Sole F80 Treadmill Review

Sole F80 Treadmill reviews and further info.

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Sole F80 Treadmill Reviews

Bowflex Series 7 vs. Sole F80
"I owned a Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill for a couple of years. It was repaired several times after suffering mechanical and electrical problems, but never again ran properly. After disappointing customer service with Bowflex (Nautilus), I replaced it with a Sole F80. When comparing my ownership experience with both treadmills, I recommend the Sole F80.

Bowflex Series 7:
a. 20x60 running surface (better for tall runners)
b. 3.0 hp motor gets belt to full speed in about 2-3 sec
c. no countdown before belt begins to move
d. stylish console, but not as easy to use
e. no speed or incline controls on handles (only on console)
f. metallic handrails (causes static electricity shock)
g. must tip/lean treadmill backwards to move (dangerous!)
h. warranty: 10 yrs motor, 2 yrs electronics, only 1 year labor

Sole F80:
a. 20x55 running surface (good for most people)
b. 3.0 hp motor gets belt to full speed in about 6-8 sec
c. 3 sec countdown before belt begins to move
d. console not stylish, but functional and easy to use
e. speed and incline controls located on handles AND on console
f. hand rails covered with rubber compound for better grip
g. treadmill slides along ground without tipping or leaning
h. warranty: lifetime on motor, 5 yrs electronics, 2 years labor

Delivery of large box is supposed to be made inside front door or garage. Both times, I gave the delivery person a generous "tip" for their prompt delivery service, and both times the treadmill was generously brought down into my basement. Delivery drivers were quite pleasant both times.

Assembly for both treadmills was relatively easy and both treadmills took just under 2 hours to assemble (screwing in hand rails on BOTH treadmills can be tricky-need to make sure you don't puncture and/or pinch console wires!). All necessary tools were supplied for both.

The Bowflex Series 7 and Sole F80 both have powerful and quiet 3.0 hp motors.

The decks on both feel about the same when running/walking on them. Neither deck is "whisper quiet" when running on it. To me, the deck of the Bowflex Series 7 was slightly louder (a problem that became progressively worse during my ownership of the Bowflex Series 7). If you're a taller runner (over 6 feet tall) or run with a long stride, then the F80's deck may be a little too short for you (or course, Sole makes a longer treadmill for a few hundred dollars more). But for most of us who walk/jog/run on a treadmill, the Sole F80 is a very good size and fit.

I can see why hotels use the Sole F80 treadmill. First of all, the F80 has a much better warranty (about double of what Bowflex offers). Also, from a safety or "hotel liability" standpoint, the Sole F80's has better user-friendly features such as: (a) 3 sec countdown before belt begins to move (avoids surprises/injuries); (b) belt takes 6-8 sec to get to full speed (avoids surprises/injuries); (c) easy grip handles with rubber compound (remember: most people grab the handles when they get into trouble!); (d) speed/incline controls on console AND handles (really easy to use controls on handles when running or walking); and (e) no need to tip or lean treadmill backwards when moving (easy on your back, plus treadmill won't fall on you).

Had I done my homework the first time, I would have initially bought the Sole F80 instead of the Bowflex Series 7. Although the Bowflex Series 7 was highly recommended, it did not hold up well over time. If you are considering a folding treadmill for under $1,500.00, you should consider the Sole F80."
User review on Amazon.com

Believe all the 5 star ratings. Very Nice Machine.
"I just finished my first week with my Sole F80 and I'm still sure I bought the best treadmill for the price. I had been looking at treadmills in the $700-up price range since I saw a Nordic Track in Costco. I'm 6ft and 360lbs so I quickly decided I needed something most industrial than what you get at the sub $1000 range. Also my only other experience with tread mills has been full blown gym units so I'm probably a little more bias towards spending the money for a machine closer to what I've used previously.

I read a lot of review but only really looked at the Sole F63 and F80. Honestly I really had a hard time spending the extra $500 on the F80. With some of the occasional horror stories out there I was tempted to get the F63 and an second party extended warranty, just to cover the bases. I was lucky enough to be able to see the machines in person as a Dick's Sporting goods. The pictures and product description just don't convey how much more substantial the F80 is. The F80 has the higher weight rating and much longer warranty on parts than the F63 for a reason.
So I ordered the F80, I didn't go look up exactly how many days it took but it was timely, about 10 days from order to delivery. For west coast people, mine shipped out of a Reno, NV. warehouse and the delivery company called me on a Wednesday and gave me a two hour window for that Friday (9-11am) and they were there at 9:00 sharp. If you take away only one thing from this review, let it be this: HAVE HELP UNLOADING! Even if they bring a truck with a lift gate, this thing weights in around 300 lbs in the box and it's BIG. It's packaged pretty well but you WILL damage it trying to manhandle it into the house.

Assembly was pretty straight forward. In fact the hardest part of the process is the plastic covers. One of the reviews I read stated they accidentally cut some of the wiring with a screw for the covers near the hand grips. This is VERY easy to do if you aren't paying extra attention. If you're not too worried about it looking pretty, heck just toss the covers in the closet.

I try and use the beast an hour a day, the stock programs are 20 minutes so I mix and match the fatburn, cardio, and interval programs to make up my hour. More me personally this just breaks things up and time seem to pass faster then a single 60 min program.

Good stuff:
I love the wireless heart monitor. When I was comparing the F63 to the F80 I don't really care that the F80 had the monitor, now I can't imagine not having it. Was shocked that it fit my 3x torso without issue.
It can take as much punishment as I can endure. The interval program includes 4 mph peaks at 6-7-8 inclines. Does it move, sure it does, but I don't have a second thought about whether it's stable and concentrate on what I need to do.
Other stuff:
The fans are...well...."subtle", they are fine for me but if you are expecting something to blow your hair back, you're going to need something else.

Speakers... I'm kind of a music person so I've WAY over critical, they play music, and it's nice they included a cable. I used them for about 30 seconds and then fired up my home system.

In another review someone complained that you can't change the time remaining on a workout once you start it. This seems to be true and it is something I was able to do on the gym machines I used. Not really that big a deal, you can adjust the time of a program before you start it and stopping one program and starting another takes about 5 seconds and 3 seconds of that is the 3-2-1 countdown on the start.

I also didn't think I would be folding up the machine very much. I ended up leaving the treadmill in a front room for awhile until I decide it's final home so I fold it every time I use it. VERY handy even it you're just going to fold it up and not move it. Rolls ok when folded, just bare in mind the 265 pound weight.

To sum it up, the F80 works, looks and feels like a home version of the expensive machines at the gym, not the bigger brother of a cheap machine you'd buy at the fitness version of best buy. Get one.."
User review on Amazon.com

"I am very impressed with this treadmill. I searched all over the Internet to find a perfect treadmill for my standards. I love to run and hate to do it outside. I've had it for about 2 months and have run on it at least 3 times per week (sometimes more) and I run it for at least 45 minutes at a time. My husband also uses it at least 3 times per week, not running as fast or as long, but still puts the miles on it.

I haven't had a single problem with it so far. It runs very smoothly. It is VERY quiet and very user friendly. It folds up and is easily stored away from the kids toys while it's not in use. It unfolds and folds up very easily. It came with it's own bottle of lube, which made me laugh when I first saw it because it literally only says LUBE on it. Aside from that which made me giggle, it's been a very good machine. I am overall impressed with the functionality and usability of this treadmill and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good-to-run-on treadmill. So many of the reviews I saw for other treadmills said they weren't good to run on if you'd be doing it frequently.

I ordered it online and had it shipped directly from Sole and there was no problem with either process. There was a bit of confusion with delivery because the company who was originally going to deliver it sent it out with a different company and they were delivering it and just hadn't called to make sure I was home. So I recommend just keeping an eye on the status of the delivery online just to make sure. And it's very heavy and bulky when it is delivered so I'd recommend having some strong muscles help carry it where ever you are setting it up. And keep them around to get it out of the box. (I chose the free delivery - you can pay to have them bring it in your house and even set it up). It's very easy to put together - and I would recommend having at least one other person to help - although one person could probably do it themselves. It's just a matter of holding things in place while you tighten the screws.

I tested a Sole F63 out at Dick's Sporting Goods and loved the way it felt (but still in the reviews found it wasn't great for frequent running). So I decided with the comfort I felt on that, to upgrade to the F80 and am glad I did."
User review on Epinions.com

Best consumer grade treadmill!
"i have tried life fitness machines, nordic track, etc, this is the best one out there... super smooth, super quiet, i can't rave about this any more.."
User review on Amazon.com

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