Choosing the Best Workout Machine For Home
Aesthetics and functionality are equally important when selecting a home gym machine. But what matters most may depend on your fitness goals.
One SELF tester loved the tailor-made training experience she received from Tonal, which also offers coaches-guided programming and on-demand classes that can be utilized alongside the hardware. However it is expensive starting at around $60 per month.
Tonal
The Tonal smart gym is a space-saving device that lets you lift weights at home without carrying around heavy equipment. It mimics weights with electromagnetic resistance. You can use it for strength training classes, with a virtual trainer, or in free-weight mode, following your own programs. You can also connect your smartphone to your Tonal system and listen to music during your workouts.
The company was founded by fitness entrepreneur Aly Orady in the year 2000, the company has garnered attention from celebrities and athletes such as LeBron James and Serena Williams. The unique strength-training model that eliminates a separate dumbbell and barbell set, allows you to build muscle mass and lose weight. By using electromagnetic resistance, the device allows you to pull and push up to 200 pounds of weight (100 pounds per arm).
Tonal as with other smart mirrors or exercise machines, has a screen in the center, with two arms that extend from either side. The arms can be moved upwards and down and at various angles to mimic the feel of dumbbells. With a variety of attachments, you are able to perform more than 170 strength exercises like dumbbell chest presses and Biceps curls.
While the device is easy to set up and use, it can be difficult to master the workout program and instructions. Many users have complained that the "virtual coach" doesn't communicate with them or explain the exercises clearly. They also watch the workouts over and again which isn't ideal for those who are looking to make consistent progress.
Another feature Tonal offers is a leaderboard for live and on-demand workouts. It ranks participants based on the amount of workouts they have completed over the course of 30 days. This can be an incentive for those who enjoy competing.
While Tonal has a lot to offer, its steep cost and limited features could 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 the traditional gym. If you're a strong athlete, you might not have enough resistance on the machine to practice sports like squatting or bench pressing.
Trainer+
The smart home gym market is booming with a slew of new products that promise to improve your workout and help you build a stronger physique. These high-tech machines have been designed to eliminate the guesswork of training. They could come with pre-programmed workouts or an app that can track your progress.
Vitruvian trainer+ is the newest in this trend. It's a sleek, space saving machine with an adjustable weight system that ranges from 0 to 444 pounds. The machine offers a range of exercises, and boasts a maximum resistance level that far exceeds other smart home gyms. However, our testers noticed that it took a while to get familiar with the program and the terminology, particularly when creating exercises by yourself rather than taking classes.
Major Fitness All-in-One power rack is another option. It is a combination of a Nordic Bench, Hyperextension and Back Extension in one piece. We loved how this machine folded away to create a compact and space-saving footprint. We also loved the way that the manufacturer made it easy to locate J-hooks and safety arms by etching their locations on the uprights. The machine includes a 150, 200 and 225 pound stack, so you can decide the level of intensity your workouts will be.
Additionally you can choose you can also use the REP Fitness Equalizer Iron Plates are a great option to introduce big, swinging lifts such as jerks into your home gym without blowing up your budget. These bumper plates have been designed to withstand a lot of abuse, and we like how they're designed to bounce gently and quietly--no banging or clanking when dropped.
If you're looking for a low impact cardio workout, the SELF Certified Peloton Bike+ is a great choice. This stationary bike gives you live and on-demand classes experience that's similar to the studio class. It was stimulating, engaging and comfortable for our tester. The machine also comes with an EVA foam midsole that absorbs more shock than other models, making it less of a pound-gobbler while doing box jumps or burpees.
Speediance
Speediance is a smart workout machine that gives you a variety of classes and lifetime memberships. It offers a variety of classes and lifetime memberships with each purchase which makes it an excellent choice for those who are seeking to keep their motivation up and meet their fitness goals. The app also has an active Facebook community and regular challenges that aid users in staying on the right path. The company has much potential for improvement in the area of customer service. Customers have complained that they are waiting for up to hours for a response and aren't able to connect with an agent live.
Speediance's Gym monster 2 is a digital weight loss and strength and muscle building trainer. It's different from other smart strength-training equipment because it folds down to reduce space. It utilizes digital weights that can provide resistance of up to 220 pounds which is sufficient for most people. It can be used with a range of attachments including ankle straps, triceps ropes, skierg handles and barbell hooks.
The device is able to perform many of the same exercises as cable machine or functional trainer, including squats and deadlifts. It also supports rows, shoulder presses and pull-ups. You can also modify your workouts with the app by incorporating or removing exercises. It can connect with Bluetooth devices that can monitor your reps, and record your progress.
Speediance is more expensive than other connected strength machines like Tonal however it requires an annual subscription. It comes with a unique feature, which other machines don't the ability to use even without the application. This makes it more appealing to those who do not wish to pay monthly fees.
Speediance unlike Tonal which must be bolted to the wall, is lightweight and fits into the corner. Its compact design makes it easy to move around and set up. The gym is also a great place to use for free lifts after your subscription is over.
Bells of Steel
If you want to build muscles at home, but you're short on space or don't have the budget to purchase a complete set of equipment take a look at the WalkingPad Tone Up Workout Station. It offers an idea of the various equipment you'll find in gyms. This includes a cable tower, weight bench, and more. fitness bike for sale comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar and an attachment for land mines that lets you perform lower body exercises. It's not cheap, however it’s a good investment and a great way to get fit.
The Major Fitness Raptor F22 All-in-One power rack is among the most highly-rated home fitness equipment. It's a well-designed, high-quality machine. The weight stack, which weighs 210 pounds, is able to support lifters of all levels, and can be used with various attachments. The rack itself is adjusted in both height and depth which makes it easy to accommodate different users and exercises. It is a little heavier than the other racks that we've tested. This could make it difficult to move and set up.
The Bells of Steel Cable Tower and Weight Stack is a top home workout machine. It's a great option for those who are just beginning to build their body without investing in an exercise room at home. The rack can be used with all types and sizes of cables and comes with a variety of attachments. It also has 33 height settings to allow for various positions. The weight stack is 210 pounds and operates with a 2:1 pulley ration and offers up to 105 pounds of resistance which is enough for the majority of people.
The bells included with the Bells of Steel Cable Tower come with an exclusive design. They have rotating sleeves and knurl marks to provide durability. The squat bars feature longer loadable sleeves and a more challenging camber drop compared to other bars that we tried. This makes it a better option for those who lift heavier.
The Hydra Series from Bells of Steel is a fully customizable power rack that is built to meet the needs of any home gym. You can pick between a four-post, six-post, flat feet, or folding rack. The Hydra Series racks are budget-friendly and extremely adaptable which is why they have a top score in our rankings of versatility.