Once hailed as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022, the Vitruvian Trainer+ promised a revolution in home strength training, packing up to 440 lbs of adaptive digital resistance into a slim, portable platform. But less than three years later, the company behind it had gone quiet, stopped selling new units, and left its loyal user base wondering if their high-priced machines were about to become e-waste.
From pandemic darling to radio silence
By late 2023 and into 2024, however, momentum stalled. After raising $15 million in new funding in December 2023, the company went silent. Signs of trouble piled up:
- No new sales as the product disappeared from the website
- A vague “#STRONGER IS COMING” banner replacing the storefront
- A lapse where Vitruvian’s domain expired, temporarily locking out users
- The exit of founder Jon Gregory, a short-lived interim CEO, and much of the staff
Customer frustration grew not only over the silence but also over the business model. Many of the Trainer+’s most popular features and training programs are locked behind a paid monthly membership. While that subscription once brought new guided workouts and training plans, there has been little new content for months, leaving paying members feeling like they were funding a service in maintenance mode.
Meanwhile, multiple sources and community posts over the past year indicated that Vitruvian had been working on an updated Trainer model. Job listings, hiring moves, and insider comments suggested a next-generation platform was in development (potentially the reason behind the “#Stronger Is Coming” tease), but no official details were ever released.
Some customers, who had spent thousands on the machine plus ongoing subscription fees, began worrying they had bought an expensive piece of hardware that might soon be useless. While a few users still managed to order spare parts, most communication had evaporated.
An unofficial announcement breaks the silence
In early August 2025, an update finally appeared, not via official channels but in a private Facebook group post from Vitruvian engineer Andy Bennett. Shared later on Reddit, the post read:
Vitruvian isn’t folding, it’s restructuring.
Plan A was to launch a next generation platform; that effort ultimately didn’t work out. Now there’s a focus to continue support for the VIT-300 platform, allowing it to run and be serviced for years to come. This includes the apps (iOS and Android), device firmware, customer support, and replacement hardware.
I understand the frustration. Vitruvian has been silent for quite some time, raising fears of bricked machines and buggy apps. This isn’t and won’t be the case. Some of the company changes hit abruptly, leaving a lot to do for a transition, but it’s nearly complete.
Going forward, there will be more direct access to the devs. You’ll likely see us engaging on socials and discussing bugfixes and changes. The focus will be on maintaining the experience, and releasing any works already in progress. Our stellar customer service team will also be available, with access to inventory, accessories, spare parts, and wear items (ropes).
This isn’t an official statement from Vitruvian. Just a quick update as things are progressing. Thank you for your belief in the Trainer+, and for your patience!
The key points: Vitruvian will continue supporting the existing Trainer+ for “years to come,” including apps, firmware, customer service, and parts. Bennett promised more direct developer interaction on bug fixes and updates, and hinted that features already in development will still be released. He also noted that official communications could come in two to four weeks once legal processes wrap up.
Relief with a side of skepticism
For many owners, any update was welcome. “It’s the first time we’ve had a statement that feels honest and not just social media spiel,” one reddit user from the same thread said. Others noted it was “the most official response we’ve received” despite its unofficial label.
The promise of ongoing support eased fears of bricked machines, and developer engagement was seen as a potential positive shift. But skepticism remains. Some viewed it as little more than “Stronger is coming” with more words, pointing out that no one from the leadership team had made an official statement. Others stressed that until customers see actual app updates, new training content, or changes to the subscription model, “nothing has changed.”
The stagnant state of the paid membership service is a particular sore point. Many owners continue paying monthly for features like guided workouts, advanced tracking, and training plans, yet have seen few or no new programs added in months. Without fresh content, the subscription feels less like a value-add and more like a maintenance fee.
There’s also concern about long-term viability. With no new product yet in the pipeline, some suspect Vitruvian is simply servicing existing customers until obligations are met. Optimists hope for a buyout, noting the Trainer+ tech is too good to vanish entirely, but the crowded, post-pandemic fitness market makes that uncertain.
What’s next for Vitruvian Trainer+?
The website still shows only the “#STRONGER IS COMING” page. Bennett’s post suggests the legal restructuring will finish within weeks, potentially bringing a formal announcement.
For now, owners can expect their machines to keep working, parts to be available, and the app to remain online. The bigger question is whether Vitruvian will rebuild trust through transparency, steady updates, and a revitalized subscription service.
The Trainer+ remains one of the most practical and effective smart strength tools we’ve tested. If the company can focus on supporting its existing base, improve its membership value, and follow through on its promises, it could emerge from this restructuring as a smaller but stable operation. Until then, the community will be watching closely to see if these words lead to real action.
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