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If you’re looking for home fitness equipment that can give you an intense workout, you might be in the market for a treadmill. There are tons of options available to you, from bare-boned, entry-level treadmills that come in under $200 to premium machines with all the bells and whistles that top $3000. If you want a great machine with plenty of features from a trusted brand, the Sole F80 treadmill might be the right treadmill for you. In this article, we will take a close look at the Sole F80 treadmill and its features, and see how it stacks up against other machines on the market.
What Is the Sole F80 Treadmill?
Sole Fitness began life as a commercial fitness company, meaning they made machines built for use in hotel gyms and other environments. When they pivoted to consumer-grade fitness equipment, they didn’t lose their high quality, rugged construction. The Sole F80 treadmill is indicative of this: it’s a high-quality machine with plenty of great features. It’s built with a suspension that offers up to 40% less shock on the joints than running on asphalt, and it has incline settings of up to 15%. Other features include a 12mph top speed, a 9-inch LCD display, and ten pre-programmed workouts. It also includes a bevy of features that many treadmills at this price point can’t match, like an MP3-compatible sound system, an included heart rate-monitoring chest strap, and a built-in cooling fan. The newest model Sole F80 treadmill also offers Bluetooth connectivity that allows users to download their workout data to their favorite fitness apps.
Product Specs
The Sole F80 treadmill has a running surface of 22 inches by 60 inches, which provides plenty of space for runners to feel comfortable. It weighs 265 pounds and can handle a maximum user weight of 375 pounds. Its whisper-quiet, 3.5 CPH motor provides a maximum speed of 11mph, and it has an automated incline of up to 15%. Because it’s so heavy, the Sole F80 treadmill also has two large rollers that make it easier to move once it’s folded up for storage.
Pricing
The Sole F80 treadmill costs around $2000 on Amazon.
How It Compares
We picked a few other treadmills available on the market to see how they compare.
ProForm PRO 9000
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Nautilus T616
Sole F80 Treadmill
Price $$$
As mentioned above, the Sole F80 treadmill costs around $2000 on Amazon.
Ease of Use ****
The Sole F80 treadmill’s large, bright console display is easy to both use and navigate, and the ten workout programs and 15% incline make it easy for users to get the workout they want. The track offers good shock absorption and is much easier on the joints than outdoor track running. The biggest downside on this front for the Sole F80 treadmill is its weight, which makes it a chore to assemble or move on one’s own.
Durability *****
Sole’s history as a manufacturer of commercial-grade fitness equipment means that the Sole F80 treadmill’s components are high-grade and can take some punishment. Its frame is precision-welded, its track is 2-ply double-woven belts with a middle layer of PVC, and its rollers are grounded to avoid picking up static. This is a heavy-duty, carefully engineered machine that can stand up to years of daily use.
Design Quality ****
The Sole F80 treadmill is comfortable and easy to use. It includes a chest strap for heart rate monitoring, and the newest models pack in Bluetooth capability, so users can easily download and store their workout data. If there’s a strike against the Sole F80 treadmill on this front, it’s that the side rails are not as long as what you’d find on some other treadmills.
Warranty *****
Sole offers one of the best warranties in the home fitness industry: a lifetime of coverage on the frame, motor, and deck, 5 years for electronics, and 2 years for labor.
Pros
- Great features like Bluetooth, workout programs, and built-in speakers
- High-quality, durable construction
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- Side rails are a little short for some users’ liking
- Heavy to move
ProForm PRO 9000
The ProForm PRO 9000 has a high-powered, 4.0 CHP motor that allows for a top speed of 12mph. That’s not the first thing you’ll notice though. That would be the vibrant 10-inch, web-enabled touchscreen display capable of outputting workout videos with iFit and browsing the internet. Like the Sole F80 treadmill, it has a wide 22-inch track and an incline of up to 15%, but it tacks a decline of up to 3% on top of that. It also boasts nearly 40 workout programs, and with an iFit subscription, you can get thousands more. If there’s a downside to this machine, it’s that a small number of users have reported spotty quality control and have trouble getting their machines fixed in a timely manner.
Price $$
The ProForm PRO 9000 costs around $1800 on Amazon.
Ease of Use *****
The internet-enabled touchscreen makes it easy to gain access to thousands of workouts with an iFit subscription, and you can even design your own with Google Maps. With 40 pre-loaded workout programs, 15% incline, and 3% decline, users will have no trouble getting the workout they want even without iFit.
Durability ****
This is a solid machine with a large, comfortable track. In addition to its bells and whistles, this treadmill is well-built, sturdy, and runs quietly. The quality control issues a handful of users report are worth considering, but luckily the machine’s warranty is more than up to snuff.
Design Quality *****
With a wide, shock-absorbing track, 40 pre-loaded workouts, iFit compatibility, a high-quality, internet-enabled touchscreen display, and built-in speakers, this treadmill has a wealth of features that you often won’t see on machines that cost nearly twice as much. On top of all of that, it also folds up for easy storage. The only knock against the ProForm PRO 9000 here is the $9.00 per month cost of an iFit subscription, which you’ll have to pay if you want to take full advantage of all of this treadmill’s features.
Warranty ****
ProForm’s warranty is comprised of lifetime coverage on the motor and frame, 5 years on parts, and 2 years on labor.
Pros
- WiFi-enabled touchscreen display
- iFit subscription and Bluetooth capability
- 40 pre-loaded workouts
Cons
- Some users report quality control issues
- iFit subscription costs $9 per month
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has a lot in common with the ProForm PRO 9000, including a high-quality web-enabled touchscreen, iFit compatibility, and Bluetooth. It folds up for quick and simple storage, but when it’s not in the closet, its 22-inch wide track is roomy and extra thick for both comfort and noise reduction. Users can even switch the amount of give the track has to simulate either road conditions or provide a softer feeling. Like the ProForm PRO 9000, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 features a 15% incline and 3% decline, with a top speed of 12mph. It also lacks the former’s handful of quality control complaints and comes in at a slightly cheaper price.
Price $$
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is available for around $1500 on Nordictrack’s website.
Ease of Use ****
The high-quality touchscreen makes it a snap to select which of the 38 pre-loaded workouts or near-unlimited iFit workouts you’d like to do and get started. Bluetooth capability enables users to quickly and easily download their workout data to the iFit app, so they can track their progress toward their goals. The biggest issue users run into with the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is assembly; this is a large, heavy machine with a lot of moving parts, and many customers find that they need at least two people to help them.
Durability *****
This is another high-quality machine with a durable track and tough motor. The “Commercial” in the name is no joke; this treadmill is designed and built to stand up to daily use for years.
Design Quality *****
What’s said about the ProForm PRO 9000 can be said about the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 here, too: it has a wealth of workouts, iFit compatibility, and internet-enabled touchscreen, a wide incline/decline range, and plenty more bells and whistles to enjoy. Also, like the ProForm Pro 9000, the iFit subscription cost may turn off some consumers looking to get the most out of their new machine.
Warranty ****
NordicTrack’s warranty is also identical to ProForm’s: a lifetime of coverage on the motor and frame, 5 years on parts, and 2 years on labor.
Pros
- The same features as the ProForm PRO 9000
- Slightly cheaper than the ProForm PRO 9000
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- iFit subscription costs $9 per month
Nautilus T616
The Nautilus T616 treadmill is the least expensive of the machines on this list, but it still falls in the middle range of treadmill pricing. It lacks the touchscreen of the previous two treadmills, but still offers a high level of quality and a great workout. Its track is 20 inches wide which, while more narrow than the other treadmills on this list, will be more than wide enough for most users. It also folds up and has rollers for easy storage. It features Bluetooth capabilities, so users can easily download their workout data to the apps Nautilus Connect, Nautilus Trainer, and MyFitnessPal. Its 3.0 CHP motor can push speeds of up to 12mph, has 26 built-in workouts, and its incline goes from 0-15% with no decline options. It also includes a chest strap and a three-speed cooling fan.
Price $$
The Nautilus T616 costs around $900 on Amazon.
Ease of Use ****
The backlit LCD display is easy to read and navigate, and with 15% maximum incline, a speed of up to 12mph, and 26 pre-loaded workouts, getting the workout you want is easy. Running on it is a pleasure thanks to its high-quality track, and the missing two inches of width won’t be missed by most users.
Durability ****
This machine can handle a maximum user weight of 300 pounds, which is less than the other treadmills on this list but will be enough for the majority of users. The motor is high-quality and doesn’t skip, and it should stand up for years of use.
Design Quality ***
The lack of a touchscreen can’t be faulted at this price point, and it’s made up for by the Nautilus T616’s excellent programs and fitness tracking capabilities. Some users report issues with the display though, including inaccurate heart rate and even time tracking, inconsistent calorie counts, and issues with user profiles. This isn’t a universal complaint.
Warranty ***
Nautilus’ warranty offering is inferior to its competitors’ on this list: 10 years of coverage for the frame and motor, 2 years for mechanical parts and electronics, and 1 year for labor.
Pros
- Great fitness tracking capabilities
- Excellent features for the price
- 12mph top speed and 15% maximum incline compete well with higher-priced treadmills
Cons
- Some reports of inconsistencies with the display
- Not as many features as other models on the list
Conclusion
All four of the treadmills on this list are great products, and the right one for you will depend upon what you’re looking for. If you want an affordable treadmill that will give you a great workout and has plenty of features for the price, the Nautilus T616 might be the right machine for you. If you’re willing to spend a little more to get premium features at a mid-range price, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is an option that can scarcely be topped. Pitted against the similar ProForm PRO 9000, NordicTrack’s machine comes out on top simply by being less expensive.
When it comes to the Sole F80 treadmill, it’s most suitable for workout warriors who value high-quality components and a durable machine. The guts of the F80 are commercial-grade and second to none on this list. It lacks a touchscreen, iFit, and tons of pre-loaded workouts, but it’s the most durable and premium-feeling machine on this list. The bottom line is this: if you want the technological bells and whistles, like a touchscreen and downloadable workouts, spend a little less for NordicTrack’s machine. If you want the best components and a machine that will run like a dream for years, purchase Sole’s F80. Our overall rating for this machine is 4 out of 5 stars.
