In the event you don’t take pleasure in going to the gym, then you definately is perhaps an at-home various that will help you construct muscle and sustain the good work in the consolation of your personal home. That was my considering when I agreed to long-term take a look at the Speediance Gym Monster 2, an AI-powered home gym machine, and it is completely beautiful – if not fairly excellent.
Earlier than we go any additional, in an effort to match the Gym Monster 2 into your home, you’ll want a little area to suit the machine in, however a lot lower than most typical home gyms; this takes up a critically small quantity of room when lined up in its closed place towards the wall. As soon as folded down it does want a bit extra room however not a large quantity; suppose the floor space a rowing machine or one in all the finest treadmills would take up.
Particularly it is 48.03 x 27.16 x 72.83 inches (unfolded), 14.56 x 27.16 x 72.83 inches (folded). Additionally, in case you’re doing mat work, like stretching or yoga and pilates lessons, it can imply you want a bit extra space.
Acquired sufficient room? Okay, shifting on.
The thought right here is to get you to construct muscle with out the threat of dropping free weights at home, whereas nonetheless providing the heavy resistance and freedom of motion required, together with the steerage of the finest health apps constructed into the setup. The machine makes use of a pulley system and clips which might be fast to vary, so you possibly can swap attachments and carry out a big number of motion mixtures. Throw in that large 21.5-inch 1080p touchscreen show, backed by a hefty 2.1-channel bass-backed speaker, and you have got a full-on coaching expertise.
Absolutely geared up
Earlier than the Gym Monster 2 arrived, I was utilizing the gym twice a week. On in the future, I did the huge 5 actions comprising of squats, deadlifts, a push, a press and a carry. Then on a second day, I often labored on specifics like shoulders, rotator cuffs, hips, arms and the like, various as I fancied.
I was stunned to find I might truly get 4 of my huge 5 actions performed on the Gym Monster 2, with out having to scrimp on weight both. The carry wasn’t an choice right here however I was stunned how efficient the squat, deadlift, push and pull choices have been. The truth is, due to the wire-based security, I was capable of really feel extra assured and push myself the place I won’t have performed utilizing free weights.
There are a few variations to this setup, with the fundamentals protecting most exercises. The cable is adjustable, permitting you to carry out vertical workouts akin to pull-downs and bicep curls, or horizontal workouts akin to rows, cable flys and face pulls. Nonetheless, there are tiered choices with extra attachments, akin to an adjustable bench for much more exercise variation or a rowing machine .
Nonetheless, the fundamental setup is beneficiant with a flat bench, barbell, barbell hooks, barbell cushion, ankle straps, tricep rope, handles, extender belts and even a Bluetooth ring for monitoring your coronary heart fee. An important contact, though it’s hardly as feature-packed as the finest good rings.
Costs begin at an already-sky-high $3,649/ £2,999/ AU$4,499 for the fundamental setup, then go to $3,799/ £3,198/ $4,799 for the Gym Monster 2 Works Plus, with that adjustable bench, and transfer to the prime finish with the Gym Monster 2 Household Plus, with a rowing bench and rowing bar at an eye-watering $4,199 / £3,689 / AU$5,399.
What I liked
Heavy weights at home have, historically, meant utilizing a lot of area and laborious work when getting ready your home gym. The Gym Monster 2 setup is easier and a actual space-saver. I was impressed that this could go proper as much as 100kg which, for me a minimum of, is sufficient for a good deadlift exercise, though it will not be sufficient for serial energy athletes and deadlift fans. The very fact it is on the wire meant it felt extra supported and safer to carry than a free bar, which is nice for constructing confidence with these heavy lifts.
The help function helps enormously right here too. There are two settings and these intelligently kick in to assist you, must you begin to battle; this mode is like having a spotter with you. It’ll detect you are slowing at the prime finish of the motion, and will lighten the weight so you will get that rep completed. That is each nice for security but in addition for confidence, so you do end up pushing past your limits to progress.
I actually preferred the variations of weight types too. Use Eccentric Mode, for instance, and it will add resistance each on the outward and inward actions, permitting you to do double the work in half the time. This additionally means you are working extra muscular tissues for an total higher balanced end and, theoretically, sooner good points too. Chain mode is analogous, solely this makes it tougher to carry the additional by way of the rep motion you get, as if chains are hanging off you and curling onto the flooring throughout the motion, altering the resistance.
Whereas many different home gym machines are nice for cardio, I’ve never used one which’s so nice for weight coaching and truly has some options that make it higher than what’s obtainable in the gym. The teachings are as useful as the actions are clear, whereas the machine makes use of AI to tailor the choice to your targets. You do not really feel rushed as you are in management with the capability to “add 15 seconds” in your timer between units as wanted. There are some actually useful steerage feedback that assist you to to consider how your physique must be setup to carry safely and get the most out of every motion. It seems like you have got a coach with you.
I must admit I was anticipating to really feel a little anxious utilizing heavy weights on one thing that folds up so small towards the wall. But when clamped out and down that is stable with no wobble in any respect. I felt completely comfy even when lifting the most finish at 100kg; the machine doesn’t transfer.
The lessons, it is value noting, are included and do not require a subscription. That stated, Speediance is seemingly going to begin charging a subscription charge for the Wellness+ AI steerage function from June 1, 2025.
What I did not love
Whereas there are only a few real gripes about this machine, at the worth it is promoting for you possibly can’t assist however discover even the slightest inconvenience.
Proper up entrance there was a problem connecting to WiFi. The decision? I needed to decrease my safety settings, which did go away me feeling lower than secure however, in the end, was the solely strategy to get this up and operating. It will not work in any respect with out an web connection.
As soon as that was sorted, the easy set up course of was over and I’d performed a few lessons, I discovered myself utilizing the free weights mode to work as I wanted. As soon as you have set the weight and model of carry, that you must hit the button to activate the weight which pulls the cables tight, instantly. This may be a drawback throughout actions like the bench press; to begin the train, that you must press the button (behind you on the display screen) and then get in and underneath the weight with the heavy setting on. It was too tough to succeed in when in place generally. Speediance might do with both including an choice to delay the weight being added after you press the button, so you have got time to setup, or use voice controls. This is also a useful security function if you wish to flip the weight off mid-lift.
Whereas the most weight is nice, at 100kg, it does really feel a little lower than a free weight of the identical worth. That is a bit extra like doing it on the smith machine, so you have got that assist and security, however maybe it is ever-so-slightly much less taxing than the free weight model is perhaps. That is after all a good factor in addition to unhealthy, relying in your coaching targets and whether or not you prioritize security over energy.
One other gripe, albeit comparatively minor, is that a few of the exercises have you ever shifting from bar to dumbbell to bar, that means you must preserve altering the setup every time. Maybe grouping in an order that minimizes the change of equipment could be a higher strategy to make the expertise really feel extra seamless. That stated, if various the weights helps your total coaching, then that does take priority over comfort. However absolutely there’s a center floor?
Lastly, the energy off is not splendid. You possibly can digitally flip the machine off, however it can make whirring sounds each now and once more for a time frame, which might be distracting in case you’re in the room. So as a substitute I turned it off at the mains every time, which suggests a longer start-up.
Verdict
The Gym Monster 2 is a compact-yet-expansive exercise setup for the home which delivers comfort whereas serving to you to securely push your limits.
The power to exercise particular muscular tissues, with suggestions on fatigue, is a actually useful function. The choice to go looking exercises that concentrate on sure areas, or solely get exercises urged based mostly on the equipment you choose, additionally helps to focus coaching on outcomes.
You could possibly make a saving by going for the unique Gym Monster, in case you do not thoughts that this newer mannequin affords a smaller footprint, enhanced speaker system and a higher motor cooling setup for quieter operating. Nonetheless, that is a very good strategy to safely push your energy good points ahead, and it’ll actually preserve you coming again for extra.
