Comparing Giants: SOLE vs. Life Fitness Treadmill Specifications

Key Takeaways

• SOLE treadmills are known for their affordability, powerful motors, and home-friendly designs—a great option for everyday users.
• Life Fitness treadmills emphasize biomechanics and premium materials, best suited for commercial gyms and high-end users.
• SOLE offers advanced cushioning with its Cushion Flex Whisper Deck—which reduces joint impact by up to 40%.
• For budget-conscious buyers, SOLE treadmills deliver high-end features at a lower price point compared to Life Fitness.
• If space is an issue, the SOLE F89’s foldable design offers a compact solution for home gyms.

SOLE vs Life Fitness Treadmill Comparison | Features, Pros & Cons

SOLE and Life Fitness are both great choices if you need a reliable treadmill—there’s no doubt about that. It all comes down to what you need (and what you can afford). SOLE focuses on innovation and user comfort, with durable treadmills designed for gym-quality workouts at home. Life Fitness treadmills, on the other hand, are meant for high-end gym environments—with biomechanics and premium performance, at a premium price tag.

At SOLE Fitness, we're proud to offer the best treadmills for your home or gym. These machines are crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring they are ideal for anyone - from fitness novices to seasoned athletes. Featured Product SOLE Treadmills: Starting at $1,199.99, SOLE treadmills excel in ergonomic design, durability, and value. Equipped with advanced cushioning to minimize joint impact, powerful, quiet motors, and wide running surfaces, they suit any fitness level.

Motor Power

When comparing treadmills, motor power is one of the first (if not the first!) things to consider—strong motors handle intense workouts and keep things running smoothly, even with heavy use. Motor power is measured in horsepower (HP), which shows how well the treadmill performs under different conditions.

Feature	SOLE F89	SOLE TT8	SOLE ST90	Life Fitness Aspire	Life Fitness Integrity+	Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD
Motor Power (HP)	4.0	4.0	2.0 AC Power Delivery	4.0 (8.0 peak)	4.0 (8.0 peak)	N/A (self-powered)

SOLE Treadmills: The F89 and TT8 treadmills have a strong 4.0 HP motor—perfect for high-speed running and interval training. The ST90 has a 2.0 HP motor, still powerful enough for a smooth workout but suited more for regular cardio sessions rather than heavy, intense training.

Life Fitness Treadmills: The Aspire and Integrity+ models have 4.0 HP motors with an 8.0 HP peak, so they can handle both moderate and demanding workouts. However, the Hammer Strength HD is self-powered, so it doesn’t rely on a motor at all—designed for sprinting-focused, high-performance athletes.

Running Surface

The running surface is measured by the width and length of the belt, and it matters for both comfort and safety—especially if you’re taller or have a longer stride.

Feature	SOLE F89	SOLE TT8	SOLE ST90	Life Fitness Aspire	Life Fitness Integrity+	Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD
Running Surface	22” x 60”	22” x 60”	20” x 60” (slat belt)	22” x 60”	22” x 60”	N/A (slatted curved design)

SOLE Treadmills: The F89 and TT8 both have 22” x 60” surfaces, giving you plenty of room to run safely. The ST90—while slightly narrower at 20” x 60”—stands out with its slat belt design. This reduces friction and provides a smoother, low-impact running experience—especially important if you’re looking to reduce joint strain.

Life Fitness Treadmills: The Aspire and Integrity+ models also have 22” x 60” surfaces for comfort and safety. The Hammer Strength HD has a slatted curved deck, designed for high-performance athletes focused on sprinting mechanics.

Cushioning

Cushioning systems reduce the impact on your joints while running or walking, protecting your knees and hips from strain. They also extend the treadmill’s lifespan by absorbing shock and preventing excessive wear on the deck and belt.

SOLE Treadmills: SOLE treadmills have the signature Cushion Flex Whisper Deck which reduces joint impact by up to 40%—a great option for those concerned about joint health or long-term comfort during workouts. The ST90 is unique with its slat belt design. This design offers durability, better traction, and a low-impact workout—ideal for long-term use and reducing joint strain.

Life Fitness Treadmills: The Aspire and Integrity+ use the FlexDeck Shock Absorption system, which can reduce knee and joint stress by up to 30%. The Hammer Strength HD uses a slatted curved design that doesn’t rely on traditional cushioning.

Speed & Incline

Speed and incline control the intensity of your workout, challenge your endurance, and help you simulate real-world terrain for strength training. Some treadmills also offer decline options, too.

Feature	SOLE F89	SOLE TT8	SOLE ST90	Life Fitness Aspire	Life Fitness Integrity+	Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD
Max Speed	12 MPH	12 MPH	12 MPH	12 MPH	14 MPH	N/A (self-powered)
Incline Range	15 levels	15 levels (+ decline)	15 levels	15 levels	15 levels	(N/A)

SOLE Treadmills: SOLE treadmills have up to 15 incline levels, so users can vary their workouts. The F89, ST90, and TT8 all reach a top speed of 12 MPH. The TT8 model also includes a decline feature for a more challenging and realistic running experience.

Life Fitness Treadmills: The Aspire and Integrity+ models reach up to 12 and 14 MPH, respectively, with an incline range of 15%. But, they do not have decline options. The Hammer Strength HD, being self-powered, does not rely on motorized speed or incline.

Console & Features

The treadmill’s console lets you control your workout and access various features, from tracking your performance to connecting with devices via Bluetooth or WiFi. Some consoles come with preloaded workout programs, entertainment apps, and accessory holders.

Feature	SOLE F89	SOLE TT8	SOLE ST90	Life Fitness Aspire	Life Fitness Integrity+	Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD
Display	21.5” touchscreen	15.6” touchscreen	15.6” touchscreen	SL and SE4 consoles	24” or 16” touchscreen	Polar/Analog
Programs	10 pre-programmed, 12 user-defined	10 pre-programmed, 12 user-defined	10 pre-programmed, 12 user-defined	Interval programs	Life Fitness On Demand+	Interval programs
Bluetooth	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
WiFi	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
Preloaded Apps	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️	❌
Accessory Holders	Phone/tablet holder, reading rack	Phone/tablet holder, reading rack	Phone/tablet holder, reading rack	Large accessory tray	Water bottle pockets, device rack	Phone holder

SOLE Treadmills: SOLE offers robust consoles that improve your workout experience. The F89’s 21.5” touchscreen gives you full control over your sessions, and the TT8 and ST90 feature 15.6” touchscreens. All models have Bluetooth, WiFi, preloaded apps, and accessory holders, so it’s easy to stay connected and organized while you exercise.

Life Fitness Treadmills: The Aspire and Integrity+ treadmills feature intuitive consoles. The Integrity+ stands out with its 24” or 16” touchscreen and Life Fitness On Demand+—offering access to 500+ fitness experiences. The Hammer Strength HD has a more basic console.

General Considerations

Feature	SOLE F89	SOLE TT8	SOLE ST90	Life Fitness Aspire	Life Fitness Integrity+	Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD
Price	$3,299.99	$2,899.99	$3,999.99	Approx. $8,999.00	Approx. $24,000	Approx. $8,669.00
Warranty	Lifetime on frame and motor, 3 years on parts	Lifetime on frame and motor, 3 years on parts	5 years frame and motor, 3 years parts	Lifetime on frame and motor, 3 years parts	Lifetime on frame and motor, 5 years parts	(N/A)
Space & Storage	Foldable, 83” L x 38” W x 68” H	Non-foldable, 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H	Non-foldable, 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H	Non-foldable, 83.5” L x 36” W x 58” H	Non-foldable, 82” L x 36” W x 56” H	Non-foldable, 66.6” L x 34.7” W x 63.7” H

Price: SOLE treadmills provide excellent value with high-end features at a lower cost compared to Life Fitness models. If you’re looking for top performance on a budget, SOLE models like the TT8 and F89 stand out. Life Fitness models are expensive—especially the Integrity+.

Warranty: Both SOLE and Life Fitness offer strong warranties, but the Hammer Strength HD lacks coverage since it’s a self-powered model.

Space & Storage: If space is a concern, the SOLE F89 is foldable, making it a great choice for home use. Life Fitness treadmills are generally non-foldable, which can be an issue if you need to save space.

SOLE vs Life Fitness: Find Your Match

If you’re looking for a treadmill that offers great value, advanced features, and durability, SOLE treadmills check all the boxes. Models like the F89 and TT8 have powerful motors, spacious running surfaces, and incline/decline options—all for a more affordable price than many competitors.

On the other hand, Life Fitness treadmills provide a high-end experience but at a premium price which is more suitable for commercial settings or professional athletes.

Experience the Power of SOLE

At SOLE, we’re committed to helping you achieve your fitness goals with high-quality, reliable treadmills. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing your limits, we have the right machine for you.

Ready to take the next step? Explore our range of treadmills—like the SOLE TT8 for serious runners or the foldable F89 for home gyms with limited space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which brand offers better value for money, SOLE or Life Fitness?
SOLE treadmills provide excellent value for money with high-end features, powerful motors, and advanced cushioning at a lower cost compared to Life Fitness models​.

Do both brands offer cushioning technology?
Yes, both brands offer cushioning. SOLE treadmills use the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, reducing joint impact by up to 40%. Life Fitness treadmills like the Aspire and Integrity+ feature the FlexDeck Shock Absorption system—reducing joint stress by up to 30%​.

How do the motor powers compare between SOLE and Life Fitness treadmills?
SOLE treadmills like the F89 and TT8 have a 4.0 HP motor, suitable for intense workouts. Life Fitness treadmills, such as the Aspire and Integrity+, also offer 4.0 HP motors with a peak of 8.0 HP—designed for more demanding workouts​.

Can SOLE and Life Fitness treadmills be folded for storage?
Some SOLE models, such as the F89, are foldable; Life Fitness treadmills are generally non-foldable​.

Do SOLE treadmills offer incline and decline options?
Yes, SOLE treadmills such as the TT8 offer both incline and decline features for a dynamic workout experience. Life Fitness treadmills typically do not offer decline options.