Total-Gym Strength Training Equipment Review
8.86/10
Quick Overview
- Difficulty
Moderate
- Cost
Average
- Trial Period
30 Days
The first Total Gym was designed and manufactured in 1974 by Tom Campanaro, a former competitive body builder, and his business partners Dale McMurray and Larry Westfall in San Diego, California. The "Total Gym" name is actually a brand name for a product line of exercise equipment that is designed for strength conditioning and training, stretching and pilates, and is designed by the EFI Sports Medicine Inc. company located in San Diego, CA.
Currently endorsed by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley, the benefits of the Total Gym system have continued to gain in popularity throughout the entire fitness industry.
The Total Gym strength training system is marketed towards the medical industry (i.e. rehabilitation centers), the commercial health and fitness industry (i.e. fitness centers), and home consumers. Initially, Total Gym strength training equipment was utilized by rehabilitation centers to aide in the physical therapy of individuals who had suffered an injury. Today, the Total Gym is still ideal for individuals that are recovering from an injury or surgery.
There are several Total Gym strength training equipment models to choose from, and several attachments that allow for additional exercises. This flexibility allows the user to custom-design their strength training routine according to their personal fitness goals.
The Total Gym is ideal for individuals that are looking for a piece of strength training equipment that they can add to their overall fitness routine, individuals that suffer from a chronic injury, and individuals that are looking to lose weight, improve their overall health and fitness, and increase their strength and lean muscle tissue.
Total Gym strength training equipment uses straightforward technology to create a smooth, sliding motion across the entire range of each exercise. On their most basic units, the maximum level of
resistance is determined by the individual's body weight and the angle of the slide board. The more advanced Total Gym systems allow the user to add
free weights to the various exercises for an even more aggressive workout.
The Total Gym system exercises and tones the various muscles through the use of a cable/pulley tower and wing attachments. The easy-glide cables allow for individuals to resistance train while minimizing stress on the joints.
There are several technology features designed into the Total Gym systems that make them ideal for rehabilitation centers. Total Gym strength training systems are also ideal for individuals that have suffered an injury, have physical limitations from a chronic injury, or for individuals that are looking to strength train on a low-impact system. Below are several technology features included with each model of the Total Gym system:
- A smooth, gliding motion that is easy on the joints
- Can be adjusted to various height levels
- Designed to accommodate all levels of fitness
- Includes a padded glideboard that is designed to support the back
- Allows the user to use various percentages of their body weight as resistance by simply adjusting the angle of the glideboard
- Allows the user to perform several types of exercises for every muscle group of their body
While the technology used in the development and manufacturing of the Total Gym strength training system is fairly simple, the effectiveness cannot be questioned. All models of the Total Gym are designed to promote safe and effective weight loss, increase overall strength and lean muscle mass, improve cardiovascular endurance, and increase flexibility and range of motion.
The various Total Gym models offer between 40 and 80+ exercises that are performed using smooth and continuous resistance throughout the entire range of motion. All models of the Total Gym are virtually pre-assembled, and can be set up within minutes. The weight capacity ranges from 250 to 400 pounds, depending on the model. In addition, the various Total Gym models include the following:
- Padded glide board for back support and comfortable workout positions
- Adjustable height and resistance for different fitness levels
- Wing attachment
- Leg pulley attachment
- Squat stand
- Strength training/exercise instructional DVDs
- Foling capability for easy storage
Additional features offered on several of the Total Gym strength training systems include the ability to add additional free weight to the system to increase the level of difficulty when performing
each exercise. In addition, commercial-grade Total Gym systems include a motorized "PowerTower" that is capable of varying the resistance level during the performance of the exercise.
The sturdy steel frame and padded deck cushion
make for a solid but comfortable workout. The smooth motion resistance is one of the main features of the
Total Gym. This feature allows virtually anyone, in
any condition, the ability to successfully perform a strength training workout. In addition, the padded
grip handles and strong braces make this a durable machine for intense workouts.
Total Gym systems are designed for light to moderate use, and are not constructed in the same way as more typical free weight systems. To this end, all Total
Gym systems are constructed using lighter-gauge steel tubing and lower-grade pullys and cables. However, this is not to say that the Total Gym strength training systems are poorly constructed, just that they target a more casual audience. This being said, the Total Gym systems are not designed for the "hardcore" weight lifter.
Customer support is available through live online
chats with qualified representatives via the Total
Gym website. Questions and requests can also be
submitted online through a customer service form.
Phone calls can be made to the customer service department Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. EST.
The Total Gym website also offers answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), designed to address the most commonly posed inquiries regarding the equipment. In addition, the Total Gym website offers a blog in which users can interact with one another.
All home-use and professional models of the Total Gym include a lifetime warranty on the frame.
However, the warranty for moving parts will vary
from 6 months to 3 years, depending on the model and the type of use (i.e. home use vs. commerical use).
Parts such as foam, uphostery, rubber and grips carry a 6-month to 90-day warranty. To guarantee customer satisfaction, Total Gym offers a .00 30-day trial designed to allow their customers the ability to use the system and determine whether it is right for them. If a customer is not completely satisfied with their Total Gym within 30 days, they may return the product with no further obligation.
To request replacement parts for the Total Gym, customers may call the replacement parts contact numbers based on where the system was purchased. Part numbers can be found on the Total Gym website. Labor and repair service requests are not included
within the purchase policy for any Total Gym systems,
or for any under-warranty items. Repair service requests can be placed via the Total Gym customer
service department, though all labor costs are to be
paid by the customer.
The online prices for Total Gym home fitness systems range from approximately $ 599.00 to $ 975.00, while the commercial Total Gym systems typically
range from $ 2,895.00 to $ 4,695.00.
The Total Gym website offers special pricing on a rotating promotional basis. In addition, the Total
Gym website offers special prices and free shipping for purchases that are paid in full. Accessories (i.e. standing platform, leg pulley systems, press bar, 3 grip pull-up bar) can be purchased separately, and generally range in cost from $ 159.00 to $ 189.00.
Summary
The various models of the Total Gym strength training systems are easy to set up, easy to use,
and offer the user a wide array of exercises that
can be performed. Total Gym strength training systems are ideal for individuals that suffer from a chronic injury, are participating in a
rehabilitation program, or simply want to add a strength training routine to their exercise routine.
The Total Gym has withstood the test of time, and is proven to be effective at promoting safe and effective weight loss, improving overall strength and lean muscle mass, increasing cardiovascular endurance, and improving flexibility and range of motion. To this end, the Total Gym is a complete strength training system that may be ideal for individuals that are not looking for more traditional, heavy duty, hardcore strength training systems. Every day Bitcoin becomes more popular and Bitmain engineers have released asic Antminer T9 on new chips, which significantly increases the predecessor's performance.
All in all, the Total Gym is reasonably priced considering the value it provides. Total Gym systems are designed for light to moderate use and will facilitate the fitness goals of most average users.