The Gym Monster Ultra is the latest step in the Speediance Gym Monster range, building on the design and capabilities of the Gym Monster 2. The new model brings several notable upgrades, including higher resistance, additional attachments, a larger footprint and an improved display. While the core concept remains familiar, these changes give the Ultra broader training capabilities than its predecessor. So, what has actually changed, and how much of a difference does the upgrade make? Let's take a closer look at the Gym Monster Ultra vs Gym Monster 2.
Power and Resistance: A Meaningful Step Up
The headline change is raw output. The Gym Monster Ultra pushes digital resistance up to 120 kg (260 lb), driven by a pair of 1000W motors, whereas the Gym Monster 2 tops out at 100 kg (220 lb) via two 800W motors. That extra 20 kg of headroom matters most if you're chasing serious strength gains and need more resistance as you progress.
Training Versatility: Pull-Ups and a Proper Cable System
This is where the Ultra genuinely broadens what's possible at home:
- Pull-up and lat pulldown built in. The Gym Monster 2 has no native pull-up support, and lat pulldowns require a separate accessory. The Ultra integrates both directly into the frame, so upper-body pulling work no longer needs a workaround.
- A far more flexible cable system. The GM2 offers one pair of removable vertical cables, with 11 vertical height positions plus a low position (12 total). The Ultra triples this to three cable pairs — upper, vertical and lower — giving 33 positions in total (1 upper, 27 vertical, 5 lower). In practice, that means far finer control over cable height for isolation work, functional training and awkward angles that the GM2 simply can't reach.
Footprint and Build: Bigger in Dimensions
The Ultra's added functionality also means a larger footprint, making available space an important consideration when deciding whether to upgrade from the GM2.
| Gym Monster 2 | Gym Monster Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint, unfolded | 0.84 m² (9 ft²) | 1.41 m² without lat arms / 2.08 m² (22.4 ft²) with lat arms extended |
| Height, unfolded | 1.85 m | 2.27 m |
| Training platform | 0.54 m² | 0.88 m² |
| Unit weight | 78 kg (172 lb) | 125 kg (276 lb) |
If you're in a flat or a room with limited ceiling height, the GM2's smaller and lighter frame is far easier to live with. The Ultra is really built for a dedicated training room or garage gym, where its larger platform and pulley arms have space to work properly — do measure your ceiling height before ordering, given the 2.27 m unfolded height.
Smarter Tech, Front and Centre
Beyond the mechanics, the Ultra brings a noticeably more polished digital experience:
- Screen: a larger 23.8" touchscreen versus 21.5" on the GM2, giving a clearer view of programmes and live feedback.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 on the Ultra for a faster, more stable connection, compared with Wi-Fi 5 on the GM2.
- Voice control: hands-free start/stop, resistance adjustment and mode switching, plus voice recognition, are fully live on the Ultra (English at launch, with German and other languages arriving via OTA update). This feature remains in development on the GM2.
- Processing power: a more capable chip drives the Ultra's smart features, where the GM2 runs standard hardware.
- Extras: automatic screen rotation and built-in ambient lighting come as standard on the Ultra; neither is available on the GM2.
Full Spec Comparison
| Feature | Gym Monster 2 | Gym Monster Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint (unfolded) | 0.84 m² | 1.41 m² (without arms) / 2.08 m² (with lat arms) |
| Unit weight | 78 kg | 125 kg |
| Max resistance | 100 kg (220 lb) | 120 kg (260 lb) |
| Drive motors | Dual 800W PMSM | Dual 1000W PMSM |
| Resistance modes | 4 (Standard, Chain, Eccentric, Fixed Speed) | 4 (Standard, Chain, Eccentric, Fixed Speed) |
| Pull-up support | No | Yes |
| Lat pulldown | Separate accessory | Built into the frame |
| Pulley system | 1 vertical pair | 3 pairs: upper, vertical, lower |
| Cable positions | 12 (11 vertical + 1 low) | 33 (1 upper + 27 vertical + 5 low) |
| Screen size | 21.5" | 23.8" |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Voice control | In development | Fully functional (English at launch; German via OTA) |
| Auto screen rotation | No | Yes |
| Ambient lighting | No | Yes |
When Is the Gym Monster Ultra the Better Choice?
Go for the Gym Monster Ultra if you:
- Want extra resistance headroom for long-term strength progression
- Would use pull-ups and lat pulldowns regularly and don't want to bolt on accessories
- Have a dedicated space (and ceiling height) for a larger machine
- Value a bigger screen, faster Wi-Fi and voice control
