An impressive combination of ease-of-use and high quality components has earned Sole a reputation as one of the top treadmill manufacturers in the world.  The Sole F80 model is featured in Omni and Hilton hotels around the globe.

The F80′s industrial-quality 3.0-horsepower continuous-duty motor and unusually heavy, all-steel zinc-coated balanced flywheel, deliver a safe, quiet, vibration-free running and walking surface.

The crisp, blue-backlit 7.5-inch LCD display includes windows for speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace. The panel features integrated speakers and an audio cable for connection to an iPod or MP3 player.

Among the most intriguing features is a built-in message board with scrolling text that walks you through a workout or shows off the treadmill’s ample features. The message board also recaps your workout stats at the end of a routine and tracks progress and goals from workout to workout.

The low-impact, whisper-quiet Cushion Flex deck greatly reduces the impact on feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine — up to 40% compared to street running according to a recent study.

2011 Sole F80 Treadmill Product Features

• 3.0-horsepower continuous-duty motor
• 0.5 to 11 miles per hour speed
• 20″ X 60″ double-woven 2 ply running/walking belt
• 15 percent maximum, rack-and-pinion gear design incline
• Easy Assist, automatic self-folding deck
• Powder-coated, all-steel welded frame and heavy-duty, stable incline
• Vibrant 7.5-inch LCD display with integrated speakers and audio cable
• 6 standard workouts, 2 custom workouts, 2 heart-rate-controlled workouts
• Wireless heart rate chest strap with 99.9 percent accuracy
• Cushion Flex shock-absorption system
• 350-pound capacity
• Measures 33″ x 80″; weighs 250 pounds

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• The Sole F80 Treadmill (2011 Model)
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• The Sole F80 Treadmill on eBay

Treadmills - Sole F80 Brand New W/ Full Warranty US $1,149.99 Auction Ends: Friday May-25-2012 21:46:02 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Professional Grade Sole Fitness F80 Folding Whisper Deck Treadmill US $1,499.00 Auction Ends: Saturday May-26-2012 17:44:30 PDT   | Watch this Item

Sole F80 Treadmill Folding Fitness Condition Pro NEW US $1,799.93 Auction Ends: Sunday May-27-2012 16:21:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

The space-saving design is ideal for small rooms, but with this comes a relatively short walking surface (16″ x 36″ belt), that’s not recommended for users of above average height. A 6’ tall individual will need to stay aware of over-stepping the tread area — not something you want to be thinking about during a workout.

Otherwise the Paradigm Fitness Walking Treadmill provides a safe, stable and comfortable workout, as advertised. Extra long safety handles add to walking security and balance at any speed. The ground-level walking surface makes it easy to get on and off the treadmill.

The control panel is simple to use and monitors time, distance, calories & walking speed.  A speed control button fixed to the handle bar makes it easy to adjust the motor speed.

The walking area and belt come fully assembled. The arms, legs and display unit are easily attached. The treadmill folds for storage and includes transportation wheels.

Paradigm Fitness Walking Electric Treadmill Product Details

• 1.5 HP motor with 4MPH maximum speed
• Heavy-duty frame is designed for extra weight support
• Ground-level walking surface and wide side rails
• LCD displays time, distance, calories burned and speed for easy reference
• Folds for space-saving storage and moves easily on built-in wheels
• 350-pound maximum user weight; 1-year warranty for frame and 5 years for motor

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• Paradigm Fitness Walking Electric Treadmill
• Compare to other powered and manual walking treadmills

The blue LCD console features a large, easy to use display with 6 exercise programs. You can track speed, time, distance, steps, heart rate and calories burned.

The incline feature, not always seen in treadmills of this price range, is excellent for varying difficulty and working different muscle groups. A push of a button easily adjusts the incline levels between 4, 6, 8, or 10. Another button skips directly to 3, 4, 5, or 6 miles per hour.

Other features include built-in speakers and headphone port for an iPod or MP3 player.

While this treadmill is sturdy and stable, it’s not the best choice for heavy running. The 1.5-horsepower drive motor offers speed ranges of 0.5 to 8 MPH. For models with more speed and power, browse our other treadmill reviews.

LifeSpan Fitness TR200 Fold-N-Stor Product Details

• Fully assembled treadmill
• Folds compactly to store under bed or in closet
• Blue LCD console tracks time, calories, distance, steps, speed, and incline
• Quick-start speed and incline buttons; 3 speed and 3 incline programs
• 10 Incline levels
• Built-in speakers and headphone port
• Contact heart rate grips
• 30.5″ x 51.5″ x 60.5″ — Folds to 13.5″ x 59.5″
• Drive motor: 1.5-horsepower continuous-duty motor
• Speed: 0.5 to 8 miles per hour
• Weight capacity: 250 pounds
• Lifetime on the frame, 5 years on the motor, and 1 year on parts and labor

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• LifeSpan Fitness TR200 Fold-N-Stor Compact Treadmill on Amazon
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There’s nothing negative to say about the older version — the Smooth 6.45 is a solid, high-quality treadmill with a good range of useful features. The 6.75 builds on this foundation with additional features and enhancements.

The improved gas-shock assist, dual stage soft-drop folding system lets you gently lower the deck into place with a foot operated lever. After a workout it can be easily tilted back into folded position and wheeled away for storage.

The 6.75 model features an enhanced, deluxe sound system that accommodates iPods, MP3 players, CD players or other audio devices. No need for tangled headphone wires when using this premium system.

Hand Rail Toggle Switches make it easy to adjust your incline and speed without touching the console or distracting from your workout.

Speed settings range from 0.5 – 12 mph and there are 15 incline levels. The 12 preset programs include 5 speed programs, 5 incline programs, 2 distance programs, plus a heart rate program

Other features include a 3.0 HP motor, a larger and improved dual color LCD display, heart rate control with wireless heart rate strap, ultra quiet, whisper weave treadbelt, transport wheels, water bottle holders and a 2-speed fan.

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• The NEW Smooth 6.75 Treadmill direct from Smooth Fitness

Bowflex folding treadmills are robust and reliable and you can’t go wrong with any of the three available models — the Series 3, Series 5 and Series 7.

Like the higher end models, the Series 3 is heavy, bulky and well-constructed with the look and feel of a professional club machine. The 1.75 horsepower continuous-duty motor runs at speeds of up to 10 mph.

The ample walking and running surface measures 20″ X 54″ and features Bowflex’s unique Strike Zone deck cushioning system for stability, comfort and low stress on the feet, ankles, knees and hips. The deck features a 0-12% adjustable incline for a more challenging workout

The workout programs include manual, cardio, running, fat burn, speed interval jogger, and hill intervals, monitored on a crisp four-window LED display.

This treadmill can be folded when not in use and lowered with no effort using the hydraulic power system.

This model does not include chest strap heart rate monitoring. Like many treadmills and elliptical trainers it uses pulse rate grip sensors that do not always produce accurate readings.

The easy to follow instructions and included tools make assembly relatively painless.

Also see the Bowflex TC3000 Treadclimber, an innovative fitness machine that meshes the benefits of treadmills and stair stepping.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Find the Bowflex Series 3 Treadmill on Amazon
  
• Compare to the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill
• Bowflex Treadmills on eBay
  

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For those who can’t afford a powered treadmill or are simply averse to researching the hundreds of available features, a manual model is a simple, economical solution.

The Phoenix 98516 includes a heavy, weighted flywheel and a solid 41.5-by-13.5-inch running surface. The track is set on a small incline allowing the belt to be driven by user weight and motion — the faster you tread, the faster the belt spins.

The 98516 can be used for running but is really more appropriate for walking and rehab. The frame is a bit wobbly while in use and user weight should not exceed 250 pounds.

The easy to learn low-tech display includes a single button, runs on two AA batteries and tracks speed, distance, time, and calories burned.

The folding option and relatively small size make this treadmill simple to move and store. It’s also very easy to assemble.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Click here for the Phoenix 98516 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill
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Phoenix Fitness Folding Treadmill Treadmills Trainer Manual Run Exercise Home US $167.99 Auction Ends: Saturday May-26-2012 13:56:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Phoenix 98516 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill US $147.24 Auction Ends: Tuesday May-29-2012 3:48:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The 3.5 HP continuous duty motor attains speeds of up to 12 MPH on a generous 20″ x 60 inch “Cushion Flex” deck. The S77 is the most powerful and largest treadmill in the Sole line.

Even with the high torque engine and robust performance, operation is extremely quiet and smooth. The rack and pinion gear designed incline motor reaches a maximum of 15% quickly and quietly.

Sole has chosen to not incorporate the increasingly common folding feature in this model. Although the non-folding design adds to stability and smooth operation, if space and storage are of concern, you may want to consider one of Sole’s folding treadmills.

The three color, six window display is top notch and features an innovative message board with scrolling instructions and feedback. It also tracks speed, time, distance, calories expended, pace, pulse rate and incline.

The workout programs include 6 standard, 2 custom, and 2 heart-rate control options for cardio or fat loss. In the heart-training mode the computer automatically adjusts incline to maintain your target heart-rate zone.

Like many treadmills the fan and sound system on the S77 are less than impressive, but the speaker does include an iPod/MP3 player hook up.

Setup is surprisingly easy with the detailed, well thought out instructions. However, the package is huge and heavy (280 lbs), and you’ll need help moving it into place before assembly.

Sole S77 Treadmill 2009 Model Product Features

• 3.5 horsepower continuous duty ultra high torque motor
• Cushion Flex absorption deck with a 20- by 60-inch running surface
• Speed range from 0.5 to 12 mph
• 15% incline
• Grip pulse and wireless chest strap heart rate control
• 6 standard programs, 2 user-defined programs, and 2 heart rate programs
• LED display with 6 windows tracks speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace
• Fans and speakers with MP3 jack
• Maximum user weight of 400 pounds
• Lifetime warranty on the motor, deck and frame, 5 years on electronics

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Find the Sole S77 Treadmill (2009 Model) on Amazon
  
• Compare all Sole treadmill models
• See more Sole treadmills on eBay

The 1.25 horsepower motor is adequate for low to moderate speeds but significantly less powerful than higher-end treadmills.  The motor warranty is limited to 2 years and the frame weight capacity is just 250 lbs.

This treadmill does include many of the standard features you’d expect from any modern treadmill model. The computer programming and display panel feature the basic options. Programs include manual, intervals, rolling hills, and weight loss. The 3 window console gives feedback on speed, time, distance and resistance level.

Reader reviews commonly point to difficultly with assembly and a less than intuitive manual. Some even report missing parts. The other concern is that although the treadmill feels sturdy and durable when in use, the noise level is comparatively high. Like many home treadmills the Merit 725T will require routine maintenance.

Among the positives are AeroSoft cushioning, hand contact heart rate monitoring, and a fold-up design that eases transport and storage. It also includes an incline feature that’s limited to 10%.

This is a reasonably priced treadmill that provides a solid cardiovascular workout. For those looking for more power, features and reliability we recommend reading about these higher-end models:

• LifeSpan Fitness TRC 3000-HRC
• Sole F80

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Click here for the Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill on Amazon
  
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This machine is big and heavy and not easy to move. The upside of such solid, stable construction is the quality of the workout experience — it just feels sturdy, balanced and safe. It’s difficult to appreciate the value of a heavy, durable treadmill until you’ve run on a lower end model that can feel flimsy and unsound.

For such a large piece of equipment the TR 3000 is relatively easy to assemble. The display console and handlebars are already attached to the frame. After adding a few small accessories you’ll be up and running within an hour.

One of the most unique features is the integrated handlebar speed and incline buttons that allow you to make quick adjustments without removing your hands or straining to find the right option on the console.

Considered a treadmill best buy by Treadmill Doctor and recommended by Consumer Reports, the LifeSpan Fitness TR 3000′s quality justifies its expense.

LifeSpan Fitness TR 3000 Treadmill Features

• Robust deck suspension absorbs body weight impact
• 15 levels of incline on 20″ x 56″ smooth running surface
• 2.75-horsepower continuous-duty motor with 0.5-12 mph speed range
• Easy handlebar controlled speed and incline adjustment
• Attractive blue backlit console with program matrix
• Track speed, time, incline, distance, calories burned, heart rate and body mass
• Integrated automatic heart rate monitor with EKG pulse grips
• 350-pound maximum user weight

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Find the LifeSpan Fitness TR 3000-HRC Treadmill on Amazon
• See all treadmills currently listed on eBay
  

The first impression when delivered is that this is a large, heavy and substantial piece of equipment. Putting it together will take about two hours. Optional professional assembly is available.

The Sole F80 features a powerful yet quiet 3.0 horsepower, continuous-duty motor with a top speed of up to 12 miles per hour and an incline of up to 15 percent.

Unlike many entry to mid-level home treadmills the walking/running deck is long and wide enough for tall users to run at full stride. Sole claims that their “Cushion Flex Whisper Deck” can reduce joint impact by up to 40% over street running. Maybe, but if you’re looking for a true low impact workout consider an exercise bike or elliptical trainer.

Additional features include ten programs, grip pulse monitoring, a heart rate chest strap and a vivid console that tracks all your essential workout statistics. The very cool and unique Easy Assist folding feature allows you to step back and watch the deck unfold itself effortlessly and safely.

The built in fans are unimpressive and the speakers are just passable — but we prefer workout music to come from a home stereo system or MP3 player with headphones.

The Sole F80 is available at most Dick’s Sporting Goods stores if you want a look before buying. Note the contrast of the impressive look and industrial grade components when compared to lower end models on display.

After 20 years Sole has earned its reputation as one of the best-quality treadmill manufacturers. The F80 is the best in class and will not disappoint.

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• Get this Sole F80 Treadmill on Amazon
  

Sole Treadmills on eBay

Treadmill - Sole S77: Brand New W/ Full Warranty US $1,599.99 Auction Ends: Thursday May-24-2012 9:04:47 PDT   | Watch this Item

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