Tempo Home Fitness System: $395 Minifridge-Sized Gym

The Rise of Connected Fitness and Tempo's New Offering

The recent pandemic significantly accelerated the growth of the connected fitness sector. Gym closures and restrictions on public gatherings prompted individuals to seek alternative methods for maintaining their fitness routines at home.

Companies like Peloton and Mirror experienced substantial benefits from this trend. Tempo, a San Francisco-based company, also capitalized on the increased demand for at-home workout solutions.

Tempo specializes in providing both cardio and strength training through guided workouts. These workouts utilize a system incorporating barbells and dumbbells.

Addressing Barriers to Entry

Despite its growing popularity, Tempo faced challenges related to accessibility. Two key obstacles hindered wider adoption: the high cost of equipment and its substantial size.

The Tempo Studio, the company’s original product, exemplified these issues. It stands at six feet tall and has a starting price of $2,500. This represents a significant investment in both space and finances.

To overcome these hurdles, Tempo is now introducing a more affordable and compact option: the Tempo Move.

Introducing the Tempo Move

The Tempo Move is designed to lower the barrier to entry for potential customers. This new system is priced at $395 and boasts a significantly smaller footprint.

Its size is comparable to that of a side table or a small refrigerator. It provides storage for 50 pounds of weight plates and dumbbells, though it does not include barbells.

The system features a docking station for an iPhone, which serves as the central processing unit. This “core” contains a processor and 1GB of RAM.

How the Tempo Move Functions

An HDMI cable connects the iPhone to a television, transmitting workout data. The iPhone’s True Depth camera system, potentially utilizing lidar technology in the future, provides motion tracking.

This system allows users to access Tempo’s existing library of live and on-demand classes. Users can specifically filter for workouts that only require dumbbells.

A monthly subscription of $39 is required to access these classes.

Availability and Market Implications

The Tempo Move is currently available for preorder. Shipping is scheduled to begin in early December.

Tempo’s expansion of its product line coincides with a slowdown in Peloton’s growth. This deceleration follows the surge in sales experienced during the pandemic.

It remains to be seen whether the Tempo Move’s lower price point will attract a broader customer base, including more casual fitness enthusiasts.

The success of the Move could indicate a shift towards more accessible and affordable connected fitness solutions.