I was wondering if anyone here current or has previously used the total gym? I just recently purchased one and have just started to use it and wanted to see what you thought of it and if it works. I know I have to use it to make it work but I wanted to see if anyone acheived the results they where looking for. PS. Not really trying to build bulk but rather trying to lose weight and tone the muscle already present. Thanks
ugh. i'd avoid that if i were you. if you're interested in losing weight, do cardio. the total gym is more for toning, and i'd only recommend it as a supplement to a regimen if you are almost where you want to be.
walking is not nearly as effective as a lot of people make it out to be. i only recommend it to my personal friends that are extremely overweight and want to "get started". (its better than nothing) if you have a problem with impacting cardio, i recommend the elliptical or stationary bike. either of those would be worlds better than just walking honestly given what you're talking about, i'd almost recommend you scour craigslist for a used elliptical or stationary bike instead of the total gym.
See the problem is that I already purchased one from a friend. I do like the elliptical, but not able to purchase one yet, so walking and jogging will have to do for now
well it "works" if used properly, but that is all relative depending on what your goals are. IMO the total gym has a very limited use overall as far as what you may want to achieve. the plus side is there are no weights or anything, so its light and somewhat portable. the downside is you won't get much cardio from using it (unless you rake the thing over 45 degrees and do 100 reps - kidding)... if you are interested in using it for health benefits and cardio, my suggestion would be to lower the ramp and go for higher reps.
This is GREAT advice. These BS articles I see about losing weight and becoming fit by walking or sweeping the floor drives me crazy. I can't tell you how aggravated I get reading some of these "fitness" or "health" magazines that mislead people that need real world advice. You have to do cardio and raise that heart level to burn fat bottom line. I always recommend "power walking" if you're going to walk and mix in intervals of jogging as you walk to start off. Even if you jog for just 20 yards from time to time during that walk it helps raise that heart level to where you need it to be to burn some fat. If you are only going to walk you have to do it like you mean it. A quick pace is the only pace that will be effective for you. These people I see with their headsets and jogging outfits that take leisurely walks around the block kill me. As far as elipticals, they are fantastic. Mimic cross country skiing a little bit and will help tone your upper and lower body while giving a great cardio workout as well.
I talk my kids with me and I put me youngest in a pack on my back and walk for about a mile and half.
I've heard mixed things about the total gym. I have a friend who says it's pretty good, and he spent a good deal of time in a gym when we were younger so he has a frame of reference. I imagine it'll get your heart going some and help you tone up a bit, so it cant be a total waste of money. As far as cardio, walking is better than nothing. The elipticals are pretty great, and it helps you transition to more high impact cardio more easily; at least that was my experience.
I bought a Bowflex about 6 months ago. Thing's practically collecting dust, except for a few exercises (leg extensions, push-downs, pull-downs). I don't know if Total Gym is exactly the same, but they do seem similar in my eyes.
Why aren't you using it? I used to have a bowflex and I used it everyday until I decided to go with free weights. Is that what happened with you?
Bowflex is nothing like a total gym. IMO the total gym is a cheap gimmick. Bowflex machines are actually pretty good. They aren't free weight good but for a home workout machine these resistance machines do the job. I went with a Weider XP machine myself. Uses electronic gears and pulleys v.s. the rods of the Bowflex.
Walking (non stop) is actually a pretty good exercise recommended by my doctor. I usually do 15-20 minutes a day (though right now i may have a hard time finding time with med school).
Just to clarify: ANYTHING that raises your HR (heart rate) over a period of time (generally longer than 5-10 min) is cardio. That includes weight/strength training, elliptical work, rock climbing and extended nookie. As to the Total Gym, it's not bad to begin with, but if your using it consistently (30 min., 3x a week), you'll probably outgrow it in a couple of months. It's not a bad piece of kit, just somewhat limited. If you're cool with where you end up at the end of 3-6 months using it regular and properly, then it's done its job. It's just a tool- as long as you use it right and don't expect it to do what it wasn't intended to, you'll be fine. Good luck in your fitness quest!
I have a total gym and I think it's a good machine. I do think it has some limitations but it has some plusses as well. It depends a lot on the intensity of your workouts. For most people it's just fine. It provides a lifting and slight cardio workout and stretches your muscles at the same time. Personally, I rarely use mine now as the intensity of my workouts has increased beyond it but it's more than what most people do.
He didn't say it was bad for you. He just said it's overrated as an exercise which it definitely is. It's about the lowest on the totem pole you can go and definitely does not maximize health results for the time put in. True Power walking is much better and closer to results of running but in my experience those that resort to walking don't end up Power walking, they take a stroll. That's why I believe it's such a farce for these health magazines to even recommend it. Orange is taking a great step in raising the efficiency and benefits of his walks by strapping his child onto his back. Carrying extra weight definitely increases the intensity level. Was a great idea.
yeah, recommended by doctors to people who are otherwise lazy and/or never go to the gym or do cardio. as i said earlier, its better than nothing, but its not as good as you might think for you. as stated numerous times in this thread already, its about getting your heartrate up for an extended period of time (at least 25 minutes). just a simple stroll will not do that unless its uphill all the way or hiking. walking burns more than just sitting watching tv, but its not the optimal way to "get in shape". the idea of carrying his kid on his back is a good one in that its added resistance/weight. i would still rather see him do something more in-depth than walking, but its better than nothing. actually yes i am certified. i've been working out and doing this for 12 years. i've trained people for 6 years. i'm pretty sure i know what will "work" and what won't. people also largely neglect diet, which is a HUGE aspect
THe Total Gym? I think Kristy Brinkley is SMOKIN hot for a lady of any age. I also think that Chuck Norris' wife looks like a lady I saw in a Porno a LONG time ago. I just remember a scene on a handball court. Aside from that..no comment.
rofl. not that it needs to be said, but yeah those spokespeople don't actually use the total gym. they might have used it for all of 15 minutes when they were filming the commercial, but that's about it.
Exactly what happened with me. I've gotten much better results with free weights, than I did with the Bowflex. Plus, some of the exercises are just ridiculous trying to do on the Bowflex, such as the squats, leg curls, bicep curls, etc. As I mentioned, I still use the Bowflex, just not too much.
That is the biggest obstacle for most people, including me. Your diet can sabotage your efforts faster than Darrell Green on an opposite-field rundown. Definitely agree- can't forget your diet.
+1 If you don't diet, all your hard work will go to waste unless you have extremely good genetics and work out like an NFL star. I know that Chris Cooley eats terribly but his metabolism is extremely high and he is extremely active, according to a Yahoo! article. Most normal people don't fall in either category. All this gym equipment, that supplement stash, those nice lifting gloves, etc. goes to waste if you don't have a proper diet. You want to lose weight? Start eating 5-6 smaller meals per day, drink A LOT of water, and making sure that you're bringing in plenty of complex carbs during the morning/afternoon and cutting them off a couple hours before you sleep and protein throughout the day. There are also good fats you should take in too (from nuts and what not) so don't ignore that. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep every day is something that is ignored too. Your body rebuilds itself when you're sleeping, definitely shouldn't ignore that one.
Every beginner in weight lifting / training should read this post first. I'm the opposite of most here...I'm better at keeping a very strict diet than I am at always doing the workouts when I intend to. But I'm getting back to where I used to be.
Sad thing is, I take none of my nutrition advice I give to others... When you're eating a campus diet, it's hard to follow that plan. I only get 14 meals per week so it's not like it's extremely easy for me to follow the diet plan that works best. They have decent food on campus, but it's definitely not what I'd suggest eating if you were looking to lose weight.
Norris was known to have a total gym on the set of Walker Texas Ranger back in the day and to use it regularly. Obviously he was in pretty good shape way before but it was good for maintenance.
