Revised on 24.12.2022
Total Gym was made famous by Chuck Norris, who did countless infomercials touting its benefits and demonstrating all types of exercises for the entire body. The total-body workouts done on one machine can be done in just 20 minutes, which is one reason why consumers like it so much.

People also like Total Gym because the workout is no-impact. And those who are overweight and have problems with their joints and ligaments can use it safely, and it can accommodate a person up to 300 pounds. The machine is easy to use and is foldable, and it combines strength training with cardio. After reading this article, you will know more about Total Gym, its use cases, pros and cons, and answers to some frequently asked questions.

Review On Total Gym

Total Gym is excellent for people who want to lose weight and improve their cardiovascular system. You can work out your whole body in one session or work on your upper and lower bodies separately.

The machine allows you to move about in various directions like rotating, forwards and backward, and laterally. You can use this for circuit training, and some workouts concentrate on specific muscle groups that you can do in a sequence. That optimizes your cardio training and speeds up the metabolism of fat.

Total Gym uses the weight of your body to provide resistance. You adjust the level of resistance by adjusting the incline of the bench. A lower angle provides an easier workout, and a steeper incline offers more challenging training. If you want to add 15 pounds of resistance, you can use bungee cords.

Total Gym’s method of providing resistance allows you to build and tone your muscles as you pull yourself up and let yourself down. Tension is consistent during these concentric and eccentric movements, so your muscles get a more concentrated workout.

Assembly

The machine comes fully assembled, so you can start using it as soon as you take it out of the box. It is foldable. After you finish your workout, you can fold it up and store it vertically in your closet or the corner of the room, or store it horizontally under your bed.

The workout is effective. The seat and backrest are comfortable. You can adjust the resistance by increasing the incline of the bench so even someone who does advanced training can get a challenge. This machine is not designed for low reps, and it is suitable for those recovering from an injury or for older people who require exercises that create no impact but still provide a challenge.

When you compare Total Gym to a rowing machine, you will see a difference in their purpose. Total Gym focuses on resistance and muscle toning for your whole body, and a rowing machine’s primary focus is cardio. You can indeed work on your muscles with a rowing machine too, but that is a secondary purpose.

Read Also: Ballistic Training Pros And Cons

How Does Total Gym Work?

When the board is level with the ground and you pull on the handles, you do not have to work against much gravity. You don’t move as much of your body weight, and the workout is easier. When you raise the incline of the board, you pull your weight up the incline as gravity tries to pull you down. In this way, the workout is more difficult because you pull more of your weight.

You can use the versatile pulley system in four different positions and creative workout routines. That allows your body to move in different directions during your workout.

Total Gym has been on the market for over 30 years, and it has expanded into different models. Today there are four models of Total Gym on the market: Total Gym PX G1, Total Gym Supreme, Total Gym FIT, and Total Gym XLS.

Reasons For Using Total Gym

There are times when Total Gym is the more appropriate machine to use. Below are some reasons.

| Convenience in Adjusting Your Resistance

Total Gym’s reliance on how your body weight works with the pulley system to provide resistance makes it easy for you to adjust the resistance by increasing or decreasing the incline of the seat. It offers a balanced workout for beginners and those who want more challenges in their training.

| Desire For Multi-directional Movements

Total Gym lets you move forward and backward, sideways, and even rotationally. You can use it for circuit training routines.

A Total Gym model like the XLS gives you more than 80 options of exercises and up to 22 resistance levels depending on the model.

| Great For Homes With Limited Space

Total Gym makes hardly any noise when you use it, whereas a rowing machine will make noises that can become annoying to others who share an apartment or a small living space with you.

| Great If You Do Not Have A Lot Of Storage Space

Total Gym is collapsible, and it flattens out very well. After your workout, you can fold it up and tuck it away under your bed or stand it up in the corner of your room.

Working Out With Total Gym Cons

Total Gym is undoubtedly one of the best pieces of home workout equipment. That being said, it does come with its fair share of limitations, given it’s gravity-based.

For instance, resistance levels on these machines cannot deliver the same kind of optimization that free weights and other devices can offer. While it will depend mainly on the model, there will be around 6 to 22 different resistance levels to choose from.

That could work for some of the different exercises you’ll be doing targeting various muscle groups. However, for some of the other workouts you may want to be incorporating into your fitness routine, you might need something more.

For instance, if you’re going to be doing squats and full bench presses, it’s likely not enough. You’ll want to use instead of something that delivers better granularity and control. Thus, it wouldn’t be an optimal machine for a bodybuilder.

So, Total Gym cons are:

– You won’t get the same warranty coverage for the frame and parts, and it’s shorter than you may like.

– You’re not going to be able to do any bodybuilding.

– While it will vary based on the model you get, it’s generally not ideal for taller people.

– It can get rather costly when you purchase upgraded models and units.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you use Total Gym like a rowing machine?

Yes, this machine can be used as a substitute for a rowing machine. However, it’s not going to deliver the same performance. It’s essential to keep in mind the limitations when used this way. After all, the machine was not designed to substitute a rowing machine.

It can be a good substitute if you look for something to cover the bases and deliver a similar experience to various muscle groups. It’s not going to provide an intense rowing session. Therefore, you can use it as one, but it’s not ideal. If you are looking for something that will deliver an authentic rowing experience, you’ll want to invest in an actual rowing machine like Concept2.

Can you use Total Gym for Pilates?

It is likely a big question for a lot of people. The answer is, “yes.” You can use Total Gym for Pilates. There are plenty of different exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine, with Total Gym and Pilates is one of them. You can target your calves, do some spine stretching, do leg pulls, and even stretch your buttock. There are plenty of Pilates exercises that you can effectively do on a Total Gym machine.

You don’t need to worry about investing in equipment or a Pilates membership to get the benefits of Pilates in your life. You can use Total Gym and incorporate these exercises into your workouts. Pilates is an excellent way to tone your muscles and maximize your flexibility. Pilates can be great for women who are brand new mothers because of the impact it can have on your core strength. It’s also an excellent addition for athletes looking to strengthen their core. It can also be a good addition for anyone looking to gain flexibility and/or improve posture.

How many calories can you burn with Total Gym?

You can anticipate burning around 150 to 210 calories per half-hour exercise with Total Gym. That will vary based on the amount of effort you put into your workouts, and it will also depend on how much intensity you put into your training. In as little as 30 minutes, you can burn as many as 105 calories.

If you increase your intensity and the resistance levels, you can ramp it up to 210 calories. If you reduce the amount of time you spend resting between sets, you can probably burn up to 280 calories per half hour. You can expect to achieve this if you are of an average build weighing around 155 pounds.

Keep in mind calories are the big thing to consider. If you burn more calories than you are taking in, you’ll lose weight. You need to burn more than you consume daily to lose weight effectively.

Can Total gym help you effectively build muscle?

Yes, Total Gym can be an effective addition to your workout arsenal if you want to put on muscle. It’s good for helping you target specific muscles and muscle groups. You can target particular muscle groups like your abs, legs, etc. A single Total Gym will allow you to strengthen your muscles and build muscle at a good rate.

While you won’t be able to put on bodybuilder-type muscles, you can certainly add a good amount of muscle mass with the machine. To effectively exercise your abdominals, you’ll want to do sit-ups and crunches. You can also incorporate a good amount of back workouts into the mix, and these exercises can include pull-downs and back-fly pull-ups.

A Total Gym is a good addition for those looking to work their lower bodies. You can incorporate calf raises, leg curls, and even squats. If you want to work out your shoulders, you’ll want to do shoulder extensions, and lateral arm pulls, etc.

Can you lose weight with Total Gym?

Absolutely. Total Gym can be an excellent machine for those looking to lose weight. You can reduce the resistance to help you speed up your workouts, so you achieve greater intensity. It is suitable for those not looking to put on muscle but for those who want to burn more calories. You can considerably speed up your weight loss by adding Total Gym to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Final Words

To Total Gym gives you a nice variety of ways to work out your body. It has over 70 exercises to mix and match to create your circuit training. You only need 30 minutes to get an excellent full-body workout. Total Gym can help you achieve your fitness goals.