Tonal 2

Angela Moscaritolo from PCMag highlights the Tonal 2 as a refined evolution of the original smart strength training machine, maintaining its position as the category’s Editors’ Choice. While the $4,295 price and $59.95 monthly membership represent a significant investment, the Tonal 2 offers a modest but meaningful upgrade, including a higher max resistance of 250 pounds, stronger cables, and a built-in front-facing camera for Smart View with real-time AI coaching cues. Moscaritolo praises the new Aero classes that blend cardio and strength training, calling them engaging and effective. The review notes minor drawbacks such as occasional speaker static, battery requirements for accessories, and a screen size unchanged from the original. The reviewer’s long-term experience with both generations lends credibility, emphasizing Tonal 2’s durability, extensive workout variety, and motivating performance tracking. Overall, the Tonal 2 is recommended for serious lifters seeking convenience and advanced coaching at home, though those satisfied with the original may find the upgrades incremental.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT from Good Housekeeping offers a detailed and measured review of the Tonal 2, highlighting it as a best-in-class smart home gym with impressive strength training capabilities. Praising its sleek design, intuitive interface, and advanced features like built-in AI coaching, adaptive drop sets, and safety spotter mode, she emphasizes how the machine effectively removes guesswork from weightlifting and supports users of varying experience levels. The review also notes the convenience of a compact footprint and premium accessories. However, Sassos is candid about the steep initial cost, high monthly membership fee, and specific space and installation requirements, which may limit accessibility for some. She provides unique insights from her personal trainer perspective, including comparisons to competitors and real-world testing in her home. Ultimately, she recommends Tonal 2 for dedicated users seeking a comprehensive, tech-forward strength training solution, while cautioning that the investment is significant and best suited for those committed to regular use.

Giselle Castro-Sloboda from CNET highlights the Tonal 2 as a refined evolution of the original smart training machine, emphasizing its increased resistance capacity, new Aero cardio feature, and improved design elements like the smart view and included drop sets. She appreciates the machine’s ability to deliver a full-body workout with AI-driven form feedback and dynamic weight modes that mimic personal trainer guidance. The review conveys a cautiously positive tone, noting that while the Tonal 2 offers meaningful upgrades—such as a more authentic free-weight feel and quiet cardio options—it remains a high-cost investment with installation challenges, especially for nonstandard wall types. Castro-Sloboda values the extensive workout library and the machine’s space-saving design but wishes for more diverse attachments and strength exercises. Overall, she sees Tonal 2 as ideal for dedicated lifters with the budget and space, but less suitable for casual users, underscoring the importance of weighing cost, usage frequency, and home compatibility before committing.

Boutayna Chokrane from WIRED highlights Tonal 2 as a sleek, high-tech home gym that impresses with meaningful upgrades like a built-in camera for real-time form feedback, stronger cables boosting resistance to 250 pounds, and improved connectivity. The reviewer appreciates its controlled digital resistance and extensive workout library, especially the new Aero HIIT modality and built-in drop sets. However, the review balances enthusiasm with clear reservations about the steep price tag—including mandatory membership fees and costly accessories—and the machine’s space requirements. While Tonal 2 offers a premium, clutter-free design and solid durability, it lacks the playful energy and music integration of competitors like Peloton, which may limit its appeal for some users. Privacy concerns and reliance on software updates also temper the excitement. Overall, Tonal 2 is praised as a serious investment for committed digital weight trainers seeking a refined, tech-forward experience, but it’s not for everyone.

Anthony Karcz from Forbes highlights the Tonal 2 as a transformative, space-saving digital functional trainer that effectively replaces traditional gym equipment with 280 exercises and 15 workout modalities. He expresses clear enthusiasm for its advanced features, such as the increased 250 lbs. digital weight capacity, upgraded durability, and innovative Aero HIIT mode powered by enhanced microprocessors. The real-time coaching via the front-facing camera and adaptive Drop Sets technology impressively personalize workouts, helping users optimize performance and avoid guesswork. Karcz appreciates the convenience of seamless weight adjustments in 1-pound increments and specialized modes like Spotter and Chains, which add versatility to training. While he notes minor inconveniences—such as the lack of integrated music deals and somewhat cumbersome multi-user login—these are framed as trivial compared to the overall benefits. After a month of use, he reports visible progress and ongoing excitement to explore the device’s full potential, positioning Tonal 2 as a compelling, high-tech gym-in-a-box for serious fitness enthusiasts.

Genevieve Farrell from PopSugar highlights Tonal 2 as an exceptional at-home fitness machine, praising its sleek design, extensive resistance range, and versatile exercise options that closely replicate gym equipment. She emphasizes the machine’s standout features, including the large high-resolution screen, real-time form coaching via the Smart View camera, and adaptive drop sets that intelligently adjust weight during fatigue. Farrell’s background as a fitness video director lends credibility to her positive assessment of Tonal’s programming quality and motivational trainers. She appreciates the convenience of working out at home, especially as a busy mom, and values the machine’s ability to deliver effective strength training and dynamic cardio alternatives. While noting a learning curve and the significant investment cost, she finds the installation process smooth and the overall experience rewarding. Farrell concludes that Tonal 2 is ideal for those serious about resistance training and willing to invest in a comprehensive, tech-forward home gym solution.

Jordi Lippe-McGraw from Esquire highlights the Tonal 2 as a transformative, tech-driven home gym that truly lives up to its promise of replacing a full gym experience. Praising its sleek design, precise digital weights up to 250 pounds, and a large, crisp screen with immersive audio, the review conveys genuine enthusiasm for how the machine makes workouts accessible, personalized, and even addictive. Unique insights include the nuanced discussion of installation challenges—requiring specific wall space, professional setup, and some home prep—which contrasts with simpler fitness gadgets but is framed as a worthwhile trade-off. The reviewer appreciates the smart coaching features like real-time form feedback and adaptive resistance, emphasizing how Tonal 2 motivates consistent training without the hassle of crowded gyms. While acknowledging the steep price and setup complexity, the tone remains warmly positive, portraying the Tonal 2 as a high-tech, full-service fitness solution ideal for serious strength builders and tech enthusiasts willing to invest.

Ali Finney from GQ highlights the Tonal 2 as a transformative smart home gym that finally made strength training enjoyable and accessible. Praising its adaptive weight system, extensive exercise variety, and sleek design, Finney emphasizes how the machine removes common barriers like complicated setups and equipment clutter. Unique features such as Smart View for form correction and drop sets that adjust weight in real time enhance the workout experience. The reviewer appreciates the engaging coaching and diverse programs, comparing Tonal 2’s content quality favorably to Peloton. While acknowledging it may not suit those who prefer fully self-directed routines, Finney finds the machine motivating and effective for consistent progress, especially for beginners and intermediate users. The review conveys genuine enthusiasm and personal insight, portraying Tonal 2 as a must-have for anyone seeking a convenient, all-in-one strength training solution that fits seamlessly into home life.