There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way we work out. And since many of us have turned to using home gym equipment to exercise, one frustrating aspect is finding a space to properly strength train. Or I needed a shelf full of free weights. These two factors limited what I could do to succeed outside the gym. not anymore.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ (starting at $2,890) is the latest in a new breed of smart strength system that packs tons of training options into a compact footprint. Hidden inside the carbon fiber shell is electromagnetic technology capable of producing up to 440 pounds of resistance. Smart algorithms combined with app-based coaching take the guesswork out of strength training yourself.
We’ve spent a week testing the Vitruvian Trainer+ and here’s what you need to know.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is for those with limited space and wanting to invest in a compact home gym system that offers a variety of strength training workouts within an easily stowable frame.
I live in a one bedroom condo and have limited floor and wall space, so I want to dedicate myself to fitness equipment. The Vitruvian Trainer+ is just 46″ x 20.5″ x 4.5″, weighs 80 pounds and is basically an aerobic step on steroids. Wheels are embedded for maneuverability. This means you can hide it under your sofa and pull it out easily when you lift it.
The Trainer+ comes with basic handles and ankle straps, but we recommend purchasing the Entry Kit, which includes premium handles, long bars, tricep rope, training mat and safety cable for an additional $237. With all of the above plus a short bar, bench and belt for an extra $450 you should also consider the Pro Kit. At least without the entry kit the machine supports over 200 can only perform a few of the exercises in
Vitruvian Trainer+ uses artificial intelligence to learn from your short and long term workout behavior and adjust your weight accordingly. The first 15-minute strength assessment set benchmarks for movements such as deadlifts and squats. Then, when you do your first workout (a full-body class with a long bar), the machine uses these benchmarks to determine what weights you should perform at 50% to 60% of your maximum for each exercise. programmed. (Let’s say his maximum weight for a single back squat is 100 pounds. The app automatically programs 50 to 60 pounds for back squats in this class.)
The first three exercises in each class are intended as warm-up exercises for measuring range of motion. without it weight. The point of this is to allow the machine to reduce the weight if you’re struggling to reach the full range of motion of the exercise, and increase the weight if you’re easily crushing your reps, so that you don’t lose weight at any given moment. You can also manually adjust the difficulty of the entire class or specific exercises within that class. If you use the app to create a custom workout, you can adjust your weight based on your weight gain when repeating that workout in the future.
On the fourth repetition, take the weight. I found this to be a little jerky at times — during one set of sumo squats, the machine temporarily added another 15 pounds and caught me off guard — and during exercises and sets A few classes are needed to learn how weights are loaded and unloaded in .
Vitruvian Trainer+’s algorithms sync with the Vitruvian app for iOS and Android to deliver customized workout performance. There is a library of over 200 classes and over 20 strength training programs within the app. But this is a small library compared to other smart fitness equipment that offers live classes daily and new on-demand workouts on a regular basis.
Still, you can choose from shorter (many workouts are less than 30 minutes) full-body options (such as the Full Body Progression or the bar class above) and targeted workouts like “Strengthen your back and biceps.” I like and “lower body bulk”. It was also helpful that the instructor gave instructions for changing the necessary attachments in each class.
Also, the device doesn’t have an embedded screen (because you’re standing on it, of course), so following video demos on your smartphone can be difficult (I currently have an oversized iPhone 14 Pro Max I have). Vitruvian recommends casting or streaming classes from the app to your TV using Apple TV or Chromecast for the best experience. I agree that it made class a lot more fun, but working out he needed creativity to set up the space so he wasn’t even a foot away from the TV.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is similar to home strength training devices such as Tonal ($3,495), Tempo Studio (starting at $2,495) and Arena Platform ($2,495). Arena is the most similar, created by top coaches to generate up to 200 lbs of resistance for over 300 workouts and programs that adjust in real time. But Tonal, a wall-mounted system that generates up to 200 pounds of resistance, and Tempo, which uses motion-capture cameras to analyze movements made with free weights, offer the added benefit of real-time form feedback. Offers. When Community participation with live classes.
Smart fitness equipment is always an investment, but are you used to strength training and looking for a way to lift weights at home without cluttering the floor with dumbbells and kettlebells or devoting an entire room to a squat rack? For those who are, it’s the Vitruvian Trainer+. A great way to make a profit at home.
I loved that it can be tucked away under the coach rather than mounted on the wall and that custom workouts can be programmed into the app from the strength training coach to work alongside pre-programmed classes. From both a storage and educational standpoint, compact machines make strength training more accessible.
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