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If you want to increase your strength, build muscle mass, and shed fat, a smart strength training machine can help you meet your goals right at home.
This category is fairly new, but it really started to gain traction when Tonal came on the market in 2018, effectively offering a full gym’s worth of strength training equipment—and a virtual personal trainer—in one sleek, streamlined package. Tonal is still the most recognizable name in connected strength training, but it’s no longer the only one. A steady stream of competitors has hit the scene, offering variety and choice at a range of prices.
After hooking millions of people on indoor cycling and running, for instance, Peloton has now jumped on the smart strength training bandwagon. The company offers a much different (and more affordable) take on connected weight lifting with the Peloton Guide, a camera that uses computer vision to track your strength training movements.
If you’re looking to kickstart or level up your at-home strength training routine, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a large, heavy, expensive workout mirror (though that’s certainly an option). We’ve tested and reviewed all of the major smart strength training products on the market and detail our favorite options here, followed by important factors to consider before buying one.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Tempo Studio
Best for AI-Powered Form Feedback
Why We Picked It
With its sophisticated form-tracking and rep-counting software, challenging on-demand and live classes, and excellent trainers, the Tempo Studio is easily among the best smart strength training machines we’ve tested. It uses 3D sensors and artificial intelligence technology to suggest the appropriate weight you should be lifting for each move based on your previous performance and offers real-time feedback about your form to keep you honest and safe. The Tempo Studio takes the guesswork out of strength training with well-planned trainer-led classes and goal-based programs. In-class Leaderboards foster a sense of community and competition.
Who It’s For
With a wide selection of live and on-demand classes, the Tempo Studio is suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced lifters. It’s primarily for strength training, but its library also includes lots of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), mobility, cardio, and recovery classes. Tempo works with traditional weights, which some purists might prefer over Tonal’s electromagnetic resistance system, but comes only with dumbbells and 75 pounds of weight plates in the base kit; if you want to lift heavier and with a barbell, you need to splurge for additional accessories.
PROS
- Wide selection of live and on-demand classes for all levels
- Excellent instructors
- Attractive design and large screen
- Offers personalized weight recommendations
- Counts your reps and gives you real-time feedback about your form
- Connects with a heart rate monitor to track calorie burn
- Displays motivating leaderboards
- Price includes accessories
CONS
- Buffers on a slow internet connection
- Rep counting can be finicky
- No partner workouts
- Doesn’t currently come with a bench
- Class membership costs extra
- Can’t customize music
Tonal
Best Digital Weight Machine
Why We Picked It
The Tonal system is like having a weight room’s worth of equipment—and a virtual personal trainer—all in one sleek, streamlined machine that mounts to your wall. It offers up to 200 pounds of resistance and supports hundreds of moves to work your upper body, lower body, and core. Its artificial intelligence technology sets the weights for you, tracks your reps and progress in real time, and adapts as you get stronger so you always get a challenge. Perhaps best of all, it offers a variety of fun and effective workouts, including partner sessions, yoga, and HIIT, with good music and encouraging, knowledgeable trainers.
Who It’s For
As long as you can afford it, the Tonal system is an excellent smart strength training option for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters. Its 200-pound resistance limit should be sufficient for most people. Any workout on Tonal can be a partner workout too, so it’s a viable option for couples and housemates who want to get in shape together. Just keep in mind that a professional must install the system and that you need a sturdy wall with 16-, 19-, or 24-inch wood or metal studs. A reliable Wi-Fi signal is another requirement.
PROS
- Fun and easy to use
- Sets and adjusts weight for you
- Wide selection of on-demand workouts and programs for beginners, intermediate, and advanced lifters
- Live classes
- Supports partner workouts
- Motivating, knowledgeable instructors
- Good variety of music stations
- Offers basic form feedback
CONS
- Expensive
- Sometimes misses reps
- Cords can rub against skin
Forme Studio
Best Fitness Mirror Overall
Why We Picked It
This sleek and discreet fitness mirror stands out because of its immersive 43-inch 4K touch screen: Forme’s trainers appear almost life-size on it, so you can easily see what they’re doing and follow along. It gives you access to a wide range of fun and effective trainer-led fitness classes, as well as personalized weekly workout plans from a human Fitness Concierge to help you crush your goals. The non-touch Lululemon Mirror costs less, has a larger workout library, and includes more social features, but the Forme Studio offers a more premium, curated experience. You also get lots of add-on choices, including a Lift attachment (a Tonal-like arm system that supports more than 200 movements) and an optional Barre accessory (which features a removable wooden handrail for use during those sessions).
Who It’s For
Forme offers a variety of class styles, including barre, boxing, breathwork, cardio, cool down, core, foam roller, meditation, mobility, strength, and yoga. There are classes for all levels that range in duration from five to 60 minutes. For an extra fee, Forme’s excellent health coaching service lets you meet one-on-one with knowledgeable trainers who personalize the workouts and offer nutrition, recovery, and sleep recommendations to help you meet your goals. As a limitation, Forme doesn’t currently offer live group classes, a feature available on the more affordable Lululemon Mirror.
PROS
- Large 4K touch display
- Good on-demand class selection with popular music accompaniment
- Personalized weekly workout plans
- Diverse instructor roster
- Optional Barre and Lift add-ons
- Outstanding Live 1:1 health coaching experience (costs extra)
CONS
- No live group classes or leaderboards
- Limited progress tracking on the mirror interface
- Apple Watch integration issues in testing
- Companion mobile app not available on Android
- Buffers on a slow internet connection
Mirror
Best Affordable Fitness Mirror
Why We Picked It
Like the Forme Studio, the Lululemon Mirror looks like an ordinary full-length mirror when you aren’t using it. But it cleverly hides a display on which you can stream workout classes. It’s not a touch screen, however, so you must control it from a mobile app (available for Android and iOS). Lululemon says this prevents fingerprints from marring the mirror, but a touch screen is obviously more convenient. Regardless, the Mirror offers access to thousands of live and on-demand exercise classes, and has more of a social focus than the Forme model. During live group classes, you can even turn on your camera and see a stream of everyone else who also chose to broadcast their video. Such features help combat boredom and foster a sense of community, so you’re more likely to work out day after day.
Who It’s For
The Mirror and similar products are a compelling choice for apartment dwellers in cities where gym memberships are expensive and there’s not much space at home. In light of touch screen-equipped competitors like the Forme Studio, the Lululemon Mirror’s hardware seems slightly outdated, but if the former is out of your budget, this is a top alternative with more of a community emphasis. A membership includes a diverse range of class styles like barre, boxing, cardio, chair, dance, kickboxing, pilates, pre/postnatal, strength, stretch, toning, and yoga.
PROS
- Thousands of live and on-demand classes for all fitness levels
- Excellent instructors
- Wide variety of workout types
- Sleek design
- Large display
- Good for small spaces
- Connects with a heart rate monitor to track calorie burn
- Allows for music customization
CONS
- Pricey
- Requires monthly subscription service
- No touch screen
- Weights aren’t included
- Doesn’t offer form feedback
NordicTrack Vault
Best for Incognito Equipment Storage
Why We Picked It
The NordicTrack Vault differentiates itself from other workout mirrors because it’s a freestanding cabinet that includes discreet storage for all of your weights. The mirrored door obscures a 32-inch HD touch screen that provides access to a large library of high-quality fitness workouts led by knowledgeable trainers. It’s one of the most attractive workout mirrors we’ve seen, with one of the most sensible designs.
Who It’s For
The NordicTrack Vault is a top option if you’re looking for a space-saving home gym. It doesn’t count your reps, offer form feedback, or keep track of how much weight you lift like the Tempo Studio or the Tonal, but its low-profile design is a significant plus. We’re also fans of the excellent iFit streaming service, which offers trainer-led workouts filmed in picturesque locations. Workout categories include barre, HIIT, meditation, pilates, strength training, and yoga; they last anywhere from less than 20 to more than 50 minutes and accommodate all fitness levels.
PROS
- Attractive design with hidden weight cabinet
- Large, varied iFit class library
- Top-notch workouts and instructors
- Good music
- Automatically connects with heart rate monitors
CONS
- Display occasionally froze in testing
- No form feedback
- Doesn’t count your reps
Peloton Guide
Best for Seeing Yourself
Why We Picked It
The Peloton Guide is one of the most affordable smart strength training devices. It’s a camera that connects to your TV and lets you see yourself on the screen alongside the instructor, so you can check your form in real time. It levels up the Peloton strength training experience, using computer vision to track your movements. The Guide gives you credit for staying active throughout each set and gamifies the experience by awarding achievement badges based on your performance. It also tracks your workouts and offers personalized class recommendations to help you hit all of your major muscle groups each week.
Who It’s For
If you’re already a Peloton user and have a couple of sets of dumbbells at home, the company’s first connected strength product is a compelling buy. If you’re not, you might prefer the Tempo Move, which integrates leaderboards, records your rep count and volume lifted for each move, and offers weight suggestions and basic form feedback. But if you want to spend less or see yourself as you train, the Peloton Guide is worth your attention.
PROS
- Fun, well-produced workouts with popular music
- Shows you on screen while you work out
- Tracks movements
- Motivating performance-based awards
- Personalized class recommendations
- Supports voice controls
- Has a privacy cover and microphone switch
CONS
- Requires a TV
- No leaderboards
- Occasional Movement Tracker and voice control issues in testing
- Doesn’t count reps, offer weight suggestions, or give form feedback
- Lacks Apple Watch support
Tempo Move
Best for Strength Training on a Budget
Why We Picked It
The compact Tempo Move offers a strength-training experience comparable with that of the excellent Tempo Studio for a fraction of the price because it primarily relies on your iPhone and TV. The cabinet (which has storage for the included weights) provides weight suggestions and rep targets for each move, tracks your performance, and gives real-time form feedback. Tempo also adds an element of competition with in-class leaderboards that rank participants by rep count and volume lifted. Its trainer-led classes leave you feeling the burn and eager to work out day after day, making it a worthwhile alternative to much pricier machines.
Who It’s For
The Tempo Move is an excellent choice if you’re just getting started with strength training, don’t have much space, or need to stick to a budget. And it’s not just about the strength workouts; the platform offers HIIT and mobility sessions, too. Just note that the Move requires a TV and iPhone XS/XR or later (Android users are out of luck). Moreover, it supports dumbbell and bodyweight movements only at this time (the Tempo Studio also tracks barbell moves, for comparison). The base Tempo Move kit comes with dumbbells and 35 pounds of weight plates, but the cabinet has room for four 10-pound weight plates (sold separately) that work with the system.
PROS
- Fun, effective workouts
- Attractive, compact design
- High-quality equipment
- Displays leaderboards
- Works with heart rate monitors and Apple Watch
CONS
- Requires a TV and iPhone XS/XR or later
- Occasionally misses, miscounts reps
- Weight recommendations are sometimes off
Buying Guide: Tonal and Beyond: The Best Smart Strength Training Equipment for 2023
What Is Smart Strength Training?
At the most basic level, smart strength training equipment offers greater convenience, interactivity, and guidance than, say, a basic set of dumbbells. These machines connect to the internet, and most have a screen on which you can stream workouts (though more affordable options rely on your TV or phone for that functionality).
Many offer large on-demand libraries of guided classes with knowledgeable instructors, as well as customized workouts and programs based on your goals and fitness level. If you’re interested in getting into a weight lifting routine but you’re not sure where to start, the Tonal, or its main competitor, the Tempo Studio, can guide you.
Tempo Studio
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
The Tonal uses artificial intelligence to set the weights for you in each mode, track your reps and progress in real time, and adapt its recommendations as you get stronger so you always face a challenge. The Tempo Studio works similarly, using a combination of 3D sensors and AI to suggest the appropriate weight to load onto your barbell or dumbbells for each move, count your reps, and offer real-time feedback about your form to keep you honest and safe.
Some smart strength training machines even feature live classes with fun social features, like the ability to virtually cheer other users on, so you feel like you’re not working out alone. Tempo, for example, adds a bit of friendly competition to its workouts with in-class leaderboards that rank participants based on the total volume you lift and the reps you complete.
How Much Do Smart Strength Training Machines Cost?
The most feature-rich smart strength training machines cost north of $3,000 for just the hardware, plus between around $39 and $49 per month for a class membership. That puts them out of reach for many people, but more affordable options are available.
Starting on the premium side, the Tonal costs $2,995, plus $495 for accessories and $49 per month for a class membership. The Tempo Studio is slightly less expensive at $2,495, with $39 per month for classes. These prices don’t include any delivery or installation fees.
NordicTrack Vault
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
On the more affordable side, smart workout mirrors like the aptly named Mirror and the Echelon Reflect Touch typically cost around $1,500 (without accessories), plus monthly class membership fees. They lack the advanced AI-powered virtual personal training features of the Tonal and Tempo, but they still offer a wide range of classes like strength training and yoga. All you need to follow along with the strength workouts are a few sets of dumbbells.
Peloton Guide
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
More recently, several smart strength-training products in the sub-$500 range have hit the market, including the aforementioned Peloton Guide, the Tempo Move, and Alexa-controlled NordicTrack iSelect Adjustable Dumbbells. You can adjust the NordicTrack iSelect dumbbells between 5 and 50 pounds in 5-pound increments, with just the sound of your voice via an Alexa-enabled smart speaker (sold separately). Just say, “Alexa, set weight for deadlift,” and the motorized weight selector adjusts the dumbbells to your preset deadlift weight within seconds. You also can optionally pair them with an iFit class subscription, which unlocks many trainer-led strength training workouts. Adjustable dumbbells are particularly appealing because they allow you to easily level up as your strength increases.
Tempo Move
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Smart strength training machines have their benefits, but you don’t need to spend a bundle to get jacked. If you want to start incorporating weight lifting into your routine without making a significant investment, an inexpensive workout app might suit your needs. Most of these apps, including Apple Fitness+ and Openfit, offer strength training workouts you can follow when you’re at the gym or just at home. Openfit even lets you turn on your camera during live workouts, so the trainer can see you and offer form corrections in real time.
Electromagnetic Resistance vs. Traditional Weights
From a training perspective, there’s one major difference between the Tonal and Tempo machines: The Tonal uses electromagnetic technology to simulate weights with resistance, while Tempo machines use free weights. Both systems have their pros and cons. I’m partial to old-school free weights, but there’s no denying the appeal of Tonal’s convenient, space-saving design.
Each of the Tonal’s arms offers up to 100 pounds of resistance, for a total of 200 pounds. The system supports more than 170 upper and lower body moves, like barbell glute bridge, goblet squat, inline chop, and standing incline press. Some of the moves on the Tonal are a bit awkward, though, and the cords can occasionally rub your arms.
Left to right: Tempo Studio, Tonal
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
With the base Tempo Studio package, you get 90 pounds of weights, including two 7.5-pound dumbbells and 75 pounds of weight plates (four 1.25-pound red plates, four 2.5-pound yellow plates, four 5-pound gray plates, and four 10-pound blue plates), as well as clips to secure the plates to your dumbbells. Tempo also sells 25-pound weight plates that work with the system if you want to do some heavy lifting, but they cost extra. You must use Tempo’s color-coded weights for the system to track your movements. The more affordable Tempo Move comes with 50 pounds of weights.
Most other smart strength training systems, including the NordicTrack Vault and Peloton Guide, work with any brand of weights. If you already have a weight rack at home, or even just some dumbbells that are collecting dust, these products can help inspire you to use your existing equipment.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Vitruvian V-Form Trainer offers a similar electromagnetic resistance system to Tonal but generates up to 440 pounds. We haven’t yet tested the latest version, called the Vitruvian Trainer+, but the first-generation model fell short of this list because its resistance adjustments often felt hectic and jerky, a problem I’ve never encountered with the Tonal.
Can Smart Strength Training Machines Correct Your Form?
Whether you’re working out with smart gym equipment, form is important. Improper form when you handle heavy weights can result in injury. That’s where AI-powered form feedback comes into play.
Products with form feedback, including Tonal and Tempo, can help reduce your risk of injury when you train alone. The Tempo Studio, for example, uses a 3D sensor to track 25 of your joints to compare where they are in relation with each other; it can then determine which exercise you’re doing and whether you’re doing it correctly. When you do a bicep curl, for instance, your wrist point moves as you lift the weight up toward your shoulders, but your elbow point should stay in place. If the system notices your elbow point moving, it offers feedback on the screen.
Tempo form feedback
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
I do squats all the time, so I know that my knees aren’t supposed to go past my toes at any point. But I still find myself making that mistake when I start getting fatigued during a challenging workout, and Tempo calls me out for it. If you’re doing something wrong, it flashes a message on the screen telling you how to correct your form. It also informs you when you correct the mistake.
In the future, I hope form feedback becomes a standard feature on connected strength training products. Regardless, when you strength train alone, you must use the utmost caution to avoid injury. Be sure to adequately warm up beforehand, don’t be too proud to do the suggested modifications, and strive for proper form over speed. Remember that you’re working out without the supervision of a trainer, so listen to your body and if something feels wrong, back off.
With that in mind, you can’t go wrong with any of the smart strength training options we’ve selected here. And for connected workouts beyond strength training, check out the top smart fitness equipment we’ve tested overall, including everything from treadmills and bikes to rowing machines.
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