“The Total Gym: All-in-One Fitness Solution for a Lean, Strong, and Healthy Body.” as promoted and used by Chuck Norris. Now this brings back memories as I used one long years back in the 90s. And yes I do attest to the assertion that the Total Gym’s enduring popularity is a testament to its versatility, durability, and simplicity. And yes it is still around working fine. To me this makes for one of the Best Home Gyms.
The home gym market has exploded in recent years, offering a convenient way to stay fit without leaving the comfort of your home. One iconic name in this space is the Total Gym, a versatile machine that has stood the test of time. Associated with the legendary Chuck Norris, the Total Gym APEX is the latest iteration of this innovative fitness equipment.
The Total Gym APEX stands out for its simplicity and functionality to get the job done with an affordable robust piece of equipment with a pedigree that spans decades.
In this review, we will review the multifaceted benefits of the Total Gym APEX, exploring how it stands out in the crowded home gym market and why it may be the ideal solution for your fitness needs.
Chuck Norris became associated with the Total Gym after suffering a torn rotator cuff, leading him to explore various rehabilitation options. His journey with Total Gym intensified in 1996, when he was featured in the first infomercial for the product, alongside Christie Brinkley, after a deal was struck between the company and American Telecast Products to promote the fitness equipment.
Why Choose the Total Gym APEX? Benefits and Features
The Total Gym APEX offers a plethora of benefits:
- Versatility: From strength training to cardio, the APEX can handle it all. The included resistance bands and attachments allow for a diverse range of exercises.
- Adjustable Resistance: The incline feature allows you to adjust the intensity of your workout, making it suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.
- Compact Design: The APEX folds easily for convenient storage, making it perfect for small spaces.
- Easy Assembly: Setting up the APEX is a breeze, allowing you to start your workout in no time.
- Durable Construction: Built to last, the APEX features a sturdy frame and high-quality components.
Who Can Benefit from the Total Gym APEX?
The Total Gym APEX is suitable for a wide range of individuals:
- Beginners: The low-impact nature and adjustable resistance make it ideal for those starting their fitness journey.
- Fitness enthusiasts: The APEX offers a challenging workout for experienced fitness enthusiasts.
- Rehabilitation: Under the guidance of a healthcare professional, the APEX can be used for physical therapy exercises.
- Seniors: The low-impact nature and ability to adjust the resistance make it suitable for older adults.
What are the features of the Total Gym APEX Home Gym?
The Total Gym APEX is a versatile home gym that offers a wide range of exercises to help you achieve your fitness goals. Here are some of its key features:
Incline Training
- Adjustable resistance: The Total Gym APEX utilizes your body weight and gravity to provide resistance. By adjusting the incline, you can tailor the intensity of your workout.
- Full-body workout: The incline design allows you to target various muscle groups, including your core, legs, arms, and back.
Compact Design
- Space-saving: The Total Gym APEX folds up for easy storage, making it perfect for small homes and apartments.
- Portability: Its lightweight design allows you to take it with you on trips or move it around your home.
Versatile Exercises
- Diverse workouts: The APEX offers a wide range of exercises, from strength training to cardio and flexibility.
- Multiple attachments: Included attachments, such as resistance bands and pulleys, allow for even more exercise variations.
User-Friendly
Clear instructions: The included user manual provides easy-to-follow instructions for setup and exercise routines.
Easy assembly: The Total Gym APEX is simple to assemble, requiring minimal tools.
How does the Total Gym APEX Work?
The Total Gym APEX operates on a simple yet effective principle: incline training. By adjusting the incline of the machine, you can vary the resistance level for each exercise. As you increase the incline, your body weight provides more resistance, making the workout more challenging.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Incline Adjustment: The Total Gym APEX features an adjustable incline mechanism that allows you to set different angles.
- Bodyweight Resistance: As you perform exercises on the machine, your body weight provides the resistance. The steeper the incline, the greater the resistance.
- Muscle Engagement: The incline design helps to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing a full-body workout.
- Versatility: With a variety of attachments and accessories, the Total Gym APEX allows you to perform a wide range of exercises, from strength training to cardio and flexibility.
Here are insights into how modern users continue to maximize their Total Gym workouts, blending its classic functionality with contemporary fitness trends and needs:
1. Incorporating Modern Fitness Trends
- Functional Training:
The Total Gym excels in functional fitness, which focuses on movements that mimic real-life activities. Modern users leverage this for better balance, coordination, and strength in daily life. - Low-Impact Workouts:
Ideal for older adults or those recovering from injuries, the glide board and pulley system provide a full-body workout without joint strain. - High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT):
Many users adapt the Total Gym for HIIT, alternating between fast, intense reps and slower recovery phases. Exercises like squats, push-ups, and rows can be done in quick succession to raise heart rates.
As a proponent of HIIt Exercise I find the Total Gym APEX to be quite the tool to compliment your HIIt Workout. With its 70 plus exercise options, the APEX facilitates smooth transitions between intense cardio bursts (e.g., mountain climbers, jump squats) and strength-building moves (e.g., pull-ups, chest presses). This versatility maximizes calorie burn, enhances muscle preservation, and ensures high levels of post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), or the “afterburn” effect. Additionally, its core-engaging design promotes stability and balance, further elevating workout efficiency.
2. Expanded Exercise Routines
- Strength & Resistance Training:
Users appreciate the adjustable incline levels, which allow for progressive resistance training without additional weights. - Cardio on the Total Gym:
Combining strength and cardio is now a popular approach. Exercises like pullover crunches and jump squats on the glide board help build endurance while sculpting muscles. - Core Workouts:
The Total Gym’s sliding platform is excellent for targeting the core. Exercises like planks, oblique twists, and crunches remain user favorites.
3. Leveraging Modern Resources
- Online Communities and Videos:
The rise of social media and platforms like YouTube has led to a resurgence in Total Gym tutorials. Modern users can access:- Workout plans for specific goals (e.g., weight loss, toning, rehab).
- Creative routines incorporating resistance bands or weighted attachments.
- Apps and Tracking:
While older Total Gym models don’t have integrated tracking, users pair workouts with fitness apps like MyFitnessPal or wearables like Fitbit to monitor progress.
4. Using It for Specific Goals
- Rehabilitation & Recovery:
Physical therapists often recommend the Total Gym for injury recovery or post-surgery rehab due to its low-impact nature and customizable resistance. - Aging Gracefully:
The machine is popular with older adults who want to maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. The smooth gliding motion is gentle yet effective. - Sports-Specific Training:
Athletes use it to enhance specific skills. For instance, martial artists (inspired by Chuck Norris) use it for flexibility and explosive power, while golfers use it to improve rotational strength.
5. Durability and Portability
- Durable Build:
Many users still rely on their 1990s Total Gyms, which speaks to its long-lasting quality. Maintenance is minimal—just keeping the glide board clean and lubricating moving parts occasionally. - Compact Storage:
Modern users value its foldable design, especially in homes where space is limited.
6. Supplementing Other Fitness Activities
Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs:
Its versatility makes it ideal for stretching before workouts or cool-down exercises after high-intensity training.
Cross-Training:
Users integrate Total Gym workouts into broader routines, pairing it with yoga, Pilates, or outdoor running for variety.
Is the Total Gym APEX worth the hype?
When it comes to fitness equipment, the Chuck Norris: Total Gym stands out as a versatile option that caters to a wide range of users. It is a tool and there are a plethora of well put together machinery out there and the Total Gym takes a prominent place amongst it. Aside for the nostalgia of the product and the infomercials this product is still validated because it can get the job done, and that is what we are after.
The Total Gym promotes a low-impact workout, reducing the risk of injuries while still delivering effective results. Many people, especially those recovering from injuries or dealing with joint concerns, may find this to be a major benefit in their fitness journey. Users can gradually increase the intensity of their workouts without putting undue stress on their bodies.
It you are looking at a more robust bodybuilding routine this is not the machine for you, although it is ideal in maintaining form. This is a machine for instance works well on its own or with HIIT to promote all round strength and fitness.
Lifestyle Choice
Fitness, Health, Wellness cannot be practices in fits and starts. It needs to be incorporated into your lifestyle. And lifestyle is based on consistency. Invest your time and your money into products that work for you. Do your own research and make smart choices.
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The Total Gym APEX G3 is perfect for anyone who wants a home gym system that provides a full body workout. With its ability to include six different exercises per routine, this small machine is a huge space-saver. Additionally, the small resistance increment makes it easy to kick-start and continue seeing progress.
Full body workout
Low-impact on joints
Comes with everything you need
Comes with several attachments and accessories, including squat stand and dip bars
Adjustable resistance
Changing between exercises can be a hassle
No quick tension adjustment
Weight bearing: Maximum 300 Pounds
Package volume: 56 x 19 x 10 in.
Handles: Fixed Handle
Number of exercises: 70+
Training duration: 15 to 20 minutes, 3-4 days a week
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