tylerchadwick
Rookie
Just bought one this weekend. I've been wanting one forever now. I thought it would be great way to stay cut up without too much heavy heavy lifting.
Anyone work out on a total gym?
- Thread starter tylerchadwick
- Start date
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
well, stay into the 12-20 reps then
15-20 is what Pat Etcheberry recommends for tennis
15-20 is what Pat Etcheberry recommends for tennis
tylerchadwick
Rookie
I bought mine at academy sports for $109. regularly 219. It came with the dip bars, leg pully, and the sit up or pull up bar. the darn thing busted on me this morning. the little washer ring that holds it on its track cracked in half. I'm gonna have to wait like a week. That suck, I was just getting into it to, and just getting over being sore. Sh@#$t happens i guess.
POGO
Hall of Fame
I'm not surprised. Totalgyms are known to break prematurely, and they are known to have many safety related recalls. I would suggest doing a research on your model and see if there are any safety recalls so the manufacture will send you a free fix.tylerchadwick said:
Old fashion free weights and just a simple flat bench is the best IMHO, no gimmicks and they last much, much longer.
POGO
Hall of Fame
Here is an article on totalgym safety recalls
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-02-02160.html
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-02-02540.html
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-02-02160.html
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-02-02540.html
CrazyScheiner
Rookie
Within the week I am getting a free Universal that costed $3,000 when it first came out.
Docalex007
Hall of Fame
Although free weights are better, the total gym, which I have, is very comfortable and is a great way to stretch out. Do some reps before going out to hit...thats what I do and I feel great when I step out of my car ready to hit the court.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
I am shopping for a Total Gym and there are 4 models: From $500 to $3,800! I found that the ones found on Craiglist were those that cost new $300 model. They no longer being made.
It is the opposite of free weights, the pulley reverses the direction of gravity.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Partial gym only. (Groan). 
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Found an used top the line model on Craigslist and the seller wanted $3K! I told him for $800 more I could buy a brand new one!
The Weider Total Body Works 5000 is cheaper and better. But you may have to replace the cable, that's about $25.
The Weider Total Body Works 5000 is a masterpiece. It is a work of art. It should be in a museum. Incredibly simple, incredibly elegant, and incredibly versatile.
stingstang
Professional
I don't see the point of those things, they are an expensive PITA. For home workouts, you can get yourself in great shape with just a pull up bar and a gym mat, if you have a bench and weights even better.
Yes. A pull up bar, dumbbells, stability ball (bench substitute), TRX (or clones), and maybe elastic bands are all you need.
From a bodybuilding (the art of sculpting), you need a fine tool like the Weider Total Body Works. Again, it is a fine tool, like fine utensils, or you can eat with your hands.
It's only $120 on Walmart. Forgot, $145, because you will need to replace the cable.
The Titan Wall Mounted Short Pulley Tower is even better. $126. If you live in a house and have the space. It does the same exercise, but on a standing platform, the closest to how a tennis player moves.
The Titan Wall Mounted Short Pulley Tower is even better. $126. If you live in a house and have the space. It does the same exercise, but on a standing platform, the closest to how a tennis player moves.
I forgot, or use elastic bands.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
I suspect that someone works out on the Total Gym. Heard that someone named Chuck Norris might be using it.
.
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luckyvenkat
New User
The Total Gym is a home gym system for total fitness where you use your own body weight to do strength building exercises. It is extremely flexible, and allows you to work with every part of your body. Since you are using your own body weight to train, the machine works well for everybody(indianworkouts).
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley are the ones that I always look forward watching on TV for the Total Gym! Not too many infomercial this year for some reason. Chuck now is the sole spokesperson with Christie appealing only a minute or so in the infomercial! I think Christie may have gotten married again to another multi-millionaire. She has been married to very wealthy guys and maybe this is her 4 or 5 marriage. A true golddrigger it seems.
Yup, 'cause when Chuck Norris does a pushup, he doesn't push himself up; he pushes Earth down.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
I was planned on buying a top of the line Total Gym Fit when QVC offer a promotion on the machine but I thought it would be right now, not in middle of June. I missed out and QVC said there is nothing for the next 30 days. June 28 + 30 = July 28?
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GrandSlam45
Rookie
Why is it better?
Look at the the Weider Total Body Works. And look at the Total Gym. The Total Gym evolved into the Weider. It's geometry is better. It's an isosceles triangle, it distributes the weight better, like Karate horse stance vs. side lunge. And it has bungee cords, it's a hybrid system. The Weider is modeled on bodybuilding equipments. It is a masterpiece.
Look.
Weider
vs. the evolution of Total Gyms. Weider does not need to evolve. It's perfect.
The Weider is modeled on other bobybuilding equipment (that Weider also makes).
45° bench.
hack squat machine
door pull up bar
decline situp bench
The bungee cords is reminiscent of a Pilates Reformer (that's a great name: re-form-er).
The pull up bar is removable to put at the bottom to do the reverse, lifting motions.
It is a work of art in its versatility and simplicity.
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GrandSlam45
Rookie
They look pretty similar, but I've read reviews that say the Weider machine is flimsy compare to the TG.
Look at both prototypes. The prototypes tells you which is designed better. Keep in mind the Weider has the bungee resistance like a Pilates Reformer.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Lot of entertainment value in them along with a couple of laughs with Christie Brinkley 3:10!
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EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
Definitely would recommend the total gym. My parents bought one of the originals and used it to great into great shape. I used it a few years ago and it really helped me. What's great about it is the versatility and ease of setup for the different exercises. It's also much more compact that something like the bowflex and seems like it stretches you while you're doing a lot of the workouts. The only downside with the one I have is I wish there were more levels of resistance and also that you could add weight to it for doing some exercises like pull ups and leg exercises.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
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S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
You're being a life-ist. What about all of the undead [sorry, "life force-impaired"]? Have you thought about them, smart guy?
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Oh, are you talking about Chuck Norris above here?You're being a life-ist. What about all of the undead [sorry, "life force-impaired"]? Have you thought about them, smart guy?
EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
Thank you so much! I had no idea I could fix those couple issues. I'm ordering the attachment bar and can't wait to try it out. The leg presses are just way too easy right now and it would be really great to have more resistance on the pull ups on the total gym. I think I'm going to give the heavy weights with p90x a break and try doing more total gym for a while and see how it works.
This morning I did back and biceps and it takes so long (sample of all the exercises below). I think the total gym will be more efficient.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Only happy I can help!
I am going be buy my Total Gym Fit to improve my overall flexibility along with the ability to work the core and other important parts of the body at the same time which is exactly what I want to have.
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#1. It is what I call an "anti-gravity" machine. It uses a pulley. It reverses the direction of gravity. It does "anti-gravity" exercises very well, "gravity" exercises not so well.
#2. It is designed to push or pull less than your bodyweight. The actual resistance is = sine (angle) x (bodyweight + the seat.)
#3. A leg press for example is best done with just your bodyweight. It is a "gravity" exercise.
#4. If you want to do a harder pull-up, use a door pull up bar.
Time to put your noggin to work.
What I call "gravity" and "anti-gravity" exercises.
Gravity exercises. Think of an empty room, like a cube. A ballet studio is the closest thing. (I underestimated an empty room. It's equally as useful as a gym cluttered with equipments.)
In an empty room:
You can do a push up.
You can't do the opposite. You can't do a row.
It's impossible. To do a bodyweight inverted row you need either a TRX, big parralets, or a structure like this.
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/improvised-gym-equipment.620612/post-12594500
In an empty room, with weights: dumbbell, barbell, kettlebell, what ever kind of bell.
You can do a shoulder press. (or an upside down hand stand).
You can't do a pull-up. That's "anti-gravity".
A pulley reverses the direction of gravity. Get the idea? It complements free weights (free weights fall to the ground you have to push it up). With a pulley, you pull down the weight moves up.
What I call "gravity" and "anti-gravity" exercises.
Gravity exercises. Think of an empty room, like a cube. A ballet studio is the closest thing. (I underestimated an empty room. It's equally as useful as a gym cluttered with equipments.)
In an empty room:
You can do a push up.
You can't do the opposite. You can't do a row.
It's impossible. To do a bodyweight inverted row you need either a TRX, big parralets, or a structure like this.
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/improvised-gym-equipment.620612/post-12594500
In an empty room, with weights: dumbbell, barbell, kettlebell, what ever kind of bell.
You can do a shoulder press. (or an upside down hand stand).
You can't do a pull-up. That's "anti-gravity".
A pulley reverses the direction of gravity. Get the idea? It complements free weights (free weights fall to the ground you have to push it up). With a pulley, you pull down the weight moves up.
Partial gym only. (Groan).
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heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
kinda reminds me of pilates gear
EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
I understand that. My point was just that if you are trying to use the total gym as a total gym without anything else it is not as good at those moves for the reasons you mentioned. I have a door pull up bar, but it doesn't fit on my bedroom door so if I want to workout early in the morning with a workout that includes pull ups I have to move to a different room. It would be nice if I could just roll out of bed and jump on the total gym.
EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
Haha. That's perfect for me 1st thing in the morning!
