It’s no secret that physical fitness boosts our energy, sharpens our decision-making, and improves our mental and physical health. But getting to the gym can be a challenge.
Each hour of the day is a valuable commodity, especially for executives.
Fortunately, today’s smart home fitness machines offer the convenience needed to stay on track toward fitness goals. And they’re often equipped with all sorts of smart technologies and upgrades, from automatic sensors that analyze your form to live instructor-led workouts you can join throughout the day.
For those who struggle to find time for trips to the gym or want to supplement their personal training sessions, home workout machines are a great solution.
But Candice McField, founder of Candice McField Fitness and an ACE-certified health coach, warns, “We can buy all the smart equipment we want, but if we don’t utilize it, it just collects dust.”
McField, who works primarily with senior leaders and executives, advises her executive clients to schedule workouts into their calendars just as they would their meetings. “You have to carve out ‘me’ time,” she says.
That may mean blocking time for a 30-minute workout between calls on the Hydrow Rower in your office, or scheduling an hour first thing in the morning for a kickboxing workout selected on the lululemon Studio Mirror mounted to the wall in your garage.
Bonus: 6 Tips for Execs to Stay Fit from Candice McField
- Develop a personal wellness mission statement. Why are you doing this?
- Schedule your workouts.
- Listen to your body.
- Strive for patience, not perfection.
- Work out all muscle groups at least once per week (or total body workouts two to three times per week).
- Build in breaks — ideally, every four to six weeks.
But what home workout equipment is right for you?
When comparing home exercise equipment, McField says it comes down to what will help you achieve your fitness goals. For cardio, many of her clients opt for the Peloton Bike, but if they need more strength-based training, she says a Tonal machine is a great option.
In addition, McField recommends considering:
- How much space do you have in your home?
- Do you want to mount equipment to your wall?
- Is the opportunity to join a community through the company’s platform important to you?
As you resolve to meet your fitness goals in the year ahead and build your workout plans accordingly, here are the top home exercise machines for busy executives.
1. Hydrow Rower
What is the Hydrow Rower?
The Hydrow Rower can give you a glimpse of nature, even when you can’t get away from work. On a 22-inch touchscreen display — which pivots for guided yoga, Pilates, and strength workouts — its Live Outdoor Reality experience features real-world waterways for rowing. It also operates on an electromagnetic drag mechanism and has an aluminum and steel frame for a smooth, quiet ride. No wonder Jean-Claude Tetreault, co-founder and brewer at Trillium Brewing Company, has the Hydrow Rower both at home and at Trillium’s employee gym. “I have a highly variable schedule,” he says. “Settling into a routine isn’t really an option,” adding that the large library of varied workout lengths and intensity levels allows him to “customize an always-evolving, always-challenging fitness program.”
What are the space requirements for the Hydrow Rower?
A 10-foot by 4-foot space is sufficient for workouts as the rower measures 86 inches by 25 inches.
How much does the Hydrow Rower cost?
The purchase price is $2,495, before the optional two- or three-year warranty and optional delivery and installation. The subscription is $38 per month.
2. Aviron Strong Series Rower
What is the Aviron Strong Series Rower?
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is perfect for short and effective, high-intensity workouts with up to 100 pounds of resistance. It’s ideal for those looking for an array of on-screen entertainment options while they row, including games and competitions, coached or guided programs, scenic rowing destinations and streaming (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.). The 22-inch touchscreen display rotates for other types of workouts, and the machine’s features include a phone holder, foot width adjuster and airflow to keep you cool during your workout.
What are the space requirements for the Aviron Strong Series Rower?
A 10-foot by 4-foot space is sufficient for workouts as the rower measures 84 inches by 27 inches.
How much does the Aviron Strong Series Rower cost?
The purchase price ranges from $2,499 to $2,716, depending on the package selected, and includes a 10-year warranty on the frame and a one-year warranty on the parts. The subscription is $25 or $29 per month, depending on monthly or annual billing.
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Do you qualify?3. Peloton Bike+
What is the Peloton Bike+?
If it’s a community you’re looking for, Peloton’s live workouts and leaderboard inspire competition. The Peloton Bike+ includes a 23.8-inch touchscreen display that rotates so you can participate in workouts such as core, barre, Pilates, yoga and boxing. It also features upgraded speakers and a digitally enabled resistance knob that automatically adjusts to match cues from the instructor. Plus, it offers a quieter belt than the base model — which helps make it a good fit for the office, where Tom Cortese, co-founder and chief product officer at Peloton, keeps his. Despite a demanding schedule, he says, “I can always find 20 or 40 minutes at some point in my day to do a workout.” His favorites? “Lanebreak” and “HIIT and Hills” rides.
What are the space requirements for the Peloton Bike+?
A 10-foot by 3-foot space is sufficient as the bike measures 4 feet by 2 feet.
How much does the Peloton Bike+ cost?
The purchase price is $3,295, which includes delivery and setup and a one-year warranty. The subscription is $44 per month.
4. Tonal
What is Tonal?
Designed to provide a full at-home gym experience, Tonal is ideal if strength training is your primary goal. Tonal’s steel-frame wall mount features a 24-inch touchscreen display and adjustable arms that provide up to 200 pounds of resistance. An initial strength assessment establishes your baseline. During your workout, Tonal provides weight recommendations, automatic weight adjustments, and form guidance to ensure you’re lifting with the proper technique. For a well-rounded routine, cardio, Pilates, yoga, and meditation classes are also included.
What are the space requirements for Tonal?
Seven feet of wall and floor space is recommended.
How much does Tonal cost?
The purchase price is $3,990, which includes smart accessories (smart handles, smart bar, rope, bench, etc.) and a three-year limited warranty; it does not include delivery and installation. The subscription is $49 per month.
5. lululemon Studio Mirror
What is lululemon Studio Mirror?
The lululemon Studio Mirror is perhaps the sleekest option on this list. Mount it or lean it against your living room, bedroom, or office wall, and tap into a myriad of fitness classes including boot camp, dance cardio, yoga, barre, Pilates, kickboxing, and Thai chi. Pre- and post-natal workouts are also offered. While there are strength-focused workouts, it’s an ideal choice if cardio is your primary goal. Also, since it’s equipped with a camera, you can get feedback from live instructors or see your friends during group workouts to simulate an in-person experience. Added perk: The lululemon Studio membership includes 10% off lululemon apparel.
What are the space requirements for lululemon Studio Mirror?
Enough wall space for the mirror (2-foot wide) and an area in front of it to exercise.
How much does lululemon Studio Mirror cost?
The purchase price starts at $1,495 and increases for packages that include workout accessories such as a heart-rate monitor, mat, straps, yoga block, and free weights. It also includes delivery and a one-year warranty. The subscription is $39 per month.
6. Tempo Studio
What is Tempo Studio?
Tempo Studio is ideal for those looking for full-body strength training. It features adjustable weights with AI sensors that count your reps and prompt advice to correct your form. Through the Tempo app, you can follow a goal-based training plan and attend instructor-led workouts. Tempo Sudio’s sandwich board-style display means there’s no need to mount it to your wall and it can move to different rooms for convenience. Beneath the screen is a storage area that holds the weight plates included in the basic package.
What are the space requirements for Tempo Studio?
A 6-foot by 10-foot space is recommended. Plan for extra space if you plan to order additional equipment such as the folding bench, squat rack and barbell.
How much does Tempo Studio cost?
The purchase price ranges from $2,495 to $3,995, based on the package selected, and each includes a three-year limited warranty. The subscription is $39 per month.
7. Echelon Reflect Touch
What is the Echelon Reflect Touch?
Echelon Reflect Touch features more than 40 live classes each day plus an extensive library of on-demand workouts, including kickboxing, HIIT, yoga, toning, stretching, Pilates, and meditation. It’s a great choice if cardio is your primary goal. The mirrored touchscreen display can be mounted flush against the wall of any room you prefer to use for your workouts.
What are the space requirements for the Echelon Reflect Touch?
Enough wall space to mount the equipment (20 inches wide) and an area in front of it to exercise.
How much does the Echelon Reflect Touch cost?
The purchase price is $1,500, before the optional one- or two-year warranty. The subscription ranges from $29 to $35 per month, based on monthly, one-year or two-year membership options.
