Boardroom and Bose recently linked up for a special episode of Boardroom Talks featuring first-ballot Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, rapper, actor, and philanthropist, Quavo, and Bose CMO Jim Mollica. You can check it out here. My favorite part of the event was the Bose listening wall, where guests experienced a curated playlist from Boardroom through QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

A peek into today’s edition:

• How AI is powering home gym systems
• Tech Byte: Spotify debuts customizable playlist cover art feature
• Apple introduces iPhone 16e

Exploring the Impact of AI on Home Gym Experiences

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from how we work and communicate to how we stay active and healthy at home. The global smart home gym equipment market is projected to reach around $4 billion by 2034, while the global fitness apps market is expected to be valued at more than $10 billion by 2030. Technology, specifically artificial intelligence, continues to evolve and revolutionize home fitness systems.

AI-powered fitness companies like Tonal and Peloton have redefined what it means to work out from home by introducing smart features like motion tracking and real-time coaching. Let’s dive into the specifics that make each of these companies stand out as leaders in the industry. 

The Home Gym Leaders

Tonal

Founded in 2015, Tonal is a fitness tech company that develops digital home gym systems. The company launched its flagship product, the Tonal 1, in 2018, which was well-received for its compact size and strength training capabilities. In January 2025, the company released the Tonal 2, an updated model featuring improved hardware and enhanced performance features, continuing its mission to bring practical, at-home strength training to a broader audience.

The Tonal system, which consists of a sleek, wall-mounted device with a display, offers digital weights that adjust to your body’s needs in real-time. The system uses a camera on the display and AI to analyze a user’s movement and performance and adjust resistance levels during workouts. In addition to the core system, Tonal comes with smart tools, including a rope, a bench, handles, a mat, a foam roller, and a bar. The system provides guidance from start to finish on which smart tools to use and which level and angle to adjust the arms to.

“It’s a full gym with personal training that gets smarter and more efficient the more you use it,” Jonathan Shottan, chief product and content officer at Tonal, told Boardroom. “We’re building systems of control so that even if you’re a novice strength trainer, you can walk up to this device and achieve a high degree of confidence in your ability to complete the workout.”

What sets Tonal apart is its ability to cater to all fitness levels. Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced athlete, you can choose from various workouts tailored to your fitness level or customize your workouts from scratch. Each guided workout is accompanied by a trainer doing the workouts in front of you on a Tonal system. You can also commit to longer, weeks-long programs, allowing for structured progression and tracking of your improvements over time.

Shottan explained that Tonal won’t release new systems frequently, especially given the need for installation and mounting in users’ homes. The Tonal 2 system, priced at $4,790 with smart tools, doesn’t include the $59.95 monthly membership required to access the workouts. Getting a Tonal 2 is a real investment, both in terms of the upfront cost and ongoing subscription fees.

Peloton

Peloton was founded in 2012 to create a fitness experience that blended the convenience of working out at home with the energy and community of a live studio cycling class. The company launched its flagship product, the Peloton Bike, in 2014, followed by the Peloton Tread and digital app in 2018 and the rower in 2022. These devices allowed users to stream live and on-demand classes from home.

Peloton has since evolved into a major player in the fitness tech space, leveraging AI to enhance its products. The company uses AI in several ways, including offering personalized recommendations based on users’ workout history, adapting training plans, and tailoring metrics to help them track their progress. AI also plays a role in the Peloton Digital app, which tracks performance and suggests classes that align with a user’s fitness level and goals, making it a more customized experience. Additionally, Peloton’s AI-powered personal trainer system aims to provide real-time feedback, enhancing the feeling of being coached one-on-one and further deepening user engagement.

Like Tonal, the company’s direct-to-consumer model has been a major factor in its success, allowing it to offer high-quality equipment and subscription-based services. In recent years, Peloton’s ecosystem has grown to include a wide range of workout classes, from cycling to yoga to strength training, and it continues to expand its audience across various demographics.

Peloton has seen impressive revenue growth since its inception in 2012, capitalizing on the rise of connected fitness. The company went public in 2019, and during the height of the pandemic, its revenue skyrocketed as demand for at-home fitness solutions surged. In its fiscal year 2021, Peloton reported over $4 billion in revenue, driven by strong sales of its flagship Bike and Tread and a booming subscription business. However, as the fitness industry rebounded with more in-person options, Peloton faced challenges in sustaining its pandemic-era growth. In response to this, Peloton expanded its digital content and AI-driven training, reinvigorating its revenue model by moving away from the physical machines and expanding its subscription model and its various offerings.

The Future of AI in Home Gym Tech

The smart home gym market is poised for exponential growth, with innovators shaping a future where AI makes fitness more accessible, efficient, and engaging. Currently, much of the AI technology in smart home gym equipment relies on cameras to track movements for activation. As AI continues to advance, we can expect even more products that blur the lines between traditional gyms and at-home workouts.

Tech Byte

Spotify launched a new Create Cover Art feature that lets fans design and customize their own playlist covers. A sticker collection from Tyler, the Creator kicked off the feature, pulling designs from his iconic CHROMAKOPIA, IGOR, and Flower Boy albums.

This Week in Tech

• Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, a $600 budget-friendly addition to the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring Apple Intelligence and the company’s first in-house 5G modem. Replacing the iPhone SE, the 16e ditches the home button for Face ID. Apple plans to fully transition to its own cellular chips within the next two years.
• Humane told customers it’s discontinuing its AI Pin, ending sales immediately, and shutting down all functionality by February 28, 2025. I made a bet last spring that Humane would get a new owner, and now it’s happening—HP is acquiring its key AI capabilities for $116 million, though it has no interest in Humane’s hardware business.
• Kai Cenat is launching a “streaming university,” a weekend-long event where aspiring and established streamers can learn from top influencers like MrBeast and Mark Rober. He plans to rent out a university, set up dorms, and offer classes taught by major creators, though admission won’t be guaranteed for everyone.
• Tristan Thompson visited the New York Stock Exchange to launch TracyAI, an AI platform for sports commentary and analytics that was unveiled during NBA All-Star Weekend. Thompson serves as chief content officer and lead advisor for the company. TracyAI uses AI to deliver real-time analysis, predictive insights, and enhanced fan engagement to transform sports broadcasting.
• Reddit plans to introduce paywalled subreddits in 2025, requiring users to pay for access to certain content. CEO Steve Huffman confirmed the feature is in development, marking a shift toward monetizing exclusive subreddit content while maintaining the platform’s free version.
• Following the release of xAI’s Grok 3, X has raised its Premium+ subscription price to nearly $50 per month, more than doubling its previous cost. Pricing inconsistencies remain across the platform, and some Grok 3 features are now exclusive to a separate SuperGrok plan.
• Google announced a new AI-powered Career Dreamer tool that helps users explore career possibilities by analyzing their experiences, skills, and interests to suggest potential career paths. The tool can assist with resumes, cover letters, and crafting impact statements.

Michelai’s Bet of the Week

Niantic, the maker of Pokémon Go, is reportedly nearing a $3.5 billion deal to sell its gaming division to Scopely, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, following struggles to replicate its past success. I’m going to bet that within a year of the sale, Niantic will undergo a rebrand, reflecting its new focus and direction in the tech industry.