Sole F83 Treadmill (Discontinued)

The F83 incorporates a Backlit Blue LCD that offers feedback on speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse and pace. In addition, a ¼ mile track and a Peak and Valley graph give you your current segment during certain programs.

In the center of the display, the Dot Matrix indicates your current level of workout. It doesn’t offer a specific value, only an estimate of your effort. Next to the Dot Matrix, there are 3 LED lights representing Track, Speed and Incline.

When Track is lit, the matrix shows the Track profile, and so on for each of the other 2.

The Pulse window displays current heart rate in beats/ min. The Calorie display shows the approximate no of burned calories at a certain time.

Choose out of 2 options, the hand pulse grips or the wireless chest strap that is included.

The F83 includes 6 standard workouts, 2 user defined programs and 2 heart rate workouts.

To start a program, press the button of the workout you’re interested in. Press Enter to insert the Time of the workout (unless you decide on the default time), Body Weight and Age. Sole F83 embeds a Heart Rate Bar Graph Display. It is based on a percentage of the user’s maximum heart rate. Adjust Speed and press Start.

Select the User with the Program keypad and press Enter.

Calculate your maximum heart rate for HR Control programs and for the Heart Rate Bar Graph. After getting the result, decide on the goal of your workout (most used are cardio fitness and weight control). A trait of the F83 and other Sole models is that you can use the heart rate monitor feature without engaging in a HR Control program.

The notable advantage of this machine is that it offers a certain feature that facilitates HR workouts. The Heart Rate Auto-Pilot feature lets the user enter Heart Rate Control mode at any time by pressing one button. You can access this feature during any workout.

The F83 comes with quality built-in speakers that you can use for MP3 Players, CD Players or iPod.

with Easy Assist feature, included

included

Sole F83 is a good example of power, durability and also stability. It’s a treadmill that we recommend, but we do have an addition. This model would have stood up if there were no F80 and F85. With few bucks less, about $200, you can get the F80 that is equally functional and comfortable, just doesn’t have the extra entertainment and some other dispensable features. Or you can buy the F85 for $200 more that would give you a stronger motor and more functional diversity.

Still, F83 has some notable traits that would make this model a good purchase and will offer the workout you need. It’s suited for runners of most sizes and strides due to the running surface that is above average.

The thing with folding treadmills is that they don’t offer stability. In spite of this general characteristic, the F83 gives you both. It’s nice to be given this effective compromise between power and stability and the option to fold the machine when you’re not using it.

The motor provides high torque and keeps your workouts going even at 12 mph. It felt great to raise incline to 15% and still enjoy a sturdy motor. And to make it easier on your ankles and knees, Sole added a nice and comfortable cushion that keeps you away from pressure and workout injuries. Even after our longest workouts, and highly intense may we add, we felt no stress and no harm done.

The display is the first thing that makes the difference between F80 and F83.

The later enables 3 different colors. It’s not that big of a difference, but some users may think otherwise. Another asset is that F83 gives you the entertainment to keep you going during hard training. It incorporates a set of built-in speakers that indeed make workouts easier. But the truth is most users don’t buy a treadmill for its special entertaining features, but for what it can really do for their bodies.

A major advantage is that F83 gives you the possibility to calculate your maximum heart rate and manage your Heart Rate Control workouts according to your own capacities. The Heart Rate Bar Graph helps you keep a close eye on your heart rate. It’s been very effective for our cardio training. In addition, the Heart Rate Auto-Pilot feature lets the user enter Heart Rate Control mode at any time by pressing one button.

The chest strap is included in the price, so no worries on this part. You get the cooling fan, the speakers with iPod compatibility and the club-style console. Last but not least, you also receive the lifetime warranty for motor, the solid stable deck and frame and 5 years for parts.

The truth is that this is one of the best treadmills on the market for this price range. The other truth is that if you spare the extra $200, you get an even more powerful motor, a larger running surface and more functionality with the F85.