In a recent interview that we conducted with Benny Zhang of Speediance, we discussed the shifting dynamics within the fitness industry, particularly the rise of 'smart' trainers and AI-powered workouts. Speediance is at the forefront of this trend, developing products that seamlessly integrate advanced technology into home fitness routines. Their innovative fitness solutions leverage AI to tailor workouts to individual users, enhancing both effectiveness and engagement.
Zhang emphasized how Speediance's equipment is designed with a user-centric approach, ensuring that the technology not only meets the demands of fitness enthusiasts but also encourages those new to exercise. By incorporating smart features, such as real-time feedback and personalized training programs, Speediance aims to inspire a wider audience to adopt healthier lifestyles. This alignment of technology and fitness reflects a growing trend towards more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable workout experiences.
If you are in the market for your first piece of workout equipment or need to upgrade or replace your old stuff, take a look at Speediance. A full review is coming soon, but for now, lets get into the first part of the interview.
Active: Benny, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey up to Speediance?
Benny Zhang: I've been in the health and wellness industry for nearly a decade. Previously, I worked as a trainer and course developer at a publicly listed fitness education company, where I trained thousands of personal trainers. My journey with Speediance began by chance. I was fascinated by its motor-driven resistance system, which led me to join the company as its 31st employee.
As the content manager for Speediance courses, I've overseen the development of our course framework, ensuring a rich variety of content and multiple course formats. Seeing our users satisfied with our programs brings me great joy. Our goal as the Speediance course development team is to make fitness accessible to everyone, helping people improve their physical health and overall quality of life.
Active: What are the current offerings for Speediance? Gym Monster vs Gym Pal
BZ: Speediance is the ultimate solution for at-home fitness and workouts. A viral hit online, it packs a variety of different workouts to target muscle groups in a sleek build that’s easy to store.
- The Gym Monster is the all-in-one ultimate smart home gym. Anytime, anywhere, for all muscle groups. Featuring visualized workout tutorials, advanced data and versatile training modes with 220 lbs of resistance right in your hands. Plus, there’s plenty of data within the device to help you track and improve your workouts.
- The Gym Pal is the mightiest and most compact home gym - perfect for beginners and seasoned athletes. The Pal packs 200 lbs of resistance at your fingertips, plus advanced high-density training modes for versatile workouts, full app support for seamless integration with your fitness routine, and a deep understanding of your progress.
Active: Who is Gym Monster & Gym Pal for? What are the biggest differences between the two products?
BZ: Any level of fitness can find value in Speediance machines. The Gym Pal is best for small spaces like apartments, people who are looking to create a routine and stay fit and healthy from their home, and anyone looking for at-home equipment on a budget.
The Gym Monster is the level-up. The machine is for those who are serious athletes looking to enhance their training routine and use the data to track their results. Slightly larger than the Gym Pal, the Monster fits many capabilities into its sleek build.
(shown Speediance Gym Monster Family Plus Max. Multiple variation available)
Active: What makes Speediance different and how does it compare to other ‘smart’ trainers/equipment out there?
BZ: Speediance has all types of workouts, from sport-specific to HITT to strength training. It also has an option to personalize workouts based on your goals, catering to different fitness levels. No matter what your fitness level or goal is, Speediance will help you find a workout that is accessible and level up if and when you want to at the right pace.
For beginners or anyone who’s never used the Speediance home gym, the trainers in the beginning always recommend you take the strength assessment test so you know where to start and what weight you should be using for your first workout.
Active: Why Speediance? What did the Speediance Team see was lacking in the current landscape that helped bring this to existence?
BZ: A current trend in home workouts is what I like to call hybrid workouts that are time-optimized. These time-optimized fitness workouts include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuit training routines that combine strength and cardio exercises. They are designed to be efficient and effective in a short time but still allow you to get the most out of it and make the best progress possible. The Speediance Smart Home Gym aligns with this trend well because it has all of these features in one, and is right at your fingertips, so you can squeeze in a workout no matter how much (or little) time you have. Speediance is designed to help get you to your goal with its awesome time-optimized workouts, so you don’t have to spend hours and hours at the gym.
Active: How can Speediance help with recovery/conditioning/training?
BZ: The Speediance has all types of workouts, from sport specific, to HITT, to strength training. It also has an option to personalize workouts based on your goals. It most definitely caters to different fitness levels and goals. No matter what your fitness level or goal is, Speediance will help you find a workout that is accessible, and level up if and when you want to at the right pace.
For recovery specifically, the Fix Speed Mode (Constant Mode) is particularly beneficial. It maintains a constant pulling speed regardless of the force applied, helping you stay controlled and avoid muscle strain. For example, when doing rows or bicep curls, this mode helps you focus on form and control, which is great for easing back into workouts after an injury or a tough training session. The Eccentric Mode increases resistance during the muscle-lengthening phase, which can enhance strength and conditioning. For instance, while doing squats or deadlifts, this mode makes the downward movement more challenging, effectively building strength. These smart training modes ensure you can recover, condition, and train effectively and safely.
Active: How does the Speediance SmartHome Gym help users avoid common workout injuries?
BZ: For beginners or anyone who’s never used the Speediance home gym, the trainers in the beginning always recommend you take the strength assessment test so you know where to start and what weight you should be using for your first workout. Every trainer for the workouts always takes you through a warm-up before the workout starts. The reason for a warm-up is to increase your circulation, improve range of motion, improve performance, reduce muscle tension and pain, and lastly, avoid the risk of injury. At the end of the workouts every trainer also takes you through a cool down. The reason for a cool down is to lower your heart rate, reduce muscle soreness, improve flexibility, remove lactic acid, and lastly, avoid the risk of injury.
Also, with the Spotter Mode turned on, if you get stuck during a movement and unable to finish, the machine will detect this and automatically reduce the weight for you.
Besides the Assist Mode (Spotter Mode), the digital weight system and Bluetooth ring make adjusting weights on the fly simple and safe, so you're never lifting more than you can handle. Additionally, our pro-led classes guide you through proper form and technique, minimizing the risk of injury. With these features, you can work out confidently and safely at home.
Active: How can endurance athletes benefit from Speediance? As not all want/need to ‘bulk’ up.
BZ: Endurance athletes can definitely benefit from Speediance Gym Monster, even if they don't want to bulk up. The key is to focus on strength and conditioning rather than just muscle mass. For instance, using our Eccentric Mode, you can increase resistance during the muscle-lengthening phase, which helps build muscle endurance without adding bulk. This is perfect for exercises like slow, controlled squats or lunges, which strengthen the legs for activities like running or cycling.
Our Fix Speed Mode is also great for endurance athletes. It keeps the pulling speed constant, helping you focus on controlled movements and improving muscle coordination and endurance. Additionally, the Assist Mode with Exhaustion Detection can help prevent overtraining and injuries by automatically reducing weight when it senses you're fatigued.
Finally, the Gym Monster's combination of strength and cardio training means you can maintain your cardiovascular fitness while also incorporating resistance training. This balance is crucial for endurance sports, helping you build strength and prevent injuries without focusing solely on muscle bulk.
Active:With so many configurations, what advice would you provide someone looking into purchasing your product?
BZ: When considering the Speediance Gym Monster, it's important to think about your specific fitness goals and how our features align with them. If you're looking to improve overall fitness, our all-in-one design that combines strength and cardio might be perfect for you. For those focusing on strength, our digital weight system with up to 220 lbs of resistance and 1-pound increments offers great versatility.
If space is a concern, you'll appreciate our compact, foldable design that takes up only 3 square feet when stored. For ease of use, the fact that it comes fully assembled and requires no installation is a big plus. Additionally, the variety of smart training modes, like Fix Speed Mode and Eccentric Mode, cater to different training needs, from muscle endurance to strength building.
For safety and convenience, features like the Assist Mode with Exhaustion Detection and the easy weight adjustment via touchscreen or Bluetooth ring are valuable. Consider what aspects are most important for your routine and how these configurations can best support your fitness journey.
Lastly, take advantage of our extensive library of over 200 pro-led classes and 600+ movements to keep your workouts varied and engaging. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, Speediance offers the tools to help you reach your fitness goals efficiently and safely.
Look for part two of the interview soon.
About the Author
Stephen is the Editor in Chief for ACTIVE.com. He has been running been involved in the fitness industry for more than 10 years but has been running or playing sports for most of his life.
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