Tonal 2: Waste of $$$ or Really Worth the Upgrades??
Is the new Tonal 2 really worth it? In this video, I review the 4 major upgrades to the original Tonal as well as the new design: 1.
source
February 8, 2026
Headlines
"Harmony in Every Heartbeat
Is the new Tonal 2 really worth it? In this video, I review the 4 major upgrades to the original Tonal as well as the new design: 1.
source
I am a current tonal owner, would you recommend the upgrade to tonal 2…or is tonal 1 value enough as-is?
Subscription is a bummer. Scummy business model. Looks like i’m going free weights instead
Tonal is great until you realize they're like HP. You cant use the printer you bought if you don't have their subscription. We as consumers need to boycott this predatory nonsense. Also I can't take reviews seriously when the reviewer is given the 4000$+ product for free
Upgrades seem very minimal. But I hope it sells well to new customers but doesn't seem worth it as an upgrade
Biggest question my wife and I have. Does the 2 have resistance in both directions? Or is it still pull only?
I really wish they’d do a tiered membership. Have basic functionality for like $20/25 a month, with no access to the classes but can track your workouts.
The only benefit was a free 5k machine? Ok 👍👌🙆♂️
Do you have a membership/plan based on using the Tonal? I was just looking at your page.
I've been a Tonal owner since 2019, and at first, I didn't think much of the aero addition, but…….after seeing this I"m intrigued.
Should a beginner get tonal 1 or 2?
Does the internal processor make the weight feel any different ? How about in terms of reaction like burnout mode and eccentric
In my personal opinion you can only justify the upgrades on this machine if you received the machine for free and get a free subscription. If you actually have to pay for this I couldn't call any of these things upgrades besides the new weight cap (which really isn't that substantial unfortunately).
I ordered v1 during Thanksgiving when they had it 1k off. It's on hold now as I am not around until February to get it installed. Got an email to upgrade to v2 but for an extra $1300. As a beginner is it worth it?
Man I miss my last tonal I had for two years, was one of the best purchases I had ever made (sold it when It was time to make a big move lol). This making me itch to get it again!
Have you by chance worked in NYC back in the 90's?
I want one, my kids can eat Ramen noddle for a year.
Thank you Paul for the great review of the upgraded unit. I was a bit skeptical about the Aero HIIT modality but I like the SkiERG option which can complement my cardio training specifically the work I do with my rower which is more lower body dominant.
Only issue I see with drop sets is the way they are applied by Tondal in their programming. Research and anecdotal evidence suggests that to prevent overtraining, recovery issues, joint wear and tear drop sets should be applied selectively and strategically to single joint vs. compound movements, only to the final working set, and not for every set in a workout which the Tonal programs do to some extent.
Still no voice commands. I should’ve sold my Tonal before this was released. I hesitated. Now I probably won’t get much since there’s a new one.
Paul’s recommendation is all I need to proceed. 💯 Gonna look at getting the Tonal 2‼️
The híit movements are terrible form wise, plus there is a lag in cable retraction resulting in loss of control of movement
I really like the Tonal. Was looking to purchase one. However I have no need for the subscription. So to have to pay for a monthly subscription, just to use the machine is a deal breaker for me. I went with a speediance gym monster and have no regrets. Love it.
Very informative video Paul! Do you have a discount code we can use?
Thing is badass!!!!
I wonder if it would be worth it for Tonal to have a trade in program so people can upgrade at a reasonable discounted rate.
Great video. I can't justify the upgrade. How big of a difference is the new cable pull? I feel my tonal one is pretty smoothe already, sure a little noisy at times but it's smooth. Additionally, I am under the impression that the drop set is a software upgrade that will be available to tonal 1. That being said, to me the only true updates are the 250LBS, and new cable and aero. But the 250lbs is a non factor for most users as you mentioned. Leaving the new cable and internals, and the aero features. I like that tonal is releasing a new product, but I would love to see more software upgrades to tonal one as they continue to progress.
Does the 250lb weight limit feel heavier than the 200lb on the original? They specify it’s closer to feel weight. So that makes me think it’s possible it’s not really a weight increase