I learned that the Sole F80 treadmill was the treadmill choice of upscale establishments like the Hilton Hotel chain. This intrigued me, so I took a look at the machine. I already knew that any piece of exercise equipment in a high-end establishment would be top of the line. Yet, I wanted to see for myself what made the Sole F80 so special.
My first impression of the machine was that it was a solid commercial quality treadmill. At first I didn’t think it was anything fancy. But, first assumptions are often wrong. The Sole F80 is packed with some interesting features like six workout programs, cooling fans, and speed and incline controls in the arm rests, as well as built in speakers for MP3 players or iPODS. Pretty impressive!
As solid and durable as the machine is, the Sole F80 comes with an easy assist folding feature. This is ideal for someone who wants the machine in their home. I found the machine to be easy to push around and maneuver, too. This is great for someone who needs to put their treadmill in a closet or corner after a workout. My opinion is the Sole F80 is a space saver and it would make a great home treadmill for someone who is in the market for one.
In regards to the motor, the Sole F80 was upgraded in 2008 and is now equipped with a powerful 3.0 continuous duty motor. It operates quietly, is very smooth and can easily accommodate someone up to 350 pounds. However, someone who is a very serious runner may want to opt for a treadmill that has a bit more horsepower. This machine is better suited to walkers and joggers.
After doing some comparisons I found that the warranty on the Sole F80 is well above par. There is a lifetime warranty on the motor, deck and frame. The price of the machine is a steal, in my opinion, considering the warranty, durability and the features on this machine. It certainly outranks other machines in its price range. Another piece of information I found is that if you purchase the machine directly from the company you will get an instant $500 savings on the treadmill. All in all, I can see why Hilton and other upscale establishments have opted to have the Sole F80 on site. It’s a great machine.