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Total Gym Work Out / Exercise and Buying Guide

Buyer's Guide

I am a proud owner of a Total Gym 14000 (manufactured by EFI).  In my mind, this machine lives up to the hype as it is the most versatile home gym on the market.  Granted, the machine is not for muscle-heads looking to bulk up.  This machine is more "Men's Fitness" than "Flex." It builds lean muscle which in turn accelerates metabolism and burns fat.  You can get a true total body, circuit workout combined with cardio.  The fact that they use this machine in rehab hospitals and commercial gyms is very telling, and was what sold me on purchasing one in the first place. 

Initially, I bought a Total Gym 1700 Club after researching (see below).  I used it and loved it so much that I went ahead and upgraded to a more expensive 14000 when I saw one used in the classifieds...

Like you, I initially googled on the internet trying to research the different models.  Probably, the best sites I came across were:

  1. Body Building for You Equipment Review
  2. EFI's Product comparison tool 
  3. Epinions (see below for links)

In a nutshell, here is my personal review of the 4 most common Total Gyms on the market.

Feature Total Gym 14000 Total Gym XL Total Gym 1700 Club
(owner's manual)
Total Gym 1500
Metaphor Mercedes Cadillac at one of those Used Car Places where your job is your credit  (note: the salesman may have a mustache and a killer roundhouse kick) Toyota Corolla Hyundai
Price 
(as of 6-06)
$1195 $1,648.35 ($49.95 trial + 16 payments of $99) $350 $250
Description  The original model manufactured by the makers of Total Gym, EFI.  These are the versions used by gyms and rehab hospitals. This is the infomercial model.  I'm not quite sure who is the manufacturer (EFI, FitnessQuest, or some other licensee) The 1700 Club and 1500 are manufactured/licensed by Fitness Quest.  These are the mass retailer versions (Wal Mart, Dick's, etc)  see 1700 Club
  I guess you've got to ask yourself, is it worth spending a grand more to purchase the top of the line model versus the 1700 Club? (actually, there are even more higher end models, but I won't go into them, see website

If you have the disposable income to spend, by all means, get this model.  It is the best in regards to quality (commercial grade).  The gliding board is longer, heavier, and more stable.  I really like the smoother movement of this model as well (the 1700 club uses a single ball bearing roller per rail that is not made all that well compared to the 14000).

Con: Accessories can be expensive.

In summary, this machine has a solid, "built for life" feel.

I'm really not familiar with this model.  It seems a little pricey though (I think you are paying for air time and Chuck).  You're better off buying a 14000 if you can spend  this kind of money.  The only benefit here is that you can test drive the model for 49.95 (hoping you're too lazy to return?) and they have finance options.

The board seems a higher grade than 1700, but I'm concerned it still uses the cheaper, single pin tower as opposed to the dual tower, hook system of 14000.

Having owned a 1700 Club and 14000, here is the bottom line:  Both allow you to do the same exercises and movements.  The only difference is that 14000 is sturdier/heavier and glides smoother.  14000s are sturdier because they use a double framed tower (the apparatus that raises the total gym higher and thereby the resistance) using a hook system as opposed to the one column pin systems of the lower end 1700 (study the pictures).

However, you're getting a lot of bang for you buck with 1700 Club since it comes with so many attachments including: Pilates Bar, Weight bar
Dip Bars, Press Up Bars, and
Exercise mat.  In the 14000 world, these accessories alone would exceed the price of the entire 1700 club! 

By far, the 1700 is the best value of all the Total Gyms.  If you're worried about durability, you could "rag out" 5 or 6  of these before reaching the price of Total Gym 14000 and comparable accessories.

see review of 1700.  Essentially, 1500 doesn't have all the attachments.  I think you're better off spending the extra hundred and getting all the extra stuff the 1700 has.
More Comparisons Compare  dimensions, weights, and more stats EFI's Product comparison tool 

Epinions

? EFI's Product comparison tool 

Epinions

Body Building for You Comparison Table

Epinions

Body Building for You Comparison Table

Total Gym Workouts

My personal "system" (I alternate each week)

More Total Gym workouts

Other Kinds of Free Online Workouts (modify them into a Total Gym program)

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