Sole F89 Review - New Top of the Line Model
The Sole F89 is the newest model in the popular folding series, joining the F63, F80 & F85. These are some of the best home treadmills on the market in terms of build quality and cushioning, and the F89 is first new folding treadmill the company has introduced in many years.
Sole has been stepping it up lately as far as technology, with interactive workouts and touch screen displays, upping the ante and making them even more attractive than they previously were.
Let's jump in and take a look at the latest Sole model to see what it has to offer and how it compares to the competition.
Highlights
One of the hallmarks of all Sole treadmills is the durable construction and advanced cushioning, and the Sole F89 is no exception. It's very well made and has the strong warranty to back that up.
You also get a large running deck, a new large touch screen display and access to thousands of trainer-led workouts via the Studio program and no extra cost.
Let's take a close look at some of the best features...
- 4.0 HP motor
- Speed: 0.5 to 12 mph
- Incline/Decline: -6-15%
- Running surface: 22" x 60"
- 2.75" rollers
- 2 ply, 4 layer belt
- Sole+ free workouts
- Bluetooth speakers
- Two cooling fans
- 21.5" touch console display
- Weight capacity: 375 pounds
- Overall dimensions: 68"x 38"x 83"
- Warranty: Lifetime on frame, motor; 3 years deck and parts, 1 year on labor
The Buzz
As we mentioned, this is the first new Sole folding treadmill in at least 10 years, so everyone is very excited about it. The company has revamped most of the treadmills in the series, with fresh designs as well as new technology not present on previous models.
The new Sole F89 improves upon the previous top of the line Sole F85 model, which also recently got a facelift for the new year. It has the new aluminum anodized Z-shape frame, large cushioned 22" x 60" deck, incline up to 15% and decline down to 6%.
One of the most noticeable upgrades is the huge 21.5" touch screen display, similar to that found on NordicTrack's Commercial 2450, one of the largest touch screens in the industry. You can control everything with the touch of a button, and access Sole +, the company's interactive workout app with hundreds of free workouts to choose from.
Currently the Sole+ app is free, as opposed to the paid subscriptions offered by other companies like NordicTrack's iFit and Bowflex's JRNY. Although those programs are much more comprehensive, if you just want the workouts and not all of the other bells and whistles, the Sole F89 might just be the treadmill for you.
On top of the huge touchscreen and Sole+ workouts, the Sole F89 has a very powerful 4.0 CHP motor, speed up to 12 mph, large 2.75" rollers (the larger the better), Bluetooth, WiFi, tablet holder and reading rack and a 375 lb max weight capacity.
Although the specs are awesome, the Sole F89 is on the pricy side, at just under $3,000 at the time of this review. So it may not be attainable for those on a budget. But if it's something you're able to afford and you're an avid runner, this might be one of the best choices on the market today.
How Does the F89 Compare to the Other Sole Treadmills?
The F89 is the newest and most advanced folding treadmill the company offers. As you move up in the series, you get more features and capabilities.
As a comparison, the base F63 gives you a 20" x 60" running deck, a 6.5" display, a 3.0 CHP motor and a 325 lb. max weight capacity.
The F65 gives you the 22" x 60" deck, 9" display and 3.25 CHP motor.
The F80 adds a 10.1" touch screen.
The F85 gives you a 15.6" touch display.
As far as the non-folding models, the TT8 is commercial grade, an incredibly strong machine for those looking for a rock solid gym level treadmill. It's very similar to the F85 spec-wise, just in a much stronger package.
The ST90 is a completely different type of treadmill, a slat designed machine similar to a Woodway, kind of like a conveyor belt. It's very low impact. If you prefer a non-traditional treadmill, this one might be right for you.
As it is always good to have a folding treadmill even if you do have room in your home gym, our favorite models are the F80 and F85, as they give you more room to spread out than the you have on the F63, as well as stronger motors to accommodate heavier workouts and larger displays.
However, if you have the budget look at the F89 and the TT8, both beasts that will take a beating.
Sole F89 - Bottom Line
The Sole F89 is an awesome addition to the company's lineup, with everything you need to get a great workout at home.
You have a large running deck, high grade cushioning to reduce impact on the joints, incline and decline capability and superior construction.
With the addition of a huge Android-powered touch screen and new Sole+ app, you can tap into hundreds of different workouts led by professional trainers...there's something for every fitness level and the best part is, it's free!
So if you're in the market for a new home treadmill and it's within your budget, definitely consider the Sole F89. If you need to save a little check out the other folding treadmills the company offers...they are all built with the same quality and attention to detail.
