Latest news with #homegym
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
Think a Home Gym Is Cheaper Than a Gym Membership? We Did the Math to Find Out
I remember the days of having a gym membership before the Covid-19 pandemic, but as life took turns, I thought I could stay active and save money by buying an exercise bike, subscribing to Peloton and working out in my home garage. After the pandemic ended, I expanded my at-home gym with weights. Looking back, was it the best money move? Is it cheaper to pay for a gym membership or build a home gym? The answer may seem obvious, but it surprised me after considering a lot of factors. A home gym and a gym membership both have their perks. At home, you'll have the flexibility to work out anytime without spending extra time commuting or waiting to use equipment. You won't be on the hook for annual gym fees, and you may even get some money back if you ever resell your equipment. But if you're worried about feeling motivated enough to exercise at home, a gym membership may be a better fit. It offers plenty of equipment, a change of scenery and a chance to create community through group fitness classes. I compared the average costs for popular gym memberships with the average costs of building a home gym and consulted with a CNET fitness expert to find out which choice is actually cheaper. How much does a gym membership cost compared with an at-home gym? Starting an at-home gym from scratch comes with a hefty up-front cost. However, compared with the $15 to $30 you'll pay for a monthly gym membership, the membership seems cheaper. But the cost of building your gym at home is a one-time cost versus a recurring gym fee that will continue to be charged as long as you're a member. And that can add up a lot over the years. I compared Gold Gym's monthly and annual fees with the average cost of buying equipment for an at-home gym. I didn't factor in how much you would pay for installation or replacements. We crunched the numbers, and it'll take about four years of gym membership costs at Gold's Gym to pay for your at-home gym equipment. That may seem like a long time, but remember, you can adjust your costs by buying equipment over time, either secondhand or at shop sale events, to pay less. Average traditional gym vs. at-home gym costs Gym membership vs. at-home equipment Monthly cost Annual cost after one year Annual cost over 4 years Annual cost over 7 years Gold's Gym $25 $300 $1,200 $2,100 At-home gym $111 $1,098 $1,098 $1,098 When choosing which gym option is best, look at the breakeven point. You'll compare the up-front cost of a home gym with how much you'll spend on a traditional gym membership for the exact price. For the example above, it'll take about four years of a Gold's Gym membership for your home gym to pay for itself if your equipment costs $1,098. The breakeven point will vary based on the cost of the gym membership and the at-home equipment. It may seem like you're paying more up-front to build an at-home gym, but in less than four years, you won't pay any gym costs. That's assuming you don't pay to replace or upgrade any equipment. With membership fees, you'd still be paying for a gym membership four years later, which could increase in price over time, too. Boutique fitness studios cost more than traditional gyms "As much as I may love taking a group fitness class, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's within my budget." Giselle Castro, CNET's fitness and nutrition writer If you're into group fitness or want a more focused workout led by an instructor, you may add a fitness studio membership. Fitness studios focus on a specific type of workout, like boxing, high-intensity interval training, pilates or spin. However, these memberships are generally more expensive -- the monthly memberships cost the same, or more, than an annual gym membership. A couple of reasons are that a specialized class is taught by a fitness coach with top-notch equipment, and there are usually smaller class sizes. "As much as I may love taking a group fitness class, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's within my budget," said Giselle Castro, CNET's fitness and nutrition writer. Instead, consider drop-in classes or a smaller package for the classes. She also recommends paying attention to the expiration date for any classes so you don't waste classes or money. Average monthly boutique fitness studio costs Specialized fitness studio Average unlimited monthly cost Average class cost Orangetheory Fitness $159 $35 Pure Barre $165 $25 9Round $119 N/A CycleBar $125 $25 [solidcore] $256 $34 F45 $189 Varies You can use a fitness studio membership as your only workout or keep your at-home gym or gym membership, but you'll need to factor in the additional cost. Here are a few fitness studios and their average costs below. The cost will depend on several factors, including the location and membership type. Before you sign up, I'd try group fitness classes at a gym first since it could save you money. And always look out for deals around the holidays. Other gym and studio fees Beyond the monthly charge, you should also factor in other gym costs, such as administrative or annual fees. For example, Planet Fitness charges a $49 annual fee for all members, and it's separate from the monthly membership fee. Planet Fitness also charges a cancellation fee if you cancel before your contract ends. The amounts can vary based on the gym and location. How much does it cost to build a home gym? Based on CNET's best equipment and a few of our editors' personal favorite picks, I crunched the numbers on how much you can expect to build an at-home gym. Accounting for all the equipment below, the average home gym costs $1,098. That cost includes all of the equipment below, but don't worry, I have a few money-saving tips that can help. Here's a breakdown of the cost. The type of weights you choose depends on your goals. You'll need to consider the type, weight range and quantity. Irina Marwan / Getty Images Weights Rogue kettlebells: $89 total I'd recommend having two kettlebells -- one you can use now and a heavier one to challenge yourself once your body gets used to the lighter weight (this is called progressive overload). The options will depend on your personal preference. Like barbells, the cost of your kettlebell will depend on the weight and quality. 9 pounds: $42 18 pounds: $47 Castro also recommends a less costly option that she likes -- the Yes4All cast iron kettlebells, which start at $23 for a 9-pound kettlebell. She's also gotten good deals on equipment through Amazon's online outlet. Other equipment Cardio machines Oftentimes, people only choose one cardio machine. For the home gym in this example, I only included the ECHANFIT treadmill, which is $400. The type of machine, quality, size and technology features. I only have a stationary bike. However, the more equipment you purchase, the more you can expect to pay. Think about how often you use each machine to make sure it's worth the cost. Sergey Nazarov / Getty Images 💰 Money saving tip: Check OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace or your local community for more affordable, gently used equipment without paying full price. Some apartments and housing developments have gyms, so you don't have to purchase expensive gym equipment for your home, which could save you some money. Other at-home gym costs to factor in Other at-home gym costs Building a home gym isn't a one-time cost. Other factors may add up over time. Here are a few examples. Maintenance costs A home gym isn't a one-time cost. You'll need to consider other maintenance costs, such as upgrading, repairing or replacing your equipment. Castro said that how often you need to replace or repair your equipment will depend on its durability. For example, you may replace resistance bands sooner if they lose their stretchiness. Some equipment, like dumbbells, is relatively long-lasting and very rarely needs to be replaced unless it's plastic. She has also noticed that some equipment only has a one-year warranty, so it's best to be proactive about maintaining your machines. Reach out to customer service about common issues and fixes and what signs of wear and tear to look for, especially if your equipment is likely to weather from being in your garage. Upgrading equipment Another factor to consider is your fitness goals. "If you're trying to get stronger, whatever equipment you have at home might have some limitations," said Castro. For example, even if you buy an adjustable dumbbell, if you max out the dumbbell's weight, you'll need to buy more equipment to align with your fitness goals -- such as a barbell and some plates over 50 pounds. And Castro said those items may cost more. How to Deep Clean Your Fitness Tracker (and Why You Should!) How to Deep Clean Your Fitness Tracker (and Why You Should!) Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. This video is either unavailable or not supported in this browser Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_SRC_NOT_SUPPORTED The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Technical details : Session ID: 2025-07-30:8e583bc82b2df95b3837013a Player Element ID: vjs_video_3 OK Close Modal Dialog Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to Deep Clean Your Fitness Tracker (and Why You Should!) Subscriptions Unless you plan to create your workout routine or use free resources, like social media or YouTube, you'll need a fitness subscription. Peloton and Apple Fitness offer monthly subscriptions with various workouts based on fitness levels, workout duration and even trainer preferences. The Nike Training Club app is free. There's usually a free trial and an annual discount if you pay the entire cost up-front for these monthly subscriptions. Here are a few popular If you add any one of these services, you'll need to add at least another $120 to $300 to your annual home gym cost. I recommend checking with your phone provider or credit card issuer for other discounts and offers that can save you money. While these costs may not seem as frequent or costly, they're still worth factoring in to keep your gym in good shape, especially since you likely only have one of each item. Most gyms have multiple and are responsible for replacements. At-home gyms may seem like a one-time cost but overtime, you'll need to factor in replacements and upgrades. VU PHAM VAN / Getty Images How much does a gym membership cost? Gym membership costs can depend on your location, membership level and the type of gym you're choosing. The monthly cost also largely depends on amenities, such as child care, personal training, group fitness and equipment. Some budget-friendly gyms, like Planet Fitness and LA Fitness, can cost up to $30 per month, but more premium fitness centers, like Equinox, can cost hundreds. You can often find discounted introductory rates, ranging from the first 30 days to the first year for free. So when you make your long-term calculations, make sure to include the costs after the trial ends. Here are a few popular options, without accounting for sales or promotions. This is the base monthly price for each gym, but there are upgraded options that can cost more. As you compare costs, remember the average cost to set up a gym at home is $1,098. Average gym membership costs Gym Monthly cost Annual cost Planet Fitness $15 $180 Gold's Gym $25 $300 Crunch Fitness $10 $120 LA Fitness $30 $360 Equinox $200 $2,400 How to decide which gym option is best for you Deciding which gym is best for you can depend on several factors. Here are a few. Cost When deciding which gym option is best for you, it all boils down to cost. For the first year, you can expect to pay over $1,500 for your home gym if you get all of the equipment mentioned above, fees and a monthly subscription to a training app. However, you could pay less by only getting a few pieces of equipment or checking for second-hand options. You can also add to your gym over time and shop sales. And you may earn money back by selling equipment you no longer need to lower the cost of new equipment. The most cost-effective option of all is a gym membership. You can expect to pay about a couple of hundred dollars -- depending on the gym. That's still only a fraction of how much it takes to build your at-home gym, and you'll have all the equipment you need. Even if you plan to get a top-tier gym membership, plus a training app, you can expect to pay $500 for the year, at best. If you add a fitness studio membership to either of these options, you can expect to pay $1,000 to $2,000 more, depending on your membership level. Space For a while, my husband and I were OK with converting half of our garage into a gym, but that quickly became inconvenient when we wanted more parking or storage space. I recommend thinking about how much equipment you plan to have and whether you'll be OK with the space for it first. Measurements can help you decide if you'll be too crammed. That doesn't mean gyms are always better. Sometimes, gyms can also be crowded, so you may have limited space for your workout and have to wait for equipment to become available if it's busy. If your home space is limited, you may consider a gym membership to have more workout space, despite a home gym costing less over time. Manu Vega / Getty Images Time and convenience At-home workouts are a clear winner when factoring in your time. Preparing and commuting to the gym can be time-consuming, especially if you're working out after work or have other responsibilities, like kids with homework. You'll also need to pack your gym bag, and leaving it behind can be annoying, to say the least. If you're spending more time commuting to the gym and getting settled into the gym, you may find it more convenient to work out at home -- especially if you're able to multitask to save time. One perk I always loved about working out at home was the ability to do laundry or warm dinner while working out. And you'll have the equipment all to yourself. Community The most common reason why my former riders took group fitness classes instead of working out at home was the community and camaraderie of exercising with someone. If you're motivated by being surrounded by others, a gym membership is likely your best choice because you won't be alone. However, if convenience and time are equally important, I'd recommend at least getting a training app subscription and joining live classes. You can also see if your community offers free running or walking clubs to exercise with others and keep your gym membership. Other benefits There are plenty of other benefits that may sway you to choose one gym over another. For example, some gyms have childcare, which may make it easier for you to work out. For example, the YMCA near me offers childcare for members for up to 90 minutes while at the gym. Burn Bootcamp, a group fitness studio, has a similar perk. Your employer or health insurance provider may also offer a fitness perk for workout equipment or memberships. This may come in the form of reimbursement, discounts or paying outright through a portal. Depending on the benefit's guidelines, this may also influence your choice. Final ruling: Which gym choice is best? Truthfully, there's no right or wrong choice here as long as you stick to your goals. You stand to lose money in either scenario if you don't use your equipment or don't use your gym membership. The most long-term cost-effective option is building an at-home gym. You'll pay significantly more over time for a gym membership, especially when factoring in fees. It also could be an ideal pick if you're self-motivated. However, you'll need to replace all of your gym equipment that needs upgrading. If you're motivated by being around others and need time to decide which equipment you'll purchase, a gym membership is a great start. You can also choose a hybrid approach by starting with a traditional gym membership while you build your home gym. However, if you know you prefer exercising at home, a home gym will be a better overall, cost-effective approach. Most importantly, whichever keeps you motivated and healthy is the best choice for your body and budget.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Call the police.' Jared Verse left inspired by his Aaron Donald workout trauma
Jared Verse thought he was ready for the challenge. A workout with future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald in Donald's home gym? No big deal. Or so believed Verse, the reigning NFL defensive rookie of the year. 'That workout was psychotic,' Verse said this week. The meeting of the muscles happened in June after Verse stoked Donald's competitive fire during Verse's appearance on the 'Adam Schefter Podcast.' Verse unabashedly if not kiddingly sounded as if he were challenging Donald to a workout duel. 'He don't want that,' Verse said when asked if he could work out with Donald during the offseason. 'He's not ready for that.' Verse added a few other choice comments, causing Donald to playfully respond in a video posted to social media. 'Somebody put the word out,' Donald said. 'I'm looking for you, Verse. I'm looking for you. Come to the house. I just want to talk. I just want to talk, that's it. 'Nothing much, big dog. That's it. Just a little conversation. Put in a little weights. Do a little cardio. You know, the old-man retirement workout. Let's put you through it. See what you can do. I just want to talk. Come on, I just want to talk.' A few days later, the two got together for a workout that Verse will never forget. Donald put Verse through a punishing series of full-body circuit training. 'His wife came in laughing at me — I told her to call the police,' Verse said, adding, 'I tried to lie and say my mom was at my house and I had to go let her in. He told me to give my keys to his management or assistant and that they would go let my mom in. So I wasn't leaving. 'Finished the workout. I'm dead tired, I'm exhausted. I had a plan to go jump in the sauna afterwards, didn't happen. I had plans to watch film, didn't happen. Went home and I didn't work out for another day and a half because I couldn't move my body.' Verse, however, valued the lessons learned. Donald stressed to Verse throughout the exhausting workout that he think about the fourth quarter of games, and the need to be strong when others fall off. 'It was insane to see that's the level it takes to be in the discussions of best defensive player ever or best player ever,' Verse said. 'So that's the level I have to reach on a consecutive basis. That's what I'm striving for now.' Verse is part of an ascending Rams defensive front that includes edge rusher Byron Young and tackles Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. The Rams added depth by signing free-agent tackle Poona Ford and selecting Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart in the third round of the draft. The confidence in the pass rush led the Rams to stand pat and not add any players to the secondary. A strong pass rush, they reason, will make up for perceived deficiencies on the back end. Verse, 24, is the star of the front. The confident and vocal 2024 first-round pick exceeded expectations last season, recording 4 ½ sacks and 18 quarterback hits while blossoming into one of the league's most dynamic defensive players. Has coach Sean McVay noticed anything different about the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Verse as he prepares for his second season. 'Other than him still talking and you can't hear him shut up ever?' McVay said, laughing, 'I love him. I mean, he is never shutting up, but he's got a relentless energy. 'I think he's understanding how to be able to use that to his advantage.' At the behest of former Florida State and NFL defensive lineman Corey Simon, Verse said he reviewed every play from his rookie season. He focused on the bad plays, as well as the good ones, to find ways to improve. His performance in a 44-42 defeat by the Buffalo Bills stood out. 'They definitely found my weakness in that game,' he said, 'and I definitely made sure that's not a problem anymore.' Verse reported for training camp with a slightly different approach than last year, when he experienced what he described as a rookie mindset. Read more: The ultimate Matthew Stafford backup? Why the Rams love Jimmy Garoppolo 'I was mentally like, 'Oh, I've got to pound it, I've got to pound it. I've got to pound it,'' Verse said. 'This is a grind. It's a long 17-game season. We're trying to go a lot longer than 17 games, so I can't push myself too much harder. 'I was getting after it [this week], but I still was able to take a little step back, realize, 'hey, not every day needs to be the grand finale.'' Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said that with the departure of veteran Michael Hoecht, Verse has stepped up as a leader of the edge rushers. 'He's a guy that really likes to be coached hard,' Shula said. 'And when your best players like to be coached hard, I think that sets the culture for the whole defense.' Verse has made no secret of his goal to become not only one of the NFL's top defensive players, but like Donald, one of the best of all time. For the time being, however, Donald can continue to go through post-retirement workouts on his own. 'He needs to stay away from me,' Verse joked, 'and if the security sees him on the property, they need to take care of him.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Rare gem' of a five-bedroom house with home bar and private terrace for sale
A luxury five-bedroom detached house in Crumlin has been listed for sale at £700,000. Sold by Flying Keys, the house on Plynlimon Avenue, offers a large private driveway and boasts two reception rooms. The ground floor's standout feature is the open-plan kitchen and dining room, stretching across the property's width, with two access points to the upper terrace. (Image: Flying Keys via Zoopla) The terrace provides panoramic country views, ideal for morning coffees or hosting guests. The lower ground floor includes an open-plan reception room with bi-fold doors to the garden, a log burner, and a home bar. It also features a utility room, shower room, and a dedicated home gym. (Image: Flying Keys via Zoopla) The first floor includes a family bathroom with separate shower and bath, two spacious bedrooms, and a master bedroom with a walk-through wardrobe and ensuite shower room. The second floor has a family shower room and two additional bedrooms, one with three Velux windows and the other with one. (Image: Flying Keys via Zoopla) The house's outdoor space is equally impressive, with a lower terrace for outdoor furniture and a large dining table. Read more Five bed 18th century country house on the market for over £675,000 Period townhouse with character features and off-road parking for sale Detached five-bed house with walk-in wardrobe and bath on top floor The landscaped garden includes a lawn, a children's playhouse, and a separate vegetable garden with a polytunnel. Flying Keys described the property as "a rare gem that won't stay on the market for long". (Image: Flying Keys via Zoopla) The estate agent added: "As you pull up onto the large private driveway, you'll know you've arrived at a special place." The house has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of B. For more details, contact Flying Keys.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
I tried Alan Ritchson's three-move workout for ‘hypertrophy and longevity'– and it only took 30 minutes
Alan Ritchson receives daily questions about his workout routine. His role as Reacher, the muscle-bound (and t-shirt-averse) former military man, probably has something to do with this. I, on the other hand, don't receive daily questions about my fitness routine. I'm a fitness writer, so I like to think I'm in decent nick, but unlike Ritchson I don't need to stand side-on to fit through a standard doorframe. So how does one build this kind of hulking physique? To help us answer this question, the 42-year-old actor recently started sharing examples of the time-savvy home gym sessions he uses to pack on mass. Given his latest offering only involved one piece of equipment and a few minutes of hard graft, I figured it would be rude not to give it a try. Here's how it went. How to do Alan Ritchson's workout for 'hypertrophy and longevity' Complete the sequence below for four rounds without any breaks between exercises: EZ bar biceps curl x15 EZ bar standing overhead triceps extension x15 EZ bar upright row x10 Rest 60-120 seconds 'Low(-ish) weight plus higher volume equals hypertrophy [or muscle growth] and longevity,' Ritchson writes, later adding, 'This works for me.' He then finished the session with some leg-focussed exercises, followed by core work. Previous workout videos on Instagram suggest the selectorised leg press machine is a regular feature in his exercise routine. What happened when I tried Alan Ritchson's workout Luckily, strength training has been a regular fixture in my life for the last 12 years, and a quick glance at Ritchson's chosen trio of exercises left me looking forward to the session. Why? Because on paper it's a fun way to pump up your mirror muscles without taxing the nervous system too aggressively – compare how you feel after a challenging set of curls, as opposed to a set of heavy squats, and you'll find the latter is far more likely to knock you for six. I loaded up a lighter weight than Ritchson – because, unlike him, my biceps aren't the size of bowling balls – then hit his workout as instructed. The biceps curls and triceps extensions lived up to their reputation as tried and tested muscle-builders for the arms. They represent an antagonistic pairing too, meaning they target opposing muscle groups – as the name suggests, the biceps curl primarily recruits the biceps on the front of the upper arm, and the triceps extension hits the triceps on the reverse. For this reason, Ritchson's protocol allows you to work your biceps to near failure, then toss the bar overhead to do the same to the triceps without any rest in between, making for a more streamlined workout. The father-of-three previously revealed his gym sessions tend to top out at 30 minutes, so efficiency is clearly a priority. By the end of these first two exercises, my arms were suitably fried. For the last few reps of each, my tempo had slowed and the EZ bar felt considerably heavier than it had at the start – a solid sign that there is enough mechanical tension present to provide the stimulus needed for muscle growth. Then I switched to the upright row. While it did toast my anterior delts (the muscles on the front of the shoulder) fairly effectively, this isn't a favourite exercise of mine due to its slightly unnatural feel. Many fellow lifters I've spoken to have also ditched it due to discomfort and potential shoulder impingements. However, in a social media-led world where science-based lifting is king, it's worth noting Ritchson's parting words: 'this works for me.' Everybody is different, every body is different, and if you find something that feels good while delivering results then there is no need to change tact just because a talking head on Instagram said you should. Alternatively, if it doesn't float your boat, you can always swap it out for an exercise which targets similar muscles like a front raise. Would I do Alan Ritchson's workout again? Yes, but not on a regular basis, purely because it doesn't align with my current fitness goals. I love movement in all its forms, so my main aim in the gym is to be able to say 'yes' to any physical challenge going, whether that's running in a 10K race, taking part in a CrossFit competition, learning a new gymnastic skill or climbing a mountain. For that reason, my strength training efforts tend to revolve around compound lifts and various accessory exercises to develop a combination of strength, power and muscle. This is supplemented by conditioning work, from running to mixed-modal circuits. Ritchson's workout, on the other hand, is dead set on building you a bigger set of arms and shoulders. The target number of reps fall comfortably within the five to 30 range – regularly touted as the zone responsible for muscle growth. He also hits each set hard, maintaining strict form and performing reps until he is forced to slow down by fatigue. This is a solid sign that he is creating adequate mechanical tension, which is the primary driver of hypertrophy. However, by avoiding heavy loads and instead hitting a higher number of reps with a lighter weight, he can craft a workout that is slightly gentler on his joints, marrying up to his goal of 'hypertrophy and longevity'. How does Alan Ritchson build muscle? Ahead of the first series of Reacher, released in 2022, Ritchson built a gym in his house to ensure he never missed a workout, then proceeded to pack on 30lb of muscle in just eight months. 'It's a full time job to eat enough to put on 30lb,' he said on The Kelly Clarkson Show. 'I had an assistant whose only job was to bring me food. It was like a conveyor belt of smoothies and protein.' Interest in his workout routine was piqued further when he returned for series two and three even larger and leaner than before. However, Ritchson admits he 'ravaged' his body while training for the first series, leaving him with a succession of injuries and a note from a doctor that he had 'no testosterone'. So, ahead of the second series, he started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). 'I didn't even know that it was considered an anabolic steroid to some people,' he told Men's Health. 'It was just: there was a hormone that was missing for me, and I needed it.' Ritchson previously said he trained 'every day for a year' in high school, but nowadays a typical training week involves five weekly workouts taking up to 30 minutes each.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Speediance Gym Monster 2 review: A compact, tech-heavy home gym packed with features (and a few quirks)
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. 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. 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. 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. The system offers 11 height settings for adjusting the cable pulleys to perform exercises like triceps pushdowns and biceps curls, or you can unclip them and attach them to the platform for movements like bench presses or squats. A nifty set of metal hooks slots into the vertical mounting brackets, so you can rack the barbell between sets without putting it down on the ground, just like at the gym. It's a simple but thoughtful addition that showcases the Gym Monster 2 as a complete home gym. One thing I found missing is built-in storage for the accessories. An accessory dock with hooks and a padded nook for supporting the barbell is available from Speediance for an extra $110. Otherwise, you'll need to find somewhere else to store the handles, grips and other attachments. The user guide for the Gym Monster 2 is actually helpful, unlike most fitness equipment manuals I've tried to navigate! The only real stumbling block was connecting the Bluetooth ring, which required a quick YouTube detour. After turning on the machine, creating an account and choosing a training goal — Get Fit, Build Muscle or Lose Weight — I was greeted by an easy-to-navigate home screen with a vivid 21.5-inch HD touchscreen display. As a first-time user, I was prompted to set a training goal with parameters including preferred training frequency, workout length, target weight and program duration. Then the software put together a preview of my workout schedule, complete with a daily calorie intake recommendation and training targets. It's a helpful launchpad for anyone new to building a training program. (That said, calorie intake is personal, and you should talk to your health care provider before adjusting your diet.) The 2.1 stereo speaker system below the display packs serious volume — great for pumping up your workout music, though you might need to dial it back to hear trainer instructions clearly. Just know that some of the included music should have a content warning. While the Gym Monster 2 is Bluetooth-enabled, it's important to note that you can't connect your own music player. The Bluetooth ring slides onto your index finger or attaches to the barbell with a clip and connects to the machine to control resistance. You can turn the resistance on or off, and when it's off, simply rotate the ring's button with your thumb to adjust weight up or down — no need to fiddle with the touchscreen mid-set. The Speediance Gym Monster 2 is equipped with AI that monitors how many reps you complete at a given weight — and predicts your one-rep max (how much weight you can lift for a single repetition). You can watch that number increase as you progress with your lifts, which is pretty motivating. The system offers two AI assist modes you can enable mid-workout that help if you're stuck in the middle of a rep. Mode 1 only kicks in when you're struggling with the lifting phase of a movement like standing up from a squat or pressing a barbell over your head. It lowers the weight just enough to help you complete that final rep safely — perfect for training to failure. Mode 2 activates if you pause for too long at any point in your range of motion, automatically reducing weight whenever you stop moving. The catch? Mode 2 doesn't know if you're struggling or just taking a moment to psych yourself up, so you'll need to disable it if you prefer longer pauses between reps. A great way to get accustomed to the machine is to use the Gym Monster 101 workout, a comprehensive fitness program designed for Gym Monster newbies. Using the barbell Romanian deadlift as a demo move, the on-screen trainer took me through some lifting modes, including an impressive eccentric mode that lets you add extra resistance. The real-time feedback is where this system shines. A color-coded bar chart shows your power per rep — fantastic for spotting strength imbalances. And the machine actually warns you if one side of your body is significantly weaker than the other. A line graph tracks your range of motion throughout each exercise. Post-workout reports include your duration and volume, plus you can rate your perceived exertion on a 10-point scale and get movement-specific feedback. The system even gamifies progress with badges for milestones like your first 10,000 pounds lifted or 10 completed sessions — a clever way to encourage consistency and chase new personal bests. Everything in my plan, from barbell upright rows to cable woodchops, felt comfortable with smooth resistance from the cables. But I did find that the set and rep recommendations — nine sets of 18 reps for each of four exercises — were far too much. I'd never suggest that much volume for an exercise, even for an advanced lifter. Fortunately, the system offers plenty of flexibility beyond these preset programs. Below the selection of recommended workouts, the bottom of the home screen offers three options for other ways to work out: All Workouts: These are grouped by category, for example, HIIT or Recovery, which you can filter by difficulty. You can also choose from over 80 programs of varying lengths. Custom Workouts: Build your workout program from over 400 movements. For each movement, you can choose a preset — gain muscle, stamina or strength — and sets, resistance range, rep scheme and rest time suggestions. Or you can customize your entire program. Free Lift: A true DIY approach, here is where you choose your resistance level, lifting mode, accessories and AI assist mode, if you want it. This is great if you have no specific routine in mind or are experienced enough not to need cues from an on-screen trainer. It's worth noting that some movement names can be confusing. Experienced lifters typically associate "compound lifts" with exercises like the barbell bench press, back squat or deadlift — heavy lifts that engage multiple muscle groups. However, with the Speediance Gym Monster 2, "compound" refers to performing different movements simultaneously, such as a lunge with a right-arm horizontal pull and left-arm overhead press. I wouldn't recommend these types of movements due to the coordination required, which can detract from focusing on the target muscle group. With all its impressive features, the Speediance Gym Monster 2 does have some drawbacks worth considering. I'm impressed by the sturdy adjustable barbell, but the plastic single-hand grips feel flimsy in comparison. The 220-pound max resistance might also limit more experienced lifters. And while the platform is decently sized, larger people might have trouble positioning themselves comfortably. On the tech side, my only gripe is that connecting your own music player to the speaker would be a nice touch. Then there's the price. The Gym Monster 2 starts at $3,749 for the Basic package, which does not include a bench. The Works, which comes with a flat bench, is $3,950, while the Works Plus, which includes an adjustable bench, tops out at $4,100. At the highest end is the Family Plus package, which includes an adjustable bench and a rowing bench for $4,499. It's a serious financial commitment for an incredibly versatile machine, but it likely won't meet your needs if you lift heavy. Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
