Total Gym XLS Trainer

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Total Gym XLS Trainer Review

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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.

Note: I've updated this review after 20 months of ownership (October 20, 2012).

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. You can see the results quite quickly. Ultimately, though, to get a visible six pack, I had to use the Total Gym as a slant board, doing sit ups while holding a 50 lb. free weight. Nothing's ever easy, is it?

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!

Clearly, experiences vary. In the comments, Jake wrote: "I used a total gym for years. I never found the chest or flys all that awkward. They take a little getting use to, but if you've ever used a cable machine in the gym for chest movements (a great piece of equipment) it's very similar. It takes a little practice to get it focused in on the chest, but so do dumbbells and barbells. I'm not saying the Total Gym is better than free weights, i'm just saying the above exercises on it are not worthless once you've had some practice at them."

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.

In the comments, Ed offered this excellent advice: "I'll add to your first CAUTION about the moving glideboard: inserting a short safety hitch pin into the storage hole on the lower end of the glideboard keeps it from moving when folding the TG XLS. Storing the unit is described in Step 2 on page 12 of the XLS Owner's Manual. Note: when not in use, the safety hitch pins can be stored in the hole slots at the bottom of the Training Deck Holder."

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. ;)

Quality - My Experience So Far (20 months in, as of October 2012).

Not long after I wrote this review, I noticed some very light indentations where the wing attachment presses against the rails. They are not in the roll zone (so the glide board doesn't roll over them) and have never increased in depth, despite the fact that I routinely use the total gym with an additional 145 lbs. on the weight bar (a total of about 330 lbs). Someone else mentioned similar dents in their review (and returned their machine), so I thought that it was worth mentioning that I had a similar, albeit better, experience.

Reviewer CRT had trouble with his wheels. Despite piling the weight onto mine, I haven't had that problem yet, so there must have been quality control problems that affect some units and not others. Obviously, your mileage may vary. The bearings in the wheels on my old 1000 model were still good after 8 years, but the surfaces of the wheels were pitted, so I make sure to wipe off the rails of the XLS occasionally to prevent that from happening. If you get pitting, you can feel it. If you need to replace any parts, I've seen nothing but good reviews about Huck Products. I've never used their parts myself though, so check out reviews of their products for yourself.

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.

I always see great deals on Craigslist, and if you live near a major city, a used machine is a great option. Find the owners manual online, make a parts list (so that you can ensure nothing is missing), and take someone with you when you go to see the machine for safety's sake.

Do I still use the Total Gym?

In the comments, a reader, Susan, asked me whether I still use the Total Gym. I do: "I still use the Total Gym every second day, and do cardio on the days between (with a day or two off every week -- sometimes work gets in the way!).... I use free weights as well, and I ended up buying a rack and bench system for bench presses and squats, because my wife thought I was going to drop the weights and kill myself one day. The thing is, I would never have gotten to lifting those heavy weights without the total gym, and the total gym is still best for about half of the weight training exercises I perform. I could use it for more of the exercises if I needed to, but since I have the weights, I use them." By the way, if you get to the point where you need a rack system, consider converting an old Soloflex machine for that purpose (Google "Soloflex Hybrid"). It's by far the least expensive option.
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This is my review from high rate, but you can see another review from this store and you can get this product with good service.