Whether it is a treadmill or spin bike, they have a simple purpose: to get you sweating in the comfort of your own home.
From that basic premise has sprung a myriad of different designs and features meant to add comfort to your experience and performance from the machine itself.
Accordingly, the treadmill market ranges from relatively inexpensive devices with minimal features to totally decked-out super-machines that cost more than a decent used car.
The Sole F63 treadmill lands somewhere in the middle. In our Sole F63 Treadmill review, we will take a closer look at the Sole F63 treadmill to tease out the good, the bad, and the ugly.
1. Design
The Sole F63 treadmill comes with an 82 inch long, 32-inch wide deck. The console comes up to 57 inches. The running surface has a 60-inch length by 20 inches wide. The whole unit weighs in at 254 pounds, though it can accommodate users up to 325 pounds in weight.
The 3.0 horsepower motor enables speeds of up to twelve miles per hour. By adjusting the incline up to 15% grade with a button’s push, the machine can provide some serious climbing.
The flywheels allow the machine to operate at a whisper-quiet volume. Coupled with a Cushion Flex Whisper deck – which reduces the impact on the joints by up to 40%. The Sole F63 treadmill does allow for a relatively quiet run.
The device folds up for storage between workouts, though the bulky console and long base legs don’t make this the biggest space saver in the treadmill world. The frame has a heavy-duty steel construction guaranteed for life, so the build works well.
Overall, the design makes sense. However, the Sole F63 treadmill does arrive unassembled. The instructions work well enough, but the design has enough complexity to place considerable time demands on the assembler.
The base has wheels to move the unit around quickly enough, but upon arrival, most people will need help to move the whole 254 pounds of treadmill parts to their intended location.
2. Features
LCD screen
The Sole F63 treadmill has a variety of features intended to spice up a workout and enhance user performance.
The device has a 6.5 inch LCD screen that reads out workout information like heart rate, distance, speed, and your point on a “track” so you can tick off quarter miles and tailor your workout.
Integrated tablet holder
Starting at the top of the console, an integrated tablet holder keeps a phone or tablet secure, so you can watch your distraction of choice while you get miles in.
Below the console, a cup holder spans across the two arms of the treadmill. While nice enough in theory, most users complained that the cupholders (and arms for that matter) sit too low on the machine to be of much use.
Speakers with Bluetooth connectivity
The Sole F63 treadmill also has speakers with Bluetooth connectivity connected directly to the console. It also has a headphone jack on the side for the speakers for those who would rather keep their sounds to themselves.
Curiously, the speakers themselves do not have a volume adjustment, relying instead on the connected device to pump up the jams.
Workout programs
The treadmill comes loaded with six standard workout programs. These programs approximate going up and down hills, or adjusting tempo for speedwork sessions like a fartlek or track workout.
Speed and incline adjustments on the fly with push-button operation on the handles. Handles also have a built-in heart rate monitor, and the Sole F63 comes with a chest-strap heart monitor that connects to the treadmill itself for constant live updates.
USB charger
The unit has a USB connection to charge phones or tablets while you work out – a nice feature, especially for longer workout sessions.
The placement of headphone and USB ports seems well thought out for minimizing wire tangling.
Cooling fans
The console also has a few other creature comforts. Two cooling fans blow air on the runner/walker, though users note that the placement and lack of control over the airspeed make the fans less than perfect in their utility.
3. Performance
The Sole F63 treadmill has a lot of potentials, but also a lot of potential risks. The design works when it works. But unfortunately, quality control seems lacking with lots of users finding flaws early in the product’s lifespan.
But overall, the Sole F63 treadmill has more positive reviews than negative ones. Users love its ability to smoothly adjust the speed and incline mid-stride, and the deck runs smoothly and comfortably.
In terms of performance, the Sole F63 treadmill holds up pretty well – if it works out of the box. A lot of users have noted issues upon arrival or shortly thereafter, particularly with the electronics.
While Sole does offer a 3-year warranty on the deck, electronics, and parts, it often requires disassembling the machine and sending it back for a replacement if a tech can’t fix it on site.
Additionally, some users have noted issues with the performance at very low speeds. Sole’s website lists the speed range as 5-12 miles per hour, but for walkers especially that low end might still feel a little stout. Technically it does run below those speeds but the motor appears to struggle.
4. Value for Money
Honestly, the Sole F63 treadmill is a little dated now and there are some alternatives that would do better without making you pay more.
If you want a direct, in fact, a modern alternative, Nordictrack T 6.5 S with iFit is probably the one you should look into. It is slightly cheaper and offers more.
Probably you are making your home smart and want something that goes along with it. There is another treadmill from Nordictrack called Nordictrack T 6.5 Si which comes with a starter-level console right on it.
Or should you want to max out everything in terms of features, performance, and design, Nordictrack Commercial 2950 has a giant 22-inch touchscreen display with integrated iFit live programs. This is probably a dream treadmill of every runner out there.
