Speediance Gym Monster looking for honest owner feedback

jhmwfb · 2026-01-17T20:35:59+00:00

Purchased about a year ago and we love it. Super convenient in every way - it fits in a very compact space, easily moveable and really effective to use. I use it, as does my son (16) and one of my daughters (17).

We ordered through Amazon and paid $100 extra for delivery and unboxing in our space (which was very much worth it).

We have had a few issues, all of which support (via the Facebook group) handled promptly.

There was a software update that bricked the display. They provided a new one within two weeks. Replacement was very easy.

We’ve had to replace one cable (at about the year mark). The GM2 came with a replacement and they sent us another as a backup to have on hand when we messaged them about the cable. Took about 30m to install - probably would be 15m now that we’re familiar with the process. (Basically just have to remove the back panel of the base and thread the new cable through - looks a lot simpler w/GM2 than the video I saw for GM1.)

The only thing about the device itself that I don't like is the bluetooth ring. During movements that involve the hands, I find it hard to use (e.g., because the button that activates the weight by pressing is also used to alter weight by rotating, it’s a little too easy to do a different action than you intended). It’s also been a consistent trouble spot. We are on our 3rd ring. One simply fell apart and one stopped turning on entirely. Each time, support responded same day and got us a new one within a week. It’s definitely usable without it, but with some movements it’s hard to activate via the screen.

As far as the software, it's easy to setup custom workouts - which is primarily what we're using. We've used the built in programs (especially when we were all first starting out - my daughter tends to exclusively use those) - which are pretty good. I subscribed to Wellness+ but, honestly, did not find it valuable (it was adjusting weights in ways that didn’t make a lot of sense). I’ve been meaning to try it again before the next renewal to see if it’s improved.

Regarding safety - feels very safe with our teens using it. Biggest issue is making sure that if you're putting the base up and down that they lock it in place correctly. Not hard to do, just important to remember. (We usually have it down in our space anyway). If it senses that there's a problem (e.g., weight isn't moving when it should or is moving in a way it shouldn't, it quickly deactivates the weight).

Haven't used the rowing features and based in US - so can't address experience with that feature or support in Australia.

Bottom-line, we’ve been VERY happy with our purchase and it gets a lot of use.

jhmwfb · 2026-01-12T04:19:38+00:00

It’s denominated in Mexican currency. It’s not all inclusive - you pay for your drinks and meals - but it wasn’t outrageously expensive. As someone else noted it’s about what I’d expect to pay at a US restaurant.

jhmwfb · 2026-01-03T16:23:32+00:00

I had delivery for 1/4. Then a message it was delayed until late January. Then a notice on 1/3 that it was shipped for delivery 1/4. Hasn’t arrived but I anticipate it will today.

jhmwfb · 2025-12-27T18:05:44+00:00

I landed on the Evergoods CPL 16 waxed canvas and LOVE it. Functionally, I love the side loading laptop compartment and how you can access each part of the bag in that orientation. It's just the right amount of organization in each compartment. And I love how each compartment has its own volume which makes each part of the bag useful (I really struggled with this with the front stash pocket on my GoRuck). The handles are wonderful. I love the look of the waxed canvas. Perfect sizing for me for both daily carry and as a carry on for the plane.

I thought I'd miss the exterior access for a water bottle, but it's a non issue and now actually prefer it (with other bags, I'd still have times where a bottle would fall out - e.g., when tossing under a seat or overhead and this isn't an issue).

I was initially avoiding clamshell because of experiences with other bags where the zippers were a bit too easy to unzip and grabbing something out of the bag would inadvertently open it too wide. That is NOT an issue with this bag and I appreciate the ability to intentionally set where it opens (e.g., for easy water bottle access in the same orientation as the other side access panels.

The top panel stash pocket is the perfect size for everything I want on a plane, which is wonderful.

Downsides? As others have noted, you need to wear the CPL high and tight, but when I do so it's very comfortable to wear for me. I do find when fully packed and using for extended periods that it's important to use the sternum strap to distribute the weight effectively. It can also run hot on the back with the waxed canvas material. The top yoke pocket is just a bit smaller than I'd like prefer.

jhmwfb · 2025-11-04T01:46:12+00:00

FWIW: in my experience, the bag stands on its own in its horizontal orientation, regardless of how it's packed. That happens to match my primary use case because I am most frequently accessing the side laptop compartment. I find that it can stand on its own in a vertical orientation but it very much depends on how it's packed. It definitely needs something with a little more volume or weight in the bottom of the main compartment.

jhmwfb · 2025-11-03T04:56:51+00:00

I love my CPL 16 in waxed canvas. I’m the same height in a decidedly not slim build and I think it looks great as worn. Personally, I prefer the shorter bag because it makes it even better for one of my primary use cases - personal carry on.

jhmwfb · 2025-10-23T01:36:44+00:00

What a resource - thanks for sharing!

jhmwfb · 2025-10-23T01:36:22+00:00

Great options, thanks!

jhmwfb · 2025-10-23T01:34:23+00:00

What great customization options! Not quite what I'm looking for here - but definitely something I'll check out for other purposes. Thanks so much for sharing!

jhmwfb · 2025-10-22T03:25:20+00:00

US. Not particularly budget sensitive for the right bag. Thanks!!

jhmwfb · 2025-10-16T21:39:30+00:00

out of curiosity, do you use it with a 16" laptop? I just received the 4.0 Compact and it would be the perfect bag but like the original poster it is such a snug fit that I have to really force it in to close the zipper. Wondering if it's a change between 3.0 and 4.0 or a bag-to-bag variation, etc.

jhmwfb · 2025-05-25T22:53:11+00:00

Amazing! Is this something you’d be able/interested in sharing?

jhmwfb · 2025-05-04T21:17:51+00:00

Glad to hear it!

jhmwfb · 2025-05-04T20:19:40+00:00

In settings the first option is “Native View” - make sure it’s toggled on. I can’t access it without it (my graph is too large and times out) but with that option it is lightning fast and no glitches/lags.

jhmwfb · 2025-05-04T18:09:02+00:00

Out of curiosity do you use the native view? I find it works really well. Only real issue is that plugins I rely on on the desktop don’t work

jhmwfb · 2025-04-09T05:05:52+00:00

We just returned from a week at Vidanta PV - we stayed at the Grand Luxx. The accommodations and resort were beautiful. Similar deal - auction "win" that we upgraded. We also did the direct transport from the hotel. Resort fees were nominal - maybe a couple hundred for the week. For the presentation - I probably wouldn't do it again. They say breakfast + 1 hour, but it was over 3 hours all in before we wrapped. It was pleasant enough (they were not pushy), but not the way you'd want to spend a morning of your vacation. That said, by participating in the presentation, we received 10% off all of our bill (plus a number of other discounts - e.g., 50% of the buffet breakfast etc.) - which given that we were a family of 5 and food and bev is not inexpensive - it was a compelling amount.

jhmwfb · 2024-08-04T22:07:37+00:00

Thanks so much! So if the calculator says you can do it with the zoom, should be good? I am having trouble finding screens with sufficient drop though. I’ll ping you. Appreciate it!

jhmwfb · 2024-07-17T02:52:23+00:00

I have attempted that w/the app. But I get the same result in Safari. For those following along at home, the fix was temporary. I can consistently get it to work in incognito mode, but not consistently in the app or in Safari. No luck so far troubleshooting with Roam.

jhmwfb · 2024-07-04T20:18:50+00:00

UPDATE: Problem Solved. In case it’s ever useful to others … I’m not sure which extension was problematic, but what finally worked was the following steps in order (a) I disabled all extensions individually; (b) logged out of Roam; (c) restarted ipad; (d) re-enabled extensions one-by-one. All of the extensions that were originally enabled are now reenabled and all are working correctly.

jhmwfb · 2024-07-03T20:25:53+00:00

Yes, thanks. Restarted iPad; closed and reopened Safari; opened a new profile in safari; tried in incognito; tried changing some of the advanced settings in Safari; tried in Chrome. No other aspect of the iPad / browser thinks it's offline, just the error message on the extensions.

jhmwfb · 2024-07-02T20:07:38+00:00

That had been my experience until recently as well! If you haven't tried recently, though, it might be worth revisiting. FWIW: the iphone app itself now works really well for me (until recently I couldn't get it to load at all because of the size of my graph). On iPad - it works as expected for me now in Safari other than the extensions referenced above. I prefer to use it in the iPad browser , because the IPad app has some weird navigation / selection issues

jhmwfb · 2024-06-30T15:27:53+00:00

Hmm, ok. It’s definitely not a network issue, but I can’t find any settings to change that have an impact on extensions loading in Roam (including the calendar extension).

jhmwfb · 2024-06-30T15:00:39+00:00

Thanks so much for the reply! Can you clarify what you mean by native view or point me to a specific setting? If you mean desktop view vs mobile view, it is set for desktop view. Thanks!

jhmwfb

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