Tempo vs FORME Life: Which Connected Home Gym is Best?

Now that you know their basic features, it’s time to dive deeper into what they offer. Although it is not immediately apparent from the comparison table, these smart home gyms offer, in broad terms, the same capability and have the same purpose, but they approach it in radically different ways.

Review of Tempo studio

Source: Tempo 

Tempo is a smart home gym studio that counts your reps, tracks metrics, and provides feedback and corrections on your technique using 3D sensors and artificial intelligence. Live and on-demand fitness sessions are guided by experienced trainers and vary in emphasis, workout type, and experience level.

Workouts with Tempo

Users can select from hundreds of programs across various modalities when equipped with a complete set of Olympic weights. Strength, Cardio, HIIT, Mobility, and Recovery are the five main class categories. It looks like all of their coaches teach across all of these modalities, so if you have a favorite coach, you should be able to take their sessions and still get a broad spectrum of movement styles.

Getting started with Tempo

When you log in to your profile, you’ll be taken through an initial evaluation class that determines what weights to recommend to you in the future. Then you’ll be able to choose from a selection of Tempo lessons and programs. Search by class time, body focus (shoulders, biceps, back, core, glutes, and so on), experience level, and more.

When you choose a class, you may see a preview of the moves and the sequence of exercises so you know what to expect. You can also select the genre of music that will play during your workout. Tempo trainers are certified by major fitness organizations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM); the coaches are highly skilled, educated, and inspiring.

Tempo will inform you of the necessary equipment and weight recommendations for each activity. As you use it, the system becomes smarter; if the weight is too heavy or too light, you may provide Tempo feedback, which is helpful as you advance through the workout and future classes.

Features of Tempo

Source: Tempo 

• • Form feedback: This product has three-dimensional sensors that track a person’s motions and correct their posture.

• • Weight recommendations: The device tracks the individual’s heart rate as well as the weights they are lifting. It also provides a fitness assessment exam for new users, the results of which may influence which workout plans the machine recommends.

• • Live classes and personalized programs: It provides live lessons and group sessions in areas such as strength, cardio, and rehabilitation. Tempo includes an on-demand facility for people who may need to see the recorded session if they cannot attend the live sessions.

• • Leaderboard: Throughout the workout, you will be able to check where you rank on the leaderboard and will be able to monitor your heart rate. Your workout volume, which measures both weight and reps, determines your position on the leaderboard.

• • Rep counter: Tempo will count your reps, track your data, and provide form comments and corrections as needed.

Tempo pricing

Tempo Studio is offered in three different models, with prices beginning at $2,495. The systems include everything you’ll need to strength train. There is a monthly fee in addition to the cost of the gym itself. You’ll also need to sign up for a $39/month all-access membership, which allows you and your household full access to all of Tempo’s live and on-demand content.

Tempo models

Tempo Starter ($2,495)

• •  5mm Workout Mat
  • 2 x 7.5 lb Dumbbells
  • 4 x Collars
  • 75 lbs of Weight Plates

Tempo Plus ($3,245)

Everything included in Tempo Starter and:

• • 1 x 25 lb Barbell
  • Heart Rate Monitor
  • Recovery Roller
  • Folding Bench
  • 6 x Collars
  • 2 x 25 lb Competition Plates

Tempo Pro ($3,995)

Everything included in Tempo Plus and:

• • 2 x 45 lb Competition Plates

Tempo Move ($495)

Tempo’s newest model with less equipment at a lower price point:

• • NO screen, compatibility of iPhone to existing TV screen with same movement sensing
  • 2 x 7.5 lb. dumbbells
  • 4 x 5 lb. weight plates
  • 4x 2.5 lb. weight plates
  • 4 x 1.25 lb. weight plates
  • Accessory/storage cabinet
  • HDMI-to-lightning cable
  • Weight collars
  • Tempo core

We go more in depth comparing all of Tempo’s models (Studio vs Move) and more into the details of the Move itself on our site!

Review of FORME Life

Source: FORME Life

FORME Life is a home fitness studio that blends artificial intelligence, a massive 43-inch 4K display, voice control, and personalized workouts into a single outstanding piece of equipment. This isn’t a cumbersome piece of gym equipment that you’ll want to hide in your basement; instead, it’s a stunning, full-length mirror that will enhance the look of any area. In addition, it has two 12-megapixel cameras for enhanced motion capture and computer vision guidance.

Workouts with FORME Life

The device is both voice-controlled and touchscreen, allowing you to browse and pick your workouts however you see fit. You will be led energetically in on-demand and live workouts by qualified coaches.

Workouts and programs for any vision, goal, or fitness level can be found in the cutting-edge programming library. You can select from weekly schedules, goal-based plans, or simply turn your machine on and begin with whatever feels most inspirational to you that day.

There is a wide range of workouts available, all of which are tailored to different skill levels and needs. Resistance exercise, kickboxing, barre, yoga, pilates, and mind are some of the content categories you may anticipate encountering in the programming.

You can also take one-on-one sessions with a fitness coach who will provide you with human feedback on your form and progress. There is also the option to allow two-way interaction with the on-screen tutor.

The accompanying heart rate monitor will assist you in tracking your progress by notifying you of the number of calories expended during your workouts and indicating how difficult you are finding the workouts. 

You’ll be able to keep track of prior workouts you’ve done that week, keeping you on track of what you need to focus on next.

There are no physical weights included in the price, but the weighted workouts are done by increasing and decreasing the tension in the arms, making it more like resistance training.

Source: FORME Life

FORME Life pricing

You can select between two connected gyms under the FORME Life brand: The Studio or The Studio Lift. The Studio costs $2,495 USD.

The Studio Lift is the most expensive model, costing $4,495.

You’ll also need to pay an additional $39 per month for a membership to utilize your mirror.

FORME Life models

Depending on your requirements, either of FORME Life’s models could be suitable. Users can train with free weights, bodyweight, or barre in the “Studio” mode, which is exclusively available on the screen. Users can also do meditation or dance with this model.

The Studio Lift bundle is intended for individuals who want to incorporate strength training into their fitness routine. The Studio Lift includes resistance training arms with individual motors that create perfectly synced resistance with each movement to ensure that you’re training evenly and efficiently. When not in use, they can be tucked behind the unit.

Both models include the following:

• • Premium non-slip mat
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Cleaning kit
  • Screen camera covers
  • Screen wall-mount & screen wall-mounting hardware

The Studio Lift comes with the following additional items:

• • Free-Forme handles
  • Short bar
  • Rope handle
  • Ankle straps
  • Storage cabinet

Tempo and FORME Life reviews: What are the customers saying?

Reading multiple reviews before making a purchase is usually a smart idea because it allows you to make an informed decision. So, let’s have a look at the feedback from customers who purchased and tested the devices. But it wouldn’t be fair to FORME Life if we didn’t mention its Women’s Health 2021 Best Home Studio prize first.

When choosing the FORME Life, the magazine said:

“Here’s a home studio that’s basically plateau-proof. It uses AI to ensure you’re always being challenged—be it during resistance training or barre class. (Oh, and celeb trainer Harley Pasternak happens to be its Chief Fitness Advisor, FYI.)”

And when Surface Magazine chose the FORME Life in their 2020 tech gift guide, they said:

“Wherever there is innovation, Yves Behar is usually near. That’s certainly the case with Forme Life, an A.I.–driven oversized fitness mirror equipped with resistance training equipment and a touch-screen experience that accesses a library of workouts for the body and mind. Compact, stylish, and tech-forward, Behar has done nothing short of revolutionize the home gym.”

In a review on fithealthymomma.com, they loved the FORME Life and said:

“After doing all the research into Forme Life, I’m quite confident that this is going to be a groundbreaking piece of equipment that’s going to become a mainstay in the connected fitness industry, which is only going to continue to improve and grow over the coming years. If you’re looking for the latest in innovation, design, and programming, and your budget allows, I highly recommend investing in the Forme Life Studio.”

FORME Life is a brand new product with few public consumer reviews. Since it was launched during the global pandemic, there have been some customer concerns about supply chain/shipment delays. We appreciate that the last year has been challenging and that even in normal circumstances, severe demand surges sometimes lead to shortages. Therefore we have given FORME Life some leeway on this front.

And it’s not only the FORME Life that’s receiving rave reviews and recommendations. In their review of the Tempo Studio, Insider Magazine said:

“If you’re in the market for a quality, interactive workout machine, then you can expect to spend close to $2,000 for the gear and also have to pay a monthly fee for the classes. Although Tempo sports a price tag of $1,995, it often felt like I was getting far more out of it — and would continue to do so beyond my two-week loan if I owned it myself.”

The customers are equally thrilled with their Tempo Studio purchase:

Source: Tempo

From these reviews it’s clear that both these smart home gyms are taking the market by storm. 

The Verdict: Tempo vs FORME Life – Which is better?

And there you have it, a more in-depth look at the Tempo Studio and FORME Life. The only thing left is your decision — which will be best in your home?

Is FORME Life’s beautiful and cutting-edge technology enough? Or is the Tempo Studio, with its full set of weights and accessories included, a better option?

Well, the answer isn’t that simple. Comparatively priced, and with similar features, it ultimately depends what matters most to you as a smart gym owner. If you crave something stylish that integrates seamlessly into your home, the FORME Life might be the best option. If that’s not a concern and you just want a home gym that gives them all the features needed for heart-pumping workouts that you won’t get bored of, perhaps lean towards Tempo Studio.

The price point is the sole factor that allows for a fair comparison in this case. The ultimate goal of the smart home gym is to get a great workout without the friction of going to the gym. Tempo’s fee includes training equipment such as dumbells and weight plates. FORME Life, on the other hand, while equally priced, doesn’t have any of the physical weights.

So, the answer is it depends on what you want and what you deem to be important. No matter which you choose, though, you can be certain that either is more than enough to take your work outs to the next level. Ultimately we like Tempo a bit more for our needs, but we admit it’s a bit bulkier, and not as sleek looking.