I'm a Trainer, and Tonal 2 is the Best At-Home Fitness Machine I've Tried

With the rise in home workouts, more and more people are investing in equipment to reach their fitness goals from the comfort of their home. While it can be hard to replicate the effectiveness of all the strength training equipment you can find in a gym, Tonal 2 ($4,295) has solved that problem by creating a sleek machine you mount to the wall that can create up to 250 pounds of resistance (up from 200 pounds in Tonal 1). Using resistance bands that customize how much weight you want to use, Tonal can replicate nearly every exercise you can perform on gym equipment, such as bicep curls, deadlifts, goblet squats, bench presses, and more. It also has an unparalleled archive of exercises and more than 3,000 coach-led workouts across categories like strength training, cardio, yoga, HIIT, and mobility. I got to try out the new Tonal 2 machine — keep reading to hear about my experience and why I think it's the best home-workout equipment to invest in.

What I Like About the Tonal 2 Home Gym

At first glance, Tonal looks like your standard cable machine at the gym, along with a large screen to show you how to perform certain moves. Sure, I could do cable pull-downs and triceps push-downs, but what else could I do with this machine? It turns out, a lot. The arms smoothly move and click into place in nearly a dozen different positions vertically, and you can also adjust the arms horizontally to swing closer to the screen or further out for a wider range of motion.

Tonal lets you customize your own weight preferences after signing in and completing a fitness assessment. The fitness assessment includes performing a few exercises such as bicep curls and deadlifts starting at a certain weight, and adjusting more or less depending on your rep speed. From there, it suggests what weight you should use for several similar exercises: more for chest press, less for bicep curls, etc. It also keeps track of your reps throughout your workouts.

The biggest draw is the large screen, which displays high resolution footage of real-life trainers who show you how to perform specific moves. Tonal 2 includes a built-in Smart View camera, which collects and analyzes 500 data points per second and provides real-time coaching cues so you can adjust your form during your session. While doing a set of barbell deadlifts, I started to fatigue toward the end of the reps. I received a cue to pull my shoulders back and keep the barbell level. There is also the ability to review this visual coaching in the app post-workout and toggle between front- and side-facing cameras (if you choose to record with your phone). This is so helpful to improve my form as a I build strength after having my second child.

I've worked as the director of fitness videos for nearly a decade and have tried out hundreds of workout classes and programs. The programming on Tonal is top-notch. I'm currently doing Ash Wilking's Every Athlete. Wilking has the perfect blend of motivation and humor to keep me going. The programming is effective and builds up gradually. As I've progressed through the plan, my body has been able to handle more weight for exercises like lunges, squats, and flys.

Tonal's State of Strength, which relies on the workout data of more than 175,000 Tonal members, found that female members lifted an average of 3,431 pounds per workout and increased their overall strength by an average of 57 percent in their first year. I have to say, I felt very accomplished after I lifted a total volume of over 5,000 pounds in my first workout, and felt inspired to try to beat it in my subsequent workouts.

Tonal 2 also has adaptive drop sets. It analyzes movement velocity to sense when you're fatiguing and automatically drops the weight to the optimal amount in real-time until your muscles are maxed out. This allows you to safely push through plateaus.

What's Worth Noting About Tonal 2

Although it's great for smaller spaces, Tonal requires about seven feet of wall and floor space during workouts, with a grounded outlet. An installation team came to install it in an experience I would describe as white glove and easy. If you want a more comprehensive setup, you can buy an additional bundle for $495 that includes the Smart Handles, Smart Bar + Control Module, New Dual-T Lock Rope, Bench, Workout Mat, and Roller. You can also try Tonal at home with its 30-Day Home Trial, and if you're not happy with the purchase, Tonal will refund you within 30 days of installation.

You may be wondering if it is complicated to maneuver the machine for the workouts, given there are so many different ways you can move the arms and change out the handles. There was a bit of a learning curve for me, but I found it easy to understand. I didn't have any moments of throwing up my hands and saying, "I just can't even" — an expression I have had countless times while setting up kids' car seats.

Lifting weight with Tonal will also feel different than barrel free weights. A study found Tonal can feel about 23 percent heavier than free weights, based on rate of perceived exertion (RPE). These findings were supported by a muscle activation test, which showed Tonal was able to achieve the same muscle activation as free weights at lower loads. When I completed my assessment, the weight I was able to lift was a bit lower than I anticipated.

Who's the Tonal Best For?

Tonal 2 is ideal for anyone who primarily focuses on resistance and strength training. It's also great for people who like to workout in guided classes without having to rush to a studio or gym. It also includes the ability to build custom workouts that you can also easily share with your friends.

While it is primarily a strength machine, Tonal 2 also includes aeromovements, such as aeroHIIT, for cardio with exercises similar to medicine ball slams and skiers. These movements feel more dynamic than exercises you can do on a traditional cardio machine like a treadmill or bike. I'm a runner, and the aeromovements are perfect for cross training.

As a mom of young children, getting to the gym can be challenging. That extra 15 minutes to drive and park can be the dealbreaker when I want to squeeze in a workout. Even though I'm a trainer, I've had a complicated relationship with the weight section at my local gym. I get irrationally anxious when I feel like someone is waiting for the machine I'm on and I'm easily startled by the loud crash of someone dropping too heavy weights. I appreciate that Tonal allows me to train in my home and unlock resistance training benefits, including building muscle and increasing bone density.

Is the Tonal Worth the Splurge?

At a cost of almost $4,800 for Tonal 2 with the additional accessories, this is an investment. But if you consider all the money you will save on gym memberships, fitness classes, and other bulky gym equipment, it might be worth it for your space. Tonal 2 has an industry-leading retention rate of 90 percent of members remaining active after one year, which also emphasizes that this is a piece of equipment that will be well-used if you make the investment.

Additional Details:

Where is the Tonal Available?

Tonal is available on the brand's site.

Rating: ★★★★★

—Additional reporting by Christina Stiehl

Genevieve Farrell Roston (she/her) is an award-winning filmmaker and the director of fitness and wellness video at PS. She oversees the Webby-nominated PS Fit video series, which makes fitness fun and accessible. She has more than 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. A certified personal trainer, she loves running, Pilates, and rest days. As a mom of two, she is an avid reviewer of children's gear and products.

Christina Stiehl is a former senior editor for PS Fitness. She is a writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 10 years of professional journalism experience, the last six of which have been focused in the health, fitness, and wellness space. Her work has appeared in SELF, VICE, SHAPE, Men's Health, Thrillist, and more. She's passionate about advocating for mental health and erasing the stigma associated with mental illness.