Sole F80

We aren’t the only ones singing praise for the Sole F80. According to various consumer resources and reviews, the treadmill tops the lists of the best ones in its price range. The F80 is one of the most popular treadmills in the US & UK market and was awarded one of our highest rankings because it offers so much for such a great price.

For the price, you will get a sturdy piece of equipment that provides comfort and performance for all sorts of training activity, from walking to high-performance running. It has a few upgrades compared to its older siblings, the F63 and F65. 

Here’s everything you need to know before purchasing the F80:

• 3.5 CHP Motor (5.0 HP Peak)

An improvement from the 3.25 CHP motor on the former F65, you can walk, jog, and run fearlessly on the Sole F80 for extended periods. The high-performance motor impressed us with its quietness, so it’s the perfect option if noisiness is a concern for you. 

• 9-inch LCD and Tablet Holder

If you’ve explored advanced treadmills with luxurious screens, the Sole F80 will definitely seem a bit outdated to you. While the LCD is an inch and a half larger than the F65, tech geeks may still be disappointed. It doesn’t offer a lot of options except displaying your workout stats, although it’s functional enough. 

One good feature is the tablet holder right above the console, making up for the lack of entertainment options. You can simply place your own device to avoid getting bored. 

• Multiple Workout Options

The Sole F80 offers Bluetooth connectivity to the Sole Fitness app via your iOS or Android device. With the Sole app on your smartphone or tablet, you can design your own workout and keep records of all your activity stats. You can also transfer your data to other apps like Fitbit, iHealth, and mapmyfitness, to name a few. 

If you’re a fan of exploration and travel, you’ll like the Kinomap compatibility that comes with the F80. This was also present on the former model and opens up a world of virtual locations, automatically causing your treadmill to adjust its incline according to your chosen paths’ natural steepness.  

Aside from the above Bluetooth-compatible features, you get built-in workout options that include six preset programs (manual, cardio, hill, fat burn, strength, and HIIT), two custom programs, and two programs allowing heart rate training. 

• Up to 20 km/h Speed and 15% Incline Limit

Thanks to its supreme quietness and wide speed range, we love speeding up in peace on the F80. The motor is also strong enough to support high-intensity workouts, so it’s perfect whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete. 

The smooth, noiseless speed and incline adjustment (although it may be a bit slower than you’d like) left us impressed. Offering up to 15% incline, you can use the F80 for multiplied calorie burn and lower body toning alongside its cardio benefits. 

• Spacious Cushion Flex Whisper Deck 

The 56 x 152.5 cm running deck is identical to the former F65, but no complaints there. It didn’t need an upgrade anyway since there’s already enough leg and elbow space, even for tall and broad individuals. 

There’s also the Cushion Flex feature that’s supposed to reduce the impact on your joints as you work out. However, we didn’t feel as much of a shock-absorbing action as the cushioning technologies on ProForm and NordicTrack machines. It’s definitely better than running on asphalt, but there’s room for improvement. 

• Dual Heart Rate Monitoring Features

Like any modern treadmill, you can monitor your heart rate on the F80. Either use the pulse-sensing handgrips or connect a Bluetooth chest belt for hands-free monitoring.

• Convenient Motorised Folding Option

We know that space comes at a premium when living in London-town, so this feature is of utmost importance to our fellow Brits. Easy Assist Folding is a patented folding system by Sole that locks the treadmill deck into an upright position. You can easily lift the deck’s base by grabbing the steel bar there until it latches securely. Unlatch it for use with the gentle pull of a lever, and watch it land softly, thanks to the hydraulic technology.

• Other Features

The treadmill features two cooling fans right above the screen, although we found the airflow a bit weak. You also get external speakers, an accessory tray, durability-enhancing 2.5-inch rollers, and space for two bottle holders as an added convenience.