Best Hi-Tech Home Workout Options
Find out how you can stay healthy during the pandemic. Learn about the best high-tech workout options you can install in your home.
There are many benefits associated with working out. For many, exercising is a way to deal with stress. A good workout gives you something else to focus on. You can set goals to accomplish, leaving you feeling satisfied at the end of an exercise session. There are plenty of health benefits as well. Exercising keeps you at a healthy weight and reduces your risk of heart disease. It also manages your blood sugar and insulin levels.
Unfortunately, the pandemic made it much harder to exercise. Most individuals rely on a gym to exercise, since it has all the necessary equipment and plenty of space to move around. Even with businesses starting to open, there are still many gyms either staying closed or only allowing a small number of clients each day. This is largely for health reasons, since gyms must be incredibly thorough with cleaning. Even if you have limited space in your home, there are several high-tech workout options available.
Mirror
If you live in a small apartment and are concerned about space, Mirror is one of the best high-tech home workouts. The titular mirror is a tall screen, which you mount onto your wall. Included with the screen are resistance bands and a heart rate monitor. When you begin your workout, the mirror displays an instructor who guides you through your workout. Mirror is highly customizable. You can either set your own workout routines, or use the provided classes. Mirror is controlled by an app, which you can control from either an iPhone or Android device.
Mirror uses the app to track your methods across all your workouts, letting you know how much progress you are making. You can set individual goals, with Mirror scoring you based on how well you meet each of your goals. You can also compare your previous workout results to new results, to see how much you have grown. Users also enjoy the accessibility options, catering to individuals with injuries or other limitations.
As of writing, Mirror goes for $1500. You can also sign up for a monthly account, which costs $39. An account gives you access to the full catalogue of classes, with Mirror updating the available classes each week, adding at minimum 50 additional classes.
Tempo Studio
Tempo Studio is one of the pricier home workout options, costing roughly $2,500. Tempo is designed for weightlifters, with the base unit coming with two dumbbells and 16 weight plates. The studio contains a large touchscreen, where the workouts are displayed. Underneath the screen is plenty of storage space for all your weights. There is additional equipment available as well, including a folding bench, foam roller and a heart-rate monitor. These are included with the Plus and Pro accounts, which cost $3,245 and $3,995 respectively.
Tempo also has a $39 a month account, which gives you access to all of the classes. You can also create multiple profiles on the account, allowing family members to use Tempo Studio without having to create their own settings each time. Tempo even has an option to attend live classes, with the studio using motion sensors and AI technology to track your movements in real time and provide feedback to the instructor.
Even if you do not opt for a live class, the studio provides live updates on your workouts. For example, it tracks how low you bend during squats, letting you know if you are getting too close to the ground and giving instructions to correct your form. If you are competitive, you can compare your workout results on a global leaderboard.
Peloton Bike
Peloton Bike was popular among workout enthusiasts even before the quarantine. Since then, it has gained even more attention, with many considering it the standard for at home workout options. The basic Peloton Bike costs around $1,900. You can pay an additional fee, known as the essentials package, to get spin shoes and weights included with the bike. Monthly accounts cost $39, giving you access to thousands of live workouts. The library mostly focuses on bike and spin classes, but there are also yoga and stretching classes as well.
There is also a Bike+ option, which costs $2,500. This option offers many perks, including a larger screen which rotates 350 degrees, following your movements while you work out. It also adds automatic resistance adjustments. Your account has full integration with Apple Watch as well.
No matter what version you go with, Peloton actively tracks your progress. You can enroll in live classes, which allow you to compete against other riders. In addition to constantly adding new workouts, Peloton also updates their themed workout playlists. While it is not run directly by Peloton, there are also many social media groups dedicated to Peloton workouts. This gives users a sense of community, mimicking the feel of going to a gym.
Tonal
Tonal is another pricy home workout option, costing close to $3,000. Tonal is one of the larger workout sets, requiring a fair amount of room in your home. In addition to the screen, you get a smart bar with resistance arms, a bench, mat and foam roller. It also has a more expensive monthly account, costing $49 instead of the usual $39.
The smart bar allows you to quickly customize your workouts and change the amount of resistance. Tonal completely customizes your workout from the moment you set it up. Each user must complete a fitness assessment to determine the best workout plan. Tonal provides the most thorough workout, allowing you to work out your arms, legs and core.
