Tonal vs OxeFit vs Tempo: Finding the Right Smart Home Gym
Smart home gyms have taken a giant leap forward.
I’ve been covering the smart home gym market since it first emerged a few years ago and it’s incredible to see how quickly things have evolved.
For years, BowFlex and Nordictrack owned the compact home gym space.
Then, Peloton arrived on the scene and changed everyone’s idea of what a workout at home could be.
Digital interaction connected us to our devices for real feedback. Interactive competition connected us to our peers from the comfort and privacy of home.
But this revolution was mostly relegated to the cardio world until Tonal came on the scene.
Taking the idea of a smart home gym that was isolated to cardio machines, Tonal introduced the same idea and brought it to resistance training for those of us who love weights.
But Tonal is now facing some steep competition from Tempo and, more recently, from OxeFit.
Let’s compare these three and find out which one is right for you. Tonal, Tempo, or OxeFit?
Tonal vs OxeFit vs Tempo
Best for Building Muscle: Tonal
Best for Weight Loss: OxeFit
Best Price: Tempo
Best Workouts: OxeFit
Best Interaction: Tonal
Best Overall: OxeFit
Read on to learn more about each one of these smart home gyms and what they offer you.
This is an unbiased comparison/review and Fittest Travel has no affiliation with any of these companies.
Tonal
Tonal is a wall-mounted smart gym with electromagnetic arms that offer up to 200 pounds of resistance. Think of Tonal as a smart Bowflex.
There aren’t any actual weights — it’s all digital. And Tonal tracks your strength, gradually increases weight, and has trainers on video in front of you to keep your form proper and motivate you.
It takes up no more space than a vertical flat-screen TV.
How much does Tonal cost?
Tonal costs $2,995 with an option to add a $495 accessory package. The subscription service gives you access to all the workouts and costs $49 a month.
Tonal’s accessory package includes smart handles and a smart bar that attaches to the arms and allows you to change the weight at the touch of a button — an attachable rope, a bench, a mat, and a foam roller. I recommend getting it.
Delivery and installation cost $250 - Tonal has to be installed properly into wall studs to support its weight.
Is Tonal right for you?
Tonal is a great option if your primary goal is to build muscle and strength but is probably not a great option for anyone who is an advanced weightlifter with years of strength training experience.
The workout options that come with Tonal include strength training, bodyweight, cardio, HIIT, yoga, stretching, boxing, and more. There are plenty of trainer-guided classes to choose from.
You can choose a workout program based on your goal and monitor your progress with Tonal’s analytics.
Tonal recently updated its software to offer live classes broadcast from its studio in Los Angeles. Unlike with Peloton, there’s no competition or leaderboards. Instead, Tonal offers a “social zone” for you to interact with and cheer on other members.
OxeFit
There are two versions of OxeFit currently available: the XS1 and the XP1.
The XP1 is large, expensive, and primarily intended to be used by facilities rather than individuals, so we’re going to focus on the XS1.
OxeFit XS1
The XS1 platform is designed for anyone with limited space. It’s foldable, so you can put it away or at least make it take up less space when not in use. When it is set up, it only needs 6 feet x 8.5 feet.
XS1 offers both cardio and strength training options. Workouts are personalized from an incredible combination of cable machine workouts, barbell movements, and various cardio machine exercises.
You can go from bench pressing to paddleboarding with a simple change of accessories and a touch of the screen. That’s pretty amazing.
Weights are changed digitally (up to 250 pounds), so there are no plates to move around.
Your form and performance are evaluated with analytics and feedback is provided to keep you progressing.
XS1 is a great option for anyone who wants both strength training and cardio workouts.
OxeFit XP1
The XP1 platform focuses on strength training and does not come with cardio sports or digital Pilates as the XS1 does. XP1 allows you to use up to 400 pounds of digital weight, making it a better option for stronger lifters.
XP1 has more advanced analytics for tracking your range of motion and angles on exercises. It also comes with more barbell options.
Unlike the XS1, the XP1 platform is not friendly to confined spaces. It requires an 8x8-foot area and is 6 feet tall. It does not fold up.
XP1 is the better option for anyone looking for pure strength training but with a price of $40k is more targeted toward commercial gyms, athletic training facilities, and rehab centers.
How much does OxeFit cost?
OxeFit XS1 costs $3,999 (or $79 a month) and OxeFit XP1 costs around $40,000.
OxeFit XS1 comes with a multitude of additional costs if you choose to purchase them.
There’s an accessory tree for the various attachments ($299), a power membership with trainer-led programs (starting at $31.99 a month), and several accessory packages to choose from.
Is OxeFit right for you?
The OxeFit XS1 is the best option here if you’re looking for the one that best combines strength and cardio training or if you’re looking for the one that allows you to use the most weight.
OxeFit beats Tonal and Tempo by providing a truly all-on-one smart home gym.
I would also add that if your primary goal is to lose weight, I would strongly consider OxeFit as your top choice.
Tempo
Tempo is designed to essentially combine old-school weights with tech. Think dumbbells and touchscreens.
There are two models to choose from: Tempo Move and Tempo Studio. Tempo Move is more compact and Tempo Studio has more equipment. Let’s look at each one individually.
Tempo Move
Tempo is great because it’s affordable and small. It’s designed to blend in with your home and is about the size of a mini fridge.
Inside the Tempo Move is storage for your smart adjustable dumbbells. There’s an iPhone dock on top for you to connect and an HDMI cable to run to your television.
Tempo move comes with 2,000+ live and on-demand classes for you to try, some with dumbbells and some without. Classes include HIIT, boxing, cardio, and strength.
Tempo Studio
Tempo Studio is an all-in-one smart home gym. Unlike the Move, the Studio features its own interactive touchscreen with storage for your weights below and on the back.
On the touchscreen, you’ll create a profile and you can choose from workout programs or live classes. Tempo will give you feedback on your form and tell you the weight you should load and the number of reps you should be doing.
The coaches are good and the videos are well done.
Tempo Studio comes with a few packages to choose from.
The Starter Package (workout mat, dumbbells, plates, and collars), the Plus Package (everything in the Starter Package plus folding bench, barbells, recovery roller, and heart rate monitor), and the Pro Package (everything in the Start Package plus folding squat rack, kettlebell system, weight plate storage, and more weights).
How much does Tempo cost?
Tempo Move starts at $395, making it the most affordable and space-saving smart home gym.
There are some limitations to what you’ll get with Tempo Move, so keep that in mind when looking at the price.
Tempo Studio starts at $1,695 for the Starter Package. The Plus Package is $2,445 and the Pro Package is $3,195.
There is also a $39 monthly content subscription required.
Is Tempo right for you?
Tempo is the best option for you if you’re looking for a smart home gym that feels more like traditional weight training and is the most affordable.
Unlike OxeFit and Tonal’s digital weight loading, Tempo comes with barbells and dumbbells that are loaded with weights.
This can be an advantage when it comes to strength training but it can also slow down how quickly you move through workouts.
Final Word
All three of these smart home gyms are incredible combinations of hardware and software that provide high-quality workouts with feedback, guidance, and progression in the comfort of your own home.
As I mentioned above, Oxefit is the best option for anyone who wants a significant cardio component to their workouts. OxeFit is also the best for combining cardio and strength training.
Tonal excels in the muscle-building space and is the best option if your goal is mainly to grow muscle.
Tempo is the most affordable of these three and is the best option for anyone who wants the feel of traditional weight lifting with actual barbells and dumbbells.
In my opinion, the best overall option here is OxeFit. The creators of OxeFit have aimed to provide the most well-rounded fitness experience for their customers.
Even though it has a high price tag, OxeFit is the top choice for anyone looking to build muscle and strength while improving their cardio and getting into better overall shape.
If you want to try any of these without purchasing them, there’s a good chance you’ll see them in a hotel gym. Tonal is already in a number of hotel gyms and I anticipate Tempo and OxeFit will do the same in the near future.
