While the glory days of the gym may be over and swanky studio classes are looking bleak, there’s never been a better time to invest in a home gym studio to keep your buns and guns in shape from home.

Thanks to technology that includes dedicated apps, live and on-demand classes, touchscreen displays, and AI training, there’s a new way to get in shape from home and it’s in the form of smart gyms, such as Tonal, Tempo and Mirror.

Smart home gyms are changing the way we workout. This is the future of fitness and it’s exciting! 

In this article, I’m going to be comparing two of the most popular smart gym systems out there right now, Fight Camp and Tempo Studio. These are two similar, however, altogether different, machines and I’m going to break them down and line them up head to head so that you have all the details you need to get the right workout equipment inside your home that matches your preferred training style.

Comparing Fight Camp to Tempo Studio: The need-to-know facts and stats

Key Fight Camp Information

I’ll be honest, I never really considered boxing when choosing a workout for myself It was just never a sport that I paid any attention to. However, boxing has grown and evolved over the years, becoming a boutique workout that packs a powerful punch (pun intended).

The benefits of boxing are numerous. From improved balance and posture to strengthening your upper and lower body, it’s an explosive full-body workout that many people also consider to be therapeutic.

Fight Camp was created to bring the boxing class experience to your living room. This is especially helpful after last year when gyms and fitness studios shut down. As a result, more people began working out from home, and before Fight Camp, there really was no solid home boxing solution.

The setup

With a few different packages to choose from, you can tailor your experience with Fight Camp. The full setup, or the Fight Camp Personal, comes with:

• Punch Trackers
• Quick Wraps
• Free-Standing Bag
• Heavy Workout Mat
• Premium Boxing Gloves

If you want to keep things simple, you can get their Connect package which includes just the punch trackers and quick wraps, however, I would recommend going for the Personal package if you want the best experience. The addition of the free-standing bag and workout mat really makes it the most comprehensive workout. Plus, most of the workouts are designed around having all the equipment.

You can also opt to upgrade to the Tribe package which includes additional equipment, including kids gloves so that everyone in your household can get in on the action. I think it’s really cool that they include kids' gear with this package!

Regardless of which package you choose, you can plan on streaming the app on your TV or another device where you’ll be able to select a workout and be guided through the experience. I want to note that there is no included screen with the Fight Camp setup. Honestly, I’m not sure where they would put a screen which is probably why they don’t include one. But, most other smart fitness equipment on the market includes a screen, so this is a bit of a downside for this setup.

The workouts with Fight Camp

All your Fight Camp workouts can be found inside their app, which is very easy to navigate and use. When you first sign up for the app, you’ll be led to their beginner’s program which will teach you the ropes over the course of a 12-week period. This is perfect for those who are just trying boxing for the first time or who have never been properly trained on form, stances, punches, etc. For experienced boxers, you can probably skip this program and dive right into some more advanced content.

New workouts are always being added to the library, which consists of hundreds of workouts already. You can scroll through the app, filtering each workout by the number of rounds, class type, instructor, etc. You can then tap on a specific class to view more details like the experience level, time, and total punch goal. You can also get a quick overview of what moves and combinations to expect in each round, which is handy when choosing the right workout of the day.

Each workout is tracked, so you’ll be able to see stats like how many workouts and rounds you’ve completed, how many punches you’ve thrown, and more. You can view these stats per specific workout, per day, or per week. This information is super helpful for your growth and progression throughout the program.

Lastly, there’s a leaderboard that’s designed to help keep you pushing yourself, striving for your best output. However, this is not a live leaderboard like you’d see with Peloton, you can’t see your place on the leaderboard until after the class is complete. This is a unique approach to leaderboards, as it encourages you to try your best during the class and then see how you measured up afterward. You can also get a sneak peek beforehand to see what kinds of outputs you’ll be up against.

Tempo Fit: Key Details

Tempo Studio is one of the most advanced pieces of fitness equipment on the market today. This strength-training focussed machine is filled with the latest in fitness and AI technology to help make sure you’re getting an efficient workout every time.

Resistance training is one of the best forms of physical activity you can do for your body. Aside from aesthetics and body compositional changes, there are many benefits to strengthening your muscles. According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, resistance training can promote bone development, reduce low back pain, and ease the discomfort commonly associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia. 

Tempo brings the gym to your living room, providing you with all the tools you need to train your body, all in one comprehensive, compact smart gym, and with three Bundle options to choose from, you can be sure you're getting exactly what you need and nothing you don't. Everything about this machine is impressive, from the 42” HD touchscreen and Olympic weights to the personal training and AI technology.

The setup

Home gym studio is the phrase that best describes Tempo. This is an all-in-one smart gym, meaning it contains the latest technology and features that allow you to train smart and efficiently from the comfort of your home.

In terms of the aesthetics of the machine, Tempo has a very sleek, modern design and feel to it. With an aluminum frame and two sharp color options, white or black, this studio is easy to integrate into any room in your home. Personally, I chose the black, or dark studio as I have two little kids and feared that the white would end up looking dingy quickly.

Regarding the size of the machine, it bears an impressive presence. At 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide with an included 42” HD touchscreen, it’s large enough to make your workout interactive and fun, but small enough that you can stand it in nearly any area of your home and it won’t cause too much of an intrusion on your space. However, keep in mind that while the machine itself doesn’t require a lot of space, you will need around 5-6 feet of clearance for your workouts in order to ensure that the 3D sensors pick up your movements properly.

Included Equipment

Tempo comes with everything you need for your workouts, which is incredibly handy and very cost-effective as the price for weights and other equipment has skyrocketed over the last few months. There are three different Tempo Bundles to choose from, you can find out more about each bundle here. Below are the equipment and accessory options available inside the Bundles:

• Olympic plates: 1.25 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 25 pounds, and 45 pounds.
• 25-pound barbell
• 7.5 pound dumbbells
• Collars for attaching the plates to the dumbbells and/or barbell
• Heart rate monitor
• Workout mat
• Recovery roller
• Foldable squat rack
• Foldable bench
• Adjustable kettlebell system

All gym equipment listed above is stored conveniently inside or on the Tempo itself. There is a cabinet located at the bottom of the machine that opens up to reveal dedicated racks for your plates, keeping them neatly hidden while not in use. On the back of the machine, there are additional racks that house your barbell and dumbbells. If you go for the heavier weight plates, Tempo offers sleek, convenient storage for them, too.

AI Technology

This is perhaps the most important distinguishing feature of this home studio, the integrated AI technology that features 3D sensors. These sensors create a 3D rendering of your body, showing your movement patterns and allowing your instructor to watch your form and cue you to make changes or tweaks to be sure you’re working out safely and efficiently.

But that’s not all this technology does, it also counts your reps for you and tracks your weights, taking all the guesswork out of weight training. For beginners, this is a godsend. Instead of avoiding strength training for a lack of knowledge and understanding, you can let Tempo walk you through it. And the best part is that it’s all done from your living room, so no need to let the fear and anxiety of hitting the gym stop you either.

The workouts

Tempo includes hundreds of on-demand classes to choose from as well as live-streaming classes. Classes range from strength training and cardio to HIIT and recovery (using the included foam roller). There’s a nice variety of classes to choose from, including boxing! So if you’re worried about lifting weights every day, you can rest assured that you’re going to have plenty of variety.

If you’re into taking live classes, you’ll love that your instructor will be able to call you out in real-time, both to encourage you and to correct your form, all while you compete with others via their leaderboard (this is where Tempo is very similar to Peloton). You can also access the leaderboard for on-demand classes, too, but you’ll be trying to beat those who have already taken the class before you.

Accessing and navigating the interface is super simple. When you select a class on the masterful HD touchscreen, you’ll get a preview of all the movements you’ll be doing in that particular class, which is a great way to determine if that’s the best choice for you for that day rather than find out that you’re not into halfway into the class.

During each workout, you’ll see a variety of different metrics displayed. You’ll be able to view things like your rep count, pace, heart rate, what weights you’re using, etc. These stats are all updated in real-time. Plus, you’ll get alerts if you need to make any adjustments to your form. For example, if your knees are going over your toes during a squat, you’ll be cued to correct that common mistake with simple adjustments.

If you want even more information on Tempo's smart gym, my complete evaluation will help you even more!

Decision Time: Which smart gym setup is best for you? Fight Camp or Tempo Fit?

Armed with some of the most pertinent information about each machine, you’re now likely leaning in one direction over the other. I’d like to start by saying that I think both studios are incredible and that no matter which you choose, you’re going to enjoy an amazing workout from home. That said, you’re probably only going to invest in one, so it’s important to decide which one best fits your workout needs and personality.

If you love the thrill of boxing and the feeling of giving your all in the ring, then you’re likely to love Fight Camp. It’s an explosive, high-energy workout that will have you sweating, increasing your cardiovascular endurance, and toning and sculpting your muscles.

For those who want to create a workout routine that’s centered around strength training, Tempo is going to be your best option. Between the fact that all your weights and equipment are included with the machine and the integrated form correction, it’s the closest thing you can get to hiring a personal trainer. 

Both systems will provide you with a fun, interactive experience and both offer a well-rounded approach to training. The other factor that may come into play when making a decision is the price. Tempo is quite a bit more expensive than Fight Camp, but it also includes a lot more technology and equipment.

Personally, I find the Tempo to be a better investment, but I am a little biased considering I own one and choose strength training as my training style of choice. Also, I love that Tempo provides a ton of variety with their class selection, including boxing classes, too!

Which workout style is the best option for you? I encourage you to take some time to check out both machines, watch a few videos, and really evaluate your fitness needs, both in the long and short term. And then come back and let me know which one you chose! I’d love to hear from you here, on Instagram, or inside my exclusive Facebook group, Fit Home Healthy Life.