I learned that the Sole F80 treadmill was the treadmill choice of upscale establishments like the Hilton Hotel chain. This intrigued me, so I took a look at the machine. I already knew that any piece of exercise equipment in a high-end establishment would be top of the line. Yet, I wanted to see for myself what made the Sole F80 so special.

When I first saw the machine, the word that came to my mind was: solid. The Sole F80 may not appear to have all of the bells and whistles of other machines, but it is a commercial-quality machine. And, looks can be deceiving. The Sole F80 has six workout programs, speed and incline controls on the arm rests, cooling fans and built in speakers for iPODS or MP3 players. Speed, time, incline, calories burned and distance are all shown throughout the workout, which means no button pushing during a workout to see your results!

As solid and durable as the machine is, the Sole F80 comes with an easy assist folding feature. This is ideal for someone who wants the machine in their home. I found the machine to be easy to push around and maneuver, too. This is great for someone who needs to put their treadmill in a closet or corner after a workout. My opinion is the Sole F80 is a space saver and it would make a great home treadmill for someone who is in the market for one.

I learned that the Sole F80 model was upgraded in 2008 and it now comes with a powerful 3.0 continuous duty motor. The motor is very quiet and the machine is very smooth. It can easily handle a person up to 350 pounds with bogging down or straining the motor. I should note that this machine is for someone who walks or jogs. Serious runners should probably look for a machine that has a little more horsepower.

Sole Fitness is known for its outstanding warranties. The warranty on the Sole F80 is well above par offering a lifetime warranty on the motor, frame and deck. The price of the Sole F80 is less than what I would have thought, considering the durability, features and warranty that comes with the machine. Add the $500 instant savings when you purchase the machine directly from Sole Fitness, and I see why the Sole F80 is the number one choice for the Hilton Hotel chain and others. It’s a great treadmill.