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The GymNext Flex Timer is a gym timer controlled by your phone via Bluetooth. We found that we preferred using our phone instead of the remote we often lost and liked the ease of programming via the app. If you’re wanting a gym timer for your Garage Gym or Commercial Gym, this is a great option.
GymNext
This is the timer your home gym is missing!The GymNext Flex Timer combines a crystal-clear LED display with an easy to use interval timer app creating the best, most powerful gym timer ever made.The compact 2.3" LED digits in blue/red are for more visible than your phone screen and the 85db buzzer is great for keeping you on pace. With bluetooth range of over 100 feet, you aren't tethered to the clock and there's no cumbersome remote to deal with. Move through out the gym and easily control and setup the timer from our convenient and FREE mobile app.You can save an unlimited number of custom workouts spanning 6 different timer modes: Standard, Round, Interval, Tabata, EMOM and Laps. Configurable prelude times, round warnings, and a 3-second segue between rounds are just the beginning of the options available to create the most customized experience ever.The audio sync feature allows you to use a wired or bluetooth speaker to augment or replace the timer's built in buzzer. Play your music from your phone and now you can listen to your music as loud as you want. The app will automatically fade the music in and out at the end of each round so that you never miss an indicator again.For the utmost convenience, go hands-free with a Pebble timepiece or Apple Watch. You'll enjoy the natural feeling you get from initiating the timer from your wrist just like a stopwatch.For the data lovers and elite athletes, integrate heart rate monitoring into your workouts and have your heart rate periodically or permanently display on the clock so you know how hard you're working and can set a proper pace.The included wall brackets make mounting your clock a breeze or you can sit it on a desk or table instead.But there's even more...The Flex Timer app is updated all the time unlocking new features and functionality so that your timer actually gets even better with age.
I love Fitness.
I also love technology.
So, when I heard there was a gym timer that could be controlled by your smartphone, I was immediately intrigued.
And that’s exactly what GymNext has done in releasing the Flex Timer.
Say goodbye to your broken and lost remotes, and say hello to the future.
Hello future.
GymNext Flex Timer Review
I’m going to review the GymNext Flex Timer in two separate parts.
The first one is going to go over the timer itself, and then I’m going to delve into the application.
Speaking on the timer itself, it seems to be well built. In reality, it isn’t a whole lot different from other high end timers you find in gyms across the world.
It features a 4″ LED display and a 95 db buzzer which is pretty loud. Most timers don’t exceed 85 db, so if you have a large gym, this is going to help.
The physical dimensions of the timer is 6″ tall x 22″ wide. You can clearly see it from anywhere in a gym, and if you put it in a garage gym like I have, you can see it from the neighbor’s yard (this is helpful when you do dumbbell snatches in other people’s yards so you don’t mess up your own grass, something I don’t recommend.)
The LED’s are very clear and bright and because the timer is so large, you can display any sort of time duration and amount of rounds that you would like.
In all honesty, I really can’t see anything wrong with the timer itself. It works great, and seems to be made of good construction for something that just hangs on a wall.
There is one caveat to this however. I’ve spoke on this in other reviews such as the Ethikon Odysseus Bar Review, but I hate when companies brand their products with stickers. In my mind, you come out with this awesome product that, especially in this case is going to be in many gyms across the world, and rather than putting a permanent brand on the product, you slap a sticker on.
I don’t know about everyone else, but the first thing I do when I receive a product with a sticker, is I take it off. This has nothing to do with the functionality of the product, just my personal preference.
This is really what this review is over. The groundbreaking application that GymNext has released that allows you to control the FlexTimer from your phone.
I love it!
Some basic stats over the application first:
- Application is available on both the App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Androids.
- Application allows you to control the timer using a Bluetooth connection.
- Application has 5 programming options
- Application includes heart rate tracking.
Okay, so these are the basics of the app. You can essentially do everything you could normally do with a remote, now with your phone plus other features.
Connecting
My favorite thing about the application and how it connects to the Flex Timer is it’s ease of use.
An application should improve whatever activity you’re using it for, not get in the way. This was my biggest worry when I heard about the Flex Timer. It seemed like a great idea, but it’s really nice to just pick up a remote and go.
GymNext has done an awesome job of making the connection as easy as possible. You grab your phone. Turn on bluetooth (I use IFTTT so that bluetooth automatically turns on when I’m home), open the app and hit ‘Connect.’
It’s that simple.
I will say this thus far however. This is a new application, meaning there are some bugs. I’ve been using the timer and app for about a month now and have had trouble connecting only a couple times. As things get ironed out, these problems will become fewer and fewer.
Programming Options
The GymNext Flex Timer has five different programs that can be ran.
- Standard
- Rounds
- Interval
- Tabata
- EMOM
These cover pretty much all of your basis. You can see how it looks on the actual app here:
When using most of the programs you can choose to count up or down. I mostly find myself using the Standard timer and counting up, just because it’s what I’m used to using.
The tabata feature is awesome, as well as the intervals. It is very seamless and anytime you click a new timer mode or change the time duration, the timer immediately changes to whatever you’ve chosen.
Starting the Timer
Starting the timer is just as easy as all of the aforementioned options.
You can switch between showing the current time in clock mode, or the timer. When you’re ready to start, you simply press the play button and the countdown begins. I use a 10 second countdown, but you can decide how long that is within the settings.
At 3…2…1…Go, the timer beeps like traditional timers and begins counting.
Once again, very simple and easy to use.
Heart Rate Tracking
The final feature is one that I have yet to use, but many people will find helpful.
The Flex Timer can actually hook up to a bluetooth enabled heart rate monitor and display your heart rate on the timer. It can also beep letting you know when you’re in a specified heart rate zone and when you exit it. I think this is great for those that use heart rate monitors to track their intensity. It’s not something that I’ve done, but I can see how it would be beneficial.
Gymnext Flex Timer vs Traditional Timer
The GymNext Flex Timer in my experience can do everything a traditional timer can do plus more.
This will eventually become the standard for all gyms in my opinion.
Think about this situation for a second. You’re a CrossFit affiliate owner and you have multiple coaches for your gym. Rather than having to worry about a remote, simply have your coaches download the app, put a security code on the clock, and give them the code.
No more having to worry about where the remote went or anything like that.
The clock can also be controlled by multiple devices. So, if you have two coaches instructing a class, have both coaches connect their phones, that way if one of the coaches is unable to start the timer, the other one can.
Honestly, based on the functions, ease of use, and the cost (right now it retails for $280) I see no reason to purchase a traditional timer.
Final Thoughts
A timer is absolutely essential for a gym. If you’re training out of a garage gym like me, it’s not AS important because you can use an iPad or something similar, but the convenience of having a dedicated timer up on the wall is a great thing to have. They also have a smaller, cheaper unit that you can find here which is greatly suited for the small gym or garage gym.
As I’ve said previously, if you’re going to buy a timer, I really see no reason to purchase a different one unless you’re stuck in the stone ages using a Nokiasaurus.
Also, because this timer the timer is controlled through your phone by an application, updates and future improvements will all be available to you. If a company has a timer that uses a remote, if there’s any updates you will most likely be force to purchase a whole new unit. No bueno.
Full Rating
GymNext Flex Timer
The GymNext Flex Timer is a gym timer controlled by your phone via Bluetooth. We found that we preferred using our phone instead of the remote we often lost and liked the ease of programming via the app. If you're wanting a gym timer for your Garage Gym or Commercial Gym, this is a great option.
Product Brand: GymNext
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 169
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.4
GymNext Flex Timer FAQs
What is the GymNext Flex Timer?
The GymNext Flex Timer is a Bluetooth-enabled gym timer that you can manage with your phone. We discovered that we enjoyed using our phone rather than the remote, which we frequently misplaced, and that we loved the convenience of programming via the app. This is an excellent alternative if you need a gym timer for your Garage Gym or Commercial Gym.
Does the Gymnext Flex Timer track heart rate?
imer. It may also beep to let you know when you’re in and out of a certain heart rate zone. This is fantastic for individuals who track their intensity using heart rate monitors. I’ve never done that before, but I can see how it might be advantageous.
Where to Purchase
GymNext
This is the timer your home gym is missing!The GymNext Flex Timer combines a crystal-clear LED display with an easy to use interval timer app creating the best, most powerful gym timer ever made.The compact 2.3" LED digits in blue/red are for more visible than your phone screen and the 85db buzzer is great for keeping you on pace. With bluetooth range of over 100 feet, you aren't tethered to the clock and there's no cumbersome remote to deal with. Move through out the gym and easily control and setup the timer from our convenient and FREE mobile app.You can save an unlimited number of custom workouts spanning 6 different timer modes: Standard, Round, Interval, Tabata, EMOM and Laps. Configurable prelude times, round warnings, and a 3-second segue between rounds are just the beginning of the options available to create the most customized experience ever.The audio sync feature allows you to use a wired or bluetooth speaker to augment or replace the timer's built in buzzer. Play your music from your phone and now you can listen to your music as loud as you want. The app will automatically fade the music in and out at the end of each round so that you never miss an indicator again.For the utmost convenience, go hands-free with a Pebble timepiece or Apple Watch. You'll enjoy the natural feeling you get from initiating the timer from your wrist just like a stopwatch.For the data lovers and elite athletes, integrate heart rate monitoring into your workouts and have your heart rate periodically or permanently display on the clock so you know how hard you're working and can set a proper pace.The included wall brackets make mounting your clock a breeze or you can sit it on a desk or table instead.But there's even more...The Flex Timer app is updated all the time unlocking new features and functionality so that your timer actually gets even better with age.
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