I feel like we’ve all been there, standing in the middle of the free weights section of a local gym, not knowing where to begin. Strength training is so beneficial but it can be intimidating. I often think back to the beginning of my journey years ago and wish I’d had access to a machine like Tonal because it would have taken me much less time to get comfortable than it did via trial/error and a job at the gym. It took me years of building up my confidence, reading about proper form and true trial and error to get to a place where I was able to lift impactfully.
Strength training is important for a variety of reasons but it’s truly foundational and helps you to do every day tasks like carrying groceries with increased ease. According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, strength training is a great way for older adults to maintain great physical health and for everyone to improve their mental health. For me, my workouts are a form of self care and this is an important time for me to connect with myself. Having the Tonal at home helps me cut down on the time it takes to get to and from the gym which really allows me to be present.
As a runner, I’ve also really realized the power of consistent strength training and cross training as a part of my training plan for races. I feel stronger and more powerful in my runs when I’ve focused on the foundation. Over the past year between the pandemic and living in several places I really fell off of the consistency that I’d built up. I also struggled to feel immersed in at home workouts which made it hard for me to stay consistent and focused. Tonal has been a game changer. I got the machine in September of 2021 and have used it almost every day since. There really is nothing like being able to lift effectively and efficiently while in the comfort of your own home. I don’t only use the machine for strength training – I also love the meditation, Pilates and recovery options. Check out how I use Tonal every week day in my recent IG reel, here.
Here are the top 5 reasons Tonal has become a key part of my routine:
- Efficient Training: My schedule gets hectic and I used to spend hours in the gym when strength training because I wasn’t maximizing my time. When doing a Tonal workout program or a custom workout , you can be solely focused on each movement and improving yourself as the machine is doing the hard work of knowing when to level up or down your weight along with counting time under tension and reps. I find myself less distracted and more efficient because Tonal is able to set myself up for success while I focus on the work.
- The Machine is Multi-faceted: Strength training and access to digital weight that is personalized and adapts to you is a huge thing that Tonal brings to the table but there is so much more on the platform. The programs are great but I love taking a quick Pilates class or leveling up my percussive therapy knowledge with the Theragun recovery sessions. I also love having control over the music and being able to switch it up based on whatever I’m most interested in at that time.
- Community: The Facebook community is amazing and honestly any of the questions I thought I had or motivation I might need I can really find in one place. It’s awesome to see transformations, tips and tricks and also to get a heads up on new programs. The coaches are also really great and there’s a ton of variety for you to take classes with folks that resonate with you. Although I’m lifting on my own at home, it feels like I’m a part of something bigger.
- Easy Measurement of Progress: I’m motivated by progress and Tonal does a great job of showcasing progress and milestones in different ways. You take an initial assessment to inform where you’ll begin with weights and it’s so easy to see how you progress over time. I love seeing my milestones and achievements which are personalized and easily available both in the mobile app and on the machine itself. My favorite metric is the Strength Score, which is a great reminder that I am improving by showing me through a graph how much my strength has grown overtime. The Form Feedback is also a great way to make sure you’re learning new exercises the right way which makes me feel more confident about trying new things.
- Great for Travel: While a lot of the workouts do require the machine there is a ton of content that you can take on the go through the Tonal app. I love doing Pilates and meditation on the go when I’m away from home!
These are just 5 things out of many that have made Tonal a crucial part of my routine. It’s been great to see my fiancé who has different strength goals get started on Tonal and get just as excited as I am about being able to lift effectively at home. I’ve found that having Tonal at home has made such a difference in my consistency with strength training and it’s super helpful now that it’s cold in Chicago. As someone who typically works out earlier in the morning I also appreciate not having to go out into the dark and being able to safely work out at a time that works best for me.
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