|
The Sole Fitness F80 treadmill is one of the best selling treadmills in the
US market and is now available in the UK market. It's also one of the best
reviewed machines and highly rated by US based review websites. So, now that
it's available in good old Blighty, is it any good and how does it compare
to similarly priced treadmills already in the market?
First impression of the Sole F80 treadmill are that it's a heavy duty
treadmill that's build to last. Certainly, it passes the classic 'shake
test' with flying colours!
Let's start with the basics: This treadmill is powered by a large
3
horsepower continuous duty motor, has a 20 inch by 60 inch running belt, a
top speed of 20 kph (12.5 mph) and a maximum incline of 15%.
The combination of a powerful motor, large rollers and other high
quality components has a big impact on the treadmill's noise levels.
Certainly, it's much quieter than other treadmills in its price range.
What's it like to run on? Simply put, it's a pleasure! The deck provides
ample room and the belt is a nice thick 2 ply belt. The running deck is
relatively firm, whilst still providing a good degree of impact absorbtion.
In terms of the feel of the deck, this is the perfect platform for serious
training!
The console is an area where the Sole F80 really shines.
The design of it is similar to a gym treadmill; typically gym treadmills
have a clear and intuitive display and large, clearly labelled buttons for
the simple reason that their members need to be able to use the machines
without being confused. This philosophy has been adopted on the Sole F80.
With this machine, there are separate buttons for 'start' and 'select',
clear buttons labelled 'up', 'down', 'slower', 'faster' as buttons for
selecting each of programmes offered on the treadmill. At the center the
console, there is a very large, very clear & backlit LCD display which
displays all the key information in a clear and easy to understand fashion.
In additon, the built-in speakers are pretty decent (for a treadmill) and
the dual fans in the console provide a welcome stream of cooling air when
running.
The Sole F80 has 10 programmes: Manual, 5 pre-set programmes, 2 user
defined programmes and 2 heart rate controlled programmes. On the surface,
this sounds like a very limited range of programmes in comparison to other
treadmills in the same price range. This comparison, however, would be
somewhat unfair as each of the pre-set programmes on the F80 can have their
duration and intensity set. On many other treadmills, each combination would
be counted as a separate programme. We actually prefer the simplicity of
Sole's approach: it makes it easy to select one programme type (such as fat
burn) and to start with a lower duration and top speed and gradually
increase the intensity (top speed of the programme) and duration of the
session as fitness levels improve over time.
The console has a Polar compatible wireless heart rate receiver and an
optional chest best can be used to communicate ECG accurate heart rate
measurements directly to the treadmill's console. A chest belt needs to be
used to make use of the treamill's two heart rate controlled programmes.
We're pleased to see heart rate control functionality on offer here as this
represents one of the best forms of training for specific fitness goals.
There are many details about the Sole F80 that make it stand out from its
competition: the elegant unfolding mechanism, high quality finish, handlebar
speed and incline keys, the fact that the treadmill can be moved without
having to tilt it onto two wheels etc. But, there a couple of factors that
really increase our confidence
in this treadmill. The first is the very high maximum user weight and the
second is the warranty. In addition to 3 years on site labour warranty, Sole
Fitness are offering a lifetime warranty on the parts. This is something
that we've not seen being offered by any treadmill manufacturers in the UK
and it demonstrates Sole's confidence in their products!
Available for £1499 from Sweatband.com
Best UK Price Specification
Pros and Cons Reviewers Ratings
In brief:
The Sole F80 is a serious treadmill that's built to last. The powerful
motor, high quality components, feature rich and easy to use console as
well as the lifetime parts warranty really make this treadmill stand out
from the crowd. We have no hesitation in recommending this treadmill to
those looking for a serious running machine!
|
Sole F80 Folding Treadmill - Technical Bits
User reviews will follow after the technical information.
Specifications:
- 3.0 HP continuous duty motor
- 0 - 20 km/H speed range (0 - 12.5 mph)
- Direct Speed and Incline keys
- Fold-up treadmill with hydraulic lift assist / soft drop
- 10 programmes including HRC
- Elastomer cushioning system
- Maximum user weight - 170kg (26.7 stones)
- Hand Grips and chest strap for heart rate monitoring
Dimensions:
- 207cm (length) x 88cm (width) x 144.5cm (height) in use
- 123cm (length) x 88cm (width) x 181cm (height) folded
Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill Console
Sole F80
Treadmill - User Reviews
The Pros:
The solid feel
Large running deck with quality belt
The sound quality from the speakers
Direct programme access keys
The cooling fans
The Cons:
Initial assembley requires two people and can
take about an hour.
Sole F80 Treadmill Ratings
Power
Appearance
Running Area
Comfort
Reliability
Noise
Ease of use
Controls
Warranty
Value for Money
OVERALL RATING
|
- 9.5
- 9.5
- 9.5
- 9
- 9
- 9
- 9.5
- 9
- 10
- 9.5
= 93.5%
|
|
Also see our Treadmill Comparison Table
Whilst every effort is made to give you accurate information we cannot guarantee the technical specification. Models change on a regular basis and may differ slightly from the tables above. We recommend you contact the retailer if you have a question regarding technical data. Please read our Legal Disclaimer
|
|
Home
Buyers Guide
Reviews
Second Hand
Training Tips
Contact Us
Please read our Legal Disclaimer
|
