Women's Fitness Lab
I Thought Weightlifting Was Not For Me (A Busy Mom) – Then Tempo Changed My Mind
By Marissa Ross
Jan 31, 2024
In Partnership with Tempo
4.5
Amazing
My TLDR on Tempo
I was expecting to get a basic home gym, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Tempo is SO MUCH MORE. It's like having a personal trainer in my living room. The value truly can't be beat.
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Pricing starts at $36/month.
PROS
Challenging class-based workouts with motivating coaches
Adjusts my weights and counts my reps in real time
Minimally designed cabinet to keep weights organized
One membership cost for up to 6 users
Compatible with Apple Watch and other wearables
CONS
Currently only available on iOS
Takes time to get initially set up
Requires plenty of floor space
If you’re a busy mom who’s missing your fitness routine you had before kids, I know the feeling. I remember how good I felt when I was super active back in my 20s, but getting back to that routine felt impossible once I became a mom. Between schlepping the kids to school, working a full day, and trying to keep up with the house, my free time is a luxury and I honestly don’t really want to spend it driving back and forth to catch a workout class. I tried sneaking in a walk or jog when I could, but was craving something with more structure and accountability to make me really see and feel a difference.
My partner and I thought about building out a home gym, but had a hard time finding a setup that would get us both the type of workout we’d love and stick with.
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Enter: Tempo Move.
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I never thought lifting weights would be something I’d become addicted to, but this home gym has completely sold me. Here’s how:
1. The value of Tempo Move is unmatched.
Tempo has packages that start under $50/month (with a one year contract), and that includes an entire set of adjustable weights AND unlimited access to their virtual, personalized training.
Since I’m new to weight lifting but wanted something to really challenge me to a new level of fitness, Tempo recommended a package with the barbell and extra weights, the Tempo Move Pro.
For $75/month, I got an entire set of weight plates (125lbs total), dumbbells (7.5lbs), barbell (25lbs), storage cabinet, and full access to personalized, virtual training with real-time guidance with their iOS app (Android isn’t supported yet, but sounds like it’s in the works – Tempo Studio is a good alternative since it doesn’t require the app).
I used to pay about the same amount or more to get access to all of the workout classes I loved, but also had to deal with class wait lists, cancellation fees, last minute cancellations, and the time to drive there and back. It was all just getting to be too much.
Now, I have a workout I can jump into at a moment's notice. Plus, it’s barely noticeable in our living room and keeps everything organized and out of the way (I’m even able to roll the barbell under the couch). It’s my home gym dream come true.
2. Engaging and relatable coaches.
I’ve taken classes with almost all of the Coaches and they’re all great in different ways. Coach Melissa is my go-to, and I love that she teaches me so much about strength training as I’m working out, especially when I was first getting started. What I enjoy most about all of them is that they seem so… human. I feel like I know them personally somehow. They’re not performers or superstars, they’re cool, smart, fit people who make me feel like I fit right in and keep me motivated to do that last rep, even when I really, really don’t think I can. Tempo brings in guest coaches as well, which is a fun way to try out a new style from time to time.
3. Daily adjustments to my recommendations based on my health score.
This was the unexpected magic from the Tempo Move that I really love. When I synced the app with my Apple Watch, it factored in things like my sleep quality (ha!), heart rate variability, and other activity I’ve done, then adapted my daily recommendation for duration, intensity, and upper or lower body based on my body’s “readiness”. It was so cool, and honestly has kind of become a habit to open the app to see what my score is. I’m starting to learn so much about how all aspects of my day inform what my best workout should be, which is so different from my cookie cutter approach before.
4. Real-time feedback on my reps, form and more during the workout.
Lifting weights is new for me, so I had no idea where to start to figure out how many reps to do, how much weight to lift, or know that my form is right. Tempo helps with all of that, tracking it all on-screen during my workout so there’s no guesswork. It took a minute to get used to, but I’m really loving this new approach to working out. And I’m amazed at how I actually feel like I’m getting stronger faster compared to focusing mostly on cardio.
5. They paired me with the perfect gym.
Once I was ready to buy a Tempo gym, I wanted to make sure I picked the right one. Tempo pointed me in the right direction through a brief quiz, which is surprisingly helpful. It asked about my daily habits, how much time I have to devote to exercise, how busy I am, how much workout space I have, and what my fitness goals are.
My recommendation was spot-on: the Tempo Move Pro, which offered the perfect amount of weights to get started but plenty more to stack on as I got stronger – I was using the 10lb plates way sooner than I thought!
Even still, Tempo offers a 30-day risk-free return policy if you don’t end up with something you love, which is just extra reassurance.
I’m totally sold on Tempo.
Tempo Move has helped me reclaim my workout time again and find the balance I was missing after having kids. I’m seeing changes in my body way sooner than I expected, and I feel like a superhero after every workout. Even if I’m not up for lifting, I love their yoga and barre classes as a change of pace. Between the beautifully designed weights and storage and the super smart, personalized workouts with amazing coaches, I’m a Tempo fan for life. Give it a shot, I’d love to hear what you think!
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