I learned how to lift in college when I was running track, and I fell in love with the feeling of a heavy dead lift, squat, and clean. I’ve been lifting for the last decade, but it’s never been the same since I lost access to my elite college weight room. I mostly work out at home with adjustable dumbbells and kettlebells, but I’ve reached a point where I need something heavier. I need my barbell and plates back.
So I was stoked to review the Speediance Gym Monster 2, a magnetic-resistance cable machine that looks a lot like a normal weight-lifting rack but can fit in my home. I’ve been using it for a month now, and I’ve totally integrated it into my workout routine. I really enjoy using it (I didn’t love the past magnetic-resistance machine I tried), and it’s allowed me to step up my big lifts, like dead lifts, squats, and bench presses.
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Tricked Out
The Gym Monster 2 is a magnetic-resistance cable machine with a rack, screen, foldable platform (with a removable squishy pad), and so. Many. Accessories. The standard package comes with a bench, adjustable barbell, barbell hooks, barbell pad, tricep rope, cable handles, extender belt, ankle straps, and a Bluetooth ring and clip (more on what that does later). This is the second version (duh) and is more compact and lighter then the first iteration, and has one higher level for the cables on the rack pillars.
It was really easy to set up—no assembly required. It has a small footprint. When folded, it’s 14.6 inches long by 27.2 wide by 72.8 tall; unfolded, it’s 48.0 inches long. With a total resistance of 220 pounds, it can’t help you with your heaviest lifting, but the smart features and easy-to-use system make it a really cool home workout machine.
Price-wise, it’s a little less than the Tonal 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), and you also don’t need to subscribe to a membership to access most of the workouts.
Photograph: Kristin Canning
There’s a lot to love about the Gym Monster 2. It feels much more like a traditional weight-lifting rack than other magnetic-resistance cable machines I’ve used in the past, thanks to the two tall pillars that can hold the cables. Similar machines, like the Vitruvian Trainer+ that I’ve tried, have cables that attach only to the platform, which makes certain lifts and positioning quite challenging.
