feature of the Elite Runner treadmill is the console. This treadmill’s console features built-in speakers that allow you to enjoy some music while running. In addition to this, the console has a matte-finish display that ensures there is no reflective glare even when the treadmill is beside a window.

What’s more, it features dual bottle holders, a smartphone port, and MP3 input. Compared to the Sole F85 treadmill, this treadmill console has more to offer.

The treadmill also features a 15 percent incline capability, which is similar to the Sole F85 treadmill.

Last but not least, this treadmill features an Othro Flex Shock Suspension System that works with large 3-inch rollers and a comfortable orthopedic belt that is easy on the joints. The system is similar to the CushionFlex Whisper Deck technology on the Sole F85 treadmill. However, the Sole F85 is better because it actually reduces joint pain by 40 percent.

Lastly, the treadmill has a lifetime warranty for the motor and frame, a 10-year warranty for parts and 2 years in-home labor, which is not so great when you compare it to what Sole F85 treadmill offers.

Overall, the Sole F85 treadmill is better than the Elite Runner treadmill because it has more useful features such as the safety lanyard and folding technology. The treadmill is also more affordable.

AFG Sport 5.5AT

The AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill is also among the top rated treadmills. The manufacturer describes this treadmill as an easy-to-use treadmill with reliable and intuitive functionality.

AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill specifications

The AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill has several impressive features. First, it features a 2.5 continuous horsepower motor that delivers a smooth experience. That is not so great when you compare it to the Sole F85 treadmill that has a 4.0 continuous horsepower motor.

The AFG Sport treadmill has a built-in response cushioning that provides comfort and a smooth running surface. The F85 treadmill is better when it comes to this because its cushioning technology can relieve joint pain up to 40 percent. The treadmill has as an EZ fold assist hydraulic system that allows you to fold your treadmill easily, which is similar to the F85 treadmill.

The AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill allows you to customize your workout. It features nine workout programs with different levels to increase the intensity of your workout. It also features HR contact grips which allow you to get your heart rate and other essential details about your workout when you touch them.

The Sole F85 treadmill wireless heart rate monitor is better and more convenient because you do not have to do anything to get this information.

The AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill has a built-in function that enables you to cool down after a long workout. It also has an integrated sound system and built-in audio and integrated headphone plug-ins that allow you to enjoy music as you work out. The company offers a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor. You get a better deal with Sole Fitness because they offer excellent warranties for different parts.

Overall, Sole F85 treadmill is better than AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill in terms of features. The only thing AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill has as an advantage is the budget.

Smart Digital Incline

The Smart Digital Incline treadmill is an Amazon’s Choice product for folding treadmills with an incline. It is also among the top treadmills.

Smart Digital Incline treadmill specifications

The Smart Digital Incline treadmill has great features. First and foremost, it has 16 preset programs that help you meet different exercise goals. That is a lot compared to the Sole F85 treadmill that only has 10 programs.

The treadmill also features a safety key and an emergency stop button on the handrail which help protect you from serious injury if you slip, which is similar to the safety lanyard on the Sole F85.

The Smart Digital Incline treadmill also has a very functional and user-friendly console. The console features item holders, AUD port, USB port, and speed control keys. The Sole F85 treadmill console is better than this because it has additional useful features like the message center and saving feature that allows you to save your workouts settings thereby enabling you to start in the next session even faster.

Similar to the F85 treadmill, the Smart Digital Incline treadmill also has a soft drop system that makes unfolding very easy.

This treadmill features a 2.5 continuous horsepower motor. It is not the best considering Sole F85 has a 4.0 continuous horsepower.

Overall, the Sole F85 treadmill offers more advanced features compared to Smart Digital Incline treadmill although it is more expensive.

Is It Wise to Purchase Sole F85 Treadmill?

From this review, it is clear that Sole F85 treadmill holds its own when you compare it to some of the top brands on the market. Although it is more expensive, you get a better value for your money than with other brands.

When you purchase this treadmill, you not only get a high-quality console that gives you detailed information about your workout but also a high-quality motor that ensures you enjoy a smooth and quiet run.

What’s more, you are guaranteed to have a pain-free running experience since the treadmill is designed to prevent 40 percent of the joint pain often caused by running on a treadmill. You also get to enjoy numerous programs that help you customize your workouts to your liking.

All in all, there is no going wrong when you decide to get the Sole F85 treadmill. It truly is the “best folding treadmill on the planet” as the manufacturer claims.