My Total Trainer Beginner Workout Review

It has been about a week since I started using my Total Trainer. I have had 3 good workouts on it and I have to say that I really like it.

First, let me say that I have been sore after each workout. I was wondering if it would be challenging enough, and the answer is yes.

I usually do bodyweight exercises like push ups, chin ups, squats, etc., and was curious to see how the Total Trainer would challenge me, since it basically only uses some fraction of my bodyweight as the resistance for the exercises.

Cons: If you can already do a bodyweight squat, then the Total Trainer will not be much of a challenge for your legs and will probably not replace your traditional lower body exercises like lunges and squats. It will need to be included with these exercises and not used as a substitute for them. I can't imagine that Christie Brinkley is still doing squats on her Total Gym after 12 years.

Pros: The biggest thing I like about the Total Trainer is the ability to run through most of my upper body exercises without stopping. I can set the platform to the angle I need and use that to go from chest presses, to incline presses, to pull-overs, to lat pulls, to biceps, to triceps...you get the idea. The movement is very fluid and is easy on the joints. If there is a muscle that is not getting worked as hard as the others then I can easily change the angle I am pushing on or add an exercise. When I am done working out my muscles are totally exhausted. I can have a total body workout in 20-30 minutes.

I have found that the platform angle is very easy to change and it rolls very smoothly during the exercises. There is one seam in the frame that you can feel when the rollers hit it but it is very minor and has not been a distraction.

My model has the side pulleys on the rolling platform for chest presses. I like this feature and have not had any problems moving the pulleys to accommodate this feature. I did think it was a little clumsy at first but realized what I was doing wrong and have no problems with it now.

Once I find out what exercises I am using consistently in my routine I will post a sample workout here.

Total Trainer DLX II Home Gym Review - Week 1

(Stock picture from Bayou Fitness)

After many years of watching infomercials of Christie Brinkley and Chuck Norris advertise the Total Gym, I finally decided that I should buy one.

I turned 40 this year and I need to make some lifestyle changes. I'm not totally out of shape but I'm getting loose in places I really don't want to jiggle.

First of all, I'm way too cheap to buy one of the $1000+ ones they advertise on TV and started looking online for reviews of different models so I could search for a used gym. I narrowed my choices to a Total Gym or a Total Trainer made by Bayou Fitness. After reading many reviews from many, many sites I decided to look for a Total Trainer. It was a much better price and did everything the Total Gym did.

Since most of the website "reviews" out there seem to be people just selling one product or the other, I thought I would add my own unpaid review to the mix.

The thing I really liked about the Total Trainer was the ability to add additional weight to it. I was concerned that I would use it for a few months and plateau when the resistance level was maxed-out.

I searched on a large online classified site and found many used Total Gyms but only one used Total Trainer. I guess that speaks to the popularity and success of their TV advertising.

I ended up buying the Total Trainer DLX II (DLX2) on the used market, with all the standard accessories and some additional ones, such as the Bicep Curl/Chest Press Bar. The machine would have cost around $400 new from Bayou Fitness (not including additional accessories). I paid $150 for everything.

My first impression of the machine was that it was very sturdy. It says it will hold a 6'7". 400 pound person. I'm 5'8" and nowhere near 400 pounds so I will have to take their word on that one. Nothing on it looked cheap. It's a little heavy but can be moved around easily. The gym is easy to fold and unfold but I can't imagine I will be folding it up much.

The owner's manual is very clear and has pictures of many exercises that can be done. I also found the owner's manual/training guide on the Bayou Fitness website in case you are looking for a replacement:
Download the Manual Here

Their website also has workouts and illustrated exercises available.

I got everything setup in just a few minutes and am ready to get back into shape.

So far, my 7 year old loves it...

Let me know if you have any good workouts or exercises that you find particularly challenging.

I'll update this in about a week after I have had a chance to use the Total Trainer for a few real workouts.