The V3.1 Change That Finally Makes Progressive Overload Work
The Problem Nobody Was Talking About
Before V3.1, the Speediance had a progressive overload problem. Not the concept — the execution.
Here's what was happening: you'd create a workout, set your target reps, and the machine would silently increase your weight when it decided you were ready. You'd hit Start on your working set and suddenly you're lifting 10 pounds more than you planned.
That's dangerous. Not because more weight is bad — but because unexpected weight is bad. You're in the middle of a rep, expecting 180 pounds, and the machine gives you 190. Your muscles aren't ready for that jump. That's how injuries happen.
I pointed this out in my V3.1 review. The machine was making decisions about your training without asking.
V3.1 fixed it. Here's what changed.
The Fix: Prompts That Actually Work
Now when the machine wants to increase your weight, it prompts you first.
It shows you what it's planning to increase to. You can:
- Accept the increase
- Pick a different weight manually
- Say no and keep the same weight
This is how it should have worked from day one. I've seen the prompt trigger multiple times during my sessions. Right now I've been selecting "none" because I'm focused on running and don't want to chase progressive overload in my lifting — but the fact that I have a choice now is the point.
This works for barbell movements and dual-handle exercises. The machine finally asks before it acts.
The Unilateral Problem (Still Broken)
Here's the catch: unilateral exercises still have bugs.
Single-arm and single-leg movements still sometimes apply different weights to each side without prompting. I've experienced this firsthand — I was doing a high-to-low cable fly and suddenly couldn't even pull the weight. The machine had jumped the weight on one side without telling me.
There's a setting called "1RM Setting" that's supposed to keep both sides at the same weight. It works for bilateral movements. But on unilateral exercises, the bug persists.
I demonstrated this in the video. The machine thought I PR'd on one side and applied a new weight to both sides — but it didn't prompt me. It just happened. That's the same problem V3.1 fixed for bilateral movements, just still present for unilateral ones.
Why Safety Start Isn't the Answer
Here's what's frustrating: Safety Start isn't the safety feature everyone thinks it is.
Safety Start locks your cable at your starting position. It won't retract beyond that point during your set. Sounds useful? Let me explain why it's not:
**It limits your range of motion.** Without Safety Start, I get a full stretch — the cable pulls my arms back, I feel the eccentric load through my entire range. With Safety Start on, the cable stops short. You're literally limiting your range of motion for every single rep.
**That defeats the entire point of these machines.** The reason I prefer digital cable machines over free weights is the eccentric loading. When the weight comes back toward the machine under tension, it protects your joints. You're loading the muscle through the stretch.
Safety Start eliminates that benefit. It's making the machine less safe by removing the eccentric loading that makes these machines valuable.
I demonstrated this live: with Safety Start on, I can't get a full stretch. The cable has slack in it mid-rep. That's unacceptable for serious lifting.
The Eccentric Philosophy
Let me explain why I train the way I do — and why Safety Start conflicts with it.
Most injuries don't happen on the way UP (concentric phase). They happen on the way DOWN (eccentric phase). That's when your muscles are under tension and your stabilizing muscles are fatigued.
With digital cable machines, I can load the eccentric phase. When I return the weight, the machine adds resistance. I'm fighting extra weight on the way down. This builds control and protects joints.
**Safety Start removes this benefit.** By limiting how far the cable retracts, you're limiting your eccentric range. You're defeating the entire purpose of why these machines are better than free weights.
I use eccentric mode at max on every exercise. I want the weight coming back at me under full load every single rep. That's how I train safely. Safety Start doesn't fit that philosophy.
The One-Second Pause Solution
Here's what I actually do instead of Safety Start:
After I finish a rep, I hold for one second before starting the next rep. The weight turns off automatically during that pause.
This gives me:
- Time to reset my grip
- A natural breakpoint between reps
- Protection without limiting range of motion
I never needed Safety Start. The one-second pause handles everything Safety Start claims to solve — and it doesn't compromise my training.
The Partner Mode Problem
One more frustration: partner mode is still broken.
The old partner mode let my wife and I control each side independently. She could have her side on with 44 pounds while my side was off. That was a legitimate feature for couples training together.
V3.1 brought partner mode back — but worse than before. Now both sides have to be on at the same time. You can't turn them off independently. There's no guest profile anymore.
This has been the #1 community request for two years. Tonal had it from day one. Speediance is still behind.
What Actually Matters
After 75,000+ pounds on V3.1, here's what you should know:
**The progressive overload prompts are the real update.** They work. Use them.
**Skip Safety Start.** It's built for Pilates programming, not serious lifting. Use the one-second pause instead.
**Expect slower retraction.** The firmware update that enables Safety Start also slows down cable return. It's noticeable.
**Don't expect partner mode to work.** It's worse than before.
**Check your 1RM settings.** Make sure "both sides jointly" is enabled for unilateral exercises — but know the bug still exists.
I'm still on these machines every day. Over 1.2 million pounds total across both my Speediance units. The V3.1 progressive overload fix is the change I've been waiting for. Everything else? Still a work in progress.