3 Nov 2005 - Craig of California, USA writes:
I have owned a total gym for almost 5 years. I bought the XL version and my friends thought I was crazy for buying it, due to the price. I have lyme's disease and free weights are hard on my joints, however the total gym has never put more pain on my joints than any other lifting activity. I have left the machine outside for three years , set up under a tarp when it's damp, and nothing has worn out. I have heard claims of wheels and cables wearing quickly, but I think that is only with the cheap department store issues, which I would avoid. My friend , who told me I was crazy to pay for the XL, bought a cheaper ($250) model at [] which he insisted was the same machine. The quality is not comparable. His still works, but is flimsy at best. My XL has stood up to heavy use, weather and time and is still kicking hard, even with a little rust.... great product.
7 Oct 2005 - Tony of Tennessee, USA writes:
I spent a lot of time trying to decide whether to buy a Total Gym, or a Bowflex. I worked with a guy at the time who owned a pretty old T.G. and he highly recommended it for what I wanted to do, get in shape, build some muscle, but not body-build like Arnold. As a teenager, I spent 4-6 days a week in a gym, so I've had that experience. I was convinced by my friend to purchase a non-advertised version of the T.G., to see if I liked it rather than paying the t.v. price, and I finally did so from a local retail outlet for around $260. It took a couple of times to learn to manipulate the machine smoothly and efficiently, but not too long. I only fold it up to take up about a square foot of space in my living room, and unfold it when I want to use it. The upper body workout is incredible, and doesn't hurt my shoulder which was injured badly earlier in life during wrestling. The lower body workout is more cardio, with some muscle toning resistance. It also took a little getting used to the back-board, as it "feels" like it is too short at first, but you get used to it after a few times. As with any piece of equipment, you have to learn to use it through some experience, but not any unreasonable amount by far. I am impressed enough that eventually I will buy one of the XL or best versions available. They are constructed better, and are just "neater". If you give this gym a fair chance, I don't honestly see how you could not come to like it. The cable workouts demand all the fibers of a muscle group to work to maintain stability, but because of this take a few times of workout to learn to stabilize if you are not "initiated" into cable workouts in a gym. The fact that so many rehab centers and hospitals across the nation use a T.G. should speak volumes. If you respect it as a machine (as far as hair goes), and spend a little time familiarizing yourself with it's adjustments, you should love this gym. The workout is safe for joints, gives true constant resistance by gravity, is challenging for the upper body, can be either for building or toning and is a joy. I highly recommend this gym for those who meet the weight and height range. But, as with any workout equipment, the key seems to be "using it". You need to find something that gives good resistance and safety, that you can like so YOU will use it. That's the key in my opinion.
5 Oct 2005 - James of California, USA writes:
I bought the Total Gym 14000 with accessories three months ago. I added a weight bar and 175 pounds of free weights to add resistance. It has been a great way to exercise so far. I have been using it to build upper body strength. For this, it has been fantastic. I do resistance exercises 3 times a week. It allows you to have full range of motion exercises that, within a short time, exercises your entire upper body. It also exercises the lower body with complete full range of motion exercises. The weight resistance for the lower body is primarily for fitness, endurance - not for bodybuilding. It is easy to do Pilates exercises with the Total Gym. This has gotten my wife interested in working out with it. No other exercise machine would as easily turn your wife into an avid exerciser llike the Total Gym. I love the fact you can purchase DVDs which instruct you and give you essentially a gym partner to accompany your exercise. This improves your motivation for exercising. No other exercise machine has this feature. They have instructional and exercise videos from beginner to advance. The Total Gym 14000 is well-constructed and should last years. The Total Gym XL is the best of the infomercial models and should also last for years. I think it is money well spent. It has the range - at least for the upper body - to develop significant strength, body mass and fitness. In 3 months, I have gained 7 pounds (from 170 pounds), and reduced my fat percentage from 12 to 11 percent. This is pretty good for a bodybuilding beginner. Of course, once I reach the Total Gym's limits - I'll get a Power Rack and the usuall 500 pounds of free weights - which are essential for advanced body building. But for beginning to medium body building, the Total Gym can accomplish a lot. The ease it gives you in starting to exercise is phenomenal. It's been worth every penny and more. A great product. Note that true Total Gyms are either manufactured by EFI Sports Medicine or licensed from EFI.
30 Sep 2005 - Sam of British Columbia, Canada writes:
tis is a bad product that you should stay away from. The cables are broken and the wheels that make the glide board move are worn out and it makes a squiky noise when you use it. I will never use this product again.
15 Sep 2005 - Gary of Tennessee, USA writes:
I have owned the Bowflex, and free weights, and another gym type thing, but Total Gym XL is the best!! It is addicting and a very great workout. I leave it out in my livingroom and workout any time.
1 Jul 2005 - Johnny of Louisianna, USA writes:
My wife and I purchased our Total Gym 1000 over 4 years ago and are EXTREMELY pleased with it!! We have had to replace the rollers only 1 time, 1 year ago and had NO PROBLEM getting them. We found they were far superior to the original ones. It's convenience, ease of transitioning from one exercise to the next and the ability to workout at home make it an excellent piece of equipment for staying toned and 'in shape'. We have MORE THAN GOTTEN OUR MONIES WORTH!!!
19 Jun 2005 - Charles of Alberta, Canada writes:
I've just bought the Total Gym 1500 last month and it's the best! I've been weight training for over 8 years and nothing compares to my new Total Gym. I've started my fitness career by joining a gym, then I stopped that to purchase my home gym with over 400lbs of steel plates, then after a few years I got rid of that to purchase a Crossbow. Finally after another 2 years of that I got fed up with the limitations and expenses of both gyms. I sold them both and purchased the Total Gym 1500. By far, over all my years of exercising, this has been the most challenging & envigorating workout gym I have ever owned. And of course, I too did trust Chuck Norris' word on it! Total Gym Rocks!
23 May 2005 - Darren of Illinois, USA writes:
I have used a Total Gym for around a year and a half now. It is a very good machine and I have had no problems with it at all. The only disapointment that I have with it is I expected to have more muscle on me and I don't. My Friend has been working out with 30 lb. dumbbells and he looks stronger. The keyword is looks. By using this Total Gym I am a lot stronger than he is but you can't tell. If you want muscle use the Total Gym but if you want defition use free weights. I am now using a combination of both and it is working really good.
23 May 2005 - Jennifer of Connecticut, USA writes:
I bought my Total Gym in February of this year. I have a chronic illness that makes it difficult for me to tolerate excersise. After using it for 3 months all I can say is I LOVE IT! I use it 4 times a week and have gained strength and stamina from it. My abs are flat and my muscles are toned. I used to lift free weights, but I feel I get a much more effctive workout from this because it actually stretches your muscles as you are working out. My husband has been an avid weight lifter for years and even he is able to use it and get very effective work outs. The only down side I have found is difficulty with adjusting the levels and setting it up. Our house is not big enough for me to keep it out , and so I have to fold it up against the wall which can be a workout in itself! But in my opinion well worth it for the convienience and results I have seen. I couldn't be happier.
6 May 2005 - Phoebe of Florida, USA writes:
I love my total gym. The only think I don't like is that it's not easy to put away in a closet or under a bed. It won't even fit under my bed. But since I use it often, it just remains out. I had one rubber wheel to give out and break away after almost two years, but in the booklet that I received from my purchase (In a box from []), there was a toll free number and parts listed page and so ordered a pack of 4 wheels for a total of $18 shipping included. I was very pleased because I got upgraded wheels. No rubber to crack and break away like the others. Put them on with no problems. Ordering the parts were no problem either and they arrived in a timely manner.
5 May 2005 - Kathleen of Michigan, USA writes:
I love my Total Gym. The rhythmic motion makes it easy to get over that inertia to exercise. I found it to be very effect for legs and buttocks -- in fact, within 3 weeks of using it daily, I received complements on my behind. If you need something more strenuous, just strap on some ankle or thigh weights or put on a weight jacket with weights removed from back. The various accessories that are available are worth the small additional investment. Only downside is it is too heavy to travel with due to shipping cost and no travel case and I miss it when out of town.
3 May 2005 - Warren of New York, USA writes:
Several Months ago, I bought the Total Gym Supra Pro model at [] for $300.00. The machine is very well designed and able to give an excellent all around workout for anyone not aspiring to a Mr. Universe title. However, unless one invests in the commercial grade unit, it does suffer from durability problems if subjected to heavy use by heavy users. in particular, the wheels wear out, pulleys develop friction, and the cables fray after a relatively short period of time. I have since replaced the cables and pulleys with marine hardware intended for sailboat use with a considerable reduction in friction. As for the wheels, higher quality American made replacements are available for most, if not all, models from [] in Florida. Looking back, I wished I had invested in the commercial grade model
2 May 2005 - Char of Illinois, USA writes:
I like the total gym,I feel the price is a little too high. Customer service has been very responsive, the pulleys cables wear quickly and will require replacement frequently.The leg exercises are extremely awkward but for abs and arms it is great.
12 Feb 2005 - Carl of Rhode Island, USA writes:
Total Gym's quality varies widely depending on the model you buy. Avoid the informercial model and the inexpensive store-bought model. Models sold in discount stores average $200 but are much lighter and less sturdy than the more expensive models. The infomercial model sells for about $1000, but if you're going to spend that much on a piece of equipement, I recommend spending a hundred more and get Total Gym's professional model, which is used in rehab centers. The difference is that the company sells no spare parts or accessories for the informercial model, while the professional model comes with extensive product support. As for the exercise itself, the Total Gym is a great strength training device. I've used it for about five years. Pretty much every muscle can be worked on it. But like anything, it only works if you use it.
6 Feb 2005 - Marguerite of Washington, USA writes:
I bought my Total Gym six years ago, I am 87 years of age, and use it daily. I love what it does for me, and at my age you need all the help that you can get. My doctor is so amazed at me that he decided The Total Gym was just what he needed.
27 Jan 2005 - Frank of Pennsylvania, USA writes:
Like the product. Hate the fact there is no real customer service for parts. Like many other users, the bearings in the rollers have broken and render the unit worthless. YOU can't buy the rollers easily or at all for that matter.
23 Jan 2005 - Frances of Pennsylvania, USA writes:
I purchased the total gym XL for a person that weighs over 400lbs that is very motivated and dedicated to changing his life when speaking to the telephone rep at the total gym he assured me that the machine would support this much weight and wished us well on our new journey to weightloss once we received at home we quickly found out that it was not as easy to get out of the box and set up as we hoped it took us almost 3 days to set up once we did i had my friend who is 400+ lbs try the work out and the machine fell down to the bottom level needless to say it broke.after donig some other research i found out that the total gym people in PA that do the infomercial are different that the people that have the true total gym rehabilitaion products that are located in Californina whcih sell a product that does support over 400+lbs i found out that the total gym that was sold to me by a ever so confident telemarkteer was a little over zealous about the amount of weight the gym could support. I contacted the correct people who at the time tried to sell me same gym for $500.00even after i explained that the person that i sold me the gym mislead me and that i need to retun after refusing to accept this new price i was told i could send it back but i would have to pay to send it back the same company that reassures a product that would help a desperte friend wanted me to pays to send there mistake back to them but was willing to sell me the product at a dicounted price currently iam trying to find a way to send the product back to the company and get a complete refund but i has been hard since the cooperate office does not have a number all in all i would say the total gym has been a costly and deceitfull experience Buyer Beware
20 Nov 2004 - Buzz of New York, USA writes:
I have only been taking this product for a week, but so far I really like it. It really curbs my appetite. I haven't weighed myself yet, but the other day I saw my mom and she said it looked like I had lost weight. That is always nice to hear and she doesn't even know that I have been taking any pills. I hope to be able to report a large amount of weight loss within the next year.
9 Nov 2004 - Ann of Oregon, USA writes:
I purchased this machine from [] after watching all of the commercials about convienent it is to use and how there is no need for the weight system when you have the total gym. with in a month the wheels broke and or wore were i could no longer glide the seat on the rails. i have bought three sets of wheels and they are all the same, wear out within a month or so. Not worth the investment.
9 Mar 2004 - Philip of Virginia, USA writes:
I've owned the Total Gym 1000 for 5 years. It has ben the only machine I've used other than my old reliable bullworker. I amd 67 years old, but women say that from the neck down I'm 35. I was always in good shape due to military requirements, but without the Total Gym 1000 I'd be stuck making time to go to a gym. I use the Total Gym several times ech day. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to achieve and maintain a good physique. Of course, it isn't for the professional body builder, but for people who want the convenience of a home gym, it can't bebeat in my opinion.
