Sole F85 Treadmill Review: Will This Be the One You’ll Love?

If you’ve been to a gym or health spa and spent time on their treadmills, you’ve probably noticed that they are noticeably bigger, more durable, and overall just a bit “beefier” than typical residential treadmills.

Bringing a gym-quality treadmill into the home isn’t doable for many people since the combination of a bigger size and greatly increase price isn’t worth how much use you’ll get from it. However, since Sole models aren’t for typical commercial gym use, but rather light commercial use, their treadmills can work very well in a home gym situation.

One model that has not only been rated as a Best Buy but also as the Best Folding Treadmill is the Sole F85. This foldable treadmill is one of Sole’s best sellers and is ideal for the home or even in a small gym where multiple people may be using it every day. The F85 has more power than typical residential treadmills, as well as some great features like a wider track and greater maximum weight capacity.

If you are looking for a treadmill for your home gym but you have a budget under $3k, the F85 will deliver some incredible advantages without feeling like “too much” for the typical consumer.

Sole Fitness F85 Folding Treadmill | Amazon
$2,717.00

The top model in Sole's folding series, the F85 treadmill is a great choice for serious workout enthusiasts. All Sole treadmills are outfitted with powder-coated, all-steel welded frames and heavy-duty, stable inclines.

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03/10/2024 09:34 pm GMT

Contents

Specs and Features of the Sole F85

Before getting into why you may (or may not) want to invest your own F85 treadmill, here is a rundown of the basics you need to know.

Specs:

  • Total Dimensions – 57″ x 83″ x 37″ (h x l x w)
  • Track Dimensions – 22″ x 60″
  • Weight – 301 lbs
  • User Weight Capacity – 400 lbs
  • Speed Range – 0.5 to 12 mph Max Speed
  • Incline Range – 0 to 15 levels
  • Powered by a strong 4.0 HP motor
  • Extra wide, double-ply belt track
  • Retails originally for $2,999.99 (often on sale for under $1850)

Features:

  • Comes with 6 preset programs and ability to save 2 custom programs
  • Comes with 2 preset heart rate programs
  • Includes a pulse grip and heart rate monitoring chest strap (included)
  • Built with a cooling fan system and sound system
  • Bright, easy to read 10″ TFT LCD display
  • Designed with Easy Assist folding mechanism
  • The upgraded 2017 F85 now has Bluetooth connectivity
  • Lifetime warranty on frame, motor, and running deck
  • Up to 5 year warranty on electronics and other parts

Sole F85 Treadmill

The Sole F85 folding treadmill is loaded with some great features but remains very user-friendly and enjoyable to exercise on. It is ideal for walking, jogging, or running, and can easily handle sprints.

While most people invest in a treadmill for home use so they can maintain their passion of running or jogging, those that are just beginning their fitness journey or recovery from injury can appreciate the slow speeds of this treadmill as well.

With that out of the way, let’s get into a few reasons why the F85 is such a popular treadmill.

Advantages of the Sole F85

Here are a few reasons the F85 is a great choice.

Sole Fitness F85 Folding Treadmill | Amazon
$2,717.00

The top model in Sole's folding series, the F85 treadmill is a great choice for serious workout enthusiasts. All Sole treadmills are outfitted with powder-coated, all-steel welded frames and heavy-duty, stable inclines.

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03/10/2024 09:34 pm GMT

Bluetooth Connectivity Compatible with Many Fitness App Options

Bluetooth wireless connection is a very useful tool in the fitness world. Since the average person uses a smartphone, the availability of the sole fitness app makes tracking your workout and progress much easier. Sole brought this technology to the F85 which is a huge bonus for those that already rely on a fitness app.

The treadmill will talk to your Sole fitness app via Bluetooth, delivering important stats such as time, distance, speed, calories burned, and more. Some compatible apps include popular ones like FitBit, MyFitnessPal, and iHealth. Sole also has their own app which can be used to track fitness information.

Very Enjoyable to Use

If exercising on your treadmill is difficult you’re less likely to use it – plain and simple. The F85 is really an enjoyable piece of equipme3nt to use, not to mention comfortable. The first thing many notice when comparing this treadmill model to typical residential models is that it’s wider track makes running so much easier.

At 22″ of width there is plenty of space and little fear of accidentally stepping off. The 60″ running surface length is ideal for vast majority of runners, even those with fairly long strides.

Under this track is Cushion Flex Whisper Deck technology. This provides a great bounce and is remarkably quiet. This running deck also reduces impact up to 40%, compared to running outdoors on asphalt.

Other additions, like cooling fans, water bottle holder, and a bright display really add to the fun of this Sole treadmill.

Can Handle Heavier Use and a Range of Users

Consumers that are a bit heavier in weight can struggle to find a residential treadmill that can safely handle their weight without failure or damage. The F85 is designed for users up to 400 lbs in weight, so even those 250+ can run on this machine without worry.

The treadmill itself feels extremely secure and strong, which really helps to add peace of mind. Height also won’t be a concern since the wide, long track, as explained above, is great for those with longer legs and therefore a longer stride.

Disadvantages of the Sole F85

If you are considering the F85, you should also keep these two downsides in mind.

Takes Up Quite a Bit of Space

The F85 is a larger treadmill than most residential models. When folded out it eats up 83″ x 37″ of space, and that doesn’t include having space around it for ease of use and safety.

Taking up roughly 8′ x 3′ of area, plus a couple feet behind it means you’d need more like 10′ of space in length to use this Sole treadmill. Those with small homes or a small room dedicated to their home gym just might want to give up that much space, especially if they do circuit training or train with a partner.

Fairly Small Arms/Side Rails

Rather than having traditional side rails, the F85 has arms instead. It is discouraged to hold onto rails while using a treadmill, but some may find that the lack of a visual barrier makes them feel unsafe while running at higher speeds. While regular use and looking forward while running will help this psychological issue, it is still a downside for some.

Sole F85 Alternatives

If you are finding from our Sole F85 Review that the Sole F85 Folding Treadmill might not be the right model for you, there are two alternatives that perform equally well but may be more suitable for your needs.

Sole F80 Treadmill

Better Warranty
Sole F80 Treadmill | Amazon

The Sole F80 treadmill boasts a strong, continuous-duty 3.0 HP motor that delivers challenging speeds up to 11 MPH; the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck reduces impact on your joints by up to 40% as compared to running on asphalt.

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First up the F80 Treadmill, the little sister to the F85. If you love almost everything about the F85 but it’s out of the price range or you just don’t want that much treadmill, the Sole F80 Treadmill is an excellent step-down. It retails for under $1.5k and is powered by a smaller 3.5 HP motor.

It still offers an extra-wide track and majority of the same workout program features. Sole also has another treadmill model called the F65 which is even more budget-friendly. If you really don’t want to spend too much over $1k, the F65 would be a wonderful little splurge for a private treadmill for a single user or family. Check out how F80 compares to Sole F63.

Precor 956i Treadmill

Precor 956i Experience Series Treadmill | Amazon
$1,999.99

Precor's 956i Experience Series Treadmill is Certified Pre-Owned. As part of their Quality Assurance Process, all equipment must pass a quality inspection performed by our team of experts to ensure each piece of equipment performs at the highest level and looks first-class.

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03/10/2024 10:55 pm GMT

If you actually want more than what the F85 offers, the Precor 956i is a tempting choice. This treadmill is close to the same price as the F85, if you can find it used or through a retailer outside of Precor. This treadmill has the same 4.0 HP motor but can handle max speed up to 16 MPH.

It is loaded with 26 preset workout program options, including intensive ones designed for Army and Law Enforcement physical tests. It has a larger display screen as well as a reading rack. Those that rely heavily on preset programing will really enjoy what this treadmill offers.

FAQs About the Sole F85 Treadmill

Is Sole a good treadmill brand?

Sole is a great treadmill brand that offers home and commercial equipment that is up to the competitive standards. Their equipment comes with a 5-year warranty, which makes it an excellent brand to purchase if you are looking to invest in fitness equipment.

Is Sole better than NordicTrack?

Both Sole and NordicTrack are excellent fitness brands that offer top-notch equipment that allow weight loss and an increase in energy and muscles. The Sole machines however lack some features that NordicTrack has and it has a less powerful motor.

How long do Sole treadmills last?

Sole treadmills are used in home gyms and professional gyms, so the lifespan is a bit different. If the treadmill is used a lot every single day, its lifespan should be around 12 years, whereas if used in home conditions, the gym should last even more than 20 years.

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