Anyone own a Total Gym?

I

IGTamayo

Cathlete
Hello Catheites, do any of you own a Total Gym and have you had successes with it? I'm asking because they are being introduced at the sports facility where I go for physical therapy and although they haven't been set up for our use yet, I've used mine since 1999. I recall the first time I used it with the 8 minute workout tape, talk about sore - I expected it since your body weight is the resistance. I'm finding more and more workouts to do with it since I can't do any high impact(stepping) for a while until I am totally pain free and healed from a screwed up knee operation this past October. I did order the pilates attachments that are now available since I am doing pilates as part of my therapy. Looking forward to reading about your successes.

Take care,

Iris
 
Yes, I have one, tucked away nicely in my workout equipment closet. I purchased it when it first came out. I used it and used it, but did not really notice any results. I do think it's excellent if you have an injury though. Then along came Cathe.....


Susan C.M.
 
My DH has one very similar to the total gym and he says that it has helped him to build muscle, however he does put it on a very steep incline to achieve the resistance that he needs. I have tried it a few times, but I find working out to videos to be a lot more fun and motivating!

Josie
 
My sister has a very basic model in her basement and whenevr I visit I'm always playing with that thing. It does a good job for upper body and I like the pull ups for back work and the inverted shoulder press a lot! It's also difficult to ignore it if it's right there near the TV. But I have no clue what it does for lower body.
 
Hi Josie, RACH

Even though I don't use it on a very high inclin, I am able to insert a bar and some plates to it making the resistance even harder. It does give me a good aerobic workout and as the infomercial indicates, I am engaging my core for all the exercises. I am curious as to how other owners incorporate it with a rotation.

Take care,

Iris
 
Hi Iris,

Well before I went crazy and bought lots of Cathes recently (!), I was just using it once a week for upper body work - my DH uses it 3 times a week and he also works out with free weights a couple of times a week.

You've got one of those nice ones with the option of putting plates on - we have a cheaper (but admittedly well made) weider gym but I think eventually we will get one like yours.

Josie
 
Hi Josie,

Yes, I was lucky to purchase the heavy duty one and able to add on weight plates - I just use the plates I purchased with my Troy Lite Barbell set. It works great. I'm excited in receiving the pilates attachments. Since using pilates at therapy and incorporating all the movements with actual equipment I find myself even more motivated and my metabolisim is soaring!! As I mentioned earlier, just wanted to know how to incorporate my total gym in a rotation. And I know what you mean of purchasing lots of Cathe - but I can't help it - Cathe's workouts rock!!!

Take care Josie,

Iris
 
Iris, I own the one where you can add the plates and the pilates attachments too, which I have! I LOVE doing the pilates tape that came with the attachments. It takes about 50-60 minutes to complete and works muscles you can't imagine you have, especially the scissor leg exercise. I find the workout very relaxing as well. :)

I bought mine after having physical therapy for my knees. Part of my therapy was doing squats on a machine very similar to the total gym in therapy.

I love my TG and really should use it more often... thanks for reminding me! :)
 
Hi Pup - Yes, it can be done and I plan on doing it till I can't no more - lol!

Thank you all for you responses. I love this forum and all the wonderful insight and advice I receive here. Will you keep you posted on my progress on this darn knee. The cold weather in NYC is not helping it one bit!!

Take care,

Iris
 
Hi Iris! I don't own a total gym but could you possibly do a split routine for your upper body? Save pilates for your lower body. Your rotation could look something like this:

Mon: chest/shoulders/triceps/abs
Tues: lower body (pilates)
Wed: back/biceps/abs
Thurs: total body pilates workout or if you rather take a rest day on Thurs. & then do a total body on Fri. whichever you prefer.

What can you do for your cardio? What did your PT tell you to do? I'm not familiar with a lot of the exercises using your attachments but does this rotation sound like you could incorporate? HTH, Kathy

PS: See you on the 1st! Thanks for the directions to your house.
 
Hi Kathy! This rotation looks awesome - I'll have to give it a shot - probably sometime next week since my knee is hurting - big time! Must be all this darn cold weather! As for cardio, my PT and I were discussing the elipitcal machine - slowly at first to see how I do then increasing it - we'll see!

See you on the 1st sweetie!

Take care,

Iris

P.S. To all my carmine buddies - please don't forget your camera so we can post the pics.
 
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