The connected home gym gear frenzy probably peaked at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indicators such as Peloton Fortune show interest is waning as people resume using their gym memberships. But there are still many possibilities in this category. Especially if the gear in question can combine smarts with other key value propositions, including a small footprint that fits in anyone’s home. Vitruvian Tamer+ offers more than that, keeping things small and simple while delivering on the tricky proposition of providing a comprehensive weight training experience at home.
foundation
The Vitruvian Trainer+ doesn’t come cheap. $2,990 is the average US monthly fee equivalent to a gym membership for about six years. This does not include the Vitruvian All Access subscription fee for access to advanced workout features including guided sessions. After the first 12 months, there is a hefty fee of $39/month. This is included free with the purchase of the machine.
That a regular subscription itself is more expensive than the average American pays for a monthly gym membership is a very steep hill to climb, and Vitruvian clearly knows it. FAQ questions specifically asking for membership costs. For a one-time fee of $990, you can choose to pay for a subscription that lasts the life of your machine. This is definitely a good deal if you’re really using the machine consistently and plan to continue. Finally, you can always choose not to use the subscription feature. This gives you a very capable workout his hardware as long as you are good at creating your own workout his path.
Speaking of hardware, it’s easy to see why Vitruvian has to charge users so much on a regular basis, even with a base price close to $3,000. The Trainer+ is a great kit and definitely required a high level of development and production. cost.
What you get is a compact yet sturdy platform with two clips that connect various handles, barbells, ropes and other external accessories to the active resistance mechanism contained inside. The platform itself can be easily stored under a sofa or table, measures approximately 46 x 20 inches and weighs only 80 pounds. Considering the range of workouts Trainer+ offers and the fact that it can deliver up to 440 pounds of resistance anywhere, the fact that it comes in such a relatively small package is quite impressive.
Trainer+ is very easy to set up and pair with your smartphone using a QR code on the machine itself. Also, the quick clipping system it uses to connect to handles and other accessories is really smart, helping you quickly switch between different items during structured workouts. Good result.
Resistance is controlled by the app, and every time you start a workout, the machine requires 3 set-up reps to establish proper range of motion before you start exercising with your real body weight. When you get into the actual exercise, each has his three modes, a mode where he adds 1 kg (2.2 lbs) for each clean rep, a mode where he loses weight over time, and a mode where he stays the same There is a persistence mode that remains.
design
On the surface, the Trainer+ doesn’t have much in its design. Best of all is the customizable LED lighting, which also provides visual cues if you’re racing your reps appropriately. Otherwise, if you’re old enough to remember what it is, it looks like an overgrown Wii balance board. The top of the Trainer+ is made of a carbon fiber composite and is suitable for use with training shoes, or choose an additional soft, sticky mat included in the entry- or pro-level accessory kit You can also. (I received the $500 Pro Kit in the sample package).
As mentioned, the Trainer+ is around £80 and comes pre-assembled in one sturdy piece. So while it’s easier to set up than most other home gym equipment, you’ll need another person to help you move it, such as going up and down stairs. It has wheels on the underside that touch the ground when tilted up, and easily slides across the floor for storage under a sofa or desk.
Key to the Trainer+’s versatility are two recessed “quick connect system” receptors. These receptors themselves are permanently attached to a retractable cable that connects to the device’s programmable active resistance system. A quick connector allows the included handles and ankle straps to be easily snapped on and won’t come loose during use, but are released via a simple collar-push mechanism that can be easily changed for each exercise. This is a great and intuitive upgrade that replaces the much more cumbersome carabiner system of Trainer+’s predecessor.
Another area that makes the Trainer+’s overall cost of ownership even higher is the variety of attachments it offers. There is a ‘basic’ kit that adds a long bar, tricep ropes, ‘premium’ handles, the aforementioned workout his mat, and safety cables. Second, the “pro” kit we tested the Trainer+ on includes everything in addition to short bars, belts and even benches. You can accomplish a lot with the Trainer+ without these, but the addition of them really improves the experience a lot, especially the larger bench and bar, which you can’t buy piecemeal.
Trainer+ works with a dedicated Vitruvian companion app that connects to your machine via Bluetooth. The nice thing about the expensive All-Access membership is that it’s tied to machines, not individuals. That means anyone in your family (or even a visitor) can create their own profile in the app on their phone, pair it with a machine and access all his training options and guided workouts. . The app itself is fantastic, offering multi-week programs to follow, trainer-led classes, and a wide range of personalized exercises that subscribers can assemble into their own custom workouts. I used the app’s guided videos on my Apple TV and it worked fine too.
Image credit: vitruvian
performance
If you’ve never used an active resistance machine before, Trainer+ will probably feel different than any other workout you’ve tried. Unlike all-in-one cables, weight-based equipment, or free weights. However, to Vitruvian’s credit, the learning curve isn’t exactly steep, and it only takes a few sessions before using the Trainer+, which feels like second nature.
Vitruvian’s app provides all the features you need to get the most out of your Trainer+. Whether you’re new to training or new to personal fitness and looking for something that fits or complements your existing routine. It’s basically as guided or self-directed as you want it to be, and anywhere in between.
Trainer+ is also great at adjusting workouts in real time based on intensity and performance level. To establish a baseline recommended weight for all your various workouts, there’s an intensity assessment that the app asks you to do first, and you can always come back and change that calibration. proceed with training.
After a month of testing with almost daily use, the Trainer+ has been incredibly stable. When you’re done with your workout, simply drop the handle or attachment and retract the cable without worrying about damaging the durable carbon composite material of the hardware itself. The clips slide in and out easily, and the platform can be easily wiped clean with soap and water when needed. The connection is solid and it remembers your phone as long as you toggle that option in the app. Trainer+ automatically sleeps, so you can always stay connected if you want.
One issue I’ve found with the machine: the power cable seems to fit pretty loosely into the machine’s socket. Light brushing was relatively easy to cut power to the Trainer+ until I learned how to avoid it. the code itself. It hasn’t been a problem since we identified it as a problem and avoided contact with the code.It’s possible this was intentionally included as a sort of safety backup.
Conclusion
There’s no question that Trainer+ is great home workout hardware. The smart, useful app is not only much friendlier than the likes of Peloton, but it’s also much more flexible for those who take their workouts very seriously and want to be able to do so. Customize and match your experience.
The real downside to Vitruvian’s products, however, is the price. With the Pro Kit, which I recommend, you’re already at $3,500, before you start adding on-going costs for app subscriptions. That can pay for a fair amount of gym membership, in addition to some personal training.
However, with Trainer+ you get a lot of things that are basically unobtainable elsewhere. For example, not only is it extremely portable and works in almost any home or condo setting, but it can also be easily packed in your car and used. Road trip – or if you’re into #vanlife, go with it. In this regard, it is much more versatile compared to other similar active resistance products like Tonal.
If you value flexibility with little sacrifice over a full set of free weights, a cumbersome home tower or a complete gym, the Trainer+ is for you. It’s clearly well-designed and focused on delivering value to real-life athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are notoriously hard to please, but they can take their exercise journeys at home for as long as people want. It’s also a great place to start.
Where to buy: Vitruvius website
