Tonal Versus NordicTrack Vault Workouts Compared

In 2018, a new type of fitness tech emerged, stylish, wall-mounted, at-home fitness center. This mirror almost appears magical with its ability to display workout sessions, offer feedback, and track progress. The first two fitness mirrors to enter the market were Mirror and Tonal.

According to the Tonal website, the founder, Aly Orady, discovered strength training as a way to lose and maintain weight. In time, he lost 70 pounds but grew dissatisfied with several aspects of the gym experience. So he developed at-home weight-training equipment that used electromagnetic resistance. The potential of this digital device inspired him to build a team to develop Tonal.

Since then, plenty of brand-name competitors have entered the market with their own versions of mirror fitness equipment, including NordicTrack. In contrast to Tonal, NordicTrack started producing fitness equipment about 50 years ago. Still, they’ve maintained a great reputation for innovation through the years. It’s not surprising to see NordicTrack offer their own spin on this unique idea, called Vault.

This article compares versions of the workout mirror from NordicTrack and Tonal.

Take a moment to compare the experience of working out with Tonal vs. NordicTrack Vault.

According to CNET, Tonal offers the best mirror-type unit for strength training. The wall-mounted equipment also looks fairly stylish, so fitness buffs will probably be proud to have it installed in almost any room.

Tonal offers an initial strength assessment as the basis for recommended exercises. Some users like the fact that they can choose set programs or come up with their own freestyle workouts. Two arms protrude from the mirror to provide resistance for weight training, and Tonal customers can also choose an optional bench and mat.

Tonal offers an app, but users can also control everything from the device. The app does include some workouts for use away from the device. For example, travelers can use the app to maintain their progress in a hotel gym.

The NordicTrack Vault looks more like a cabinet and is considerably larger than the Tonal. However, it stands on its own, so there’s no need to mount it on a wall or a stand. The NordicTrack might take up more room than the Tonal, but the Vault’s mirror opens up to reveal a cabinet for storing fitness equipment.

Customers have the option of buying either an empty Vault or one filled with equipment like mats, weights, and resistance bands. NordicTrack also offers a diverse library of workouts with their iFit membership. This membership also includes plenty of other resources. A few examples include access to a community, guided tours, and workouts for other kinds of fitness machines, like stationary bikes and treadmills.

The base Vault starts at $1,999, and the Vault Complete adds an additional $1,000 to the price, totaling $2,999. Tonal costs $2,995, so it’s just about the same price as the Vault Complete. NordicTrack offers more variety for the money, including storage space for physical equipment and iFit’s famous collection of diverse kinds of workouts and activities. The NordicTrack vault also includes an HD touchscreen.

Even though it costs more, Shape considered the NordicTrack Vault a somewhat better option than the Mirror, especially for beginners who may not already have equipment or know what type of activities they prefer. That same comparison would probably apply to the Tonal — Tonal is great for strength training, but the Vault offers more diverse activities and resources.

For more information, also see this comparison of NordicTrack Vault vs. Tonal vs. Mirror at-home gyms from a previous Upsie post.

Although fitness mirrors are expensive, they provide customers with an enjoyable, gym-like experience paired with the benefits of a personal trainer. It’s fairly easy to justify the cost when comparing the price to the cost of gym memberships and the value of staying fit.

At the same time, all the moving parts and electronic components make even the most durable fitness equipment vulnerable to issues from time to time. To protect your fitness mirror, Upsie offers three-year and five-year warranties for NordicTrack at-home gyms. At this time, Upsie does not cover Tonal fitness mirrors.

These comprehensive protection plans provide at-home service for mechanical, electronic, and electrical problems, including defects. In addition, if repairs aren’t possible, Upsie will offer a replacement on the first claim. Even better, Upsie charges up to 70 percent less than their competitors for a three-year plan, and most competitors don’t even offer five-year warranties.

Consider buying an at-home gym to stay fit, and Upsie will make sure the device stays in good working order for years to come.