SOLE vs True Treadmills: Specs, Best Models & Price

Award-Winning Commercial-Grade Treadmills for Your Home Choose from 3 Proven Series: F6X like F63 and F65 for affordable durability F8X like F85 and F89 for premium features Non-Folding like TT8 and ST90 for serious athlete performance Why Choose SOLE: ✓ Commercial-grade steel frames with up to 4.0 HP motors ✓ Cushion Flex technology reduces joint impact by 40% ✓ Industry-leading lifetime warranty on frame & motor ✓ Weight capacity up to 400 lbs with whisper-quiet operation ✓ FREE curbside shipping + workout classes via SOLE+ app 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Love it or return it, no questions asked. Shop SOLE Treadmills Now →

How Do SOLE & True Fitness Compare as Brands?

SOLE focuses on value-engineered cardio equipment with folding designs, while True Fitness positions itself as an ultra-premium brand emphasizing non-folding construction and extended warranties. 

SOLE Fitness

SOLE Fitness has built its reputation on commercial-grade construction at consumer-friendly prices. We focus exclusively on cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes), which allows concentrated R&D investment in these categories. Our treadmills feature folding designs that do not compromise structural integrity, Cushion Flex Whisper Deck technology for joint protection, and the FREE SOLE+ App that provides guided workouts without subscription fees.

SOLE's manufacturing approach emphasizes value engineering by delivering premium features and construction quality while maintaining accessible pricing. The result is equipment that competes with brands charging 2 to 3 times more while offering comparable or stronger specifications.

True Fitness

True Fitness has manufactured fitness equipment since 1981, positioning itself as a premium brand building commercial-grade equipment for home use. The company emphasizes durability, with marketing focused on treadmills lasting for years. True's FITX orthopedic cushioning system and optional Soft Select adjustable deck firmness are genuine engineering features that distinguish the brand.

True's pricing reflects its premium positioning. Entry-level home treadmills start around $3,500, with flagship models exceeding $6,500. The company justifies these prices through build quality, industry-leading warranties, and non-folding designs that prioritize structural rigidity over space efficiency.

Note: SOLE does not manufacture or sell True Fitness products. This is an independent review of a product for comparison purposes." This is missing from the document. 

How Do Prices Compare Across Equivalent Models?

At every comparable specification tier, SOLE costs $2,400 to $4,700 less than True Fitness for similar or stronger features. 

The most striking difference between SOLE and True is pricing. Across comparable specification tiers, SOLE costs 50–70% less.

Entry-Level Comparison

Mid-Range Comparison

Premium Comparison

Where Do the Specifications Actually Differ?

Motor power, belt width, decline capability, weight capacity, and folding are the five spec categories where the brands diverge most clearly. 

Motor Power

Running Surface Width

Incline & Decline

SOLE offers decline capability; True does not. Three SOLE models (F85, F89, TT8) include 6 levels of decline training down to -6%, enabling downhill running simulation that strengthens quadriceps differently than flat or incline running. True Fitness offers no decline option on any home treadmill at any price point.

Weight Capacity

Feature Comparison

Console & Display

SOLE provides larger touchscreens across comparable price points. The F85's 15.6-inch display exceeds True's touchscreen options while costing less than True's LCD-equipped models.

Heart Rate Control

Both brands offer heart rate-controlled workouts that automatically adjust speed and incline to maintain target heart rate zones.

SOLE: HRC programs available through SOLE+ App and built-in console programs. Compatible with Bluetooth heart rate monitors.

True: HRC Cruise Control automatically adjusts speed and incline to maintain target heart rate. Polar wireless compatible. Some models include Polar heart rate strap.

This feature is essentially equivalent between brands.

Warranty Comparison

Which Brand Actually Makes Sense for Your Home Gym?

For most buyers, the comparison is straightforward: SOLE delivers more treadmill per dollar than True at every tier where the two brands compete, with wider belts, stronger motors, decline capability on upper models, and folding designs that True does not offer at any price point. The savings of $2,400 to $4,700 across equivalent specifications go further than the marginal advantages True holds in extended parts coverage or its Soft Select adjustable cushioning on the Performance 8000.

If you want commercial-grade construction without paying True-tier prices, SOLE covers the full range of needs across three series: the F6X for affordable durability, the F8X for premium features like the F85's 15.6-inch touchscreen and 6-level decline, and the non-folding TT8 and ST90 for serious athletes, with the TT8 carrying a 400-pound capacity at $2,399.99, still below True's entry-level Z500.

Shop the SOLE treadmill collection today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is True Fitness worth the premium price over SOLE?

For most buyers, no. SOLE delivers comparable or stronger specifications across wider belts, stronger motors, decline capability, and higher weight capacity at 50 to 70% lower prices. True's advantages don't justify the $2,400 to 4,700 premium over comparable SOLE models.

Why do True treadmills cost so much more than SOLE?

True positions itself as ultra-premium, commercial-grade equipment with pricing reflecting brand positioning rather than purely specification differences. True's non-folding designs and established brand heritage support higher pricing. Whether this positioning justifies the cost is a personal value judgment.

Can I get commercial-grade quality without paying True prices?

Yes. SOLE's TT8 at $2,399.99 carries a light commercial rating with 400-pound capacity, 4.0 HP motor, and construction quality supporting multi-user environments. This exceeds True's residential specifications at roughly half the price of True's entry-level Performance series.

SOLE vs True: Which brand should I choose for running versus walking?

Both brands accommodate walking and running. For running, SOLE's wider 22-inch belts provide more comfortable space than True's 20-inch standard. SOLE's decline capability also benefits runners training for hilly races. For walking-only use, either brand works well, though SOLE's value advantage remains significant.

SOLE vs True: Which is best for folding storage if I have limited space? 

This is one area where the choice is clear-cut. SOLE treadmills fold, and no True treadmill folds at any price point. SOLE's hydraulic-assisted folding mechanism reduces footprint by roughly 35% when stored (F63), with similar reductions across folding models, making the difference between a treadmill that fits in a multi-purpose room and one that requires dedicated floor space permanent. For buyers with space constraints, SOLE is the only option of these two brands, regardless of all other comparisons.

 

Disclaimer: Products and prices mentioned in this article are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Please visit the official SOLE website for the most current information.