Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84495 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Sole
• Model: F85
• Released on: 2007-07-10

Amazon.com Product Description
The top model in Sole's folding series, the F85 treadmill is a great fit for serious workout enthusiasts. The F85 boasts a powerful 3.5-horsepower, continuous-duty motor--the most powerful in the Sole line--that delivers speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and inclines of up to 15 percent. The club-style tri-color LED display, meanwhile, includes a message board for clear instruction and feedback, while also tracking your speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace. There's even a 1/4-mile track feature that you can follow as you run and a peak-and-valley graph that corresponds to individual programs. And when you're not using the treadmill, it folds into a compact footprint and locks securely in place, thereby saving a ton of storage space.

The F85 is outfitted with a host of additional user-friendly features, including six auto workout programs, two custom programs, and two heart rate control programs for cardio or weight loss. The heart rate programs are particularly valuable, as they automatically calculate your recommended target range based on your age, ensuring the safest and most efficient workout possible. And users with creaky joints with love the Cushion Flex treadmill deck, which is built to protect your knees from excessive pounding, with the ability to reduce impact up to 40 percent compared to running on asphalt. Other details include armrest incline and speed controls; an extra-large 20-by-60-inch running surface; a wireless chest strap that measures your heart rate; and armrest cooling fans. The F85 treadmill, which offers a user capacity of up to 400 pounds, carries the following warranties: lifetime on the motor, deck, and frame; five years on the electronics, belt, and rollers; and two years on the labor.

Specifications:

• Motor: 3.5 HP continuous duty, DC type, ultra high torque
• Speed: 0.5 to 12 mph
• Incline: 15% maximum, rack and pinion gear design
• Weight: 280 pounds
• Deck Size: 33 x 80, Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck
• User Weight: 400 pounds
• Running Surface: 20 x 60
• Belt: Double woven, 2-ply
• Rollers: 2-3/4 inches
• Folding: Yes, with the Easy Assist folding feature
• Heart Rate Control: Yes, wireless chest strap included
• Hand Pulse Grips: Yes, and arm rest speed/incline controls
• Display Color: Tri Color (red, green, gold)
• Message Window: Yes, scrolling information
• Standard Programs: Six
• User Defined Programs: Two
• Heart Rate Programs: Two
• Cooling Fans: Yes
• Speakers and MP3 Plug-in: Yes

Manufacturer's Warranty
Motor - lifetime, deck - lifetime, frame - lifetime, electronics/belt/rollers - 5 years, labor - 2 years

About Treadmills
Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home.

From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface.

While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain.

About Sole
Sole brings over twenty years of treadmill and fitness product design and manufacturing to the table in their line of innovative equipment designed for fitness-conscious people. The company's treadmill line is simple in design, with an emphasis on quality and warranty all at a great price. Sole's easy-to-use treadmills offer a great value and feature a convenient, space-saving portable design. The treadmills have a very stable base with four wheels for ease of movement, folding decks to conserve space, and a 30-year motor and lifetime deck and frame warranty. Sole is always looking for ways to make their equipment better, more efficient, with higher quality at a great price.

Customer Reviews

Made for a runner
I have a late 2006 model which is identical to the 2008 model as far as the specs. There has been a slight cosmetic design change but nothing drastic. My wife and I have been running and walking on this machine for over a year and a half and we've had no problems. The heart rate monitors could be better but I'm not convinced any of the treadmills offer anything more accurate. They get you in the ballpark. The warranty is what really matters and few machines match Sole's much less alone exceed it. The best site for unbiased treadmill reviews is www.treadmilldoctor.com . I've spoken with Sole on several occasions and the customer support is superb. No overseas call center and instant response from a company that wants your business.

Worth Every Penny!
I purchased the Sole F85 treadmill on 6/25/08 directly from Sole and took advantage of the free shipping they offer. They shipped it out the next day and I received it on 7/1/08 in perfect condition. It was incredibly easy to put together, it took about 30 minutes to do. I've used it everyday since it arrived. I walk 4-5 miles per day at 8-10 degree incline and so far no worries. I used to get terrible shin splints with my old treadmill at half the speed and no incline but since I've started walking on this machine I haven't had a single twinge of pain. No regrets on this purchase what so ever!

The only negatives I can really come up with are the built in fans and H.R. display. Because I'm only 5' tall the fans can't be adjusted low enough to hit me. No biggie. The other thing is the with the H.R. display. When I wear my Polar H.R. monitor it comes up on the LCD display but is inaccurate. Off by up to +20 bpm in comparison to the Polar H.R. setup I wear. Since I use a Polar monitor it really isn't an issue with me but could be an issue for others.

Pros:

Warranty

Reputation

Very quite...Just a slight wooshing sound of the belt turning.

Controls on handles for speed and incline. Very easy to adjust on the move.

3.5 HP motor

Folds and unfolds effortlessly.

Cons:

Fans
H.R.display

Great Treadmills for Runners !
F85 is a great value for money treadmill for serious runners. I clock over 25 miles per week and it has held up well for 3 months now. I am using it to train for my first marathon.I like the long belt and the 3.5HP for this price is a steal as compared to other treadmills with similar features.