Unlock Your Home Gym: The Two Speediance Accessories I Wish I'd Bought First

When I set up my first Speediance, I made every rookie mistake in the book. I assumed the bundle would handle everything, that the smart gym itself would be the only purchase that mattered, and that the rest of my gear would somehow fall into place. It didn't. After months of trial and error — and after upgrading to the Speediance 2S — I now have a very short, very specific list of two accessories I'd buy on day one. Every single time.

If you're going the original Speediance route, or you're eyeing a 2S, this is the post I wish someone had handed me before I unboxed mine. Consider it the crib notes for a home gym that actually feels like a gym.

Why the Smart Gym Is Only Half the Equation

The thing nobody tells you about a smart cable machine like the Speediance is that it's a platform, not a complete gym. The flywheels, the digital weight, the guided workouts — all of that is genuinely transformative. But the moment you load up any movement that calls for a flat or inclined back, you realize the unit is doing its job; the surrounding setup is not.

I learned this the hard way. I tried to make do with a flat utility bench I had lying around from a college move. It was a little too narrow, the angles weren't right for incline pressing, and there was no way to lock it at a steep enough angle for some of the movements the Speediance app encourages. After weeks of awkwardly propping the bench on yoga blocks (don't laugh, we all do it once), I gave up and bought the real thing.

Accessory #1: Buy Your Own Adjustable Bench

This is the accessory you see in the background of basically every Speediance review, mine included. It's the adjustable FID bench — flat, incline, decline — and yes, I would specifically recommend the base model. You do not need the commercial-grade rack-and-pinions or the ridiculous weight rating that some of the heavy-duty benches advertise. A solid base-model adjustable bench will outlive your smart gym.

Here's why this matters so much for a Speediance setup specifically:

• The app programs around bench angles. Many guided workouts assume you can hit a few specific incline positions. A base-model adjustable bench usually hits the standard seven or so angle detents — flat, a few inclines, and decline — which is exactly what the programming expects.
• Stability matters more than padding. When you're pulling the smart handles from a seated or incline position, any wobble in the bench turns into annoying micro-corrections during a set. A cheaper but sturdily-built bench beats a plushy premium one every time.
• It travels with you. If you ever move apartments or rearrange the room, a base-model adjustable bench is a manageable solo carry. The 100-pound monster benches are not.

I'm not going to name specific brands in this post because the market for FID benches changes quickly and what I bought may not even be the best buy by the time you read this. The headline guidance is: pick a base-model adjustable bench with a wide-enough base, lock-pin angle adjustment, and honest reviews. Skip the gimmicks.

The Accessory I Didn't Know I Needed Until the 2S

Here's the part of this post I genuinely wish I'd written a year ago. With the original Speediance, I just used the standard handles that came in the box. They worked fine. I never thought about them. I genuinely did not know there was a better option.

Then I got the Speediance 2S. Tucked into the box, a little smaller than I expected, were these little Bluetooth-enabled handles. They call them the Speediance Power Grips. They're not the standard accessories you'd attach to a cable — they're a Bluetooth-enabled, app-aware grip that I now consider just as essential as the bench.

What the Power Grips Actually Do

The Power Grips talk to the Speediance directly. They're not just a pair of handles with a cute wireless gimmick — they connect into the app's tracking and contribute to the data-driven experience that makes the smart gym feel smart in the first place. When you pair them with the proper routines, the app knows exactly what you're doing, how hard you're pulling, and at what tempo.

I won't pretend I've cracked the entire ecosystem. I use them for a handful of movements and I genuinely notice the difference. The data is cleaner, the rep tracking feels more precise, and there's something strangely satisfying about seeing a grip light up or a connection settle when you start a set. It's a small thing. It makes a big difference in how "complete" the experience feels.

If you've ever picked up a Peloton bike and immediately noticed how nice it feels that the bike just knows you're riding, the Power Grips are the Speediance version of that moment. They make the smart gym feel less like a cable machine with a screen and more like one continuous piece of equipment.

Why I'd Buy Them Even for the Original Speediance

Here's my updated take after living with both units. If I were buying a first-generation Speediance today, I would still buy the Power Grips as an add-on rather than wait for a 2S replacement. The reason is simple: the Speediance experience is mostly an experience, and small touches compound. The bench, the Power Grips, and the smart gym together become more than the sum of their parts. Without them, you're constantly negotiating with your setup.

For anyone going all-in on a 2S, the Power Grips are right there in the box. No decision required. But for the original, factor them in as a small but meaningful upgrade.

Putting It All Together: The Two-Accessory Short List

That's the entire list. Not six accessories, not a complete home-gym overhaul. Two purchases that, alongside the smart gym itself, get you to a place where the technology stops being a novelty and starts being the way you actually train.

• An adjustable FID bench — base model, sturdy, lock-pin angle adjustment.
• Power Grips Bluetooth handles — if you're on the 2S, they come in the box; if you're on the original, buy them as an upgrade.

That's the home gym short list. Everything else — the mat, the mirror, the rack, the kettlebell you almost bought — is optional. These two are not.

A Quick Word on Setup Timing

If I can leave you with one last piece of advice, it's about the order of operations. Unbox the smart gym first. Live with it for a week using whatever bench and handles you already own. Then, before the novelty wears off, place the orders for the bench and the Power Grips (if applicable). By the time they arrive, you'll know exactly which movements you want to fix and the accessories will slot into a routine you've already built. That's how you skip the awkward month of staring at the machine and saying "I should really use this more."

Welcome to the smart gym. Don't forget the accessories.