We’ve put nearly three dozen models of smart exercise equipment to the test, from treadmills and bikes to rowing machines. During our testing, we analyzed factors according to a 5-point testing methodology, including:
- Versatility: Can it be used for multiple workout types and be used by people of all fitness levels? At least two distinct workout types, like strength training and running, either through the machine itself or its software, is our benchmark for a 3-point score.
- Ease of Setup: Technology can be frustrating, so we looked for equipment with user-friendly interfaces and installation. To earn at least 3 points, machines and devices can be set up in under one hour with just one person, or professional assembly is available for an additional fee.
- Monthly Subscription: Is the monthly subscription cost worth it? Can you use the equipment without a subscription? To score 3 points, subscription prices must fall between $20 and $40 monthly. Anything more expensive earns 1-2 points, while anything less expensive typically earns 4-5 points.
- Footprint: Can the machine fit in most home gyms? We gave 3-point scores to home gym equipment that can reasonably fit in a spare room or living room in an average single-family home (around 2,200 feet, per 2024 data1), with apartment-friendly and second-floor-friendly equipment earning higher marks.
We also consulted with Dr. Susie Reiner, PhD, an exercise scientist who specializes in sport technology and digital health at TheoryEx, about what to look for in smart gym equipment. This article was then reviewed by Raj Panchal, D.O., a specialist in Interventional Pain Management and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, to ensure medical accuracy.
In 2024, we helped nearly 143,000 athletes find their ideal home gym equipment across various strength and conditioning categories—smart home gyms included. So, if you’re looking to embrace the future of fitness, we’re confident that the following details can help you find the best smart home gym for your needs and goals.
Best Smart Home Gym Equipment
- Best Smart Home Gym Overall – Tonal 2 Smart Home Gym
- Best Budget Smart Home Gym – Tempo Move
- Best AI Fitness Training Program – Shred App
- Best Smart Home Gym for Beginners – Speediance Gym Monster Home Gym
- Best Smart Fitness Mirror – Alter Screen
- Best Portable Smart Home Gym – MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine
- Best Smart Fitness Tracker – Oura Ring Gen 4
- Best Smart Rower – Aviron Strong Series Rower
- Best Smart Bike – Peloton Cross Training Bike
- Best Smart Treadmill – NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals (2025)
- MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine – Save up to $509 on the MaxPRO and bundles
- Aviron Strong Series Rower – Up to 34% OFF plus a free gift
- NordicTrack Commercial 1750 – Save up to $1,300 on smart machines and $2,200 on bundles.
- Tonal 2 Smart Home Gym – Save $1,200 on Tonal 2
- Tempo Move – Get up to 40% off on bundles
Editor’s Note
We updated this guide in October 2025 to reflect additional tester insights and compare smart home gym equipment we tested to industry averages for key specifications like resistance, warranty, and pricing. We also removed the Tempo Studio because it is now discontinued, added the Tempo Move as the best budget-friendly home gym, and replaced the Aviron Strong Go rowing machine with the Aviron Strong Series.
Best Smart Home Gym Overall: Tonal 2 Smart Home Gym
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
The Tonal 2 is a complete smart home gym that offers versatility in a compact piece of equipment, but at a high price.
What our tester says:
“Although aluminum pulleys are a smoother, more premium component, the nylon won’t wear the cables down as much. So using nylon pulleys on the upgraded Tonal 2 is a pretty smart move.“
Best Budget Smart Home Gym: Tempo Move
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
If a personal trainer met AI, the result would be the online training program known as Tempo Move.
What our tester says:
As-is, the Tempo Move is one of the tiniest smart home gyms on the market, so it can fit easily into your living room or any other space. You do, however, still need a 6-foot-by-6-foot workout space for 3D Tempo Vision to capture your movement.
Best AI Fitness Training Program: Shred App
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
The Shred app is an AI-powered virtual trainer that can be used to customize workouts in your home or commercial gym.
What our tester says:
“The instructions are great. If you’re not doing a trainer-led video, some exercise tutorials also come with step-by-step breakdowns on how to do a certain exercise.”
Best Smart Home Gym for Beginners: Speediance Gym Monster
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
The Speediance Gym Monster Home Gym is an expensive option for a smart and compact functional trainer.
What our tester says:
“After a strength assessment, it recommends the weights for you based upon the reps, similarly to Tonal. It’s designed for a novice, so beginners shouldn’t have any issues getting it set up and in working order.”
Best Smart Fitness Mirror: Alter Screen
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
Best Portable Smart Home Gym: MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
The MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine is a lightweight and portable full body machine, which offers up to 300 pounds of resistance. This makes it an extremely versatile piece of portable equipment with a small footprint.
What our tester says:
“At first, the cables weren’t quite as smooth as I would have liked, but they simply needed a break-in period.”
Best Smart Fitness Tracker: Oura Ring Gen 4
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
Best Smart Rower: Aviron Strong Rower
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
If you are looking for a high-tech, well-made rower with a ton of workout options, the Aviron Strong Series Rower may be for you.
What our tester says:
“The large touchscreen is very snappy, and well done.”
Best Smart Bike: Peloton Bike
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
One of the more expensive options for virtual biking, the Peloton Bike is designed to be an all-in-one fitness solution on a high-quality cardio machine. You’re paying not only for the bike, but the unique training experience it makes accessible from the comfort of your home.
What our tester says:
“Sure, this bike may need regular maintenance and other bikes may be built better, but the streaming experience is unbeatable. I’ve had to reach out to Peloton support twice in two years, and they’ve been vey responsive and fast to ship replacement parts. I’m happy with my purchase.”
Best Smart Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
If you’re looking to add a workhorse of a treadmill to your home gym, we recommend the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. It’s one of the few treadmills that has decline training capabilities and is compatible with iFIT, one of the best training programs.
What our tester says:
“Overall this feels like a sturdy machine while remaining somewhat stylish – the update to the machine in terms of aesthetic is much appreciated.”
Best Smart Cable Machine: Beyond Power Voltra I
Updated by: Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
The Beyond Power Voltra I packs all the benefits of a cable machine into a portable design, though it comes with a high price tag.
What our tester says:
“In my dream minamalist setup, I would have a squat rack, bar and weight plates, a bench, adjustable dumbbells, and the Voltra I.”
Other Smart Home Gym Equipment We Researched
In our quest for the best smart home gym equipment, we’ve tested far more than what ended up on our final list. Here are a few other silhouettes that impressed us, but didn’t quite make the cut:
- NordicTrack RW900 Rower: The NordicTrack RW900 is a great smart rowing machine, and we appreciate that it uses iFIT programming. However, the gamified workouts on the Aviron Strong Series rower won us over.
- Echelon Connect EX-5: This bike is a big hit among our testers, and is actually our top pick for a Peloton alternative. Peloton still takes the cake for smart bikes, though.
- Bowflex Treadmill 22: This treadmill is a beast, but the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 more than gets the job done and will save you a few hundred bucks.
- Vitruvian Trainer+: We like the Vitruvian Trainer+, but feel that the Voltra I is a better value. It’s also more portable.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Smart Home Gym Equipment
Our testers are certified personal trainers, conditioning coaches, strength coaches, athletes, and all-around fitness enthusiasts. That means we analyze equipment with a hawk’s eye. Here’s a look at some key factors we examine when evaluating smart home gym equipment.

- Value: It’s expected that this type of equipment is expensive. That said, everything we recommend is worth the price for the right buyer. In our testing, we make sure the offerings and experience align with the pricing.
- Monthly subscription: Since no one really needs another ongoing subscription, we’re picky with what we recommend. To earn at least 3 points, smart gym subscription software must fall between $20 and $40 per month—what we feel is reasonable for this category.
- Financing options: To earn 3 points, brands must meet our benchmark of 24+ months at 0% APR. This stuff isn’t cheap, after all!
- Versatility: Equipment that allows for at least two distinct types of workouts (for instance, strength training and HIIT) or has software with multiple types of classes (that work with or without the equipment) earns a 3 out of 5.
- Setup and delivery: Equipment earns a 3 out of 5 if one person can reasonably assemble it in under two hours. Ultra-quick assembly, or the option for professional in-home delivery and assembly, earns a 5-point score.
Benefits of Smart Home Gyms
Listen, we’re fans of the good old-fashioned clang and bang weights we all grew up with, and there will always be a place for that type of equipment in our training regimens. But the world is changing, which means fitness is changing. Smart home gyms can be a great way for many people to achieve their strength training or fitness goals with an added zest of tech.
“Smart home gym systems take the science of training and make it accessible,” says Dr. Susie Reiner, PhD, an exercise scientist who specializes in sport technology and digital health at TheoryEx. Below are some of our favorite perks associated with this home gym equipment category.
Artificial intelligence
Make as many Skynet jokes as you want, but AI can help people, who may not have access to a personal trainer, learn how to work with proper form on things like lifting and running.

Machines like Tonal, Speediance, and Tempo “integrate machine learning algorithms that track how long you’ve been lifting a specific weight, how quickly you move through each rep, and whether you’ve completed or exceeded your target set or rep count,” Dr. Reiner explains. “These data points allow the system to automatically adjust resistance and overload parameters, essentially personalizing progression in real time.”
Technique and Volume Guidance
Between the built-in workouts and AI personal trainers, smart home gym equipment offers a great amount of convenience for those who may be tight on time. According to Dr. Reiner, they also reduce uncertainty.
“Instead of toggling between a YouTube video and your workout space, the system provides built-in video demonstrations so you can see proper form and start immediately,” she explains. “Some devices have integrated personalized programming based on your goals and recent training history. The combination of adaptive programming and visual guidance can take much of the guesswork out of training, easing the barrier of entry for new and experienced exercisers alike.”
Other types of smart equipment, like wearables, offer valuable insights into your training load and can keep you from doing too much to the point of overtraining.
Versatility
Smart home gyms allow you to access dozens, if not hundreds, of workouts that may not have been accessible to you through free weights. This can help shake up your fitness routine and address any weaknesses in your strength or physique.
Adherence
Part of a successful exercise routine is adherence—that means sticking to it over the long haul. For many people, smart home gym equipment makes working out more fun, making it easier to commit to a routine.
“Add in motivational features like instructor-led classes, curated music, and visual progress tracking, and these systems make consistency and engagement much easier than traditional ‘analog’ setups,” Dr. Reiner points out. “That said, free weights still have an advantage for versatility and full range of movement, particularly for exercises that some smart systems can’t replicate without attachments. Plus, you don’t need an internet connection, a subscription, and electricity to perform them.”
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Smart Home Gym Equipment
Smart home gym equipment can be complex. Therefore, there’s a lot to think about when shopping for a smart setup. In short, per Dr. Reiner, “A smart home gym should feel accessible, adapt to your needs, and help you understand your training while building confidence and consistency from the start.” Here’s what to look for.

Something You Enjoy
“Beginners should look for a system that fits naturally into their daily life,” Dr. Reiner says. “It should be easy to access in your home, feel approachable rather than intimidating, and be something you genuinely look forward to using.”
Personalization and Progression
Look for platforms that personalize your programming and automatically progress your workouts, so you do not have to guess which exercise to do, how many reps to perform, or when to increase resistance, Dr. Reiner recommends.
“Built-in video demonstrations, classes, and music help maintain motivation and eliminate the friction of switching between devices or apps during a workout,” she says. “Systems that provide real-time feedback, such as form cues or resistance adjustments, help beginners learn proper technique faster than post-workout summaries.”
Motivational Elements
Behavioral features are equally important, according to Dr. Reiner. “Programs that track streaks, set achievable milestones, and recognize small wins tend to keep people consistent,” she notes. “Ideally, the system should grow with you by adding new challenges and more advanced guidance as your fitness improves.”
Some research shows that home-based exercise systems with video trainers, such as iFIT or the Peloton app, promote better cardiometabolic health2 when combined with a healthy diet. Other research3 shows that fitness apps with personalized programming (like the Shred App) “significantly improved physical function and confidence in exercise performance” for people with short- and long-term disabling conditions.
Delivery and Setup Experience
Are there professional assembly options available for installing the smart home gym equipment? If so, how much does it cost, and how easy was it to set up the smart technology before you could start using it? Technology can be finicky, and it can be frustrating to set something up only to run into endless installations and updates before you can even use your shiny new toy. Easy setup—or the option for professional assembly—is key.
Budget
The most obvious limitation of smart gym training systems is cost and accessibility. They “represent a significant financial investment, with both the initial hardware and the ongoing subscription for content and analytics,” Dr. Reiner says. “That puts them out of reach for many users, especially compared to a set of adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands that can deliver solid results at a fraction of the price.”
Most of our top picks for the best smart home gym equipment, if not all of them, have financing options available. Many fitness companies partner with Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, and other pay-over-time services that don’t affect your credit. Some brands use traditional personal loan servicing to offer financing options. Be sure to read the fine print thoroughly if you finance your smart home gym purchases.
Space
Second to budget, space will largely dictate your smart home gym buys. If you have a ton of space and a ton of money, you can build an entire smart home gym with our top picks from every category. If you only have a small amount of space for a home gym, your best bet is to go with a silhouette like Tonal or Speediance, which can pack a lot of variety and versatility into a relatively small package of compact workout equipment.
That said, such wall-mounted systems require permanent installation, and platform-based setups need a dedicated footprint and clearance around the unit to perform exercises safely, Dr. Reiner points out. “That can be a challenge in smaller apartments or shared spaces. Others that can be tucked away under furniture can still be quite heavy, limiting use for individuals with mobility or movement impairments.”
In the latter case, a smaller setup like the Tempo Move or MaxPRO SmartConnect can be a better choice.
Training Style
Your preferred training style and fitness goals should influence your final choice. If you’ve never rowed before and have little to no interest in rowing, for instance, breeze right on by the Aviron Strong Rower and pick something better suited to your wants and needs.
For those who like to do a little bit of everything, I recommend purchasing smart home gym equipment that uses interactive fitness programming not limited to the hardware you buy. For example, iFIT powers the workouts on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill, but iFIT also has strength workouts, yoga flows, high-intensity interval training, and other types of workout classes you can do.
Audio and Visual Quality
It’s cool if a treadmill or exercise bike has a built-in screen, but you don’t want something that looks like it was running on Windows 97. The aesthetic of a home gym’s dashboard is just as important as its functionality.
Does it run smoothly? Is it intuitive? Does the user interface allow for easy navigation, or are workouts routinely interrupted by persnickety menus standing in the way of those sweet gains?
Smart gyms come with a serious price tag, so you should expect the best quality possible, from the workout functions to the menus. You don’t want subpar audio and laggy UX to bring down your training.
Maintenance and Support
All exercise machines require regular maintenance, but smart home gym equipment can be a bit more complex. On top of the standard pulleys, pedals, and cables featured on many of them, you also have to contend with the smart features themselves.
Like any tech, these devices are susceptible to occasional glitches and software bugs, and they often require software updates that can be tricky to figure out. In short, you’ll want to look into the customer support options available for any smart equipment you buy.
Make sure the company has support pages and contact information listed on its website, and see if it offers video tutorials for basic troubleshooting. If possible, read the maintenance information before making a purchase to get a feel for how much of a time investment it will be to keep the equipment in good shape.
Smart Features
It makes sense that you should look for smart features in something labeled as smart home gym equipment. Some features to look out for include:
- Interactive programming
- Live and on-demand classes
- Real-time feedback on exercise technique
- Artificial intelligence programming
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Device compatibility
Don’t forget to look for the basics, too:
- Display and/or touchscreen
- Speakers/audio
- Cameras
Warranty
Check to see what type of coverage the manufacturer offers on all parts of the machine, including the screen (if it has one). Unless you’re a tech expert, it’s going to be hard to fix or replace a lot of the equipment on smart home gym equipment, so you’ll want to make sure you’re covered if anything happens.
Subscription Cost
The cost of your smart home gym equipment is one thing, but you’ll also likely have to pay a monthly subscription fee to get the most out of it. While the cost can vary by brand, you can often expect to pay between $10 and $60 per month.
So, that $2,000-plus home gym could end up costing an extra $360 or more per year, which is definitely something to consider. That said, these subscriptions unlock the real selling points of many smart machines, including workout classes, AI assistants, fitness trackers, and custom training programs.
Subscriptions aren’t inherently necessary to train with certain smart home gyms, but we do recommend opting into the digital subscriptions if you want the most bang for your buck.
FAQs About the Best Smart Home Gym Equipment
What is smart home gym equipment?
Smart home gym equipment is any type of home fitness equipment with an element of technology or connectivity. There’s no hard-and-fast definition, but in general, smart home gym equipment is the type that will connect to your various devices (phone, fitness tracker, etc) and has artificial intelligence features such as coaching, form feedback, rep counting, or intensity adjustment.
Is smart home gym equipment better than regular equipment?
This totally depends on who you ask. I think smart home gym equipment is growing in popularity for a reason: People like their stuff to be connected, and the versatility these products bring to small spaces is unbeatable. On the other hand, some people will never want smart gym equipment and will always prefer to use traditional weights and machines.
Can you get a good workout with a smart home gym?
For sure. If anything, you can get a better workout with a smart home gym because it can tell you if you need to lift more or less weight, speed up or slow down, or increase or decrease the intensity. Some smart home gyms even correct your technique in real-time, which is the best way to improve your workouts. But as Dr. Reiner points out, “you remain the most important variable in the training equation.”
“The technology can guide load progression and provide structure, but it doesn’t know how you slept, whether you’re stressed, or how your body feels that day,” she continues. “Retaining autonomy by listening to your body and adjusting based on your own goals and readiness is critical.”
What smart home gym equipment is the most effective?
Our pick for the most effective smart home gym equipment goes to the Tonal 2. Its digital weight can work all of the major muscle groups, it has adaptive AI technology, and it’s space-friendly. The software even provides workouts with a cardio stimulus to promote overall health. Yes, it’s quite expensive but we argue it will pay for itself when you factor in things like travel and the cost of a gym membership.
References
- U.S. Census Bureau. Highlights of 2024 Characteristics of New Housing.
- Roberts CK, Segovia DE, Lankford DE. Effects of Home-Based Exercise Training Systems, Combined with Diet, on Cardiometabolic Health. Int J Exerc Sci. 2019;12(2):871-885.
- Davergne T, Meidinger P, Dechartres A, Gossec L. The Effectiveness of Digital Apps Providing Personalized Exercise Videos: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25:e45207.

































