Expectations are high anytime Sole releases a new treadmill.
This is understandable considering they’re one of the leaders in home fitness – after all, they’ve been providing some of the finest cardio machines in their respective price range for years now.
But with high expectation, comes the prospect of devastating disappointment…
Fortunately, when it comes to their new F89Treadmill, I don’t think this is something Sole has to worry about.
With a 4 HP motor, 2.75″/2.36″ rollers, and a 22″ x 60″ running surface, the new F89 has all the performance specs to hang with any treadmill in its price range.
And with a 21.5″ touchscreen console that comes with workout streaming and built-in entertainment apps, the F89 has a lot to offer when it comes to features as well.
Add it all together and there’s not much to complain about here, but if we’re really nit-picking, I guess the parts warranty could be a little longer.
Overall, I think the F89 is a fine specimen of a treadmill (and likely to be a big competitor to NordicTrack’s Commercial lineup), but this thing isn’t cheap, so before deciding, you have to really make sure it’s the right fit.
Luckily, that’s what I’m here to help with.
In this review, I’ll go over everything the F89 has to offer, but I’ll also compare it to some of the other top treadmills in its price range.
This way, you can get an idea as to how it stacks up against the competition.
After reading, you’ll know whether or not this is the right treadmill for your home gym.
Sole’s F89 is a large, powerful treadmill that comes with a sophisticated touchscreen console perfect for streaming. Sole+ doesn’t offer as many workouts as some other platforms, but it’s free if you own a Sole machine.
Sole’s F89 Treadmill
As I mentioned in the intro, I consider Sole to be one of the top home fitness brands in the game.
Yes, there are higher-end brands out there (Matrix, Precor, Life Fitness, etc), but when it comes to the moderately-priced machines most of us home-gymers are looking for, they’re easily one of the best.
They’ve earned a loyal following with their heavy-duty machines and generous warranties, but now that they’ve updated most of their consoles, they’ll likely start winning over some of the folks looking for higher-tech features too.
Anyway, the F89 we’re here to go over now was released at the end of 2023, making it their newest treadmill to date.
According to Sole, their goal here was to create a new treadmill that took their highly-popular F85 and step it up a notch.
We’ll go into more detail below, but I’d say they hit their mark.
As I’m writing this, Sole has the F89 listed for $2,999, making the F89 one of their most expensive models (second only to their slat belt model, the ST90).
Let’s start things off with a rundown on this treadmill’s performance specs.
Pros
- 22″ x 60″ running surface
- 4.0 HP motor
- 21.5″ touchscreen console
- -6 – 15″ incline range
- 2.75″/2.36″ rollers
- Built-in entertainment apps
- Free access to Sole’s streaming fitness platform
- Built-in workouts
- Heavy-duty frame
- 375 lb weight limit
- Screen mirroring
- Cooling fan
- Wireless charging
- Folding frame
- Bluetooth compatible
- Bluetooth speakers
- Quick-touch buttons
Cons
- Parts warranty could be longer
- Sole+ doesn’t have as many options as iFit
Running Surface
The running surface measurement tells us how much belt room we have to work with and I think it’s one of the most important specs to look at when comparing treadmills.
That said, when looking at $3k treadmills, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting stuck with a small treadmill, but it’s always worth double checking.
Well, with a 22″ x 60″ running surface, the F89 is as spacious as pretty much any home treadmill out there, so you won’t have to worry about running out of room here.
With a running surface this large, users of all heights will be able to walk or run as fast as they like without having to shorten their stride.
And even if you aren’t in fear of running out of leg space, having extra wiggle room always makes for a more luxurious feel.
Most of the top treadmills in this price range come with similar-sized running surfaces, although it’s worth noting that NordicTrack’s Commercial 2450 only comes with a 20″ x 60″ running surface, so just a couple inches more narrow.
Not a huge deal, but still.
The running surface on the F89 is spacious, but the frame itself is pretty heavy-duty as well.
This treadmill comes with an assembled weight of 319 lb, which is robust for a home treadmill, especially considering that Sole recently transitioned to a sleeker frame design.
Having a treadmill this heavy does make it a little harder to move around, but I still think it’s a good thing.
Mostly because that extra bulk is going to make for a more stable feeling machine during use.
In other words, you won’t have to worry about the F89 shaking, wiggling, or in any other way feeling less than rock-solid.
The F89 comes with a weight limit of 375 lb, allowing it to hold folks of all sizes safely as well.
Overall, this treadmill comes with a spacious running surface and a robust frame that can accommodate users of all sizes.
Motor
Having enough leg room to comfortably exercise is important, but so is having enough horsepower under the hood to get the job done.
Motor strength is another one of the most important performance specs to look for before purchasing a treadmill because you need to make sure any treadmill you’re considering is strong enough to support your workouts.
Luckily, the F89 doesn’t disappoint in this department either.
This treadmill comes with a 4.0 HP motor that can reach a top speed of 12 mph, which is great, but it also comes with an incline range of -6 – 15%.
The max incline of 15% matches what most home treadmills can offer, but the ability to decline down to -6% is fairly rare.
We’re seeing more treadmills with decline capabilities these days, but I still wouldn’t say it’s a common feature.
Regardless, it’s still nice to have this feature in case you ever want to explore downhill training.
In terms of motor power, the F89 scores highly.
For the sake of reference, most home treadmills come with motors in the 2 – 4 HP range, so at 4 HP, the F89 is at the top of this expected range.
Motor power is important, but I think it’s always a good idea to check for roller size as well.
FYI, the rollers are what the belt glides across as it’s powered down the deck and having larger rollers is always a good thing.
Larger rollers basically make for smoother belt action, as well as making for an overall heavier-duty machine.
Most home treadmills come with rollers in the 1.8″ – 3″ range, with more expensive models often coming with larger ones.
With all this in mind, consider that the F89 comes with 2.75″ rollers.
Overall, with a 4 HP motor and large rollers, the F89 is about as powerful as any treadmill in this price range.
Features
The Sole F89 Treadmill comes with the following included features:
21.5″ touchscreen console- the most notable feature here is the large, Android-based touchscreen console mounted front and center. This is Sole’s largest console to date and the fact that it’s a touchscreen makes it easy to make all selections and view all stats easily during workouts.
Entertainment apps- the size of this console is impressive in itself, but it also comes pre-loaded with all the most popular entertainment streaming apps, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more (you still need your own subscriptions of course).
Sole+ – that jumbo console isn’t just for entertainment though, it’s also designed for watching instructor-led workouts through Sole+, Sole’s own fitness streaming app. Sole+ doesn’t have as many workout options as some of their competitors (like iFit) yet, but they still have thousands of on-demand workouts to choose from. And the price is certainly right – you get free access to the app with purchase of a Sole machine.
Screen mirroring- you can also plug your phone or tablet into the console and view anything through the built-in console via the screen mirroring function. This essentially lets you see any entertainment or fitness app you want through the large screen.
Bluetooth- the F89 is bluetooth compatible with other fitness apps too, as well as heart rate monitors, but just know you’ll have to access the other apps through your own phone/tablet.
Built-in workouts- Sole+ is free with purchase, but if you don’t feel like having an instructor lead you through a workout, you can still choose from one of the many built-in options included with the F89. You get access to all kinds of standard profiles, as well as custom workouts, heart rate guided options, and fitness tests.
Quick-touch buttons- you can rapidly set the speed and or incline settings with the convenient quick-touch buttons located on the sides of the console.
Cooling fan- there’s a built-in fan to help keep you comfortable during those strenuous workouts.
Wireless charging- the days of having to use a USB port are over. With the wireless charging port, you simply place your phone down and let the charging begin.
Bluetooth speakers- you can also listen to music wirelessly through the bluetooth speakers.
Tablet holder- I’m not sure why you’d really need this, given the console, but there is a tablet holder located above the console, in case you wanted to use it for some reason.
Water bottle holders- and finally, there’s room to hold 2 water bottles in the media tray.
Warranty
Sole covers the F89 Treadmill with the following home warranty:
- Lifetime frame
- Lifetime motor
- 3 year parts
- 1 year labor
Alright, pretty solid warranty here -the lifetime frame/motor guarantee is great to see.
Three years on parts is pretty good, but I will say there are brands in this price range offering much longer coverage.
Horizon, for example, offers a 5 year parts warranty on their 7.8 AT and Spirit offers an astounding 10 year parts warranty on their XT385.
NordicTrack only offers 2 year parts warranties, so Sole definitely has them beat out.
A year on labor is pretty standard, although Horizon does offer 2 year labor guarantees.
Overall, Sole’s warranty is good, but there’s a little room for improvement in the parts category.
Comps
Looking at the F89’s specs and features, it’s probably fair to say it has a lot going for it, but the only real way is to look and see what other treadmills in this price range are offering.
As I said earlier, the F89 is selling for around $3k, so let’s take a look at some of the other best options in this price range.
The first one that comes to mind is NordicTrack’s Commercial 2450, which usually sells for around $2999.
The 2450 comes with a 3.6 CHP motor, a 20″ x 60″ running surface, an incline range of -3 – 12%, 1.9″ rollers, only a 300 lb weight limit, and a shorter warranty.
The F89 clearly has this treadmill beat when it comes to performance specs, but the 2450 does come with a 22″ HD touchscreen that’s iFit ready.
iFit has become one of the most popular streaming fitness apps around and it certainly has more workouts to choose from, as well as the cool Automatic Trainer Control feature that adjusts the speed/incline settings automatically during workouts.
That said, iFit isn’t free, it’ll cost ya around $39/month.
Another comp worth mentioning is Spirit’s XT685, which is usually on sale through Fitness Factory for around $2699.
The XT685 comes with a 22″ x60″ running surface, a 4.0 HP motor, 3″ rollers, an incline up to 15%, a 425 lb weight limit, and a much longer warranty.
But this treadmill doesn’t come with a touchscreen console or any sophisticated streaming capabilities and it doesn’t fold either.
The last model I want to mention is Horizon’s 7.8 AT, which sells for around $2k.
The 7.8 AT is a great treadmill that comes with a 4.0 CHP motor, a 22″ x 60″ running surface, a max incline of 15%, a 375 lb weight limit, and a great warranty.
The console on this treadmill is bluetooth friendly, but it doesn’t come with a touchscreen or any built-in entertainment apps.
Sole’s F89 vs Sole’s F85
I think the above examples show that the F89 offers a pretty unique combination of both performance specs and console features for its price range.
But before we wrap things up here, I want to provide a quick comparison to one more comp, Sole’s own F85.
As I’m writing this, the F85 is selling for $2399, making it about $600 or so cheaper than the F89.
Check out the following table for a quick rundown on how the F85’s specs and features compare to the F89’s:
| Sole’s F89 | Sole’s F85 | |
|---|---|---|
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 22″ x 60″ |
| Motor | 4.0 HP | 4.0 HP |
| Rollers | 2.75″ | 2.75″ |
| Assembled Weight | 319 lb | 319 lb |
| Weight Limit | 375 lb | 375 lb |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame/motor 3 year parts 1 year labor | Lifetime frame/motor 3 year parts 1 year labor |
| Console | 21.5″ touchscreen | 15.6″ touchscreen |
| Price | $2999 | $2399 |
So, based on the above info, I’d say these 2 treadmills are realllly similar – in fact, I’d say there are no real differences in terms of performance whatsoever.
The only discernible difference between Sole’s F89 and Sole’s F85 Treadmills is that the F89 comes with a larger console.
That’s it.
I also want to point out that the F85 also comes with a rather large, touchscreen console with all the same built-in goodies found on the F89.
So, when deciding, you might want to think about how important screen size really is.
If you like the F89, but want to save a fair amount of cash, you could opt for the F85 and its smaller console.
Final Thoughts
Alright, I think that’ll about do it for Sole’s F89.
As we’ve seen above, this treadmill offers a great combination of powerful performance specs and advanced console features.
The F89 has enough power to support users of all skill levels and enough streaming features to make all of us happy.
And I still love the fact that Sole’s streaming app is free to use.
There’s not much to complain about here, but again, Sole’s parts warranties could be a little longer, given the price range.
But that said, I can’t think of any other treadmill under $3k that combines such impressive performance specs and console features (sorry NordicTrack).
Overall, I think the F89 is going to be a huge hit. Highly recommended.
