Tonal is the most polished way to lift seriously in a small space: motors replace plates, software handles programming, and the hardware hangs flat on the wall. The catch is the total cost of ownership, because the membership is effectively mandatory and installation and accessories are extra.
What we like
- Up to 250 lb of digital resistance on Tonal 2 in a 21.5-inch-wide footprint
- Adaptive programs, spotter-style weight reduction and form feedback
- 30-day in-home trial on new units, plus rental and refurbished routes in
- One membership covers the whole household
- Detailed tracking of volume and strength progress over time
Keep in mind
- Membership ($59.95/mo on a 12-month commitment) is needed for most features
- Installation, accessories and membership push real cost well past the sticker price
- Needs a solid wall and roughly a 7 x 7 ft workout zone, which can rule out some renters
- Refurbished units are final sale
Most home gyms ask you to choose between space and seriousness. A rack, bar and plates can handle heavy lifting but swallows a garage bay, while resistance bands fit in a drawer but plateau quickly. Tonal tries to sidestep that trade-off by replacing iron with electric motors. Two adjustable arms fold out from a slim wall unit, a touchscreen runs the workout, and the machine sets the load for each rep.
In our research, Tonal stands out less for any single feature than for how much it removes from the process of training: no plate math, no spotter to recruit, no program to write. That convenience carries a premium, though, and the ongoing membership is part of the deal. This review breaks down what you actually pay, which model makes sense, and who would be better served by a conventional setup.
How Tonal works
Tonal is a wall-mounted strength trainer that uses electromagnetic resistance instead of weight stacks. On Tonal 2, that resistance goes up to 250 lb in total, delivered through two cable arms that can be repositioned for presses, rows, squats, curls and hundreds of other movements. The unit measures 50.9 inches tall by 21.5 inches wide and sticks out only 5.5 inches from the wall when the arms are folded.
Because the weight is digital, the software can change it mid-set. That enables a handful of features you cannot get from plates:
- Spotter-style assistance that eases the load if you stall on a rep.
- Eccentric and chains-style modes that vary resistance through the movement.
- Automatic weight suggestions that adjust as your strength numbers rise.
- Form feedback, which on Tonal 2 uses an upgraded camera for real-time coaching cues.
Tonal was founded in 2015 and is based in San Francisco. The current lineup is Tonal 2, a Glacier finish version of Tonal 2 with a reflective display and built-in storage, and Certified Refurbished Tonal 1 units.
Tonal 2 vs. refurbished Tonal 1 vs. renting
There are three realistic ways in, and the right one depends on how sure you are that you will use it.
Buy a new Tonal 2
The regular purchase price is $4,295. The Essentials Accessories Bundle adds $495 (seven accessories, unlocking 300+ moves) and the Ultimate bundle adds $595 (nine accessories, 340+ moves). New purchases come with a 30-day in-home trial and a two-year limited warranty.
Buy a Certified Refurbished Tonal 1
Tonal 1 tops out at 200 lb rather than 250 lb and lacks Tonal 2's Aero HIIT and upgraded camera, but it keeps the same wall-mounted arms, touchscreen and core programming. Units go through intake, restoration, parts replacement and testing. Two things to note: refurbished purchases are final sale, and accessories are bought separately (they ship new).
Rent
Tonal Rent, run through a partner and subject to approval, lists Tonal 2 at $279 a month and Tonal 1 Certified Refurbished at $219 a month, with delivery and installation included. A current promotion offers the first month free through November 30, 2026. Renting costs more over the long run, but it is the lowest-risk way to find out whether the habit sticks.
See Tonal's current range
The full cost of ownership
Sticker price is only the start. Before ordering, add up:
- Hardware: $4,295 for Tonal 2, or a lower but unpublished price for refurbished Tonal 1.
- Accessories: $495–$595 for a bundle if you buy new. The smart handles and bar are what open up most of the exercise library.
- Installation: from $295 for purchases, with typical scheduling of two to four weeks.
- Membership: $59.95 a month on a 12-month commitment, which works out to roughly $720 a year.
The membership is not optional in practice. It powers guided programs, classes, analytics and the adaptive weight features, and the page is clear that most functions require it. On the plus side, a single membership covers everyone in the household, which softens the cost for couples or families who will share the machine. Tonal also lists HSA/FSA eligibility and financing, and runs a Heroes discount for military, first responders, healthcare workers and teachers.
What to check before you order
- Your wall. Tonal needs a sturdy section of wall for mounting and roughly 7 feet of clear space in front of it, with a 7 x 7 ft workout area. If you rent and your landlord will not allow wall anchors, consider that a deal-breaker.
- Your lifting goals. 250 lb of total resistance is ample for most people, but strong lifters chasing heavy squats and deadlifts will outgrow it. A barbell setup from a brand like Bells of Steel is better for maximal strength.
- Your schedule. The value case is strongest if you train three or more times a week. At once a week, the membership cost per session gets steep.
- The return window. Use the 30-day trial seriously on a new unit; once you are past it, or if you buy refurbished, you own it.
Who Tonal suits, and who should look elsewhere
A strong fit: professionals and parents with limited time and space who want structured strength training without having to learn programming. It also suits households where two or three people will share one membership, and beginners who benefit from guided form cues and automatic load selection.
Probably not a fit: powerlifters and advanced lifters who need heavier loads, people who dislike subscriptions on principle, and renters who cannot drill into walls. If you want app-guided training but prefer free weights, Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells with the JRNY app cost a fraction of the price. If you want a human coach rather than a machine, Future pairs you with a trainer who programs around whatever equipment you already have.
Our verdict
Tonal remains the benchmark for smart strength equipment: compact, thoughtfully engineered and genuinely helpful for people who would otherwise skip strength work. Its rating reflects that quality, balanced against a high total cost and a membership you cannot realistically opt out of. If the price works for you, a new Tonal 2 with the 30-day trial is the safest buy. If you are unsure, rent first or look at a refurbished Tonal 1 with eyes open about the no-return policy.
Tonal products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tonal 2 | Wall-mounted smart gym with up to 250 lb of digital resistance, camera-based form feedback and adaptive programs. | $4,295 |
| Essentials Accessories Bundle | Seven accessories that unlock 300+ moves on Tonal 2. | $495 |
| Ultimate Accessories Bundle | Nine accessories covering 340+ moves for the widest exercise library. | $595 |
| Tonal 1 Certified Refurbished | Restored first-generation unit with up to 200 lb of resistance; final sale. | rent from $219/mo |
| Tonal Membership | Required subscription for guided programs, classes, analytics and adaptive weight; covers the household. | $59.95/mo |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
Tonal FAQs
How much does Tonal really cost?
Tonal 2 is $4,295, plus $495–$595 for an accessories bundle, installation from $295 and a $59.95 monthly membership on a 12-month commitment. Renting starts at $219 a month for a refurbished Tonal 1, with installation included.
Can you use Tonal without a membership?
Only in a very limited way. Tonal states that most features, including guided programs, classes, tracking and the adaptive weight modes, require an active membership, so budget for it as part of the purchase.
Is Tonal heavy enough for serious lifters?
Tonal 2 delivers up to 250 lb of total resistance, which covers most people's training needs. Very strong lifters focused on maximal squats and deadlifts will likely prefer a barbell and rack.
Does Tonal have a trial period?
New purchases include a 30-day in-home trial with a full refund if you return it. Certified Refurbished purchases are final sale, and rentals can be canceled under the rental terms.
Can I install Tonal myself?
Tonal uses professional installation for purchases, starting at $295, because the unit must be anchored securely to a suitable wall. Installation is included with rentals.
Busy adults who want guided strength training at home without a room full of iron
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