Treadmill Portal – Your Treadmill Questions, Answered

When looking for an in-home treadmill, there are a variety of things to consider. From budget to special features, you have to decide what is best for you. The Sole F63 Treadmill is a relatively inexpensive, basic folding treadmill, but it is the simplest of the Sole line. The beauty of home exercise machines is that they offer the convenience of the gym without having to leave the house. For that reason, many people prefer devices that provide a lot of extras. If, however, you're looking for a basic treadmill, the Sole F63 might be for you. Overview of the Sole F63 Treadmill [amazon box="B001G60JA8" template= "horizontal"] The Sole F63 Treadmill is the simplest and most affordable model offered by Sole; however, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality. The Sole F63 is just as sturdy as its more expensive cousins and syncs with many fitness apps like My Fitness Pal and FitBit. Plus, the treadmill comes with 10 workout programs, including cardio and fat burner, to help keep your workouts exciting. Product specifications The Sole F63 Folding Treadmill comes with many of the bells and whistles that are standard on much more expensive models. For example, the 6.5-inch LCD screen displays many health statistics, such as calories burned and heart rate, and, like all Sole treadmills, offers 10 different workout programs. If you'd rather use your own device as a workout monitor, you can use the machine's tablet holder. The advantage of the tablet holder is that you can download Sole's free fitness app, which integrates with other fitness apps for your convenience. The treadmill connects to the app through Bluetooth and has a USB port. This integrated technology means that you can use its speakers to listen to entertainment through your tablet while charging it at the same time. The running area of the Sole F63 is 20 inches wide by 60 inches long, giving the runner plenty of space without the worry of a short track. Unfolded, the treadmill has dimensions of 82 inches long, 35 inches wide, and 57 inches tall, and when folded, it reduces to 82 inches long, 35 inches wide, and 17 inches tall. Even at 254 pounds, and with a hydraulic folding system, the machine is easy to store when not in use. But wait, there's more Its sturdy frame can support up to 325 pounds of weight, and its 30 levels of incline make it ideal for a variety of fitness levels, from beginning runners to athletes. The Cushion Flex Whisper Deck reduces joint impact by as much as 40 percent. This feature especially makes the treadmill a smart buy for anyone who has had an injury. The machine's 3.0 CHP motor and Flywheels make the running track one of the quietest and smoothest you can find. And with many easily accessed controls for incline and speed, it allows you to customize your workouts to fit your needs. Pros and cons of the Sole F63 The Sole F63 comes with several features that make it stand out from other treadmills in its budget. The sturdy steel frame, the deck, and the motor have lifetime guarantees. And its ability to fold makes it much more convenient for a home machine than traditional, non-folding treadmills. You can also connect either a wired or wireless heart monitor to the treadmill, allowing you to track your fitness progress. And the tablet holder and Bluetooth capabilities make it much more convenient for listening to music or watching television during your workout. Its 30 levels of incline and speeds from 1 mile per hour to 12 miles per hour make this treadmill incredibly versatile. It's suitable for both beginners and athletes. Unfortunately, the wireless strap for the heart monitor is not included with the machine, and the workout programs are a bit underwhelming compared with the other models from Sole. Additionally, some customers have found that even when folded, the machine is so large that it is challenging to store unobtrusively. Pros Foldable Sturdy 10 workout programs Integrates with apps Tablet holder Bluetooth speakers Mp3 input Excellent warranty Accessible controls Weight capacity of 325 pounds 30 levels of incline Large range of speeds Better for joints Large running track Cons Even folded, it is still large and dominates the room Doesn't have the same bells and whistles as other Sole treadmills Simplistic workout programs Wireless heart monitor strap not included How We Reviewed the Sole F63 We compared the Sole F63 with other machines in its budget. We chose other well-known, reputable brands to gauge how the Sole treadmill measured up to its competitors. Most importantly, we read reviews from customers and aggregated that data to provide honest, unfiltered opinions regarding the functionality, ease of use, and customer support of each brand. How the Sole F63 Compares to Other Machines The Sole F63 is one of the most versatile machines in its budget. Likewise, the customer support offered by Sole tends to be on the upper end of the spectrum compared with other brands that manufacture treadmills in this budget. While it may not contain as many extra features as some other machines in its category, its longevity makes it a great buy. NordicTrack T 7.5 S Treadmill [amazon box="B07H162988" template= "horizontal"] The NordicTrack T 7.5 S Treadmill is a comparable machine to the Sole F63. At roughly the same budget, and with many of the same specifications and features, such as a 20 inches by 60 inches running track and a 3.0 CHP motor, it does give the Sole F63 a run for its money. On the one hand, the T 7.5 S comes with a year of iFit membership, and a seven inch LED touch screen display making it a better deal than the F63. However, at a maximum incline of 12 percent, the NordicTrack's versatility does not match that of the Sole. Additionally, NordicTrack is notorious for poor customer support, and the warranty is nowhere near as exhaustive as that of the Sole F63. Pros and cons of the NordicTrack T7.5 S Treadmill Pros: Large running track One year iFit membership Seven-inch display screen 3.0 CHP motor Bluetooth capability Cons: Maximum incline of only 12 percent Poor customer service Subpar warranty Horizon Fitness 7.0 Advanced Smart Training Treadmill [amazon box="B07K1WHGWW" template= "horizontal"] Like the Sole F63, the Horizon FitnessTraining Treadmill offers Bluetooth connectivity and a dedicated app to control your workouts. It likewise comes with a device holder and a USB charging port. At 283 pounds and with a 60-inch running track, this machine also has a comparable weight and size as the Sole F63, and the warranty covers the frame and motor for life. Assembled, the Horizon Fitness Training Treadmill is 76.5 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 59 inches tall. When folded, its size reduces to 41 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 70 inches tall. However, some customers report disappointing experiences with customer service, and the Horizon Treadmill appears to have a shorter lifespan than the Sole F63. Pros and cons of the Horizon Fitness 7.5 Advanced Training Treadmill Pros: Bluetooth capability Free app through Horizon Fitness Tablet holder and charging port Large running track Easy assembly and folding Lifetime warranty on frame and motor Cons: Shorter lifespan Disappointing customer service ProForm Power 995i [amazon box="B00ENW4FAW" template= "horizontal"] The ProForm Power 995i is another comparable machine to the Sole F63. It, too, has a large running track of 20 inches by 60 inches, a 3.0 CHP motor, and Bluetooth connectivity. The ProForm also supports iFit Live, with updates from Jillian Michaels, giving this machine an edge over the Sole F63, which does not support interactive workouts from celebrity trainers. It also comes with twice the number of built-in workout programs, covering speed, cardio, and weight loss. Where the Sole F63 beats the ProForm Power 995i is in the warranty: though the frame and motor on each are covered for life, the ProForm treadmill's warranty does not cover the deck. Pros and cons of the ProForm Power 995i Pros: Large running track 3.0 CHP motor Bluetooth capability Supports iFit Live 20 built-in workouts Easy assembly and folding Cons: Running deck not covered by warranty To Buy or Not to Buy, That Is the Question If you're looking for an inexpensive treadmill that will get the job done, the Sole F63 is likely the machine for you. Though it doesn't come with some of the special features that Sole's other machines have, it is the most affordable option through this company. It is also backed by one of the best warranties for its budget. If you do want a few more bells and whistles, you might do better with the ProForm Power 995i or, if you don't mind spending a bit more, a higher-end model from Sole. The Sole F80 is the next step up from the F63 and comes with a more powerful motor and the ability to support multiple users. If you found this review helpful, feel free to comment below. Featured image via Sole

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