Archive for February, 2009

Sole F85 Treadmill

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

It is Sole’s top machine and best selling treadmill within folding type. Also the recent price decrease and better features and quality, it is easy to see why experts regard the Sole F85 treadmill as one of the excellent folding treadmills available today.

Is It for You?
This treadmill is designed for people with restricted place at home. If you want to workout in the privacy of your home but don’t have sufficient room to keep a big machine, then this treadmill is right for you.

Features
This treadmill is unique due to its folding feature. It can fold and unfold easily due to its easy assist folding feature. The safety lock deck holds the treadmill securely on folding. The horseshoe stabilizing base guarantees it a strong base.
The Sole F85 treadmill has a 3.5 HP continuous duty motor that can achieve speeds of maximum12 mph and slopes for a maximum 15%. It is fitted with speed and slope controls on the arm rests. So whether you’re starting out or a serious runner, these features let you exercise with intensity and flexibility.

The 20” x 58” double woven 2 ply tread belt has Cushion Flex shock absorption deck. It can put up with long strides(ideal for tall persons) simultaneously, prevent you from having joint, knees, and ankle injuries.
The console is fitted with a message window to display instructions and feedbacks. It lists your Speed, Slope, Time, Distance Traveled, Calories, Pulse and Pace all the while. It  also has a 1/4 mile track feature and a Peak and Valley chart for various programs.

The Sole F85 treadmill is fitted with a hand pulse grip and a wireless chest strap. Moreover the heart-rate control alternative automatically computes your suggested target range as per your age. So you will get the most effective and safe workout available.

This treadmill is completely fitted with all the programs you want. There are 6 auto programs, 2 user designed programs, and 2 distinct heart rate control programs for more options and flexibility in your workouts.

Drawbacks
None as of now. But then, Sole is a new entrant in the home treadmill industry so there is not any past record.

Recommendation
The Sole F85 treadmill is the best if you’re looking for a folding machine. If Sole keeps on making treadmills like this, within no time they would become one of the most famous brands in the treadmill industry.

Summary:

Motor: 3.5HP continuous motor
Speed: 0.5 to 12 mph
Maximum Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
Slope: up to 15%
Limited Warranty: Motor, 30 years — Deck, Lifetime — Frame, Lifetime — Electronics / Belt / Rollers and all other replaceable parts, 5 years — Labor, 2 years
Belt Size: 20″ x 58″ double woven 2-ply tread belt
Weight: 280 lbs
Heart Rate: Yes
Foldable: Yes

Features:
• 6 standard, 2 customized, 2 heart rate programs
• Cooling fans
• Wireless chest belt
• Arm rest pace and slope control
• Simple assist folding feature fitted with safety lock deck and horseshoe stabilizing belt
• Message window listing scrolling information
• Cushion Flex shock absorption deck
• Hand pulse grip

Keys Treadmill

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Keys Treadmill

Keys Treadmill

Keys treadmills provide excellent motor warranties and great features. Moreover  most of them are mid-priced treadmills making them affordable to most people.

Are They For You?
This brand is good for those who want a mid-priced treadmill fitted with an excellent motor warranty that is 10 years. This is quite good as most of these machines fall in the mid price range.

The Company Making the Treadmills
Keys Fitness, is a company based in Garland, Texas, and manufactures and owns Keys treadmills. They have just started manufacturing treadmills in 1997, but have operated in the fitness industry for some time now. They sell dumbbells and other strength training items.

All their manufacturing jobs are done in the U.S. but in order to stay competitive, they import most of their component parts overseas. As a result, some of their machines have some quality issues.

Currently, Keys Fitness has at least 6 treadmill brands and each of them fulfills different needs and budgets. These brands are Alliance, Encore, and Ironman among others. It  also manufacturs Smooth fitnesss(but are not owners), a company selling treadmills on the internet.

Price Range
The prices of these machines start from as low as $1,000 to as high as $2,300. This price, includes a 10 year motor warranty and a lifetime warranty on frames.

Drawback…
The major drawback of Keys Fitness brands is their fit and finish quality. Otherwise they are good treadmills to possess.

Recommendation
Though this brand is popular for inferior fit and finish quality, latest models are seeing little improvements. If this goes on, you can surely buy the product, but as of now not worth it.