Choosing the Best Workout Machine For Home
Aesthetics and functionality are equally important when selecting a home gym machine. But what matters most may vary depending on your fitness goals.
One SELF tester was impressed with the customized workout experience she got from Tonal that also provides coaches-guided programming and on-demand classes that can be used in addition to the hardware. The system is costly beginning at about $60 per month.
Tonal
The Tonal smart home gym is a sleek and space-saving device that lets you work out at home without the hassle of lugging around heavy equipment. It makes use of electromagnetic resistance to simulate the weights' feel and you can use it in classes for strength training with a virtual instructor, or in free-weight mode, to follow your own programs. You can connect your phone to the Tonal system to listen to music while exercising.
Founded by fitness entrepreneur Aly Orady in the year 2000, the company has attracted the attention of celebrities and athletes such as LeBron James and Serena Williams. Its unique strength-training system that eliminates the need for a separate dumbbell and barbell set, allows you to increase muscle mass and shed weight. By using electromagnetic resistance, the device allows you to push and pull up to 200 pounds of combined weight (100 pounds per arm).
Similar to other smart mirrors and fitness machines, Tonal has a screen in the middle, with two arms that extend from either side, which can be moved up and down at different angles to simulate the sensation of dumbbells kettlebells, barbells, or ropes. With a variety attachments you can do more than 170 strength exercises that include dumbbell presses to the chest and Biceps.
The device is easy to use however it can be difficult to comprehend the instructions for workouts and programming. Many users have complained that the "virtual coach" doesn't interact much with them or explain exercises effectively. They also watch the workouts repeatedly, which is not optimal for those looking to achieve steady progress.
Another feature that Tonal offers is a leaderboard for live and on-demand workouts. It ranks users based upon the number of workouts they complete over 30 days. This can be a fun incentive for people who enjoy competition.
While Tonal has a lot to offer, its cost and limited features might turn off some. It's an excellent choice for people who are interested in participating in group classes for strength however, it doesn't offer the same social component that a traditional gym offers. If you're a strong athlete it's possible that you don't have enough resistance on the machine to prepare for sports such as squatting or bench pressing.
Trainer+
The smart home gym market is booming with a myriad of innovative products that promise to streamline your workout and help build a stronger physique. These high-tech machines have been designed to remove the guesswork out of your training. They may include pre-programmed workouts or an app that can track your progress.
Vitruvian trainer+ is the newest trend in this. It's a sleek, space saving machine with a weight system that can range from zero to 444 pounds. The device is a smart home gym that provides an array of exercises. It also boasts a maximum amount of resistance that is far higher than other smart home gyms. However, our test-run tester found it took a while to get acquainted with the software and terminology, especially when creating workouts on your own rather than taking classes.
Major Fitness All-in-One power rack is another alternative. It combines a Nordic Bench Hyperextension, Back Extension and a Nordic Bench in one piece. We loved the way that this machine folded away to make a compact, space-saving footprint, and the way the manufacturer made it simple to locate J-hooks and safety arms by marking their locations on the uprights. The machine is available with a 150, 200 and 225 pound stack, so you can decide how intense your workouts will be.
Alternately, 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 are designed to withstand a lot of abuse and we like the fact that they're designed to bounce smoothly and quietly - no banging or clanking when dropped.
If you're seeking a low-impact cardio workout then the SELF Certified Peloton Bike+ is a great option. This stationary bike offers an on-demand and live class experience that is akin to a studio class. Our product tester found it stimulating and absorbing and also loved the fact that it's incredibly comfortable. 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 burpees or box jumps.
Speediance
Speediance is a smart workout machine that gives you a variety of classes and lifetime memberships. It offers a variety of classes and free life-time memberships with every purchase, which can make it a great choice for those who are trying to stay motivated and meet their fitness goals. The device is a part of a Facebook community that is active and provides regular challenges to help users stay motivated. The company has a lot of potential for improvement in the area of customer service. Customers have complained that they have to wait for several hours to receive a response, and are not able to contact a live agent.
Speediance's Gym Monster 2 is a digital strength trainer that will aid in building muscles and shed weight. It's a bit different from other equipment for strength training that is smart because it folds into a platform that allows you to reduce the space you need in your home. It also uses digital weights that can provide up to 220 pounds of resistance, which is sufficient for most people. It can be used with a variety of attachments, including tricep ropes, ankle straps, ski erg handles, and barbell hooks.
The device is able to perform nearly all of the same exercises you'd encounter on a functional trainer or cable machine, including squats, deadlifts and shoulders presses, rows, and pull-ups. You can also personalize your workouts by incorporating or removing exercises. static bike for sale can connect with Bluetooth devices that can monitor your reps and record your progress.
While Speediance does require a monthly subscription to use the machine, it's cheaper than other connected strength trainers like Tonal. It also offers an exclusive feature that other machines don't provide: it can be used without the app, which makes it more suited to those who don't want to pay an annual fee.
Speediance is, unlike Tonal which requires bolts on the wall, is portable and can be placed in an area. Its compact design also makes it easy to move around and set up. Moreover the gym 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 option for those looking to build muscle in their home but don't have the space or money to purchase a complete set. It offers a taste of many types of machines that you'll find in a gym, such as a cable tower and weight bench. It also has a multi-grip pull-up bar and a land mine attachment that allows you to perform lower body exercises. The machine isn't cheap, however it's an investment worth the money and a great way to get your exercise on.
The Major Fitness Raptor F22 All-in-One power rack is one of the top-rated home workout equipment. It's an extremely well-designed, high-quality machine. The weight rack that weighs 210 pounds can be used by lifters of any level and can be used with a variety of attachments. The rack itself is adjusted in depth and height which makes it easy to accommodate different types of users and exercises. It is a little heavier than the other racks that we tested. This could make it difficult to move and set up.
Another top-rated exercise machine that is ideal for the home use, the Bells of Steel Cable Tower with Weight Stack is a great choice for beginners looking to train their entire body without investing in an entire home gym. The rack can be used with all types and sizes of cables, as well as a range of attachments. It also comes with 33 height settings for a range of positions. The 210-pound weight stack works on a 2:1 pulley ratio and can provide up to 105 pounds of strength that is sufficient for the majority of people.
The bells that are included with the Bells of Steel Cable Tower feature a unique design, featuring rotating sleeves and knurl marks for added durability. Its squat bar has a longer loadable sleeve length and more challenging camber drop than other bars we've tested which makes it a superior option for heavier lifters.
The Hydra Series from Bells of Steel offers a power rack that's fully customizable and can be made to fit into any home gym. You can pick from four-post racks, a six-post rack and a rack with flat feet or a folding rack. The Hydra Series racks are budget-friendly and extremely versatile and have a high score in our flexibility rankings.