Anybody have/can comment on a Tonal Cable Machine?

[trippinjimmy]

I'm looking to put a cable machine in my workout room and never really considered this at all.

Does the magnetic resistance provide the same resistance for the full range of motion similar to a cable weight stack, or does the resistance increase as you get further in a movement similar to a band?

For those that have bought one, do you like it, or would you have preferred a normal cable machine? I'm looking at the Freemotion Cable Cross if I go that route, for comparisons sake.

Thanks in advance for the insight!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

I'm looking to put a cable machine in my workout room and never really considered this at all.

Does the magnetic resistance provide the same resistance for the full range of motion similar to a cable weight stack, or does the resistance increase as you get further in a movement similar to a band?

For those that have bought one, do you like it, or would you have preferred a normal cable machine? I'm looking at the Freemotion Cable Cross if I go that route, for comparisons sake.

Thanks in advance for the insight!

We got ours back in March and love it.

I cannot comment if the magnetic resistance is similar to other machines as I have never tried other cable machines. The resistance can increase based on your progress or you can do so manually. There can be resistance in both directions of the motion and the spotter can notice flaws in form.

There are many misconceptions and false info out there so I suggest if possible you visit a showroom if one is near you. The notion that 200 lbs of magnetic resistance if not enough is simply false. The magnetic resistance does not corelate one to one with the stated measure of the static weight of plates or stacks..

The monthly fee is for updated content and is not a membership fee. The programs are very well done and the progress tracking is great. The interface to the Apple Watch is very nice for tracking stats and heart rates. the programs are guided, not live and there is no one screamiong at you to keep up. You can pause the program, change the music or play your own music. You can go back to watch a move again and you can watch the coach as much as you want before starting your reps.

The Tonal also has other things besides just straight cable lifting, Yoga, Pilates etc. The machine is very well made and the installation process was flawless from the delivery company.

No, the machine is not cheap and that seems to be the main driver behind the online hatred. Everyone needs to find what makes them happy in life and for us, this is exactly what we needed in our home gym.

[trippinjimmy]

Originally Posted by beshannon

We got ours back in March and love it.

I cannot comment if the magnetic resistance is similar to other machines as I have never tried other cable machines. The resistance can increase based on your progress or you can do so manually. There can be resistance in both directions of the motion and the spotter can notice flaws in form.

There are many misconceptions and false info out there so I suggest if possible you visit a showroom if one is near you. The notion that 200 lbs of magnetic resistance if not enough is simply false. The magnetic resistance does not corelate one to one with the stated measure of the static weight of plates or stacks..

The monthly fee is for updated content and is not a membership fee. The programs are very well done and the progress tracking is great. The interface to the Apple Watch is very nice for tracking stats and heart rates. the programs are guided, not live and there is no one screamiong at you to keep up. You can pause the program, change the music or play your own music. You can go back to watch a move again and you can watch the coach as much as you want before starting your reps.

The Tonal also has other things besides just straight cable lifting, Yoga, Pilates etc. The machine is very well made and the installation process was flawless from the delivery company.

No, the machine is not cheap and that seems to be the main driver behind the online hatred. Everyone needs to find what makes them happy in life and for us, this is exactly what we needed in our home gym.

The premise behind its function, in my mind anyway, seems spot on, and I like the idea of being able to change up the resistance electronically whether on the concentric or eccentric motions...not to mention the minimal footprint it'll take up.

Glad to know you like it...I may be picking one up this week after some more research (and not going to lie - white glove delivery is also a huge plus!).

[trippinjimmy]

I forgot to ask something I can't seem to find the answer to:

Can you do an exercise not pre-loaded into the software, or does it need the software to figure out the resistance?

[JasoninDenver]

This looks really interesting. How is the progression in exercises? My trainer does an excellent job of mixing up moves on a regular basis to focus on the minor supporting muscles that help with stabilization and injury prevention. This has justified the $300+ per month we spend on him. I would be curious how broad the range of exercises for each area are.

[trippinjimmy]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

This looks really interesting. How is the progression in exercises? My trainer does an excellent job of mixing up moves on a regular basis to focus on the minor supporting muscles that help with stabilization and injury prevention. This has justified the $300+ per month we spend on him. I would be curious how broad the range of exercises for each area are.

This is the best review I've found so far

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhy2BNACbVM

This thing seems pretty incredible if it lives up to what it claims to do and hardly takes up any space.

Being able to see power output, time under tension, and manipulate concentric/eccentric loads magnetically...I'm just about sold.

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

I forgot to ask something I can't seem to find the answer to:

Can you do an exercise not pre-loaded into the software, or does it need the software to figure out the resistance?

You can build your own routines as long as the movement is in the database. I have built several of my own. There are a lot of choices so pretty easy to design your own programs. I should add, you build these on the app on your phone or tablet.

[droptopman]

totally agree with Brian above.

We have had ours since last summer. I cannot say enough great things about it. Been lifting since I was a teen and tried many different trainers and approaches over the years. The range of motion and variety are excellent. Following programs pushes me like a personal trainer does. Plus there is a leaderboard to keep me motivated. The different modes make the weight much heavier and more effective IMO. Adding or subtracting resistance at certain times in the movement feels very useful. I lift or do something on it every day. Most days I lift and do a short yoga routine. This thing was a life saver during the lockdowns. Wife uses it all the time too. Last two programs I did were old school body building routines. Lots of compound exercises. "Go big or go home 1 and 2". Really intense workouts. So many great programs and super easy to use. We absolutely love Tonal.

[droptopman]

As you can see, I spend a lot of time on it....

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

This looks really interesting. How is the progression in exercises? My trainer does an excellent job of mixing up moves on a regular basis to focus on the minor supporting muscles that help with stabilization and injury prevention. This has justified the $300+ per month we spend on him. I would be curious how broad the range of exercises for each area are.

This is one of the best features. Different trainers take different approaches and some are very scientific about how to attack muscle growth and recovery. Most routines have recovery moves built in which really work. Even though I feel I am working harder, I am less sore due to the recovery moves--at least in theory. Certainly feels that way. It truly is an amazing piece of tech. Best purchase I can remember in many years.

[trippinjimmy]

Originally Posted by droptopman

As you can see, I spend a lot of time on it....

Does that shelf come with the accessories? I feel like I've seen it in a few videos.

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

Does that shelf come with the accessories? I feel like I've seen it in a few videos.

No, they (Tonal) sell one, but I had these from Amazon from before so just used it. Nice way to keep the Tonal accessories close by and out of the way. I am no handy man and I put it up so it is easy to do.

[Mifune]

people still buy exercise equipment off the television?

[Johngalt1]

I’ve had it for 6 months and it’s been excellent...except for the fact that it broke and now I’m playing the waiting game on a replacement. Looks like I’m going to be down for at least a month.

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by Johngalt1

I’ve had it for 6 months and it’s been excellent...except for the fact that it broke and now I’m playing the waiting game on a replacement. Looks like I’m going to be down for at least a month.

That sucks. My pulley acted up once or twice and made a weird noise but sorted itself out. Let us know how they manage the warranty work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by droptopman

As you can see, I spend a lot of time on it....

Climbing the ladder to the Top 10 and beyond! Congratulations Mark I'm sure you will crack the Top 5 soon!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

I forgot to ask something I can't seem to find the answer to:

Can you do an exercise not pre-loaded into the software, or does it need the software to figure out the resistance?

Yes, there are options mentioned above as well as you can simply select a motion to exercise a certain body part and then select the weight.

Originally Posted by Mifune

people still buy exercise equipment off the television?

No we went to the showroom for an instore evaluation and then went back for our individual assessment to program our apps for when the machine arrived.

[Boopie]

Sure is a lot more space-efficient than my functional trainer! Good luck with it!