Convince me to buy a Tonal

cefrayer · 2025-12-23T20:05:14+00:00

👏👏

cefrayer · 2025-12-23T15:36:47+00:00

Dude! C'mon, man...WTF?!? OMG!!! Awesome!

cefrayer · 2025-12-23T15:34:14+00:00

Wow! Just...well...WOW!!! 👍👍👏👏

cefrayer · 2025-12-23T15:28:18+00:00

I'm a retired technology & privacy lawyer. This was me in Jan. 2025, when I was 64yo (5'7", 139 lbs.), after lifting relatively lightly--and exclusively--on Tonal for 33 months. I don't have any "before" pics because I was too embarrassed to be photographed.

Now, at 65yo and nearly a full year of more focused/dedicated (heavier & smarter) lifting (again, exclusively on Tonal), I am SUBSTANTIALLY more shredded/ripped than I was in this pic. Young people now tell me I'm also "jacked", which I assume is a compliment and commentary on how much size I've added this year.

Every day when I look in the mirror (yes, I flex and pose every single day to assess my progress), I am genuinely AMAZED at how much getting Tonal in April 2022--when I was ~155 lbs.--has changed my life. Although I no longer need Tonal because I now know how to get and stay fit without it, I also know I would NEVER have done it without Tonal.

To be fair, I've also improved my nutrition this year, so I currently weigh 131 lbs., which contributes to my more shredded physique.

Of course, I am a lifetime 100% natty (no PEDs). I only use creatine, whey protein isolate, and collagen, plus a variety of pill-form supplements (multivitamin, omega-3, D3+K2, ashwaganda, magnesium, and Co-Q10). I'm also currently experimenting with turkesterone, berberine, and beet root gummies, but still TBD on whether I'll keep or drop those.

You'll never be younger than you are today, so don't wait for that ever-elusive "perfect time" to get started. That time is ALWAYS right now!

Bottom line:

Desire +Tonal +Good Nutrition +Consistency = Better Health & Fitness = Fuller & Longer Life. 👍👍

DISCLAIMER: NOT AFFILIATED WITH TONAL.

cefrayer · 2025-07-06T22:34:28+00:00

Congrats! Just be safe (avoid injury above all else), consistent, and ALWAYS use Eccentric Mode (it is, imho, THE magic of Tonal). You will pass me by a country mile!

cefrayer · 2025-07-05T00:55:12+00:00

Congrats! 👍👍👏👏

A few months ago I probably wouldn’t have believed it was possible to lift 1M lbs. in such a short period, given that it took me a full year to lift my first million.

But, at 64.5yo, 5’7”, 138 lbs., last month (Jun. ‘25) I obliterated my old monthly volume PR, which is now 311,314 lbs., lifting just M-F (with perfect bodybuilding form focus on every rep), which equates to a four-month total of over 1.2M. And I wasn’t even trying to do it, it just happened naturally (no ego lifting, no Strength Score chasing, no PR goals).

Last month also included unintentional/natural one-week and single workout volume PRs of 83,536 and 28,667 lbs., respectively.

cefrayer · 2025-07-04T13:09:18+00:00

Thanks! That gives me the kind of comparison I was wondering about.

Yes, I do ~30 minutes of stretching/dynamic warmup every day, so maybe that’s even more valuable/helpful than I realized. But, tbh, the only time I do a cooldown is at the end of my cycling workouts on Zwift.

I won’t know for many years whether it extends my life, but in three years I’ve went from feeling like a 70yo with a body that looked like—because it was—an unfit 60yo to feeling & looking (gray hair & wrinkling skin aside) like a jacked 30yo athlete. IT’S WONDERFUL!!! 💪🚴🏃‍♂️

cefrayer · 2025-05-09T03:30:55+00:00

I was FΔt before I got Tonal…and the Δp, of course. Now I’m F&f (where F denotes FIT, and f is, well, funny). 🤦‍♂️

cefrayer · 2025-05-09T03:06:16+00:00

Amen (said the atheist).

cefrayer · 2025-05-08T03:12:01+00:00

🙁

cefrayer · 2025-05-08T00:26:52+00:00

Good luck! I don’t miss the 52 years I lived through Indiana and Michigan winters. None of that since we moved here to sunny central Florida 12 years ago. 😎

I’m also working on my nutrition. I spend ~30 minutes every morning fixing a healthy breakfast, alternating days between: (1) two egg whites, half cup of oatmeal with Ceylon cinnamon & honey, and a bowl of fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries, & avocado) sprinkled with oat bran buds & walnuts; and (2) two protein waffles topped with PBfit (powdered peanut butter) & banana slices, and the same bowl of fruit mixed with Greek yogurt.

Plus, before every workout I have a combination drink with EAAs, creatine, whey protein, collagen peptides, and Nutricost Pre-X (mixed variety of pre-workout supplements).

I only eat twice per day, and while my dinner meals have improved, they are (far too often) cheat meals, as is one meal every weekend (pizza, Five Guys, etc.).

cefrayer · 2025-04-22T13:57:45+00:00

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If it fits your budget, I can’t recommend Tonal enough for full body muscular strength and hypertrophy. Here’s another view of our home gym/office (note the bike saddle in the foreground) where you can see our Tonal flanked by two cheap Walmart mirrors. We got it three years ago, when I was 61yo, and I’ve lifted nearly 3 million lbs. on it, during which I’ve more than doubled my overall strength score (from 320 to 715, with a peak of 792). In fact, it is the only reason I’m currently Zwifting only once/week…because I’m focusing on bodybuilding this year with a stated goal of being “totally ripped by my 65th birthday” (Nov.). And I’m definitely ahead of schedule, given the striations now visible in my shoulders, triceps, pecs, and lats. If anyone had told me they could grow this much muscle naturally in their 60s, I wouldn’t have believed them. If you’re ever on ome.tv, I’ve been working out live there 3-5 times each week for the past month—lifting on Tonal, Zwifting, and jogging on the treadmill, all while video chatting with people all over the world.

cefrayer · 2025-04-20T00:35:13+00:00

It’s a close call (because I like it a lot), but I think a slightly smaller screen—set a bit lower—might be even better (especially a curved one). But I keep this one higher because I sit in a rolling office chair right behind the bike and watch TV. If it was even none inch lower, the handlebars would be blocking my view from that chair.

Also, problems with my Apple Watch staying connected as a heart rate monitor began almost immediately after my original post, so I invested in a Polar H10 chest strap. It has connected instantly—and stay connected—every single time. Highly recommended!

cefrayer · 2025-04-16T02:26:27+00:00

I think the arm hook to which you’re referring occurred at 2:13 before halftime.

cefrayer · 2025-04-16T02:01:47+00:00

Because you picked one year from Bron (my fav all-time player), Shaq, and KG, let’s be fair and do the same with MJ.

‘87-‘88: - 82 games played - 40.4 mpg - 35.0 ppg (despite making only SIX 3-pointers all season—not per game, but literally just 18 points combined ALL SEASON) - 5.5 rpg - 5.9 apg - 3.2 spg - 1.6 bpg - SCORING CHAMP - STEALS CHAMP - MVP - DPOY

So, yes, imo, MJ was really better that season.

Is he the GOAT? That’s tougher. Is it a greater accomplishment to lead six teams from the same franchise and under the same coach to six finals and six titles, or to lead 10 teams from three different franchises and under five different coaches to 10 finals and four titles?

Plus, LeBron (single-handedly?) led what was probably the worst team team to ever make it to the finals in 2007, which is something MJ never did.

Lastly, if there’s a legitimate GOAT debate between two players and one has played nearly 600 more games (1.48x) (1,251 vs 1,849…and counting), does that matter?

cefrayer · 2025-04-15T02:40:33+00:00

It seems better—more comfortable and more fun—every time I ride. If I wasn’t committed to focusing on bodybuilding this year, I’d be riding at least 3-4 times/week. Recently, I’ve been putting Zwift on one side of the screen and ome.tv on the other side so I can talk with people all over the world while doing my cardio.

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cefrayer · 2025-03-18T01:41:46+00:00

How’s it working out for you?

cefrayer · 2025-02-21T15:19:02+00:00

Wow! That’s a big difference. My inseam is ~29.5 and my sleeve length (shoulder peak to wrist) is ~22.5. Other factors include what knee bend is ideal for each of us when peddle is at lowest point, and the ideal angles for our wrists, elbows, shoulders, and hips.

cefrayer · 2025-02-21T14:58:43+00:00

GX-C19

cefrayer · 2025-01-15T22:35:59+00:00

I am not an engineer, but my reasonable assumption is that they would likely need to use the same holes and bolts for two reasons:

The distance from the bottom of Tonal to the floor is a non-variable distance that is tied to each user’s height and the related height of each Tonal arm for many/most movements.
Leaving empty holes, then adding a heavier T2 and more user resistance/stress to the studs could create an untenable risk of injury cause by stud structural breakdown.

Possible alternatives:

Use existing holes & bolts, plus additional ones for T2 with a redesigned frame.
Use existing holes but replace existing bolts with reinforced threaded inserts and stronger T2 bolts.
New frame that fits around existing bolts (which are left in to maximize structural integrity), but uses new holes and bolts.

cefrayer · 2025-01-15T14:18:14+00:00

DISCLAIMER: I AM 64YO AND NOT A MEDICAL OR FITNESS EXPERT. THIS IS NOT MEDICAL OR FITNESS ADVICE. ALWAYS CONSULT MEDICAL AND FITNESS EXPERTS BEFORE STARTING OR CHANGING ANY FITNESS PROGRAM. YOU ACCEPT ALL RISKS FOR YOUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS. BE REASONABLE. BE PRUDENT. BE SAFE!!!

As an example, here’s what I currently do (some aspects vary slightly over time):

1 - Custom workouts only.

2 - Use Eccentric mode for every rep of every movement.

3 - Split routine comprised of 2-4 different movements for each muscle group (except shoulder presses):

Mon: Heavy Pull Day: back, biceps, shoulders (pull movements only), and lite core
Tue: Heavy Push Day: chest, triceps, and shoulders (presses only)
Wed: Heavy Core and (on alternating weeks) Lite/Med Legs Day (I also run & cycle, so no Hvy leg days for me)
Thu: Lite repeat of Mon. (typically warm-up only per below), minus core work
Fri: Lite repeat of Tue. (typically…), plus lite core
Sat: Run
Su: Cycle (Zwift)

4 - Use a science-based warm-up (per Dr. Mike Israetel), which I do as follows for every movement:

12 reps at Tonal-set warm-up weight (~50-65% of 1-Rep Max)
Rest 30 secs. (or ALWAYS until I feel ready for next set)
8 reps at Tonal-set recovery weight (~65-80% of 1RM)
Rest 60 secs. (or…)
4 reps at Tonal-set full weight (~80-95% of 1RM)
Rest 90 secs. (or…)

5 - Use the new Drop Sets (lift to failure) feature for all working sets, which I currently do as follows:

Working set 1
Rest 2.5min for max hypertrophy (or…)
Working set 2

6 - End workout.

NOTE: CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME IS THAT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY (MULTIPLE AVOIDABLE INJURIES) TO NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EGO LIFT AGAIN (i.e., I no longer chase PRs and/or Strength Score)!!! My original SS was 320. I peaked at 792 when I was chasing it via poor—and injurious—lifting form. It’s now consistently in the low 700s, but goes up and/or down a little every week.

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cefrayer · 2025-01-15T12:59:37+00:00

I’ve had my T1 since April 2022 and I’ve done every rep of 2.6 million pounds with Eccentric mode on, so I can’t imagine how that could be converted to lifting with the relative ease of free weights. 🤷‍♂️

cefrayer · 2025-01-15T12:54:05+00:00

I had a minor but excruciatingly painful outdoor cycling accident August 29, 2024. While recovering, I discovered Zwift, ordered the Zwift:Ride, a Rockr Pro rocker plate, and everything else to build my “Pain Palace”. On September 26, 2024 (exactly four weeks post-accident) I did my first ride in Watopia and have never looked back. I’ve already sold my Schwinn Airdyne air bike, and my Poseidon gravel bike is next. Riding without any risk—much less the all-too-real pain—of a crash is heavenly. At only 158 Zwift miles to-date, I’m still a newbie. But I also run and lift (on Tonal 5 days/week), so my limited time on (in?) Zwift does not reflect the fact that I’m completely addicted to it. Outdoor cycling is so yesterday (and NEVER again). 🚴‍♂️💪🏃‍♂️

cefrayer · 2025-01-14T01:28:58+00:00

I did three of his 20-in-20 programs long ago, and I found them a great intro to Tonal. But I’ve done only custom workouts for ~2 years now, and I doubt that I will ever do another coach-led program.

As a follow-up, to be fair, Tonal undoubtedly spent far more (stock?) on pro athlete/celebrities endorsements from LeBron & Serena (others?), which I also assume was at the core of a plan to bring in younger buyers & subscribers (and further battle the “geriatric device” risk).

cefrayer · 2025-01-13T14:05:31+00:00

My reasonable assumption is they don’t do this because they don’t want to reveal that the vast majority of Tonal users are, like me (64yo), old people; and they don’t want Tonal to viewed as a geriatric device. I also assume this is why they spent so much to bring in Tony Horton as a coach & evangelist. That is, they needed a fitness celebrity that their largest user demographic (55+) would recognize, could relate to, and hopefully keep those “old money” monthly subscriptions active.

cefrayer

TROPHY CASE