My name is Mike and I have been working in the fitness industry and higher education as a professor of Exercise Science for my whole adult life. I consider fitness one of my creative outlets to learn what I can and then make it my own. Hybrid resistance training is all about this mindset. I try to make the content here accessible to everyone and unique with products that I feature. I hope that you as well can make fitness fun and means of self expression. I sincerely hope that the content improves your quality of life, gives you more time to do what you love, increases performance, and makes adhering to physical fitness easy.
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So Mike, where would you recommend someone find a coach or trainer who's familiar with a Total Gym to guide them through it or even better, design a program around it?
What happened to the large Total Gym model that you got as a discount second hand?
@@theozwalter3009 it was off camera. I mentioned it super briefly at the start of the video. Just as behemoth to bring outside
In my last house, I had a bunch of commercial equipment I bought from a gym that went out of business and loved it, but it took up a ton of space honestly in my new house I don’t have near the space and I love my total gym. thanks to your videos, I added the weight bar and resistance bands, and it works perfect for all my needs.
I bought my total trainer maybe 30 years ago then got bored and mainly used for a clothes hanger. Then I got sciatica for.4 years. Luckily I stumbled on a workout with the total gym and it fixed me!!! 🎉🎉 I then got complacent again and sciatica returned. I started those exercises and while my back has been healing I found you. It has been great following your programs thank you so very much much. I hope you will continue with the total gym workouts . I have so enjoyed having the ability to to do safe workouts at home.
A quick Facebook Marketplace search shows boatloads of Total Gyms being sold at firesale prices. That would seem to validate the proposal that a lat of 'civilians' buy one, use it a few times, and then give up on it. The pandemic puppy of the exercise business?
Agreed get one for cheap best investment you can make
Still loving my total gym it gets good results. Very versatile piece of equipment
@@mrqualityreviewer4752 great to hear as I know you’re trying other things
I love this machine, I find I work out more and hit different angle on muscles that I can’t on plate machines. It also works the core on most exercises as a side benefit along with your stabilizing muscles. If you have ever gone from stationary type machine movements for a long time to working out with free weights you know what I mean. Although strong your stabilizing muscles will tremble trying to bench free weights until they get use to balancing the weight(will take weeks to get those stabilizing muscles up to task)
@@76v8jeep excellent points!
Legs work best by using 41”loop bands to augment. I just wrap them around the weight bar and the squat stand so the effect is like a hack squat
Yup....it requires that advanced mind muscle connection. Same for free weights though. If you don't know how a muscle moves or how to contract said muscle, it's just moving weight for no reason.
@@shawnpaulzuccarellorizzo thanks Shawn. An old saying, I heard “the body knows movements, not muscles” This is probably your shortest comment by the way! I’m always looking forward to what you’re gonna write when I see you post
I've used both the Total Gym and the Bowflex. The Total Gym is superior in every way.
Agreed I used a bowflex total gym beats it
@@DuncanL7979 100%
My two cents: I'm 73, woefully out of shape, no core strength, no flexibility, you name it. I bought a TG Extreme (sort of a baby TG) a few weeks ago off Marketplace. I quickly found out how intimidating the TG can be just to get OFF and ON. But - did I give it up? Nope - I just lowered my expectations on how quickly I would master it. As they say, "Slow and steady wins the day," and that's been my motto for the TG. I'm only doing a fraction of the exercises that are possible - but I'm building confidence, comfort and a sense of expertise with the machine. There will be plenty of time for complete mastery. In the meantime, I have something - at home - which will accept me at my own pace, let me learn while growing flexible and stronger, etc. The TG probably isn't for everyone, as you say. But for those who are willing to take their time, s-l-o-w down, and take it just a little piece at a time, it appears to be a good solution. I'm already looking for a good deal on a Fit or GTS on Marketplace. Thought I had found one; it fell through so the hunt continues.
As always , your content is spot on brtha💯…since my injury I had earlier- using this machine has really helped me to doing other things like lifting heavy and even going to the homegym con and competing. I love this thing so much, wife wants to get the newer Evolve model. That’ll prob be next year or something but overall, this machine is so underrated still.
@@IronMayne big Keith spouting truth as always. Always good to see you on here and pray the recovery is doing well.
@@hybridresistance blessed to be alive good brtha and to see your posts! Many blessing to you and the fam!🏋🏾♂️🙏🏿🙏🏿
@@IronMayne thank you my friend. God bless
it may take some time but IMO the Total Gym is totally worth it. I am not knocking other machines and the TG is my first real home Gym. Yes you have to be careful and there is a learning curve but Total Gym has plenty of how to videos on how to do the exercises but there is no end to variety. I have even found a different way to work the obliques that I didnt see in a video. If you put the effort into it I feel the Total Gym is totally worth it. A company that has been around for 50 years would not still be around if their product did not work. I like how it can be folded up and moved and does not take up a lot of space. Not to mention to many workouts here on youtube for free
@@MC7791 thanks Mike for sharing your experience. I know you are passionate about the machine.
I am 64 years old and have been only using bands for the past 8 years and have gained more muscle than ever. I have been working out with weights most of my life, since I was 14 years old , you can actually do all exercises that one does with machines and free weights plus a lot more with bands. You can do exercises, depending on who you grab and use bands, that are actually a lot more effective than free weights. Also is not fair that you picked James Garage to show that he is for only profiting from his line of bands. He has been teaching the proper way of using bands way before he started his own line of bands. Also he has never been hiding that fact that you can buy his bands. Thanks.
At 59, I find the TG fits where I’m at in my life. Between the TG, a pair of dumbbells and an adjustable bench, I’m good to go.
@@ScottyDan can’t deny that combo. The adjustable dumbbells open up so many more doors alongside the TG.
For the Total Gym, it takes a bit of skill to get the mechanics down - but once you develop those skills, you will discover a wide verity of exercise options. Lots of potential, and mostly thanks to you and your channel, Mike!
@@MyHomeGym_ don’t sell yourself short Larry, you’re doing awesome stuff over there with the machine and the channel. Thanks again, brother.
Hi Mike , The one thing about exercise and equipment is not just going through the motions . It's how you use it and using your imagination and thinking about the time under tension and internalizing muscle building . Slow , steady , squeezing the muscles your using . That's my favourite way of doing exercise . I use a suspension trainer , Bull worker , 5 kg weighted ball . I use my ball and just throw it up in the air in front of my head about 100 times and my arm muscles are killing me . I do slow intense squats with it . I do h.i.t.with it . I am waiting for the flexicon machine to come out and I think I will buy one as a lifetime purchase . ( Thanks to you for doing the video on that . ) I do use bands as well . I try just to get the most of what I have using my imagination . I looked at that machine you did in you last video but it's not available in the UK . I was interested in that . I read the comments on Amazon and there were some issues but overall people did like using it . Thanks again . 👍
Has anyone had any shoulder issues using the TotalGym? I have had mine for four years now but have since developed some shoulder pain. The constant reaching back and pulling on the cables could be the cause. Then again I also add additional weight to the weight bar. Never had any issues with free weights. I love the machine. I still use it till this day . I used to go the gym 5 days a week but bow I prefer to workout from home and the machine allows me to get the most out of my workouts. I do have other equipment to supplement the TotalGym since it has its limitations but it serves t's purpose.
@@davidhernandez846 you can definitely overdo it with the total gym and I’ve learned that a time or two. That’s where I personally feel having other equipment keeps things interesting, and also avoids any repetitive stress injuries, regardless of machine
Thanks Mike!! As with everything, people always want the one-stop-shop panacea for anything. Keep up with the videos!
Thanks so much Edward
I suggest attaching hand grips to the Total Gym handles with snap links so you can use Eugen Sandow's Theory of Grip Compression with most of the Total Gym exercises. Eugen Sandow is known as "The Father of Modern Bodybuilding". The Sandow Trophy, which is given to each year's winner of The Mr. Olympia Professional Bodybuilding Contest, is named for Eugen Sandow. Sandow created adjustable spring grip dumbbells to use grip compression as a form of progressive overload. However, you can do the same thing with regular handgrips. Variety is a good thing that both Vladimir Zatsiorsky and Louie Simmons advocated to prevent "accommodation", or your muscles becoming accustomed to whatever method of progressive resistance that you are using. I use my Total Gym for Repeated Effort Method exercises, that is training nonmaximal loads to failure or for Submaximal Effort Method exercises (using nonmaximal loads for high reps. Both methods are best to develop muscular size and endurance. The Total Gym is also good for static holds, pauses, and eccentric training, because you will be using a nonmaximal load whenever you use it. To better understand how to use the Total Gym for home gym exercises, I highly recommend reading Louie Simmons' book, WESTSIDE BARBELL BOOK OF METHODS and Vladimir Zatsiorsky's classic text, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF STRENGTH TRAINING. Louie Simmons' Conjugate Method of Strength Training calls for rotating strength training exercises often, as as often as once a week. Total Gym can be used as a form of conjugate strength training, even though Louie Simmons intended to use it for powerlifting exercises. For instance, if you do triceps extensions on the Total Gym while gripping the hand grips (as attached as described above), the number of reps you can do will be drastically reduced, and you'll definitely feel in more muscles because using grip compression as a method of progressive overload will force you to use the Law of Muscular Irradiation, which refers to when a muscle is hard at work, it will recruit its neighboring muscles, and if they are already part of the action, it will amply their strength. Thus, not only will you feel your finger flexors contracting, you will also be contracting your forearms, biceps, and even your chest muscles. There is a huge difference between doing Total Gym exercises with and without using grip compression to make Total Gym exercises harder to do.
I’m 59 years old been a diabetic for over 30 years, was on 2 insulin’s/ now on one and victoza which is like a Ozempic. Been on keto and carnivore diet for just over 2 years. Started the x3 beginning of the year but stop for about 4 months because of an injury not from x3 . I’m starting back now and tips on the x3 ? , my goal is to get close to you and dr Jaquish 😂 , can I do more than one set to gain muscle faster ?
Yeah mines great XLi model. Don’t use it all the time as I prefer x3 and bands attached to my pull up station as I don’t have to unfold & put away. Hopped on tg for a back workout other day & it was bloody brilliant & I was sore in a good way & new I had an ace workout, I have to attach bands of course to get resistance I need. Legs I find ok as it’s not 2 taxing on the knees doing squats & calf raises then finish off with x3 squats & calves for the full burn
Thanks man. The bands are a perfect compliment to a total gym for sure, especially in the legs.
Facts brother 💪💪💪
Thanks man.
Everything you said makes sense. It's much easier for somebody who has been working out for many years to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a Total Gym. For some exercises, like seated rows, the TG works great without changes/adjustments/extra equipment. Others work better with variations or supplemental equipment. Still others are best suited to completely different devices like barbells or dumbbells. For those who are experienced, it's fairly easy to recognize what works and what doesn't and to make the necessary changes.
Excellent insightful comment as always Kris. If you've got some experience already, you'll start discovering right away the stuff that really works well on the machine.
I think it all comes down to a person's adaptability and experience. The more coordinated a person is, the more balance they have; the easier it is for them to pick things up. But I agree if a person doesn't know what the muscles should feel like and good form it can be a tough learning curve and might create a negative experience. I've been training for over 15 years so it was easy and natural for me to adjust to the Total Gym. But my wife who is untrained recently played with it and picked up most of the exercises pretty good with only a small form correction here or there from me. But my wife learns things easy and is willing to take some time to get something down, so a part of your personality makes a difference for sure. For completely untrained individuals, yeah it might not be the best place to get started. I will wish I had this device back when I was a teenager training at home. Thanks again Mike for sharing your experience with the Total Gyms, its made a big difference in my training overall.
Thank so much Taylor. Awesome to hear both you and your wife are taking advantage of it.
You talk about what might or might not be best for "the average person." But WHICH "average person?" Real AVERAGE persons don't work out at all, and of those, some decide at some point for some reason to begin an exercise regimen. The array of huge, heavy and expensive gym-quality machines displayed behind you in your garage are definitely NOT for "average persons," or even for most people who want to work out. They just buy gym memberships to access such equipment. I was 44 when I first bought a Total Gym. I had never been an exerciser, (though I was a regular speed walker at the time). I had recovered from leukemia the previous year, and I decided to do something to build up my body. I looked into free weights, but I became aware of the possibility of serious injuries with those tools. I didn't want to join a gym. I was caught by the TG informercials, particularly Chuck Norris' claim he had been using the TG for 20 years. I know celebrites endorse products for the pay, and they may not ever touch the product they're endorsing. However, I had the impression of Norris as being an honest person, and I couldn't believe he would claim to be a 20-year user of the TG if it was not true. (It WAS true.) With that in mind, I bought a Total Gym, not the infomercial model current in 1999, but one of their higher end TGs. I received it, I studied the exercise book and watched the three Paul Chek video tapes included demonstrating how to use the TG. I used it, and I used it, and I came to think it was the best thing since toasted bread! I still think so. I moved a few years ago, and I wasn't sure we would have room for the TG in our new location, so it didn't come with us. But, after a couple of years, I missed having a TG, and last year I bought the TG Fit at a great price from QVC. I'm back to it at age 68 and loving it. I AM the "average person." I'm not a gym rat, I didn't spend my life lifting weights or seeking to build a ripped body...and neither do most people. The people who dismiss the TG, (and expecially those who WOULD purchase the huge, heavy, expensive weight machines such as seen in your garage) are NOT the "average person." They are a minority, and they want what is specific to their particular goals (and is influenced by their immersion in the body-building community). I ASSERT that the Total Gym IS the PERFECT one-stop solution for the "average people" who do want to work out and get strong, but who do not have the time or money or dedication to turn their homes into semi-professional weight studios. The TG is compact, foldable, movable, affordable, and versatile. It easily fits into anyone's home or apartment. The exercises that some might think are lacking on the TG--legs, it seems--can be performed without any equipment: just do standing squats! But, you can do one-legged squats on a TG to add intensity--not something most people can do in a typical standing squat position--and adding weight plates to the TG for regular squats, or doing plyometric jump squats, (with or without weights added)does give a challenging legs workout, especially for the "average people" who just want to become limber and stronger overall. In short, the TG is GREAT, and I believe it is the perfect single tool for ANYONE seeking to work on their strength and overall body improvement. BRAVO TOTAL GYM!
You nailed it. Total Gym is great but ...
Being someone who has been powerbuilding for the past 5 to 6 years with a dedicated home gym, I would definitely say that the Total Gym is such an underrated and under appreciated product. It is a very effective training tool. I’ve felt more comfortable working on things like flyes and pullups on it than I do with traditional methods. Plus, the main features I love-the safety aspect of it and the ability to work through true failure without risking injury.
Great points. And yes, for sure the bodybuilding aspects are there if people want that.
I have the Total Gym XLS and I also have the older gloss black Powertec leverage gym. They both have different benefits, and both are well made machines.
Those two definitely complement each other no question!
I miss my total gym. I had to get rid of it since I was moving cross country but I think I’ll get one soon. I always see them on sale
Got many stories of people who sold to then buy again a TG.
There is a lot of stuff you can do on TG just laying on it. Or sitting indian style. For HIIT cardio is excellent! Arms excellent, shoulders & back excellent. For slow HIT it's excellent. For chest and legs is just ok. Not married to my TG still find myself getting on it 1-3 times a week! This is with have access to 2 gyms and an X3! TG is by far the most fun piece of exercise equipment I've ever been on! Will always own one!
Thanks Buddy! One thing I failed to mention in the video is that a sliding bench trainer would be worth alone for the outdoor workouts. Forgot how great those feel with that sun.
I'm 58 now, and I love my total gym!
Love it Keith. Which model do you have?
@@hybridresistance XLS. Love the smooth flow from one exercise to the next!
Interesting video. In my personal opinion, if you stick with the basics, the learning curve is relatively short on a TG. I will grant that some of the more "creative" movements you've come up with over the years require a little bit more coordination and balance; but I don't think those are the movements someone who is brand new to the space are going to be jumping straight into. I also don't think (again, just my personal opinion) that comparing it to the ease of using a piece of gym equipment that is specifically designed to work one muscle group is truly analogous. If someone has the space to house all of the gym equipment you have, the time to drive to a commercial gym, or the finances for either (a refurb or used TG can be found pretty cheap, comparatively), then I think they would do those things instead of getting a TG or other SBT. Anyway, I know that was a fairly specific and short point of the video to hone in on; but it jumped out at me and it's a slow morning at the office with many people getting ready for vaca, so I thought I'd chime in. Anyway, I appreciate the videos, the reviews, and all the content. Have a great weekend!
For sure. As much as I've shown a bunch of novel (albeit some cumbersome) exercises, you know my core stuff is only about 5-10 exercises. Here's a link for anyone who's never seen my general foundation workout kzread.info/dash/bejne/gop90dKwaKvWqsY.html Thanks so much for that comment, great points all around.
Was a gym rat for almost 30 years… invested in a Total Gym at the first lockdown. Transitioned easily and the advantages of working out from home, never again having the possibility of overreaching government attempting to handcuff my health and fitness, is all the motivation I need to stay creative in the uses and possibilities with my TG. 🙏
Love that that comment and story. Thank so much for sharing.
You have progressed to showing other equipment on you're channel which is cool to. But I remember you're new wave bodybuilding video and you looked jacked as hell. You proved it is great. For legs add a weight bar.
Thanks Mike! I still stand by that "new wave" philosophy as I'd say a typical session with or without a TG is still a little unorthodox to most people's typical routine in the home gym.
Mike the Total Gym is just that a Total Gym. It is time proven. It had changed very little over the years and has stood the test of time that it is still around today. So many exercise machines have come and gone. The Total Gym is still standing. I had mine from the early 90's like the one Chuck Norris endorsed in the back of martial arts magazines. It did take a bit to get used to using it but after that it was a blast to use. Coming from free weights. I could get a fast effective work out with it every time. If you are going for size then noting will beat free weights. However, if you want to stay fit and flexible and gain some size the Total Gym can get the job done. I have to say Mike when I stumbled on to your channel; you have taken the Total Gym to the next level showing us stuff most people would not even think was possible on this machine. I want to thank you for that. On a serious note, Total Gym should have you doing their infomercial with the master himself, Chuck Norris. I think they would almost double their sales if people could see what is possible with this amazing machine.
Too kind Vinny. You're one of the classic supporters/watchers on the channel and I always appreciate you my friend. I'll never rid of my Chuck Norris "signature series"!
After being a gym rat as a young guy I tried the total gym in my forties, and once I got the hang of it I realized only my lack of imagination could stop me from doing what I needed. But it's all about what you put into it.
You got it Lou! Using that God given creativity I know that you're good at.
Absolutely spot on mike. That's a perfect way to put it. I will also say you looked your absolute best hands down when you were using the total gym outside a few summers ago with just the addition of a vest and a few bands.
I think you've told me that before. I'll take the hint that I've let myself go! Well, I'll see if I get it back as I kick back in the outdoor sliding bench training workouts.
@@hybridresistanceLOL I didn't mean it that way. I would kill to have your physique. I just mean you looked your best while using the least amount of equipment.
@@mugman2582 haha I took offense my man. But I’m trying to get down a bit in weight and go back to my older style of random splits.
I agree 100% the total gym has its own learning curve on top of learning the movement’s , and how to perform them properly. It’s marketed to people that have never been to the gym, don’t know anyone named Jim, and they have never even bothered to google what a gym even is. It took me almost 2 years to figure everything out, proper posture, angles of resistance etc..but it’s still the best at home cable machine, or general piece of equipment that someone could buy, especially in the small space department. And at different price points. God bless bro.
Thanks Greg (correct me if I got that wrong) as always. The best clients I've worked with are the ones that want to keep learning and realize the conversation or program alone won't get you very far, but dialing in the movements that work for their needs/goals. God bless to you as always.
I have the GR8FLEX which is a knock off of the Total Gym. I'm so glad i found it cause, imo it is a better machine. Its cheaper yet really solidly built with quality materials. It has bands under the slide and is higher for greater resistance. The only thing missing is the weight bar, but i guess GR8FLEX thinks that the resistance bands under the slide is a better alternative. It's higher as i said but the rails are also longer which helps out tall people and allows a greater stretch. I'm 6'3" and have no trouble with bottoming out. It's worth taking a look.
@@hybridresistance it’s Lou, keep up the great content
I must be one of those rare ones that just get it right away. Lucky me.
Or just one of the patient ones who didn't give up on it! That's probably the biggest one.
It's weird how there's now a strong divide between, Arnold vs Mike Reminds me of Tesla vs Edison There can only be 1 , king
Great summary and review! I saw your other video on the GMWD. I ended up going with the Powertec a few months ago because of the versatility of the bench. Being able to lock in to the gym for stability and even placement is key. Being able to adjust the seat (4 settings) and also slide the bench forward and back (10 settings) is great.
Iron and still must still be up, if they’re using cement or sand filled piates
You have access to a full range cable chest press (that’s a good thing) and you spend time doing partial range “bench presses” and…pushups(?) on this machine? Funny. For real though, great, essential video.
I use Powerblocks (adjustable dumbbells) and a Gorilla Bow with heavy resistance bands. I’m 64 and this is all I really need to maintain strength. I also walk a few miles each day.
I love it my friend. That's a solid mix right there for overall fitness. Thank you for sharing.
You, my friend, have to understand the reality of those who have no or limited movement in their lower extremities. You looked like you had just stepped out of the gym for the last 10 years. However, I have not been to the gym in the last 15 years due to osteoarthritis in both of my hips. In the last 4 months, I have developed a workout program with resistance bands from Reebok that includes a complete workout program for those like myself who can only stand for a short period of time; including a complete upper body workout while sitting in a chair, and for those who are confined to a wheelchair. This will open up a whole new market when it comes to working out with resistance bands. Trust me, you will be amazed with the innovative exercises that are available to those who can not move about and to those who are totally immobilized due to lower body disabilities.
when are you going to build a large ADU GYM?
I got this bar. I think it's great
Could you do something like lateral raises with these given the side rails?
Yes, unlike a power block which will want to hang down, these will feel like a dumbbell.