Sole F89 Treadmill Review 2023

Dimensions/Storability

The Sole F89 is a pretty sizable treadmill. Its dimensions with the deck unfolded are 83” long, 38” wide, and 68” tall. When folded the deck cuts down the length to just 44”. It’s the same size as the F85. The F89 also weighs the same at 319 lbs. It’s a substantial treadmill but being able to fold it is very helpful.

To fold, you just lift up the back end of the deck to fold it against the console. It locks into place. From here, you can push the F89 around with its four transportation wheels. We really like that Sole includes four wheels instead of two on their folding treadmills. This means you don’t need to tip back the Sole F89 when it’s folded to move it. You can just push it around. Considering its size and weight, this will help make the F89 much easier to move.

Although it can be moved, it is probably a good idea to keep the F89 Treadmill near where you plan on using it, if not in a designated spot. It’s not realistic to carry this treadmill up and down stairs or even push it from room to room often.

I do want to be clear that folding the deck and moving the F89 might not be possible for everyone. It’s important to consider your physical abilities and limitations. The F85’s deck is a bit heavier than other treadmills like the NordicTrack 2450, so just keep this in mind with the F89.

The Sole F89 has a yellow handle under the top of the back of the deck so when you pull it, the deck slowly unfolds itself. This makes unfolding the treadmill easy.

The foldable deck definitely will help save you some floor space when you’re not using the F89. To determine if the F89 will fit in your home, we recommend factoring in the overall dimensions and then adding a few extra feet surrounding the treadmill, especially at the rear of the deck so you can safely and properly use it.

It’s important to consider your ceiling height, too. I’m not 100% sure if the deck height is 8” tall like Sole’s other treadmills, but it is probably close. Based on this estimate, I assume that a 6-foot-tall runner should plan to have a minimum of an 8.5-foot high ceiling to use the incline and run on the deck. You can calculate the height requirement that we recommend for you, your home, and the F89 here.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

When it comes to onboard workouts, Sole has upped the game by including free workout videos led by instructors. Normally, most treadmills with touch screens include subscription content. For example, Peloton equipment requires a subscription to Peloton’s workout platform, and NordicTrack equipment requires a subscription to iFIT.

Sole has eliminated the additional fee by including free workout content and the ability to log into your respective accounts for apps like Netflix and Hulu. Below I’ve included a quick review of what is included on the F89’s touch screen.

Onboard Workouts + Sole+ Workouts

Although the layout appears to be a bit different than the F85 and F80. The standard onboard workouts are the same. These are programs such as manual, hill, fat burn, cardio, strength, HIIT, 5k, 10k, custom, and heart rate.

Manual mode is where you can just press start and adjust the treadmill yourself. The other programs have preset speeds, time, and incline/decline settings that the treadmill automatically adjusts to as you go. You can customize these and create custom workouts. Plus, there are seven fitness tests like Army and Coast Guard that you can take. These are all standard and are similar to treadmills you’d use at your local gym.

Where Sole has taken a big step further with the F89, is the inclusion of Sole+ workout videos. I’ve used the Sole+ App and taken these workouts. They are filmed in a studio featuring an instructor who guides you through the workout. You can see your workouts displayed in the app when you sync it to one of Sole’s compatible treadmills. They aren’t quite to the same level as Peloton and iFIT trainer-led workouts, but they’re free!

You’ll see how long the workout is and the type of music that will play during class before taking it. I’m unsure exactly how many of these workouts are available to stream directly from the F89’s screen. If you want to take more than what’s offered, you can with the Sole+ App on your phone. In the app, there are hundreds of workouts to choose from. You can then pair your phone to the F89 and screen mirror the app to the treadmill’s screen. (More on this feature in a moment).

Your metrics and the treadmill’s settings are displayed at the top of the screen in every workout. It also looks like during the standard workout programs and manual mode Sole has included a few more workout screens to see your stats displayed in different charts, as well as the standard track. There has even been a heart rate tracking screen added so you can more closely monitor your heart rate training zones on the Sole F89. The F89 doesn’t come with a monitor, but you can pair your compatible heart rate tracker, like a Garmin Watch, to the treadmill to use this feature.

Included Entertainment Apps

Along with the on-demand video workouts, the Sole F89 comes with 12 preloaded streaming apps under the “media” tab at the bottom of the screen. These are what the F80, F85, and Sole ST90 treadmills come with, too.

These apps include Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Spotify, Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Peacock, CNN, ESPN, Audible, and Kinomap. All you need to do to use these apps is log into your account for each and start streaming. I love that Sole has included these without requiring paying for an additional subscription. This way, you’ll never have to worry about getting bored on the Sole F89.

Screen Mirroring

If these apps and the Sole+ workouts aren’t enough, you can screen mirror your phone to the F89’s touchscreen. This means if you want to use other subscription training content, like iFIT, or stream from other apps, you can on this treadmill. The content is mirrored directly from your phone and the content plays through the treadmill’s speakers.

Pairing your iPhone is easy since Apple doesn’t require a separate app to screen mirror. You just need to make sure your phone is paired to the F89 first. Android users can also screen mirror but they’ll need to download the ANPLUS Screen Mirroring App to do this.

Console

The console is the same as Sole’s other treadmills with touch screens, but the F89 features the largest screen. It’s 21.5”, which is my favorite screen size on fitness equipment. It should be plenty large to navigate the content easily.

I’m excited to see Sole include this screen on what they’re calling their “Crown Jewel”. I would like to see the screen updated to be adjustable in the future though. The screen is fixed to the console in one position so you can’t pivot it from side to side or tilt it up and down. This might make it a little harder to reach and use while running on the F89. We wish the F85 and F80 had adjustable screens too, for this reason.

Also, if the screen pivoted to either side of the treadmill, you could more easily utilize the F89’s content for training off of the treadmill’s deck. The Sole+ App offers other types of workouts like mat classes such as boxing, strength training, yoga, and meditation. It’s unclear whether you can access these types of workouts directly from the F89’s screen though. But since you can screen mirror the app, it would be nice to have the option to turn the screen and finish up your run with a yoga or stretching workout.

The NordicTrack 2450 has a very adjustable 22” touch screen that we love, so we’d like to see this feature added to the F89 in the future. With its large 21.5” screen size though, you should be able to see the treadmill’s content from off of the treadmill.

The Sole F89 has numbered quick-adjusting buttons on either side of the screen to quickly adjust the speed and incline with the touch of a button. I like that these are available. Keep in mind that some levels like 6 and 8 mph, and the maximum levels of decline and incline, aren’t listed so you have to use the switch buttons on the front of the handle below the screen.

The switch buttons adjust the speed and incline/decline levels to more specific increments and they’re there for when you want to run at 6 mph or 6.3 mph. These should be well within reach on the F89.

Below the touch screen are speakers that point at you. I assume they offer plenty of volume to hear the content well. We haven’t had any issues with the Sole F80, and F85. You can also pair your Bluetooth headphones to the speakers and your phone, as I mentioned earlier. The only aspect of the speakers that’s missing is an adjustment button on the console. You have to press the speaker icon at the top of the screen to adjust the volume on the screen. This is hard to do while running, so an additional button below next to the fan button would be helpful.

Speaking of the fans, they look to be the same as Sole’s other treadmills. It’s unclear if the air points to the sides of the treadmills rather than you, like the others. You might want to plan on using your own fan just in case. We won’t know how effective they are until we get the Sole F89 Treadmill in for testing.

The F89 has a wireless charging pad to charge your compatible phone, too. This pad serves as a place to put your phone, too. I have to take my phone case off my phone to charge it, but my phone has remained in place here on the F85, F80, and ST90 models that we have.

On either side of the charging pad are two cupholders for your water and two smaller pockets for earbuds, keys, or whatever else you might need nearby. This console has really everything you could need to get in a great workout. This isn’t even mentioning the adjustable device rack fixed at the top of the touch screen to place your phone or tablet. This allows you to stream content directly from your device while using the Sole F89.

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Build Quality

Now, let’s dive into the construction section of this F89 review. After all, the tech features and content are only worth it if the treadmill is of great quality and reliable, too. Considering the Sole F89 Treadmill is at the top of Sole’s popular lineup of folding treadmills, we expect the F89 to be of the Sole F85’s quality at a minimum. It’s higher in price and Sole claims that the F89 tops their “best seller”, the F85, which we’re sure it probably does with the overall build.

At the very least, I expect the F89 to perform the same as the F85, although I’m sure the elevated aspects and quality shine through when using the F89. We know Sole packs a lot of value in their treadmills for their prices.

The F89 has a 375 lb weight limit which is a significant amount of weight. This, paired with the lifetime frame and motor warranties, adds even more confidence in the overall build quality of the F89.

Frame

The Sole F89 has what they call a “z-shaped” frame. It has a similar look to the NordicTrack Commercial Series and the Peloton Tread. Sole states that the F89 has an aluminum anodized frame. It’s unclear whether there’s steel in the frame like many other treadmills in the F89’s class. Considering the F89 is the same weight as the F85, there probably is.

I assume with how similar it is to the F85, that you can expect a really stable frame and sturdy uprights that should hold the console and touch screen steady. Minimal shaking of the screen could happen while running, but this is often the case for most treadmills with touch screens and shouldn’t be distracting.

The handles should be well within reach and secure for when you need to catch your balance. I love that the front handle is one continuous piece to provide plenty of surface to hold onto. They’re most likely as thick as the F85’s handle, so you might not be able to completely wrap your hands around it. There are pulse grips to read your heart rate while holding them, too.

Motor

The motor is unfortunately unlisted for the F89. I assume it is at least a 4.0 HP motor like the F85. Considering this is now the premium treadmill in this lineup, the F89 should handle a lot of use. So, if you plan on training for a marathon, feel free to go right ahead on the Sole F89. It’s also a great option if you have multiple people in your home who want to train on a treadmill.

The F89 has a 12 mph max speed which is a 5-minute mile running pace. Unless you’re an elite runner, this speed range should be plenty for most people. This is also the standard speed range that most treadmills offer.

The F89 offers 15 levels of incline and 6 levels of decline, too. In our testing, we’ve found that some treadmills vary a little bit from the grade listed by the brand to what they actually adjust to. Once we get the F89 in for testing, we’ll measure how accurate it is and what grade percentages you can expect to train at.

We’ll also include our results of the noise output in decibels and the motor’s responsiveness tests when we get the F89 into our studio.

Deck

The deck looks to be the same as the F80 and F85. I have always found Sole’s decks to be one of the most solid aspects of their treadmills. It is definitely spacious at 22” wide and 60” long. This is the largest deck size we see on folding treadmills. 60” is what we’ve found to be accommodating for all running stride lengths.

It also offers plenty of width, so you should have enough room for running, hiking, skipping, or whatever else you wish to do on the F89.

The side rails are black, unlike the F85 which has silver aluminum coverings. This makes the F89 look a bit sleeker. Your sneaker footprints most likely won’t show up on the side rails when you step onto them. This hasn’t been a problem for us on Sole’s other treadmills, but the Bowflex Treadmill 22 side rails tend to get a little dirty.

Considering every Sole Treadmill we’ve used has firm deck cushioning, I’m betting the Sole F89 has the same shock absorption. Firm cushioning has pros and cons for different users. If you’re an outdoor runner, or if you’re training for an event outside, you’ll prefer the harder surface to run on. It simulates the feeling of running on concrete, while still providing some give in the deck to help minimize the impact on your joints. If you are someone who suffers from a lot of joint discomfort while running, you might want to consider the NordicTrack 2450 or NordicTrack X22i.

Overall, we expect the Sole F89 Treadmill to be of high quality, as well as reliable and durable. We expect this from all of Sole’s treadmills largely because every model we’ve used has proven to be all of this and more. I also assume that is quiet, considering Sole’s other folding treadmills all are.

Warranty

The Sole F89 comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, as well as a 3-year deck, parts, and wear items warranty and a 1-year labor warranty. We love Sole’s warranties. Considering the size and weight of this treadmill, I recommend having two people for set up.

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Should You Buy The Sole F89 Treadmill

If you’re someone who is looking for a premium folding treadmill with great tech features that you don’t have to pay an additional subscription to use, then I would seriously consider the Sole F89. It’s not often that we see brands include free workout videos and preloaded streaming apps without having to pay an additional subscription fee every month.

The large, folding deck and powerful motor should handle everything you could want to put it through with ease. When it comes to reliability and overall quality, we’re continuously impressed by Sole and thrilled to see the innovation that was placed into the F89. For running and training that simulates the outdoors with the firm deck, incline, and decline capabilities, this treadmill should exceed our expectations. We’ll make sure to update this Sole F89 review once we get this treadmill into our studio.

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Sole F89 Treadmill Review FAQs / Q&As

Can you use the Sole F89 Treadmill without a subscription?

Yes! All of the content available on the Sole F89 is included on the touch screen. There are Sole+ video workouts led by instructors, standard onboard workouts, fitness tests, and 12 preloaded streaming apps like Netflix. The workouts are free and all you need to do to use the streaming apps is log into your account for each. No additional subscription fee is required.

Can you Watch Netflix on the Sole F89 Treadmill?

Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, Peacock, Spotify, ESPN, CNN, Audible, and Kinomap are all available to stream directly on the F89’s screen. You just have to log into your account for Netflix and the other apps to stream.

What apps work with the Sole F89?

Along with the 12 preloaded streaming apps, you can screen mirror content from your phone. So, you can use the Sole+ App, and other training apps like iFIT and Peloton, as well as Zwift on the F89. The screen mirroring feature makes your content and app training options practically endless.

Is our Sole F89 Treadmill review a paid review?

Our F89 review isn’t paid. We don’t get paid by Sole or other brands to review fitness equipment. Brands do send us treadmills and other equipment to test. We hope to get the Sole F89 in from Sole to test and assess its performance as we do with all other kinds of fitness equipment. The more equipment we’re able to test and use, the more accurately we can recommend the best treadmills and other fitness equipment for you at home.

We do have affiliate links that allow us to earn a small commission on the F89, at no extra cost to the consumer. We earn commissions from pretty much every major fitness brand. This allows us to compile completely unbiased reviews and to recommend quality equipment that we have found to be the best on the market based on our firsthand experiences.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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