Unleash Your Fitness Potential with the All-New Tonal 2!

It’s the second week of January, and if you recently returned to the gym (or began going for the first time), you’re likely already frustrated with the overcrowded facilities. Jostling for space with free weights, waiting in line at the machines, and equipment strewn about…it’s enough to make you consider turning right back around and heading home.

And you should.

At least, you should if you have the Tonal 2 mounted on your wall. Tonal’s state-of-the-art digital functional trainer serves as a gym-in-a-box, providing 280 potential exercises, all driven by digital weight that allows you to adjust your workouts on the fly (without needing to hunt for free weights or swap plates).

What Is It?

So what exactly is Tonal 2? It’s a digital functional trainer (cable machine). You’ve encountered them at your gym; it’s that daunting piece of equipment in the corner that resembles something from a fitness-themed version of Saw.

However, Tonal 2 doesn’t utilize physical weights at all. It features two rotating arms to which you can add attachments (either handles, a dual-connection rope, or a bar). You can then select anywhere from 5 to 250 lbs. of digital weight (an increase of 50 lbs. from the initial Tonal).

Training programs and classes are accessible via the 23.8″ interface, boasting over 3,000 workouts available (with more added regularly). They cover a wide range and are designed to align with your fitness objectives (like getting leaner or building muscle).

What’s New in Tonal 2?

Tonal 2 comes with remarkable upgrades. Right out of the box, you will observe that it has a stylish all-black finish with chrome highlights (in contrast to the original’s black and silver). The arms’ durability has been enhanced, along with the cable’s lifespan (up to 75% longer). During installation, my technician remarked about how much more solid the action of the arms and cables felt (he’s been installing the original Tonal for many years).

This added durability supports the 250 lbs. of weight and the new Aero workout, powered by upgraded microprocessors. Aero is a HIIT workout with five dynamic movements; it’s somewhat like a skiing simulator (with a simulated medicine ball exercise included). It demands swift changes that only the improved microprocessors can handle.

The new front-facing built-in camera allows you to see yourself in real-time and, more importantly, enables Tonal to provide coaching cues for immediate form correction. It sends these clips (along with notes on where you needed guidance) to your mobile device. Conveniently, you can still use your phone to film your workouts and switch views when reviewing a session in the app.

Another new feature for Tonal 2 (set to arrive on the original Tonal as well via software update) is Drop Sets. This feature removes the uncertainty from reducing weight during an exercise to maximize your muscle capacity. Tonal 2 alters the weight load based on the detection of muscle fatigue, keeping you consistently two reps away from failure—no more lining up rows of dumbbells!

What’s It Like Working Out On Tonal 2?

Since bringing the Tonal 2 into my home, my Peloton equipment has been collecting dust. I did a quick workout following the installation of Tonal 2, which determined the optimal weights for all my exercises, and I’ve been excelling for weeks since.

As much as I appreciate Peloton’s instructors (and they’re still top-notch in the field), not needing to estimate what weights I require or line up long rows of free weights to exercise is a game changer. Tonal 2 remembers my previous lifts, assesses my performance, and adjusts the weights accordingly. If it detects that I’m tiring during a workout, it will decrease my weights. If I excel at a set, my next set will be incrementally heavier.

And I do mean “a little.” With Tonal 2 supplying digital weight, you can modify weight in 1 lb. increments—just try doing that with traditional weights. You can also experiment with various modalities.

Want to go exceedingly heavy, but aren’t sure if you’ll be able to lift safely? Activate Spotter mode, and Tonal 2 will assist if you struggle. Ever wanted to integrate chains into your workout? Engage Chains mode, and Tonal 2 will dynamically increase resistance as you lift and lighten during the eccentric motion.

There’s Recovery mode, SmartFlex mode (where Tonal 2 adds weight during the strongest part of your move), Eccentric mode (which adds weight to the eccentric phase to enhance muscle growth)—Tonal 2 equips you with the tools needed to explore your fitness journey.

And if you prefer not to create a plan independently, just opt for one of the numerous available programs. I’ve been progressing through my initial 4-week program and have relished the convenience of simply stepping up and working out, allowing my trainer to adjust the modes.

Between my program workouts, I’ve been enjoying “fitness snacking” (as Troy Taylor, Senior Director of Performance Innovation, describes it) where I queue a quick 10-15 minute class like drop sets, chains, or Aero to boost my metabolism between intense workouts. The interface is designed for discovery, and I find that the suggested workouts genuinely align with my preferences.

The new Aero HIIT mode, exclusive to Tonal 2, is quite enjoyable. It provides you with a cardio workout without needing to hop on the bike or treadmill and engages a completely different set of muscles. It’s most similar to a rowing machine but is ultimately more akin to the kind of cardio performed in the free weight section (exercises like medicine ball workouts)…except more consistent and effective.

There are a few very minor drawbacks, though. Tonal doesn’t have the extensive music partnerships that Peloton has secured, so you’ll need to create your own playlists (which you can enjoy through the upgraded speakers of the Tonal 2). Nevertheless, having observed how other companies with mediocre licensing agreements…

dealing with music, this is likely advantageous. It allows Tonal to concentrate on exercise programming.

Logging in can be somewhat of a hassle if more than one individual resides in your household (and you’ll desire to maintain distinct accounts so that Tonal can adjust to your specific physiology). Rather than simply selecting a profile to access, you need to log in using a password or QR code every time you activate the device. When you’re signed into the app on your smartphone, it’s a minor inconvenience of only a few seconds, yet I still find it bothersome.

However, these are challenges only if someone were to inquire “but what do you dislike about Tonal 2” and I had to generate a less than perfect response. I have been delighted with my Tonal 2 workouts and can genuinely observe enhancement in just the month that I have been utilizing the machine.

Is it Worth the Investment?

Tonal 2 offers you 280 exercises, 15 workout formats, expert trainers and coaches, and 250 lbs. of resistance, all contained in a device that is mounted on your wall and occupies no more space than a vertically positioned TV. There’s no equipment to gather, no waiting for someone else to finish their set, and no requirement to manually track your sets. It’s the first piece of digital weight training apparatus I’ve utilized that simplifies enhancing your performance.

Tonal 2 eliminates the intricacies of trying out different fitness approaches. Additionally, the guided programs are engaging and stimulating. After a month, I realize that I have merely begun to explore what the device provides and am eager to discover more.

Tonal 2 is currently available and begins at $4,295. The $495 Smart Accessories package is necessary to train on Tonal 2 but if you already possess a Tonal, you’ll have nearly all you require (handles, bar, bench), you will simply need the new dual t-lock rope (priced at $59).