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The Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i are somewhat similar but still vary in many areas. Find out how they compare and what option best is for you.
Some of the main differences between the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i are that the Sole F63 has a slightly higher weight limit, bigger rollers, a few more incline options, a device holder, more free workout programs, screen entertainment options through your own smart device, and longer warranties.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack EXP 7i has a slightly stronger motor, a slightly bigger screen, IFIT compatibility, and a price that is initially somewhat more budget-friendly.
Something to keep in mind is that you want the IFIT Membership to get the most out of the NordicTrack EXP 7i. This adds subscription costs over time which can make the Sole F63 more budget-friendly in the long term.
If you have an average body weight and want to use your treadmill for fast running, you want to choose the stronger motor of the NordicTrack EXP 7i.
Additionally, the NordicTrack EXP 7i could be the right choice for people with lighter workout programs who value the fun and immersive IFIT workouts enough.
At the same time, the Sole F63 is still a solid treadmill for jogging and walking. If you enjoy the built-in workouts or workouts you can follow on your smart devices enough, this option can save you some money in the long term.
Individuals with very intense workout programs and/or above-average body weights likely want to choose a treadmill with more motor power like for example the NordicTrack 1750.
Important differences Sole F63 vs NordicTrack EXP 7i
The Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i are somewhat similar but they still vary in a few important areas. This will influence what the best treadmill is for your personal situation.
At the same time, some differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are most likely to influence your choice.
| Feature | Sole F63 | NordicTrack EXP 7i |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 325 Pounds (147 kg) | 300 Pounds (136 kg) |
| Motor Power | 3.0 HP | 3.0 CHP |
| Rollers | 2.5″ | 1.9” Precision And Balanced Non-Flex Rollers |
| Incline Options | 0 – 15 Levels | 0% to 12% |
| Screen | 6.5″ LCD | 7” HD Smart Touchscreen |
| Device Holder | Yes | No |
| Workout Programs | 6 Standard Programs, 2 Custom Programs, 2 Heart Programs, And Free 30-Day Studio Trial | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included |
| Screen Entertainment Options | With Your Own Smart Device | Nothing Besides IFIT |
| Warranties* | Lifetime Frame And Motor Warranty, 3 Years Deck, Electronics, And Parts Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years Parts Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Price Category** | $$$ | $$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Other features Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i
Before deciding between the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i, you may also want to know about their smaller differences and common features. These can be relevant for certain situations too.
| Feature | Sole F63 | NordicTrack EXP 7i |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) | 0-12 mph (19.31 kmh) |
| Running Surface | 20″ x 60″ | 20″ x 60″ |
| Shock Absorption | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 82” L x 35” W x 66” H | 77.3” L x 35.3” W x 59.6” H |
| Deck Height | 8″ | Not Mentioned |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 254 Pounds (115 kg) | 222 Pounds (100.7 kg) (Box Weight) |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Pulse Grip & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap | Bluetooth Chest Strap (Bought Separately) |
| Bluetooth Audio Capabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Color Screen | No | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Workout Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Sole F63 vs NordicTrack EXP 7i in detail
People who are more experienced with treadmill features may be able to choose between the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i by looking at the feature and price differences.
On the flip side, you may still be uncertain about what certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent the difference should influence your choice.
Motor power
Treadmills are basically machines that allow belts to rotate. This principle allows you to walk or run while staying in the same location.
An important component in this process is the treadmill motor powering the belt. This part can vary between models in terms of details like how much power the motor can generate.
The Sole F63 has a motor power of 3.0 HP. The NordicTrack EXP 7i has a motor power of 3.0 CHP. This may sound the same but you have to keep the “C” in mind.
Motor power in CHP (Continuous) is stronger than the same number in regular horsepower.
A general guideline is that people with average body weights want at least 3 CHP for fast running.
That means the Sole F63 is more aimed toward jogging and walking. On the other hand, the NordicTrack EXP 7i can be used for fast running by many individuals.
People with above-average body weights want to look into treadmills with more motor power like for example the NordicTrack 1750 if they want to use their machine for fast running.
And even if you just want to use your treadmill for jogging or walking, a stronger motor tends to last longer in terms of both single workouts and over the years.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 7i
Rollers
Two other components that are important for treadmills are the two rollers. These are the big cylinders the belt is stretched around. Different treadmills can have different roller sizes.
In this comparison, the Sole F63 has 2.5″ rollers whereas the NordicTrack EXP 7i has smaller 1.9″ rollers.
While there are conditions, bigger treadmill rollers are typically preferred for a few reasons. First of all, bigger rollers tend to cause less wear and tear on the treadmill belt and the motor.
Secondly, bigger rollers tend to have a lower risk of slipping treadmills. This is when the belt moves at a different speed than the rollers.
Slipping treadmill belts tend to be annoying so reducing the risk of this happening is welcome.
One thing to note is that the motor of a treadmill needs to be strong enough to deal with bigger rollers. This interaction is not always easy to predict.
However, the lack of (m)any customer mentions about this, implies that the Sole F63 does at least decent in this area. That means you can expect some of the benefits mentioned above from its bigger rollers.
Winner: Sole F63
Screen
Cardio machines like treadmills typically come with screens to display workout measurements and the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i are no exceptions.
At the same time, the screens of these treadmills are still very different.
The Sole F63 has a relatively basic 6.5″ LCD screen that shows standard workout measurements and has a few workouts programmed in.
Additionally, you can follow workouts through your own smart device in the holder. Do keep in mind that these separate workouts often don’t interact with the Sole F63.
The NordicTrack EXP 7i has a slightly bigger 7” HD smart touchscreen. This screen is made to connect to the IFIT Membership.
In IFIT, you can follow treadmill workouts, scenic walks/runs, and workout classes for other exercise types.
Most people will enjoy the IFIT experience more but you need to keep the subscription costs in mind. Additionally, you may find the 7″ screen a bit small compared to a tablet.
In terms of the workout program options, personal preferences and budgets will play big roles in the choice. When it comes to size, the NordicTrack EXP 7i is the clear winner.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 7i
Price
The Sole F63 and the NordicTrack EXP 7i both have their advantages and disadvantages. Something that could help you make a choice is a big difference in prices.
Exactly how much of an investment each treadmill requires depends on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the NordicTrack EXP 7i is initially slightly more budget-friendly than the Sole F63.
However, something important to note is that it is generally recommended to get the IFIT Membership to get the most out of the NordicTrack EXP 7i.
This adds extra costs over time which can make the Sole F63 more budget-friendly in the long term.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 7i not considering IFIT subscription
User reviews
The price and feature differences between the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i give a relatively good idea of what treadmill the best choice is for your situation.
At the same time, customer reviews sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues.
One challenge of trying to compare the Sole F63 and NordicTrack EXP 7i in this area is that the NordicTrack treadmill does not have that many reviews (yet).
If the EXP 7i is similar to the other NordicTrack treadmills, there will be some exceptional cases of faulty parts and IFIT software bugs but customers will still be relatively happy overall.
The Sole F63 tends to get customer reviews that are just a bit more positive overall than the other NordicTrack treadmills.
Even so, there are still some exceptional cases of faulty parts, early wear and tear, and mentions about the screen being very basic.
Is the Sole F63 or NordicTrack EXP 7i better for you?
In short, the Sole F63 has a slightly higher weight limit, bigger rollers, a few more incline options, a device holder, more free workout programs, screen entertainment options through your own smart device, and longer warranties.
On the other side, the NordicTrack EXP 7i has a slightly stronger motor, a slightly bigger screen, IFIT compatibility, and a price that is initially somewhat more budget-friendly.
One thing to note is that the premium IFIT Membership is typically recommended to get the most out of the NordicTrack EXP 7i. This can make the Sole F63 more budget-friendly in the long term.
First of all, people with average body weights who want to use their treadmill for fast running want to go for the stronger motor of the NordicTrack EXP 7i.
Besides that, your choice mainly depends on how much you value the fun and immersive IFIT workouts. If the answer is at least a nice amount, the NordicTrack EXP 7i could be the right choice.
On the flip side, the Sole F63 is still a solid treadmill for jogging and walking. If you enjoy the built-in workouts or workouts you can follow on your smart devices enough, this option can save you some money in the long term.
People with above-average body weights who still want to use their treadmill for fast running generally want to go for something with more motor power like for example the NordicTrack 1750.
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