Anyone use the Total Gym?

**jj77** · Posted On: 6/09/2008 2:51pm

I tried the Total Gym, its ok but not for me. I prefer the gym any day to this type equipment. I did try the P90X workout routine a buddy of mine had and it was kickass BTW. Most of these home "gyms" IMO are ok to use but if you really want results, there is nothing like having weights and a jump rope. You will get the results you want by just using these for your basic training at home. Anything else that you can add is a bonus.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/09/2008 4:07pm

Originally Posted by f4n4n

I don't get it, I never used anything else than BWE and the best part, everything you need is your body (okay, maybe something for the chin ups and dips but thats it.). Why do people need all that crappy equipment? If you really need to add some weight get a weightlifting belt and some weights to hang them on but it will take some time to get there.

Post not directly addressing the OP's questions and having to do more with defining "functional" and "dysfunctional" training, bodyweight exercises, pistols, squats and tittie twisters went here: Functional Training, B/W Exercises, Squats, Pistols, You Say Potatoe, I Say Potatoh. - No BS Martial Arts

**FightingLegacy** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 3:06pm

First of all, thanks for all the good info. You guys are awesome!

Second, what is the beef with the total gym? Is it the price or the marketing that y'all don't agree with?

I bought mine practically new for about $100 and so far I love it. I know it's not a "be all end all" home gym but it's good to supplement my already existing body weight/ calisthenics workout I do at home. I was just looking for some good routines so my workouts won't get stale.

Plus, THE Chuck Norris uses it so it's gotta be legit. :icon_colo

Thanks again, y'all.

http://www.fightinglegacy.com

**muddy** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 3:34pm

Originally Posted by FightingLegacy

... supplement my already existing body weight/ calisthenics workout I do at home. ...

That's encouraging. It's best IMO to adopt a fitness philosophy and use a variety of tools that support your philosophy and goals.

I definitely wouldnt advise the opposite approach of centering your workout on any single piece of equipment.

If you don't get results from it just park it ... Like you said ... it was only $100 ... if it ends up in the closet it isnt the end of the world.

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 4:36pm

Total gyp?

**Kempo Chris** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 7:20pm

Originally Posted by Vorpal

Total gyp?

best post in thread

**Emevas** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 8:08pm

Originally Posted by FightingLegacy

First of all, thanks for all the good info. You guys are awesome!

Second, what is the beef with the total gym? Is it the price or the marketing that y'all don't agree with?

I bought mine practically new for about $100 and so far I love it. I know it's not a "be all end all" home gym but it's good to supplement my already existing body weight/ calisthenics workout I do at home. I was just looking for some good routines so my workouts won't get stale.

Plus, THE Chuck Norris uses it so it's gotta be legit. :icon_colo

Thanks again, y'all.

http://www.fightinglegacy.com

Here's one of my favorite problems with the total gym.

It is a bodyweight based machine. For the majority of Americans, their main fitness problem is being overweight. They will buy the machine to lose weight. As they lose weight, they lose resistance, which will decrease their returns. The law of diminishing returns is magnified a million fold because of this beautiful design flaw.

Yes, you can raise the elevation, but when my parents bought one when I was 16, I put it on the max level of incline on day 1, and could still knock out 50 reps of just about anything.

It is also extremely limited in developing the legs and lower back, crucial for combat sports or any other athletic activity.

I could go on really.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 8:19pm

^^^ Pretty much what he said.

The machine has no way to adjust for an increase in strenght (or a reduction in bodyweight which is basically its main resistance mechanism.)

If a person already has an existing training program and they find this thing a valuable addition, but all means. But most people do not have such a training program. This become their main tool with flaws previously described.

There are other gadgets that are far more usable than this such as some of the 'Body By Jake' products like the cardio cruiser or the old Bun/Tigh Rocker (which are not great, but are teh-ok.)

**FightingLegacy** · Posted On: 6/22/2008 2:59pm

I can definitely understand those points. Honestly, I never thought about the idea that as the body weight decreases the resistance also decreases. The thought never crossed my mind.

So what about using this device or similar devices (such as pilates machines) for use in maintaining flexibility? i incorporate a lot of yoga into an existing routine, ubt i've found that the Total Gym actually provides for some good stretches.

Any advice or words of wisdom that y'all could give me on this? Again, the help is much appreciated.

http://www.fightinglegacy.com

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/22/2008 3:10pm

How does this device compare to a pilates machine? Also, IIRC pilates machines are devised more for core strenghtening, not flexibility.

I could see, however, the total gym for stretching purposes - I'd use ropes and iron woody resistance band as shown in the EliteFS clips linked in the sticky thread if I were you (and if you have not checked the sticky thread, I suggest you do it now.)

See, the greatest problem I see with this thing is that its sold as a one-stop be-all solution, and people actually fucking swallow that! To me, that's false advertisement, a spread of missinformation on fitness, health and weight loss... which is the last thing this overweight country needs. But that's a political/ideological issue more appropriate to sociocide.

If you already own one or plan to buy one cheap in craigslist, AND you know how to work out, by all means, go for it. Otherwise, I'd suggest a lot of other things other than this.