Choosing a smart home gym often comes down to one question: how much resistance do you actually need? The Gym Monster 3 (GM3) and Gym Monster 3S (GM3S) share almost identical hardware and the same compact, foldable design — but they're built for slightly different ambitions. The GM3 is our all-round pick for guided workouts and space-saving convenience, while the GM3S steps things up with stronger motors for those who train heavier. Below, we break down exactly where the two machines differ so you can pick the right one without second-guessing yourself.
What Both Models Have in Common
Before getting into the differences, it's worth noting just how much overlap there is between the two machines. Whichever you choose, you're getting:
- The same footprint, folded or unfolded
- A welded frame with 19+1 cable positions and a soft platform descent
- A 23.8-inch touchscreen on a two-point hinge mount, with gyroscope-based auto-rotation and ambient lighting
- Voice recognition and control, running on identical hardware (English only at launch, with German, Spanish, French and Arabic arriving via future OTA updates)
- Four resistance modes: Standard, Chain, Eccentric and Fixed Speed
- Access to the same content library: 1,000+ exercises, 500+ classes and 90+ programmes
In short, the day-to-day experience — screen, software, workout library, footprint — is identical.
The Real Difference: Resistance and Motor Power
This is where the GM3 and GM3S part ways.
| GM3 | GM3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum resistance | 100 kg (220 lb) | 120 kg (260 lb) |
| Drive motors | 2× 800 W PMSM | 2× 1000 W PMSM |
| Weight | 82 kg | 86 kg |
The GM3S delivers roughly 20 kg more maximum resistance than the GM3, powered by a pair of 1000 W motors built specifically to handle that extra load. Both machines offer the same minimum resistance and the same fine-grained adjustability — the gap is purely at the top end. If your sessions regularly push into heavier territory, that extra headroom on the GM3S means you can keep progressing without hitting a ceiling. The trade-off is a modest weight increase of around 4 kg, a result of the beefier motors and reinforced construction needed to support the higher load.
Full Specification Comparison
| Gym Monster 3 | Gym Monster 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint (unfolded) | 0.84 m² / 9 ft² | 0.84 m² / 9 ft² |
| Footprint (folded) | 0.25 m² / 2.7 ft² | 0.25 m² / 2.7 ft² |
| Touchscreen | 23.8" | 23.8" |
| Audio | Stereo 2.1 | Stereo 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0 |
| RAM / Storage | 4 GB / 128 GB | 4 GB / 128 GB |
| Maximum resistance | 100 kg (220 lb) | 120 kg (260 lb) |
| Minimum resistance | 3.5 kg (8 lb) | 3.5 kg (8 lb) |
| Drive motors | 2× 800 W PMSM | 2× 1000 W PMSM |
| Resistance modes | 4 modes | 4 modes |
| Weight | 82 kg | 86 kg |
| Cable positions | 19 + 1 | 19 + 1 |
| Frame construction | Welded | Welded |
| Soft platform descent | Yes | Yes |
| Voice control | Yes (English at launch; German via OTA update) | Yes (English at launch; German via OTA update) |
| Exercise library | 1,000+ exercises, 500+ classes, 90+ programmes | 1,000+ exercises, 500+ classes, 90+ programmes |
So, Which One Is Right for You?
The GM3 makes sense if:
- This is your first smart home gym and you want a complete, versatile set-up without paying extra for resistance you won't use yet
- Your current training comfortably sits within the GM3's 100 kg (220 lb) ceiling
The GM3S makes sense if:
- You've got a solid strength-training background already
- Your programme regularly includes heavier movements that benefit from extra resistance
- You'd rather invest in more headroom now than upgrade later on
