Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 Treadmill Comparison – How Do They Compare?

Trying to decide between the Proform 5000 treadmill vs Sole F80 treadmill?

You’re not alone. These two treadmills are some of the most popular models in the mid-priced treadmill market.

They both come in around $1499 and give you up to 15% incline and extra wide 22 x 60 inch decks. They’re also both excellent choices for runners and walkers alike.

But there are some pretty significant differences between them that you should know. Here’s a rundown of some of the key differences between them to help you choose the best treadmill for you.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Console

The consoles are where you’ll see a big difference between these two machines.

Keep in mind that the console is what you’ll be staring at for the next 5 – 10 years on your treadmill (maybe more depending on how you treat it). So at minimum you want a console that is easy to read.

The Sole F80 console is backlit and well laid out. It gives you all of your workout feedback at a glance and even includes some fun stuff like a cooling fan and iPod dock with speakers:

sole f80 vs proform 5000 treadmill — Sole F80 Console

However the Proform 5000 gives you more with a full-color, HD, touch-screen console. So you can see your workout stats in full color as you run. It also makes watching the iFit Coach world scenery a lot nicer (more on that below).

You’ll also notice that there’s an adjustable holder for your tablet above the console on the Proform 5000. So you can attach your tablet and surf the web as you run or watch your favorite movies or shows for some added entertainment. You don’t get this on the Sole F80 treadmill.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Motor

The Sole F80 comes with a 3.5 HP motor – which is excellent, especially for this price point. However the Proform 5000 treadmill gives you a bit more with a stronger 4.0 HP motor.

What does this mean for you?

Well, a stronger motor means the treadmill doesn’t have to work as hard when you put it through its paces. It can basically hold up to more use and abuse over the years.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Cushioning

While the Proform 5000 has excellent cushioning, it’s fair to note that Sole is known for their cushioning.

Their Cushion Flex system on the Sole F80 treadmill has been shown in a study to reduce impact by up to 40% compared to road running. So runners will appreciate this feature.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Heart Rate Monitor

Both treadmills give you the hand grip EKG pulse sensors in front of the console to take your heart rate. And they are both also compatible with wireless heart rate chest straps.

However the Sole F80 treadmill does not come with a wireless chest strap included – you have to buy it yourself.

However if you get the Proform Pro 5000 treadmill direct through the Manufacturer here, you can get a Free wireless chest strap monitor included with your treadmill.

A lot of people prefer using a wireless monitor since it’s a lot more convenient that having to continually grasp the handrails to get a reading on your heart rate.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Side Handrail Controls

The Sole F80 comes with something unique that you don’t find on the Proform 5000 treadmill – side handrail controls.

You can easily adjust your incline or speed from the side handrails instead of having to reach up to the console to do it (and potentially break your stride).

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Online Tracking

With the huge popularity of fitbit and calorie counter apps, many treadmill manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon and added some kind of tracking capabilities to their treadmills.

Sole has recently added Bluetooth tracking to the Sole F80 – which is a very cool way to monitory your workouts. You can use it with the Free Sole app to graph your workouts over time, set new goals and see how far you’ve come.

The Proform 5000 also has tracking capabilities – it’s called iFit Coach. iFit connects your treadmill online and tracks your workouts over time as well. However it also goes much further than this.

With iFit you can monitor everything from your workouts, to your calories, your everyday activity and even your sleep patterns. You can also get new workouts downloaded to your computer every day.

You can also run famous world trails everywhere from the Swiss Alps to the streets of Paris and watch real landmarks pass you by in the console – or your tablet – screen.

ifit coach proform treadmill — Proform 5000 with iFit

This is a very cool way to add some virtual reality fun to your training.

Proform 5000 vs Sole F80 – Decline

While the Sole F80 treadmill gives you up to 15% incline, the Proform 5000 gives you 15% incline and 3% decline. The decline is a great way to crosstrain on your treadmill – or just take a break when you’re tired.

Bottom Line?

Both the Proform 5000 and the Sole F80 treadmills give you a lot for the money. They’re both some of the top-rated and best-selling treadmills in the mid-range market. So you can’t go too far wrong with either of them.

But there are some key differences that you should know.

The Sole F80 really shines in the area of construction and cushioning. It’s heavy and solid as a rock. However it does fall down a bit in the area of tracking and console features.

The Proform 5000 is also well-built with a stronger motor and large 2.5 inch rollers (which help prolong the life of your treadmill).

However it also gives you a much better console and the option to crosstrain with decline

Plus the online tracking option – iFit Coach – can add a whole new level of virtual reality fun to your training time.

At the end of the day it really comes down to what’s most important to you.

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