Sole F89 Review (2024): Durable For Runners, Affordable For Home Gym Owners

Sole Fitness may not have the same brand recognition as NordicTrack or Bowflex, but if you can put labels aside, Sole Fitness offers solid cardio equipment, extensive warranty policies, and manufactures some of the best treadmills for home gyms. 

We’ve tested most of the brand’s home treadmill lineup and have a detailed comparison in our Sole treadmill reviews page. However, in this Sole F89 review, we’ll focus on the specific features and specs that stand out on the brand’s 2024 treadmill release. 

GGR Experts Have Tested Over 40 Treadmills

Our expert testers at Garage Gym Reviews range from gym owners and certified personal trainers to Olympic-level athletes and certified nutrition coaches. We lean into our collective expertise and testing process to provide you with the most in-depth information on everything we review. We’re committed to providing this information so you can lead stronger, healthier lives.

For this Sole F89 review, our lead reviewer for our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube Channel, Lindsay Scheele, put the 2024 treadmill release from Sole Fitness to the test. During her testing process, Lindsay was tasked with scoring a variety of categories from 1 to 5 using our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology. Testing categories include footprint, portability, adjustments, ergonomics, and technology, to name a few. 

Sole F89

Sole F89 Treadmill

GGR Score: 3.96

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Product Highlights

• 4.0 HP motor
• 375 lb weight capacity
• Large 21.5" touchscreen monitor
• 15 incline levels
• Speeds up to 12 mph
• Lifetime frame and motor warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful 4.0 CP motor
• Large 21.5-inch touchscreen monitor
• High weight capacity of 375 lbs
• Low step-up height
• Foldale

Cons

• Heavy
• No decline options

Bottom Line

The Sole F89 is a solid treadmill that can handle walking, jogging, or sprinting with ease. It's not the most portable, but you can still fold up the deck when needed to save space.

A Quick Look at the Sole F89 Treadmill 

The Sole Fitness F8X series offers three models: F80, F85, and the F89. The “F” in the F8X series signifies these are folding treadmills, as opposed to the non-folding treadmill models Sole manufacturers. You can read about each one in our Sole TT8 review and Sole ST90 review.

The F8X series features powerful treadmill motors, spacious running surfaces, Bluetooth speakers, WiFi capabilities, and a modern Z-shape frame. The F89 stands out with a large Android-powered 21.5-inch touchscreen display loaded with entertainment apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu. You’ll also be able to take advantage of pre-programmed workouts in addition to the free SOLE+ fitness app. 

Sole Fitness also manufactures other cardio equipment like exercise bikes, rowers, and ellipticals (like the one we featured in our Sole E55 Elliptical review). 

Before You Buy

• The treadmill has 10 pre-programmed workouts hardwired into the machine in addition to 12 customizable programs you can create yourself. 
• Sole Fitness offers a free fitness app called SOLE+ which is integrated into the touchscreen display (it’s also available on Google Play and the App Store). 
• Sole Fitness uses Shop Pay to offer financing options. 

Sole F89 Full Video Review

Is the Sole F89 Treadmill Worth It?

The Sole F89 will cost you over $3,000, and we understand that’s not a doable price for all home gym owners. That said, with your purchase you’ll get a heavy-duty treadmill machine with a powerful motor, incline and decline settings, built-in programming, and a lifetime frame and motor warranty. 

We also like that Sole Fitness doesn’t require you to buy a subscription for programming or full machine functionality (looking at you, iFIT). Instead, there are built-in programs and a free SOLE+ app for instructor-led classes. This means you’ll make one purchase up-front and get everything you need to walk, jog, or run in the comfort of your own home—no ongoing costs or hidden fees. For this reason, our tester Lindsay scored the F89 treadmill 4 out of 5 stars when it comes to the price and value. 

RELATED: Best Budget Treadmills 

Sole F89 Treadmill Specs

Workout Experience on the Sole F89 Treadmill 

Lindsay Scheele, GGR tester and ISSA-CPT, tried the latest release from Sole Fitness and put the incline and decline settings to the test. She also tested the SOLE+ app for several workouts to gauge workout intensity, variety, and coaching quality. 

Lindsay also has extensive experience with Sole Fitness treadmills, with full video reviews on the Sole F63, Sole TT8, and Sole ST90. 

Footprint and Portability

The Sole F89 Treadmill is a hefty machine, weighing 314 pounds when fully assembled. Lindsay says she was able to tilt the F89 onto its transport wheels and move it around but admits it’s no small feat. She recommends asking for help if you’re not used to lifting heavy weights. For this reason, it earns a 3-out-of-5-star rating in this category. 

It’s also just under 7 feet long and a touch over 3 feet wide. The tallest point stands 5.6 feet tall and the step-up height is 8 inches. Keep these dimensions in mind before committing to this purchase. We’re big on the “measure twice cut once” mentality (except instead of cutting, you’re making a large fitness equipment investment). 

RELATED: How to Move a Treadmill

Durability and Construction

When it comes to durability, the Sole F89 has nearly everything we want to see in a high-end and long-lasting machine. The F89 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for the durability and construction category. 

For one, it has a powerful 4.0 horsepower motor, which Lindsay says is also quiet during speed and incline setting changes. For runners, we recommend looking at treadmills with a 3.0 HP motor to support running speeds, which means the F89 goes above and beyond to deliver a high-powered running machine. 

Lindsay’s one callout about the treadmill motor is that it’s not as quick to change speeds as some of the other treadmills she’s tested. “It’s very responsive to incline and decline changes, but the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is quicker to respond to speed changes,” says Lindsay.

In addition to motor power, we also look for inclusive weight capacity. This not only allows more people to potentially use the machine, but it also means the machine can support more weight and force. The F89 has an impressive 375-pound user weight capacity.

And for added peace of mind when making the investment in the Sole F89, the brand offers a lifetime frame and motor warranty. The company’s website details how to perform regular treadmill maintenance for additional longevity. 

Customizations and Ergonomics

When Lindsay tests for ergonomics, she doesn’t just consider her stature, but folks of all shapes and sizes. She scored the F89 treadmill 4 out of 5 stars when it comes to ergonomics. She appreciates that the F89 has a spacious running deck measuring 22 inches wide and 60 inches long. For reference, we recommend at least 55 inches for comfortable running and cardio sessions. Taller folks (or people with a long stride) benefit from the extra length of the 60-inch-long deck. 

Interestingly, the deck offers more than enough room, but Lindsay noticed that her feet grazed the motor hood while walking on the decline settings. You can certainly place your body a few inches away from the console to avoid this, but we know it’s a pretty natural tendency to stay close to the console and handrails.  

The running belt offers cushioning, but Lindsay says it’s nothing to write home about. “It’s better than road running but it’s certainly not cloud-like,” she says. She also mentions that the F89 has an 8-inch step-up height, which is pretty standard but perhaps not ideal for folks who struggle with mobility. 

RELATED: Best Treadmills for Low Ceilings 

As for customizations, we’re looking for features that provide training progression and variability. The Sole F89 has you covered with max speed of 12 mph, 15 levels of incline, and 6 levels on decline. These settings are ideal for HIIT workouts, speed training, and hill work. 

It’s worth noting that the quick jump buttons for incline, decline, and speed don’t show every single setting. You’ll have to use a lever button down by the handrail to make refined selections. 

Technology and Conveniences

The Sole F89 treadmill has some standard treadmill conveniences, like two oversized water bottle holders, wireless charging, and heart rate pulse sensors. But the standout feature is the 21.5-inch touchscreen. 

“The screen feels really big and takes up most of the console, so you’re not looking at a bunch of empty space,” says Lindsay. You’ll also have a tablet holder (which can double as a reading rack) above the console that doesn’t block your workout metrics. 

RELATED: Best Treadmill with a TV Screen 

“It’s easy to navigate and super user friendly,” Lindsay says about both the built-in programs you can use without WiFi and the SOLE+ app, which is integrated into the touchscreen display. The SOLE+ app is free. Lindsay reports there are treadmill workouts ranging from 10 to 60 minutes and lively instructors to coach you along the way. 

Lindsay’s biggest callout on the SOLE+ programming is the audio quality. “Sometimes I can hear the music and not the instructor or vice versa. But sometimes the audio is mixed well and totally balanced. It’s just super inconsistent,” she says. 

That said, she likes that you can stream third-party entertainment apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and Audible. “Sole doesn’t lock you into a subscription and gives you the freedom to train (or be entertained) how you want,” says Lindsay. 

Sole F89 vs Sole F85

Sole F85

Sole F85 Treadmill

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• 4.0 HP motor
• Large running surface at 22” W x 60” L
• 400-pound user weight capacity
• Lifetime frame and motor deck warranty
• 15 levels of incline
• Well-cushioned
• Folding deck

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 375 lb weight capacity
• 4 transport wheels for portability (most treadmills only offer 2)
• Cushioned deck
• Incline range of 0% to 15%
• Powerful 4.0 HP motor
• Folding deck design, console fans, and tablet holder
• Integrated Bluetooth speakers
• 10 preset programs
• WiFi capabilities
• Compatible with Fitbit, Record, Mapmyrun and Apple Health
• Pre-loaded apps: Netflix, YouTube, ESPN, CBC News, NBC News, and CNN News

Cons

• Several reviewers report the cushioning is not as soft as comparable machines
• Difficult assembly
• Large footprint, even when folded

Bottom Line

With a 4.0 HP motor, the F85 is one of the most durable foldable treadmills on the market. With a large cushioned running surface, interactive display, WiFi capabilities and a fancy console with fans and speakers, the F85 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their cardio workouts.

If you’re considering the Sole F89 but you’re stuck on the price tag, consider the little brother model: The Sole F85 treadmill. It’s similar in so many ways, including the running belt dimensions, motor size, and weight capacity. 

The main difference is the touchscreen size: The screen on the F85 is smaller at 15.6 inches. But both machines offer integration with the SOLE+ app and entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu. Plus, you’ll be able to mirror your phone (or tablet) on both treadmills with Bluetooth connectivity. 

The F85 is smaller and weighs less, but is overall an excellent contender to the F89. The best part is you can save about $900 (or you can browse ways to save even more on our Sole Fitness coupons page). We have more details about this model in our Sole F85 review where we cover our hands-on testing with the treadmill before the recent redesign, but our review still covers everything you need to know. 

It’s worth noting that Sole Fitness also manufactures entry-level treadmills with basic LCD screens, which are excellent for home use and beginner exercisers. The Sole Fitness treadmill lineup includes: 

• Sole F63 treadmill
• Sole F65 treadmill 
• Sole F80 treadmill 
• Sole F85 treadmill 
• Sole TT8 treadmill 
• Sole ST90 treadmill 

Customer Experience 

The customer experience with Sole Fitness isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst, either. Lindsay scored this category 3.5 out of 5 stars based on financing options, shipping and setup options, and methods to contact customer support. 

If you’ve bought a piece of fitness equipment from Sole Fitness in the past, you may know the brand used to partner with Citizens Bank to offer financing options. Now, the brand has moved to Shop Pay (aka Shopify) to offer financing. Loan terms and financing rates vary depending on your credit history. 

When you place your order, you’ll be presented with a few shipping options: Free curbside delivery, delivery to a room of your choice for an additional $199, or white glove delivery and assembly for an additional $350. 

If you have questions or concerns about your order or treadmill machine, you can contact Sole Fitness through a general inquiry form, email, or phone number. There is no live chat feature or text feature available. 

However, there is a specific page for making a treadmill warranty claim. The brand offers a lifetime frame and motor warranty, a 3-year policy on the deck and other parts, a 1-year policy on labor, and a 90-day warranty on cosmetic items. 

RELATED: How to Fix a Sole Treadmill

Customer Reviews

Sole Fitness doesn’t feature customer reviews on its product pages, so we turned to Amazon for a better look. At the time of writing this review, the F89 doesn’t have any reviews on Amazon either. However, there are reviews on other Sole treadmills that have an average rating of  4.1 out of 5 stars. 

Final Verdict of Our Sole F89 Review

If you’re a serious runner looking for a durable and reliable machine, the Sole F89 is a solid choice. The F89 offers a solid motor that supports running speeds, incline changes, and folks up to 375 pounds. 

It’s a straightforward machine offering enough tech to keep workouts engaging but not so much that you get lost in the intricacies. You’ll enjoy the Sole F89 if you: 

• Need a machine that can support sprints and hill training. 
• Are looking for a treadmill that offers workout variety.
• Want to take advantage of max speeds up to 12 mph.
• Want to avoid monthly subscription fees for programming.

Full Rating

Sole F89

The Sole F89 is a solid treadmill that can handle walking, jogging, or sprinting with ease. It's not the most portable, but you can still fold up the deck when needed to save space.

Product Brand: Sole Fitness

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 3299.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.9

Sole F89 Review: FAQs

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

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