Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 Treadmill – Which is Best For You?
Trying to decide between the Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 Treadmill?
These are two popular mid-range treadmills that come in around the same price. They both fold up with strong motors, solid decks and long 60-inch belts.
They also both carry a few entertainment features to make your workouts more fun and effective.
The Sole F80 has been around a lot longer than the Nordictrack EXP 10i treadmill – giving it more of a history. However, it also hasn’t been updated in a few years.
The Nordictrack EXP 10i, on the other hand, is newer and has some of Nordictrack’s most popular entertainment features, mainly iFit world trails and LIVE studio workouts.
That leaves a lot of people wondering – which treadmill is best for them?
The thing is, these two treadmills have strengths in very different areas.
The best option for you will really depend on what you’re looking for in a treadmill and which features you value most.
This post will show you some key differences between the Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 to help you make a more informed decision.
Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 – History
As stated above, the Sole F80 has been around a lot longer than the Nordictrack EXP 10i treadmill. It’s been a staple of the Sole treadmill lineup for over 10 years.
However, the F80 also hasn’t really been updated in the last couple of years.
That could be viewed as a good thing (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it).
However it also leads some people to wonder if they’re getting the best treadmill tech for the money. Many brands for example, (not just Nordictrack) update their treadmills with the latest features every year or two, which Sole hasn’t done.
Click Here for More on the Sole F80
The Nordictrack EXP 10i is new this year and has all of Nordictrack’s latest toys added to it like the large, HD touch-screen, iFit classes etc.
So while it’s new and doesn’t have the history of the Sole F80, it also gives you the latest in treadmill technology.
Is one better than another? Not really – it comes down to what you’re looking for.
Click Here for More on the Nordictrack EXP10i
Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 – Console
The console is where you see the biggest difference between these two treadmills.
While the Sole F80 does have a backlit console, it’s only dual color and a bit outdated. The plastic push-button keys are fairly antiquated and the layout is overly complex:
Contrast this with the extra-large, full-color, HD touchscreen on the Nordictrack EXP 10i treadmill below and you’ll see the difference:
With the EXP 10i you can see your workout stats in full color with a swipe of your fingers on the console screen.
You can change incline or speed with the one-touch buttons up and down the sides, turn on the fan or increase the volume with the simplified console layout.
The console is much more up-to-date looking and intuitive to use – you don’t have to read a manual to figure it out.
The screen is also a bit larger than the Sole F80 console, making it easier to read your workout stats.
Nordictrack EXP 10i or Sole F80 – Cushioning
The Sole F80 comes with a Cushion Flex Whisper deck cushioning – which has been shown, according to the manufacturer, to reduce impact on the joints by up to 40%.
So it’s an excellent cushioning system that gives you a lot of protection for your joints.
The Nordictrack EXP 10i gives you adjustable Flex Select cushioning. This means you can turn the cushioning up by engaging dampeners for lower impact running. You can also turn the cushioning down for a more road-like running experience.
So while one gives you highly rated all-around joint protection, the other gives you good joint protection – with a choice of surfaces to run on. So again, it depends on what you prefer to have.
Sole F80 vs Nordictrack EXP 10i – Incline / Decline
The Sole F80 treadmill pulls out ahead here with up to 15% incline. The Nordictrack EXP 10i comes in with only 12% incline.
So the Sole F80 gives you a bit more room to grow with the higher incline.
However the Nordictrack EXP 10i does give you something that the Sole F80 doesn’t – decline.
You get up to 3% decline with this treadmill in addition to 12% incline. So you have more crosstraining options with the decline on the Nordictrack.
Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 – Entertainment Options
Fitness today has gone digital. Smart technology is all the rage as people figure out how to make their workouts more fun, effective and entertaining. This is where the Nordictrack really shines.
It comes compatible with an online service called iFit. iFit uses the Wifi in your home to connect your treadmill online. From there you can do all sorts of cool things.
For example, you can take a new studio workout every day from the comfort of your own home. There are thousands of different workouts to choose from HIIT training to beginner runners workouts to yoga, stretching and more.
In addition to streaming workouts you can also take a live studio workout – and follow your favorite instructors in real time.
Got a question? Send your instructor a text message and have them answer it for you- which takes interactive workouts to a new level.
Don’t want to take a class?
No problem – choose from thousands of world-trail workouts in the iFit library.
Take a walking tour of Florence or explore the pyramids of Egypt. Climb the Swiss Alps or run along the shores of Hawaii with a trainer who motivates you and points out interesting landmarks along the way.
One of the coolest things is that the treadmill will even incline and decline to match the terrain of the trail that you’re walking – for a more virtual reality type experience.
So iFit offers you a lot of interesting entertainment options. While you don’t need iFit to use this treadmill, iFit is a membership subscription option.
The good news is that if you get the Nordictrack EXP 10i treadmill through the link below you can get a 1-year membership to iFit included with your treadmill.
So you can try it out for the full year to see if you like it – which is a pretty great deal.
Click to Get iFit included with the EXP 10i
Now what about Sole?
Does the F80 offer anything in terms of entertainment or tracking options?
You do have a couple of things here. They did put a tablet holder on top of the console a few years ago.
So you can use your tablet or phone to watch Youtube videos or go online as you walk. And there are a few built-in workouts with this treadmill as well.
Plus you can plug in your phone or other device and play your music through the console speakers.
That’s about it. Not bad – but compared to the entertainment and tracking options with the Nordictrack, it doesn’t really measure up.
Sole F80 vs Nordictrack EXP 10i – Stability
Both machines are built to be pretty stable – each one coming in at over 200 pounds unit weight. (A heavier treadmill helps to weigh down the machine for added stability).
However, the points here go to the Sole F80. It comes in heavier than the EXP 10i, which helps to make a more stable-feeling machine.
The Nordictrack EXP 10i comes in around 229 pounds, which is pretty heavy and would be fine for walkers or runners.
However the Sole F80 comes in almost 50 pounds heavier at 278 pounds. So you get just a little bit more with the Sole F80 in terms of stability.
Bottom Line?
So which is better when comparing the Nordictrack EXP 10i vs Sole F80 treadmills?
Well, each one has their strengths.
The Sole F80 is an old favorite and is really known for excellent cushioning and great stability. It also offers you higher incline.
However the Nordictrack EXP 10i outshines it when it comes to entertainment and training options.
You get the decline feature for added crosstraining. Plus, you can run trails all over the world or take live fitness classes from the comfort of your own home.
The console is also much more modern, easier to read and simple to use.
So at the end of the day, it really depends on what you want.
Want to Learn More?
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