Most helpful client reviews
154 of 157 humans found the following review helpful.
XLS worth the extra money?
By CRT
I’ve applied the Total Gym XLS for in regards to nine months now. There’s no question in regards to the conception and quality of the workouts. I primarily use it as an all-around body workout to get started the day. The endless possiblenesses make it very versatile and keep workouts fresh.
I am 5′ 10″, 185 lbs, not near the advertised greatest or most complete or best possible commended capacity of 400 lbs.
I am not pleased with the overall quality. When I spend the extra cash for the top end model, I have high expectations. This model has failed to meet them, and I wonder if I would have been just a well served with one of the two lower end units. The wheels and bearing are just not top end quality. My unit started to become creaky and squeaky right when it comes to the six month point, but it wasn’t until it became distractingly noise and rough at when it comes to the eight month point that I became concerned.
The elements have a six month warranty. Even if I had taken action within this period, I would be facing the same issue again shortly (I assume). I ended up purchasing after-market wheel/bearing from Huck Products for $75 (inc S/H). The machine now feels like I had expected, better than original. Butter smooth.
The further and added features of the XLS over the other models include (with my comments):
400 lb weight capacity for total strength and stability (if an intermediate 185# user wore out the wheels….??)
Upgraded ease system (True…good quality)
Upgraded pulley and cable system (No troubles yet)
Flexible nylon strap handles (These are upgrades for lesser models; haven’t tried the other style for comparison)
Upgraded squat stand (Again, an upgrade for other models)
Padded glideboard with head support (Redundant…see second item)
Chrome package (whoopee)
Exercise capability – over 80 exercises (OK…not rather sure why the lower models show 40 and 60…must not have a great deal of of the attachments)
With the exception of the initial feature (400#), I can not complain. There is no doubt the XLS is distinctly a much better machine than the models carried in Dicks or Sears.
The Total Gym 2000 and 3000 publicize max capacities of 250 and 300 lbs respectively. More exploration into the quality of those models’ wheels/bearings will have to be percentage of any comparisons. It might be suitable to buy either of these models and upgrade to Huck’s high quality wheels (they have other constituents as well) when the time comes.
3 stars is a bit of a low-balled exaggeration. If I could, I would say 3.8 on my subjective Amazon scale. Just beneath my 4.0 threshold of largely satisfied and glad I made the purchase. But rounding up to 4 stars minimizes my current dismay at shelling out $75 a few months after the warranty period.
I will post this review on the Total Gym Direct where I purchased it (for ~$[...], not the current ~$[...])…let’s see if it makes it past the editors.
93 of 93 humans found the following review helpful.
A machine with galore magnificent qualities
By Omineca
This is not a finish review of the features and specifications of the Total Gym XLS. I have owned and applied a Total Gym 1000 for 8 years, and in the end 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 closely $2000. A smart buyer will watch the prices on Amazon and on Total Gym’s website, because the machine steadily sells for less. Much less. The offers change each day (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 now and again drop to 60% off. Search for discount coupons on the internet. Many may 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 retail practices. The machine is magnificent (but unquestionably NOT worth $2000!). I loved my 1000 model, and the XLS is better.
The real amount of energy of the Total Gym lie in it is use of real weight (your body weight) rather than bands or rods for resistance. The feel is magnificent and the exercises are perchance more fun because you’re moving (my primal brain loves the motion).
The adaptable resistance and configuration of the Total Gym make it possible for a person to undertake exercises they normally would not be competent to do: pull ups and ‘handstand’ push ups with the included wing attachment for example. You may tardily improve and increase the weight over time (and add even more weight with the optional weight bar). I have seen great betterment as a result. The same is true of squats with the included squat board. You may tardily (or rapidly) build up your leg strength from a lower level. Hint: when you need even more resistance, start out doing one leg squats with the weight bar on. Killer.
Optional Attachments:
I wouldn’t inevitably buy the press up bars (you may use the wing attachment) or the dip bars (you may work your triceps in other exercises. Try the inverted military press with the wing attachment.).
The weight bar is a requirement when you get beyond the most eminent setting on the machine (44% of your body weight). Total gym must wise up and provide retainer clips with the bar though. I can’t believe they suppose 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 ought to cost $5 for two. You might also want to find some spacers to keep the weights from rubbing versus the vinyl on the glideboard. Two short pieces of 1 inch inside diameter pvc pipe work well.
The Ab Crunch attachment is unquestionably worth buying. I’ve been using it for three weeks. I’m up to three sets of 35 and my abs are at long last 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 actually a ‘total’ gym. You would be well advised to buy a set of dumbbells to use along with the machine. You may use the TG as a bench when you’re using them.
Why do I commend 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 disregarding of the manufacturer’s assert that this awkwardness requires you to use all kinds of extra stabilizer muscles, the fact is, you cannot in the right manner isolate the muscles you’re attempting to focus on.
The dumbells are likewise 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 outstanding deal of space in a little room. You will also need a reasonable amount of space around the sides to grant for your arm movements with the cables for the duration of 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 actually easy to get your fingers caught in the faulty places. Even when you think you’re safe, that glideboard all of a sudden 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 purchased the XLS after using the TG1000 for years. I don’t regret the buy at all, and I love the extra accessories. The machine is worth purchasing if you may get it at the scaled down prices discussed above. If not, consider a applied model or a lesser model. The 1000 model is still available online in Canada for in regards to $160, shipping included (as of January 2011). QVC sells similar inexpensive models in the U.S.
71 of 74 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent, more than we had hoped for
By Anthony G Wedgeworth
We had seen so some dissimilar types of instrumentation that we didn’t know which ones genuinely provided an splendid workout without killing us in the process. My wife and I were very happy when we received this product with minimal setup (10 minutes) and we were following the DVD moments afterward. What a great workout! We also have a bowflex, but this new instrumentation may do things the bowflex can’t. We use them in unison and commend the Total Gym to anybody more than willing to workout 15 minutes each other day.
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