Having quality fitness equipment at home means you’re more likely to use it regularly, even when your schedule is busy. With smart scheduling, you don’t need to research or plan your own workouts—they’re all designed for you.

Smart workout equipment can keep you challenged enough that you can continue to get stronger without getting injured. You may receive class suggestions that match your fitness goals. Some cable machines will automatically adjust the resistance based on the amount you can currently lift, and some treadmills will customize the intensity of your speed and incline based on adjustments you’ve made in previous workouts.

If you’re not exactly sure of your form or technique, or just want someone with more expertise to coach you through an effective workout, having a smart touchscreen or An app where you can track workouts will ensure you get the most out of them. of your session.

Many smart gyms track your workouts and record statistics on your progress over time, which can give you extra motivation to keep going. “(Smart equipment is) data-driven, which is really great for building accountability,” says Crouchelli.

Different machines offer different features, so ask yourself which one will motivate you the most. Do you want instructor-led classes? Information about the data? An intelligent resistance? “A lot of my friends want fun fitness,” Crouchelli says. “They have a stressful job and want to be able to have fun and sweat at the same time.” You do it; just make sure your machine will support it.

The initial cost of the main hardware isn’t the only number to consider when thinking about what you can afford. Most smart workout equipment requires a monthly or annual subscription to access features like workout classes. You might also need additional accessories like specific cycling shoes or a wall mount to get the most out of your workouts. Calculate the total in advance.

Ask yourself what you want to get out of your workouts. If you’re primarily looking to build functional strength, you’ll benefit from something like a cable machine, while your coworker who keeps bragging about his marathons will probably prefer a treadmill. Or, if you just want to decompress a little while sweating it out, consider a cardio machine which lets you stream apps like Netflix.

Smart gyms are digitally connected fitness equipment that uses advanced technologies like motion sensors and data insights to provide you with personalized workouts. Many include a touchscreen that streams interactive workouts.

Smart gyms are an especially good choice for beginners, as they can give you a low-pressure, AI-guided introduction to fitness, often with trainer-led workouts and sometimes even fitness feedback.

A smart home gym is definitely worth it if you want premium features to guide you through your workouts. As Crouchelli says, when people buy a smart gym, “they get accountability, they get fitness, they get a foundation.”

According to Crouchelli, most people can train better with a smart home gym than if they were just trying to figure out what to do at the gym on their own. Features like instructor-led workouts, smart resistance, and real-time metrics let you train more effectively.

We found the Beyond Power Voltra I to be the best smart home gym machine thanks to its compact design, versatile exercise options, useful data insights and high-quality hardware.

Most smart gym equipment requires a monthly subscription to access premium features. However, some, like the Speediance Gym Monster, offer lifetime access to workouts, with no subscription required.