I Tested the Speediance Gym Monster 2 for 30 Days. Here's My Honest Review.
Check out the Speediance Gym Monster 2 here
I've been training on the Speediance Gym Monster 2 for 30 days. Not casually. Actually putting it through real workouts. Here are my honest thoughts on what it does well, what needs improvement, and who it actually makes sense for.
What Is the Gym Monster 2?
The Gym Monster 2 is an all-in-one smart trainer from Speediance. There are no weights, no stacks. Just digital resistance that goes up to 220 lbs total, 110 lbs to each handle. It folds up into a compact footprint that you can store anywhere, and this version also comes with a rower attachment.
Setup and Build Quality
Setup is plug and play. You plug it in, turn it on, create an account, and you're ready to train. There is no subscription tied to the device, which is worth noting.
The one thing I'd flag is that it doesn't come with clear instructions for setting up the Bluetooth handles or the Bluetooth controller ring. Both are intuitive once you figure them out, but I had to do a quick Google search to get there. That's something Speediance should address. It's a small friction point that shouldn't exist on a machine at this price point.
Build-wise, the machine feels solid. It's fairly heavy, but the wheels make it easy to roll around and reposition. If you're planning on moving it up or downstairs though, you're going to need a second person.
Software, Profiles and Training Modes
When you turn the machine on you select your personal profile. You can create multiple profiles for different people in the household, and the machine stores each person's workout history, previous bests, total volume lifted, and calories burned.
The main mode I've been using is free lift mode, which lets you set your own weight, move the handles to whatever position you want, and run your own program without following any guided content. Beyond that there are 142 different guided movements and 91 programs available covering everything from Pilates to rowing to HIIT to weight training. There is a lot to explore here and 30 days hasn't been enough to scratch the surface.
Cable Feel and Performance
The cables are smooth. Genuinely smooth. Because the resistance is magnetic rather than a traditional weight stack, there is no inertia involved in the movement. A regular cable stack has a little jump to it as the weight accelerates. You don't get any of that here. The resistance is consistent throughout the entire range of motion and adjusts in one pound increments.
One thing I really like is the ability to move the cable attachment to 11 different positions along each side of the rail, from high to mid to low. You can also detach the cable and clip it to a floor-level attachment, which opens up a variety of lower body and upper body movements that a traditional cable machine simply doesn't give you. Most functional trainers run vertically only, which limits your leg work significantly. The Gym Monster 2 removes that limitation.
Resistance Modes: Eccentric, Chains and Fixed Speed
Beyond standard resistance, the Gym Monster 2 offers three specialty training modes worth understanding.
Chains Modereplicates the effect of adding chains to a barbell. As you extend through a rep, say a chest press, the resistance increases, loading you heavier at the lockout where you're strongest. This mode feels pronounced and works well in practice.
Eccentric Modeadds extra resistance on the lowering portion of the rep. This is genuinely unique because there is no other practical way to overload the eccentric with free weights without having a training partner manually push the bar down. The concept is sound, but I'll be honest: the difference isn't dramatic unless you push the eccentric weight up significantly. I found I needed close to a 1:1 ratio. Meaning if I was pressing 30 lbs, I needed 30 lbs of added eccentric resistance to really feel it. It's a feature, but don't buy this machine specifically for eccentric training and expect it to blow you away at moderate settings.
Fixed Speed Modeis designed for power and velocity training. It moves you at a fixed speed regardless of the weight set, so you can't exceed it. This is useful for athletic training and power development, but it's not my style of training so I haven't spent much time in it.
Usability Frustrations
Two things stand out after 30 days of regular use.
Weight adjustmentcan feel clunky. You adjust resistance by scrolling rather than typing in a number. When you're between sets and want to make a quick change, that friction adds up. A simple numeric input, tap the display, type the number, confirm, would be a significant improvement.
The Bluetooth ringis a smart idea that doesn't always execute cleanly. The ring lets you turn the weight on and off without reaching back to the machine, which matters a lot for exercises like bench press or back squat where you're not in a position to turn around. The problem is the response isn't always reliable. I've had moments with a barbell on my back where the ring wasn't responding and I had to slide out from under the bar because the weight wouldn't disengage. That's not a small issue. To Speediance's credit, they are sending me an updated ring with both hardware and software improvements, so this may be resolved soon.
Both of these are software-level fixes, which means they can be addressed through updates without requiring a hardware change.
Footprint, Speakers and Features
The footprint is one of the strongest arguments for this machine. It folds flat and takes up minimal space. Genuinely apartment-friendly. The built-in speakers are better than expected and get loud enough to use during a workout without reaching for your phone. You can control music, instructor voice volume, and sound effect levels directly from the screen.
Attachments
The Family Plus package includes a solid set of attachments out of the box:
Bluetooth Ring and Clip
Smart Handles
Standard Handles
Tricep Rope
Adjustable Barbell
Barbell Pad
Barbell Hooks
Ankle Straps
Extension Straps
Adjustable Bench
Rowing Bench
Yoga Mat
Angle Adapter
Everything you need to train full body is included from day one.
The Bench
The adjustable bench inclines all the way up to 90 degrees and fits perfectly on the machine's platform for pressing movements. It's very lightweight, which makes it easy to move on and off the platform, but that same lightness is where it feels a step below premium. It's not unsafe, just not the most confidence-inspiring piece of equipment in the package. The bench functions well and is comfortable enough, but if you're used to a heavy-duty standalone bench you'll feel the difference.
The Rower
This model includes a rowing attachment. I haven't put real time on it yet so I'm not going to give a half-baked take on it. I'll cover it properly in an upcoming review once I've trained on it enough to say something useful.
Who It's For
This machine makes sense for:
Anyone who wants maximum training capability in a small space. Apartment, condo, spare room. If floor space is limited and you want to hit every muscle group with a legitimate workout, this delivers.
Home gym owners who already have dumbbells or a rack and want to add a compact cable setup. A full functional trainer is two to three times the size of this and often comparable in price, but with less exercise variety. The Gym Monster 2 fills that cable gap while taking up far less space.
This machine doesn't make sense for:
Very strong athletes. The 220 lb total cap is enough for the majority of people on unilateral cable movements, but for bilateral movements like presses, squats, and deadlifts, a significant portion of serious lifters will exceed that ceiling. If you're regularly pressing or squatting well over 220 lbs, this machine will limit you on certain exercises.
Final Verdict
After 30 days, the Gym Monster 2 does what it promises. The cable feel is smooth, the exercise variety is real, chains mode works well, and the space savings are hard to argue with. The attachment package is solid and you're not missing anything out of the box.
The Bluetooth ring inconsistency and weight adjustment UI are friction points that need to be addressed. The eccentric mode won't stand out unless you push the settings. The bench is functional but underwhelming.
If I didn't already have a full home gym setup and needed something capable in a compact footprint, I'd buy this.
Check out the Speediance Gym Monster 2 here
Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
