According to a recent article published in Home Advisor, the average cost to build a home gym is anywhere from $2,000-$15,000. This number will of course vary depending on what your situation is, what type of equipment you want, and what your budget is, but it suffices to say that things can get pricey quickly.
But with many gyms closed and the threat of COVID-19 still looming in the air, there is an increasing number of people who wish to work out from home. In fact, a recent study found that 90% of Americans who exercise regularly plan to continue with their at-home workouts even after their gym has reopened and they feel comfortable returning to it.
The increase in the number of people working out from home has meant that workout equipment is hard to come by and the prices have been inflated. But there’s a new way to workout from home that costs less money and requires a lot less work: smart gyms,
Companies like Tempo and Echelon have created these sleek, all-inclusive home fitness solutions that make having a complete home gym simple, easy, and affordable.
In this article, I’m going to be comparing these two brands, giving you all the details and information you need to make a decision regarding which option is the best for you, your goals, preferences, and your home.
Why Choose a Smart Home Gym?
If COVID-19 has shown us anything it’s that even hardcore gym-goers are realizing that they can get a great workout in from the comfort of their own home. There has been a giant shift in the fitness industry, and so many brands have taken notice and created products that are making it easier and more convenient than ever to train from home.
If you’re new to home workouts or setting up a home gym, then you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of equipment that you seemingly need to accomplish what you can in a gym, but the introduction of smart home gyms has turned that notion upside down and shown us a better way.
Here are a few of the top reasons for choosing a smart home gym vs. piecing equipment together yourself to create a functional setup:
- They’re all-inclusive - you don’t need to purchase multiple machines.
- They’re sleek - no need to hide your gym equipment when company comes over, these pieces of technology fit right in with your home, adding a touch of design and innovation.
- They’re cost-effective - if you start adding up what it takes to build out a gym at home, it can get pricey, fast.
- They come equipped with all the live and on-demand workouts you’ll ever need - no guessing or winging it with your workouts.
- You get access to world-class trainers - they’ll walk you through your entire workout and help you progress safely and efficiently.
- You can be part of a community - Their innovative apps allow you to compete with and connect with thousands of others worldwide, creating an atmosphere of community and camaraderie.
Echelon Reflect Vs. Tempo Studio: A Head-to-Head Table Comparison
Now that you’re no doubt convinced of the benefits of working out from home and doing so with a smart gym, let’s take a look at two of the most popular options out there right now:
| Tempo | Echelon |
|---|---|---|
Starting price: | $2495 | 40” $1,039.98, 50” $1,639.98 |
Screen Size: | 42" | 40” or 50” |
Equipment Included? |
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Class Selection: | Hundreds of strength-based, HIIT, and cardio classes to choose from | Full library of classes, including weight loss programs, boxing, strength, and yoga. |
Live Classes? |
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Live Competition (Leaderboard)? |
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Membership Cost: | $39.99 / mo | $39 / mo |
Wall Mounted? | No, stands on 4 legs | Yes, must be securely mounted to a wall |
Coupon Code? | Best promo code here (limited uses) |
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Website: |
Depends the bundle you choose. But can include a Barbell, plates, dumbbell, mat, roller, heart rate monitor, bench, squat rack, kettlebell system, weights storage
Please watch our video review of the echelon reflect mirror vs tempo studio located on our YouTube channel:
The Key Differences and Similarities
When comparing Tempo and Echelon Reflect, you’ll find some similarities, but also many differences. Here are the key takeaways:
Similarities:
Both Tempo and Reflect:
- Have large, HD screens
- Are sleek and easy to integrate into any room in your home
- Feature a library of live and on-demand classes
- Allow you to compete with and workout with others
- Use heart rate tracking
Differences:
- Tempo includes all equipment you need for your workouts within their 3 bundles, Echelon does not
- Tempo uses 3D motion sensors that track your form and allow your coach to correct and guide you
- Echelon is more cardio, bodyweight, and yoga-based and Tempo is based on strength training
- Echelon has multiple lives classes to choose from per day, Tempo has less
- Tempo tracks your reps, weights, and movement patterns, Echelon does not
- Tempo provides custom-tailored workouts based on your unique goals, abilities, and progression
- Echelon Reflect is wall-mounted, Tempo stands on 4 legs
- Tempo includes a cabinet for convenient weight and equipment storage
Echelon Reflect Overview
Echelon is a well-known name in the fitness industry, they have everything from connected home bikes and rowers to connected mirrors and treadmills. This is a brand that is working hard to stay ahead of its competitors and they’re providing value by offering their products at a lower, more accessible price point.
When it comes to their Reflect, this is their response to the ever-popular Mirror, which revolutionized the fitness industry. Reflect has the same concept - it’s essentially a smart mirror that’s affixed to a wall in your home. Then, you’re able to connect to the app and stream live and on-demand workouts, which results in an experience similar to having a personal trainer right in front of you.
The Reflect comes in two options; a 40” screen or a 50” screen. The 50” screen will cost you another $600, which seems a bit steep, so I would recommend sticking with the 40”. All your workouts are tracked as well as your heart rate, calorie burn, and more.
Pros:
- Sleek, easy to integrate design that goes in any room
- Hundreds of live and on-demand workouts
- Great selection of workout styles
- 40” is a great price point
Cons:
- Does not include equipment, you would need to have your own weights, bands, mat, etc.
- Users complain that the connectivity is often a struggle which leads to slow connections and lagging workouts
- It can be difficult to move around should you want to
- The larger screen is significantly more money
Tempo Overview
Tempo is a brand new D2C fitness brand that came out with a revolutionary new product when they released the Tempo Home Studio. As mentioned in my Tempo review, this piece of equipment is truly unique in that it’s a complete home gym system, meaning it offers the classes, the live training and feedback, and all the equipment you need all in one. Plus, they have three carefully curated bundles to choose from that allow for accessory and equipment personalization.
The design is sleek and beautiful and it features a built-in cabinet for storing your weights in equipment, which is so convenient. Perhaps the most innovative thing about this machine is the fact that it used 3D technology to create a rendering of your body as you workout. Then, it monitors your form and guides you through corrections and adjustments to ensure you’re performing moves safely and effectively.
Not only that, but it also counts your reps for you, tells you what weight to use, and personalized programming that’s designed to help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.
The equipment that comes with the Tempo Studio is premium quality and when purchased separately would be significantly more. They really offer amazing value with their system!
Pros:
- 3D form tracking and rep counting
- Automatic weight selection
- Customized programming
- 3 equipment bundles to choose from
- Heart rate monitoring
- Everything you need is included
- Expert coaches who will guide you through
- Safe, effective weight progression
Cons:
- It’s on the pricer end (but not when you add up what the cost of the included equipment would be on its own)
- If you are too far away from the sensors, your rep counts may be off
- It’s a tad more intrusive than the Reflect as it is more like a piece of furniture than a mirror on the wall
Final Verdict: Which Smart Studio Is Best?
I honestly think that both the Reflect and the Tempo Studio offer massive value and both will allow you to achieve an amazing workout from home, there’s no question about that.
The choice between the two comes down to your style, preferences, and budget. If you want to strength train, there is no question that Tempo Home Studio is the best smart home gym out there thanks to its inclusion of real weights, rep counting, and weight guidance. They literally take all the guesswork out of weight training.
On the other hand, if you’re more into less intense modalities and/or more bodyweight workouts, then the Echelon Reflect is a great option. In my opinion, the Reflect is better suited for those who want to practice modalities that don’t require much equipment. That said, both studios cater to all kinds of workouts.
What Else to Consider When Choosing Reflect or Tempo?
You should also consider where/how you’ll set up your home gym and whether you want it affixed to the wall or you want it to be mobile. Personally, I love that the Tempo is movable and that it includes the cabinet to neatly tuck away your weights and equipment. It makes it simple to set up your workout space anywhere - from your tiny apartment to your garage! And the best part is that it’s so sleek and beautiful that you won’t want to shove it in a closet when company comes over.
Lastly, I did a lot of research into both options and I have to say that Reflect has a lot more negative reviews, mainly due to connectivity issues. This appears to be a pretty significant problem that Echelon needs to address ASAP. What good is a smart workouts studio if you can’t stream the workouts? Just some food for thought as you navigate your decision!
Tempo
Reflect