| Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill |
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- MANUFACTURER: SOLE FITNESS
- UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS: 57”H X 82”L X 37”W
- ADDITIONALLY: HEART RATE MONITOR/ FAN/ SOUND SYSTEM/ 6 STANDARD PROGRAMS, 2 CUSTOM, 2 HEART PROGRAMS
- CONSOLE: 9” LCD
- LIFTING/FOLDING: EASY ASSIST FOLDING
- BELT SIZE: 22” X 60”
- MOTOR: 3.5 CHP, DC TYPE
- DECK SUSPENSION: CUSHION FLEX WHISPER DECK
- SPEED: 0.5-12 MPH
- INCLINE: 0-15 LEVELS
- MAX USER WEIGHT: 375 POUNDS
- ITEM WEIGHT: 278 POUNDS
- OUR REVIEW: 4.2 STARS OUT OF FIVE
- PRICE GUIDE: $1800+
- WARRANTY: FRAME + MOTOR + DECK LIFETIME GUARANTEE, ELECTRONICS + PARTS FIVE YEARS GUARANTEE. LABOR TWO YEARS GUARANTEE
Contents
HOW EASY IS THIS TO SET UP?
First things first, we already know that treadmills generally weigh somewhere in the region of an elephant that’s expecting twins, so how much of a PIA (pain in the ass) is it, to actually get from outside your house to fully installed?
Well, we should say that if you don’t have any assistance, then you should pay for it to be carried and installed, as you will categorically not be able to do it alone.
Not even if you are some gigantic strong man, will you be able to lift this 278 pound treadmill by yourself. And the packaging it arrives in will obviously make it even heavier.!
Unwrapping the bits and bobs, and trying to lift them separately probably won’t help much either. Just a heads up from those who have tried, as most of the heavy part is already assembled.
As you may be expecting, this is both big and heavy and needs to be assembled in the exact spot where you want to use it.
Unless you have wider than average door fittings, or French doors, this ain’t gonna be moving any place soon, after it has been assembled.
Just because it folds up, which it does just fine, does not mean that it will be movable or easily manipulated. Even in folded mode, this is not going to be easy to shift.
In terms of difficulty to actually piece together, it is going to require at least one to two hours of concentration, depending on your skill level, and whether you have anyone helping you.
It does help to have two people to properly screw things together, although some masterminds have attempted to fly solo on this venture. This treadmill reviewer wouldn’t advise any heroics here.
WHAT IS THIS LIKE TO ACTUALLY USE?
From a user point of view, this folding treadmill review can report that most people find it very comfortable to run on. This is largely due to the fact that the belt is longer and wider than most other treadmills.
As mentioned, it is not light, so it won’t fall over easily, and can be used to walk, jog and run, up to speeds of 12 mph, so you can go really fast if you want to.
Inclines? This has fifteen to choose from, and tit isn’t difficult to shift between levels.
If you want fitness programs, there are six standard ones to choose from, plus two custom ones.
Finally, the all-consuming question must be asked… “Is it less noisy than a moving train?”
Happily, the answer here is an overwhelming “NO” … although given the excessive weight of the machine, caution should be taken when deciding where to place it.
Directly above some loose floorboards…. and a light sleeper …. we think not. All things considered, this is best off on a ground floor with a thick mat beneath it.
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THIS TREADMILL?
Because this piece of machinery is a rather large investment at $1799+, it is fair to ask what do you get for your money. These are the main points.
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FOLDS DOWN EASILY FOR SIMPLE STORAGE
This folds down easily for simple storing, and locks securely so it won’t spring open!
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SIX PRESET PROGRAMS AND TWO CUSTOM ONES
You don’t just have to run or jog at the same speed until you complete your workout … or die of boredom. This comes with six workouts preset and two others that can be custom made. Also there are two heart programs to try.
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EASY USE CONSOLE
This displays all your calories, speed, distance traveled and everything you would expect.
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ROOM FOR IPODS ETC
You will be able to slot a phone or I-pod into this, as well as hold your drinks.
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IN BUILT SPEAKERS AND FANS
So you can listen to music as you run and cool down, fully functional sound quality, and cool air fan.
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FIFTEEN INCLINES
A range of inclines to help you truly burn calories during your workout.
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WARRANTY
This comes with a warranty that extends far beyond the majority of treadmills. Labor is two years parts, electronics five years, frame, motor and deck have a lifetime guarantee.
WHAT DO WE LIKE ABOUT THIS TREADMILL
The highlights of the Sole Fitness for us, are its relative lack of noise, even at high speeds, and a max user weight of 375 pounds – if only everything was this quiet!
In terms of actual design, we do like the nice, comfy run one experiences, and the fact that it feels as if it is built to last.
We can put on our music and cool down adequately – no, these aren’t going to be Bose speakers or a Dyson fan, but they work.
The motor works well, and shouldn’t let you down. If it does, we take heart from the fact that the warranty should kick in, and by all accounts, Sole actually does take their commitments seriously.
Unlike – cough – some manufacturers, they don’t expect you to take this apart and mend it yourself. A technician will actually come to you.
We know that this shouldn’t be the exception to the rule, but we hear so many stories of companies that do nothing to help. It’s nice to have one that does what they’re committed to do.
Could anything be better about this treadmill? Yes, we suppose so. The main gripe is that the handgrips are positioned a little low for our comfort.
Apart from that, there is very little to complain about!
OUR SOLE CHOICE…?
So to summarize, would the Sole Fitness treadmill be our sole choice?
It is definitely up there with our top picks. This is a solidly built piece of equipment, that is just one step down from the machines at the gyms. If we had to pick one in this price range, The Sole Fitness 180 would be it!