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Hands-On Experience With the Newest Smart Home Gym Equipment
I’ve had my hands on more gym equipment than most people have ever even thought about, including smart home gym equipment and smart workout mirrors. I and my team of fitness experts and product reviewers have hands-on tested each and every piece of smart fitness equipment on this list to bring you the most comprehensive guide to creating a totally intelligent home gym.
Top Rated Smart Home Gym Equipment
- Best Smart Home Mirror Gym: Tonal
- Best Smart Rower: Hydrow
- Best Smart Bike: NordicTrack Commercial S22i
- Best All-in-One Smart Home Gym: Tempo Studio
- Best Smart Treadmill: ProForm Pro 9000
- Best Virtual Personal Training Program: Future
- Best Fitness Tracker: Apple Watch Series 6
- Best Smart Elliptical: NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
- Best Smart Gym Equipment for Beginners: Speediance
- Best Portable Smart Gym Equipment: Vitruvian Trainer +
Best Smart Home Mirror Gym: Tonal
Tonal Smart Home Gym
Tonal Smart Home Gym
Product Highlights
- AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
- Up to 200 pounds in digital resistance
- All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
- Access to on-demand and live classes
- 30-day trial period
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
- Lift up to 200 pounds in digital resistance (much different from free weights)
- All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
- AI assesses your form and gives real-time cuing
- Access to on-demand and live classes
- 30-day trial period
Cons
- High initial price tag
- Accessories cost extra and are pretty crucial to your workouts
- 12-month initial subscription required (and an additional cost)
- 200 pounds in resistance might not be enough for heavy lifters
Bottom Line
A complete smart home gym that offers versatility in a compact piece of equipment, but at a high price.
Good for: People who want to lift heavy weights without buying a ton of equipment.
Okay, so, contrary to popular belief: Tonal isn’t actually a mirror-like the MIRROR or Echelon Reflect. But it has enough similarities and we love it enough that it took the “best fitness mirror” space in this smart home gym roundup.
RELATED: Best Workout Mirrors
You can lift up to 200 pounds of resistance with Tonal, which is impressive considering it’s entirely virtual weight. I’m no techie, so I can’t say I’m exactly sure how the pulley system on the inside of the hardware works. What I do know is that Tonal is a totally badass piece of workout equipment that is great for all fitness levels.
The downside? Tonal is not cheap. It costs about $4,000 for the machine alone, but could probably catch it for less during holiday sales, like Black Friday or with a Tonal Coupon. The accessories bundle costs $495 extra and comes with a yoga mat, foam roller, smart handles, smart bar, rope, and a nice workout bench. Luckily, Tonal has partnered with Affirm to allow customers to pay over time.
Tonal offers white-glove delivery, so all you have to do is order and then sit back while the professional installers mount Tonal on the wall of your choosing.
Amanda, one of our Garage Gym Reviews writers, also tested the Tonal, and her favorite thing about it is the initial strength assessment. Not only does this quick assessment give you an opportunity to fumble around and learn how to use the bilateral resistance arms, but it sets Tonal up to automatically adjust the weight for different exercises and rep schemes. The more you use Tonal, the smarter it gets and the better your recommendations become.
This is part of what makes it our pick for best smart home gym with personal trainer, as well.
Like just about every product in this guide, Tonal requires a monthly subscription to work. For $59.95/month on top of the purchase price (youch), you get access to the smart AI features and library of workouts and programs.
I truly believe that this one fitness machine can fully replace your fitness studio or gym membership forever—as long as your preferred method of fitness is weight lifting.
Read my full Tonal review and our full in-depth Tonal vs. Tempo comparison!
Best Smart Rower: Hydrow
Hydrow
Hydrow Connected Rower
Product Highlights
- Sleek and sexy design
- 16″ touchscreen display
- Magnetic resistance done right
- Gorgeous virtual rowing workouts filmed on location all over the world
- Smooth rowing experience
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Consistent and smooth magnetic rower
- Engaging interactive programming
- Ability to compete against others via a leaderboard
- Sleek and modern design
Cons
- Just under $2,500 for the Hydrow Essentials Package
- Additional subscription fee for programming
- Limited customer service contact options
Bottom Line
This is a fantastic, advanced rowing machine ideal for people who have the money to spend and the desire for trainer-led workouts.
Good for: Anyone who wants a luxurious rowing experience and a highly connected machine.
Hydrow is the modern rower, and it’s one of the best rowing machines out there. It combines all the best elements of a classic indoor rowing machine with the tech specs that fitness enthusiasts expect from new-age machines. We’re talking an HD touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, monitor angle adjustment, best-in-class speakers, and much more.
Plus, Hydrow utilizes electromagnetic resistance, making it a phenomenal choice for people who need to keep their workouts quiet.
Aside from the tech features, what really sets Hydrow apart from other rowing machines is its immersive experience and dedicated community. When you buy a Hydrow rower, you get access to Hydrow’s Live Outdoor Reality™ workouts, during which you row in tandem with real athletes who are really on the water. You can also choose on-demand workouts, all of which were filmed on the water in places like Venice, Italy.
The app experience is just as good as the rower experience: It has great filtering functionality, so you can narrow down workouts by duration, location, instructor, intensity, endurance, interval training, and more. Hydrow has recently started releasing more than just rowing workouts, which is a great incentive for anyone thinking about Hydrow but put off by the lack of versatility.
This is definitely a luxury piece of equipment and it would look great in your living room or anywhere in your home.
The cons? There aren’t many, except for the price tag ($2,495 for the rower alone; more for accessories) and the fact that Hydrow weighs 145 pounds unboxed. Editor’s note: As of this writing, the Hydrow is on sale for $1,995.
If you’re looking for a Hydrow discount code, we could help! Even on wheels, the Hydrow rower will be difficult to transport and store for some people. The big screen on the front can make it a bit awkward to roll around, however, the wheels are sized pretty well and are helpful for moving it. The footprint is similar to a normal rower, but Hydrow houses the resistance piece underneath the feet instead of on the front.
You can store the Hydrow vertically to save space, but you have to buy a separate “vertical storage kit” to do so.
Any drawbacks will be well worth it for fitness enthusiasts who value luxury equipment and a tech-infused workout experience.
Read my full Hydrow Rower review.
Best Smart Bike: NordicTrack Commercial S22i
NordicTrack Commercial S22i
NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike
Product Highlights
- 24 digital resistance levels
- Incline and decline adjustments
- Fully rotating touchscreen
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large 22" smart HD touchscreen
- Incline and decline ability
- Compatible with iFIT
- Adjustable seat
- Adjustable handles
- Dual-sided pedals
- Fan
- Comes with 2 3-lb dumbbells
- 24 digital resistance levels
Cons
- Expensive
- iFIT membership not necessary, but most beneficial
- Difficult to assemble
- Can’t be stored in the garage (brand states doing so will void the bike’s warranty)
- Hard to move and weighs more than 200 pounds
Bottom Line
This is the bike to get if you want an indoor cycling bike with interactive programming, incline and decline capabilities, and all the extras.
Good for: People who want a Peloton-like bike.
I know you probably expected to see the Peloton bike on this list, but the NordicTrack S22i smart exercise bike gets you basically everything the original Peloton bike in a more durable package.
iFit is what makes indoor cycling fun with the S22i. With the monthly subscription, this bike is 5 out of 5 stars every time. Without an iFit subscription, you essentially just have the bike in manual mode, which is also fine, but not nearly as immersive or engaging. The iFit workouts are really special because that’s where you find all of the smart features: During live classes, your instructor can remotely adjust your incline and resistance levels so all you have to do is focus on the ride.
One of my favorite things about this bike is the incline/decline feature. It’s rare to find a stationary bike that trains in decline mode, and it actually feels like you’re biking downhill. The incline/decline feature combined with the huge HD screen makes it feel like you’re biking anywhere but your living room.
In addition to live-streamed and on-demand cycling classes, iFit also has tons of other types of fitness classes—and because the screen on the S22i swivels, you can use your bike’s screen to display those workouts. The app has full-body workouts, cardio, high-intensity interval training, yoga, pilates, and more.
As far as conveniences go, the S22i has two water bottle holders, though they are smaller in size and would not fit larger bottles. It also has a shelf where a smartphone fits well, space for two small dumbbells (cute but will be ineffective if you need bigger weights), and an adjustable cooling fan. It would have been nice for a spot for a tablet or even to put your phone upright so if you wanted to watch a show, you can.
Between the HD graphics performance, live trainer-led controls, immersive workout experience, native WiFi network, Google Maps integration, and stat tracking capabilities, I think this is one of the best exercise bike you can find.
Read my full NordicTrack Commercial S22i review.
Best All-in-One Smart Home Gym: Tempo Studio
Tempo Studio
Tempo Studio
Product Highlights
- All-in-one smart home gym
- Sturdy A-frame aluminum design
- Comes with weight plates, loadable dumbbell handles, a barbell, foam roller, workout mat, and barbell collars
- AI technology that uses 3D Time-of-Flight sensors to capture your movement patterns and provide form corrections, rep counting, weight recommendations, and stat tracking
- Acts as a virtual personal trainer to help improve your exercise technique and reduce your risk of injury from exercise
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Massive touch screen with great production quality
- Comes with free weights for resistance training
- 3D sensors track movement to provide technique feedback
Cons
- Basic package doesn’t come with sufficient weight for people who can lift really heavy.
- By the time you add up the cost of accessories and extra weights if you need them, Tempo is one of the most expensive smart home gyms.
- Touchscreen lags at times.
Bottom Line
Tempo Studio is a great all-in-one smart home gym. It would be a great fit for anyone who likes to do a little bit of everything—strength training, full body workouts, HIIT, cardio, and restorative exercise
Good for: People who love different types of training and want quality equipment and programming all in one place.
Tempo is the way to go if you want good quality exercise equipment, virtual personal training, interactive on-demand home workouts, and live classes in one purchase.
Tempo Studio comes with a small selection of equipment if you buy the basic package: a barbell, loadable dumbbells, barbell collars, a workout mat, and change plates (4x 1.25 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, and 10 pounds). If you’re willing to fork over some more cash, you can buy advanced packages that come with more weights and accessories, such as an attachment that allows you to convert the dumbbell handles into kettlebells.
RELATED: Dumbbells vs Kettlebells
It all comes packed neatly into a free-standing, A-frame powder-coated aluminum stand that looks great in any room. It has a 1080px HD touchscreen, which is nice, but it would be better if it was in 4K.
The equipment is of fairly good quality (actually surprisingly good for the price), and the high-tensile aluminum frame seems to be sturdy. The change plates and barbell remind me of basic imported gym equipment; I think they should last a reasonably long time even in a garage. While it’s not the best, we do think it’s worthy of being called the best smart home gym with free weights.
Tempo’s real selling point is its AI-powered personal trainer, which utilizes 3D movement sensors to capture your exercise technique.
It’s important to note that Tempo does not use cameras. Tempo cannot see what you or your home looks like—the motion-capture technology actually builds a 3D rendering of your body to track your reps and movement patterns. This is how Tempo provides real-time exercise technique feedback and provides cues to help you improve your form.
Some cues Tempo might give include:
- Squats: Keep your heels on the floor, keep your chest up
- Shoulder press: Extend your arms fully, keep your back straight/core tight
- Push-ups: Descend lower, elbows back
The cues you’re given depend on the movement flaws Tempo picks up while you’re working out. If Tempo reminded me of one thing, it’s that there’s always room for improvement. Even Amanda, as a long-time fitness enthusiast with lots of lifting experience, says she found the cues helpful.
“When you don’t work out in front of a mirror or a trainer, it’s easy to adopt technique flaws or, as someone more experienced, slip back into old habits,” she says. “Tempo’s form feedback feature is beneficial for beginners and fitness veterans alike.”
As far as value goes, the basic Tempo package is a much more cost-friendly Tonal alternative. This makes it a pretty good value at the outset, however, after you factor in the amount of weight you have to have in order to achieve the resistance Tonal has built in, it’s hard to say Tempo is a better value for strength training alone.
However, Tempo has more options for cardio, HIIT, and bodyweight workouts, which is why it’s such a great all-in-one piece. (Pssst: Get the best Tempo discount codes.)
Honestly, I’d love to see a Tonal/Tempo hybrid so you could use both free weights and cables. Maybe someday…
Read my full Tempo Studio review.
Best Smart Treadmill: ProForm Pro 9000
ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill
ProForm Pro 9000
Product Highlights
- Compatible with iFIT
- Powerful motor
- Foldable treadmill
- Large 22-inch HD displays
- Handsfree incline/speed adjustments
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large 22-inch display
- Compatible with iFIT
- Incline and decline training available
- Cushioned deck
- Fan and water bottle holder
- Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- Priced around $1,800
- iFIT subscription is an additional cost
- Heavy machine with a big footprint
- You cannot store or use this treadmill in your garage without voiding the warranty
Bottom Line
The ProForm Pro 9000 is a powerful, pricey treadmill great for those who want interactive programming from a reliable machine.
Good for: Home gym owners who want a smart treadmill with an immersive display and engaging workouts.
The ProForm Pro 9000 smart treadmill is similar to the Peloton Tread, which has sort of becoming the epitome of smart treadmills. On the ProForm, there is a large 22-inch HD touchscreen with high-quality graphics; the workout experience is powered by iFit, an app with live and on-demand workouts; a 0 to 12 MPH speed range and -3% to 12% incline range; and a roomy 20-inch by 60-inch running belt.
RELATED: Peloton Alternatives
However, the Pro 9000 costs $2,299 compared to the Tread’s $3,495 list price. That’s honestly a steal for the quality you’re getting with the Pro 9000. This treadmill is also available on Amazon, unlike many other smart treadmills, but the price and availability fluctuate so much I recommend just purchasing directly from ProForm.
RELATED: Best treadmills
As of this writing, ProForm does not offer white-glove delivery, but you can pay extra to have the boxed product wheeled into the room of your choice. If you have a buddy who can help you move it, I say save the cash and opt for normal front door delivery.
Most ProForm and NordicTrack products, like the ProForm Hybrid Trainer, come with a free temporary membership to iFit, and the Pro 9000 treadmill is no exception. When you buy the treadmill, you’ll get to enjoy a family membership for 30 days, at which point the account will renew automatically for $39/month.
The workout experience is truly something on the ProForm Pro 9000. Thanks to the massive display, you feel totally immersed in whatever class you’re taking. You don’t even need to connect your phone to the treadmill because you can log into iFit directly from the unit’s display. However, the Pro 9000 does support Bluetooth connectivity if you want to connect headphones or other devices.
As we mentioned with the NordicTrack S22i bike, iFit has more than just running workouts. You can stream a variety of fitness classes on your treadmill screen and perform the workouts off of the tread. The screen on the Pro 900 doesn’t swivel, but it’s big enough to where you can see the instructor from most angles.
Read my full ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill review.
Best Virtual Personal Training Program: Future
Future
Future
Product Highlights
- Virtual training from qualified coaches
- Personal plan designed to help reach your goals
- Great interface
- Use our link and for 50% off your first month
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible user interface; very well designed and intuitive
- Choose your own coach based on your personal preferences and goals
- Lots of variety in your workouts
Cons
- No Android version of the app yet
- No real-time coaching from your trainer
- $150 per month membership cost
Bottom Line
An online training program that's staffed by real-life humans, and one of our favorite fitness apps.
Good for: People who want accountability from a trainer and an app that integrates with Apple products.
There are a gazillion fitness apps and online workout programs out there. From the most basic apps that spit out some exercise names and call it a day, to the most advanced and comprehensive apps that give you face-to-face time with a certified trainer, there are options for everyone.
Future is a fan-favorite among the Garage Gym Reviews team, and it falls somewhere in the middle as far as accountability goes: You get matched with a trainer who writes your virtual workouts based on your fitness level, goals, equipment, and other factors. You can message your trainer at any time, but there are no live face-to-face video sessions (other than the initial FaceTime call to discuss goals and strategy).
Future works exclusively with an Apple Watch, and if you don’t have one, they’ll send you one for a $199 deposit that you get refunded for when you’re done with the program. If you want to keep the watch, you pay the difference between the deposit and the cost Future paid to buy the watch. This also means the app only works with iPhones, so unfortunately Future isn’t available for Android operating systems for now.
Because of the integration with Apple Watch and iPhone, the tracking feels seamless and intuitive. The user interface is simple, navigable, and enjoyable to use. It feels like a high-end experience.
Future is expensive at $150 for a month membership. Although it is certainly cheaper than hiring a live personal trainer, it is way more expensive than, say, a Peloton monthly membership of $14 per month or even the beloved iFit membership of $39 per month. You have to decide if the extra accountability of a live person is worth the extra cash.
However, Future does recognize that fitness is personal and offers a 30-day risk-free trial period. If you decide Future isn’t for you, you can easily cancel with no fees or penalties. You can also always switch coaches if you need a different style of coaching to succeed.
Read my full Future review.
Best Fitness Tracker: Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 6
Product Highlights
Good for: Apple product lovers who want intense and comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities.
Apple really did a number with the Apple Watch during the pandemic. For a while, I didn’t necessarily think there was anything overly special about the Apple Watch, except for how well it (obviously) integrates with the iPhone. But now, the Apple Watch is a behemoth of a fitness tracker and I consider it as one of the best fitness trackers on the market. When Apple released the Series 6 in 2020, I was blown away by all of the deeply insightful features.
A few favorites: SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation sensor); VO2 max estimate; ECG (heart rhythm tracking that can send potentially life-saving alerts); barometric altimeter; water resistance up to 50 meters; fall detection; cellular data; and the Always-On Retina display.
On top of all that, the fitness tracking features are top-notch. Apple Watch has always been known for activity rings, but with the Series 6, there’s so much more than that. The watch tracks more than 80 types of activities and workouts, and it shows a number of detailed stats for all of them. Depending on the type of workout you log, you’ll see stats such as time elapsed, distance traveled, pace, heart rate, calories burned, elevation, repetitions, laps, or mile splits.
With Apple Fitness+, the newly launched native workout app for Apple Watch, you can stream trainer-led workouts on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV and watch the stats appear on your wrist.
I will say that the sleep tracking capabilities are still lacking, which is super disappointing for something coming from a company like Apple. I just think the Apple Watch should be able to tell you more about your sleep than just the number of hours you snooze. I’d like to see stats like time spent in individual sleep stages and breathing rate.
Everything your watch tracks will sync to the Apple Health app, so you can view all of your data in those nice, neat, colorful little tables it provides.
Read my full Apple Watch Series 6 review.
Best Smart Elliptical: NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
Nordictrack Commercial 14.9
Product Highlights
- Incline training from 0 to 20%
- 26 digital resistance levels
- 32-lb flywheel
- Cushioned pedals
- Customizable stride length
- iFIT-enabled with 30-day free family membership
- Integrated with Google Maps
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adjustable stride
- Incline training
- 26 levels of silent magnetic resistance
- 32-lb flywheel
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- Will need iFIT subscription to access workouts
- Large footprint
- Heavy machine
Bottom Line
This luxury machine has an interactive touchscreen, which can be used to view iFIT programming.
Good for: Home gym owners who want a commercial-grade elliptical with great connectivity.
Another iFit-powered piece of smart home gym equipment, the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical is a solidly built and heavy-duty elliptical. I personally love this elliptical because it feels like the quality and solidity of an elliptical you’d find in a commercial gym (hence the name, I suppose), but it’s meant for home use. And you know how I’m all about finding the most durable, long-lasting equipment for home gyms!
RELATED: Best elliptical machine
I think that’s exactly what NordicTrack achieved here, and the integration of tech features makes it that much more special. First and foremost, the 14-inch HD display streams iFit workouts, and iFit is one of our favorite dynamic fitness programming apps. On this elliptical specifically, you can enable live trainer-led controls, so when you’re taking a workout class, your trainer can remotely adjust the incline and resistance as you’re moving.
Then there are the tech specs: real-time workout stat tracking, heart rate monitoring with a compatible device, Google Maps integration so you can run anywhere, Bluetooth connectivity, digitally amplified speakers, and silent magnetic resistance. Stats like cadence, heart rate, calories burned, time, and distance appear on the smart HD touchscreen.
Comfort-wise, You can customize the angle of the pedals to put less strain on the knees and legs, as well as adjust stride length. You can adjust resistance, incline, and decline, too.
The iFit subscription adds a lot of value to this machine in terms of class variety, community, and tech capabilities. Eventually, you will have to pay for iFit, although it’s not that expensive (only $180 for a year membership). The machine itself is definitely a good product, but the iFit membership is what takes it to the next level.
Read my full NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 review.
Best Smart Gym Equipment for Beginners: Speediance
Good for: Novices or those who are new to strength training and/or smart gym equipment
Speediance
SPEEDIANCE Gym Monster Home Gym
Product Highlights
- All-in-one smart home gym
- Digital resistance
- Space saving design
- Full body training
Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one piece of fitness equipment
- No subscription fee to access workouts (!)
- Can support strength training, cardio, and HIIT
- Weight increments of 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
- Frame folds to save space when not in use
- Guided instruction is good for beginners
- Can target all muscle groups with it
- Foldable space-saving design
- Ready to use out of the box
- Versatile design can be: rower, ski machine, and squat rack
Cons
- Limited user reviews
- Maximum weight of 220 lbs (still enough for most people though)
- Resistance mechanism glitches/catches during use
- Limited workout library compared to other options
- Reviews report trouble contacting customer service
- Accessories are extra and crucial to the versatility of the machine
Bottom Line
The Speediance Gym Monster Home Gym is an expensive option for a smart and compact functional trainer.
Our experience with Speediance led us to this conclusion: This is a smart home gym designed for beginners. The resistance goes up to 110 pounds per arm, which might not sound like a lot but digital resistance is much more challenging than free weights or machines, so it’s perfect for people just starting their strength training journey. And yes, it’s quite pricey but you won’t find a more affordable smart gym setup that offers the same versatility and ease of use as the Speediance.
Since this is more geared toward beginners, the workout programming isn’t as comprehensive or thorough as something like Tonal or Peloton. That said, GGR Facility Manager Sam Presley was impressed with how the digital home gym’s weight shifted between settings.
“For instance, you can definitely feel a difference between having it in barbell mode versus chains,” Sam says. “It definitely feels like a chain simulation when lifting with it.”
The pulleys hitch from time to time, but only slightly. The main selling point is Speediance is much more compact than other Tonal competitors and doesn’t require a monthly subscription—a rarity when it comes to electronic home gym equipment.
Your setup depends on which package you purchase. All Speediance orders come with a platform, frame, and two pulleys. Other attachments include a weight bench, a rowing side rail, a small barbell, ankle straps, ski erg handles, smart handles, and a tricep rope.
Read our full Speediance review.
Best Portable Smart Gym Equipment: Vitruvian Trainer +
Good for: Those who want to take an interactive home gym on-the-go with them
Speediance
Vitruvian Form Trainer+
Product Highlights
- Adaptive weight system that produces weight from 0 to 440 pounds
- Advertised as working similarly to a rack without having to change plates or store any of the weight
- The technology will do it all for you
- However, different from a squat rack, you are able to do over 200 different exercises that target all parts of your body
- All Access Membership costs $39 per month.
- Without the Trainer All Access Membership, you are still able to work exercises and create your own workouts.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full functionality of the machine is available without a subscription (i.e. access to all workout modes)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 1-year all-access app membership for in-depth data tracking included with purchase (at the time of publish)
- Free shipping
- Provides up to 440 pounds of resistance
- Small and compact
- Relatively easy to move and store
- Workouts led by certified instructors
- Adaptive weight changes as you work out
- Community challenges and leaderboard
- Tracks several workout metrics
- Can easily view progress
- Safe and controlled way to exercise
- Provides exercise technique tutorials
- 1 membership allows unlimited profiles
- Lifetime membership available
- Financing available via Affirm
- Can create your own workouts or follow classes
Cons
- Expensive, as all smart gyms are, with prices starting around $2,900
- Subscription required for in-depth data tracking after trial period ($39/month)
- Accessory kits sold separately
- No hour-long workout classes yet (sessions go up to 43 minutes)
- Can be overwhelming to create your own workouts in the app at first, according to our product tester
- Buyers are responsible for return shipping if sending the item back
Bottom Line
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is a smart home gym with a fantastic value proposition. For most people, it can replace an entire traditional home gym set up while taking up minimal space and providing and opportunity for in-depth data tracking and coaching.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is an AI home gym that we love for its portability, adjustability, durability, and versatility. I could tell just by touching it that this was a well-built machine that should last many years, with the added bonus of having an app that works as a personal trainer who can adjust the weights for you.
The travel-friendly platform uses an adaptive weight system to create resistance up to 440 pounds, though if the weight becomes too challenging at any time the machine will change it for you. That’s a big reason why we chose the Vitruvian over other portable smart home gyms, and another is that the cables are incredibly smooth every time you use them.
We would’ve liked to see a feature that allows users to pick their own weights, but the AI technology hasn’t let us down yet.
Let’s go back to the 440 pounds of resistance—that’s a lot of weight for a smart home gym. Digital resistance challenges your muscles more than traditional weights because it requires you to use more stabilizer muscles, so 440 pounds is going to feel more like 540 if you try to deadlift it.
There are a number of attachments available, though you could do dozens of exercise with just the cable and handles to increase your portability if you needed to take this on the road.
Read our full Vitruvian Trainer review.
Are Smart Home Gym Worth It?
At the end of the day, we have to say that home gyms are worth it—depending on who’s asking. Do you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to make it to a gym or a personal training session? Smart home gyms offer convenience and accountability. Are you someone who enjoys lifting free weights? Then smart home gyms aren’t worth it.
At the end of the day, smart home gyms are meant for people who need a quick workout at home and a way to track their progress. They’re also a good choice for people who are low on space.
How We Chose the Best Smart Home Gym Equipment
After all of our Garage Gym Reviews product testers spent some hands-on time with various smart home gym equipment, we compiled a shortlist of contenders for this guide. We chose one product that we believe is the best in each category—rowers, treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals, programming, fitness trackers, workout mirrors, and all-in-one home gyms—based on a number of criteria, including:
Price
Many of these machines, because of the technology included with them, can be quite pricey. We tried to find the best smart home gym equipment that wasn’t outrageously expensive.
Monthly subscriptions
With very few exceptions, smart home gym equipment is going to require a monthly subscription for you to take full advantage of the product. We wanted to find ones that were reasonable and were either equal to or less than what you’d pay for a monthly gym membership.
Financing options
As always, we wanted to find gym equipment that could be financed to make the asking price a little more bearable.
Workout experience
We wanted the workout experience on these machines to be fun and engaging, as well as effective for your fitness goals.
Smart features
What type of smart features do these machines have? We looked at artificial intelligence, built-in workouts, automatic tension control, and many other features.
Audio and visual quality
It’s cool if a treadmill or exercise bike has a built-in screen, but we didn’t want something that looked like it was running on Windows 97.
Connectivity and device compatibility
We looked at whether the machines offered BlueTooth and/or WiFi connectivity.
Space, footprint, and portability
How big were the machines, and could they be moved easily? This is a question we ask of all home gym equipment.
Delivery and setup experience
Is there professional assembly options, and how easy was it to get the smart technology setup so you could start using it?
How to Choose the Best Smart Home Gym Equipment for You
Selecting smart home gym equipment for your gym will have a lot to do with three factors unique to you: your budget, your space, and your training preferences.
Budget
Budget will be top-of-mind for most people looking for smart home gym equipment. This stuff is expensive, and if you want to build out an entire smart home gym, you should be prepared to pay top-dollar.
Luckily, 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 to finance. 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 Tonal or Tempo, which both pack a lot of variety and versatility into a relatively small package of compact workout equipment.
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 Hydrow or CITYROW Go Max 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 ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill, but iFit also has strength workouts, yoga flows, high-intensity interval training, and other types of workout classes you can do.
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
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Device compatibility
Don’t forget to look for the basics, too:
- Display and/or touchscreen
- Speakers/audio
- Cameras
Related: Take a look at our CLMBR review
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.
Benefits of A Smart Home Gym
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. But the world is changing, which means fitness should change with it. Smart home gyms can be a great way for many people to achieve their strength training or fitness goals.
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.
Convenience
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.
Versatility
Smart home gyms allow you to access dozen, if not hundreds of workouts that may not have been accessible through free weights. This can help shake up your fitness routine and address any weaknesses in your strength or physique.
Smart Home Gym Equipment FAQs
Answering some commonly asked questions about 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. I also think every home gym in the future will have some sort of smart equipment. 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.
Which smart home gym is the best?
I don’t think there’s necessarily one smart home gym that’s the best for most people. Instead, I like to look at what equipment is the best in each category: treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, rowers, and resistance training devices.
What smart home gym equipment is the most effective?
Our pick for the most effective smart home gym equipment goes to Tonal — it targets multiple muscle groups, has adaptive AI technology, and is space-friendly. 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.
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