Total Gym Review: What is the Best Total Gym to Buy?
Reading Time: 9 minutes Hello! I’m Adam Kemp. I don’t use a Total Gym, but in my Total Gym review, I’ll explain why I know the Total Gym is an excellent option for your home gym or fitness studio.
If you’re looking for an efficient, space-saving workout solution, the Total Gym offers gravity-based, bodyweight resistance to build strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
Since its debut in 1974, Total Gym has provided a versatile way to train, with adjustable incline levels for controlled resistance, enabling users to perform over 60–80 exercises per session.
My Total Gym review breaks down the best Total Gym models, including the Total Gym Optima for affordability and the Total Gym XLS for advanced features.
Both offer unique benefits, delivering full-body workouts that target all major muscle groups, making it easier to build muscle, lose weight, and improve overall fitness without bulky equipment.
With compound movements for maximum calorie burning and muscle building, a Total Gym workout is an ideal choice for those looking for effective home workouts.
Read my Total Gym review to find the best Total Gym for your needs!
Best Options – Total Gym Reviews (2024)
Choosing the right Total Gym can make all the difference in your home workout experience. In my Total Gym review, we break down the best Total Gym models, highlighting features, pros, and which ones deliver the best value for every fitness goal.
Whether you’re after affordability, advanced functionality, or compact convenience, these picks offer something for everyone.
Total Gym Apex Review
After analyzing the various Total Gym options, my initial suggestion for you is to buy the Total Gym Apex Home Exercise Machine.
Each version of the Total Gym comes with a variety of unique features. However, for the price of the Total Gym Apex, I believe it is the best overall value.
Benefits of the Total Gym Apex include:
- 8 Resistance Levels & Over 70 Different Exercises Ranging from Cardiovascular Exercises, Strength Training, and Stretches
- Easily Delivers a Total Body Workout
- Works All the Major Muscle Groups Simultaneously
- Includes Multi-Functional Attachments and Leg Pulley Accessories
- Folds Quickly for Easy Storage
The Total Gym Apex has great reviews on Amazon from verified purchases, and even without purchasing it myself, I am sure that it is an excellent value!
Last update on 2025-04-24 / This article includes affiliate links/Images via Amazon Product Advertising API. I may earn commissions on purchases made through these links.
Total Gym XLS Review
Total Gym XLS ReviewIf money is not a problem for you and you would like to purchase a more advanced Total Gym so that you can get the best workout possible, the Total Gym XLS is the best Total Gym for you in my opinion!
Even though it costs $850.00, the Total Gym XLS is still a great value compared to how much you would normally pay for a gym membership over the course of a few years.
If you are truly intent on using the Total Gym to get in shape at home (which I believe is a great idea), the Total Gym XLS is an incredible investment!
Features include:
- The Total Gym XLS is the model “As Seen on TV” with Chuck Norris & Christie Brinkley
- Contains Resistance Training Function with 6 Levels
- 400 lb Weight Capacity for Total Strength and Stability
- Padded Glide-board with Head Support
- You Can Use it for Over 80 Exercises!
Along with the features of the machine itself, the Total Gym XLS also comes with additional workout guides and dietary advice including:
- Start It Up – An Introduction to Total Gym XLS Workouts
- 6-8 Minute Workout – 12 Workouts for Men and Women Who Are Pressed for Time
- Smart Training Workout – An Efficient Workout with a Slower Pace and Precise Movements
- Body Makeover for Total Gym- A High-Energy and High-Powered Workout to Change Your Body!
- A Simple Exercise Wall Chart with 35 Exercises
- The Total Gym Training Deck
- Dan Isaacson’s Meal Plan and Nutritional Program
Spending over $800.00 on the Total Gym XLS might seem like a steep price, but for the value you get compared to what it costs to purchase a gym membership, I believe it is an incredible option!
Last update on 2025-04-24 / This article includes affiliate links/Images via Amazon Product Advertising API. I may earn commissions on purchases made through these links.
Benefits of Total Gym Workouts
If you want to get the most out of your Total Gym, you should maintain similar rules as you would with any workout program.
If you are looking to build muscle mass, you should use it three to four times per week.
However, even if you are not using your Total Gym that frequently, there are many benefits of using the Total Gym.
For example, the complexity of the movements is developed to give better neuromuscular and cardiovascular strength, and improve your fitness levels.
For people who have limited space at home and need gym equipment that is easy to use and store, then the Total Gym will be a perfect fit for you.
Using equipment such as the Total Gym or the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the best way to do a great workout in a small amount of space.
As you can imagine, Total Gym workouts provide a myriad of benefits. Why else would Chuck Norris recommend them?
Keep reading below to learn a few more unique benefits of Total Gym workouts!
1.) Maximizes Calorie Burning and Promotes Fat Loss
Total Gym workouts involve compound exercises that target multiple muscle groups, requiring a higher expenditure of energy. This approach leads to increased calorie burn compared to exercises that isolate individual muscles, making the Total Gym an excellent choice for anyone aiming to lose body fat.
Each movement on the Total Gym incorporates more muscle groups, resulting in heightened calorie expenditure. In this sense, the Total Gym functions similarly to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) by keeping multiple muscles engaged and promoting a sustained calorie burn throughout your workout session.
Research shows that engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously can elevate your metabolic rate, providing an afterburn effect that continues even after the workout has ended (Schuenke et al., 2002).
2.) Supports Progressive Muscle Growth and Strength Development
If building muscle is a primary goal, the Total Gym offers numerous exercises that support this objective.
Originally developed as a rehabilitation tool, the Total Gym has proven effective for muscle hypertrophy when used correctly.
Unlike traditional weightlifting, which typically isolates individual muscles, the Total Gym’s design enables users to work on multiple muscle groups simultaneously, which can accelerate muscle growth and improve overall strength.
To maximize muscle growth, aim to use the Total Gym three to four times a week, focusing on progressive overload principles.
Exercises such as squats, pull-ups, and chest presses can be modified for increased resistance as your strength builds.
This adaptability makes the Total Gym suitable for anyone from beginners to advanced users aiming for steady strength gains.
3.) Improves Functional Strength and Neuromuscular Coordination
Functional strength—strength that translates to everyday movements—is a core benefit of Total Gym workouts. Many exercises performed on the Total Gym simulate real-life movements by requiring multiple muscle groups to work in coordination.
This setup trains not only the body’s larger muscle groups but also the stabilizing muscles, which are crucial for balance, coordination, and injury prevention.
The Total Gym’s design allows for multi-directional movements that can help improve neuromuscular coordination. This benefit is particularly valuable for athletes and individuals seeking enhanced motor control.
Multi-joint exercises performed on the Total Gym also challenge core stability, enhancing balance and stability, which can have lasting effects on overall fitness and mobility (Behm et al., 2010).
4.) Provides a High-Intensity Workout in Less Time
In our fast-paced world, finding the time for extended gym sessions can be challenging. The Total Gym is perfect for individuals with busy schedules, as it allows for high-intensity, full-body workouts that require less time than traditional gym equipment.
Because the Total Gym focuses on compound exercises, you can complete an efficient, high-calorie-burning session in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.
This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a consistent fitness routine without spending hours at the gym.
Additionally, the adjustable incline settings provide varying resistance levels that let you control workout intensity, making it adaptable to both shorter sessions and extended workouts, depending on your time constraints and goals.
5.) Offers Flexibility and Convenience
Home workouts have become increasingly popular for their convenience, and the Total Gym is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can have at home.
Compact and foldable, it doesn’t require a dedicated workout space and can be easily stored, making it perfect for apartments or homes with limited space.
Unlike traditional equipment that requires multiple machines or weights, the Total Gym allows users to perform exercises for every muscle group without clutter. This feature makes it an excellent choice for those who want a variety of workout options without the hassle of setting up multiple pieces of equipment.
Whether your focus is strength training, cardio, or rehabilitation, the Total Gym offers flexibility that most other home workout options cannot match.
Best Total Gym Workouts
Instead of giving you exact total gym workouts, I want to provide you with valuable information that can help you create your own workout program.
Maximizing your Total Gym workouts can be simple and fun with a few key strategies. Here are some ways to get the most out of every session:
- Prioritize Full-Body Movements
Total Gym’s design makes it ideal for multi-joint, compound exercises that hit several muscle groups at once. Instead of isolating one area, aim for exercises that combine muscle groups, like squats with presses or rows with core twists. These movements not only build better muscle balance but also torch more calories in less time. - Try Circuit Training
Keep things dynamic by moving from one exercise to the next with little to no rest. Circuit training ramps up your heart rate, combining strength and cardio to improve endurance and muscle tone. With Total Gym, it’s easy to flow through exercises, making circuit-style workouts efficient and engaging. - Go for Moderate to High Reps
The Total Gym shines with endurance-based exercises and moderate resistance. Try aiming for 12-15 reps per exercise—this range is excellent for toning muscles and building muscular endurance without overloading your joints. It’s the sweet spot for maximizing workout impact without the risk of burnout.
By incorporating these principles, you can create customized routines that deliver all the benefits of a traditional gym setup—right at home.
If you would like to see a specific Total Gym workout, check out this video of Chuck Norris using it:
Final Thoughts: Which Total Gym Should You Buy?
In my opinion, the biggest reason to invest in a Total Gym is that it genuinely allows you to improve your body and overall fitness without ever leaving home.
The Total Gym is straightforward to use yet versatile enough to support serious progress in both muscle tone and overall conditioning.
Looking at Total Gym reviews, it’s clear that this equipment is flexible and user-friendly, which makes it easy to target all the major muscle groups with just a few quick adjustments.
Total Gym workouts use compound, multi-joint movements, meaning you’re engaging multiple muscles at once, which is ideal for building strength, losing weight, and developing a balanced physique.
For those who want to commit to regular, effective workouts from home, the Total Gym offers a practical and effective solution.
If you would like to purchase a Total Gym, I think the best Total Gym for people on a budget is the Total Gym Apex Home Exercise Machine, and the best Total Gym for people with unlimited funds is the Total Gym XLS.
Last update on 2025-04-24 / This article includes affiliate links/Images via Amazon Product Advertising API. I may earn commissions on purchases made through these links.
I hope you enjoyed my Total Gym review, please let me know if you have any questions!
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