Total Gym

Does anyone recommend the Total Gym?  I need to stretch and work out every part of my body.  Any reviews would be greatly appreciated!

IMO, depends on what kind of results you are looking for. If you are looking for some resistance-cardio, then the Total Gym is great. Anything that you can do more than 20 reps on is resistance-cardio.

One of my trainer's owns one and uses it as a warm up before he lifts.

If you watch the infomercial with Chuck and his wife and she is explaining that she keeps it lower than Chuck bc she wants a leaner body -I think she actually says...'leaner, longer muscles''...OY!!!....well....trust me, Chuck did not get those muscles from using the Total Gym. That is a scam.

As for stretching, definitely can see it being a great tool for that.

i had one once upon a time. i liked it, but got tired of having to trip over it or fold it up (watch your fingers). i liked that you could change up exercises quickly though. i gave it away.

i still have all my free weights! still have my high step, my step bench, my stability ball, and all my workout DVDs.

for me, investing in the basics and a new workout dvd from time to time has been money well spent. i bore easily so long-term flexibility and variety is key for me.

hubby bought one - I'll sell it to you cheap- thats my story

piece of crap that takes up too much space and too difficult and time consuming to switch from one workout to the next- invest in a good set of weights instead and do the real thing

We own the Total Gym and for years it sat in the basement without hardly a thought.  Now, my husband uses it in conjunction with the treadmill and some other exercise equipment in the gym. 

As for me, I feel uncomfortable on it. It is not for a supersize person as myself.  I'd say if you are trying to tone it is a great tool to use.  It really does a nice job.  If you are strictly going to use it for exercise equipment with no other exercises (stability ball, free weights, or bosu ball) then I'd say join a gym get a PT trainer and do those exercises and then consider purchasing the Total Gym.

You can get a great program with a personal trainer and do at home afterwards.  The Total Gym hasn't really gone up in price. So don't worry about that as making you have a rush decision.  We paid 159.00 for it about 15 years ago.  But the model they have has been upgraded.

Take care and Good Luck.  God bless.

P90X with free weights and a chin up bar would be better.  You don't have to go all hard core on it...  although you certainly can....

Thank you so much for the information.  I have a gym membership and work out as much as I can.  I'm looking for something that I can continue with when I am at home or when I need a quick workout before rushing to work.  I guess the workout DVDs would probably work, I should try that!  Thanks!

I love mine - bought it back in March (basic model from QVC), and I use it 3-4x a week for about 30 mins. I've seen a big difference in strength improvement and my body looks much leaner than the last time I was at this weight. I think it really depends on what you already know about yourself...do you like to do free weights or DVDs? If so, then why spend extra $$ for a peice of large equipment. Personally I have a big collection of weights but just have never been that into it enough to remain consistent/see real results.   I actually enjoy the TG, and trust me, you will find a  very challenging level that works for you. (I've had numerous people try it out and be totally surprised at how hard it is!) My only warning is around space --do you have enough room to leave it set it up the majority of time? Its not that difficult to set up and is pretty fast, but I know I would eventually start using it as a clothes hanger if I had to set it up for every use. Right now I have it in a spare room with a TV and don't have a problem being motivated to use it regularly.

I just got the total gym.  I am a runner, but had surgery on my toe and can't put any pressure on my foot for a while... it's driving me crazy!   I was looking for something I could get a bit of a cardio work-out on without standing on my foot (docs orders), and this has it going for it.  I've only used the total gym for two days now but I'm happy with it!   I was also looking for something more to enhance my strength training.  I feel this will help me build a stronger core which will also help with my running (when I can get back to it in 6 weeks or so (hopefully!!!)).  I'm planning on using the total gym as a cross-trainer and I'm very happy I purchased it (I have a stationary recumbent bike, but that' s just not "my thing" and I get bored on it; and you really have to find something you enjoy doing or you won't keep it up)!  O.K., it takes up a bit of room, granted, but no more than any other home-gym would..  it all depends on what you want and how important it is for you to haveit around.   But then again, I've got my treadmill in the dining room because my basement has a really low ceiling, so what do you expect from someone like me (ha ha)! 

Good luck!!