Thank you so much. I am 70 years old and just purchased my total Gym Xtreme from Costco. I love the machine but I was having trouble getting on and off (worried I would fall or injure myself).. The starter exercises on the tower cards appear to be for 20-30 year old models. Though I am 6 feet and 220 pounds, I am not a lean muscle machine. I got most of my workout just getting this thing out of the box and set up. Your video for overweight, obese people was an excellent resource for me. Gave me a lot of confidence. Thank you again.
I'm not a fitness expert, but something I would recommend to anyone who is very obese like I was (I was close to 400 lbs. at one point) is to focus on changing your diet first. I've gradually lost nearly 90 lbs. over the past two years with only diet changes, and I've just now decided that it's the right time for me to start incorporating weight training exercises on my Total Gym XLS (which is why I clicked on this video).
This is a great video for people with mobility issues, I had a spinal cord injury a few years back and getting around this system can be flat out dangerous. I was intimidated when I bought mine a few years ago to use for home rehabilitation but if I had seen this video it would have made me much less hesitant. Great job covering this often overlooked group of people.
Thank you for being kind! I always feel like a personal trainer would be judging me, but they wouldn't know the whole story! I am not big because I am snacking on crap or constantly stuffing my gob! I am big because of countless courses of heavy steroids for my asthma! I had 2 -3 courses of steroids per year during my grammar and high school days! Plus countless bouts of strep throat and month+ long colds! So I left High school at 320 pounds! Steroids for those that don't know will seriously pack on the pounds fast! I had a course of them a few years ago and knowing I would gain weight ate extremely sensibly think 2 hard boiled eggs a piece of toast, salad lunch, water, and veg potato chicken pork chop or beef patty(only 1) or fish fillets and gaines 16 pounds in a week I WASNT SNACKING EITHER! And it didn't go away! I am waiting on a broken foot to heal and as soon as I get the clear I'm on my Total Gym! I cant wait!
Yea, I never judge someone by their weight. There's so many factors at play other than thinking "it's just they eat too much". I love hearing your optimism and excitement to get back to exercising. Wishing you the best!
I am a plus size woman who is close to 300 lbs. I’ve had this total gym for a while now so I’m gonna try this work out and give feedback. Pray for me lol
Thanks man. This is exactly what I needed. I JUST got a Total Gym Fit Plus yesterday. Got it used on Facebook Marketplace with a crap load of accessories for $450. Lady used it three times and didn’t like it. This video is going to be very helpful. I’m hoping to kick my weight loss into high gear by adding this to my Concept 2 rowing machine. Thanks again!
Thank you! Surgeries and downtime I put on a ton of weight and dug out the old Total Gym. I hadn't figured on how hard it would be to use now. You have just solved my problem!
Another great video. 58 here, balance, knee and weight issues unfortunately. Got some blood pressure and cholesterol concerns. But, working on it everyday. Changed my diet and looking for some regular exercise to tone up and reawaken muscle groups. Didn’t think the length of the video mattered. Your explanations were helpful and encouraging. Can’t rush through in order to make sure you understand the steps and movements. Looking forward for another video, perhaps with a circuit of sample exercises and reps to follow along.
Thank you so much for the positive comments and for watching. I'll make sure and post more content in this area as I know there's many who could take advantage of these machines who otherwise find resistance training cumbersome.
Great content bro and being of the unforgotten society of obese people who still have a desire and want to achieve better health this video helped me out a lot. Thanks and keep putting out more content.
I hear you brother, we all got our own struggles. Definitely want to help you guys more, so feel free let me know some videos/content you'd like to see. Thank you for watching and for the positive comments.
60 here had a double full breaks in my right leg and a slow healer. I used to be a runner. Sitting around for 2 yrs is bad on the body and I gained so much. I’m so ready to get back in shape. This gym set I remembered from chuck days. Thought this maybe be a way to get me back to a at least a jogging (if my leg allows) weight with diet. Right now my treadmill is a clothes hanger. Thank you
I love your video. I’m not overweight but I’m glad that this video will be able to help people to get moving. God bless you for your helpful instructions. ❤️🙏🏼
My suggestion is people who are more than 50-75 lbs overweight. Are older or are very out of shape. If you are over 50-60 yrs old, and out of shape whatever the situation is don’t do this or many machines without someone there. The last thing people need is to get hurt, fall break a hip, back. Pull shoulders out of joints etc and there is no one there. If you are in bad shape, and get hurt - it’s going to add to it. Having to have back, knee, shoulder, hip surgery at 250-300 lbs is going to be tuff where someone who is already in good shape can do better having those surgeries and the required intense exercise afterwards. Just have someone there, if you can afford it, a personal trainer, go to a gym. If you have a local warm water therapeutic pool ie 93-94 degrees like in my area it is Sheltering Arms therapy facility that has a pool and a therapist can help. In the water, at chest height water, like 80-90% of the weight is gone so you can work on the muscles and joints to help range of motion. After a good amount of time - your doctor writes an order for this and insurance definitely Medicare will cover it as it does other things. If you have supplemental insurance like AARP Medicare supplement it covers the rest so you have no cost. The insurance wants you to get in better shape so you are healthier and cost them less money. You may have to push through so they aren’t ready to throw you out after 8-10 visits. Push for 20+ visits and then later go back. Talk to Medicare. You may also go to a gym like ACCA or whatever it’s called. They may have doctor ordered for like 60 days once. Before you have to sign a contract. On this machine please be careful trying to step over. You can easily get your foot hung in between and have a bad fall or simply trip. If you have trouble stepping up one step to your porch, or getting in and out of your car tripping over the step in due to deep floor wells - don’t use this machine until you are stronger and in better control. Try to get to a pool, the lake whatever in the summer. Then do a little foot leg exerciser thst you sit in a chair. Then do arm exercises with 5 lb weights, 2 lbs to start with. Don’t get hurt. I understand, it is embarrassing to do this stuff and around people but you need someone you trust to help you.
A very helpful video for those who are overweight. I'm just getting started on my bench and I don't want to overdo it at first. I am about 30 pounds overweight so I don't have much trouble using the machine. I'm 72 years old so I must take it easy so I don't injure myself.
A modified way to get off the machine when on your back. Due to back issues I can not sit up from a laying position I need to roll on my side to get up from a laying position. 38:59 in
Appreciate the time you’ve taken to create this video for people who weigh over 300 pounds. One thing I don’t agree with is that you have people who are just starting to work out starting on the highest incline trying to press their bodyweight at a high incline. I don’t think that will be successful. When I started using the total gym, I started at inclines 1 and 2 first and built myself up. I realize people might have a hard time getting on and off the board, but trying to push yourself at the higher incline at the beginning may discourage people from continuing to work out. 😊
I'm 51, have a feet / balance issue, knee issues and need some weight loss...I need toning ...as you said use it or lose it!!! Not looking to bulk up,but use the the muscles
James. 57 years old. Gained a lot of weight. I'm 5'8" tall. I weigh 284 lbs. But lost 21 lbs after being put on metformin. I have a total gym. Looking for help.
personally for me the biggest issue is the fact that my arms and legs are on the short side while my torso is a bit longer than average proportion wise, so it seems a little hard to get the full range of motion sometimes. Other than that i've been loving my Total Gym Fitness ever since watching your videos. i got this thing for like $45 from someone about half a year ago and only recently decided to figure it out. I would like to thank you for helping me get the motivation and knowledge to use this tool.
Very good job talking about and demonstrating the machine. Every demonstration of the total gym I have seen always has someone that’s already quite physically fit, it makes me laugh. I want to see a big 380 lb. Lard ass like myself use it, that might get me thinking about buying one.
Have you ever been obese with a stomach. No muscle strength. 1st thing lower the gym. Better yet get am obese women get her to work out you can explain the exercise as she does it. All over body or top than bottom. It's so hard seeing people that don't look like me work out. How easy if I was 200lbs lighter.
Thank you for watching Bonnie. I have worked with and have have many people close to me who are very obese, so while I haven't been myself, I'm very familiar with the effects. I can attest to the effects it can have on others. Obesity never effects just one person. Everyone is different, but I've had obese individuals on a Total Gym (and least who I worked with) they have a very hard time getting in and out of a low setting position. Granted they were over 65 yrs.
I bought my total gym january twenty seventh of This year because my gym was shut down had not opened the app again since the pandemic and I had injured my MCL and my ACL. And my now I was so bored. With a tiny left arm and hand on my left side cannot use it. But I use ankle rap with clip. And I wrap it around my wrist of my hand and I use it just as normal as my right. Hand and IA little heavy but that doesn't stop me.
52 here. Former college athlete. Have herniated disc and problems associated with it ( over compensating using some muscles to avid using others). Pt has been unhelpful unless you count draining the checkbook). Picked up an old model (1700 club) that came with newer accessories and a cyclotrainer for 200. Anyway. I have now watched most of your videos while using the cyclo trainer I am one of thisr that need to lose a bit of weight (25). But my main concern is to really get some flexibility back. One thing I haven't seen alot of is just good old plain stretching excersise ideas. Maybe yiu can put that on yiur list?
Thanks for sharing your comments, that's always helpful to hear. I did think about doing a flexibility video, thanks for that reminder! I'll try and get one out this week.
@@hybridresistance in your videos yiu do alot of explaining. I like that. I really like when you focus on form. Alot of the videos especially the "official" videos I have seen, do the workout. But don't really explain form that well. Point is, there are a bajillion workout videos but nit enough fork and proper technique videos.
You said in your situation, people in your demographic, those kind of things way too much. I’m four minutes into the video if you haven’t started any instruction
I'm sorry to hear you didn't like the delivery. I did insert and create time stamps for a reason. This was my longest instructional video for a reason, trying to give respect to a population that is dear to my heart.
Can anyone tell me how LOUD the Total Gyms are? Are they suitable for someone living in an apartment with shared walls? Concerned about neighbors living in apartment below. Is the sound of the movement enough to bother people who live right under the room you are using it in? Obviously I would use a mat, maybe a very thick one but still worried about that constant “open closing sliding closet door” sound, thumps and vibrations. Would a different unit be more suitable? (Resistance bands are a great idea but currently limited in what i can attach to, can’t drill into wall or door, and I don’t like lack of resistance from bands on one side of the movement.)
I think it really depends on how sensitive the floor is for neighbors under you, but the quietest models would be the XLS or FIT models. Overall I would say the Total Gym is that loud but you'd mostly have to be mindful of the sled hitting bottom hard. If the movements are done somewhat controlled, I think it would be fine. That could be a video I do in the future, so thanks for asking that.
Primitive Home Fitness Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. A video on that would be great. I suspect it’s a detail not many people think about initially but once they get machines set up and start using them they might realize they should have considered the noise factor. It’s hard to gauge the noise from videos, given differences in microphones and audio quality. With a lot of the videos people put up here of the machines in use, their recording equipment is a distance from the machine and/or they play music.
I'm sorry. I was kind of new to making videos and tried to really cover all the areas for a population I care deeply about. I appreciate you watching regardless and leaving a comment.
Thank you so much. I am 70 years old and just purchased my total Gym Xtreme from Costco. I love the machine but I was having trouble getting on and off (worried I would fall or injure myself).. The starter exercises on the tower cards appear to be for 20-30 year old models. Though I am 6 feet and 220 pounds, I am not a lean muscle machine. I got most of my workout just getting this thing out of the box and set up. Your video for overweight, obese people was an excellent resource for me. Gave me a lot of confidence. Thank you again.
Very much appreciate that Lawrence. Thanks so much for the kind comment.
I'm not a fitness expert, but something I would recommend to anyone who is very obese like I was (I was close to 400 lbs. at one point) is to focus on changing your diet first. I've gradually lost nearly 90 lbs. over the past two years with only diet changes, and I've just now decided that it's the right time for me to start incorporating weight training exercises on my Total Gym XLS (which is why I clicked on this video).
100%. Great advice. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your weight loss.
This is a great video for people with mobility issues, I had a spinal cord injury a few years back and getting around this system can be flat out dangerous. I was intimidated when I bought mine a few years ago to use for home rehabilitation but if I had seen this video it would have made me much less hesitant. Great job covering this often overlooked group of people.
Thank you for being kind! I always feel like a personal trainer would be judging me, but they wouldn't know the whole story! I am not big because I am snacking on crap or constantly stuffing my gob! I am big because of countless courses of heavy steroids for my asthma! I had 2 -3 courses of steroids per year during my grammar and high school days! Plus countless bouts of strep throat and month+ long colds! So I left High school at 320 pounds! Steroids for those that don't know will seriously pack on the pounds fast! I had a course of them a few years ago and knowing I would gain weight ate extremely sensibly think 2 hard boiled eggs a piece of toast, salad lunch, water, and veg potato chicken pork chop or beef patty(only 1) or fish fillets and gaines 16 pounds in a week I WASNT SNACKING EITHER! And it didn't go away! I am waiting on a broken foot to heal and as soon as I get the clear I'm on my Total Gym! I cant wait!
Yea, I never judge someone by their weight. There's so many factors at play other than thinking "it's just they eat too much". I love hearing your optimism and excitement to get back to exercising. Wishing you the best!
I am a plus size woman who is close to 300 lbs. I’ve had this total gym for a while now so I’m gonna try this work out and give feedback. Pray for me lol
You got it!
So how’s it going?
In our particular situation, I had to build a pair of platforms 5" high to facilitate getting off and on. really helped.
So cool. I did that too but trying to get on for pullups are a problem. I wish I could see yours
Please put up a video if you can.
That’s commitment!!!
👏👏👏
Thanks man. This is exactly what I needed. I JUST got a Total Gym Fit Plus yesterday. Got it used on Facebook Marketplace with a crap load of accessories for $450. Lady used it three times and didn’t like it. This video is going to be very helpful. I’m hoping to kick my weight loss into high gear by adding this to my Concept 2 rowing machine. Thanks again!
That's a great deal and set up you have. I need to make more concept 2 videos because they are awesome.
I actually upgraded to the Total Gym Fit because of you brother. It is absolutely worth it imo
Very happy to hear. Glad it's working out for you.
Upgraded from what?
Thank you! Surgeries and downtime I put on a ton of weight and dug out the old Total Gym. I hadn't figured on how hard it would be to use now. You have just solved my problem!
Very happy this was useful for your situation.
Another great video. 58 here, balance, knee and weight issues unfortunately. Got some blood pressure and cholesterol concerns. But, working on it everyday. Changed my diet and looking for some regular exercise to tone up and reawaken muscle groups. Didn’t think the length of the video mattered. Your explanations were helpful and encouraging. Can’t rush through in order to make sure you understand the steps and movements. Looking forward for another video, perhaps with a circuit of sample exercises and reps to follow along.
Thank you so much for the positive comments and for watching. I'll make sure and post more content in this area as I know there's many who could take advantage of these machines who otherwise find resistance training cumbersome.
Great content bro and being of the unforgotten society of obese people who still have a desire and want to achieve better health this video helped me out a lot. Thanks and keep putting out more content.
I hear you brother, we all got our own struggles. Definitely want to help you guys more, so feel free let me know some videos/content you'd like to see. Thank you for watching and for the positive comments.
60 here had a double full breaks in my right leg and a slow healer. I used to be a runner. Sitting around for 2 yrs is bad on the body and I gained so much. I’m so ready to get back in shape. This gym set I remembered from chuck days. Thought this maybe be a way to get me back to a at least a jogging (if my leg allows) weight with diet. Right now my treadmill is a clothes hanger. Thank you
I love your video. I’m not overweight but I’m glad that this video will be able to help people to get moving. God bless you for your helpful instructions. ❤️🙏🏼
God bless you as well. Thank you
My suggestion is people who are more than 50-75 lbs overweight. Are older or are very out of shape. If you are over 50-60 yrs old, and out of shape whatever the situation is don’t do this or many machines without someone there. The last thing people need is to get hurt, fall break a hip, back. Pull shoulders out of joints etc and there is no one there. If you are in bad shape, and get hurt - it’s going to add to it. Having to have back, knee, shoulder, hip surgery at 250-300 lbs is going to be tuff where someone who is already in good shape can do better having those surgeries and the required intense exercise afterwards. Just have someone there, if you can afford it, a personal trainer, go to a gym. If you have a local warm water therapeutic pool ie 93-94 degrees like in my area it is Sheltering Arms therapy facility that has a pool and a therapist can help. In the water, at chest height water, like 80-90% of the weight is gone so you can work on the muscles and joints to help range of motion. After a good amount of time - your doctor writes an order for this and insurance definitely Medicare will cover it as it does other things. If you have supplemental insurance like AARP Medicare supplement it covers the rest so you have no cost. The insurance wants you to get in better shape so you are healthier and cost them less money.
You may have to push through so they aren’t ready to throw you out after 8-10 visits. Push for 20+ visits and then later go back. Talk to Medicare. You may also go to a gym like ACCA or whatever it’s called. They may have doctor ordered for like 60 days once. Before you have to sign a contract.
On this machine please be careful trying to step over. You can easily get your foot hung in between and have a bad fall or simply trip. If you have trouble stepping up one step to your porch, or getting in and out of your car tripping over the step in due to deep floor wells - don’t use this machine until you are stronger and in better control.
Try to get to a pool, the lake whatever in the summer. Then do a little foot leg exerciser thst you sit in a chair. Then do arm exercises with 5 lb weights, 2 lbs to start with. Don’t get hurt.
I understand, it is embarrassing to do this stuff and around people but you need someone you trust to help you.
All excellent advice. Thank you writing that and sharing.
Thank you so much for making this content also the way you approached it is very on point and well addressed .
Thank so much for those positive comments.
A very helpful video for those who are overweight. I'm just getting started on my bench and I don't want to overdo it at first. I am about 30 pounds overweight so I don't have much trouble using the machine. I'm 72 years old so I must take it easy so I don't injure myself.
Thank you. Let me know what other things might be helpful for a video.
A modified way to get off the machine when on your back. Due to back issues I can not sit up from a laying position I need to roll on my side to get up from a laying position. 38:59 in
Appreciate the time you’ve taken to create this video for people who weigh over 300 pounds. One thing I don’t agree with is that you have people who are just starting to work out starting on the highest incline trying to press their bodyweight at a high incline. I don’t think that will be successful. When I started using the total gym, I started at inclines 1 and 2 first and built myself up. I realize people might have a hard time getting on and off the board, but trying to push yourself at the higher incline at the beginning may discourage people from continuing to work out. 😊
I don't remember what I said exactly in the video, but yes I do recommend starting out on the lower levels. Thank you for watching.
I'm 51, have a feet / balance issue, knee issues and need some weight loss...I need toning ...as you said use it or lose it!!! Not looking to bulk up,but use the the muscles
Thanks for watching. Ironically I believe that if everyone approached exercise how you listed it and kept at, they'd have the best of both words.
You should watch the DVDs that came with the machine it shows you how to get on and off the machine safely the hands come down on the bench first
James. 57 years old. Gained a lot of weight. I'm 5'8" tall. I weigh 284 lbs. But lost 21 lbs after being put on metformin. I have a total gym. Looking for help.
Check out this video as well as it has some simple program ideas ua-cam.com/video/PVIopw8Hpzc/v-deo.html
Thanks. I’ve been rolling off of it but these are good ideas
personally for me the biggest issue is the fact that my arms and legs are on the short side while my torso is a bit longer than average proportion wise, so it seems a little hard to get the full range of motion sometimes. Other than that i've been loving my Total Gym Fitness ever since watching your videos. i got this thing for like $45 from someone about half a year ago and only recently decided to figure it out. I would like to thank you for helping me get the motivation and knowledge to use this tool.
Thanks Joseph for bringing that up and for the positive comments. Wish you the best of luck with the machine.
Just had ankle reconstruction surgery, bought GR8 flex to help rehab till I'm able to lift again, thanks for info
Awesome to hear.
Very good job talking about and demonstrating the machine. Every demonstration of the total gym I have seen always has someone that’s already quite physically fit, it makes me laugh. I want to see a big 380 lb. Lard ass like myself use it, that might get me thinking about buying one.
No problem brother. Let me know what other content might be helpful to you.
Have you ever been obese with a stomach. No muscle strength. 1st thing lower the gym. Better yet get am obese women get her to work out you can explain the exercise as she does it. All over body or top than bottom. It's so hard seeing people that don't look like me work out. How easy if I was 200lbs lighter.
Thank you for watching Bonnie. I have worked with and have have many people close to me who are very obese, so while I haven't been myself, I'm very familiar with the effects. I can attest to the effects it can have on others. Obesity never effects just one person. Everyone is different, but I've had obese individuals on a Total Gym (and least who I worked with) they have a very hard time getting in and out of a low setting position. Granted they were over 65 yrs.
I bought my total gym january twenty seventh of This year because my gym was shut down had not opened the app again since the pandemic and I had injured my MCL and my ACL. And my now I was so bored. With a tiny left arm and hand on my left side cannot use it. But I use ankle rap with clip. And I wrap it around my wrist of my hand and I use it just as normal as my right. Hand and IA little heavy but that doesn't stop me.
52 here. Former college athlete. Have herniated disc and problems associated with it ( over compensating using some muscles to avid using others). Pt has been unhelpful unless you count draining the checkbook). Picked up an old model (1700 club) that came with newer accessories and a cyclotrainer for 200. Anyway. I have now watched most of your videos while using the cyclo trainer I am one of thisr that need to lose a bit of weight (25). But my main concern is to really get some flexibility back.
One thing I haven't seen alot of is just good old plain stretching excersise ideas. Maybe yiu can put that on yiur list?
Thanks for sharing your comments, that's always helpful to hear. I did think about doing a flexibility video, thanks for that reminder! I'll try and get one out this week.
@@hybridresistance in your videos yiu do alot of explaining. I like that. I really like when you focus on form. Alot of the videos especially the "official" videos I have seen, do the workout. But don't really explain form that well. Point is, there are a bajillion workout videos but nit enough fork and proper technique videos.
Great! Needed demo on how to get off after exercise. Thanks
Can you do a video without directions on how to get on and set up etc., that has you doing sets in order of what would help us get started?
Yes, I can look into doing that. Thank you for watching.
65 sedentary no exercise since I retired. I don't even clean house. All my ills are lack of oxygen related. Now I watch this video.
Got on and get a Total Gym!
Glad you made this video!
Happy it was helpful
You said in your situation, people in your demographic, those kind of things way too much. I’m four minutes into the video if you haven’t started any instruction
I'm sorry to hear you didn't like the delivery. I did insert and create time stamps for a reason. This was my longest instructional video for a reason, trying to give respect to a population that is dear to my heart.
Can anyone tell me how LOUD the Total Gyms are? Are they suitable for someone living in an apartment with shared walls? Concerned about neighbors living in apartment below. Is the sound of the movement enough to bother people who live right under the room you are using it in? Obviously I would use a mat, maybe a very thick one but still worried about that constant “open closing sliding closet door” sound, thumps and vibrations. Would a different unit be more suitable? (Resistance bands are a great idea but currently limited in what i can attach to, can’t drill into wall or door, and I don’t like lack of resistance from bands on one side of the movement.)
I think it really depends on how sensitive the floor is for neighbors under you, but the quietest models would be the XLS or FIT models. Overall I would say the Total Gym is that loud but you'd mostly have to be mindful of the sled hitting bottom hard. If the movements are done somewhat controlled, I think it would be fine. That could be a video I do in the future, so thanks for asking that.
Primitive Home Fitness Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. A video on that would be great. I suspect it’s a detail not many people think about initially but once they get machines set up and start using them they might realize they should have considered the noise factor. It’s hard to gauge the noise from videos, given differences in microphones and audio quality. With a lot of the videos people put up here of the machines in use, their recording equipment is a distance from the machine and/or they play music.
Total Gym is all you use 100%? Your type of body is what I am going for.
Thank you for the compliments. Yes, all my resistance training is on a Total Gym
I’d rather you just get on with it and not so much talking in the beginning.
WY too much talking 😢
I'm sorry. I was kind of new to making videos and tried to really cover all the areas for a population I care deeply about. I appreciate you watching regardless and leaving a comment.