Best for Home Use
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Sole TT8 Review
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For RunnersSole Fitness has been producing top treadmills for homes and commercial settings for more than 20 years. Their premier treadmill model, the Sole TT8 Light Commercial, earns one of our highest review scores. This reliable cardio trainer can handle daily shared use at office parks and hotels, yet it’s priced affordably for individuals with moderate to higher home fitness budgets; the latest version debuted with a $2,499.99 online sale price including delivery. This treadmill is sold with light commercial and residential warranties.
The Sole TT8 treadmill is named for its 22-inch wide tread track. The extra width on this 60-inch long track lets runners run freely without constantly focusing on their position on the treadmill. Another special feature of the TT8 is simulated downhill running in addition to the uphill running supported on other Sole treadmills. Overall the incline range is -6% to 15%. Convenient incline adjustments are built into the hand rests in addition to the console.
Also worth noting is that the TT8 treadmill track is very high quality with four layers of material, a self-lubricating deck, and 3-inch crowned rollers, ready to provide trouble-free performance for years and years. The perma-waxed reversible deck is simply better than the competition’s. It’s worth noting that roller size plays a huge role in determining the overall quality of a treadmill. You can read up here in more detail but consider that the 2.5-inch rollers are considered the top among home treadmills, with many offering smaller yet, down to 1.5- inches. The TT8 also comes with a 2-ply belt instead of 1-ply. If you run into problems with a Sole treadmill, it won’t be mechanical, that’s for sure. And of course that explains the superior warranty offered, lifetime for the deck, frame, and motor.
Sole treadmills have Bluetooth integration for use with the Sole Fitness mobile app. This app for Android and iOS devices can connect with FitBit, MyFitnessPal and other fitness apps so that trainees can store all their workout history in one secure location. In addition to tracking data, the Sole Fitness app lets a trainee’s mobile device serve as the treadmill control center, all the while providing access to more than 3,000 classes. It can be used for making workout selections, then sent to the background while other apps for entertainment, workouts or multitasking are used to help exercise time fly by. It also features an integrated tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speakers, and a USB charging port.
It’s worth noting the Sole TT8 doesn’t fold. Where this is a good thing in terms of overall structure and quality, for someone who anticipates the need to move their treadmill frequently or who lives in a small space, a compact treadmill may be a better fit.
- Superior 3-inch rollers
- Lifetime warranty
- 400-pound user weight maximum
- Built-in workout programs
- Frequent complaints about customer service
- Non-folding
What We Like:
- Superior parts: The TT8 treadmill shows off Sole’s roots in the light commercial treadmill industry. Its powerful motor, thick belt and commercial deck are built to support a lifetime of regular use. Where most treadmills feature 2-inch rollers, the TT8’s 3-inch rollers increase the contact area, reduce friction on the belt, and prolong the life of the motor and belt.
- Track size: The Sole TT8 is named for its extra-wide track; TT stands for “twenty-two” inches. The track is also 60 inches long to accommodate long running strides. This track size is the largest available from Sole Fitness and most other brands.
- Track quality: The tread track is self-lubricating to reduce the need for maintenance. While cheap tread tracks are single ply, the TT8’s track has four layers including nylon, rubber and PVC. This combination is durable, isn’t easily overstretched and avoids static electricity buildup.
- Low Step-Up Height: At eight inches, the low step-up height makes it easy and safe for users to get on and off the treadmill.
- Motor: The Sole TT8 Treadmill has a quiet commercial-grade 4.0 CHP motor with a lifetime warranty. The motor supports a high speed of 12 mph for sprinting and interval training.
- Incline and Decline: The track has 30 levels of incline with a maximum 15% grade to enhance calorie burn and cardio challenge. Additionally it can decline by up to 6%.
- Convenient Arm Buttons: Both speed and incline can be conveniently adjusted using arm buttons, a feature few models on the market currently offer.
- Deck: Sole’s CushionFlex Whisper Deck technology can reduce joint impact by up to 40% compared with outdoor running surfaces. This high quality deck also minimizes the noise of exercise impact and is reversible for twice the lifespan.
- High capacity: This light commercial treadmill has a maximum user weight capacity of 400 pounds.
- Big screen: Exercise data are displayed on a 10.1-inch TFT LCD screen with Sole’s most advanced graphic display. Additionally, workout progress can be shown on the trainee’s own tablet computer or smartphone.
- Preset Workouts: Ten programs including manual mode and user-designed routines are available to support cardio training, weight loss and muscle toning. Two users can store profiles and save custom routines.
- Audio: The Sole TT8 has built-in speakers for your music player and can easily connect via Bluetooth.
- Warranty: Sole Fitness leads the treadmill industry with its warranties. The new Sole TT8 Light Commercial Treadmill is sold with lifetime protection on the frame, motor and deck for both home and light commercial settings. The residential warranty also provides for fives years of parts coverage and two years of in-home labor. The light commercial warranty provides for three years on parts and one year of on-site labor.
- Storage Space: The TT8 has tablet/phone holders, two side pockets, a central storage tray, and three additional pockets.
- Extras: These include an integrated tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speakers, and a USB charging port.
- Responsive Customer Service- Although there is no chat option, customer service is responsive via phone or email.
Sole TT8 Treadmill - Key Specs:
| Star Rating: | 4.85-stars |
|---|---|
| Motor: | 4.0 HP |
| Incline: | -6 to 15% |
| Running Area: | 22" x 60" |
| Folding: | No |
| Top Speed: | 12 MPH |
| Weight Capacity: | 400 LBS |
| Dimensions: | 82" L x 36" W x 58" H |
| Built-In Programs: | 10 |
- Large, non-folding footprint: With its 36-inch by 82-inch deck the Sole TT8 requires a large dedicated workout space. It has the dimensions of a typical health club treadmill and might not be reasonably sized for home use. Since it doesn’t fold, this could be an issue.
Our Verdict:
Sole treadmills are built to last and carry generous warranties. The TT8 Light Commercial Treadmill is ideal for office park workout rooms and other light commercial fitness centers. In a home gym it could serve for a generation or more. As long as you’re okay with bringing your own tablet for interactive programming, there’s really not much reason to look any further at this price level. You can’t do better unless you’re wanting a folding unit. The difference in materials is incredible considering the 3-inch rollers and reversible deck. It’s understandable why Sole offers a lifetime warranty.
Recent Updates
May 12, 2023: Updated specs and pricing.
October 5, 2022: Additional FAQs have been included. Updated specifications to most current model.
How long does it take to assemble the Sole TT8 treadmill?
The instructions are relatively easy to follow, and everything you need to get your TT8 up and running is included in the hardware kit. It takes about three hours to fully assemble the Sole TT8 treadmill.
Is it difficult to move the Sole TT8 treadmill?
Since it’s non-folding, the Sole TT8 treadmill is a little more difficult to move. If moving from one room to another, depending on the size of the doorway, using furniture sliders can make it easy to push along the floor. Otherwise, you’ll need to disassemble and reassemble in the new location, so set aside several hours to get the job done, and have someone on hand to help.
What is the track size/running area of the Sole TT8?
The 'TT' in Sole TT8 is named for the extra-wide 22 inch track, and its length is 60 inches.
What is the maximum weight capacity of the Sole TT8?
The maximum user weight capacity is 400 lbs.
Is the Sole TT8 foldable?
The Sole TT8 treadmill doesn't fold, so keep this in mind if you're tight on space and need a treadmill that's easily stored away.