Tonal is a wall-mounted strength machine with classes built in. HipTrain is a real coach, live on video, with no equipment to buy. Here is how to choose.
Full disclosure: HipTrain wrote this page, and we're one of the two options on it. So yes, we're biased. Every fact about Tonal comes from Tonal's own site, and you'll find the links at the end.
Choose Tonal if you want a smart strength machine at home that sets the weight for you, and you're happy to invest in hardware. Choose HipTrain if you want a real person coaching you live on video, with no equipment to buy. Tonal 2 is $4,295 plus a $59.95 a month membership with a 12-month commitment. HipTrain starts at $59.49 a month (about $14 a session) with nothing to install.
HipTrain is live personal training over video. You answer a two-minute questionnaire, and we match you with a coach who fits your goals and calendar. Many people go from sign-up to a first session in under a day.
At your booked time, you meet your coach on video. They watch your form, change exercises when needed, and keep you moving. It's the same coach every session, and you can switch if it's not a fit. You don't need a gym or equipment, though your coach can work with whatever you have. Between sessions, you can chat in the app and reschedule anytime.
"I have been training with Juan Garcia for about a year now. He is very knowledgeable, and helped me get to a consistent strength training schedule, even though I didn't have any strength training experience when we started." (Manya S., Google review)
Tonal is a wall-mounted strength machine with a 24-inch 4K touchscreen. It uses digital weight up to 250 pounds and lists more than 340 moves. Tonal's membership includes "thousands of live and on-demand classes across 16 workout types," multi-week programs, and automatic progress tracking. Tonal says its camera gives real-time form cues. Its site does not advertise live 1-on-1 coaching.
Tonal 2 costs $4,295. Smart accessories are $495 or $595, and installation starts at $295. The membership is $59.95 a month with a 12-month commitment, and it covers everyone in your household. Tonal accepts returns within 30 days of installation, minus delivery and installation. You can also rent Tonal 2: the first month is free, then $279 a month, plus a $149 setup fee, with no long-term commitment. Tonal says you can use HSA/FSA funds for hardware and membership through Truemed.
Here's the math using published prices.
Our two-a-week, 30-minute plan for a full year is $1,439.88 ($119.99 x 12). That's less than the first year of either Tonal option. To be fair, they aren't the same thing. Tonal gives you a machine and a class library you can use every day. HipTrain gives you live time with a coach. Some people with home equipment add a weekly live session for form and accountability. See all our plans in the pricing section.
We'd like you to choose what you'll use. HipTrain means showing up at a set time, on camera. If you want to train whenever you like, Tonal fits that better. If heavy, precise weight is your top goal, a machine like Tonal offers loads that bodyweight and home dumbbells can't. We also have far fewer reviews than the big brands, a smaller coach roster, no big on-demand library, and no in-person sessions.
Tonal offers live group classes and on-demand classes, plus automatic form cues. Its site does not advertise live 1-on-1 sessions with a personal coach. HipTrain sessions are live and 1-on-1, every time.
Yes for both. Tonal says hardware and membership can be paid with HSA/FSA funds through Truemed, after a Letter of Medical Necessity. HipTrain is HSA / FSA eligible (here's how it works). Check your own plan.
HipTrain's first session is free, no card needed. Tonal accepts returns within 30 days of installation, minus delivery and installation fees, and its rental plan's first month is free.
HipTrain, because there's no hardware. Our plans start at $59.49 a month. Tonal's membership alone is $59.95 a month, on top of the machine. Weighing more options? See Tonal alternatives or HipTrain vs Peloton.
Want to see if live coaching fits you? Try your first HipTrain session free. No credit card needed.
We checked pricing and features for every service here in October 2026. They change often, so double-check before you sign up.