My home gym has come a long way from dusty dumbbells in the corner and those resistance bands I swore I’d use. The shift all comes down to the Tonal 2, which is part of this new generation of tech-driven, all-in-one machines that promise to replace an entire gym. It’s a big claim, and a lot don’t quite hit it. But this Tonal 2 I tried out absolutely does.
Like the original Tonal, it mounts to your wall, uses digital weights that adjust automatically and offers a surprisingly wide range of workouts, from strength training to yoga to mobility. But the Tonal 2 feels more refined. The design is sleeker, the interface faster, and the entire experience feels like it’s taken user feedback and leveled up. As is often the case with these change-the-world tech products, it’s the second iteration that’s ready to be the big seller.
Tonal 2
Cons
- Installation can be a pain if your space isn’t perfect
- Pricey (over $4,000 plus accessories bundle and subscription)
- Not as plug-and-play as other equipment
To start, it’s a lot. Getting it set up isn’t as simple as plugging in a treadmill and running. You need the right wall space, ceiling height, power source, and professional installation. Once that’s done and it’s up, the device blends pretty seamlessly into your home.
I started with the Tonal 2 by putting it through early morning workouts, quick midday sessions, and late-night stretches. So how does it hold up after the honeymoon period wears off? Does it really replace a gym, or does it end up being an expensive piece of wall art? I think for a certain type of consumer that’s willing to spend, it’s the full-service replacement. More than any at-home fitness gadget, the Tonal makes working out markedly better—much than lugging all your stuff to a crowded gym after work.
Tonal 2: Specs and What You Get
It’s slender—about 21.5 inches wide, 50.9 inches tall, and just over 5 inches deep—and somehow manages to house digital weights that go up to 250 pounds. That’s right, 250 pounds without a single dumbbell rolling under your couch. You adjust weight in tiny one-pound increments, which makes getting a last complete rep a lot easier. If your first thought is, “250 pounds probably isn’t enough for me,” you have two options. First, kill your ego and go for higher reps. You can still put on muscle with high reps. But if you want to lift heavy, I might say you are the one customer that should skip Tonal. Keep that gym membership, and keep powerlifting.
As for the rest of the specs, the screen is huge (23.8 inches), the resolution is crisp, and the stereo speakers are so good you’ll almost believe your coach is actually in the room cheering you on… or raising an eyebrow.
But don’t just think you can slap this on any wall. You’ll need 7 feet of clear wall space, a 7-by-7-foot workout area, and ceilings just under eight feet tall at least. You’ll also need Wi-Fi that actually works (the random router in the basement can probably handle it). Spring for the Smart Accessories bundle ($495 extra, but honestly, just do it), and you’ll get smart handles, a smart bar, a dual-T lock rope, a bench, a mat, and a roller. In other words, it’s everything you need to avoid the gym for the foreseeable future.
The Installation Process: A Little Bit of a Production
Installation the part no one really talks about. Getting Tonal 2 set up is not as simple as clicking “buy” and waiting for a box to show up. First, you’ll need to measure and prep your space, making sure it meets Tonal’s pretty specific requirements. And even then, expect a small comedy of errors. In my case, a tiny piece of baseboard molding turned into a surprise home improvement project. The installation team was friendly, professional, and patient, but it was a processes.
It’s not quite the same as having a delivery person drop off a Peloton and roll it into the corner, but a Tonal promises to do a lot more than a stationary bike anyway. Installation involves wall-mounting, checking stability and wiring, and making sure it’s all level. The process can take a couple of hours, and you might need to do a little preemptive furniture rearranging. But once it’s up, it feels like part of your home, and suddenly, that wall you never thought twice about becomes the most valuable real estate in your house.
What It’s Like Using Tonal 2
Getting started is easy. The quick setup calibration process guides you through personalized strength tests, to make sure your workouts are perfectly tailored to your fitness level from day one. After that, the machine can tweak weight as you get tired—because it knows when you’re tired, even if you pretend otherwise—or keep consistent resistance. The Smart View camera is like having eyes in the back of your head, giving you form tips in real-time and then again later in the app so you can relive your triumphs and your… less-than-graceful squats.
Workouts are easy to pick and dangerously addictive. You can choose by time (20-minute power blast? Done.), by program (four-week strength gains? Yes, please), or even by coach vibe (tough love if you need a kick or super supportive if you’re feeling delicate). It’s a bit more plug and play than meeting and working out with a real trainer, but this is what some of us want. Training that’s just easy.
And here’s the sneaky part: it makes working out feel like something you want to do. It’s right there on your wall, basically whispering, “You’ve got 30 minutes… why not?” Before you know it, you’re stronger, standing taller, and maybe flexing a little in the mirror after dinner.
The Bottom Line
Tonal 2
Cons
- Installation can be a pain if your space isn’t perfect
- Pricey (over $4,000 plus accessories bundle and subscription)
- Not as plug-and-play as other equipment
If you’re serious about building strength, hate crowded gyms, or simply love having smart, high-tech gear in your home, Tonal 2 is worth the investment. The installation might not be as simple as rolling in a bike, and it’s a steep investment, but the payoff is huge. It’s a wall-mounted wonder that will challenge you, coach you, and quietly remind you when your form needs work. And honestly, we could all use a little more of that.
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