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The Sole F80 Treadmill is one of several models of treadmill available from Sole. I chose the F80 because it has a great specification yet it was a lot cheaper than the others.

It is a very well built machine; it feels as solid and robust as any of the professional treadmills I have used at the local gym. This solid build means that it is a heavy machine and this makes it very stable when running on it at a fast pace.
In spite of its weight, however, it is an easy matter to move it around the house. The running deck folds up and the treadmill can then be pushed along on its built-in wheels to a new position. When you're finished your walk or run the whole thing folds up into quite a compact size, making it easy to store in a busy home.

In use the motor is very quiet; something which is important to me as I have a young baby who is often sleeping when I use the treadmill (it also means you can listen to music or watch TV without annoying background noise). It is also nice and comfortable to run on, the running belt having a thick, absorbent surface.

One aspect of the Sole F80 that I wasn't too happy with is the fact that it requires quite a bit of self-assembly before it is possible to use it. I found this to be a bit fiddly and the instructions for assembling it are not very clear. Because of its size and weight assembly really requires two people.

It has a very good range of speed settings, going from 0.1 up to 12 miles per hour. More than adequate for most people. Also included is the ability to alter the gradient, from 0 to 15%.

The machine makes it easy to monitor your progress as it has six programs built in which you can select at the press of a button and which can be changed during a workout. It is also possible to create two programs to your own specifications if you want to. This adds variety to your workout routines. The keypad is logical, and straightforward to use.

Sensors in the hand grips give you a read out of your pulse rate, so that you are able to monitor the intensity of your training easily. For those who like to have a drink to hand or listen to their iPod or similar, there is a built in accessory tray to hold everything. One final feature that I found to be ingenious and is very much appreciated is the cooling fans - so welcome on a hot day.

In summary, an easy to use (after setup) treadmill, with some fantastic design features that you would expect from a high-end machine. However, the Sole F80 gives you that quality for much less money.