Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from links on this page at no extra cost to you.
Speediance Review
The Speediance Gym Monster 2 is a foldable smart cable gym with up to 220 lb of digital resistance and no required membership. It is a good fit for small garage gyms, but very strong lifters may outgrow it.
Last updated: October 2026By Garage Hobbies Team
Quick comparison
| Model | Max resistance | Price (checked Oct 17, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Gym Monster 2 Basic | 220 lb total, 110 lb per arm | $3,387 sale (regular $3,849), no bench |
| Gym Monster 2 Works bundle | 220 lb total, 110 lb per arm | $3,239 sale (regular $4,049) |
| Gym Monster 3 | 220 lb total | From $4,099 |
Source: Speediance, checked October 17, 2026. Prices change often, so check the current listing.
| Product / Best for / Key spec | Best for | Key spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Speediance Gym Monster 2 | Best forA full-body smart gym in a small garage | Key spec220 lb digital resistance, folds to 2.7 sq ft | $3,239 to $3,387on sale at Speediance |
Speediance Gym Monster 3 | Best forBuyers who want the bigger screen and extras | Key spec220 lb, 23.8 inch screen, voice control | From $4,099at Speediance |
Tonal Tonal 2 | Best forBuyers who want a wall-mounted smart gym | Key spec5 to 250 lb, wall-mounted | $4,295plus $59.95/month membership |
Prices checked October 17, 2026. Prices change, check the retailer for the current price.
The smart gyms we compared
The Gym Monster 2 is the focus of this review. Below it sits the newer Gym Monster 3 and the main wall-mounted rival, Tonal 2, so you can see the tradeoffs side by side.
Best overall smart gym for small spaces
1. Speediance Gym Monster 2
The Gym Monster 2 packs a cable gym, a 21.5 inch touchscreen and 1,000+ coach-led workouts into a frame that folds to about 2.7 square feet. No membership is required, which keeps the long-term cost down. The 220 lb cap is the main limit for strong lifters.
Key specs
- 220 lb max resistance, 110 lb per arm, 1 lb steps
- 21.5 inch 1080p touchscreen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Unfolded 48 x 27.2 x 72.8 in; folded 14.6 x 27.2 x 72.8 in
- Two 800W motors, 10 to 12 cable height positions
Pros
- Folds flat with no wall mounting or drilling
- No required membership
- Each side can run a different weight
- 90+ training plans and 1,000+ coach-led workouts
Cons
- 220 lb cap limits heavy compound lifts
- Changing weight mid-set via the screen is awkward, per PCWorld
- Heavy truck delivery in three boxes
$3,239 to $3,387 on sale at Speediance
View on SpeedianceBest upgrade
2. Speediance Gym Monster 3
The Gym Monster 3 keeps the same 220 lb max resistance and adds a bigger 23.8 inch screen, more cable positions, voice control and a soft-lowering platform. It costs more, starting at $4,099. Worth it if those extras matter to you.
Key specs
- 220 lb max resistance
- 23.8 inch screen
- More cable positions, voice control, soft-lowering platform
Pros
- Bigger screen than the Gym Monster 2
- Voice control and more cable positions
- Soft-lowering platform
Cons
- Higher starting price
- Same 220 lb resistance cap
From $4,099 at Speediance
View on SpeedianceBest wall-mounted alternative
3. Tonal Tonal 2
Tonal 2 mounts on your wall and offers 5 to 250 lb of resistance, more than the Gym Monster 2. The tradeoff is cost: $4,295 plus a required $59.95/month membership with a 12-month commitment. A rental option runs $279 per month.
Key specs
- 5 to 250 lb resistance
- Wall-mounted
- $59.95/month membership, 12-month commitment required
Pros
- Higher 250 lb max resistance
- Frees floor space when mounted
Cons
- Requires wall mounting
- Membership is required, not optional
- Higher total cost over time
$4,295 plus $59.95/month membership
View on TonalQuick verdict
The Speediance Gym Monster 2 is one of the few smart gyms that folds away, needs no wall mounting and works without a membership. For a small garage gym, that combination is hard to beat. The 220 lb resistance cap is the honest limit: if you squat or deadlift heavy, you will outgrow it.
PCWorld gave it an Editors' Choice award in February 2026, praising the build, compact size, fast app and many accessories. GearJunkie scored it 6.9 out of 10 in April 2026, liking the 15-minute setup and smooth resistance but noting Wi-Fi drops and upsell prompts.
Specs and price
The Gym Monster 2 delivers up to 220 lb of digital resistance (100 kg), or 110 lb per arm, adjustable in 1 lb steps. The 2S version lists 130 lb per arm. Two 800W motors let each side run a different weight. Modes include Standard, Chain, Eccentric, Constant (fixed speed) and an elastic mode for Pilates and cardio.
You train on a 21.5 inch 1080p touchscreen with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Speediance lists 90+ training plans and 1,000+ coach-led workouts. The machine weighs about 172 lb and stands 72.8 inches tall.
As of October 17, 2026, the Basic package is $3,387 on sale (regular $3,849) and does not include the bench. The Works bundle is $3,239 on sale (regular $4,049). Bigger bundles add accessories like a bench and barbell, so check the package list before you buy. Financing starts at about $131 per month or 0% APR, and the purchase is HSA/FSA eligible through Speediance's checkout option. Prices change often.
What we like
- Folds from about 9 sq ft to about 2.7 sq ft, with no wall mounting or drilling.
- No membership required. Workouts, custom workouts, free lift, all 4 resistance modes, partner mode, weight suggestions and data tracking are free for life.
- Resistance adjusts in 1 lb steps, and each arm can run a different weight.
- PCWorld praised the build quality, compact size, fast app and accessory range.
- GearJunkie liked the 15-minute setup, smooth resistance and imbalance feedback.
- Financing from about $131/month or 0% APR, plus HSA/FSA eligibility.
What could be better
- The 220 lb cap limits strong lifters on heavy compound lifts, as GearJunkie noted.
- Changing weight mid-set through the screen is awkward, per PCWorld. The Bluetooth ring helps.
- Some features sit behind the optional Wellness+ subscription.
- GearJunkie saw Wi-Fi drops and upsell prompts during workouts, plus frequent updates.
- Delivery is heavy: three boxes totaling about 160 kg, shipped by truck in about 5 to 10 days.
Membership: what is free vs Wellness+
Speediance does not require a membership. Per Speediance, workouts, custom workouts, free lift, all 4 resistance modes, partner mode, weight suggestions and data tracking are free for life.
The optional Wellness+ plan adds an AI coach plus recovery, sleep and stress insights. It costs $24.90 per month or $249 per year, according to Speediance's launch post from May 2025. PCWorld saw it at $19.99 per month on promo.
Gym Monster 2 vs Tonal 2
Tonal 2 costs $4,295 and mounts on your wall. It offers 5 to 250 lb of resistance, which beats the Gym Monster 2's 220 lb cap. A rental option runs $279 per month.
The big difference is the membership. Tonal requires $59.95 per month with a 12-month commitment. Speediance requires nothing. Over a few years, that gap adds up to real money. Pick Tonal 2 if you want more resistance and a wall-mounted frame. Pick the Gym Monster 2 if you want no required fees and a machine that folds away.
Read our Tonal review for its smart features, required membership and full first-year cost. For a full side-by-side, see Speediance vs Tonal.
Gym Monster 2 vs Gym Monster 3
The Gym Monster 3 starts at $4,099. It keeps the same 220 lb max resistance and adds a bigger 23.8 inch screen, more cable positions, voice control and a soft-lowering platform.
If the bigger screen and voice control matter to you, the 3 is the nicer machine. If you want the lower price, the Gym Monster 2 gives you the same resistance and the same free training content.
Will it fit in your garage?
Folded, the Gym Monster 2 takes about 2.7 square feet (14.6 x 27.2 in) and stands 72.8 inches tall, so it parks flat against a wall. Unfolded it needs about 9 square feet. You need Wi-Fi and a nearby outlet, and at about 172 lb it is easier to position with two people.
Put it on rubber flooring to protect your slab and keep the machine level. Our best home gym flooring guide compares the options. If your garage doubles as a parking spot, our half garage gym ideas show layouts that share the space.
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
Buy it if you want a full-body smart gym in a small space, you like guided workouts and you do not want a monthly fee. It suits general strength training, cardio and Pilates-style work well.
Skip it if you train heavy barbell lifts. A power rack setup with adjustable dumbbells handles more weight and costs less long term. Our best home gym equipment guide compares both paths.
Frequently asked questions
Is Speediance worth it?
For a small space and no required membership, yes for most home lifters. Strong lifters who need more than 220 lb should look at a power rack instead.
Does Speediance require a subscription?
No. Workouts, all 4 resistance modes, partner mode and data tracking are free for life. The optional Wellness+ plan is $24.90/month or $249/year.
How much does the Speediance Gym Monster 2 cost?
As of October 17, 2026: $3,387 on sale for Basic (regular $3,849) and $3,239 on sale for the Works bundle (regular $4,049). Prices change often.
What is the max weight on the Gym Monster 2?
220 lb total (100 kg), or 110 lb per arm, adjustable in 1 lb steps. The 2S version lists 130 lb per arm.
Speediance vs Tonal: which is better?
Tonal 2 offers more resistance (250 lb) but requires a $59.95/month membership and wall mounting. Speediance folds away and needs no membership. Pick based on resistance needs and fees.
Is the Gym Monster 2 good for a garage?
Yes. It folds to about 2.7 sq ft, needs no drilling and stands 72.8 in tall. You need Wi-Fi, a nearby outlet and rubber flooring under it.
What is the warranty?
24 months on the main unit and 12 months on accessories. Optional Speediance Care extends coverage: 3 years for $299 or 4 years for $349. Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, and fees may apply for non-defect returns.
Related buying guides
- Tonal ReviewTonal 2 is a wall-mounted smart gym with 5 to 250 lb of digital resistance and AI form feedback. It is the smartest home strength trainer we know of, but the required membership makes it one of the most expensive.
- Speediance vs TonalPick the Speediance Gym Monster 2 if you want a lower price, no required membership and a gym that folds away. Pick Tonal 2 if you want more resistance, form feedback from a camera and a wall-mounted unit that stays off the floor.
- Best Home Gym Equipment for a Garage SetupStart with a rack, bench and adjustable weights. FLYBIRD SR1, WB5 and its dumbbell pair are value options; BalanceFrom offers a multifunctional machine. REP PR-4000 anchors a dedicated strength setup, while MERACH Q1S adds budget magnetic rowing.