Hi everyone! I am currently doing dumbbell workouts at home with Sohee Fit and loving them, but I’m outgrowing my weights faster than I expected. I’m exploring other options and the “Tonal” has caught my attention.
I have seen some reviews on YouTube and the r/tonalgym subreddit, but I’m looking for insights from this group, given your focus on sound and scientific fitness advice.
Has anyone here used the Tonal? I would love to hear your thoughts what did you like or dislike, and who would you recommend it (or not recommend it) to?
For context, my personal goals are to build strength and muscle, work out at home (driving is a hassle where I live), and use equipment that fits in a compact space (apartment living means no room for a squat rack).
I have heard the main criticisms are the price and the monthly fee. I’m okay with these costs if it means getting a good workout at home. However, I’m cautious about new technology since it is still relatively new. I’m particularly interested in how the magnetic resistance compares to free weights in terms of effectiveness.
I just had mine installed a few days ago and I’m really impressed. It’s not inexpensive and might not suit everyone.
Personally, I wanted to incorporate weights into my routine for activities like running, biking, and tennis. This device simplifies lifting by handling the details for you. After the initial assessment, it understands your capabilities, and you just follow the program.
Last night, I did my first partner workout with my wife. It transitioned smoothly between us and adjusted weights automatically. After 40 minutes, we both completed the workout. It’s a significant time-saver.
I love the Tonal. Whether it’s expensive is subjective, but I think it’s fairly priced for what it offers. My partner and I used to pay for the unlimited Orangetheory Fitness plan, which ends up being about the same cost after a year.
With Tonal, you avoid the commute and get access to great programs and a variety of options, plus a free mode for personalized workouts.
I’ve had my Tonal for 10 weeks now, and I absolutely love it! It’s so easy to stay committed—I work out almost daily for about an hour. I haven’t noticed any issues with the resistance, which, as you mentioned, is magnetic. It’s super safe, with options for eccentric, chains, and spotter mode. It tracks your lifting volume as you go, which is really motivating, and lets you know when you’ve hit a personal best. There are tons of programs and coaches, but I’ve been focusing on hypertrophy with Nicolette she’s amazing! I also mix in workouts, meditations, and recovery from other coaches. In 10 weeks, my strength score has increased by 149%, and it’s actually higher than 74% of men using Tonal (woot woot!). I’m not a natural athlete I didn’t even play sports in high school. I have been practicing yoga most days for the last three years, but that’s about it. Since getting Tonal, I feel stronger and more fit than ever at 33… not that I’m old! The cost is similar to what my husband and I used to spend on fitness yearly, as I was a member of a pricey yoga studio before.
Thanks for sharing! That progress is incredible being stronger than 74% of men using Tonal is definitely something to aspire to, haha. I’ve never been particularly strong either (only started strength training off and on over the past few years), but I’d love to see a stat like that for myself one day!
I totally get you on the cost. Most of the gyms around here are pricey boutique studios (like Power Yoga, OTF, Barre, etc.), and for my partner and me, those add up to about the same cost as Tonal for just two sessions a week. So, it feels like I’d just be swapping one fitness expense for another.
Just a heads-up, the Tonal maxes out at 200 lbs of resistance. While that sounds like a lot, if you’re aiming for serious powerlifting, you might outgrow it quicker than you expect. That alone made it a “never buy” for me, even if I could afford it one day.
If powerlifting isn’t your goal and you really love the idea of a Tonal, go for it! But there are plenty of other compact, much cheaper options. Adjustable dumbbells might suit you well since you already enjoy those workouts, and there are resistance bands available that go up to 250 lbs.
Heavier dumbbells? I have been using my handles with plates for a while now, and they go up to 80 pounds each. When I outgrow those, I plan to get some 24" handles that can load up to 200+. A stack of 10-pound plates doesn’t take up much space at all.
I have thought about that too, and I would want to try a friend’s set before buying. I’m worried that as the weights get heavier, getting into position for certain exercises might become tricky. For example, at the gym, a squat rack holds the bar/plates exactly where I need them for the lift, but with dumbbells, the heavier they get, the more awkward it is to maneuver into position. Even now, bench pressing with two 20lb dumbbells feels a bit clunky when I have to rest them on my chest before starting the set. But I’m still open to it if it becomes easier as I build strength!
I had no trouble setting myself up with two 35lb dumbbells for bench press, and I saw plenty of people at my old gym using two 50lb dumbbells for their presses.
Have you checked out any videos on how to properly set yourself up with them?
