E95 Elliptical Trainer Review

★Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer★
★Sole E95 Elliptical Rating: ★1 star out of 5 for being way too expensive
Price: $1699
Buy The Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)

Treadmill and Elliptical manufacturers have a tough job. There are dozens of fitness companies out there competing for your hard earned dollars and they have to make their fitness equipment stand out if they have a prayer of earning your money. That’s why it’s sad when I see an otherwise superior elliptical trainer manufacturer like Sole fail to differentiate the Sole E95 from the Sole E55. I’ll get to the bottom of this mystery in my Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer Review.

I poured over the specs of the E95 and the E55 and can’t tell too much of a difference between the two. They have the same amount of programs, resistance levels, stride length, flywheel, and warranty. The only noticeable difference between the two is a 400 lb. maximum user weight capacity, so the question is, if the only difference is weight capacity and both elliptical trainers have the same frame, look, and feel, why should I pay a $150 more for the Sole E95 Elliptical?

Well, the answer is you shouldn’t. That’s because the Sole E95 Elliptical is identical to the Sole E55 down to the last nut and bolt. I’m not even going to bother going into feature details and analysis, you can read all I have to say about the E95 at my Sole E55 review page.

In conclusion, Sole is a quality manufacturer of elliptical trainers. I don’t have too many problems with the rest of their line, but avoid the E95 at all costs. It’s the same as the Sole E55 and costs almost $200 less. Buy it if you want, but you’ll be wasting your money.

E25 Elliptical Trainer

Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer Review
Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 for outstanding value
Price: $999
Buy The Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer (2008 Model)

It’s another beautiful day in sunny Southern California. Unfortunately the reason we’ve had such nice weather is because there’s in a drought in the Southwest. We could use rain, but it would ruin my day. I think this is what the word conundrum means. I’m getting off topic. Today I wanted to review the Sole E25 Elliptical. It’s the cheapest unit in Sole’s Elliptical Trainer line. Does it deserve your hard earned dollars? Read the rest of my review to find out!

I want to use the first sentence of my review to praise Sole for including 16 resistance levels on an elliptical trainer for under $1000. This many resistance levels is an extremely rare find in a low cost elliptical trainer and really adds a great deal of value to the consumer.

Another trend taking the fitness industry by storm is built in IPOD / MP3 jacks and speakers. Admittedly some companies have done this feature better than others and Sole has one of the better built in speaker systems I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. If you’re a music fan or subscribe to the Japanese 101 Podcast like I have this is one of the coolest features in an elliptical trainer you’ll come across. The good news is Sole has included the IPOD / MP3 Auxiliary Jack in all of their elliptical trainers. Well done Sole.

The warranty is superb. Most elliptical trainers under a thousand bucks offer a 1 year parts and labor warranty; the Sole E25 backs parts for 3 years and labor for 1 year. Sole ellipticals have been thoroughly field tested by the Hilton Hotel group and have a proven track record of withstanding vigorous workouts. That’s why Sole feels comfortable extending a 3 year parts warranty, triple Horizon Fitness’ parts warranty.

The 300 lb. weight capacity is high considering the price range. Most elliptical trainers that sell for a thousand dollars or less

Despite the impressive amount of resistance levels I have a few gripes with the Sole E25 Elliptical. First, there are only six fitness programs. These are important for users, especially beginners. Fitness programs help target a specific goal such as weight loss or physical endurance and help users reach their goals as quickly and efficiently as possible. I prefer elliptical trainers with 10 fitness programs, that’s usually enough variety to help your average user reach all their fitness goals.

Compared to most elliptical trainers in the $1000 range this is one of the best ellipticals out there. The 300 lb. user weight capacity, 16 resistance levels, and 3 year parts warranty continue to impress me and the people who buy the Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer. Not only has Sole blown away elliptical trainers in this price range, but they have gone above and beyond by offering a built in MP3 / IPOD jack. The only thing that makes me hesitant to give this elliptical trainer a perfect 5 stars is the small amount of fitness programs. Other than that, this elliptical trainer is a home run!

One last thing, I would also like to point out that the Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer has perfect user reviews on Amazon at the time I wrote this review. That means everyone who reviewed the Sole E25 has given the highest rating possible to the Sole E25.

Sole Elliptical Trainer Comparison Chart

Hello Everyone!

I’m sure my regular readers are starting to notice all the charts going up. That’s because I’ve had amazing response to the first couple comparison charts for the Sole Treadmills. People have written me saying “I knew in 30 seconds which treadmill I wanted to buy”. I’m sure a comparison chart is going to be just as useful for Sole Elliptical Trainers.

Oh, I also wanted to make a few quick notes about how the Sole Elliptical Trainers are stacking up. The Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer and the Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer are my two top picks from the Sole’s Elliptical Trainer lineup. The Sole E95 and the Sole E35 cost more than the E55 and the E25 respectively, but offer very little more in terms features and specs and practically nothing in terms of performance. If you’re stuck between the E25 and the E35 I would go with the E35, if you’re stuck between the E95 and the E55 I would definitely go with the Sole E55 Elliptical.

Alright, I have things to do, here’s the chart and I hope you find the elliptical trainer or treadmill you want at a price you can afford.

Sole Treadmill Comparisons

Well, it seems these charts are pretty popular with everyone searching for a Sole Treadmill. Here's a chart that helps you tell the difference between all the folding Sole treadmills. Hope it helps!

Sole S77 Treadmill Review

There’s a little more to say of the Sole S77 Treadmill compared to some of the other treadmills in Sole’s lineup. Remember, Sole treadmills are well made pieces of machinery and if you choose to purchase a Sole Treadmill you’ll enjoy comfortable workouts on a stable frame with a very quiet motor. However, I can’t honestly say that Sole is going to the same lengths to deliver the biggest bang for your buck Horizon and Bowflex are. The problem is price. Most Sole Treadmills are just too expensive to recommend, and the Sole S77 Treadmill is not worth the price. I would much rather see my penny pinching readers purchase the Sole F80 for about $1500 compared to the $1899.

There are a couple reasons you might consider buying the Sole S77 over the Sole F80; a non-folding design and more running space. Folding treadmills of any brand are generally less stable than non-folding treadmills but most people can’t tell a difference in stability between folding and non-folding treadmills by companies that manufacture better equipment like Sole, Spirit, and Horizon Fitness. If you’re a serious runner, you’ll probably notice a difference, but most other people won’t.

The other reason is a larger running area. You get a 5” wider running area with the Sole S77. If you’re a larger person, say larger than 6”1’ or more than 250 lbs. you just might need the extra 5”. But most people don’t. If you are a larger person, then by all means spend the extra couple hundred bucks to buy the Sole S77, but if not and you want to save a couple hundred bucks and have a treadmill that will perform just as well as the Sole S77 then the Sole F80 is for you.

Do the research and you’ll find the treadmill that fits your needs and budget!

Remember, do the research and you’ll find the treadmill that fits your needs and budget!

Sole F83 Treadmill Review

Sole F83 Treadmill Rating:3.5 Stars out of 5 for offering near idential performance as the Sole F80 but costing hundreds more.
Price: $1799
Buy The Sole F83 Treadmill (2008 Model)

If I were to write what I’ve been calling a “proper” review of the Sole F83 Treadmill I would be repeating myself. My single primary complaint about the Sole F83 is the same as for the Sole F85; it’s nearly identical to the Sole F80 Treadmill but more expensive. I could bore my readers with a lengthy treadmill review that details all the specifics so I thought I would switch things up a bit and include a Sole F80 and F83 Treadmill comparison chart. I think this chart makes my case for the Sole F80 Treadmill very clear.

The better choice by far
is the Sole F80 Treadmill.

Sole F85 Treadmill Review

Hey Everyone!

Sole F85 Treadmill Review
Sole F85 Treadmill Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 for costing way too much
Price: $1999.99
Buy The Sole F85 Treadmill (2008 Model)

I know this is going to sound like a rehash of my Sole TT8 Treadmill Review, but so be it. All I can do is tell the truth and if I wanted to lie I would tell you that every Sole Treadmill deserves your hard earned dollars. That’s not the case, Sole has some excellent units, and the Sole F85 Treadmill is an excellent unit. It’s just not worth $1999.99.

First, I would like to start out by noting how similar the Sole TT8 and the Sole F85 Treadmill are. They both have a 3.5 continuous duty motor, a maximum speed of 12 MPH, and a 15% incline. Where they differ is in deck size. The Sole F85 mysteriously has a larger deck size and smaller running area than the Sole TT8. I think it’s a little fudging of the specifications on Sole’s part. Everyone does this, and I have no reason to mark it down. The Sole F85 Treadmill’s rollers are smaller, which means the treadmill won’t last quite so long, but it should still stand up to at least 7 years abuse.

The frame construction and stability are nearly identical as well. The Sole F85 Treadmill won’t wobble even at high speeds with heavy users. I believe I’ve already covered why that’s so important, so I won’t bother you about it again.

Ultimately, the Sole F85 is still not worth the money. Definitely not when there are other high quality treadmills with similar features and specifications on the market. I can’t in good faith recommend buying this treadmill to my readers. If you’re looking for a high end treadmill, say $1600 or more, I’ll post something specific treadmills and brand recommendations in a few days just for you.

No offense Sole, but the Sole F85 is simply too expensive.

Sole TT8 Treadmill Review

Hello Readers!

Sole TT8 Treadmill Review
Sole TT8 Treadmill Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 for being matched by other treadmills that are several hundred dollars cheaper
Price: $2299.99
Buy Sole TT8 Treadmill (2008 Model)

I really would like to come on here and say that there are no differences between any of the treadmills on the market. I would like to say that they’re all the best out there and you’re going to pay 50 bucks for a commercially rated treadmill that guarantees all parts and labor for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, that is not the world we live in. There are bad treadmills out there. There are treadmills that will suck your money down a drain and you’ll never get it back. Despite an otherwise solid lineup of treadmills, the Sole TT8 Treadmill is one of those bad treadmills.

There are a couple good things about this treadmill. Sole built the TT8 Treadmill with 3” rollers. Treadmill rollers help the treadmill motor move the treadmill belt; large rollers extend the longevity of your treadmill because less stress is placed on the treadmill and keeps the treadmill motor quiet. The other thing I like is a slightly wider running area. The Sole TT8 Treadmill has 22” x 60” worth of running space, enough for long strides and workouts that don’t feel cramped.

I’m sorry, I need to correct myself. The sole TT8 Treadmill isn’t a bad treadmill. It’s a good treadmill at a really, really bad price. If this treadmill were about 500 bucks cheaper I might be able to endorse a purchase of the Sole TT8 Treadmill. Truth is, there are treadmills out there that are just as good as the Sole TT8 for hundreds of dollars cheaper. If you’re looking for a gym quality treadmill, check out Star Trac or Landice. They range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand more than the Sole TT8, but they’re excellent gym quality treadmills. I’m not going to tell you not to buy the Sole TT8, but I would highly suggest you do a little research before investing a couple thousand of your hard earned dollars in to a treadmill.

Sole F63 Treadmill Review

Sole F63 Treadmill Review
Buy The Sole F63 Treadmill Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5 for including heart rate control for under a $1000
Price: $999.99
Sole F63 Treadmill (2008 Model)

I definitely like the Sole F63 over the Sole F80 and for good reason. The Sole F63 offers the same solid frame, a powerful 2.5 horsepower motor, and an excellent price. But a treadmill buyer should EXPECT those things from a treadmill. The Sole F63 wins me over with all the extras they throw in.

First, the Sole F63 includes built in speakers and an MP3 input for IPODs, Zunes, and everything in between. There’s only a hand full of treadmill companies out there keeping up with the times, and fortunately for Sole, they’re in the minority. Aside from the feature itself, built in IPOD support tells me Sole is a company is conscious of the needs of its’ customers. That alone makes me more confident purchasing a treadmill from Sole Fitness.

Sole did not go above and beyond in running area, it decided to stick with the rest of the treadmill manufacturer pack and offer a 20” x 55” running belt. It’s not a mark against Sole, but definitely doesn’t score any extra points. What does score extra points is the built in Heart Rate Control. As I mentioned in my Sole F80 Treadmill Review, heart rate monitoring is useful for targeting a specific heart rate, and can be helpful in reaching fitness goals faster such as weight loss and or endurance. Most companies expect people to pay at least a couple hundred bucks over a thousand for heart rate control.

Another thing I really like are the cooling fans and console. The console is bright blue LCD screen and can be read easily even while running. This important when you’re tracking your distance or heart rate! Cooling fans are quickly becoming a treadmill standard, but the Sole F63 Treadmill includes dual fans, a feature that’s few and far between.

The only thing I really don’t like about the Sole F63 Treadmill is the limited amount of programs. The Sole F63 includes six and I need at least 10 to give it my highest 5 star rating. Bottom line, you won’t be disappointed with the Sole F63, it offers heart rate monitoring at one of the lowest prices I’ve seen and I’m extremely pleased with the cooling fans and IPOD support.

Sole F80 Treadmill Review

Hey Guys!

Sole F80 Treadmill Review
Sole Treadmill Rating: 4 stars out of 5 for delivering an excellent array of features but being pricey
Price: $1499
Buy The Sole F80 Treadmill (2008 Model)


There’s an awful lot to like about the Sole F80 Treadmill it’s hard to choose where to begin so I’ll start with the basics. First, the treadmill frame is extremely stable. A shaky treadmill can be likened to driving a car down a road filled with speed bumps. The car will suffer and so will the driver. Your treadmill is going to last a lot longer if it doesn’t shake!

At higher speeds with heavier users, treadmill motors have to work ever harder to keep up with the exerciser, a harder working motor means a louder motor. The Sole F80 Treadmill is manufactured 3 full horsepower so the Sole F80’s motor won’t be stressed even during high speed workouts with heavy users.

The Sole F80 also includes heart rate control. If you’re new to the world of treadmills and ellipticals, heart rate control is a program function that can track a users heart rate and force the user to work harder to achieve a specific heart rate. Reaching targeted heart rates can help you reach fitness goals faster such as losing weight or improving cardiovascular strength. The Sole F80 is also compatible with wireless heart rate monitoring and includes a wireless chest strap. The F80 Treadmill is also compatible with many other wireless heart rate monitoring devices, check the manual for compatibility.

The Sole F80 Treadmill can reach inclines of up to 15%. Most treadmills in the same price range are limited to 12%, not too much of a deal, more diversity and options are always nice to see in any product. There’s also built in transport wheels for moving the Sole F80 around the house if you happen to have a wife who likes to rearrange the furniture for no good reason. This is a huge one, it’s compatible with IPODs and other MP3 players and has built in speakers! Sole scores huge points for including MP3 player compatibility.

There are two cons. The running area is a little small, coming in at 55” x 20”. I prefer to see treadmills in $1500 price with at least 20” x 60” running area. What sets the Sole F80 Treadmill back most is the $1500 price tag. The Horizon T84 is comparable to the Sole F80 Treadmill and sells for about $200 less. It has the same running area and like the Sole F80 features IPOD/MP3 player compatibility. It’s a much better buy in my humble opinion. You can check out this review of the Horizon T84 Treadmill.