Choosing the Best Workout Machine For Home
Aesthetics and functionality are equally important when choosing a home workout machine. What matters most depends on your fitness goals.
Tonal offers a range of options that include coach-led programming, on-demand classes and even instructor-led workouts. However it is expensive beginning at around $60 per month.
Tonal
The Tonal smart home gym is a sleek and space-saving device that lets you work out in your own house without the hassle of carrying around heavy equipment. It makes use of electromagnetic resistance to simulate the feeling of weights and it can be used in strength training classes with a virtual instructor or in free-weight mode to perform your own program. You can also connect your phone to your Tonal system and listen to music while exercising.
Aly Orady was the founder of the company which has attracted athletes and celebrities like LeBron James and Serena Williams. The unique strength training concept that eliminates the need for a separate dumbbell and barbell set designed to help you build muscles and shed weight. By using electromagnetic resistance, the system allows you to push and pull up to 200 pounds of weight (100 pounds per arm).
Similar to other smart mirrors and workout machines, Tonal has a screen in the middle and two arms that extend from either side, and can be moved up and down and at different angles to simulate the sensation of dumbbells kettlebells, barbells, or ropes. With a variety of attachments, you can perform more than 170 strength exercises, including dumbbell presses for the chest and biceps.
Although the device is simple to set up and use, it can be difficult to master its workout and programming instructions. A lot of users have complained that the "virtual coaches" don't communicate with them or explain exercises well. They also rewatch the exercises over and over, which is not optimal for those looking to achieve steady progress.
Another feature Tonal offers is a leaderboard that can be used for live and on-demand workouts. It ranks users based on the number of workouts they have completed over a period of 30 days. This could be a great incentive for people who thrive on the idea of competing.
While Tonal has plenty to offer, its high price tag and limited functionality might turn off some. It's great for those who wish to join a group for strength training, but it doesn't have the social aspect of an ordinary gym. If you're a power-athlete there's a chance that you won't have enough resistance on the machine to prepare for sports such as bench pressing or squatting.
Trainer+
Smart home gyms are growing in popularity with a wide range of new products that promise a more efficient workout as well as a healthier body. These high-tech equipment are designed to eliminate the guesswork of your workout, whether that's with pre-programmed classes, or a tracking app that keeps tabs on your progress.
The latest model in this trend is the Vitruvian Trainer+ It is a sleek and compact machine with an adjustable weight system that goes from zero to 440 pounds. The device offers a variety of exercises and has the highest resistance level that far exceeds other smart home gyms. Our product tester discovered that it took a lot of time to become acquainted with the software, terminology and other features, especially when you create your own workouts instead of following classes.
Another alternative is another option is the Major Fitness All-in-One Power Rack which includes a Nordic bench, hyperextension, and back extension in one piece of equipment. It folds down to save space and the manufacturer has etched the J-hooks onto the uprights to make it easy to find. The machine also comes with the 150-, 200-, and 225-pound stack, meaning you can decide how intense you'd like your workouts to be.
Alternately you can choose the REP Fitness Equalizer Iron Plates are a great option to bring big swinging lifts like jerks into your home gym without breaking your budget. These bumper plates can take the rigors of a rigorous workout and are designed to bounce gently and quietly when dropped.
If you're seeking a low-impact cardio workout, the SELF Certified Peloton Bike+ is a great choice. This stationary bike gives you a live and on-demand class experience that's similar to the studio class. Our test subject found it stimulating and absorbing and also loved the fact that it's super comfortable. It has an EVA midsole that absorbs shock better than other models. This makes it less of a pound hog when you do burpees or box jumps.
Speediance
When it comes to the most efficient exercise machines, Speediance is one of the best options on the market. It offers a variety of classes as well as free lifetime memberships with every purchase, which makes it an excellent option for those seeking to keep their motivation up and meet their fitness goals. It also features a vibrant Facebook community and regularly scheduled challenges that help users stay on the right path. The company has plenty of room for improvement in terms of customer service. Customers have complained that they have to wait for several hours to receive a response, and are unable to reach an agent live.
Speediance's Gym Monster 2 is a digital strength training system that can aid in building muscle and lose weight. It's different from other smart strength training equipment because it has a foldable platform that allows you to save space in your home. It utilizes digital weights that provide resistance as high as 220 pounds, which is enough for the majority of people. It can be used with many different attachments including tricep ropes, ankle straps and ski erg handles and barbell hooks.
The device can perform many of the same exercises as a functional trainer or cable machines such as deadlifts and squats. It also includes shoulders presses, rows, and pull-ups. You can also modify your workouts with the app by adding or removing moves. It is able to connect with Bluetooth devices that can monitor your reps and keep track of your progress.
While leg exerciser does require a subscription to use the machine, it's cheaper than other connected strength trainers like Tonal. It comes with a unique feature, which other machines don't have: it can be used without an application. This makes it more appealing to people who do not need to pay monthly costs.
Speediance unlike Tonal which must be bolted to the wall, is portable and fits into the corner. Its compact design also makes it easy to move around and set up. Additionally it is able to be used in free lift mode even after your subscription has ended.
Bells of Steel
The WalkingPad Tone Up Workout Station is the ideal solution for those who wish to build muscle in their home but don't have the space or money to buy a full set. It's a sample of many types of machines that you'll see in a gym, including a cable tower and weight bench. It also comes with an adjustable pull-up bar with multiple grips and an attachment for a land mine which allows you to do lower body exercises. The machine isn't cheap, however it's a solid investment and a great way to get your exercise on.
One of the top-rated exercise machines for home, the Major Fitness Raptor F22 All-in-One Power Rack is a high-quality all-in-one machine that has been well-designed. Its weight stack of 210 pounds is able to support lifters of all levels, and it can be used with a variety of attachments. The rack can be adjusted to the height and depth needed to accommodate different types of exercise or users. It's a bit heavier than other racks we test, however, and can be challenging to move and assemble.
Another top-rated exercise machine for home, the Bells of Steel Cable Tower with Weight Stack is a great option for those who want to strengthen their entire body without investing in a complete home gym. The rack is compatible with all kinds and sizes of cables as well as a variety attachments. It also has 33 height settings for various positions. The 210-pound weight stack works using a 2:1 pulley ratio and can provide up to 105 pounds of strength, which is plenty for most people.
The bells that are included with the Bells of Steel Cable Tower feature a unique design, featuring rotating sleeves and knurl marks for increased durability. The squat bar comes with longer sleeve length that can be loaded and a higher camber drop than other bars we've tested and is a great choice for those who lift heavier.
The Hydra Series by Bells of Steel offers a power rack that is fully customizable and can be made to fit into any home gym. You can choose between a six-post, four-post flat feet, or folding rack. The Hydra Racks are extremely adaptable and affordable which is why they have high scores in our ranking.