SOLE Fitness is one of the more respected names in mid-range home treadmills, known for durable construction and honest build quality. That reputation made it notable when SOLE became the subject of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company had misrepresented a core performance specification: the continuous horsepower rating of its treadmill motors.
The case resulted in a settlement that provided cash refunds and gift cards to eligible consumers. More importantly, it put a spotlight on a deceptive marketing practice that is common across the fitness equipment industry, not just at SOLE.
What the Lawsuit Alleged
The complaint alleged that SOLE advertised treadmills with horsepower ratings that reflected peak output rather than continuous output, without making that distinction clear to consumers. The two figures are not interchangeable, and the difference matters significantly when you are evaluating what a treadmill can actually do.
Peak horsepower is the maximum output a motor can produce for a brief moment under minimal load. Continuous horsepower is the sustained output the motor delivers under real use conditions, meaning with a person actually running on the belt and the deck loaded with weight. Continuous horsepower is the number that determines whether a motor can handle extended workouts at higher speeds without overheating or failing prematurely.
A treadmill marketed at 3.0 HP peak may only deliver 2.2 HP continuous. For a 200-pound runner doing interval training, that gap is the difference between a motor that handles the load and one that runs hot and wears out ahead of schedule.
Why This Practice Is Industry-Wide
The SOLE lawsuit is significant because SOLE is not alone. Peak horsepower advertising is standard practice across budget and mid-range treadmill brands. NordicTrack and ProForm faced a similar lawsuit over the same issue. When you walk into a retailer or browse a product page and see a treadmill rated at 3.5 HP, that figure is almost certainly peak horsepower, and the continuous rating will be substantially lower.
The continuous horsepower figure is usually buried in technical specifications, listed in smaller font, or not disclosed at all. Consumers comparing products based on advertised horsepower are comparing peak figures across brands, which tells them very little about actual performance.
What SOLE Treadmill Owners Should Know
If you purchased a SOLE treadmill during the covered period, check the settlement documentation for eligibility and any remaining claim windows. If the settlement period has closed, the case still provides useful documentation for understanding what you purchased and what performance you should reasonably expect.
For ongoing ownership, the practical takeaway is this: if your SOLE treadmill motor is running hot, losing speed under load, or failing earlier than you expected based on advertised ratings, the motor may simply be undersized for how you are using it. That is a known outcome when continuous horsepower is lower than the marketed figure.
How to Actually Evaluate Treadmill Horsepower Before You Buy
When shopping for any treadmill, ask specifically for the continuous horsepower rating. For a user who weighs 150 to 175 pounds and runs at moderate intensity, a motor with 2.5 HP continuous is adequate. For users over 200 pounds or anyone doing high-intensity interval training, 3.0 HP continuous or higher is appropriate. A motor rated at 3.5 HP peak but 2.2 HP continuous will underperform and wear out faster under heavy use.
This applies to NordicTrack, ProForm, SOLE, Horizon, Schwinn, and most mid-range brands. Life Fitness, Precor, Matrix, and TRUE Fitness publish continuous horsepower ratings as a matter of course because their equipment is built to commercial standards where that figure actually matters.
SOLE Treadmill Repair and Service in Dallas Fort Worth
2EZ TEK services SOLE treadmills throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area. SOLE builds solid equipment, and many of the issues we see in the field, motor running hot, belt slipping under load, speed inconsistency, trace directly back to the motor being pushed harder than its continuous rating supports.
If your SOLE treadmill is underperforming, making noise under load, or showing error codes related to motor temperature or speed, a professional diagnostic can determine whether the issue is the motor itself, the motor control board, the belt and deck condition, or a combination. We work on residential equipment and welcome homeowners. You can also find documentation for your specific SOLE model at 2eztek.com/manuals.
We serve Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Lewisville, Denton, and all surrounding DFW cities with same-week scheduling in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the continuous horsepower rating for my SOLE treadmill?
Check the product manual, the motor data plate on the unit itself, or contact SOLE customer support directly. The continuous HP rating is sometimes listed in the technical specifications section of the manual under motor specifications. It will be a lower number than the advertised HP figure on the product page.
My SOLE treadmill motor is burning hot after workouts. Is that normal?
Some motor warmth after extended use is normal. A motor that becomes very hot to the touch, produces a burning smell, or causes the treadmill to slow down under load is being run near or above its continuous capacity. This can result from heavy users, extended high-speed sessions, a dirty or misaligned belt adding friction load, or a motor that was undersized for the use case from the start.
Can 2EZ TEK replace just the motor rather than the whole treadmill?
Yes. Motor replacement is one of the more common repairs we perform. In many cases a motor replacement on a well-built treadmill like a SOLE is more cost-effective than purchasing a new unit, particularly if the frame, deck, and electronics are in good condition. We will give you an honest assessment before recommending any repair path.
Questions About Your SOLE Treadmill? Call 2EZ TEK.
Whether you are dealing with performance issues related to the motor, following up on the lawsuit, or just need a professional tune-up for your SOLE equipment, call 2EZ TEK at (972) 807-7232. We serve all of Dallas Fort Worth and specialize in residential fitness equipment repair for homeowners.