3 months ago, I made a comment on this video. Today I am proud to say that I'm consistently using my machine and I'm loving the results. I'm 56 years young and I'm stronger, more energetic and my positivity levels are going through the roof. All good things to report especially during this Covid pandemic. I highly recommend this machine 👌. Hopefully, I'll comment again in another 3-6 months. 👍👍😎😎🏆

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

I remember that, hard to forget Rockin Shocking Williams! Awesome to hear that you're feeling so good. Wishing you all the best.

@steviem5279

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear. I purchased the Total Gym FIT signature series that they were selling on QVC during the Christmas season, and they price they had was much cheaper than getting it on the Total Gym website. I'm 52 years old and just started working out again and I could not be happier with the Total Gym...sure there are pro's and cons to all these gyms but, I am looking to stay fit and this does the trick. Some people say you can't get a good chest workout in but, I do the chest exercises with the weight bar and some plates plus a weighted vest and IMO it does a great job and I also incorporate a pushup routine as well when I do workout the chest that does hit the pecs nicely. For me, the one thing I noticed is that there seems to be less wear and tear on the joints which is a good thing. Overall, I love the Total Gym and I am happy I purchased it.

@YouTubeUzername

Жыл бұрын

Updates?

@terrywarchief5647

Жыл бұрын

I am at 5 and I half months now. I'm loving it and I love Mike's channel.

I appreciate your review. you seem to be the only review I've seen that appeared unbiased and was truly helpful.

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hey dude your arms are impressive. I tuned into this video because I'm getting older and I've noticed that this machine looks simple and effective. Thanks for this nice video. 👍💪🙂

Completely agree with your comments. Thanks for posting

This video really helped me. Thanks so much.

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

I lost 17 pounds since March with my Total Gym XLS. I purchased the weight bar attachment and I added weight plates to it. My biceps are getting bigger and my triceps are getting harder, my arms and shoulders are getting bigger. My goal isn’t to be a bodybuilder like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I love my Total Gym. There’s pros and cons to every exercise equipment. I work out for 90 minutes-2 hours 5 days/week. I got the Cyclo Trainer for my legs. It’s like you’re sprinting. I don’t know who is saying that you can’t build muscle on this, I am. I doubt that it’ll make you big as the Rock.

@philippiansfourseven

3 жыл бұрын

I got my XLS yday and love it as well. This piece of equipment it very slept on. Where did you get the weight bar attachment from?

@chaboi7

10 ай бұрын

I'm 5'10 and 315, I had this thing before but I was also into hiking with a heavy bag and swimming and I was pretty dang big at around 285, kinda like a medium Brock Lesnar build so what I'm saying is that it depends on your actual build because I grow muscle for no reason

I'm catching up on a lot of your older videos and enjoying it. I like the way you describe muscle growth in this video.

@hybridresistance

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Terry. You can see my production was not the best and is a work in progress.

@terrywarchief5647

Жыл бұрын

@@hybridresistance Yes, your improvement in not just your production you have also found a groove and have made good progress body wise.

Great way to add weight to a total gym or a similar machine is to use a weight vest or ankle weights

@philippiansfourseven

3 жыл бұрын

You can actually purchase the weigh kit that total gym makes. It's weight bar that you insert in the holes on the bottom of the sliding pad and then you add the weight plates and secure them with weight clips...it similar to what leg press machines look like at the gym.

@GoLakers3900

3 жыл бұрын

Save money by putting something heavy in a backpack and wear it while working out. Just saved you $50. You're welcome.

I appreciate the videos and dedication to make them for us. TTG all day every day.

@hybridresistance

2 жыл бұрын

Pleasure is all mine. I greatly appreciate that the information is helpful. Thank you for watching.

I'm re-visiting this video after having owned and used the total gym for a year and a half, and my answer to the question in the title of this video is........ YES!!!!!!!! This machine is a marvel for training arms, shoulders, back and abs (with the proper accessory). I agree with another comment that stated that it's mediocre for training chest however. That's because the direction the resistance is coming from (the pulleys), is generally too low. So when you're doing the pushing motion, there's too much of an upward component, forcing the shoulder to take most of the load. That's the biggest drawback. There is a fix for that, by taking off the pulley on the glideboard, so you're sitting in a much lower position relative to the two handle pulleys. That way, the resistance is more at the level of the chest horizontally. You also have to set the resistance highest, all the way to 12 for the FIT, level 6 for the XLS). That's the only way to get a good pump in the chest, I found. But if you're not strong enough to handle that high of a resistance, then that may not work for you. In which case, it would be better to just do push-ups, which is the exact same pushing motion. And training legs....also not the best, but decent. If you can put on some plate weight however, the TG will be pretty good. But overall, I have muscles popping in places I never knew I had LoL, especially in my back and shoulders. I don't use any other fitness equipment - no resistance bands, no dumbbells/barbells, no cable machines, no gym, period - and I'm seeing great results. And for EXCELLENT, science-based information on how best to train (how heavy, how many sets/reps, diet and nutrition, etc), I would recommend Jeremy Ethier's channel. I followed his tips but used the TG, and the results are fantastic.

I have only had my Total Gym for a week, but can say that I am feeling muscle burn that I wasn't feeling recently with free weights. I bought the weight bar so that I can add standard weights to my XLS. You could also just as easily put a kettlebell or dumbbell on the board with you (I've sat it on my lap, held with legs, etc). I have an extensive home gym in my basement and bought the XLS to get workouts in on breaks while working remotely during the pandemic (wife's office in the basement). I didn't expect to like the thing so much. There are some range of motion exercises that I can do on the Total Gym with the pulleys that I cannot do on my other home gym equipment. I've been lifting for years and I am absolutely convinced that you can build muscle on this type of gym. It's certainly better than bands for me. Real resistance, body weight plus weight plates.

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

That's great to hear and good info. I'll definitely be considering a Total Gym if my ultimate body works breaks.....and if I can get a decent price for it.

@ajrockinshockin2893

3 жыл бұрын

I'm loving my machine. Going on 3rd week, no injuries, just feeling stronger and sleeping better already.

@DickRileyTheConquistador

7 ай бұрын

​​@@hybridresistanceI guess im confused by this video since the Weider has resistance bungy cords, and even the overpriced TotalGym (basic model) you can simply lay a dumbbell or a wt plate on the pad with you adding more weight combined with putting the elevation to the top.

You can do one arm at a time too. Sit with legs out to the side and use one arm for bicep curls. Waaaay more tension.

You can increase the difficulty by blocking up the front end. My version came with a foot stand so you can do a simple squat/pistol squat. Will you look like Arnold? No. But it works with consistency and eating right.

@philippiansfourseven

3 жыл бұрын

Do you have a video of this?

I have a total gym! I’m also getting a squat rack and when I get that I will do the compound lifts with my squat rack and the isolation lifts on the total gym. A complete set up!

Just starting my total gym and want to learn all I can about it. Thanks for the info 👍

@hybridresistance

2 жыл бұрын

No problem. Definitely check out my newer videos .

Total Gym fit is a great machine and you can insert a bar to add resistance

I use the bungee cords to ad resistance

What kind of splits do you do, and how many sets and reps and how many times per week? I have been doing a 20 minute workout 5 days per week total body and wondering if that is an effective way to workout I don't take long breaks in between.. I'm 50 and my goal is to trim down about 15-20 lbs.

@hybridresistance

4 жыл бұрын

I do most of my resistance training by feel, but I pretty much do Monday / Thursday upper body and Tuesday/Friday Lower body. Everything is fairly higher volume 8-20 rep range with probably 3-5 sets on an exercise. On a given workout I'll probably do about 5-8 exercises. But I'm really not trying to hit any particular rep/set range, just again going by feeling. Workouts usually last about 45-60minutes, sometimes less. Granted there's some time going through my music and time between sets. Not knowing exactly what you're doing, I'd say you're on a good track. To lose 15-20 lbs, I'd keep up the exercise but realize it's lilikey not going to be a huge driver in weightloss. Just try to make subtle caloric restrictions (and most importantly that you can adhere to). I like to point people to a book "Forever Fat Loss". That book goes over many of the minor details that are involved with losing weight IMO.

Thanks for the great review. I just purchased this machine and can't figure out how to fully extend the frame. I have tried raising it and lowering it but that doesn't extends the frame. I can see in your machine that the distance between the handlebar and the edge of the seat where you put your head is about 4 feet - Mine is about 2 feet only and that is why the handle straps and the pulley cable are hanging down from the handle, almost touching the bottom of the floor. I would be thankful to you if you could tell me how to fix this - I must be missing a step or be doing something wrong that is not letting me fully extend it.

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comments JM. To extend the machine you should need to flip it over and then there's a spring loaded pin to pull that's under the sled frame. There you can pull it it out to extend the machine. I forget if you had to install this piece or not when setting it up. This pin sometimes comes off and I have to screw it back on, so it's possible that maybe it fell off.

@JM-qd1jh

3 жыл бұрын

@@hybridresistance Thanks for the explanation. It helped me figure it out and I was able to expand it.

I just bought mine from winner for $148 and I love it, again my gym now you need a passport so I had to get something . Looking forward to it.

Imo this is the absolute best home workout gym you can have. I swear by this thing. I’ve built plenty of mass with it. There are certain things you can do to get plenty of resistance.

It makes sense that you should be able to build muscle with the machine, the principle seems similar to a gymnast who uses body weight and they have pretty impressive muscle development. Especially seems reasonable the way you were going slow, increasing time under tension each rep and concentrating on your biceps at the 5 min mark or so. I'm curious about the exact opposite as well. Could you go very light resistance move around to multiple exercises for say 30-40 minutes and use it for steady static cardio too?

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Great points. I actually thought about showcasing a "cardio" workout. But you definitely can just go light and extend the workout. When I'm not paying attention to time, that unintentionally happens in my workouts.

“Just your body weight” I’ve heard that before. And then I think “hm, I blew up doing pull ups and dips on my power tower”. Anyways, I’ve gotten to failure incredibly quickly when I prop my total gym up on a table! Make sure it’s stabilized and boom, you just added another 20 degrees of resistance!

As long as you add resistance to a muscle it will respond only thing is total gym isn't good for is legs and chest I use this in my routine with bands another day and weights another day it's good for your core because what ever exercise you do on it brings your stomach muscles into it

Is this worth investing in or is a gr8flex worth more than double the price?

@hybridresistance

7 ай бұрын

The GF and TG FIT are objectively better, but honestly you can get great results from cheaper versions (or used works too). Just another tool in the tool box.

Imo the totalgym is awesome for people who do not exercise. Ok for people who are decently fit and want to keep active and it sucks for people looking to make a serious change in their buddy unless you buy the pro version for top dollars.

What kind of total gym is that? Im.looking to purchase I want the best one with the most work outs I can get .

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

It's a Weider Ultimate Body Works. I link it below but I also compare it to my total gym in this video kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZqdkqNqbad2Tc5M.html

I have the total gym fit plus a whole garage gym. I hate the chest exercises on it this thing. I never can feel a good pump. Could be because I can't leverage forward because I'm sitting on my ass. But everything else is great. With that said no cable machine beats freeweights not even a functional trainer which I have also.

What is the weight limit on the wieder total body gym

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

It says 250lbs but there's people on my channel that say it can hold more than that no problem.

How do you exercise your legs in this machine?

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

I'd refer you to my channel playlist on "lower body workouts" to show you some workouts in which I incorporate this machine.

Get a total gym XLS or Fit. You can then add a weight bar and barbell plates. Then do regular body building exercises. Your muscle don't know if you're working on a Total Gym, free weights, machines or cables.

@vedder10

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly I can't believe people still don't understand that resistance is resistance whether it's a 5lb rock or 5lb weight plate.

I do not like just using one device. I like a variety. That way I do not get bored. Plus I am 52. I want to start gradually. I just want to he fit. I feel like I can not not do things I used to do without being in pain.

I have been consistently using the basic old cheapest version of the Total Gym for 5 years, along with under 200lbs of free weights, and a recumbent bike. Now at 49, I didn’t expect to become Arnold Swarzenegger, but I at least look fit and get compliments from time to time that I look good. If you want to look like you didn’t let yourself go and eat a crap ton of Krispy cremes, then yeah total gym is great. Want to look like Arnold, go to a gym.

At the end of the day I guess this machine is better then nothing...

@vedder10

3 жыл бұрын

It really depends on your goals. If you want to be lean and build nice muscular endurance than this is a fantastic machine. If you are trying to look like The Rock then you should be looking at a gym. Proof of this is looking at the results of groups like Total Gym addicts which is an independent group of people who trade stories and workout routines. They(we) love our machines and have gotten great results. In the end resistance is resistance and how you train and eat is more important than what you used to train on.

@TheCentralflorida

3 жыл бұрын

At the beginning of the day too.

@ajrockinshockin2893

3 жыл бұрын

@Sandro Gonzalez you bet brother. I'm enjoying my workouts on this machine. I also have a Soloflex that I've owned for years. It's also a great piece of equipment and my 20 year old Son loves it. He's put on quite a bit of muscle using it. I love this Weider machine because I can transition from one body part to the next quickly.

Can you get abs using the total gym

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it can definitely work your abs, put I'd say that it more depends on diet than any machine

What's the best full body workout for a man over 50 to help lose weight

@moboutmen

3 жыл бұрын

A woman under 30

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

I know this isn't the answer you want to hear, but I'd focus more on a diet with consistent resistance training and walking. Not that exercise doesn't play a role, but focusing on exercise to lose weight can at be counter productive. Also I do have a video on weight loss and this machine as well on my channel.

@jimbowman3369

3 жыл бұрын

@@hybridresistance thanks for reply and info

I would honestly rather just get a pair of adjustable dumbells tbh

@hybridresistance

Жыл бұрын

I made a lot of videos since this one and addressing this same comment in a recent one here kzread.info/dash/bejne/mYt9wdlpYq_YXcY.html

@ukguy

Жыл бұрын

@@hybridresistance ok thanks

I never asked: How do you usually set resistance for yourself? Do you have a way to translate the resistance to pounds? Or do you just work out based on getting in the 15 reps or so per workout without worrying about weight/tower height? And how do you keep track of your progress?

@hybridresistance

2 жыл бұрын

I really just go to feeling on each set. On average I'd say it's somewhere between 10-20 reps. I also don't pay too much attention where the tower is set other than just increasing/decreasing when I need to. The same goes for progress, I really just go off what I'm seeing in the mirror. Mainly I might manipulate training/diet based the goal.

hell, this guy's a major hottie STUD!! ♥ think i'm gonna get the Weider bodyworks just because of him ;)

@ajrockinshockin2893

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly, he's a stud. Tell him to keep away from my girlfriend. 🤣🤣🤣

@oneuglygeek9516

3 жыл бұрын

@@ajrockinshockin2893 LOL glad you think so too, sir :)

Steel think resistence bands are better

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

I'll check them out

@tristanhnl

3 жыл бұрын

I have both the total gym and resistance bands, and there are pros and cons to both (like with anything in life). The pros to resistance bands are their portability, being lightweight, and compactness for super easy storage. The cons include the fact that there are many instances where if you need more resistance, you can stack the bands, but you eventually start getting pulled in. Lat pull-downs is the perfect example. During the time I used bands only, I had to literally put books, or milk jugs filled with water, or some other heavy object in a backpack and put it on, to help keep myself down. Otherwise when I start pulling the bands down, they pull me up at the same time. Also, having inconsistent resistance across one rep can be an issue. If you start off the rep with a resistance that's not too heavy, it will be extremely heavy by the time you're near the end of the rep. That can lead to improper form and/or not being able to complete a rep. I've found that to be the case with rowing, shoulder presses, and few other exercises. Maybe it's just me, but that's my experience. When I started on the TG, it helped eliminate virtually all the disadvantages of bands. The TG is incredible for pull-ups, which is helpful for those who can't do a standard vertical pull-up. I've been doing pull-ups on the TG for a little less than a month, and when I wash my hands in the bathroom (my arms slightly outward), I get a view of my lats in the mirror, and they are already noticeably bigger/wider. I am more than pleased with my progress so far. I've also had phenomenal results with the shoulder press. My arms have also gotten stronger and a bit bigger. The disadvantages of the TG are of course its size and cost. It does fold up and that's nice, but when it's fully set-up it takes up a good amount of space. And it can be costly, upwards of $1000 depending on the model and accessories. I'm more than willing to pay a premium for this piece of equipment, because it works really well and does what it's advertised to do, and the build quality is excellent. Sorry I wrote a bit much, but that's my 2 cents.

Can you work your abs?

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

Yes you can. I do have some core workouts using this machine on my channel.

@haterboy1834

3 жыл бұрын

@@hybridresistance can you pretty much do a full body workout on this machine

Don't know why ppl would think you need an external load to build muscle - gymnasts don't, and they're in better shape than anyone at the gym lol =P

Yes you can build muscle, get stronger bungees and lift slower much slower

You should have demonstrated and not just talked. I'm a woman and wanting to build muscle tone not Mass and I felt like this video was a waste of my time cuz all I heard you doing is talking and sitting there

@hybridresistance

3 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry you felt that way, but I have numerous videos on my channel that are dedicated to workouts. Also the difference between "mass" and "muscle tone" is essentially synonymous with the context of this video and machine. There is no difference between "muscle mass" and lean muscle tone. If you build muscle, you build muscle. The difference on how this looks is diet, genetics, body fat percentage, and other variables.

@MommaBearsCorner

3 жыл бұрын

wow. clearly this is not a training video. lol it was an overview. just kind of rude. need to read, listen to too hon. so many videos on what you seeking, so why just make neg comments on someone sharing what they are sharing. Be grateful people share here some what they do too. if its NOT what you looking for, then search again vs putting people down so fast. just a thought. Its not always easy to put yourself out there to begin with. appreciation is always a good thing