The words “budget” and “treadmill” don’t usually show up in the same sentence — unless that sentence is “A treadmill is out of my budget.” But the SOLE F63 is a great exception to that rule.
This entry-level treadmill — a user fave that has earned a 4.5/5-star rating — delivers all the basics you’ll need to get a great workout in your home gym at a price that’s pretty frickin’ competitive for an exercise machine. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right option for you.
SOLE searching: An overview of the SOLE F63
SOLE Fitness is a maker of home treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes… the list goes on. The F63 is their base model treadmill, and users love that it’s affordable without sacrificing durability or quality. You’ll find it feels sturdy and comes loaded with sweet features like an LCD screen, incline capability, high speeds, and preloaded workouts.
Designed for running or walking (or treadmill dancing), the treadmill goes up to 12 miles per hour and has a 3.0 horsepower motor. That’s less powerful than pricier treadmills but still solid enough to hold up to years of regular use.
Thanks to a system of flywheels, the surface stays smooth and vibration-free even when you’re really pounding it. In fact, the heavy-duty steel construction is guaranteed for life.
The main way the SOLE F63 stands out from other commercial treadmills? Instead of connecting to a subscription platform with streamed trainer-led workouts, it’s programmed with 10 preset workouts. If you get bored with those, there’s an integrated tablet holder so you can follow along with another streaming platform (or just watch Netflix).
Also good: If you and your joints aren’t exactly on the best terms, this is a really good treadmill for you. According to SOLE, the specially designed Cushion Flex Whisper Deck reduces joint impact by a whopping 40 percent, so you should feel more comfortable during (and after) your workouts.
Best of all, the F63 folds flat pretty easily, so it’s not a big deal to store and won’t eat up tons of space. In other words, this machine kinda ticks all the boxes.
The pros
- Sweet price
- Durable steel frame and strong motor
- Reaches high speeds and inclines
- LCD screen and 10 preset workouts
- Integrated tablet holder
- Folds up
- Free shipping and returns
- Generous warranty
The cons
- No streaming workouts
- Have to assemble the treadmill yourself
- Motor not quite as powerful as those of more expensive treadmills
Let’s talk specs
OK, so how big is this thing? Here are the all-important numbers plus the straight scoop on every other F63 feature:
- Dimensions: 66 inches (in.) W x 82 in. L x 35 in. W
- Belt size: 60 in. L x 20 in. W
- Weight: 254 pounds (lbs.)
- Weight capacity: 325 lbs.
- Speed range: 0.5–12 mph
- Incline range: 0–15%
- Tech deets: 6.5-in. LCD screen, Bluetooth compatibility, integrated tablet holder
- Workout programs?: comes with 10 total programs, two of which are customizable
- Other perks: comes with cooling fans and a heart rate monitoring system with pulse grips and a chest strap
What about all the other stuff?
By that, we mean the price, the shipping, and all the fun policies you never bother to read about (but should!) unless there’s a problem.
Pricewise, at just under $1,000, the F63 isn’t exactly cheap. But considering that most nice treadmills cost two or three times that amount, it feels like a bargain, especially since SOLE offers free shipping and delivery.
With the free shipping option, the treadmill will be delivered curbside. But you can also pay more to have it brought into your garage. (Assembly options are usually available for an extra fee, too, but they’re not available during the pandemic.) Most treadmills ship out within 2 to 4 days of ordering and reach your doorstep within 6 business days.
Now let’s talk about the warranty. It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but your jaw might drop when you hear about the sweet policy. SOLE backs the F63’s frame and motor for life and offers 3 years of coverage for the deck, parts, and electronics and 1 year for the labor.
And if you decide this isn’t the treadmill of your dreams after all, you can return it for up to 30 days, no problem. SOLE will even cover the cost of return shipping.
tl;dr
Bottom line? The SOLE F63 is an incredible value with solid construction and sweet features. It can totally stand up to everyday use for walking or running (and if something goes wrong, you’ve got a solid warranty to back you up). As long as you don’t mind the lack of streaming workouts, you won’t be disappointed.
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