Smart fitness systems are trending, but before you lay down the big bucks, it’s important to carefully consider a few important details.
Remember when “home gym” meant a dusty treadmill in the basement or enough equipment to fill a small warehouse? Those days are thankfully behind us. Today’s smart home gyms are designed for real people with real space constraints — and Gym Monster 2 by Speediance is a perfect example of this evolution.
As a personal trainer and seasoned fitness product reviewer, I can confidently say that the Gym Monster 2 is one of the best smart home gyms around, leaving me oohing and awwing for days. After putting this popular system through its paces, I’m thoroughly impressed with how much workout variety it manages to pack into such a sleek package. Some of the most thoughtfully designed features include hundreds of on-demand workout options, detailed post-workout reports, AI assist to help power through tough lifts and a super handy Bluetooth ring that makes using the machine incredibly intuitive. Starting at $3,750 for the Basic version when not on sale (I tested the Works Plus at $4,100), it’s not a small investment, so I’ll break down the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s a worthwhile buy.
Speediance
Gym Monster
Weight: 172 lbs. | Dimensions: 48.0″ × 27.2″ × 72.8″ (unfolded); 14.6″ × 27.2″ × 72.8″ (folded); footplate dimensions 31.5″ × 51″ × 2″ | Resistance: 8-110 lbs. resistance per side | Accessories (Works Plus Model): Adjustable bench, adjustable barbell, handles x 2, ankle straps x 2, triceps rope, barbell hooks x 2, Bluetooth ring with clip, extender belts x 2, barbell pad, pulley wheel cleaning brush | Lifting modes: Standard, eccentric, chain, isokinetic, AI assist | Features: 21.5″ HD touchscreen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, 2.1 stereo sound, dual direct-drive engines
Pros
Minimal tool-free assembly
Currently ships with a free lifetime membership
Hundreds of movements and workouts to choose from
Four lifting modes, plus an AI assist
Cons
Maximum resistance may be limiting for experienced weightlifters
No hydraulic assist for raising/lowering platform
Handles feel a bit flimsy
Storage rack for accessories costs extra
$2,249 at Speediance
You won’t need tools for setup, but you might need a team lift
I tested the Works Plus version of the Gym Monster 2 by Speediance, which includes the machine, several accessories and an adjustable bench, all of which come to your door in two boxes. At 172 pounds, you’ll likely want a second pair of hands to help you unpack, but the two wheels located on the base of the machine certainly make moving it around easier once you have it unpacked. If you’d rather skip the hassle, Speediance offers white glove service, which starts at $150 for ground-floor delivery.
Gym Monster 2 comes with (almost) all the accessories you need for a top-notch home workout (Rachel MacPherson)
After you have your Gym Monster in place and plugged in, you are good to go. Seriously. Everything is ready right out of the box. (The teeniest exception: If your system comes with a bench, you’ll need to secure the legs with two thumbscrews, but it’s still a tool-free assembly.) Gym Monster’s Works Plus comes with tons of accessories, covering almost everything you could want in a home gym setup, including an adjustable barbell with a foam pad, ankle straps, single grips and a triceps rope, plus a Bluetooth ring and clip and spare cables.
A button on the side unlocks the platform for lowering, but it doesn’t have a hydraulic assist, so you’ll need to carefully lower it yourself and use the locks to secure it. Once that’s done, you’re ready to start lifting.
A smart, compact gym with thoughtful design
The Speediance Gym Monster 2 has a minimalist and unobtrusive design, with a footprint of under three square feet when folded. Despite its compact size, it doesn’t skimp on thoughtful details. For example, the platform comes with a cushy foam pad that’s attached magnetically, so you can peel it off to use elsewhere for crunches or yoga. It feels very sturdy too, and the platform is big enough for almost any movement you can think of. The bench adjusts easily and fits neatly onto the platform.