Best Total Gyms – 2024 Buying Guide
James
DAG
Total Gym is one of the most recognized and trusted names in the home fitness industry. Thanks to the Infomercial efforts of their spokespeople, Chuck Norris, and Christie Brinkley, most people are familiar with the Total Gym brand.
We put multiple models through countless hours of testing to find out what makes the Total Gym a garage gym staple.
Peruse our Total Gym reviews below before investing in one for yourself.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 26 hrs of research
12 Glide board settings
85 exercises
6 DVDs
Lifetime Warranty
Squat Stand
10 Best Total Gym Equipment
1. FIT
12 Glide board settings
85 exercises
6 DVDs
Lifetime Warranty
Squat Stand
Parts Warranty only 2 years
Total Gym FIT is the cutting edge equipment. It has twelve levels of resistance and 450-pound weight capacity so you know it is a sturdy piece of equipment. It comes with no assembly required. This workbench comes with six DVDs including Start It Up, Beginner Program, 6-8 Minute Workout, Intermediate Program, 5-Day Advanced Program & AbCrunch Workout.
Read moreThis piece of equipment is an upgraded squat stand. It offers twelve levels of resistance and over 85 exercises available to workout with on this one home gym. It comes with no assembly required.
The FIT does fold up so you can store it. It may take a little practice to get it right but then it is easy to do. This piece also has quite a few desirable accessories you will find useful. The dipping bar is very helpful. There is also an optional weight bar with clamps to hold the plates in place. It also has a two-piece wing attachment for a wide range of motion and a leg pull accessory with a detachable bracket.
2. 1400 Deluxe
Total body workout in 10-20 minutes
Good for any fitness level
Over 60 different exercises available
Does not come fully assembled
The 1400 Deluxe is designed to bring the gym versatility to your home. This equipment allows you to do over 60 different exercises. You can exercise and tone every muscle group. Use this machine to give yourself a full-body workout. You only need 10 to 20 minutes a day. Included with the 1400 Deluxe is a nutrition guide, a chart of exercises you can do, and a workout DVD. The Total Gym 1400 arrives at your home fully assembled and ready to use. When you are finished with your workout, it folds quickly so you can easily store it away.
Read moreThe 1400 Deluxe will help you strengthen and tone all the major muscle groups in your body. It gives you an entire body workout in about 15 minutes with over 60 exercises to choose from.
Enjoy being able to do cardio, strength training and stretching exercises in one compact machine. This machine is perfect for fitness buffs of any level from beginner to advanced and for any age so it can be used by any member of the family.
3. XLS
80+ exercises
Suitable for all heights
Max user weight 400 pounds
6 DVDs
Only six months warranty on parts
The Total Gym XLS is the machine you have seen advertised on television with Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley. It features six different resistance training levels and has a 400-pound weight capacity for users. That is plenty for your strength and stability. Your workout will be more comfortable with a padded glide board and good head support. This machine is capable of over 80 different exercises.
Read moreThe Total Gym XLS is the biggest selling model in the Total Gym range. With the XLS you can do in excess of eighty exercises to work your entire body. Unlike the more budget Total Gym Supreme, the XLS will support all body types and heights. It has a maximum user weight of 400 pounds, which is pretty impressive.
The Total Gym XLS comes with plenty of support. You get six DVD workout and instruction guides plus a get started CD and a full exercise wall chart. The angled glide board on the XLS features a headrest for enhanced comfort. You also get a nutritional program from celebrity trainer Dan Isaacson that provides you with a nutritional program and meal plan.
The warranty on the XLS provides you with lifetime cover on the frame yet just 6 months on the parts, which is alarmingly short.
4. Fusion Workout
Includes a variety of accessories
Delivers total body workout
Over 60 exercises available
Not completely assembled
The Fusion exercise system is designed for strength training, cardio, and stretching. You will receive extra accessories as well include an AbCrunch, wing attachment, a pilates kit including the toe bar, a STEP attachment, a leg pulley system, five helpful workout DVDs, Rosalie Brown's Fitspiration Guide, an exercise wall chart and a nutrition guide. You can get a total workout in about 10 to 20 minutes. It has everything you need to work all of your major muscle groups including your triceps, biceps, core ab muscles, and more. You have access to over 60 different exercises in this one machine.
Read moreThe Fusion will help you build up your core and get the body you see in your goals. You can do it all at home with true convenience and effectiveness. Use this machine for cardio training, strength, and stretching exercises
You can use this machine to do ab strengthening, toning planks, pikes and crunches. Your balance and stability will improve in no time. This system is great for any fitness level. You will also get a useful nutrition guide, a collection of workout DVDs, and an exercise chart for your wall. The Fusion machine has everything you need to accomplish the results you want. It has 12 calibrated levels to help beginners or advanced fitness levels. The weight capacity is 275 pounds.
5. 1900
Over 60 exercises available
Ergonomic glide board
350-pound weight capacity
Not for aerobic exercises
The Total Gym 1900 will help you sculpt, tone, and strengthen your body without needing to go through the expense of an entire home gym. The ergonomic glide board comes with handles so you can work your upper and lower body as well as your abdominal muscles. This machine also comes with leg and wing attachments which will allow you to focus on your limbs
This trainer is compact and efficient enough to replace a gym full of equipment. When you are not using it, you can fold it away for easy storage in a closet. 1900 gives you over 60 different exercises so you can your own body weight against gravity at an adjustable percentage. The glide board is smooth and fluid. As you get stronger and more conditioned, you can increase the incline to boost your resistance percentage.
Read moreYour Total Gym 1900 can give you a total body workout in 10-20 minutes. Use it to strengthen and tone your major muscle groups. You can experience cardio training, strength training and stretching exercises all in the same machine.
This machine has twelve calibrated levels so you can go from 3% to 45% of your own body weight in resistance. It works great for beginners or for advanced fitness levels. You will get this system fully assembled and ready to use for your ultimate convenience. It also folds up for easy storage. It has a 350-pound weight capacity to strengthen and tone your muscle groups.
6. Optima
Sturdy steel construction
Quality hanging hand grips
Comfortable back-rest
The glide board comes only in one color
The Optima features convenience. If you are working with limited space you will enjoy the fact that this machine folds up easily after use and can be stored in a corner or closet. It comes with lots of multi-functional attachments and has a leg pulley as well. You can use this machine to work all of your major muscles simultaneously. It only weighs 67 pounds so it is easy to maneuver.
Read moreThe Optima Exercise machine offers a wide variety of over 60 different exercises. You can do cardio exercises, strength training, and stretching exercises all with one machine. You can complete a total body exercise in just minutes.
This machine works for all your muscle groups and includes attachments to broaden your variety of exercise options. You can fold this machine up for easy storage. It is made of sturdy steel. The back-rest bench is nicely padded for exercise comfort. It also comes almost completely assembled and includes a nutrition guide and a variety of workout DVDs.
7. 1100
Made with sturdy steel and plastic
Good for over 60 exercises
Delivers a quick and total workout
Very basic model
The 1100 model will help you tone, sculpt and strengthen your body in a compact fashion. It has an ergonomic glide board which has handles to help you work your entire body. It also includes leg and wing attachments. This is an efficient trainer which can take the place of an entire gym full of equipment. Then when you are finished for the day it folds compactly to be stashed away in a corner or closet. The Total Gym 1100 gives you over 60 different exercise options using your own body weight against gravity for an adjustable workout. The glide board is smooth and fluid. The stronger you get, the more you can boost your resistance percentage easily by moving up the incline.
Read moreThis machine has a sturdy steel construction. It is compact and able to tone all your muscle groups simultaneously. You have an option of over 60 different exercises to improve strength, cardio, and stretching.
1100 will accommodate from beginners to advanced fitness levels for users of any age. It arrives fully assembled and ready to use and can be folded up and stored afterward. You can get an effective full-body workout in a matter of minutes a day.
You can easily adjust your fitness intensity to give you six calibrated levels to workout with your body weight resistance. It is made of sturdy steel and plastic which durable and designed to last for a while. It is good for beginners or more advanced athletes to give you a full-body workout. It gives you six calibrated levels for resistance using your body weight.
This equipment completely assembled. It has a safety hitch pin to help fold up for easy storage. This machine has a 275-pound weight capacity and comes with an exercise booklet, nutrition guide, and an instructional manual.
8. X-Force
No assembly required
Works for men or women
Comes with lots of accessories
Needs wheels
The X-Force is a fantastic workout machine. You will want to read the instructions to get the most out of it. You can get a lot of information on YouTube. It is very easy to use. It has all the workout benefits of a full gym and comes with lots of accessories.
Read moreThe Total Gym X-Force model comes with plenty of accessories that are made to help your workout routines. It comes with a brunch accessory you can use on your abs and build core strength. This accessory lets you do over 10 ab exercises. There are also wing attachments that you can attach to the top or bottom rails to get lower or upper body workouts with leg curls, pull-ups and more.
There is also a leg pull accessory that you can use to strengthen and stretch your leg muscles. There is a dip bar used to target your pecs, chest, shoulders, and triceps. The tri-grip shaper bar has 3 grip positions to give you ultimate workout versatility.
This machine comes with durable stability mats. You put one at the ends of the X-Force to keep from slipping during your workout. It also includes a squat stand you can use to target your lower body to work towards slim and tone legs. It will improve your muscle reflexes.
9. XL7
Folds for easy storage
12 calibrated levels of resistance
Comes with nutrition and exercise guide
The bench is too short for a tall person
Total Gym XL7 includes lots of helps accessories including an AbCrunch, dip bars, squat stand, press up bars, a two-piece wing attachment, and a leg pull accessory. It also comes with an exercise flip chart you can use to guide your workout. A long mat is provided to keep the machine from slipping and there is a padded pillow on the glide board to make your workout more comfortable.
It comes with a nutrition guide, an exercise guide, and a total body workout DVD with Rosalie Brown as well as the Todd Durkin intermediate DVD. You also get 16 free workout programs on Total Gym TV. The Total Gym XL7 is easy to assemble when you receive it and it folds up to be stored between uses.
Read moreTotal Gym XL7 has twelve elevation levels so you can vary the challenge of your workout from a beginner level to expert. There are over 60 exercises you can do on this machine. It only takes 10-20 minutes to get a total body workout.
This machine has a wide variety of accessories. It includes an exercise flip chart as well as a nutrition guide, an exercise guide, and two workout DVDs. It folds up conveniently for easy storage.
10. 1600
Accommodates over 60 exercises
250 pounds weight capacity
Comes with a collection of accessories
Too much assembly required
The Total Gym 1600 shows up fully assembled and ready to start helping you towards your fitness goals. When you are not using it, the unit folds up to around the size of an ironing board. That is perfect to slip under the bed or stand up in a closet.
Read moreThe 1600 model is designed especially to strengthen and tone your muscle groups in just 10-20 minutes a day. It has to ability to do over 60 different exercises that focus on strength training, cardio training, and stretching exercises, all with this one machine.
It will work no matter what your age or fitness level. The machine arrives fully assembled and ready to use. Then it folds up nice and compact so you can store it in a closet. It has 8 levels of resistance and 250-pound weight capacity.
The dip bars help to target your pecs, chest, shoulders, and triceps. It attaches easily with the locking pin. It also includes press-up bars to help you strengthen your upper body. They are also easily attachable. It is designed for military-style press exercises using either a narrow or wide grip.
It has a multi-function attachment which adds versatility to your workout. You can attach it to the top or bottom rails to give yourself a better workout.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
The Total Gym machines have a lot of useful features that allow you to get your workout without using a lot of space for a home gym. They have sturdy steel and durable plastic construction with nylon handles built to last. The glide boards are padded and ride smoothly while you are exercising. The stand has multiple levels so you can vary the resistance of your body weight against gravity. Some of them also come with a floor mat which will keep the machine from slipping as well as help protect the floor.
These machines are designed for over 60 different exercises you can use to vary your workout. Most of them come with a wide variety of accessories which give you a lot more options for your exercises. They have squat stands. There are also wing attachments that you can put on the top or bottom depending on which type of exercise and what part of your body you are working on. There is also ab crunch accessories and leg pull accessories. There are press bars and pulley systems as well. They work to keep your workout varied and interesting.
Most of the machines also come with a variety of workout DVDs. Some have instruction guides, nutrition guides, exercise flip charts, These machines come fully assembled and when you are not using them, you can fold them up for some compact storage.
Versatility
The Total Gym machines are extremely versatile because they are one machine which can take the place of most of your home gym. Most of these models can perform over 60 exercises and some can do more than 85 different ones. They have different calibrated levels to make your workouts more difficult as your fitness level grows. You do this by adjusting the incline.
They are also versatile because they have a wide variety of accessories you can use to do different exercises. There are pulley systems, different bars and various attachments you can use to focus on your upper body or lower body to get a complete workout.
These workout machines are versatile to be used by people of different weights with a varied weight capacity. They are basic and can be used by athletes of any age since you are working against your own body weight. They can also be used by people who are new to working or by seasoned athletes.
If you are looking for versatility and flexibility you just cannot go wrong with these systems. They will do just about anything you need them to do.
Durability
These machines are definitely durable, like what you will need for what you plan to put it through. If you are using this complete gym system, it will probably be used for intense workouts almost daily. It needs to be able to stand up to your standards, your lifestyle and your constant use. It needs to be able to withstand the weight and movement and being able to be adjusted over and over, folded up over and over and taking the accessories on and off.
These machines are made of sturdy steel which can withstand activity and hold up your weight. They have durable welds and hardware to keep them together and steady. The smaller pieces are durable plastic. The straps are made of sturdy nylon. Some of the machines also come with a mat you can put on the floor to keep the machine from slipping and also help to protect the floor.
These machines are designed for a lot of activity as you are gliding with your complete bodyweight. Most of them have a good weight capacity from 275 up to 450 depending on the model. So these machines are made to take a beating during your most intense workout.
Ease of Use
The ease of these units starts as soon as the box arrives. Most of them come fully assembled so you can just take it out of the box and start using it.
The glide board has a smooth movement. It is nice to find one which is cushioned just enough to keep your back and body comfortable while you are doing your workout without being bulky and heavy. It is nice if you find the ones which are ergonomic so they fit easily around your body. Some of them even have some head support.
It should be easy to adjust the incline so you can vary your workout difficulty. You should also be able to add accessories quickly and easily so you can switch up your exercise while still keeping your muscles warm.
Most of these machines come with exercise DVDs which help make your workout easily since they give you an idea of what exercises to use to get the results you want. As an added benefit, they offer nutritional guidelines to help you with dietary information to compliment your workout.
When you are finished with your workout, you want a model which is going to easily fold up to be stored out of the way.
Portability
These machines are fairly big and bulky so it is hard to imagine they are going to be very portable, definitely not gym equipment you toss in the gym bag. They are husky machines. They have to be in order to be able to hold your weight for long periods of time and be able to stand up to an intense workout.
Most of these machines are foldable. Sometimes the instructions say it will take a little practice but once you learn it you can fold them up easily at the end of each workout. That makes the floor they use a fraction of the size.
Once they are folded they are usually short enough to slide under the bed or hopefully it is lightweight enough to be able to maneuver into a closet or corner of the room. It would be really handy if they had wheels so you could roll them.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Features Versatility Durability Ease of Use Portability 
The results you get from your workout are due to the amount of effort you use, but you have to remember it will not happen instantly. Do not let yourself get discouraged. If you use the gym 30 minutes a day, five days a week. you will see changes faster than if you only use it now and then.
Whatever style of workout or exercise you are doing, always start by focusing on learning proper form. After that, you can add more weight, reps or speed. Starting out slow and approaching your workouts with the proper form, will not only help you prevent injury, but it will also help you reach your goals that much quicker. Injuries prevent setbacks and setbacks can cuz frustration and a feeling a defeat, so it's always best to start out where you are comfortable and then move up from there.
Other Factors to Consider
Effectiveness
The Total Gym is definitely effective. You use your body weight to get a full-body workout. With the help of some accessories, these machines have exercise options which will help to work for every muscle group on your body. You can work the upper body muscles as well as the lower body muscles. The machine is fun and easy to use so you will be inspired to work out whenever you get a chance. That is what makes them effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What type of workout can I get with the total gym?
You will get a real workout, just like you would get in a regular gym. This system uses resistance training which experts recommend. It builds your muscles as well as strengthening and toning them. You can also use it for cardio endurance so this is a super-effective machine.
q: How much space do you need for a Total Gym?
It is nice to have plenty of room to be able to move around the machine without feeling crowded. It is nice to have an area for the accessories as well, but at the minimum, you will need a space which is around three feet wide and at least eight feet long.
q: Does the Total Gym work for weight loss?
You can use the Total Gym as your equipment to work out with and lose weight. You will see results, but keep in mind that you also need a diet which controls your calories, doing strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
q: How many calories does the Total Gym burn?
This is considered a moderate to vigorous workout, depending on how much effort you put into it. So a person who weighs 150 pounds will burn about 155 calories during a 30-minute workout on the Gym. If you work at a vigorous pace, you could burn about 210 calories in that amount of time.
q: Can you build muscle mass with the Total Gym?
Start working on the machine until the exercises become too easy. Then simply raise the incline to increase the resistance and difficulty. With the proper technique, you definitely can build bigger and stronger muscles.
