With tough times upon us, we have to scrimp and save in whatever way we can. If this means foregoing the gym membership and buying a cheap treadmill, then so be it. But is this really your best move to save a few hundred dollars? What are the pros and cons of buying a more affordable model than getting one in the mid to high price range? Find the answers to these questions first before making your final choice so you won’t have unexpected surprises down the road.
If you are buying a used machine, then inquire as to how old it is. How long has the machine been used? Has it had any problems during its lifespan? If the machine looks like its not been used and priced very low, consider the possibility that it could be stolen before you buy.
You may also find some alternatives widely advertised on the internet and on tv, and some of these may seem interesting, many of them cheap. The thing is though, these companies could be here today and gone tomorrow. If you run into some problems with your treadmill and need replacement parts, where would you go then? Other treadmills may also be touted as having both affordability and quality but you could end up settling for a model that may not fit your needs, making the purchase a complete waste of money. For about $200-$300 more, some treadmills already offer features as heart rate monitors and speaker systems.
When choosing a treadmill, consider also your fitness goals and exercise needs, and not just the price. Depending on the features that come with it, a good quality treadmill can already be had for about $1,000 with the higher-end models costing up to $3,000. While these models will have you shelling out more money initially, they are bound to pay for themselves later with their lifetime warranties and durability. Cheap treadmills would have much shorter warranties and tend to be less sturdy.
Many people decide to purchase a treadmill machine so that they are not forced to join a gym. However, if you buy a cheap model that breaks down a few months down the line, then you are stuck with broken equipment and either will have to go out and buy a new model or have to join a gym anyway. This impacts your wallet a great deal when during these tough times, you just can’t afford to lose that amount of money.
How do you plan on using your treadmill? Walkers can find accommodating models for about $1000. Joggers and runners can expect to pay from $1500 to $2500 for a comparable model that fits their needs. You do not want to buy a less expensive one that cannot handle running all of the time. If this happens, it will quickly break down because it cannot handle the demands being put on it.
So what is one to do given all these possible scenarios? In the end it all boils down to the fact that skimping on your treadmill purchase now could have you spending more in the future. Save yourself the hassle of having to deal with repairs and broken equipment down the road by not buying a cheap treadmill.
Filed under Tread Mills by 
Among Sole treadmills, the Sole F80 is considered a top pick and a good buy in the mid-price category. You will also find the Sole F83, which is a slight upgrade. The following comparison focuses on the advantages that the Sole F83 has over the F80. Is the upgrade worth it? Continue reading on to see which treadmill provides you with the best value for your money.
By choosing the F83, you need to pay an extra $200. What additional features do you get for that extra $200?
A running surface 3 inches longer.
Despite the good reviews the Sole F80 is getting, one of the issues some customers had with it is its walking or running area measuring 20 by 55 inches – not quite long enough for tall users. With the F83, this dilemma is eliminated because this machine now comes with a 20 by 58 inches running deck.
A 10 pound difference in weight.
The Sole F80 weighs 250 pounds. On the other hand, the Sole F83 weighs 260 pounds. When you translate the ten pound difference into runner support, up to 375 pounds in weight can be accommodated. As for the other treadmill, the F80, there is a maximum weight of only 350 pounds.
A slightly higher speed capacity.
The F80 can only reach speeds of 11 mph. Athletes who want to run and train at higher speeds will benefit from the F83, which can reach speeds of 12 mph.
The convenience of having the speed and incline controls on the arm rest.
This is a minor feature yet worth mentioning nonetheless. Having the controls located on the arm rest lets you easily change pace without having to stop your workout.
Are there other features worth mentioning? Aside from the above mentioned different features, the basics specifications are similar for both the F80 and F83. They include:
3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor 2 and inch rollers and 2-ply thick belts Hand pulse grips and heart rate controls with included wireless chest strap; Red LED readout display for the console; 6 pre-set programs and 2 user-defined programs; 2 heart rate control programs; and Cooling fans and built-in speakers
Plus, at these reasonable prices of $1499.99 for the F80 and $1699.99 for the F85, both models come with the same great warranty: lifetime warranty for the frame, deck, and motor, 5 years guarantee for parts, and 2 years for labor.
Sole F80 vs Sole F83 – Should you go for the higher model?
Honestly, you get a reliable and well-built treadmill with either model. Both allow you to achieve and maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle. Among Sole treadmill reviews, the more affordable F80 got great reviews. In short, if the ten pound weight difference, lower speed capacity, and shorter running deck does not matter to you, go for the cheaper Sole F80 treadmill.
Filed under Treadmills by
Trying to find a treadmill under $1000 that gives a solid performance can be somewhat difficult. Two of the best treadmills to consider in this category are the Smooth 5.45 and the Sole F63. Let’s take a look at each of these superb treadmill choices and see which of the two ranks the highest in exercise equipment. Does the Sole F63 or the Smooth 5.45 deserve the title of the best budget treadmill for the light jogger or walker?
Basic Features
If you put both these treadmills together side by side, there is practically no difference in the basics they offer. Each has a 2.5 HP motor and can work at minimum speeds of 0.5 up to maximum speeds of 10 MPH. The running surface on each measure 20 x 55 inches.
Stability-wise though, the Sole treadmill gains the advantage because it weighs a heavier 245 pounds versus the 210-lb weight of the Smooth treadmill. With the added 35 pounds, this Sole model can accommodate a 325-lb user, while the Smooth equipment can only support a user of up to 250 pounds.
Console and User Programs
Both Sole F63 and Smooth F80 are fitted with LCD displays that records and displays all the vital information needed by the user like time, distance traveled, speed, and others. There is one obvious difference between these two treadmills though, and that is the Sole F63 treadmill comes with two programs that are user-defined. Otherwise, both the treadmills have six standard programs. The other feature that you can get from the Sole F63 is the wireless heart strap which is useful for monitoring the heart rate. Besides that, pulse counting handgrips are also present in both the treadmills.
The Smooth 5.45 comes with a very useful program that conveniently adjusts the workout based on the heart rate as monitored through the hand pulse grips.
Added Accessories
The Sole F63 model treadmill offers built in speakers and cooling fans allowing the user to have a more comfortable workout. Unfortunately, these extra features could use a higher standard. The Sole model has earned more points over the Smooth 5.45 because of the incline and speed controls easily accessible from the arm rest. These settings can be adjusted easily during your workout, to give more of a challenge or offer interval training.
Price and Warranty
The Smooth 5.45 has an MSRP of $1497 while the Sole F63 costs higher at $1899. When purchased online or direct from the company however, both can be bought for just under $1000. Even at these prices, the treadmills come with the best warranties. The Smooth 5.45 moves up by offering a lifetime warranty on the motor, frame, and deck. The frame and the motor on the Sole 5.45 are covered under a lifetime warranty while the deck is only covered for three years.
Sole F63 vs Smooth 5.45: Which Treadmill Wins The Competition?
Hands down, both of these treadmills will give you more value for you money when considering those under $1000. It is difficult to say whether the Sole F63 or the Smooth 5.45 is better than the other. The Sole F63 ranks best in the aesthetics, but the features offered leave a little something to be desired. The Smooth 5.45 takes top seating when talking about the features. The Sole F63 has some nice qualities about it but they are not in the same class as the Smooth 5.45 when looking at the heart rate control program and the warranty it has to offer.
Filed under Smooth Treadmills by