Want to tone your entire body without buying a space-hogging fitness machine? Turn to the Total Gym XLS, a top-of-the-line device that helps you strengthen and sculpt every major muscle group in your body using a single glide board and a few handy attachments. The Total Gym XLS works by making you lift a percentage of your body weight against gravity, creating a smooth and fluid resistance. As your strength and conditioning improve, you increase the total resistance by boosting the incline, thus increasing the body weight lifted in the exercise. The Total Gym XLS not only works your upper body, but also your lower body, abdominals, and even your cardiovascular system. And by reducing body fat and increasing the proportion of lean muscle mass in your body, the strength training effectively turns up the thermostat so that your body burns calories constantly.
The Total Gym XLS offers several upgrades over previous models, helping it set the standard for fitness excellence. The upgrades include a new pulley and cable system, an improved squat stand, and more comfortable padding on the glide board. The device also comes with several handy accessories that add a new dimension to your workout: a Pilates kit that helps you improve your range of motion and balance; a leg pull accessory that works your quads, hamstrings, and other muscles; flexible nylon strap handles; and a wing attachment for toning various back and arm muscles. Combined, the accessories and glide board support up to 400 pounds, letting users with a variety of body types work on strength and stability.
The Total Gym XLS also comes with a complete line of workouts and workout tools, taking the guesswork out of getting into shape. The workouts and tools include:
The Total Gym XLS, which comes with a leg pull accessory, folds up compactly for storage. |
- Start It Up: An introductory Total Gym XLS workout
- 6-8 Minute Workout: 12 work-along workouts for men and women pressed for time
- Smart Training Workout: An efficient workout employing slow, precise movements to target specific muscles
- Pilates for Total Gym: Enjoy the incredible benefits of a Pilates workout without leaving the home
- Body Makeover for Total Gym: High-energy, high-powered workout
- Simple at-a-glance exercise wall chart with 35 exercises
- Total Gym training deck
- Dan Isaacson's nutritional program and meal plan
About Total Gym Total Gym made its initial mark in rehabilitation centers, where its main focus was aiding people recovering from physical injuries and obstacles. The device is the perfect rehabilitation tool for several reasons: the smooth, gliding motion is easy on the joints; the various height levels accommodate every fitness level; and the padded glide board provides excellent support for the back. After years of success in the rehabilitation field, the product's inventors introduced the product to Chuck Norris 30 years ago. Norris--who calls it his "lean, mean exercise machine"--still uses the Total Gym today as his primary home fitness device. Christie Brinkley has also been a devoted user for more than 10 years, and uses it to stay lean and fit even through two children and a hectic schedule.
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
This is not a complete review of the features and specifications of the Total Gym XLS. I have owned and used a Total Gym 1000 for 8 years, and finally purchased an XLS this year. This review includes my observations as a long-term Total Gym owner.
First: The Purchase Price
The 'regular' price is almost $2000. A smart consumer will watch the prices on Amazon and on Total Gym's website, because the machine regularly sells for less. Much less. The offers change everyday (and are almost always accompanied by "Offer Ends Today") but have been hovering around 50% of the regular price. Wait. Watch the totalgymdirect.com website. The prices sometimes drop to 60% off. Search for discount coupons on the internet. Many can be combined with the sale price, even when they say they cannot. I purchased mine for $774 with the ab attachment (after using a discount code). But later there was a 60% off sale, which combined with the $200 off discount code got the price down to under $600 with the ab attachment. I wish I had waited!
Next: The Qualities of the Machine.
Think what you will of Total Gym's pricing and marketing practices. The machine is excellent (but definitely NOT worth $2000!). I loved my 1000 model, and the XLS is better.
The real strengths of the Total Gym lie in its use of real weight (your body weight) rather than bands or rods for resistance. The feel is excellent and the exercises are perhaps more fun because you're moving (my primal brain loves the motion).
The adjustable resistance and configuration of the Total Gym make it possible for a person to undertake exercises they normally would not be able to do: pull ups and 'handstand' push ups with the included wing attachment for example. You can slowly improve and increase the weight over time (and add even more weight with the optional weight bar). I have seen great improvement as a result. The same is true of squats with the included squat board. You can slowly (or rapidly) build up your leg strength from a lower level. Hint: when you need even more resistance, start doing one leg squats with the weight bar on. Killer.
Optional Attachments:
I wouldn't necessarily purchase the press up bars (you can use the wing attachment) or the dip bars (you can work your triceps in other exercises. Try the inverted military press with the wing attachment.).
The weight bar is a necessity when you get beyond the highest setting on the machine (44% of your body weight). Total gym should wise up and provide retainer clips with the bar though. I can't believe they expect loose free weights to stay on the bar while you're moving! If you buy the bar, go to a fitness supply store and ask for the spring locks for a 1 inch weight bar. They should cost $5 for two. You might also want to find some spacers to keep the weights from rubbing against the vinyl on the glideboard. Two short pieces of 1 inch inside diameter pvc pipe work well.
The Ab Crunch attachment is definitely worth buying. I've been using it for three weeks. I'm up to three sets of 35 and my abs are finally turning into a proper six pack. I wish I had this years ago. Good bye regular crunches.
Some Exercises the Total Gym Does Not Do Well
The Total Gym is not really a 'total' gym. You would be well advised to purchase a set of dumbbells to use along with the machine. You can use the TG as a bench when you're using them.
Why do I recommend the dumbbells? The Total Gym bench press and chest fly exercises are too awkward to bother with. The cable/pulley position is not right for these exercises, and regardless of the manufacturer's claim that this awkwardness requires you to use all kinds of extra stabilizer muscles, the fact is, you cannot properly isolate the muscles you're trying to focus on.
The dumbells are also much better for bicep and tricep curls. And they're cheap!
Be Aware of the Length of the Machine / Be Careful to Avoid Injury!
Many reviewers have commented on this issue. It's well over 7 feet long unfolded. It will take up a great deal of space in a small room. You will also need a fair amount of space around the sides to allow for your arm movements with the cables during exercises. I leave mine setup, and it is basically THE item in my exercise room.
CAUTION: be careful if you're going to fold it. It is really easy to get your fingers caught in the wrong places. Even when you think you're safe, that glideboard suddenly moves! I've had a few painful pinches that could have been a lot worse if I hadn't reacted quickly.
CAUTION: if you have long hair, put it in a ponytail at the least! Your long hair WILL get caught in the wheels if you don't put it in an elastic. Guaranteed. ;)
Overall Impression
I bought the XLS after using the TG1000 for years. I don't regret the purchase at all, and I love the extra accessories. The machine is worth purchasing if you can get it at the reduced prices discussed above. If not, consider a used model or a lesser model. The 1000 model is still available online in Canada for about $160, shipping included (as of January 2011). QVC sells similar inexpensive models in the U.S.
