The Sole F85 Treadmill at close to $2,000 may be the best treadmill on the market.

The basics:

The F85 weighs 280 pounds and folds which is fantastic for people with small spaces.

The maximum user weight is a hefty 400 pounds which is a higher number than many other treadmills.  The deck measures 33 inches wide by 80 inches long with a nice long running surface of 60 inches by 20 inches wide.

It has a terrific warranty that can't be beat. You'll get a lifetime warranty on the motor, deck, and frame; five years on the electronics and belt; and two years on labor.

Many machines now have names for their decks. Sole calls their system a Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck. The deck is nicely cushioned and quiet deck. I don't run but I have no doubt based on my experiences that if you do you won't feel pain. The Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck reduces impact by 40% (compared to running on asphalt) so it was easy on my knees and back.  

The F85 has short handles which is more the norm these days but this has always been my pet peeve. Still for most the length of the handles is a non issue.  There is another set of handles each one coming out from the side of the console. The heart rate sensors are on these. The heart-rate control automatically calculates your recommended target range based on your age. (220 minus your age should be your maximum heart rate.) I could also enter my weight so the readouts in general were accurate. It comes with a wireless chest strap.

The Sole F85 has the speed and incline controls on the arm rests so like controls on your steering wheel these control are handy and easy to use.  If you like to hold onto the handles you don't have to take your arms off to change your speed or incline. The incline goes up to 15% and the speed goes from .5 to 12mph which is fast enough for even the elite athlete.  

Let's look at the console and more of my experiences:

There are two fans and a place for my bottle, cell phone and keys as well as a magazine rack all integrated in the machine.

The display buttons are very easy to read. The readouts are speed, incline, time, distance you've gone, calories, pulse and pace. There is also a 1/4 mile track feature and a graph that shows your workout which will vary depending on the program you choose. You'll also get built in speakers so you can hook up any MP3 player.

One of my favorite features are the quickspeed and quickincline features. When I'm walking at 3.0 and I want to go to 4.0 I just hit 4.0 and it goes faster. I don't have to press an arrow. The same for the incline. It sounds like a small detail but it makes using the Sole F85 easy.

I found six pre-set programs (hill, cardio, fat burn, strength, interval and manual), two heart rate programs and two that I could make myself. Remember that even if I picked a pre-set program I could always increase or decrease the speed and incline.

Please check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Also please keep your children and pets away from any treadmill.

This machine has everything you could want and it will grow with you. It's great for the runner or power walker. Those who aren't as serious can find less expensive models but you won't get what the Sole F85 offers.





Recommended: Yes