Sole F63 Treadmill Review: Pros, Cons, Cost, and, More

Today, we’re reviewing the updated version of the Sole F63 Treadmill. It’s not hugely different from the version I reviewed a couple of years ago or the version I reviewed over five years ago.

With Sole Fitness updates, they basically put everything that was good about the previous version into the new version and tweak it a little. They’ve done similar work with the F80 and F85 treadmills.

So yes, I’m reviewing the same well-built treadmill that’s had a few updates to the monitor, nothing major, and you can now access Sole’s new fitness app for free, which is a big bonus as it includes hundreds of workouts and global routes for you to enjoy and keep you entertained while running. Nice.

If this is your first time buying a Sole Fitness Treadmill, you should know that these guys are one of the best companies in the industry. They have a ton of experience.

This is a company that started out making commercial treadmills for gyms and hotels. They have since branched out and now also builds treadmills for home use.

Their years of experience in making commercial machines have resulted in some of the most well-built home treadmills I’ve come across, and thankfully, they have managed to keep the prices competitive.

If you’re like me and prefer a treadmill that’s got all the essentials right and don’t mind a small compromise on the techy stuff, then keep reading. Today, I want to take a close look at everything the F63 from Sole Fitness has to offer, including any drawbacks.

At the end of the review, I will also compare the Sole Fitness Treadmill to another best seller in this price bracket, Xterra’s TRX4500 Treadmill. It will be interesting to see how these two match up.

First lets take a quick look at the Sole F63 product specs!

Why Do We Like The Sole F63 Treadmill?

I’ve already mentioned its the build you’re going to love most about this machine. It’s a solid treadmill. If you want to get as close to the feel of a commercial machine without spending a ton of cash, then the Sole F63 is the best choice out there.

These guys even use large rollers with sealed bearings under the running belt. Large rollers like this are usually reserved for treadmills costing $5k+, and it’s these small touches that separate Sole Fitness from the competition.

Sole has also used one of their all steel welded frames on this treadmill, giving it a lot of extra weight. And it’s that extra weight that’s going to help keep this F63 planted to the floor. It won’t feel unstable and cheap. Instead, you’ll feel like you’re on a proper sturdy treadmill. 

Large Running Belt: 20″ x 60″

But it’s not just the build quality that impresses me about this mid-level treadmill from Sole. You also have a near commercial-size running belt. It measures 20″ x 60″. A 60″ belt will allow users up to 6’3″ to jog on the treadmill without feeling restricted.

Plus, you have a 20″ belt width, which is just 2″ off of the width of a commercial running belt. A wide belt like this will prevent any issues with stepping off the side of the treadmill in the middle of a session which is important, especially for faster-paced cardio.

Click here to check current price of F63 on Solefitness.com

 15 Level – 15% Power Incline

There are just two treadmills in this price range that can offer 15% power adjustable inclines, and the Sole F63 is one of them, and the Xterra TRX4500 is the other.

A decent incline is so important as it’s a feature that offers so many health benefits. Even walking or jogging on a 10% incline will burn two times more calories than on flat. You’ll also build and strengthen those hard to train muscles like your calves, glutes, and hamstrings. It’s an essential feature and something I always urge buyers to look for when choosing a treadmill.

To adjust the incline on the Sole F63 treadmill, you can use the large quick-touch buttons under the monitor. Quick touch buttons are a handy time-saving feature because they save you from having to scroll through any menus

Updated Monitor, Now Includes BlueTooth and Sole+ App

I like the F63 monitor. I know it’s basic, but being basic makes it easy to use. We have to remember that this is a 1k treadmill; it’s still a fairly low-cost machine, so we shouldn’t expect too much in this price range.

I also like the large buttons, they are easy to assess while working out. The screen is slightly larger than before. You now have a 7″ LCD instead of a 5″, and we have grip pulse sensors built into the front handles.

The fan is pretty weak, but this is a common problem with most treadmills. If you sweat a lot when you workout, it is better to hook up your own fan.

There are seven built-in workout programs. It’s always good to see a few built-in programs, they’ll help keep you challenged and coming back for more, and they’re handy to use if they’re not in the mood to interact with the app.

Sole+ App

Sole’s new app, Sole+, is cool and, best of all, free. When you connect to the app, you’ll find thousands of workouts to choose from. It’s definitely a good app to avoid the monotony of long cardio sessions on the treadmill. You can also download all your workout stats to the app.

The drawback with this app is that it doesn’t control the speed or incline for each workout, which is a bit of a shame. Still, it’s free, and many users have praised it as a “good app for a free one”.

Other features of the monitor include the 1/4-track feature, which is great to see on a $1k treadmill, this feature is usually reserved for high-end treadmills.

The cup holders are large and deep, so I can easily take a bottle without it falling out, shallow cup holders are a problem I have with most treadmills, so it was a nice change to find some decent cup holders.

The only let-down I found with the updated monitor is the handrail controls for speed and incline, they have vanished! This is a really handy feature I don’t know why Sole decided to remove those? Still, the monitor has quick access speed buttons, and the incline buttons are fairly easy to reach while jogging, so you should have no issues adjusting speed and incline.

Overall, it is a decent monitor, it tracks all your essential workout stats, the buttons are easy to reach, and it now includes Bluetooth, so you can download all your stats to the Sole+ app and enjoy all the free workouts, too.

Can I Run on The F63?

Usually, I wouldn’t recommend running on a mid-level treadmill because they typically don’t have the heavy-duty build, the power, or the belt size.

And I probably wouldn’t recommend running on the Sole F63 if you weigh over 200lb. You need a slightly more powerful motor to handle heavy loads at speed.

You have a 3HP motor with this treadmill. For heavy users that want to use a treadmill for running, you really need to look for a treadmill with at least 3.5HP or 4HP, like The Sole F85 treadmill.

So yes, I think anyone under 200lb will be okay using the Sole F63 for light running, there’s just enough power, and you definitely have the belt size.

Hydraulics Do All The Hard Work For You?

When you choose a treadmill, you want to try and make sure it comes with a hydraulic folding system, there are electric folding systems out there, but I avoid those because they are just something else that can go wrong. Manual hydraulic systems are best.

Sole Fitness treadmills use the Easy Assist system, which is just another name for a hydraulic system. It’s super easy to use, and you can fold the treadmill deck with one hand. It’s that easy.

Flex Deck Cushioning

Sole claim their cushioning system for the running deck protects your joints from the impact of each foot strike by 40%, which is good news because running is a high-impact sport. You need as much protection as you can get.

I like the Sole Fitness cushioning system because it’s a little harder than others. It’s not too bouncy.

Still, you won’t find the best deck cushioning systems in this price range. The Flex deck isn’t adjustable like some systems I’ve used. An adjustable system is helpful for runners who want to replicate road conditions.

But you won’t need an adjustable system if you’re not a road runner and want to do indoor winter training on a treadmill. The Flex Deck from Sole is good enough for most of us.

Do I Need a Treadmill Mat?

A lot of the time, people buy treadmill mats because they help keep a lightweight treadmill from sliding around. The F63 is a fairly heavy treadmill, so purchasing a treadmill mat won’t aid stability much. The other reason you might want a treadmill mat is to prevent scratches on polished floors, and if you live in an apartment, a treadmill mat will help soak up a lot of the vibrations from your workouts.

Sole Fitness sells its own treadmill mats, but they’re a little pricey.

I find Sunny Health and Fitness make the best cheap treadmill mats. Click link below to view on Amazon,

View Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill Mats on Amazon

1 Hour Assembly

The most challenging part of assembling the F63 treadmill is taking the running deck out of the box and getting it in place because it’s heavy. You’ll probably need two people for this. The rest of the assembly is pretty easy. It’s a six-step manual. Basically, all you need to do is attach the uprights to the treadmill’s deck and attach the monitor to the uprights. Unboxing and assembly of this treadmill take most people around an hour.

For maintenance: You’ll need to lubricate the treadmill belt; all instructions for this are in the manual. Also, keeping the treadmill belt clean is a good idea, as this will prevent debris from getting into the motor.

Related: How to clean a treadmill

Alternatives

Xterra Fitness TRX45000 Treadmill

Xterra are a company thats come a long way in the past five years. This company now rivals brands like NordicTrack, Sole Fitness, and Schwinn.

Xterra makes some of the best fitness gear on the market right now. They are known for their quality and affordable prices. Bank for your buck; you get a lot with Xterra.

Only recently, they released their TRX4500 treadmill. This is a mid-priced treadmill costing around $1300, which is a great price for what’s on offer here. So is it better than the Sole F63? Well, both treadmills boast the large 20″ x 60″ running belt, and both include that impressive 15% 15-level power incline, hydraulic folding system, desk cushioning, and enough HP for light running.

The Xterra TRX4500 also has a fairly basic monitor.

You don’t have an HD color screen, just like Sole Fitness, Xterra likes to focus more on the essentials than the tech. But you do have wireless heart rate monitoring with HR chest strap included and 30 workout programs, built-in cooling fans, Bluetooth, and speakers, but there is no 1/4 mile feature.

As you can see, these two treadmills and very similar in specs.

However, the Sole is nearly 40lb heavier, which makes a difference because that extra weight gives the Sole a more stable feel than the Xterra, and if you plan on running on a treadmill, the more stable, the better.

For around $1000, the TRX4500 would be unbeatable if it wasn’t for the Sole F63. The TRX is one of the only treadmills that can be used for light running in this price range. It has the belt size, the build, and the power. It’s an impressive machine from these guys and a treadmill worthy of some serious consideration.

Horizon Fitness T202 Treadmill

Horizon Fitness are another company that has been around for many years. I’m not a huge fan of their bikes, they’re overpriced for what you get, but I have always been impressed by their treadmills. They seem to really know what they’re doing when it comes to building treadmills.

The Horizon T202 is their flagship treadmill, it’s their top-of-the-line machine, and it’s worth considering.

Priced at well under $1000, the T202 offers a lot of bang for your buck. And its pretty heavy considering the price, weighing 187lb out of the box. It feels sturdy, not quite the heavy-duty feel you get from the Sole F63, but it’s not far off, and remember, it’s $200 cheaper.

The T202’s most impressive feature is the size of the running belt. It measures 20″ x 60, the same size as the Sole F63 and the Xterra 4500. And considering the T202 has the lowest price tag of the three, it’s even more impressive.

It’s great to see Horizon kept the 12% 12 level incline with the T202 in the recent update; I like this incline feature not just because it’s a %12 auto incline, but also because how you adjust it. To adjust this incline, you have a dial at the end of the handrail. To increase the incline, roll the dial forward. To decrease, roll the dial back.

It’s a cool feature that makes adjusting the incline while jogging very easy. The incline is a 12% 12 level, which is pretty good for the price point.

You also have a dial on the other end of the handlebar to increase and decrease speed. Plus you have one-touch quick-access buttons under the LCD to adjust speed and incline.

The monitor is basic, and there are no advanced features, but it’s easy to use. The buttons are large, and there’s BlueTooth with an app, which is a basic app that only allows you to download and store your workout data. However, you can use 3rd party running apps, which I’d recommend as they are only 5 built-in workout programs with this one.

And lastly, it’s great to see Horizon are using the soft drop folding system for their flagship treadmill. It’s the best folding system, and the hydraulics do all the hard work for you.

For around $800, the T202 treadmill is a good buy. It is not as impressive as the sole F63, but with a sturdy build, a large running belt, an impressive auto-adjust incline, and an excellent warranty, it’s certainly another treadmill you should consider.

To Sum Up

For around $1000, there isn’t a better treadmill than the Sole F63 in this price bracket. The TRX4500 does come pretty close, still it costs more and the build quality isn’t as high as the F63. 

Yes, the F63 isn’t commercial grade, but it’s about as close as you can get with $1k, you have the 15% incline, large belt, and by far the best warranty, which is telling sign Sole Fitness has a lot of faith in this treadmill. It’s a durable treadmill that’s going to last you years.

For around $800, you can have the Horizon T202 treadmill. This is another excellent buy. Horizon offers you a 20″ x 60″ belt, a decent power-adjustable incline, and a 187-lb build, which is impressive for an $800 treadmill. Horizon is now offering a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame, plus one year on parts and labor, which is excellent for what is basically a low-cost treadmill. So yes, I think for the $800 price tag, Horizon is providing unbeatable value with their T202 treadmill.

Sole F63 Treadmill FAQS

Is The Sole F63 Quiet?

Sole Fitness uses balanced heavy-duty flywheels with their motors. This results in a motor that draws fewer amps; not only does this keep the motor quiet, but it also prolongs the life of the motor. Sole F63 also includes large rollers with sealed bearings that run under the treadmill deck. Large rollers make for smooth, quiet, static-free motion.

How Many Workout Programs Does The Sole F63 Treadmill Offer?

The Sole F63 Treadmills comes with a total of ten workout programs, six of those are standard programs, such as HIIT, etc, two are heart rate programs, and two are custom. If thats not enough for you, you can always download their fitness app. It’s a paid subscription that has over 3000 workouts to stream.

Is The Sole F63 or Sole F80 Better?

The Sole F80 includes a slightly larger running belt ‘it’s two inches wider’ a more powerful motor, a larger LCD screen, and is slightly heavier. Still, the Sole F80 costs $500 more. So yes, it’s better, and it’s more of a treadmill for runners than the F63. However, everything else about these treadmills is very similar, and if you only need a treadmill for light to medium cardio, then the F63 is the best buy out of the two. 

Is The Sole F63 Foldable?

Yes, the F63 is foldable. It uses a hydraulic folding system. Once folded, the treadmill’s overall footprint is more than halved. You also have built-in transport wheels to help you move the treadmill.