I can’t guarantee you what I think is the best running treadmill will be the best for you.
However, I’ve used many treadmills and have researched hundreds of them, so I’ll throw my 2 cents in on the matter and answer the question “what’s the best running treadmill?”
In short, the best running treadmill, taking price into consideration, is the Sole F80 Treadmill.
What do I look for in a running treadmill?
I distilled my Sole F80 treadmill choice by considering price (which is $1,499 if you get it on sale), warranty, top speed, running deck space, cushioning technology, motor power, a folding option, and easy to move.
The F80 delivers on all fronts. There is not a single weakness to this treadmill for it’s price. Sure, it’s not the cheapest treadmill on the market, but for under $2,000 (if you get the discounted price), it delivers on every feature I look for in a quality treadmill.
Price
The MSRP is $2,099. However, Sole and Amazon usually sells it for around $1,499. I know for $5,000 you can get a better treadmill.
But, when I give my opinion about what I believe is the best treadmill in any particular category, I include price in the equation. Most people are looking to spend between $750 and $2,000 for a treadmill. The Sole F80 falls into this price range.
It does nobody any good for me to recommend a $5,000 treadmill because it’s a given it will likely be a very good machine (often mostly used by health clubs).
Warranty
You get a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. Shop around and you’ll see that lifetime warranties are not offered liberally. Some other quality treadmill retailers such as Yowza and Smooth Fitness also offer lifetime warranties. In fact, Yowza and Smooth are my two other favorite treadmill makers overall. However, their offerings came up short on the top speed.
Top Speed of the F80
You can actually get a decent sprint in with the Sole F80 with a top speed of 12 miles per hour. Many other treadmills have a top speed of 10 mph. Yes, you can find other treadmills with a 12 mph option, but in most cases you’ll pay more than the Sole F80.
Running Deck Space
I always give preference to treadmills with a 60 inch long deck which the Sole F80 offers. The running surface width is 20 inches (a very standard width). A 60 inch long running deck isn’t unusual, but it is a premium feature. What I mean by this is you’ll pay more for this length of a treadmill.
Cushioning Technology
Many treadmills offer some form of cushioning technology. Sole does as well. In fact it’s cushioning reduces hardness by .365 compared to concrete. This is enough to offer a lower impact run, yet not so soft as to make it feel like you’re running in sand.
Motor Power
If you need a treadmill for running, you want sufficient power. For many people 2.5 horsepower is enough. But it doesn’t hurt to have some extra power. I give preference to treadmills with 3.0 horsepower (unless I’m comparing treadmills priced under $1,000 – one must always take price into consideration).
Folding Option
All else being equal, I rate folding treadmills slightly higher than non-folding treadmills. The reason being is even if you don’t need a folding treadmill now, there may come a time in the future when the folding feature is needed.
Sole has an easy-fold feature which drops the deck on its own.
That said, if you are certain you don’t need a folding treadmill, then also check out the Sole S77. It’s a couple of hundred dollars more, but has a 22 inch wide running surface and a whopping 3.5 horsepower motor.
Easy to Move
When folded, the F80 is stable and easy to move around on wheels. Sole got its start making treadmills for hotel chains (Hilton). Hotels required that its treadmills be easily and safely transported. Sole delivered and continues offering this feature. After all, what use is a folding treadmill if it’s impossible to move out of the way?
Other standard features
The Sole F80 is also outfitted with many other standard features such as a music player dock and speakers, water bottle holder, programmed workouts, and a maximum user weight of 350 pounds (again above the norm which is 300 pounds).
Oh yeah, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the F80 also has two options for monitoring your heart. You can use the pulse grips on the front handlebars or a wireless chest strap. I prefer wireless heart rate monitoring because I like pumping my arms. But we’re all different. Sole responds to our different preferences by giving us the option.
Like I said above, seldom is there a product in any market that meets every preference. The Sole F80 treadmill does for me. And that’s saying a lot because there are a lot of quality treadmills out there.
Just a note about Sole and another reason I’m impressed with their fitness equipment. Sole got its start by providing treadmills to major hotel chains. A treadmill in a hotel is like a treadmill in a gym. It gets used a lot and often with little regard by its users. As far as I’m concerned, if hotels like it, that’s speaks volumes.
Click here to visit the official Sole F80 Treadmill website
OR
Click here to buy the Sole F80 at Amazon
Or
Click Here for Sole Fitness Discounts & Sales
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