Nov 26

Nov 26 I’m Loving My New Tonal Strength Training Machine

Hi, I'm Liz Moser, a Mayo Clinic and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and I’m loving the newest member of our home gym, the Tonal strength training machine.

Tonal is a compact (5.25” x 50.9” x 21.5”) wall mounted complete body strength training system. The company recommends 7 ft wide by 7 ft long space in front of and on the side of the machine. Or think of a 7 ft cube of space in front of the machine.

Tonal has a large touch screen with music and the ability for unlimited users. Initially you put in your name, age and what are you looking for: lean out, bulk up or increase overall fitness. Also, are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced weightlifter.

I chose intermediate lifter with a goal of general fitness. Then Tonal runs you through a short series of exercises where the artificial intelligence in tonal ascertains your upper and lower body strength.

After choosing your perfect weight maximum. Tonal suggest several workouts to begin your new strength training regimen and then its time for the fun to start.

Tonal has two arms that move up and down, rotate in and out . Before each exercise there are graphics on the side of the screen that shows the ideal arm placement. There are handles, a bar and a rope pull down. As you are working out, you turn on and off the weight via the “smart’ button on the handles.

As I wrote, Tonal picks your optimum weights and the weights are set via magnets and electricity. As you get stronger Tonal adds weight for you, you don’t have to think about it. If you aren’t quite feeling as strong or need a break one day, there’s the option to lower the weight. Also, for you more advanced lifters there is a ‘spotting button’ for that extra muscle burn potential.

You can pick any music or play your own through tonal to go with any workout. You can pick from multiple trainers, the type of workout and the length of workout.

Tonal costs around $3500 installed and around 60 a month for the software. Its not inexpensive but it’s a quick, easy, yet challenging, intuitive strength training machine. The only down fall is no feedback on your form, there is a trainer working out with you but otherwise you’re on your own. I’ve lifted enough weights this isn’t a huge challenge but that would make this machine perfect. That said, if Tonal fits in your space and your budget, I would still highly recommend it for the strength training aspect of your overall fitness routine.

I’m Liz Moser, a Mayo Clinic and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and thank you for reading this blog about the newest addition to my home gym, the Tonal weight lifting machine. If you have any questions about this blog, health, wellness, or wellness coaching with me, please reach out via my website at lizmosercoaching.com.