I love my Speediance Gym Monster 2. It's been the centerpiece of my home gym for over a year now, and I've been hitting it hard — four or more sessions a week, every week. Squats, bench press, rows, lat pulldowns, you name it. The machine itself is fantastic.
But after a year of that kind of use, something broke that I didn't expect: the Bluetooth ring.
The Problem Nobody Talks About
The Bluetooth ring is how you start and stop your sets on the Speediance. Press a button on the ring, the weight engages. Press it again, it releases. Simple enough in theory.
In practice? It's a pain. When you're gripping heavy weight on barbell rows, the last thing you want is a ring on your finger messing with your grip. And when the ring finally stopped working altogether, I was stuck.
I tried the third-party foot pedals that some people recommend. They're okay for certain exercises, but try staying planted and stable for a PR squat while also trying to hit a pedal with your foot. It doesn't work. Your focus should be on the lift, not on fumbling with controls.
The real issue: Every existing control method requires your hands or feet — the exact body parts that should be 100% focused on the exercise.
So I Built Something Better
I'm a tinkerer by nature. Instead of waiting for Speediance to release a better solution, I decided to engineer one myself. The idea was simple: what if I could just talk to my gym?
One thing I wanted from the start was flexibility. I did not want this to feel like yet another product that asks you to buy more gear before it becomes useful. You can simply use the app with your phone's built-in microphone. That is the easiest setup, and for a lot of people it will be enough. The only trade-off is that if your phone is farther away or the room is noisy, results can be less consistent. If you already use wireless headphones with a mic, those work too. And if you are like me and do not enjoy having anything in your ears while training, a small clip-on mic like the Boya Mini is another nice option. The point is simple: use whatever fits the way you train.
THE COMMANDS
"Jarvis, Turn On" — starts the set, weight engages
"Jarvis, Turn Off" — ends the set, weight releases instantly
You Can Start With What You Already Have
You do not need a special setup to use GMVoice. A phone's built-in microphone can work well, and wireless headphones are a great option if you already train with them. The only thing to keep in mind is that distance and room noise matter a bit more with those setups.
If you want the microphone closer to your voice, a small clip-on mic is another option. Personally, I like something like the Boya Mini because I do not love wearing earbuds during a workout. But that is a preference, not a requirement.
The goal is not to lock you into one setup. Start with your phone, use your headphones if you already have them, or add a clip-on mic later if that fits your style better.
The Game-Changer Exercises
Once I had a working prototype, I started testing it across my entire routine. Three exercises stood out where voice control made the biggest difference:
- Bench Press — This is where it matters most. You're lying on your back, hands gripping the bar, pushing heavy weight. If something goes wrong, you need an instant bail-out. Saying "Turn Off" is infinitely faster and safer than trying to press a ring button while under load.
- Squats — Your feet need to be planted and stable. No shifting around to hit a pedal. Your hands are on the bar. Voice is the only control method that doesn't compromise your form.
- Lat Pulldowns — Both hands are on the bar above your head, pulling down. There's literally no way to press a ring comfortably mid-set. Voice control lets you focus entirely on the pull.
A few of these movements get even better with the right gear — a sturdy bench, a tricep rope, ankle straps. If you're outfitting your setup, here's our guide to the best Speediance Gym Monster accessories.
From Personal Project to Product
I originally built this just for myself. But after sharing my experience with the Speediance community, the response was overwhelming. Dozens of people reached out saying they had the exact same frustrations — dead rings, awkward pedals, compromised grip.
That's when I decided to turn this into a real product. I'm now working on a refined version — the GMVoice — that's designed to be a clean, polished, flexible voice-control experience for any Speediance Gym Monster 1 or 2 owner.
Open the app and use whatever mic setup fits the way you train. Start with your phone, use wireless headphones if you already have them, or go with a clip-on mic if you want the microphone closer to your voice.
What's Next
The next step is simple. On the main page, you can already download the app through the App Store or Google Play, and you'll also find links to compatible devices you can buy and flash yourself if you want to get started right away.
At the same time, we're working on an even easier path: ready-to-go devices, pre-configured by us, that you'll be able to buy directly from GMVoice. So whether you like the DIY route or just want something that works out of the box, both options are on the way.
Try GMVoice
Download the app, choose the mic setup you already have, and start training with your voice.
Related guides
- GMVoice vs Gym Monster Ring: Honest Comparison After 6 Months (2026 Review)
- Plan Speediance Workouts on Your Laptop: GM Manager Web App (Free)
- Best Speediance Gym Monster Accessories (2026): Tested & Ranked
Planning your next session? GM Manager builds Speediance workouts in your browser.