4 Mar 2004 - Jill of Illinois, USA writes:
My husband & I both use the Total Gym. We love it! We've been using it for about 4 years. I do not like exercise but realize it is necessary. This machine feels good though; it stretches your body. I use the 8 minute workout & my husband developed his own routine. We highly recommend!
- Stacie of Idaho, USA writes:
I work as a certified personal trainer and, immediately after seeing the Total Gym advertised, I new it's claims were sound and valid. Understanding the biomechanics of the body, I knew the Total Gym could be effective and still kind to the joints (which other home gyms I've tried are NOT!). I purchased the 1000 version and am VERY happy with it as a home gym. I never experience joint pain during or after using it, and enjoy the ease in which I can transition from one exercise to the other to lessen my overall workout time. I like that it has an exercise for all the major muscle groups (to maintain muscle balance). It's been very effective in working the upper body, but I can agree with a previous review that it lacks in truly overloading the lower body for anyone that is not very deconditioned there. One other sour point is the height and weight requirement (you must be no more than 6 ft. and 200 lbs. to use the machine). But for anyone who can fit the height/weight requirement, this truly is a very effective, safe, and affordable home gym system. I highly recommend it.
- Janet of Ohio, USA writes:
The Total Gym weighs 250#, so you need a gentlemen to help you move to workout area. Once I set it up, I left it up and only need to change the attachments. The attachments are easy on and off, video is very explicit when defining how to use the gym. I noticed changes in my body almost immediately, and my strength and vitality returned quickly. I look forward to working out either before work or late in evening. It is not a drudgery and I look forward to working out because I know I am working out correctly and will see all the results that I am looking for. Our hospital system uses total gyms in their CV rehab unit and are noted to be a very easy and reliable piece of equipment. Of course, I also was trusting in Chuck Norris' word!
- Frances of New Mexico, USA writes:
I bought the total gym at least 3 years ago, and I love it. I work in a hospital here in Albuquerque, and I really need my upper strength. and I tell you when I get lazy from working over time, and don't work out, my body hurts. And I fill the difference. I get tired faster my energy level is down. I tell everyone about the total gym, and when my little grandchildren come over the total gym is their first stop! They love it too!
- Elaine of Colorado, USA writes:
I used the Total Gym for many years, but gave it away when I moved for space reasons. When I started getting flabby again, I got a Bowflex, and honestly, I think the Bowflex is much better. I agree with many reviews about the Total Gym being too bulky and difficult to fold up (especially after a hard workout if you are close to exhausted) and the leg exercises are not effective at all. In addition, I got my hair caught one or two times beneath the bench despite tying it back, adding an element of anxiety to subsequent workouts! The difference in levels of resistance on the Total Gym are too great, your choice is either easy to the point of pointless or a higher level that leaves your muscles sore the next day (and not very motivated to work out again) whereas the Bowflex gives you some choices in between. I got bored with the exercises very easily, and the foot strap attachment ripped, requiring me to precariously stitch it together to continue using it. True, the Total Gym is much less expensive than the Bowflex, but as I learn repeatedly in life, you get what you pay for.
- Lou of California, USA writes:
I am 46 years old and have worked out my entire life. A few years ago after becoming tired of crowded gyms and very high dues, I decided to purchsae a Total Gym (11000 model). Without a doubt it is the best investment I ever made. I can do every gym exercise, safer more intensly and with better results at home. When I'm done I fold it up and put it away.It's the best!
- Melissa of Georgia, USA writes:
I have had a wonderful time with the total gym. I love it because it is one machine that can tone you whole body. But if you live in a small place where your going to have to fold it up I would say not to buy it. The total gym is heavy and is hard to fold down. I do not have a problem since we have plenty of room just to leave it set up 24/7.
- Darrin of Florida, USA writes:
I recently purchased a Total Gym XL. I also owned a total gym 1000 before. I had to move up to the better model because the plastic wheels were worn-out and the glide board was prone to de-railing in the middle of an exercise. Total Gyms are great machines and honestly, the best home exercise product I've ever owned. And I've owned a lot. My one complaint is that if you use it consistently, you'll lose weight, improve your strength and outgrow the resistance! If you're thinking about getting one, go for the 3000 or the XL. Yes, they're more expensive but they're also more stable, built well and offer optional items, such as a weight bar to add more resistance.
- Les of British Columbia, Canada writes:
Total Gym is all that and more....a wonderful product with only one problem....because it works.....provides an enjoyable but invigorating workout...you do tend to use it with increasing frequency...especially after you start noticing results....the problem is that the Total Gym 1000 is not constructed to accommodate such use....and as a result I have returned about 4 of these unit to the retailer on the basis of wheel wear...the wheels on the slide actually shred with heavy use.....if was was certain that this would not be an issue with the more expensive units .....I would go with a better quality model ...maybe one or two up....the most attractive being the new Pilatas model that the company is introducing....Bottom line though....its a great machine that produces excelelnt but realistic results.
- Laura of Illinois, USA writes:
I purchased a similar product for a family Christmas present. I also purchased a treadmill. I sometimes get my hair caught in the rollers on the slide board, but with a little insight, it can be avoided. It is not worth it to move it, like any other workout equipment, out of sight is out of mind. At least one of us use it daily. I can feel improvement in my upper body. I feel it is safe for the youngest of 13yrs (who needs it the most).
- David of Oregon, USA writes:
I've worked in gym for several years and have tried many home fitness items. Total Gym will not replace a full workout in a well-equipped gym, but for home use it works remakebly well. At the local rehab facility, they have four in use for range-of-motion excercises, which I needed for a chipped humorus bone (shoulder). I was impressed enough that I bought one to supplement my workouts when I can't make it to the gym. This is one product hawked on TV that does have merit.
- Leonard of Indiana, USA writes:
I purchased my Total Gym 3000 December of 2001; it has been my daily motivator since it's first use. I spend 20 to 30 minutes every work morning loosing my body up and feeling like I can tackle the day with confidence. I've tried to maintain free weight workouts for years, however past unrelated exercising injuries limited my workouts. Since I've been using the Total Gym, I have found a greater range of motion (especially the back/shoulder area), and noticed the workings of different muscle groups. If anyone wants to improve his or her golf or tennis swing, get this piece of equipment. The (abdominal twist, tennis backhand, butterfly, and other) exercises are great to mimic the sports actions swings. The only negative I have is I miss the leg extension accessory I had with the weight bench. My future goal, after much discussion with my spouse:), is to supplement this missing accessory with other equipment. But, most importantly, I will keep my Total Gym, as it can only provide me with the most important exercises I feel that have allowed me to continue my workouts with dedication. The only other piece of advice I can share is the (free weight accessory bar), that's optional; its cost is roughly $20. You can purchase 1 x 30 black gas line tubing and black plastic table end caps at any local hardware store for about $6, and it acts as a footrest for many of the exercises. After all that, the rest is up to you.
- Warren of Virginia, USA writes:
I bought a total gym of the TV as I thought it looked good and liked the actor who swore by it. When I first got it, I was unable to use it due to a non-related injury. I started using it in January of this year. By the end of February the wheels broke so I wrote to the total gym website to buy replacement parts. I got an e-mail that said they would contact me in 3 days. A month later, I wrote them again. Now another month has gone by with still not one word from them. Talk about service that is lacking. Pardon me they would have to do something in order to say their service was lacking, the truth is they have no service. I finally paid a machine shop about what I paid for the machine for a set of wheels that won't break. I thought the product was ok but don't ask about service or the quality of some of their engineering. Thanks for a place to, 'Total Vent.'
- Wayne of New York, USA writes:
I have used my Total Gym 3000 for the past 3 years in place of free weights and am very satisfied with the results. Although the Total Gym does not give as much of a hard "pump" effect to the muscles as free weights - it works well in giving you a toned effect in working multiple body parts in a fairly short time. The advantages of Total Gym include its relative safety as opposed to free weights; its convenience in terms of space - especially in basements with low ceilings since you don't need to stand & do overhead exercises; & the ability to work multiple body parts in a short time span. Although I haven't tried it yet - I am intrigued as to the possibility of cross training in a combined program that would entail workouts on the Total Gym and free weights on alternating days. I like this product & intend to keep using it in the years ahead.
- Bob of Indiana, USA writes:
i am 45 years of age when i first got my total gym i was really impressed i have worked out for high school sports and now i work out to stay in shape the first problem i had the cable broke they said they did could not sell to me and would not sell me a cable so i made one now the rollers are getting worn and can not find any place were i can buy them i am not asking for them free my total gym is not even 2 years old yet and i belive they should stand behind there product if any one knows were i can the roolers could you please let me know so i can start working out again thanks !!!
