If you want a high-quality treadmill, but you don’t want to remortgage your house to get it, you might have been looking at the Sole F85. It offers a lot of attractive options. It comes with a great warranty, has plenty of extras and is still foldable. But before you drop almost $2,000 on a treadmill, you want to make sure you are positive that it will work for you.

First, you would have to search pretty hard to find a negative review about the Sole F85. In part, this is due to the great warranty. They offer lifetime warranties on the motor and deck and a 5 year warranty on major electronics with a 2 year parts and labor warranty. You may be wondering how they can offer all this at only $2,000. But Sole can offer these warranties because they know you will probably never need them. These treadmills were designed for major hotel chains and because of that they had to be able to stand up to almost anything.

At nearly 300 pounds, the treadmill certainly feels sturdy. But the treadmill specs say it can hold up to a 400 pound runner. When you consider the huge 60 inch belt, this treadmill could accommodate the incredible Hulk if he decided to take up running. This treadmill runs large with its rollers as well. At 2.75 inches, they do less work and wear out more slowly.

You get a huge 3.5 HP motor, which is akin to having a V8 on your treadmill, but you also get plenty of attractive extras. The display looks decent and offers you a progressive readout about your run, but that is to be expected on a modern treadmill. What you also get in an iPod or MP3 player hookup and some speakers. While they aren’t exactly theater quality, they sure beat putting your ear buds back in every five minutes. You also get some cooling fans on this treadmill. Again, they won’t dry your hair, but it’s hard to complain about a little breeze when you’re running.

When you get a Sole F85, you’re getting a big sturdy treadmill that offers plenty of reliability. And if something should happen to go wrong, you have the impressive warranty to cover it. There are a few niggles to be had with the folding aspect. While it does indeed fold, it is not entirely vertical and takes up more room than other models. But considering the level of quality of this treadmill, it is hardly a deal-breaker that the angle is a few degrees off 90. If you’re an avid runner looking for something sturdy with a few extras for a decent price, this model might work well for you.

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If you are looking to buy a mid-range treadmill that manages to offer a good balance between value, quality, and functionality then you should take a look at the Sole F83. Costing around $1,800, the F83 is often overlooked as it sits right in between the budget and higher end price brackets. However, it does offer a number of features and is priced fairly considering exactly what you get for your money.

What you do get from the F83 is still very impressive. You will find that the 58 inch belt is big enough for most people, except those with very long legs or big strides. The belt is moved by huge 2.75 inch rollers, which you will typically only see on $4,000+ treadmills. These do not wear out as quickly, but still offer a great quality run and tend to be quieter. The 3 horsepower motor is plenty powerful enough for most runners as well. And if you like extras, you also get a sound system for your iPod or MP3 player.

You will still get Sole’s great warranty package as well. You can tell a lot about the quality of a product by the warranty that the manufacturer puts on it. The lifetime warranty covers the motor and frame while you get a 5 year parts warranty and 2 year labor warranty, still better than most comparable treadmills. The quality also shows in the stability of the run. At 275 pounds, the treadmill is very solid. You will also get an attractive three-color LED display and wireless heart rate control monitor, which so many runners would not buy a treadmill without.

When it comes to fitting into its niche, the F83 does a pretty good job. You might find yourself wishing you had upgraded to the beefier F85 down the road or you may wish you had saved the extra cash and bought the F80, but the fact remains that you still can’t really go wrong. All of these models offer slightly different options, but they are all great quality machines.

However, the F83 really does offer the perfect compromise; not only is it a quality unit that has a lot of extras, it is also extremely competitively priced making it ideal for casual and serious users alike.

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When you get into the $2,500 range, you have some serious treadmills to contend with. So the Smooth 9.4ST cannot take on the competition without offering some great features. Although Smooth is known for their quality manufacturing, they still have some more to offer. Some things work and some things, maybe not so much. But you still end up with a high quality treadmill that gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

The first thing people talk about when they bring up a Smooth treadmill is the completely unique running surface. Smooth offers a cushioned belt that has plenty of give in the front but remains stable in the rear so you have something to push yourself forward. It’s an experience unique to Smooth, but it is one you need to try in order to understand. With the 9.4ST model, you also get a hydra-suspension system that allows you to adjust how soft or hard your run is. While it may seem unnecessary, it is nice to have the option to customize your run how you see fit.

The motor is a standard 3 horsepower motor and the belt is a good size at 60 inches. This longer belt makes the model great for taller runners. However, the motor will only take you to 10 miles per hour so serious runners may have to upgrade to something a little more expensive. However, the model does come with plenty of programs and profiles to keep most runners busy. With the additional 15 levels of incline, you’ll get more than enough from this model to keep you running for a long time.

Smooth tried to offer something else different for its runners. In order to change speeds on this model, you simply have to wave your hands. Sounds strange, right? The motion control sensors in the arms let you wave one had to go faster or wave the other hand to go slower. It might be appealing to some runners not to have to reach out for the console to change speeds, but the feature may come off a bit gimmicky to others. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of other extras on this model. It also does not fold up for space saving.

What you then get is a higher end treadmill without too many extra options. Instead, you get a sold quality and a run that you would expect from a more expensive treadmill. If you prefer fancy bells and whistles, this may not be a good treadmill for you. But if you want a running experience that you would expect to pay a lot more money for, this treadmill should definitely be on your list.

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At over $2,500 companies struggle to build their treadmills with the extra options that get you to consider their product. The Smooth 9.4ST is no different, offering up about as many extras as most cars. One thing that is not an extra is the quality construction you get with every Smooth treadmill. But is it enough to get you to spend your money on the Smooth rather than one of its competitors?

Smooth are perhaps best known for the unique running surface that they use for their decks. The deck is cushioned at the front so that you don’t get that harsh jarring impact that you can experience while using some treadmills. However, further back the deck is much firmer, so that you can really get some ‘bite’ when you push yourself forward for your next stride. This is something totally unique to Smooth at the present, and you really need to try running on this surface to understand it properly. The 9.45ST also offers a hydra-suspension system that allows users to tailor how hard or soft they want the run to be. Some people may wonder how much use this actually is, but being able to have so much control over your workout really is a nice touch.

With a belt size of 60 inches, this unit is great for taller people who have a longer stride length, and the 3 HP motor is capable of taking you up to 10 miles per hour. This is suitable for most people, but serious runners who wish to go faster may want to look into upgrading to a more expensive model. Having said that, the 9.45ST has plenty of profiles and programs, and with 15 incline levels it is sure to keep most runners happy.

One feature that is a little out of the ordinary is the new hands free speed control. Smooth have placed motion sensors in the arms which can detect the movement of your hands. So to increase the speed you wave one hand, and wave the other hand in order to slow down. While some people may find this a great idea, I personally find it a little gimmicky. There aren’t many other extras on this model and I would have preferred to stick with the old fashioned method of reaching out to the console to change the speed in return for having more built in features. Another disappointment is that the unit will not fold up in order to save space when not in use.

When you opt to buy the Smooth 9.4ST, you get a treadmill which keeps up with the competition in terms of extras. Where it excels is in the reliability that you get from going with the Smooth name. While the extras may not be as eye-catching as some other similarly-priced treadmills, you do end up with a machine which offers a superior running experience and a durable body. While it isn’t as fancy, it is far more important than the extras other treadmills offer.

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If you’re in the market for a treadmill, but you’re only able to spend under $2,000, you still have plenty of options. For that price, you can find Nordic Trac, Reebok and Bowflex machines, all of which are pretty big name companies in the fitness world. The Smooth 6.45 has some pretty tough competition, but it offers enough features to make it worth your consideration.

You do have some piece of mind with the 6.45 in terms of reliability. While many new treadmills don’t have all the bugs worked out yet, the 6.45 is based on the popular 6.25 base. Essentially, it is just a more powerful model with a few more extras. And the motor and frame are still covered by a lifetime warranty. If you already ran on the 6.25 model and liked it, you will find the 6.45 is almost identical in many ways. One great feature is the swing arm shock system. You get plenty of cushioning up front where your feet land, but the back of the belt remains solid so you have something to push off of. Many treadmills offer elastomer decks that offer the same support across the belt and can spring back at you when you pick up your feet.

The treadmill is decent-looking as well. The LED displays are set up to measure every aspect of your workout and that includes a wireless heart rate control monitor. However, the wireless belt is not included in that price, which it should be. The entire unit is pretty heavy at 240 pounds, but that usually means durability for a treadmill. Just make sure you put it someplace where you don’t have to move it. You also have to remember that the free delivery is only to the curb, so unless you have some help you might want to consider the in-room placement option they offer. Of course, that will cost you a little more cash.

If your biggest complaint about the 6.25 was the short belt, only 54 inches long, you may be please with the upgraded 6.45. For taller people, a short belt can mean you aren’t able to take your full stride. But the 6.45 comes with a huge 60 inch belt, plenty of room for almost anyone. There is also an M model available which offers a sound system, but you will have to pay a little extra for it.

While the bigger motor and extra space are nice, the Smooth 6.45 still might not be enough for a serious runner. If you are a jogger or walker looking to stay fit, you will probably like all the options and reliability at a good price. If you are training for marathons or events, you might have to upgrade to something a little over $2000. But for the casual treadmill user, this model has plenty of features to contend with the other units in its price range.

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Many mid-range treadmills offer a few extras, but they tend to sacrifice quality to save a little on the price.. But Sole is trying to debunk that by offering a sturdy treadmill with lots of features at a price that other mid-range treadmills would have trouble matching. You can find the Sole F80 at around $1,500 if you look hard enough and for that money you get a surprising amount of goodies.

There is a good reason that you would struggle to find a negative review of the Sole F80. Not because it offers better extras than other treadmills, but because of how long they last. But Sole has the upper hand over many treadmill companies in this area. For years, Sole was the line of treadmills that big-name hotels used in their gyms. They needed affordable machines that could stand up to any kind of runner and would last for years. They turned to Sole to fulfill this need and ever since, Sole has been churning out some of the most reliable treadmills you can buy.

The warranty speaks volumes about the quality of the treadmill. The motor and frame are covered under a lifetime warranty and the major parts are covered under a 5 year warranty. In addition, there is a 2 year parts and labor warranty, which is above average for treadmills in this range. But Sole can afford to offer these warranties because they are confident that you will never need them, even in a fairly cheap treadmill.

But the Sole doesn’t have a cheap feel at all. While it is fairly plain compared so some other treadmills, the extra bells and whistles are still there. You get a dock for your iPod or MP3 player, which is typically a costly extra in most treadmills. You also get their cushioned deck which reduces impact but doesn’t spring back at you. Something important to note is that the F80 comes with 2 inch rollers, which is one of the reasons it lasts so long. The big rollers don’t spin as often as smaller ones and wear down less, but they still offer quiet and sustained speed.

Of course there’s a fully functional display so you can monitor every aspect of your workout, and you even get controls mounted in the armrests so you don’t have to stretch out to the main console. Weighing in at about 200 pounds, the unit feels solid and the folding deck is great for saving space when you aren’t using it. However, this does mean that the entire deck is only 55 inches which could be a problem for people with longer legs. To be honest though that is only a very minor complaint when you consider just how much treadmill you are getting for your money. The Sole F80 is an extremely competent mid-range unit and boasts enough features to keep anybody happy.

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At around $2,000, the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro is a higher end treadmill in terms of price. But it also offers enough feature and, more importantly, quality to keep it competing with others in the price range. Smooth is known for making a durable product and this treadmill is no different. Although the warranty is competitive with other similarly-prices treadmills, you are less likely to need it when you buy Smooth.

The first thing you expect from a Smooth treadmill is for it to be, well, smooth. Nothing is worse than a loud clunky treadmill when you are trying to get your workout in. Fortunately, the deck is very well-constructed and features a unique running surface. The impact is soft up front where your feet land, but harder in the back so you have something to push off of. This gives the Smooth a very different, but enjoyable, feel when you’re running on it. The deck is also quiet enough to use in your home without waking the neighbors, something many commercial treadmills lack.

The 7.6 HR Pro features a long belt at 60 inches. It is plenty of room for even an avid runner with long legs to get moving. And you will get moving. The 3 HP motor can take you up to 12 miles per hour, so the treadmill will handle almost any runner. And not just any runner, but a lot of them. The 7.6 HR Pro comes with space for up to nine user profiles, more than almost any household could possibly need.

You can keep an eye on everything from your speed to the distance covered on the display readout, and you can even keep track of your heart rate using a wireless belt. For those who enjoy multi-tasking you can even monitor different data at the same time thanks to the multiple screens. A slight disappointment is that there aren’t any features here that you can’t find anywhere else, however Smooth do offer exceptionally high quality treadmills for a relatively low price, so this isn’t a major complaint.

There is one thing you won’t find on many other treadmills. Smooth offers a push button folding technology on the 7.6 HR Pro. Rather than a manual hydraulic lift, you simply press a button and the treadmill folds itself away. When you consider the 300 pound weight of the treadmill, not having to fold it away after a workout is an appealing option. You may also want to consider the in-room delivery as the 300 pounds makes it nearly impossible to move in from the free curbside delivery. But once you get running on this model, you’ll discover what it is that makes Smooth such a well-liked brand.

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It can be difficult to find an entry-level treadmill which offers a high quality, but runs less than $1,000 dollars. For avid runners who are serious about their training or require a treadmill which can stand up to miles per day punishments, it can be nearly impossible. But for a casual jogger or someone just looking to get in shape by walking in a few times a week, the Sole F63 might be a good fit.

The F63 features a 2.5 HP motor which runs a little louder than more expensive Sole treadmills, but is still powerful enough to reach speeds of up to 10 miles per hour, which should be more than enough for most people’s needs. The belt length is 55 inches which is perfect for walking and jogging, unless you are especially tall and have an extra long stride length. The F63 is also able to hold up to 325 pounds, so even heavy users can enjoy healthy workouts.

All of the features you’d expect from a Sole machine are present including easy reach controls mounted on the arm rests and a very clear display system. While the F63 may not offer all of the display options of a higher end model, there are still enough different features to meet all of the needs of the casual user. The treadmill also features an ingenious cooling fan system which provides a gentle cool breeze as you workout - this really does come in handy on those hot days!

I’ll admit that the higher end Sole treadmills do feel to be constructed a little more firmly; however you still benefit from a very competitive warranty from the manufacturer which covers the motor and deck for life and the major electronics for 3 years, not to mention 1 year parts and labor. To be fair though, the F63’s roots lie in the gyms of major hotel chains so it’s one treadmill that is more than capable of lasting a seriously long time.

The biggest drawback to the entry-level treadmill is that you don’t get Sole’s Cushion Flex impact absorption technology. While the treadmill is still vastly better than running on concrete, you may want to consider upgrading if your knees are troublesome. If you have the extra money to spend, you can get the quieter motor and more forgiving frame, which would be recommended if you plan on becoming a more avid runner. But even if you decide to get this model, you are getting good quality for the price. You won’t find all the bells and whistles on this model, but you will still get the kind of treadmill you expect from Sole.

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