Tonal Stud Build-Outs - Tonal Installation｜Tonal

Choosing the Perfect Stud Build-Out: Exploring Affordable and Premium Options for Your Tonal Setup

Diving into the world of Tonal stud build-outs can be pretty daunting. If you’re setting up a new space, or think you might have an incompatible space but want Tonal in your home, it’s important to make sure you have a clear idea of what you want this space to look like.

Even more important is ensuring that you meet the installation requirements for both Tonal alone and your stud build-out so you don’t end up running into other obstacles down the road.

Let’s put on our contractor hats and get started!

What Is a Stud Build-Out?

Stud build-outs are versatile structures that use wood or metal studs as the main framing components to create sturdy new walls that can be mostly free-standing or part of the wall itself.

They’re a popular solution for spaces that might not be totally compatible with Tonal. Even Martha Stewart chose to have one built when she had her trainer installed!

For Tonal, your stud build-out needs to be made up of two (2) continuous 2x4x8 studs, spaced 16” apart and going ceiling-to-floor, measured from the center of the stud. It can’t rely on the existing wall for anchoring, though–for a safe installation, the new studs need to be anchored to the floor and ceiling joists.

Why You Might Need a Build-Out

At this point, you might be thinking: Is a stud build-out really necessary for my space?

The answer? It depends, for a few key reasons:

Not all walls are suitable for installing Tonal (brick, cinder block, or tiled walls, to name a few).
You might want to place your Tonal in an area where the stud layout isn't suitable.
You may simply want a custom look to elevate the style of your home gym.

Our Approach to Build-Outs

We don't cover the build-out portion of the installation process. However, we're here to assist you as best we can by giving you what you need to connect with contractors of your choosing, reviewing your plans before they carry out the build, and double-checking the final result before your installation appointment.

We always want to make the installation process as smooth and seamless as we can!

Choosing the Right Materials: Wood Versus Metal

One thing you need to consider is what material you’ll be using for the studs. This can have an impact on pricing, as well as the end result that you need to achieve before Tonal can be installed.

We’ve put together a handy table to help you compare. Keep in mind, these prices are just to help give you a sense of the price difference, but material costs can change based on where you live, where you shop, and what’s available:

Wood		Metal
Price breakdown	Materials: Three (3) pieces of 2x4x8 wood studs = around $10.05 ¼ x 2 ¼ Tapcons (one pack of six) = about $7.37 One (1) box of 2 ¼ wood screws = $8.50 L Brackets (optional) = $0.75 (per bracket) Total cost for materials = $25.92 If you would like to close up the wall (this is optional), you’ll need these additional materials: One (1) board of ⅝ x4x8 sheetrock = around $18.36 (depending on the ceiling height) One (1) container of compound = about $10 One (1) roll of compound tape = about $3.30 Total wood stud build-out cost, plus closing up the wall = $57.58 Note: This pricing doesn’t include what a contractor will additionally charge for labor.	Materials: Two (2) 2x4x8 25-gauge metal studs = $39.52 One (1) 2x4x10 25-gauge metal track = $11.88 One (1) box of screws for = $8.50 One (1) board of ⅝ x4x8 sheetrock = around $18.36 (depending on the ceiling height) One (1) container of compound = about $10 One (1) roll of compound tape = about $3.30 Note: When metal studs are used, you must close up the wall before Tonal can be installed. Total cost for materials = $83.06 Note: This pricing doesn’t include what a contractor will additionally charge for labor.
Strengths	Generally cheaper than metal. Do not need to close up the wall to install Tonal.	More durable than wood, meaning less maintenance over time.
Trade Offs	Can look “unfinished” if you don’t close up the wall. Not as durable as metal because it can be vulnerable to rot.	Generally more expensive than wood studs. The wall will need to be closed up, so additional cost will come with those materials. We don’t support all metal studs, so you will need to make sure you use the right materials.

Three Build-Out Options for Every Budget

There’s a range of options when it comes to the type of build-out you end up going with! Some of our members favor a simple, utilitarian setup. Others prioritize aesthetics and want Tonal to take center stage as a beautiful piece of art when it’s not in use.

Wherever you see yourself within that range, you’ve got some options:

The “Economy” Build
The “Intermediate” Build
The “Premium” Build

The “Economy” Build

At a cost of around $50-$500*, the “economy” build is for the bare-bones, “garage gym” style setup. If you just want to get Tonal in your space, without any bells or whistles (and for as little spend as possible), this option is for you.

Here’s a breakdown of why/why not to go with this option:

Strenght	Trade Offs
This option is the lowest cost of the build-out options. It’s Tonal tested and approved. There’s minimal work/materials/budget required. It can easily be done yourself, without the help of a contractor (though we highly encourage you to work with one).	Let’s face it: this option isn’t the most visually appealing. It may seem “unfinished”.

Here’s an example of an economy build (with and without Tonal installed) from our community:

We love that this member chose to paint over their wood studs to give their economy build a much more polished look.

The “Intermediate” Build

The “intermediate” build is still pretty budget-friendly, while being a little more visually appealing. On average, this might cost around $600-$1500*. A build like this ends up looking more polished and cohesive with the rest of the room. Think closed-up walls, and maybe a shelf added to store your Smart Accessories.

Here’s a breakdown of why/why not to go with this option:

Strengths	Trade Offs
This build is nicer to look at, at a more moderate cost. There will be drywall covering the studs, creating a continuous look from wall to wall.	There’s a slightly higher cost that comes with more visual appeal. You will need the help of a licensed contractor, and this will mean a more moderate budget is needed. You’ll likely need a moderately higher amount of work/materials.

Want to see what we mean? Here’s an example:

The “Premium” Build (and beyond!)

We get it. LeBron makes it look so good! You want your Tonal set-up to shine, glow, draw the eye, whether you’re crushing PBs or not.

The premium build has flair, just like you. Less budget-friendly than the other alternatives, this build is all about aesthetics to match Tonal’s sleek design. And the sky's the limit!

Here’s a breakdown of why/why not to go with this option:

Strengths	Trade Offs
This build has a luxury look and feel to it. You’ll likely have a wall built specifically for Tonal, and after it is installed, you can add the materials you want to make it truly pop. All of your friends will be jealous that you have such a beautiful setup.	The typically high cost of these builds is a big deterrent if you don’t have the budget. A contractor, engineer, and/or architect is almost always needed to achieve this type of build. These plans would absolutely need to be reviewed by the Tonal team.

Here are some examples for inspiration:

We’re obsessed with the marbled tile, and the lights these members used to finish their build-out! Keep in mind that the wall materials that Tonal is installed on must be approved by us. After your trainer is installed though, you can add tile, mirroring, or even wood paneling around it to match your taste.

Whether you're team wood studs or team metal, it's important to consider your budget, aesthetic preferences, and specific requirements. Remember, we’re always here to guide you through the process and help you find reliable contractors to bring your custom build-out vision to life. So, let's make your dream home gym a reality!

If you need further assistance, please give us a call at 855-MY-TONAL.