{"id":187036,"date":"2025-06-15T18:47:24","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T18:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/187036\/"},"modified":"2025-06-15T18:47:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T18:47:24","slug":"i-tried-the-speediance-gym-monster-2-heres-what-i-loved-and-didnt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/187036\/","title":{"rendered":"I tried the Speediance Gym Monster 2 \u2014 here\u2019s what I loved (and didn\u2019t)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As someone who juggles work, parenting, and staying fit in between, I\u2019m always on the hunt for anything that makes working out easier, more efficient \u2014 and ideally \u2014 enjoyable.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a competitive runner since the age of 12 and tend to let strength training slip, but that changed when I got my hands on the Speediance Gym Monster 2 Family Plus.<\/p>\n

This compact, all-in-one digital gym offers commercial-grade workouts your whole family can use at home. Even my tween son joined in. I was more skeptical about my husband \u2014 a former personal trainer who lifts so heavy he\u2019s been kicked out of franchise gyms. I wasn\u2019t sure if he was more of a monster than the machine.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

But after using it consistently for a few weeks, I have some thoughts.<\/p>\n

Unboxing and setup<\/p>\n

Can Fit in Your Closet… – YouTube
\n\"Can<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

When the package arrived, it was massive. The three-piece delivery (main unit, bench, and rowing parts) came on a pallet, and the boxes were extremely heavy. If you’re considering this machine for a small apartment, know that you\u2019ll need space to set it up \u2014 and someone to help you carry it upstairs or through narrow doorways.<\/p>\n

Luckily, I was able to spread out the equipment on the lawn and get started. The Family Plus is Speediance\u2019s most comprehensive package. It includes everything in the lower-tier kits, plus rowing components: barbell hooks and adjustable barbell, extender belt, tricep rope, cable handles, ankle straps, adjustable bench, rowing bench, and rowing bar. One thing it doesn\u2019t come with? Nordic ski handles \u2014 you\u2019ll have to buy those separately.<\/p>\n

Setup is straightforward and takes about an hour. No wall-mounting required \u2014 though I\u2019ll come back to that later.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

Using the machine<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics: this machine is sleek, smart and surprisingly compact. If you\u2019re tight on space, the foldable design is a major win. We have a dedicated home gym, but for apartment dwellers, the ability to tuck it away is a huge plus.<\/p>\n

Once I downloaded the app, paired the Bluetooth<\/a> ring, and ran through the quick tutorial, I was off and running \u2014 literally, with a jogging warm-up. The touchscreen interface walks you through each move with crystal-clear visuals. There\u2019s no fumbling through confusing dials or clunky menus.<\/p>\n

Within minutes, I was doing squats, curls, and rows like I had a personal trainer in the room. And technically, I did. The coaching feels present and the music in each workout is energizing without being overwhelming.<\/p>\n

AI-powered features<\/p>\n

\"Speediance<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

The Gym Monster 2 boasts some impressive smart capabilities designed to enhance safety, progression, and personalization. That said, the line between \u201csmart\u201d and \u201cAI\u201d is a little blurry here. While Speediance markets it as AI coaching, it felt more like smart automation to me \u2014 adjusting resistance based on performance without much true personalization.<\/p>\n

\n

What really stood out was the versatility. One day, I\u2019m doing resistance training for legs and glutes, the next I\u2019m following a cardio session. The machine supports a wide range of exercises without needing a dozen pieces of equipment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Still, this is one of its biggest strengths. The system automatically tweaks resistance as you improve and helps maintain good form. For someone like me \u2014 who tends to overdo it \u2014 that level of support was appreciated.<\/p>\n

What really stood out was the versatility. One day, I\u2019m doing resistance training for legs and glutes, the next I\u2019m following a cardio session. The machine supports a wide range of exercises \u2014 even cable movements \u2014 so I can target different muscle groups without needing a dozen pieces of equipment. Apple Health integration and guided programs in the app are nice extras, especially on days I didn\u2019t feel like coming up with my own routine.<\/p>\n

Meet Speediance\uff5cAll-in-One Smart Home Gym: Leading A New Era of Home Skiing and Rowing – YouTube
\n\"Meet<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a>
\nWhat I didn\u2019t love<\/p>\n

\"Amanda<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about the price. At $3,800 on sale, this machine isn\u2019t cheap. While I think it offers solid value \u2014 digital weights, AI tracking, multiple workout styles, and no gym commute \u2014 it\u2019s still a significant investment. If you\u2019re on a tight budget, it could be a deal-breaker.<\/p>\n

Another limitation: resistance caps at 220 lbs (100 kg). That\u2019s more than enough for most users \u2014 myself included \u2014 but not for my husband. He found it lacking for some lifts. Although he did find it a great workout for curls. If you\u2019re a serious powerlifter or advanced athlete, this might not meet all your needs.<\/p>\n

I also ran into a few minor bugs \u2014 the screen froze mid-exercise once or twice; the music can come on extremely loud; and sometimes it didn\u2019t properly register a completed set.<\/p>\n

Ending a workout early always triggers a \u201cWhy are you stopping?\u201d prompt, which gets old fast. These aren\u2019t dealbreakers, and Speediance seems to be releasing updates regularly, but it\u2019s something to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

Safety concerns<\/p>\n

This is my biggest complaint: for something labeled \u201cFamily Plus,\u201d I expected more built-in safety features.<\/p>\n

The machine is very heavy and doesn\u2019t anchor to the wall. While it sits flat and stable, that\u2019s not enough around small kids. If a child were to climb on it or pull at the bench, it could be dangerous.<\/p>\n

I strongly recommend setting the Gym Monster 2 up in a low-traffic area and wish Speediance offered a wall-mount option or safety accessories. For now, it\u2019s on parents to be extra cautious.<\/p>\n

Final verdict<\/p>\n

\"screenshot<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Speediance)<\/p>\n

So, who is this for? In my experience, the Speediance Gym Monster 2 Family Plus is ideal for busy parents, runners looking to add strength training, or anyone who wants an all-in-one solution without commuting to a gym.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s smart, space-saving and makes workouts feel a little less like a chore \u2014 and that\u2019s a win in my book.<\/p>\n

Would I recommend it? Yes \u2014 especially if you\u2019re looking for a home gym that covers strength, cardio and guided training in one compact package. Just be prepared to spend big.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As someone who juggles work, parenting, and staying fit in between, I\u2019m always on the hunt for anything…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":187037,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4322],"tags":[1630,105,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-187036","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-fitness","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114688874679240907","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=187036"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187036\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=187036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=187036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=187036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}