Short answer
Choose Sole if you run, want stronger motors, 22 × 60-inch decks, decline on the F89 and TT8 and a free app with no membership. Choose Bowflex if you want adaptive JRNY coaching that plans your workouts, 15% incline and the Bowflex T7’s 15-year frame and motor warranty, and you mostly walk or jog.
Key takeaways
- Sole is the better running brand, with 3 to 4 HP motors, 22 × 60-inch decks and decline on the F89 and TT8.
- Bowflex is the better choice for adaptive coaching, with JRNY and a 15% incline on the T7.
- SOLE+ is free; JRNY is paid, though Bowflex treadmills work without it.
- Sole lists lifetime frame and motor coverage; the T7 offers stronger parts and labor terms than every Sole model we reviewed.
- Best picks: Sole TT8 or F89 for runners, Sole F65 for value, Bowflex T7 for coaching.
Sole and Bowflex take opposite approaches to the home treadmill. Sole builds running machines first, with heavy frames, large motors and a free app, and leaves the training plan to you. Bowflex builds around JRNY, a coaching platform that assesses your fitness and creates adaptive workouts, and pairs it with a long warranty. The right brand depends on whether you want a better machine or a built-in coach.
This comparison uses our reviews of five Sole treadmills and the Bowflex T7 to compare lineups, motors, decks, incline, consoles, subscriptions and warranty patterns, then picks the best model of each brand by need. For other brands, see our best treadmill brands guide.
Sole vs Bowflex at a Glance
The table compares the two brands on the criteria that decide most purchases. Sole data comes from our reviews of the TT8, F89, F80, F65 and F50; Bowflex data comes from our Bowflex T7 review.
| Criteria | Sole | Bowflex |
|---|---|---|
| Models we reviewed | TT8, F89, F80, F65, F50 | T7 |
| Motor (listed) | 2 HP (F50) to 4 HP (F89, TT8) | 1 HP on the T7 listing (confirm on the product page) |
| Deck | 20 × 55 in (F50); 22 × 60 in on F65 and up | 20 × 60 in, ComfortTech cushioning |
| Incline / decline | 12 to 15% incline; 6% decline on F89 and TT8 | 0 to 15% incline, no decline |
| Max user weight | 300 to 400 lb | 350 lb |
| Screen | LED/LCD on F50 and F65; 10.1 to 21.5-in touchscreens on F80, TT8, F89 | 7-in touchscreen |
| App | Free SOLE+ app; third-party apps via Bluetooth | JRNY (paid; equipment works without it) |
| Warranty pattern | Lifetime frame and motor; parts 1 to 3 years; labor 90 days to 1 year | T7: 15-year frame and motor, 5-year parts, 2-year labor |
| Folding | Yes, except the TT8 | Yes |
| Top FitScore | Sole TT8: 93.8 | Bowflex T7: 79.9 (durable guide) |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Lineup: Running Range vs Coaching Platform
Sole’s range runs from the Sole F50 (FitScore 74.6), an entry-level walker and light jogger, through the Sole F65 (80.9) and Sole F80 (82.7), to the folding Sole F89 (90.1) and the non-folding Sole TT8 (93.8), the highest-scoring treadmill we have reviewed. Four of the five use a 22 × 60-inch deck.
Bowflex is a smaller treadmill brand built around one platform. The Bowflex T7 ranks in three of our guides: best treadmill with classes (#4), best durable treadmill (#5) and best treadmill without subscription (#5). The current BowFlex range on the Johnson Fitness & Wellness retail site also lists the T6, T9, T16 and Treadmill 22, which we have not reviewed yet. BowFlex has been part of Johnson Health Tech, the group behind Horizon Fitness, since 2024.
| Guide | Sole model (FitScore) | Bowflex T7 (FitScore) |
|---|---|---|
| Best treadmill with classes | Sole F89 (69.7, #5) | 70.1, #4 |
| Best durable treadmill | Sole F89 (87.7, #2) | 79.9, #5 |
| Best treadmill without subscription | Sole F65 (75.1, #4) | 70.2, #5 |
Motors and Decks
Motor power is the biggest hardware gap. Sole lists 3.0 HP on the F65, 3.5 HP on the F80 and 4.0 HP on the F89 and TT8. The Bowflex T7 listing shows 1 HP, which is low for a 12 mph treadmill. The T7 still suits walking, jogging and incline work, but confirm the current rating on the product page if you plan frequent fast running. For running, the F89 and TT8 rank #1 and #2 in our best treadmill for marathon training guide.
Deck size also favors Sole. The F65, F80, F89 and TT8 all use a 22 × 60-inch surface, while the T7 offers 20 × 60 inches with ComfortTech cushioning. Both are full running length; the extra 2 inches of width help tall and fast runners. Sole lists a Cushion Flex Whisper Deck on the F89 and TT8.
Capacity is close in the mid-range: the T7, F65 and F80 all list 350 lb. The F89 lists 375 lb and the TT8 400 lb. See our best treadmill for heavy people guide, where the TT8 ranks #2.
Incline, Decline and Programs
Incline is a tie at the top. The Bowflex T7 and the Sole F65, F80, F89 and TT8 all reach 15%; only the Sole F50 stops at 12%. For steep incline walking, any of them works, and our best treadmill with incline guide is led by the Sole F89, TT8 and F65.
Decline goes to Sole. The F89 and TT8 add 6% decline, which helps runners prepare for downhill courses. The T7 has none.
Programs show the difference in philosophy. The T7 has 10 built-in programs and unlimited user profiles, and with JRNY its workouts adapt as your fitness improves. The Sole F65 lists 10 programs, and the F80 adds 2 heart rate control programs with Bluetooth heart rate monitor support, which is why it ranks #1 in our best treadmill with heart rate monitor guide.
Consoles and Subscriptions: SOLE+ vs JRNY
Sole. According to Sole, the SOLE+ app is free and included permanently with its equipment, with no trial period or premium tier. Sole also supports FTMS, the Bluetooth standard that lets apps such as Zwift and Kinomap control speed and incline. The F80 has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the TT8 15.6 inches and the F89 21.5 inches, so the F89 ranks #3 in our best treadmill with screen guide.
Bowflex. JRNY is a paid membership that offers adaptive workouts based on a fitness assessment, trainer-led classes, Explore the World virtual courses, real-time heart rate zone coaching and progress tracking for several users. Bowflex states that all BowFlex equipment is fully functional without a subscription, and a free JRNY account keeps some trainer-led classes. Trial terms change, and the membership renews automatically unless you cancel. The T7 runs JRNY on a 7-inch touchscreen and streams services such as Netflix with your own accounts.
The choice is simple. If you want structured coaching and will use it, JRNY is the more complete plan. If you prefer your own plan, or already pay for Zwift or another app, Sole avoids a second recurring cost.
Pro tip: Count the membership as part of the purchase. If you would cancel JRNY after the trial, compare the T7 with a Sole model as a stand-alone treadmill, where Sole’s motors and decks pull ahead.
Warranty Patterns, Build and Support
Both brands offer long coverage. Every Sole we reviewed lists a lifetime frame and motor; the Bowflex T7 lists 15 years on frame and motor. The T7 is stronger on parts and labor, with 5 and 2 years, longer than every Sole we reviewed; the F89 and TT8 come closest with 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor.
The gap is widest in the mid-range. The Sole F65 and F80 list 1 year on parts and 90 days on labor, and the F89 lists 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor. If you value long parts and labor coverage on a folding treadmill, the T7 is the safer bet. The current BowFlex T9 listing shows a lifetime frame and motor, 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor, so check the terms on the exact model.
On build, the T7 weighs about 280 lb, the F65 267 lb and the F89 about 314 lb, so all are stable. Some T7 owners report screen failures, so keep your purchase records. Register your warranty either way; our treadmill maintenance guide covers the upkeep that protects it.
| Model | Frame and motor | Parts | Labor | FitScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole TT8 | Lifetime | 3 years | 1 year | 93.8 |
| Sole F89 | Lifetime | 3 years | 1 year | 90.1 |
| Sole F80 | Lifetime | 1 year | 90 days | 82.7 |
| Sole F65 | Lifetime | 1 year | 90 days | 80.9 |
| Sole F50 | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year | 74.6 |
| Bowflex T7 | 15 years | 5 years | 2 years | 70.1 |
Best Model From Each Brand by Need
Guided training and screens. The Bowflex T7 is the Bowflex pick for adaptive coaching and long parts coverage. The Sole F89 is the Sole pick for a large screen without a required plan, and the F80 is the pick for heart rate training.
Best for JRNY Coaching
Bowflex T7
FitScore 72.2/100
Adaptive JRNY workouts, 15% incline, a 350 lb limit and 15 years on frame and motor.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill With Classes guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Big Screen
Sole F89
FitScore 87.6/100
A 21.5-inch touchscreen, 4 HP motor, 15% incline and 6% decline in a folding frame.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill With Screen guide
Check Price on AmazonBest for Heart Rate
Sole F80
FitScore 84.1/100
A 10.1-inch touchscreen, 3.5 HP motor and heart rate control programs with Bluetooth monitor support.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill With Heart Rate Monitor guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Sole Picks for Running and Training Without a Plan
If you do not want a membership, Sole is the stronger brand. The TT8 is the best choice for high mileage if you have room for a non-folding treadmill; the F65 is the value pick, with a 22 × 60-inch deck and the free SOLE+ app. For more, see our best treadmill for running guide.
Best for High Mileage
Sole TT8
FitScore 93.8/100
A 4 HP motor, 22 × 60-inch deck, 6% decline, 400 lb capacity and lifetime frame and motor coverage.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill for Marathon Training guide
Check Price on AmazonBest Without a Plan
Sole F65
FitScore 74.3/100
A 3.0 HP motor, 22 × 60-inch deck and 15% incline that work fully with the free SOLE+ app.
Ranked in our Best Treadmill Without Subscription guide
Check Price on AmazonWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Sole for running, decline, larger decks, stronger motors or a big screen without a membership. Choose Bowflex if you want a coach that plans and adapts your workouts and long parts and labor coverage on a folding treadmill.
- Serious runner: Sole TT8, or the F89 if it must fold. See our Sole TT8 review.
- Wants a coach on the console: Bowflex T7 with JRNY. See our Bowflex T7 review.
- Incline walker: either; the T7 adds coaching, the Sole F65 a wider deck and no membership.
- Heart rate training: Sole F80.
- Long parts and labor coverage on a folding model: Bowflex T7.
- Tighter budget: Sole F65, or see best value treadmill for alternatives.
Checklist Before You Choose Sole or Bowflex
- Decide whether you want a coaching plan (JRNY) or your own plan.
- If you choose Bowflex, budget for JRNY and check current trial terms.
- Confirm the listed motor rating if you plan to run often.
- Choose a 22 × 60-inch deck if you are tall or run fast.
- Decide whether you need decline (Sole F89 or TT8).
- Compare parts and labor coverage, not only frame and motor.
- Check folding needs; the Sole TT8 does not fold.
- Confirm the warranty on the exact product page before ordering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing the T7 for hard daily running without checking its motor rating.
- Paying for JRNY you will not use, when a Sole works fully without a plan.
- Assuming Sole’s lifetime coverage includes parts and labor.
- Expecting decline on the Bowflex T7.
- Buying the TT8 without measuring floor space.
The Bottom Line
- Sole beats the Bowflex T7 on motors: 2 to 4 HP across the range against a 1 HP listing on the T7.
- Both reach 15% incline; only the Sole F89 and TT8 add decline (6%).
- Sole’s SOLE+ app is free; Bowflex’s JRNY is a paid membership, though the treadmill works without it.
- Sole lists lifetime frame and motor coverage; the Bowflex T7 lists 15 years plus 5 years on parts and 2 on labor.
- In our classes guide the Bowflex T7 (70.1) edges the Sole F89 (69.7); in our durable guide the F89 (87.7) leads the T7 (79.9).
Our Top Picks
Best for JRNY CoachingBowflex T7FitScore72.2/100Check on Amazon- Best Big ScreenSole F89FitScore87.6/100Check on Amazon
- Best for Heart RateSole F80FitScore84.1/100Check on Amazon
- Best for High MileageSole TT8FitScore93.8/100Check on Amazon
- Best Without a PlanSole F65FitScore74.3/100Check on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Sole is better for running, with stronger motors, wider decks and decline on its flagships. Bowflex is better if you want JRNY adaptive coaching and long parts and labor coverage on a folding treadmill.
For running, yes: the F80 has a 3.5 HP motor, a 22 × 60-inch deck and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The T7 offers JRNY coaching and longer parts and labor coverage.
No. According to Sole, the SOLE+ app is free with no premium tier, and Sole treadmills connect to third-party apps such as Zwift and Kinomap.
Yes. Bowflex states its equipment is fully functional without a subscription. Adaptive workouts and most classes need the membership.
Sole lists lifetime frame and motor coverage; the Bowflex T7 lists 15 years. The T7 lists 5 years on parts and 2 on labor, longer than every Sole model we reviewed (3 and 1 on the F89 and TT8).
The Sole F89 and TT8 offer 6% decline. The Bowflex T7 has no decline.
Explore More Treadmill Comparisons
Best Treadmill Brands (2026): Who Makes the Best Treadmill for Your Home
Best Treadmill With Classes (2026): 5 Connected Training Picks
Best Treadmill Without Subscription (2026): 5 Picks With No Required Paid Plan
Best Durable Treadmill (2026): 5 Heavy-Duty Home Picks
Best Treadmill for Running (2026): Top 5 Picks
Best Treadmill for Marathon Training (2026): Top 5 Picks
This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We do not show prices because they change constantly: product details and availability can change at any time, so please check the current price and details directly on Amazon. Learn more. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
