Total Gym - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Moxie75 · 09-22-2005, 11:37 AM

Does anyone have the Total Gym with the Pilates feature? It is the new one on the TV commercials now. If so how do you like it? I am a 47 yr old female that has weight trained for many years. I have developed Tennis Elbow plus a little rotator cuff and I cannot snap the bar anymore to bench or do squats. I am limited to dumbbells for limited body parts. My husband who has been a body builder for years said that machine is a waste but I do feel for me it would be a good thing since the heavy weights and bar snapping is wearing on my body. He cannot even bench with a flat bar anymore because his rotator cuff is shot. I think it would be a good re-hab for him to maybe strengthen that area. What are your thoughts?

Thanks, Lisa

Moxie75 · 09-23-2005, 05:03 AM

Anyone? Your input is appreciated..Thanks, Lisa

StrtnOut · 09-23-2005, 08:54 AM

Hi Moxie75:

I did not have the Total Gym with the Pilates feature, but I had purchased one of the first Total Gym's that they had offered years ago.

Although I was young and inexperienced at the time, I remember not liking it. It was smooth, but because I was so light weight there was no way to get the resistance I needed as a male to gain muscle mass. Looking back, it did give a good range of motion and the movements were smooth and comfortable. So I guess it could not hurt to help rehabilitate both you and your husband. I would hope though that they added resistance bands or something so you are not just using your own body weight... no matter what the incline, its not enough for a lot of people.

So that's my opinion... if you get one and find that you don't like it, it makes for a comfortable bench I guess... nah! Maybe you can find one on display at Sears (that's where I bought the original) or some other department/sporting store rather than making your decision off an infomercial.

Regards
-StrtnOut

Moxie75 · 09-23-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrtnOut

Hi Moxie75:

I did not have the Total Gym with the Pilates feature, but I had purchased one of the first Total Gym's that they had offered years ago.

Although I was young and inexperienced at the time, I remember not liking it. It was smooth, but because I was so light weight there was no way to get the resistance I needed as a male to gain muscle mass. Looking back, it did give a good range of motion and the movements were smooth and comfortable. So I guess it could not hurt to help rehabilitate both you and your husband. I would hope though that they added resistance bands or something so you are not just using your own body weight... no matter what the incline, its not enough for a lot of people.

So that's my opinion... if you get one and find that you don't like it, it makes for a comfortable bench I guess... nah! Maybe you can find one on display at Sears (that's where I bought the original) or some other department/sporting store rather than making your decision off an infomercial.

Regards
-StrtnOut

Thanks for the input..I think for me it would be a good peice of equipment but my husband no way would it be good for him except for rehab as you say..Thanks, Lisa

Moxie75 · 09-25-2005, 12:04 PM

Hi Mefit,

thanks for the input actually I have a gym in my home which I prefer as I hate waiting for machines and benches at the gym. My gym time is precious and I don't need anything frustrating me. I just want to go in and get done so in my home I can do that. I used to do pilates at a gym but I found it killed my neck on the floor. The reason for the Total Gym is I have to do squats and lunges as they are an integral part of my workouts. The total gym has this and I do not have to hold a bar while doing it. I also figured that it has the pilates thing and it is always something I wanted to get back to. I ended up ordering the total gym. It should be here soon and they do give you a 60 day trial so if it is not for me it goes back...I will let you know how it works..Thanks, Lisa