Modern technology has paved the way for fitness enthusiasts to take advantage of smart home gym equipment to help crush their strength- and muscle-building goals. As you can imagine, the market for these types of products continues to grow, especially with artificial intelligence becoming such a prevalent part of society.
However, tech-centric, AI-powered fitness equipment often comes with a hefty price tag that may give you pause about making such a substantial investment.
Is the juice worth the squeeze if you want to get a great pump? Or would you be better served with a more traditional home gym machine?
In this Speediance Gym Nano review, I’ll peel back the curtain on a new design from a manufacturer we’re quite familiar with at Garage Gym Reviews. Having tested and reviewed the larger Speediance Home Gym Monster, we were eager to see how its compact “cousin” held up. With the help of our founder, Coop Mitchell, I’ll break down everything from its footprint and features to its versatility and durability so you can decide if the Gym Nano is the way of the future for you.
Our Speediance Gym Nano Review, Summarized
The Speediance Gym Nano is a legit competitor to the Beyond Power VOLTRA—a similarly built smart home gym system that’s earned plenty of praise from the GGR squad. We like that the Gym Nano offers smoother resistance and a substantially longer cable design. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth controller enhances usability, and the system includes several workout modes for workout variety, earning a 4 out of 5 for versatility.
How We Test Smart Home Gym Equipment
Between the physical dimensions, wall-mounting requirements, and installation logistics, we evaluate how seamlessly a smart system fits into actual homes and how easily it can be relocated or adjusted. We award a 3 out of 5 to home gym equipment that can reasonably fit in a spare room or living room in an average single-family home, while ultra-compact options earn higher scores. Those with extensive requirements, like drilling into a wall, earn lower scores.
From streaming classes to built-in virtual trainers to automatic resistance adjustments, we take a look at the suite of smart features each home gym system includes. There’s a wide range of equipment in this category. Some are tech-heavy, while others are more basic with digital resistance or streaming classes only. Top marks go to machines with real-time feedback and automatic resistance changes.
We compare prices against competitors in the smart home gym’s respective category, including other costs like subscription fees and professional installation, when applicable. Equipment that feels worth its listed cost earns a 3 out of 5 rating. Higher scores go to systems that provide exceptional value through a combination of features, tech capabilities, and performance, while lower scores indicate the product isn’t the best value.
Our team utilizes a multi-point smart home gym testing methodology to assess relevant categories and scores said factors on a scale of 1 to 5. We analyze a variety of areas, including construction and durability, footprint and portability, smart features, overall value, and more. After assigning individual ratings, we calculate the composite score to reflect the product’s overall performance.
The Garage Gym Reviews team includes certified personal trainers, Olympic-level athletes, and dedicated lifters who have tested (to date) more than 50 of the best home gym machines, including tech-forward systems like the Speediance Gym Nano. Because the term “home gym” is so expansive, we carefully evaluate each machine based on its intended use and capabilities.
The Speediance Gym Nano brings adjustable cable resistance and multiple training modes to a compact, portable package. It can be a useful addition for rack owners who want more exercise variety, although its premium price and package-dependent accessories deserve consideration before purchasing.
Before You Buy
- Speediance offers five Gym Nano packages ranging from $1,699 for the base setup to $4,398 for the Dual Station Complete Studio. I’ll provide a detailed breakdown of what each package includes later, but suffice it to say most people don’t need to go with the most expensive option.
- The Gym Nano delivers up to 220 pounds of digital resistance, which is 10 pounds less than the Beyond Power VOLTRA. However, it makes up for that small resistance gap by offering more than double the cable length (16.7 feet vs. 8.5 feet).
- This machine runs on a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that provides up to eight hours of workout time on a single charge, depending on your training mode, speed, and resistance levels.
- While the main unit comes with a two-year warranty, the battery and cable only come with one year of coverage. However, you can purchase Speediance Care plans to extend your total coverage for up to five years.
Speediance Gym Nano Video Review
Is the Speediance Gym Nano Worth It?
Considering the “cheapest” package starts at $1,699, it’s safe to say the Speediance Gym Nano is not marketed toward budget-conscious buyers. That being said, this digital resistance training system can be a useful tool for tech-savvy folks who want smooth resistance, long cable travel, and convenient weight adjustments in a compact, portable setup.
Is it perfect? Far from it.
As I’ll touch upon later, Coop did have several callouts—namely some software limitations and mounting concerns. However, he was pleasantly surprised with the Gym Nano’s performance and believes it’s a worthy adversary to the VOLTRA.
RELATED: Beyond Power Voltra Review
Before we get into the nitty gritty with Coop, get familiar with the key features and specs for the Speediance Gym Nano.
Speediance Gym Nano: Key Features & Specs
| MSRP | $1,699-$4,398, depending on the package |
| Dimensions | 4.7” H x 6.3” D x 14.8” L |
| Product Weight | 18.1 lbs |
| Max Resistance | 220 lbs |
| Type of Resistance | Digital resistance |
| Cable Length | 16.7 ft |
| Screen | 4” display (720 x 720 RGB) |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Programming | 5 training modes (Standard, Chain, Eccentric, Fixed Speed, Sled) |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Warranty | 2-year warranty on main unit; 1 year for cable, battery, and accessories |
Experience Using the Speediance Gym Nano
Coop is no stranger to smart home gym equipment, as he’s reviewed a number of systems, tools, and gadgets that put technology at the forefront. Eager to see if the hype was warranted about this newly released product, our founder walked away impressed.
“I really think this is going to give Beyond Power a run for their money,” Coop says.
In particular, the cable design stood out for its smoothness and overall length. As I’ll dive into later, that last aspect is a big advantage over the VOLTRA, especially if you want to perform exercises like sled drags.
Of course, no product is perfect, and the Gym Nano has a few flaws that Coop called out after putting it through our rigorous testing process. So, let’s go category by category to see where this unit stands out, where it falls short, and why it may (or may not) be the right fit for you.
Something like the Speediance Gym Nano could be a great fit for those who are interested in smart home gym equipment and love cable training, but don’t have the space or means to install something like the larger Speediance Gym Monster or the similar Tonal.
Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC
Speediance Gym Nano Rating
Delivery and Assembly
While something like the Tonal 2 can be challenging to set up since it involves wall mounting and specific clearance requirements, that’s not the case with the Speediance Gym Nano. One of the appealing aspects about this compact product is that it doesn’t require a ton of elbow grease (or drilling holes in your wall) to set up.
Instead, the Gym Nano is delivered to your home as an all-in-one unit that’s ready to be mounted on standard 1-inch or 1.5-inch squat rack uprights.
That being said, one of the big differences between the Gym Nano and VOLTRA is that the latter has a digital mounting mechanism. This is more convenient, as you simply press a pair of buttons to unlock the mount.
Meanwhile, the Gym Nano is completely manual, no matter which of three mounting options you choose. Here’s a quick overview of each:
- Knob Quick-Release Rack Mount: The standard mount features a compact base that clamps directly onto standard squat racks using a pin or screw-clamp mechanism.
- Sliding Rack Mount: Allows you to adjust the height of the unit up and down the upright rack easily using a pop-pin or quick-adjustment system, compatible with common 1-inch and 1.5-inch rack hole sizing.
One important note: You only get the Knob Quick-Release Rack Mount with the base Gym Nano package. Upgrading to the Gym Nano Core package (the next tier up) includes the Sliding Rack Mount, and the Gym Nano Dual Core and Dual Station packages include a pair of each type of mounting assemblies.
“The sliding mount is pretty nice,” Coop says. “It has a locking feature on the back and then adjusts up and down.”
However, Coop expressed some concerns about the security and durability of the mounting mechanisms compared to the VOLTRA. There was some side-to-side movement between the Nano and its mount that could become more prevalent over time with repeated use and movement.
“While I can go really quickly and it doesn’t take two hands, I still prefer the VOLTRA’s mounting system because of how secure it is.”
Construction and Durability
Featuring an aluminum casing and high-strength synthetic stranded cable, the Speediance Gym Nano earns a respectable 3.5 out of 5 for construction and durability.
Although it’s not as compact as the VOLTRA (more on that in the next section), the larger design offers some distinct advantages.
“When I initially saw this, I thought the Gym Nano was kind of clunky,” Coop says. “But that clunkiness is actually a benefit because bigger motors allow for a smoother cable travel, more battery power, and more heat displacement.”
Of course, this type of machine relies on a cable pulley system, and the materials and overall design make a big difference in the functionality and durability. While the VOLTRA uses a metal pulley, the Gym Nano features a nylon pulley that you typically see in commercial gym equipment.
“I really love aluminum pulleys for home gyms, but one reason that commercial gyms use nylon pulleys is because it causes less cable wear,” Coop explains. “So, I am curious to see if the wear on the Gym Nano is less over time than what we’ll find with the Beyond Power VOLTRA.”
Luckily, the cables move quite smoothly, but Coop raises an important question: Will the nylon pulleys affect the long-term durability of the cable?
Footprint and Portability
Tipping the scales at 18.1 pounds, the Gym Nano is about six pounds heavier than the VOLTRA. That’s not a marked difference, though it is worth pointing out that the Gym Nano is larger and bulkier overall at 14.8 inches long, 6.3 inches wide and 4.7 inches tall. For comparison, the VOLTRA measures 12.7 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 3.9 inches tall.
“The VOLTRA is lighter and smaller, making it more portable than the Gym Nano,” Coop explains. “If you’re really considering taking equipment on a plane or other places, it just feels very small and sleek comparatively.”
So, even though the Gym Nano is by no means massive, its bigger, heavier design isn’t quite as travel-friendly. As a result, we docked one point off the footprint and portability score.
RELATED: Best Compact Exercise Equipment
Smart Features
Similar to the VOLTRA, the Speediance Gym Nano has a 4-inch touchscreen display that allows you to scroll through the different workout modes and adjust various settings, including the brightness and volume. Although it’s not designed for streaming workouts like the Tonal or Speediance Gym Monster, it still offers a respectable suite of smart features.
Here’s a high-level overview of what you get:
- Digital resistance adjustments: You can change the weight in 1-pound increments, up to 220 pounds.
- Five training modes: Standard, Chain, Eccentric, Fixed Speed, and Sled modes change how the resistance behaves throughout a particular exercise.
- Real-time tracking: The machine measures reps, load, speed, power, impulse, and force, delivering reports and progress history so you can compare your performance training data across different sessions.
- Bluetooth ring compatibility: This neat feature allows you to adjust your workout resistance directly from your finger without needing to touch the screen.
- Dual-unit connectivity: The more expensive packages include two Nanos so you can connect them through Bluetooth for bilateral exercises like cable flys. Bilateral training has been shown to produce greater absolute force and higher cardiovascular demand compared to single-limb alternatives1.
Unfortunately, you don’t get the Inverse Chains mode that you get on the VOLTRA. This unique training setting front-loads resistance at the start of a repetition and decreases the load as the cable extends. This matches your body’s natural strength curve, which can help protect your joints and maximize the lengthened position of the movement.
Although you don’t get that on the Gym Nano, Coop was particularly impressed by the Fixed Speed and Sled modes.
“Rowing is very smooth, and I have to say that skiing actually feels pretty similar to a magnetic skier such as the Torque Relentless Ripper. It’s even smoother than the VOLTRA,” he says.
Versatility
Obviously, the Gym Nano doesn’t offer quite as much versatility as something like a full-sized functional trainer. Yet, we still award it a 4 out of 5 in this category because you get a long cable travel, adjustable mounting positions, and the ability to perform both strength and conditioning exercises.
Coop utilized the Gym Nano for a wide range of exercises in his video review, including lateral raises (one of my favorites), wrist curls, and accessory work. The 16.7-foot cable travel opens the door for sled drags and resisted athletic movements that are more restricted on the VOLTRA’s much shorter cable.
In addition, the Bluetooth controller lets you activate the resistance once you’re in the right position. You can also utilize it to adjust weights for supersets without having to use the touchscreen. So, the ability to conveniently transition between exercises or adjust weights only enhances this unit’s versatility.
RELATED: Guide to Concentric vs Eccentric Exercise
Accessories
We comfortably rate the accessories at a 4 out of 5 because of their build quality and functionality. As you might expect, the higher-priced packages come with more accessories.
Here’s an overview of what Speediance offers to customize your setup and further tailor your training based on your needs:
- Sliding Rack Mount
- Bluetooth Ring
- Exercise Belt
- Extension Strap
- Magnetic Quick-Release Rack Mount
- Knob Quick-Release Rack Mount
- Handle
- Tricep Rope
- Ankle Straps
The basic Gym Nano package is fairly bare bones, as you only get a Knob Quick-Release Rack Mount, travel case, power adapter, charging cable, and screen protector. Each package includes a little bit more, with the Gym Nano Dual Station offering the most robust accessory set.
Value
At $1,699 for the base package, the Speediance Gym Nano is a space-efficient, affordable alternative to something like the Bells of Steel Functional Trainer—a full-sized piece of equipment that costs just over $2,100.
Of course, the least expensive option comes with the least amount of accessories. Speediance offers more robust packages that give you more flexibility and functionality with your training. Here’s a quick pricing breakdown of each package:
- Gym Nano: $1,699
- Gym Nano Core: $1,999
- Gym Nano Station: $2,299
- Gym Nano Dual Core: $3,998
- Gym Nano Dual Station: $4,398
Would I necessarily shell out $4,000+ on a digital cable training system? At that price point, I’d prefer real weight stacks like you get on the Bells of Steel Functional Trainer, or I’d probably consider investing in an all-in-one unit like the Major Fitness B17.
However, the fact that you have five options to choose from means you can pick the package that best suits your budget and training needs. With the Gym Nano’s smooth resistance, generous cable travel, and multiple training modes, this system is a solid value for home gym owners who want more exercise options without adding a full cable machine.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about a subscription cost, which can add to your overall cost of ownership. So, we award a 4 out of 5 for value.
Customer Experience
Speediance earns another respectable 4-out-of-5 rating here for providing solid customer service. First, we appreciate that the Gym Nano comes with a two-year warranty on the unit itself, plus one year for the battery and cable. The company offers one free replacement battery if the battery health drops below 80% within the first year.
In addition, I contacted Speediance with some questions for this review, and I received responses in a timely manner, so I tip my cap to them.
Finally, since this is such an expensive piece of equipment, it can be quite helpful to have financing options. Speediance offers flexible financing for the Gym Nano through Affirm, which allows you to spread the total cost out over more manageable installments for those who qualify.
Keep in mind that at the time of writing, Speediance was taking pre-orders on this product and offering early special launch prices through Oct. 9. According to the company website, orders will ship in batches after that deadline.
Customer Reviews
Because the Speediance Gym Nano has not officially hit the market yet (it’s only available for pre-order as of this writing), there are no customer reviews. However, based on Coop’s experience, we expect tech-savvy lifters to look into this as a viable home gym upgrade.
Speediance Gym Nano Vs
The most obvious comparison for the Gym Nano is the Beyond Power VOLTRA. Coop aptly compared this newer product to the more well-established one, and it’s easy to see why. They both have a similar build, though the VOLTRA offers a higher max resistance of 250 pounds with the latest firmware update. In his opinion, the Beyond Power product offers better portability and durability, which are two major considerations for something in this category.
Coop considers it a legitimate competitor to VOLTRA, particularly for sled-style training and movements that benefit from the longer cable. Still, we acknowledge that it has some shortcomings that may give you pause about spending that type of money.
Another compact smart home gym option you could look into is the MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine. Weighing less than 10 pounds, don’t let the unit’s size fool you. Our team has used it in various settings—from the beach to parking lots—and found it to be surprisingly effective.
“I use the SmartConnect way more than I expected to,” Coop says. “Although I still wish it did have both concentric and eccentric capabilities, I still enjoy using this cable machine.”
For more information, check out our full MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Home Gym review.
|  |  | |
| Speediance Gym Nano | Beyond Power Voltra I | MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine | |
Rating | |||
| Type | Portable cable machine | Portable cable machine | Portable cable machine |
| Footprint | Handheld portable device | Handheld portable device | 16″ L x 10″ W x 4″ H |
| Resistance | (max 220 pounds) | Digital (max 230 pounds) | Digital resistance (max 300 lbs) |
| Subscription? | — | — | — |
| Accessories | Sliding Rack Mount, Bluetooth Ring, Exercise Belt, Extension Strap, Magnetic Quick-Release Rack Mount, Knob Quick-Release Rack Mount, Handle, Tricep Rope, Ankle Straps | Quick connect long bar, workout handles, ankle/wrist straps, door brackets, door mount kit | |
| Warranty | 2-year main unit warranty; 1-year battery and cable coverage | 1-year manufacturer warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Final Verdict of Our Speediance Gym Nano Review
The Speediance Gym Nano offers smooth resistance, generous cable travel, and convenient Bluetooth controls in a well-sized package. While it needs some refinement, it has the potential to be your new strength training tool—if you aren’t afraid to splurge a bit. Coop may still favor the Beyond Power VOLTRA, but even he acknowledges the Gym Nano gives it a run for its money.
- The smooth resistance and roughly 16-foot cable travel make it especially appealing for accessory exercises and sled-style training.
- Its lower starting price offers solid value, although the VOLTRA is smaller, lighter, and more secure on its mount.
- Coop recommends both units, but still favors traditional cable stacks for most home gym owners because of their simplicity and proven longevity. Check out our cable machine roundup for traditional options.
Speediance Gym Nano Review: FAQs
What is the difference between the Speediance Gym Nano and the Speediance Gym Monster 3?
The Gym Nano is a portable, battery-powered single-cable trainer that attaches to a compatible setup, while the Gym Monster 3 is a larger, freestanding dual-cable home gym with an integrated platform and 23.8-inch touchscreen. Both offer up to 220 pounds of resistance, but the Nano prioritizes portability while the Monster 3 (and the top-of-the-line Gym Monster Ultra) provides a more complete workout station.
What are the pros and cons of the Speediance Gym Nano?
The Gym Nano’s strengths include its compact, 18-pound design, 220-pound resistance capacity, five training modes, and real-time metric tracking. Drawbacks include needing a compatible squat rack for mounting, purchasing two units for independent dual-cable exercises, and added costs for accessories and upgraded packages. Plus, as a new product, we don’t have any long-term testing data to validate its durability.
What is the benefit of using smart resistance?
Smart resistance lets you adjust the load electronically without swapping weights and use modes that increase resistance during specific portions of a movement, such as the lowering (eccentric) phase. This gives you more control over progression and how you challenge your muscles.
References
- Liao, K. F., Nassis, G. P., Bishop, C., Yang, W., Bian, C., & Li, Y. M. (2022). Effects of unilateral vs. bilateral resistance training interventions on measures of strength, jump, linear and change of direction speed: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biology of sport, 39(3), 485–497. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.107024
