Last night, after putting the kids to bed, we managed to fold the laundry, empty the dishwasher, pack snacks for an upcoming adventure, and get in our strength training — all within 35 minutes. This may sound like a lot, but thanks to our new Speediance Gym Monster home gym, we could work out together and fold laundry during our rest sets.
The Struggle to Commit to Strength Training
Committing to strength training has always been tough for me. I’ve tried going to the gym, attending group fitness classes, and even bribing myself with treats post-workout. Once kids entered the picture, the gym membership and classes became impractical with my unpredictable schedule. For me, committing requires the gym to be either in my home or within a short walk. So, for the past few years, I’ve been dabbling in strength training because I notice a boost in endurance and overall fitness within a few weeks — a worthwhile carrot.
Turning 40 this August added a new perspective on fitness. As we age, especially women, our bone density diminishes, making strength training essential. According to Dr. Stacy Sims in Next Level, “lifting heavy” is crucial for women as we approach perimenopause and beyond. It helps regulate hormones, stave off injuries in sports, and improve mood. I’ll dive deeper into this topic in another blog, but for now: if you’re a woman or an athlete over 36, start lifting. It helps everything.
Our Evolving Home Gym
Our yoga room has gradually transformed into a full workout space. It now has a treadmill desk with a bike trainer underneath and, most recently, the Speediance Gym Monster. This replaced the bulky free weights, folding neatly into itself and rolling out of the way when needed. We compared it to the Tonal, but the Speediance was more affordable and didn’t require a subscription. Once purchased, it comes with everything needed — hundreds of workouts, movements, and guided classes.
First Impressions and Setup
Setting up the Speediance Gym Monster was a breeze. Within an hour of unboxing, I completed our first strength training program. Thanks to its wheels, we easily moved it into our workout room, and setup only took a few minutes. The machine’s weight test, where you lift to failure, dials in your max weight, allowing it to calculate suitable weights for each exercise. While these were mostly accurate, some were off — fortunately, the Bluetooth ring with a roller lets you adjust weight on the fly, making it easy to fine-tune and feel safe when going heavier.
Workout Programs and Classes
The programs, classes, and individual exercises are generally good. While I haven’t tried a multi-week or sport-specific program, I can see their appeal. Jason and I enjoy customizing our workouts with movements like hip thrusters, squats, and deadlifts, while sometimes I’ll take a “leg day” or “biceps and back” class when he’s away. The guidance in these classes is great when you just want to follow along and focus.
The included rower has also added a nice warm-up routine, especially as the weather cools. A few minutes of rowing preps us for lifting and warms up the entire body.
Features We Love
For anyone who loves details, here are some standout features we appreciate:
- Eccentric Modes: When we customize our movements and workouts, we can choose between different modes. And If we take a class, it automatically switches between these modes, depending on what is needed.
- There are four options tailored for various training needs
- Standard Mode: Constant tension during push or pull.
- Constant Mode: Consistent speed and weight, ideal for rehab.
- Eccentric Mode: Adds weight at the end of each rep to build strength and flexibility.
- Chain Mode: Adds weight as you reach the top, great for increasing weight safely and limiting load on squats for knee pain.
- Real-Time Feedback: The on-screen feedback is excellent, providing insights into your form, speed, and balance. Sensors in the base plate and handles show if you’re overcompensating on one side. This feature has been a game-changer, especially when I’m lifting solo.
- Attachments: Each attachment is high-quality, easy to swap out, and super smooth. They’re well-made and fit securely, making transitions quick.
- Weight Limit: The max weight is 220 pounds. This might be too light for some, but for most, including us, it’s perfect.
- Other Classes: While the selection of non-lifting classes is limited, the yoga, basic stretching, and cardio classes (rowing and ski erg) are a nice bonus when you want a structured workout without much thought.
Our Family’s New Routine
Almost four months in, the Speediance Gym Monster has brought ease and consistency to our daily lives. With both of us working from home, it’s convenient to incorporate strength training seamlessly. Plus, the kids get to see us (and sometimes join in!) as we lift, do yoga, or physical therapy. It’s become a family activity; the boys play, mimic us, or lift things around the room while we work out together.
On a physical and emotional level, I feel stronger, with fewer aches and a greater sense of happiness. This machine may not be the sole cause, but having it right here at home removes the usual barriers. It’s saved time and energy, which has positively affected other parts of my life. If you’re someone who loves the social aspect of group fitness or prefers heavier lifting, this might not be the ideal fit. But if you like working out at home on your own time, this setup is worth a look. While home gym systems have a high upfront cost ($2,299 for ours, or $3,219 for the Gym Monster 2), the Speediance is ready to go right out of the box, with no monthly fees!