Sole F83 Treadmill Review

One of the main reasons why we recommend Sole treadmills is the CushionFlex deck, which has been a stand-out feature of these machines since we started reviewing them years ago.

The entire lineup has this cushioning, and it reduces impact on your joints considerably. If you’ve ever worked out on a cheap treadmill, you’ve probably noticed over time that you start feeling a little knee pain or your upper/lower legs feel a little uncomfortable.

When you have good cushioning like the F83 offers, you can work out longer and harder, which helps you reach your fitness goals quicker.

While many of their competitors like NordicTrack and ProForm have membership based programs to access full functionality, Sole has a nice array of workouts built right into the machine.

You get over 20 programs, including the military fitness tests that they’ve offered for years. It’s a nice array of programs that fit every fitness level.

They also have the free SOLE+ app that you can access on your phone or on the treadmill’s touch screen, which has plenty of additional scenic runs to choose from.

With the Sole F83 you can reach speeds up to 12 mph, which is all you really need and the most you’ll find on any home treadmill.

We like the fact that like the rest of the lineup you get up to 15% incline. Even the base model F63 has this level of incline capability, which is rare.

Most home treadmills will give you 10% to 12% incline, so it’s nice to get that extra amount to ramp up your workouts even further (no pun intended!)

When we’re looking at a brand or a model within a brand, we always keep an eye on warranties, as they tend to change over time.

Unfortunately, the companies don’t tell you when they make these changes, so you can get stuck with a treadmill that has much weaker coverage than you anticipated.

Sole has always maintained lifetime coverage on the two most important elements, frame and motor. The F83 is no exception, so you can rest assured if anything goes wrong you’re covered.

The Sole F83 is best suited for walkers and runners who want a premium-feeling, folding treadmill that bridges the gap between the entry-level models and the more premium F85 and F89.

It’s a great fit for people who plan to use their treadmill several times a week and appreciate a machine that feels solid and stable. It’s also a good choice for households with multiple users, as the larger running surface, powerful motor and higher weight capacity make it versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels.

The F83 should also appeal to buyers who value comfort and durability over flashy features. Sole has built its reputation on producing dependable treadmills that simply work, and the F83 continues that tradition while adding a more modern design and improved console.

Finally, if you’re someone who doesn’t like the idea of paying a monthly subscription just to unlock your treadmill’s full functionality, the F83 is an attractive alternative. You still get plenty of built-in workouts and entertainment features without feeling like you’re missing out if you choose not to subscribe to another service.

The F83 probably isn’t the best choice if you’re shopping on a tight budget or only plan to use the treadmill only occasionally. Sole’s lower-priced models offer many of the same core features and may provide better value for casual walkers.

Likewise, if you’re looking for an immersive fitness experience built around live classes and trainer-led workouts, you may be happier with a NordicTrack or Peloton. Sole’s approach has always been to build durable treadmills first and add technology second.

Finally, if you need commercial-grade performance for multiple hours of daily use, it may be worth stepping up to a full commercial treadmill rather than any folding residential model.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, the F83 looks like one of the most promising additions to Sole’s lineup in years. Rather than simply refreshing the console or changing a few specifications, Sole appears to have put real thought into updating both the design and overall user experience.

We particularly like the new cantilever frame, which gives the treadmill a more open feel, along with the adjustable touchscreen. Those are meaningful improvements over previous Sole models and should make the F83 feel more modern without sacrificing the durability the brand has built its reputation on.

Of course, until we’ve had an opportunity to spend more time on the F83 and hear from owners, it’s impossible to say exactly how it stacks up against long-time favorites like the F80 and F85. But based on the specifications, design changes and our experience with previous Sole treadmills, we think the F83 has the potential to become one of the company’s most popular folding models.