Treadmills Item ID: #78Sole F63 Treadmill
WAS
Product Information:
Item DescriptionYou will enjoy working out from the comfort of home with this Sole F63 treadmill. Intuitive features include speed and incline adjustments on the handrails, built-in cooling fans, and a convenient blue backlit LCD display that allows you to keep track of your progress. The built-in audio system lets you work out to your favorite music. Item Reviews5 Responses to “Sole F63 Treadmill”Leave a Reply |
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I purchased this from Dick’s for about $100 cheaper.. So the velcro strap popped off when unpacking. It is not in a very awkward position and I have no idea how to get it down! It is quite hard trying to assemble it to see if any of the electronic options will put it back in an upright position.
Anyone else had this problem? Please help!
The Sole F63 was all that I expected and more. It is smooth running, quiet, feature laden and easy to use. It also supports programmed workouts. I agree with a previous reviewer on its only drawback…handles used for pulse measurement that are very low and uncomfortable. A minor complaint that is easily bypassed by using their harness to get pulse rate. It took about 45 minutes to assemble after being moved to the basement …which requires three strong people…this piece is very heavy ! I highly recommend the Sole F63, it is a real bargain when one looks at proice versus capability and warranty.
I purchased this treadmill back in Nov 2009 after a diagnosis of type II Diabetes. I put it together without major hassel and I am not that mechanically inclined. Having a cordless drill with allen wrench bits helped a lot.
The treadmill works flawlessly. It is rather easy to transport and very easy to fold.
I’ve lost 40 pounds by walking on it and watching what I eat. I started at over 300 pounds and am down to around 260. It may not be the quietest (or as quiet as the F8x models) but I can hear the TV that I watch while walking.
My favorite program is the Interval Program (P5). It varies both speed and incline and provides a good workout. I also love the speed and incline adjustments on the arms of the treadmill.
My treadmill came with a chest strap heart rate monitor and it works well (although I had to lose some weight to get it to fit properly).
For under $1000 this is the best treadmill on the market!
I’ve had the Sole F63 for a week and offer a few comments:
Pros:
1. The machine seems very solidly built, is completely stable during use, and the folding mechanism works well.
2. The 55″ x 20′ belt is plenty long and wide enough for walkers and joggers shorter than 6′. It may not be long enough for runners with very long strides or those who have trouble staying in place on a treadmill.
3. The belt is fast enough – 12 mph – for most runners.
4. The start is slow enough – with a visual and audible count down – so that there is no need to stand on the side rails.
5. The speed and incline mechanisms work very smoothly – from the console and from the hand rails (the latter being very convenient).
6. The unit has a heart rate control program with two settings that can be saved. (Oddly, this feature does not seem to be promoted, maybe because the marketers want to differentiate the F80.)
7. The cardio belt that comes with the unit has replaceable batteries. The unit also works with a Polar cardio belt (sealed batteries).
8. The telephone service worked great the one time I used it. My call was returned within about an hour, and although the tech wasn’t able to answer my questions immediately, he experimented with a couple of units on his end while we were on the phone and provided the information I needed. (I suspect from his accent that he was in the Jonesboro, Arkansas facility.)
9. The blue display screen is easy on the eyes.
10. The deck is comfortable, with reasonable cushioning.
11. I don’t notice that the unit is any louder than competitive units I’ve used fitness centers, but it isn’t something I’ve studied carefully.
Cons:
1. There is no battery backup – the program settings aren’t saved if the unit is turned off, so they have to be reprogrammed for each use. If you leave the unit on “sleep” mode, settings are saved. Sleep mode isn’t a good idea if you are concerned about power surges damaging the unit. In that case, turn it off or unplug it after each use. (It does have a fuse, but I don’t know how fast-acting it is.)
2. The heart rate control program works well but slowly to reach the target heart rate, modifying the incline but not speed. It allows a 5 bpm overshoot. A 6+ bpm overshoot is permitted for about two minutes before the unit reduces the incline.
3. In programming mode, the “up” and “down” keys work only to lower LCD numbers. The “fast” and “slow” buttons raise and lower numbers. It’s a problem only because it’s not intuitive and the manual is silent on the matter.
4. The hand heart rate monitors are too close to the console to be used comfortably. But of course you should be using the cardio belt.
5. The side rail speed and incline buttons are “soft touch”, but the console buttons are the old-style type that make a slight “snap” when depressed. No problem in the first week of operation, so it may be only an aesthetic issue.
6. The console is huge, because it accommodates two fans, two speakers (with low voltage input, e.g., i-Pod or MP3 player), a headphone output, and two cubby holes, as well as the typical array of buttons surrounding the display screen. It’s solely an aesthetic issue.
7. If you plan to hold the side rails while walking, you’ll find them uncomfortable. They are large and sturdy and not designed for gripping.
Comments:
A. I bought the unit from Dick’s Sporting Goods for [...] plus tax and [...] delivery and assembly. Pricing is better directly from Sole or from Amazon, but I wanted to deal locally and have someone else carry it upstairs, assemble it and verify that it was working properly. Assembly is a simple 8-step process, with the few necessary tools included, so I’m sure even people not mechanically inclined could do it.)
B. I selected the unit over ProForm, NordicTrack, Horizon, Bowflex, Smooth, Epic, and Spirit after reading Consumer Reports, lots of web comments, studying specifications, and using various models at fitness centers. There are several good choices.
C. If you are interested in a low-impact workout, consider an elliptical unit rather than a treadmill. When I move from my new treadmill to my five year old Sports Art elliptical, it’s like stepping onto a cloud. The elliptical is much more comfortable, and provides a very solid cardio workout. The elliptical takes up less space and requires less maintenance. The treadmill, however, exercises different muscles and has one big advantage – it demands that you keep up the pace (unless you wimp out and hit the buttons).
I upgraded to this treadmill from a 20-year old dinosaur and have been very pleased. I’ve had it for about 5 months and run about 120 miles. I’m 6′3″ and 210 pounds and feel it is very steady.
Why 4 stars?
Given my height the cup holder and hand grip heart rate monitor are too low. Since it comes with a chest strap monitor, that part is no big deal and really a low cup holder is not the main purpose of the machine.
I don’t love the programs as they range too far. I don’t want to walk at 3 mph for two minutes to have a program that peaks at 8 or 9 mph.