I’ll admit that when I checked into the Ovolo Hotel in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, I was more excited about the possibilities of a bath and crisp white sheets than trying out some of the slightly intimidating workout machines. But my loathing of gyms and my love of waterside accommodations (and my job) drove me to give it a try.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is a smart weight machine. In fact, it’s smart enough to use artificial intelligence to adjust resistance in real time during your workout, without bulky equipment. Best place? It is not compromised by the amount of weight you want to lift. Via AI, the machine can offer up to 200kg of digital weight resistance, so everyone from beginners to super pros can find a way to use the machine.
Retailing for $2,200 new, the Vitruvian workout machine safely falls into the luxury category. But a recent partnership with Ovolo makes it accessible to anyone staying at an East Coast hotel.
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this machine
Upon arrival, the concierge informed me that the Trainer+ was ready to be installed in my room (flash!) and took me upstairs to show me how to use it.
At about 1.5m long and 0.5m wide, it’s not an intimidating machine and doesn’t require a lot of space. I stayed in a loft room with a fair amount of floor space, but it was easy to find space to place the machine in a small room, or even your home.
Since it is such a compact machine, if you ask for it to be brought to your room during your stay in Ovolo, it will not take much time to arrange and install it. Simply plug it into the power socket, turn it on at the base and you’re good to go. You can easily store it under your bed.
With a quick demo, Trainer+ seemed easy to use too. It consists of a smart pad and two cords with handles in the middle of the short sides, each of which can be replaced with a bar if desired by simply clicking on it.
I’m hesitant to go to a full gym buddy, but machines are kinda… sexy too? The sleek pad looks like his induction stove and fits perfectly into the room’s design. An important detail for gals like me who are just as interested in aesthetics as they are in weight. There are also light panels along the edge of the machine that are said to convey important messages during your workout.
The Trainer+ fits easily on the floor of your hotel room.Image: Vitruvius
Trainer+ test
Dubbed “the smartest connected fitness product on the market,” as someone not particularly familiar with complicated workout machines, I felt optimistic about approaching the Witruwian Pads.
After downloading the app and completing a quick pre-workout checklist (setting goals and weight benchmarks), I chose the Beginner’s Basic 1 class. A simple routine. I chose the default weight limit (12kg) and started the workout by scanning the QR code near the power switch on her workout pad.
The machine doesn’t have a screen attached to it, so to make it work you’ll either need to hook it up to an in-room TV or have a charged phone and a place to rest it. But since you can’t and don’t want to hold your phone while training, it’s worth a little pre-planning before you start.
The workout lasted 23 minutes and consisted of 7 exercises performed twice for 45 seconds with 30 seconds rest between each set. We started with suitcase squats and floor presses, then moved on to seated rows, lunges and shoulder presses before finishing with bicep curls and single-leg glute bridges.
The speed at which you complete each move, and how long you pause in between, affects the amount of weight applied to the next move, so it took me a while to get used to the machine. It’s a different rhythm than, and it required a little reprogramming of my brain. Usually when it gets harder and slower is when you sit back and push forward instead of losing weight.
I used to think the workout pads were too short for people with long legs, especially when sitting down to do a row, but they weren’t. I was able to stretch… beyond the platform if needed.
The class was led by Vitruvian head coach Wiebke. Despite being a recorded workout, her feedback came exactly when I needed it. When Wiebke mentioned correcting bad posture during squats and paying attention to leg direction, I knew that was exactly what I needed to work on. It’s predictable, but I’ve never felt that way.
The flashing lights at the base of the machine didn’t seem particularly clear. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong when it started flashing red in the middle of the set.
Showing your final weight in an in-app popup at the end of your workout also felt a little unnecessary. It was probably more convenient before I started encouraging workouts than when I was in the shower after a workout. But I’m sure it’s a useful feature for those doing specific workouts.
After the class, I was sweaty and felt exhausted. My legs certainly mirrored the quality of my workout when I climbed her five steps up the office stairs the next day.
verdict? A luxurious way to work out on the go.Image: Vitruvius
verdict
The Vitruvian Trainer+ machine is the perfect way to train on the go. With a little effort, you’ll have a weight machine and a huge selection of workouts at your fingertips. Suitable for all levels of expertise.
It loads and deloads AI-generated weights in real-time at optimal resistance, so your workouts are safe and easy to do yourself without a spotter. Plus, with machines placed in the room while working out, he can blast his playlist as loudly as he wants (to his neighbors).
For the money, I’d make a great (and compact) edition for your home gym, or something you’ll look forward to on your next trip. Believe me, mastering a new machine while on vacation can feel very complacent.
Vitruvian Trainer+ machines are currently installed at all Ovolo hotels in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. Free for guests who book directly with Ovolo through the end of winter 2023. Learn more about.
