Sole TT8 Treadmill

  • Reviewed On: December 11, 2011
  • Reviewed By: Gerard Lao

MSRP: $2999, Price As Reviewed: $2299, Model Year: 2011

Where To Buy : We give an exhaustive review of the Sole TT8 and rate it against other products to help you decide if this is the right treadmill for you.

 

Pros

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

Comes with a 4-ply belt

4-ply belts are not something you see everyday. Only Sole TT8 offers the thickest if not most durable treadbelt available today. Most treadmills usually come with 2-ply belts while those at the entry level can only provide you a single ply. With these said, you're guaranteed that the TT8's 4-ply belt is built to last longer.

22" belt

It's very seldom for treadmills to have a belt wider than the usual 20-inch. At 22", Sole TT8 offers the widest treadbelt available in treadmills. This gives you extra space combined with the 60" length.

Rollers are 3" in diameter

Bigger rollers allow manufacturers to use larger bearings that can handle more stress compared to the usual 1.6" rollers used in many treadmills. This means it's more durable and lessens the wear and tear not only of the rollers, but also of the the bearings and belt. This is because a 1.6-inch roller needs to spin 90% more than a 3-inch roller at the same speed.

Has Light Commercial warranty

The TT8 comes with a light commercial warranty that lets you use this treadmill in clubhouse gyms or hotel fitness rooms. Its built for multiple users and longer use as you can notice in the improved and more durable components that comes with this machine.

Has lots of features

Not only is the TT8 built for durabiltiy. It's also designed to convenience and entertainment. Its features include a built-in sound system with MP3 player input, cooling fans, quick speed and incline keys, shock absorption, and controls built on the handrails. It also allows you to monitor your heart rate using the contact grips or the provided wireless chest strap.

 

Cons

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

Limited programs

The only downside with Sole treadmills is that you don't get that many workout programs you'll normally find in other treadmills. Having just 6 presets, 2 user defined, and 2 heart rate programs, you really just have a few options to choose from. Other treadmills that cost even less have more than 30 programs, and 10 is just too limited.

More features to be longed for

Even though the TT8 is designed for light commercial settings, considering the expensive price of this machine, we would have wanted to see more features integrated in the TT8. Some of these are online tracking of the users workout progress (just like iFit Live or Nike + iPod), decline feature for added challenge, and adjustable cushioning for more comfortable workouts.

Basic Components – 78.8% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Extra Features – 72.4% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Quality and Durability – 81.9% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Overall Score & Conclusion - 77.7% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Main component Programs 15 20 40 50% Treadmill has 8 programs. 6 preset, 2 user defined, 2 heart rate.
Main component Max Speed 11.1 MPH or Above 45 45 100% Treadmill\'s speed range is 0.5 to 12 mph.
Main component Max Incline 13.6 to 15.0 30 45 66.67% Website states incline range is from 0% to 15%.
Main component Belt Length 60-60.9" 34 40 85% Belt is 60\" long.
Main component Belt Width >=22.0 40 40 100% Has a 22-inch belt width.
Main component Motor Rating 3.26 to 3.5 HP 32 45 71.11% Features a 3.5 HP Continuous Duty, DC type, Ultra High Torque motor.
    Subtotal 1: 201 255 78.82%  


Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Extra Features Max Decline No Decline 5 20 25% Decline feature not mentioned.
Extra Features Noise Reduction Belt or Deck or Motor Yes 10 10 100% Comes with Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck.
Extra Features Shock Absorption (cushioning) Belt or Deck Yes 10 15 66.67% Has Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck.
Extra Features Folding No/Not Stated 5 15 33.33% Has no folding feature.
Extra Features Fans Yes 10 10 100% Comes with built-in fans.
Extra Features Built In TV No/Not Stated 5 30 16.67% TV feature not mentioned.
Extra Features Supports MP3 Players Standard 20 20 100% Comes with audio input for MP3 player. .
Extra Features Water Bottle Holder Yes 15 15 100% Treadmill console has bottle holder based on picture.
Extra Features Money Back Guarantee Yes (30 days or less) 15 20 75% With 30-day money back guarantee.
Extra Features Fitness Tests/Competition/Goals No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% Treadmill doesn\'t have Fitness test/Goals.
Extra Features Personalization: User Profiles/Progress Logs/History No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% Doesn\'t have user profiles.
Extra Features Heart Rate Monitor Grip+Wireless 20 20 100% Treadmill has both wireless and contact grips.
Extra Features Quick Speed/Incline Buttons Yes 10 10 100% Quick speed and incline buttons located on console.
Extra Features Time Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Readout displays time.
Extra Features Distance Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Has distance readout on console.
Extra Features Calories Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Shows calories burned on console.
Extra Features Console Design Modern or Intuitive 10 10 100% Comes with an LCD console.
Extra Features Bonus Hand handle/rest/rail controls Yes 10     With incline and speed button on handrails.
    Subtotal 2: 163 225 72.44%  


:
Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Quality and reliability Frame Warranty 13 to lifetime 20 20 100% Treadmill has a lifetime frame warranty.
Quality and reliability Motor Warranty 13 to lifetime 30 30 100% Motor is warranted for life.
Quality and reliability Parts Warranty 5 years 45 60 75% Warranty for parts is 5 years.
Quality and reliability Labor Warranty 2 years 30 60 50% Manufacturer gives a 2-year labor warranty.
Quality and reliability Multi-ply Belt/Deck 4 Ply/quadruple laminated deck 15 15 100% Treadmill comes with a 4-ply belt.
Quality and reliability Machine Weight 288 to 300 pounds 27.5 40 68.75% Treadmill weighs 300lbs.
Quality and reliability Machine User Weight Capacity 376 to 400 pounds 40 42.5 94.12% Has a maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs.
Quality and reliability Rollers 3.0" 20 22.5 88.89% Treadmill comes with 3-inch rollers.
Quality and reliability Bonus Light Commercial Warranty/Light Commercial Claim Yes 10     Treadmill comes with 3-inch rollers.
    Subtotal 3 : 237.5 290 81.9%  
    Overall: 601.5 770 77.72%