What's up, guys? Today, we're diving into an in-depth review of the Speediance Gym Monster 2, a smart all-in-one home gym that's compact, powerful, and packed with cutting-edge features.
Key Features & First Impressions
All-in-One Design:
This AI-powered machine combines a squat rack, cable system, Smith-style trainer, pulley station, rower, and more. No wall mounting, no complicated setup. Just plug in and train. But is it really the ultimate smart home gym? Let's break it all down and get started.
Build Quality:
Heavy-duty steel frame with sleek matte black finish.
Ultra-stable base (tested by shaking/jumping at 175 lbs – "it’s pretty solid").
Warranty: 2 years (motor, screen, power supply), 1 year (accessories).
Standout Details:
11 cable height settings, which give you a full range of motion and unlock a ton of exercise options. You also see a small rower icon. This shows the right height setting for using the rowing bench. It's quick and easy.
Digital Weight Resistance:
Now, unlike traditional home gyms that rely on weight stacks or resistance bands, the Gym Monster 2 uses electromagnetic resistance to create tension during your workouts. This means there are no bulky plates or cables, just smooth, quiet resistance controlled digitally, making adjustments fast, precise, and convenient. The internal cooling system is an upgrade from the Gym Monster 1, and it's impressively quiet, keeping the internal components from overheating, especially during long sessions or when multiple users are training back to back. It helps the motor stay responsive and extends the machine's lifespan. It's a subtle upgrade, but it makes a big difference.
2.1 sound system;
The upgraded 2.1 sound system features dual 5-watt speakers and a 20-watt subwoofer, delivering legit stereo sound. Whether you're streaming your playlist or following trainer workouts, the audio is crisp, immersive, and deep without distortion. You can also link your Apple Music account to stream directly through the machine.
If you prefer using Spotify, I was told Speediance is currently in negotiations for streaming rights with a potential rollout expected
in Q3 of 2025. If that happens, it'll make an already strong audio experience even more versatile. Overall, it's a clear and noticeable upgrade from the Gym Monster 1.
21.5" 1080p touchscreen
The 21.5-inch 1080p touchscreen is sharp, vibrant, and super responsive. Scrolling through menus, switching workouts, and adjusting settings feels fast and smooth. No lag at all. The larger display makes it easy to follow along with coaching videos or monitor your stats from a distance. I also really appreciate the ability to swivel the screen horizontally. It's especially helpful for keeping an eye on your form and progress during exercises like bench press.
Smart Controls: Bluetooth ring
This small wearable controller lets you adjust the weight resistance on the fly with a simple tap. No need to reach for the screen or pause your workout. It's especially useful during high-intensity sets or when you're midworkout and need to make quick weight adjustments without wasting time or extending your rest period. I'd like to note that one of my favorite features is how quickly I can change the resistance. Here, I'm switching the weight on the fly during bicep curls without even setting the handles down. If I were using dumbbells, I'd have to stop, drop the weights, pick out a new set, and reset my stance before continuing. This kind of efficiency really adds to the workout experience and keeps the intensity up.
Wellness+:
At the heart of this machine is Wellness+. Speedian's AI-powered training system. It personalizes your workout experience based on your goals and performance. Wellness Plus goes beyond just recommending weights. It also curates customized workout plans and programs tailored to your training style, goals, and fitness level. It tracks your progress, suggests exercises, monitors muscle recovery, and even plans rest days for optimal performance. Now, this AI feature does eventually require a subscription, $24.90 a month or $249 a year, but all other core features on the platform remain free.
The AI is built on velocity-based training, or VBT, a smart system that tracks the speed of each rep to measure how much power you're generating. The faster you move, the more force the system detects, and it automatically adjusts the resistance to match your output. It's a dynamic performance-driven approach that's perfect for athletes or anyone training for explosive strength, speed, and peak power. That said, if you're into hypertrophy style training, favoring slow, controlled reps to maximize time under tension, your experience may vary.
In my case, the AI occasionally lowered the resistance mindset because my rep speed was steady and deliberate. The set still felt manageable, but the system assumed I wasn't pushing hard enough. According to Speediance, this is intentional. The current VBT design is optimized for power-focused training, not necessarily hypertrophy or endurance. Still, I'd love to see future updates that better recognize different training styles, like tracking set completion or user input alongside rep speed.
In my opinion, Wellness Plus is especially useful for beginners or anyone who thrives with structured guidance. It removes the guesswork and can help you stay consistent over time and keep you motivated. Whether you're into strength training, cardio, hit, yoga, or sports specific routines, the Gym Monster 2 has you covered.
Workout Modes:
Free Lift：
This is essentially a freestyle workout feature that gives you full control. Just set the cable height, attach your preferred handle or bar, choose your resistance, and you're ready to go. It's perfect for experienced users who already know which exercises they want to hit.
Rowing mode:
The Gym Monster 2 also includes a rowing attachment, adding even more versatility to your workouts. There's a clearly labeled section on the main tower where you connect the cables along with a custom rowing bar designed specifically for this setup. The motion feels smooth and natural, making it a solid option for full-body conditioning and cardio-focused training.
custom mode:
Here you can build your own workout by selecting from a list of exercises. The best part, each movement comes with a pre-recorded personal trainer who guides you through proper setup and form. It's a great middle ground option. You get the flexibility to design your own routine with the added benefit of coaching cues and setup tips. Just pick your exercises, set your resistance and reps, and you're good to go.
Follow-Along Library:
Then there's the follow-along workout library. This section includes over 445 guided sessions led by certified trainers. These workouts walk you through each step, including equipment setup and proper form. Sets are preloaded, but you can adjust resistance to match your level. You can filter workouts by muscle group, duration, experience level, or even by trainer style. It's especially useful for those who need structure, guidance, or a little extra motivation.
Four Dynamic Resistance Modes
Starting with the standard mode, which delivers smooth and consistent resistance, very similar to what you'd feel on a traditional commercial cable machine. It's ideal for classic strength training exercises like chest flies, bench press, rows, curls, and tricep extensions. The digital weight system shines here, giving you precise, steady resistance throughout the entire range of motion without the clunky feel of weight stacks or plates. Whether you're doing slow, controlled reps or explosive movements, the resistance stays consistent and even, which helps keep tension on the muscle the entire time. Whether you're a beginner or advanced lifter, standard mode gives you that familiar gym feel, only smarter and quieter.
Now, let's talk about the chains mode, which is one of the more unique smart features built into the Gym Monster 2. This mode mimics the effect of lifting with actual chains in a traditional gym setup, meaning the resistance increases as you move through the concentric lifting phase of the movement. For example, if you're doing a
bicep curl, you might start the rep at 25 lb, but by the time you're halfway up or nearing the top of the curl, the resistance could climb to 33 lb. The goal here is to maximize resistance where you're the strongest, typically near the top of the lift, and lighten the load at the bottom, where you're weaker. It's a smart way to overload your muscles more effectively and safely. This style of training is great for building explosive strength and power. It challenges your muscles to stay engaged and accelerate through the rep, which can lead to better performance and muscle activation over time.
All right, let's dive into the eccentric mode, which is definitely one of my favorites on the Gym Monster 2. This mode is all about focusing on the eccentric phase of your lift, the lowering part of the movement. In other words, resistance increases as you lower the weight. For example, during a triceps pull-down, you might start with 30 lb., but as you lower the weight back down, it could increase to 40 lb. This method essentially intensifies a negative portion of the lift, which is where you can really focus on muscle engagement and control. Eccentric training is known for its ability to build muscle mass and improve strength more efficiently than just focusing on the concentric phase. When you slow down the lowering part of the lift, you create more time under tension, which leads to deeper muscle engagement and promotes greater muscle growth. So, if you're looking to build strength and size with a bit more precision, eccentric mode is a must-try.
And the last is a fixed speed mode, which is great for mobility and even hypertrophy training. This mode maintains a consistent rep speed no matter how quickly you're pulling or pushing. So, what that means is whether you're feeling strong or fatigued, the speed of your rep stays the same throughout the movement with constant tension. One of the benefits of fixed speed mode is its ability to regulate movement control. By ensuring a constant speed, it prevents the temptation to jerk or cheat the movement, which is common when you're trying to power through heavy sets. For hypertrophy training, fixed speed mode is valuable because it forces you to maintain a steady tempo throughout your set. This can lead to a more controlled contraction and deeper muscle engagement, which are important factors when you're trying to build muscle. Slowing down the movement, but in a controlled and consistent way, increases the time under tension and ensures you're fully activating the muscle.
safety features
Let's dive into some of the safety features and modes that make the Gym Monster 2 stand out, especially for those training solo or with a partner.
The assist mode is a fantastic feature that can be a game-changer when you're pushing yourself solo during tough sets. If you're struggling with a rep, this mode provides a little extra help by adjusting the resistance to make it easier for you to power through the last few reps. It's like having an invisible training partner right there with you, giving you that extra push without compromising your form or risking injury. So, there are two levels of assist mode. The first level reduces resistance by approximately 2 to 3 lb when it detects you're struggling, while the second level offers a greater reduction of about 3 to 4 lb under the same conditions. This is especially crucial for solo training because let's be honest, training without a spotter can be risky. Spotter protection gives you peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong during your set, the machine will immediately step in to prevent any injury.
For those who train with a partner, partner mode is an absolute game-changer. Each side of the machine operates with independent
resistance levels, meaning two users can perform different exercises at different intensity levels simultaneously. The partner mode on the
Speedian Gym Monster 2 isn't just great for sharing workouts. It can also be used for supersets. Since each side of the machine operates independently, you can set different weights and exercises on each side. This allows you to move quickly from one movement to another, like going from bicep curls on one side to a tricep extension on the other without having to reconfigure cables or change attachments.
There's also a safety release system for the base platform, which adds an extra layer of security. At first glance, you might think pressing this button would drop the base, but it actually requires two steps. You need to push the base toward the tower, then press the button to release it. This thought design is especially great if you've got kids around, ensuring the base stays securely in place when not in use. As an added precaution, I've also attached a bungee cord around the base to keep it firmly secured when the machine isn't in use.
It's always better to prioritize safety, and this extra step gives me peace of mind. Overall, these features enhance the Gym Monster 2's versatility while providing an extra layer of safety and convenience.
Pros vs. Cons
And we'll start with the pros.
It's an all-in-one smart gym. Combines multiple machines and features into one compact system, saving space and providing variety.
No assembly required. Unbox, set up, and start working out right away. No complicated instructions or tools needed. Compact and foldable design, perfect for home gyms with limited space, offering a full body workout when folded out and a minimum footprint when stored.
Dynamic resistance modes offering unique modes like eccentric, fixed speed, and chain modes to target different aspects of strength and muscle growth.
Strong AI and safety features. Smart resistance adjustments, spotter protection, and assist mode make workouts safer and more effective. It's ideal for multi-user
households. Multiple users can seamlessly switch between settings,
making it a great option for families or training partners.
All right, let's jump to the cons.
It has a premium price tag. While the price reflects its advanced features, it's still a higher investment compared to traditional gym equipment.
It requires power. If the power goes out, the machine won't work, and it relies on an outlet to function.
The digital resistance may feel different from free weights. Some users may find digital resistance less intuitive or less satisfying compared to the feel of traditional free weights, especially for heavy lifting.
Final Thoughts
The Gym Monster 2 is a powerhouse for those wanting a compact, tech-driven home gym.
Ready to try it? Check out Gym Monster 2!
Transparency Note:
Full testing footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b-zwsOsuqU
YouTube Channel: The Home Gym Experience
