OxeFit vs Tonal: which smart home gym delivers better strength training?

AI-powered smart home gyms and strength training systems are no longer a novelty. They are the new baseline of home fitness.

The products in this review are both premium, subscription-based ecosystems and not mere home gym equipment. The OxeFit XS1 is a high-end, full-body smart fitness platform that offers immersive training features, whereas Tonal 2 is one of the most established wall-mounted smart strength systems.

With the help of my Cybernews research team, I’ve reviewed both OxeFit and Tonal in great detail. I’ve dug into the official specs, training system, subscription models, and recurring user feedback to determine their real-world value.

Keep reading to learn about the two products and their features, space requirements, costs, AI training logic, and general user sentiment. I’ll also provide my final recommendation so you can decide which gym system is the right choice for you.

Oxefit vs Tonal overview

If you don’t have time to check the full review (which I highly recommend, since you should base your decision on as many details as possible), I’ve prepared a quick overview of Tonal 2 and OxeFit XS1.

About OxeFit

The OxeFit XS1 is a smart strength-training platform that uses digital resistance and a large interactive screen. It offers AI-powered coaching, a dynamic resistance system, a large touchscreen display, and numerous training modes like strength, cardio, pilates, rehab, and performance.

Overall, its key advantage is that it’s a high-end, immersive fitness solution that can fully replace a large home gym. It’s effectively an all-in-one body gym with specialized training modes like rowing, ski cross, and paddleboarding.

The product comes with a 3-year limited warranty and optional paid items, including an accessory tree, a high-performance barbell, and a full fitness assessment.

About Tonal

Tonal 2 is a wall-mounted smart gym designed to take up little space. Without any accessories, it’s just a screen with retractable handles that uses electromagnetic digital resistance and an adaptive weight system of up to 250lbs. Resistance is based on actual performance data.

It’s a minimalist yet powerful strength training system that’s essentially a personal trainer built into your wall. It comes with a set of on-demand classes and a highly intuitive interface with real-time feedback, personalized programming, and gamified progress tracking.

Tonal 2 is designed for everyone. The system tracks over 300 movements and provides a library of 3,000+ workouts. However, the 7 accessories it offers for an additional price are necessary to do all these workouts.

Tonal vs OxeFit: features compared

To understand which of these gym systems offers more value, I’ve compared their key features side by side with my Cybernews research team:

Feature	Tonal	OxeFit	Why it matters
Max resistance	250lbs	250lbs	Shows you the ceiling for your progress
Screen size	‎23.8-inch	32-inch	The bigger the screen, the easier it is to see the contents from a distance
AI coaching	Yes	Yes	Ensures you keep the correct posture and reduces the risk of injury
Exercise variety	Primarily strength	Strength, cardio, pilates	Tells you whether it’s only a machine for building weight
Space requirements	Compact, wall-mounted	Large, takes up space as a full-size bed	Tells you how much space you’ll need to fit the product
Subscription required	Yes	Yes	Required to unlock the smart features
Installation	Professional installation required. Must be fixed to the wall.	Professional installation required. Can be moved around the room.	Tells you who installs the systems and whether it’s fixed in one place

OxeFit offers a broader range of training modes and an immersive experience. Tonal is compact and refined, with detailed AI features like weight adaptation. OxeFit is designed to be a multi-modal performance system, whereas Tonal is designed for progressive strength training.

Tonal 2 vs OxeFit XS1: training logic and smart guidance

The training logic between the two represents two schools of thought. Tonal strives to be a refined digital trainer that can optimize our strength training down to the tiniest detail. OxeFit is more of a comprehensive performance system that balances strength and cardio.

Both have an AI spotter that tracks your performance and reduces the load when it senses a struggle. They also feature adaptive resistance, which adjusts to keep you on track. However, their workout recommendations differ. Tonal is very structured, telling you exactly what to do with guided programs, whereas OxeFit creates customized protocols based on initial assessments.

Progressive overload is built into both systems, but Tonal’s is almost fully automated. OxeFit has advanced protocols to track power and velocity. You also get smart feedback that keeps you training properly, which reduces injury risk.

With all the built-in AI features, both systems replace real trainers for the most part.

Tonal vs Oxefit: space efficiency and design

Tonal is more compact, as it’s mounted to the wall, looking like a somewhat bulkier mirror with retractable handles. OxeFit is much larger (pretty much like a full-sized bed). The good news is that it folds vertically, so it doesn’t take up too much space when you’re not using it.

In addition, Tonal is more aesthetically pleasing. It looks like a mirror or a large touchscreen on your wall. OxeFit will definitely make the entire room feel like a gym with its bulky structure.

It’s worth noting that both Tonal and OxeFit require professional installation. However, Tonal can’t be moved once installed, whereas OxeFit can, although the setup weighs around 300lbs, so moving it is at least a two-person job.

What do users actually say about each smart strength training equipment?

Both systems are mostly praised by users, with downsides rarely outweighing the advantages, so you can hardly go wrong with either. However, the pros and cons of the two products are fairly distinct.

Buyers generally love Tonal for its polished coaching capabilities, intuitive AI, and the space it saves while offering so much. People generally praise its easy-to-follow progress and AI that handles most of the guidance. They dislike the installation process and subscription dependency.

As for OxeFit, people usually love its comprehensive, versatile nature. They are fans of its immersive experience and premium feel. The main attraction for most is that it’s virtually an “everything” gym machine that lets you focus on both strength and cardio. However, they don’t like the high upfront cost and the massive size.

Pricing and total cost of ownership comparison

Let’s compare the pricing of both products:

Cost category	Tonal 2	OxeFit XS1
Hardware	Mid tier	Premium
Subscription	Premium	Mid tier
Installation	Mid tier	Premium
Estimated total	Mid tier	Premium

In both cases, a monthly subscription is required if you want to unlock most AI-powered smart features, like the library of classes, personalized training, and performance tracking.

The OxeFit XS1 is the more expensive option, even when you disregard the total payment for all accessories. The good news is that they are optional, while the surcharge for Tonal’s accessories isn’t, because without them, a lot of the exercises can’t be performed

Tonal’s monthly subscription is higher, so the long-term price is similar. However, it will take over 10 years of use for these expenses to level out.

Finally, Tonal’s installation is cheaper, especially if you’re not based in Alaska or Hawaii, but OxeFit’s is often included in the price due to ongoing discounts.

Can smart strength training machines improve your form?

Yes, smart strength training can improve your form because these devices track your movements in real time, offering corrections when they notice your form is off. Tonal 2 is the winner here because its robust camera system is unprecedented and can track around 300 different movements.

On top of that, both Tonal and OxeFit offer visual guidance on large screens, so it’s even easier to continually keep a proper form while training.

However, this doesn’t make them all-powerful, and they still can’t fully replace the assessment you get from a human trainer. The system can’t tell you what you feel in your body, so if something seems off, you should take a break. Listen to your body first and the smart gym system second.

Our methodology

My goal is to conduct thorough research and give you the most accurate reviews and comparisons I can. In this case, I’ve done that with the help of a comprehensive methodology that has evaluated:

• Feature depth and innovation (25%). I checked how many features both offer and how innovative they are.
• Training intelligence and adaptability (20%). I focused on how well the AI works, including the level of personalization it offers.
• Build quality and design (15%). I assessed the design and durability of the two based on the specs and user feedback.
• Space efficiency (10%). I looked into the amount of space the two occupy and the installation requirements.
• Pricing and long-term cost (15%). I compared the full pricing to estimate the long-term costs you can expect.
• User sentiment consistency (15%). I analyzed user reviews to identify patterns and overall product opinions.

Bear in mind, though, that individual fitness goals heavily impact the suitability of either product.

OxeFit vs Tonal: which one is better?

Determining which smart gym system is better depends on what you need it for:

Choose OxeFit XS1 if you need broader workout modes that target more than just strength and if you want immersive training.

Choose Tonal 2 if your primary goal with the gym system is strength training, and space efficiency is a priority.

You can also evaluate both systems further with Cybernews’ OxeFit XS1 review and Tonal 2 review.

Lastly, the following questions should help you determine which product is more suitable for your needs:

• How much space do you have?
• What’s your training goal?
• Are you comfortable with subscription commitments and their size?
• Do you seek minimalism or full-feature immersion?

FAQ