We've been using the Total Gym for 4 months now and love it! It's a great addition to any home gym and helps eliminate a need for many machines. The best things about the total gym are: you can use it in a small space, it's easy to use, it has no weights or bulky parts to get hurt with, it comes with a wing attachment that allows you to do hamstring curls, shoulder presses, and assisted pull-ups.  You can work virtually every muscle on this machine and move between exercises with minimal downtime. You can do cardio (or make your strength workout cardio by  not resting) but it's best for strength only. I don't prefer this machine for leg workouts, but you can do squats (even one legged squats), and a lot of pilates like leg exercises easily.  The pilates attachments also make for great ab exercises and a nice change of pace. I consider myself an "at-home gym-rat" and this is one of the better machines we've had. You can even use it as a weight bench (incline or nearly flat) so you can get rid of your old bulky benches. 

santaboy

Minneapolis, MN

I have both the Crossbow and the Total Gym. The Cross Bow I love but it sits in storage because we had to pack up in the house. About 2 years after my Gym still being in Storage I decided to look into the Total gym and I decided to buy it. It is not as big nor as wide at all as the Cross bow and doesn't take up more than about 2 feet when it's closed dor storage. The piece stands upright or it can go under a bed or into a closet. it can be a bit on the heavy side although the commercials state it is light weight and easy to move. That I noticed was a complaint with many people, personally it is a machine that you are going to work out on so the material used for it is necessary. It is fun and a few times Ihad realized that while watching tv I was just doing bends and when I got of I was like wow I forgot I was working out. It isn't too bad going from the arm work to the leg work but to keep going in a constant non- interruptive exercise program add the attatchement which you wiil be using then do all those exercises first then switch to the next bar or piece that you decide to use. It is spacious and fun. It would be excellent if the company would make something to help it move better across the floors for storage and use. There are many different exercises which can be done on the Total Gym and the routines aren't boring. I prefer to leave mine in a location where I can access it easily as I do have leg problems. This machine allows me to lay on it or sit on it and exercise whatever part of the body that I am doing at the moment.

kashmirvaliant

Staten Island, NY

*THE TOTAL GYM XLS GIVES ME TOTAL CONTROL OF MY FITNESS REGIMENT WITH DVD INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO USE AND MANTIAN EQUIPMENT COMPLETE WITHDVD ONSET UP AND WORKALONG PROGRAMES  GIVES YOU PILATES AS WELL AS STRENGTH EXERCISE PROGRAMS EASY TO USE AND AFFORDABLE WITH EVERY DAY WORK OUT CHARTS TO KEEP DOING THE SAME WORK OUT EVERY DAY GIVES YOU BACK ABS ARMES AND LEGS THE TONING AND THEN STENGTHING THAT YOU WANT VERY EASE TO USE EASY TO STORE*

BOOCHER

Elkhart, IN

This unit was purchased with the intention of just using it during the trial period and then returning it again.  However, once I started using it, I felt how much it worked with just a little effort.  Most equipment makes you tired and not want to go any further.  I could work out for an hour and still not be tired on this machine.  The Total Gym XLS is very easy to put up and take down.  But it does take up quite a bit of space.  It would be nice if it could fold down a little more.  Don't be fooled though, they show one price on television and they charge a different price online.  So just make sure you do your research and get the best price on the machine.  You might be able to bargain with them to get your sale.  Overall, I think it was a good deal for the money.  I only wish I would have come across this sooner than now.  Another nice thing is that you can finance the purchase.  That way it's even more affordable.

aburkemt

Evansville, WI