Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please take a second to give it a 👍It's an easy way to show your support for my channel! For more info about the Evolve and to save 10%, click here: tinyurl.com/tg-evolve
I'm first! Woohoo! Looks like a really nice upgrade over the Fit. I have an older GTS which works fine, but is SO heavy and with only about 8 levels of resistance. Bought it used for just $300 so I can't complain at all. I really like that adjustable glideboard on the Evolve, however. I don't have that. Great review and unboxing video - your videos are always so well made and easy to follow along. Good work!
Thanks, Gary! Really appreciate it! Yes, the adjustable glideboard is a nice upgrade. I have an Encompass and find myself using the adjustable glideboard more often the pulley adjustments on the LAT bars, so I think that was smart of them to add that feature to this model. BTW ... you got a great deal on the GTS.
Excellent review! You answered about 5 questions that I had, the two bigs ones were the position of the weight bar and glide board. I’m going to order one now.
Superb review. The price is too high. It's twice the cost of the Fit, which is a competent machine. I wish Total Gym would offer Fit owners an adjustable glide board upgrade for the Fit as that is really the only feature that I would wish to have from this model. It just isn't worth buying it just for that.
I echo everything you said! I have an XLS, which is all I need. I DO also I wish they would create and sell level glideboards for the xls (and fit) instead of expecting us to buy the whole enchilada!
Another great video, David...thanks for the thorough review of the Evolve! It does seem like dip bars and weight bar would be included at that price! 🤔 I would *love* to have this new model, but I'll have to just endure my slanted-board Fit! 😄 😉 Thanks for letting us have an excellent vicarious unboxing experience with you! 😃😍
With regards to the number of levels any given Total Gym model offers, I find it mostly not of much significance. It DOES give the user a little more ability to micro-manage the degree of resistance of any particular exercise one is performing, and that is good. However, once one has developed a sufficient increase in strength, one is not likely to progress only from level 4 to 5, for example, but possibly from 4 up to 6 or 7. (Of course, some exercises are more difficult than others at the same levels.) Also, it does not mean a model with more levels than another model will necessarily give you upper resistance levels greater than TG models with fewer levels. For instance, my first Total Gym, which I bought in 1999, only had six levels. (It was not the infomercial they offered at the time, but a more "pro-ish" model not shown on their infomercials.) However, it's tower or "ladder" was a bit taller than the FIT, with a higher top level. The lowest level on that model had a slope of five degrees, and it's top level--6--had a slope of 30 degrees. The incremental increase on that model was 5 degrees per level, (5,10,15, 20, 25, 30). On my current FIT model, the lowest level has slope of 6.6 degrees, and the top level (15) has a slope of 25.5 degrees...lower than the six-level TG. For a person of my weight, 190 lbs, this means I have a resistance of 92 lbs on the FIT's top level (not using the cables), while my old TG with only 6 levels, the top level had a resistance of 107 lbs (not using the cables)...15 lbs more! Of course, one can also increase and micromanage the level of weight/resistance one is working against by adding on weight plates. I think the incremental level differentiation on the FIT models, (12, 13, 14, 15) and now 16 on the EVOLVE is primarily a marketing strategy. I think a standard 10 (or maybe 12 max) levels on all their machines with uniform slope degree increases would be of more practical use, as there would be greater increase in resistance from level to level, and the overall range of resistance available would be consistent for users of all models.
Hi, Robert - thank you for the great explanation of how the resistance levels work. Another variable is the weight of the glideboard. I haven't weighed them yet, but the Evolve glideboard feels heavier than the one on the Fit. From my understanding, they do include the weight of the board in their calculations.
@@DavidsTotalFitness Oh, yes, I'm sure the glideboard on the EVOLVE is heavier than the FIT's glideboard. The glideboard on my original 1999 TG was certainly heavier than the FIT's glidboard. Though I hadn't thought about it, it makes sense the glideboard would add to the overall weight resistance for each resistance level.
Thank you, David, for your thorough review and rundown on the TG EVOLVE. It's handsome piece of equipment. If I did not currently have a Total Gym, I would probably seriously consider buying the EVOLVE, especially with their relatively painless $200.00 per month payment plan. That works out to only about $6.50 per day per month. However, I did get a new TG FIT last year and it is excellent.
Dear David, I’m very impressed with this new model. It appears well made and quite handsome. It’s very professional looking. I like it a lot. The cost however, is high. Thank you so much for sharing. Please have an enjoyable and safe week. Warmest regards always and blessings. 🙏🎹🎶🎼✨💫🕊💪
Thanks for the great review! One question: do you know if you can “deadlift” - use the cables while they’re disconnected from the glide board? That would make it a real game changer for home models.
You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful! Regarding leaving the cables disconnected, it's not specifically mentioned in manual, but I don't see why you couldn't leave them disconnected.
Thanks David! I’ve had access to one of the older style models from the 80s-early 90s, and I know you can safely deadlift on those - and it makes a big difference on exercises like chest press and seated rows. I was hoping that the heavier frame of the Evolve would allow for it.
I had a Total Gym from 1999 and I would do some "deadlift" exercises on that. I think TG even cited disconnecting the cables from the glideboard as another means of increasing the resistance. I moved a couple of years ago and we did not bring my old TG with us, (paring down belongings to ensure we didn't "overstuff" our new home). Last year I bought a TG FIT, and I have done occasional "deadlift" exercises on the FIT. Yes, it is entirely doable. There's no reason deadlifting should be restricted just to the EVOLVE.
@@DavidsTotalFitness Let me add that for some exercises it might be easier to attach the cable to the tower/ladder. This takes up some of the excess length of the unattachhed cable. I attach the leg attachment bracket to the tower/ladder, either on the back or front, and then hang the cable on the bracket. But, it can be done just detaching the cable from the glideboard. Bear in mind this will provide a very long cable length to contend with.
Hmm well I am a bit disappointed with the wheels. The wheels on my Fit went bad and I replaced them with ones from Huck products. I would have to see the wheels on the commercial grade models to a make a full comparison. I like the adjustable glideboard but the Evolve seems to pricey for me.
@@DavidsTotalFitness I can't answer for @MC7791, but I had an earlier (and bigger and heavier) Total Gym for years, purchased in 1999. (This video shows a slightly later update of the model I had: (ua-cam.com/video/l4ukz6ipPg8/v-deo.html). This model is about 98% to 99% identical to the model I had, with some minor cosmetic changes.) It also had wheels to facilitate ease in moving the folded up TG. The track wheels on my old TG I wore out over time and one wheel actually splintered. This took probably two or three years of regular and heavy use to occur. I bought replacement wheels from HUCK PRODUCTS even way back then (probably about 2002 or 2003) and they were great! HUCK PRODUCTS assert their wheels will never wear out. (Can it be?) I plan to buy a set of HUCK wheels and a HUCK cable to replace on my current TG, a FIT model with 15 levels that I bought from QVC in May 2022. Not because I'm having any problems as yet, but just to have ready when I might need them. Plus, I want to support a reliable private vendor who offers excellent quality!
@@DavidsTotalFitness The wheels on my original TG needed to be replaced after 3 or 4 years of use. One of the wheels started splitting. I bought my replacements then (ca. 2002 or so) with HUCK PRODUCTS. They promise their wheels (and cables) will last longer than the ones provided by Total Gym. I plan to order new wheels and a new cable from them in the near future...just to have them on hand if/when I need them.
Does the new glideboard fit on the Fit model? I already own that, and don't want to buy another whole gym and replace all the accessories I already bought, just to have an adjustable glideboard. Maybe TG will sell just the board if enough of us ask nicely.
Unfortunately this glideboard will not work on the Fit. I have heard a lot of people ask about that. I sent my contact that feedback, but not sure if they have any plans for that. 👍
@@DavidsTotalFitness Oh, well. Someday. I just tried to sign up for the FB group and am awaiting approval. Hopefully I'll see you there. Hoping the group is kind of lively, at least a bit. I've joined similar groups in the past, and usually there's 6 out of 750 people making 95% of the posts.
Thank you very much David, for this very informative video 👍🏻! Looking at the back of the glide boards of the Evolve and the FIT and the rollers, they don‘t seem to be interchangeable. So is the frame a different one? Do the rails have the same thickness and are the rails wider apart compared to a FIT? I‘m just curious, if it is some sort of new frame concerning the rails compared to the small frame ( Apex etc.) and larger frame models (XLS, FIT)? What I also would like to know, does TG plan to have some sort of helpful device to be be able to use a cyclotrainer with it? And how do you like it compared to the TG sports that you had?
Hi, Karin - Great questions! The rail width is the same -- about 1 inch, but the rails on the Evolve are farther apart compared to the Fit. I believe the Cyclotrainer #2 will work on the Evolve, but haven't tested yet. The Sport was beefier than this model. The frame on the Sport was identical to the current generation GTS, but it did not have the adjustable glideboard like the Evolve. I plan on using the Evolve for the next 30 days, and maybe do a follow-up report. 👍 Thanks for your great questions, as always!
Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please take a second to give it a 👍It's an easy way to show your support for my channel! For more info about the Evolve and to save 10%, click here: tinyurl.com/tg-evolve
I'm first! Woohoo! Looks like a really nice upgrade over the Fit. I have an older GTS which works fine, but is SO heavy and with only about 8 levels of resistance. Bought it used for just $300 so I can't complain at all. I really like that adjustable glideboard on the Evolve, however. I don't have that. Great review and unboxing video - your videos are always so well made and easy to follow along. Good work!
Thanks, Gary! Really appreciate it! Yes, the adjustable glideboard is a nice upgrade. I have an Encompass and find myself using the adjustable glideboard more often the pulley adjustments on the LAT bars, so I think that was smart of them to add that feature to this model. BTW ... you got a great deal on the GTS.
Excellent review! You answered about 5 questions that I had, the two bigs ones were the position of the weight bar and glide board. I’m going to order one now.
Glad it was helpful! Let me know what you think when it arrives!
Superb review. The price is too high. It's twice the cost of the Fit, which is a competent machine. I wish Total Gym would offer Fit owners an adjustable glide board upgrade for the Fit as that is really the only feature that I would wish to have from this model. It just isn't worth buying it just for that.
I think a lot of people would like that, too! Thanks for your comment.
I echo everything you said! I have an XLS, which is all I need. I DO also I wish they would create and sell level glideboards for the xls (and fit) instead of expecting us to buy the whole enchilada!
Another great video, David...thanks for the thorough review of the Evolve! It does seem like dip bars and weight bar would be included at that price! 🤔
I would *love* to have this new model, but I'll have to just endure my slanted-board Fit! 😄 😉
Thanks for letting us have an excellent vicarious unboxing experience with you! 😃😍
I agree, for that price those should be included too! Glad you enjoyed the video! The Fit is an awesome model!
With regards to the number of levels any given Total Gym model offers, I find it mostly not of much significance. It DOES give the user a little more ability to micro-manage the degree of resistance of any particular exercise one is performing, and that is good. However, once one has developed a sufficient increase in strength, one is not likely to progress only from level 4 to 5, for example, but possibly from 4 up to 6 or 7. (Of course, some exercises are more difficult than others at the same levels.) Also, it does not mean a model with more levels than another model will necessarily give you upper resistance levels greater than TG models with fewer levels. For instance, my first Total Gym, which I bought in 1999, only had six levels. (It was not the infomercial they offered at the time, but a more "pro-ish" model not shown on their infomercials.) However, it's tower or "ladder" was a bit taller than the FIT, with a higher top level. The lowest level on that model had a slope of five degrees, and it's top level--6--had a slope of 30 degrees. The incremental increase on that model was 5 degrees per level, (5,10,15, 20, 25, 30). On my current FIT model, the lowest level has slope of 6.6 degrees, and the top level (15) has a slope of 25.5 degrees...lower than the six-level TG. For a person of my weight, 190 lbs, this means I have a resistance of 92 lbs on the FIT's top level (not using the cables), while my old TG with only 6 levels, the top level had a resistance of 107 lbs (not using the cables)...15 lbs more! Of course, one can also increase and micromanage the level of weight/resistance one is working against by adding on weight plates. I think the incremental level differentiation on the FIT models, (12, 13, 14, 15) and now 16 on the EVOLVE is primarily a marketing strategy. I think a standard 10 (or maybe 12 max) levels on all their machines with uniform slope degree increases would be of more practical use, as there would be greater increase in resistance from level to level, and the overall range of resistance available would be consistent for users of all models.
Hi, Robert - thank you for the great explanation of how the resistance levels work. Another variable is the weight of the glideboard. I haven't weighed them yet, but the Evolve glideboard feels heavier than the one on the Fit. From my understanding, they do include the weight of the board in their calculations.
@@DavidsTotalFitness Oh, yes, I'm sure the glideboard on the EVOLVE is heavier than the FIT's glideboard. The glideboard on my original 1999 TG was certainly heavier than the FIT's glidboard. Though I hadn't thought about it, it makes sense the glideboard would add to the overall weight resistance for each resistance level.
Thank you, David, for your thorough review and rundown on the TG EVOLVE. It's handsome piece of equipment. If I did not currently have a Total Gym, I would probably seriously consider buying the EVOLVE, especially with their relatively painless $200.00 per month payment plan. That works out to only about $6.50 per day per month. However, I did get a new TG FIT last year and it is excellent.
You’re welcome! You make a great point though - just $6.50 a day. 👍 The Fit is a great model and will last you many years. Thanks for watching!
Dear David, I’m very impressed with this new model. It appears well made and quite handsome. It’s very professional looking. I like it a lot. The cost however, is high. Thank you so much for sharing. Please have an enjoyable and safe week. Warmest regards always and blessings. 🙏🎹🎶🎼✨💫🕊💪
Thanks for watching! Have a great week!
Great job David! 👍
Thanks! 💪
Thanks for the great review! One question: do you know if you can “deadlift” - use the cables while they’re disconnected from the glide board? That would make it a real game changer for home models.
You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful! Regarding leaving the cables disconnected, it's not specifically mentioned in manual, but I don't see why you couldn't leave them disconnected.
Thanks David! I’ve had access to one of the older style models from the 80s-early 90s, and I know you can safely deadlift on those - and it makes a big difference on exercises like chest press and seated rows. I was hoping that the heavier frame of the Evolve would allow for it.
I had a Total Gym from 1999 and I would do some "deadlift" exercises on that. I think TG even cited disconnecting the cables from the glideboard as another means of increasing the resistance. I moved a couple of years ago and we did not bring my old TG with us, (paring down belongings to ensure we didn't "overstuff" our new home). Last year I bought a TG FIT, and I have done occasional "deadlift" exercises on the FIT. Yes, it is entirely doable. There's no reason deadlifting should be restricted just to the EVOLVE.
Thanks, @robertcook2680 for adding your perspective and experience!
@@DavidsTotalFitness Let me add that for some exercises it might be easier to attach the cable to the tower/ladder. This takes up some of the excess length of the unattachhed cable. I attach the leg attachment bracket to the tower/ladder, either on the back or front, and then hang the cable on the bracket. But, it can be done just detaching the cable from the glideboard. Bear in mind this will provide a very long cable length to contend with.
Hmm well I am a bit disappointed with the wheels. The wheels on my Fit went bad and I replaced them with ones from Huck products. I would have to see the wheels on the commercial grade models to a make a full comparison. I like the adjustable glideboard but the Evolve seems to pricey for me.
Thanks for the comment! Just curious, how long did the original wheels last on your Fit? How do you like the wheels from Huck?
@@DavidsTotalFitness I can't answer for @MC7791, but I had an earlier (and bigger and heavier) Total Gym for years, purchased in 1999. (This video shows a slightly later update of the model I had: (ua-cam.com/video/l4ukz6ipPg8/v-deo.html). This model is about 98% to 99% identical to the model I had, with some minor cosmetic changes.) It also had wheels to facilitate ease in moving the folded up TG. The track wheels on my old TG I wore out over time and one wheel actually splintered. This took probably two or three years of regular and heavy use to occur. I bought replacement wheels from HUCK PRODUCTS even way back then (probably about 2002 or 2003) and they were great! HUCK PRODUCTS assert their wheels will never wear out. (Can it be?) I plan to buy a set of HUCK wheels and a HUCK cable to replace on my current TG, a FIT model with 15 levels that I bought from QVC in May 2022. Not because I'm having any problems as yet, but just to have ready when I might need them. Plus, I want to support a reliable private vendor who offers excellent quality!
@@DavidsTotalFitness The wheels on my original TG needed to be replaced after 3 or 4 years of use. One of the wheels started splitting. I bought my replacements then (ca. 2002 or so) with HUCK PRODUCTS. They promise their wheels (and cables) will last longer than the ones provided by Total Gym. I plan to order new wheels and a new cable from them in the near future...just to have them on hand if/when I need them.
Does the new glideboard fit on the Fit model? I already own that, and don't want to buy another whole gym and replace all the accessories I already bought, just to have an adjustable glideboard. Maybe TG will sell just the board if enough of us ask nicely.
Unfortunately this glideboard will not work on the Fit. I have heard a lot of people ask about that. I sent my contact that feedback, but not sure if they have any plans for that. 👍
@@DavidsTotalFitness Oh, well. Someday.
I just tried to sign up for the FB group and am awaiting approval. Hopefully I'll see you there. Hoping the group is kind of lively, at least a bit. I've joined similar groups in the past, and usually there's 6 out of 750 people making 95% of the posts.
It’s fairly busy. There are regulars but it has over 20K members so always new people coming in.
@@DavidsTotalFitness Yep, I'm in. Busy enough for me. Everybody is friendly and supportive.
Thank you very much David, for this very informative video 👍🏻!
Looking at the back of the glide boards of the Evolve and the FIT and the rollers, they don‘t seem to be interchangeable.
So is the frame a different one? Do the rails have the same thickness and are the rails wider apart compared to a FIT?
I‘m just curious, if it is some sort of new frame concerning the rails compared to the small frame ( Apex etc.) and larger frame models (XLS, FIT)?
What I also would like to know, does TG plan to have some sort of helpful device to be be able to use a cyclotrainer with it?
And how do you like it compared to the TG sports that you had?
Hi, Karin - Great questions! The rail width is the same -- about 1 inch, but the rails on the Evolve are farther apart compared to the Fit. I believe the Cyclotrainer #2 will work on the Evolve, but haven't tested yet. The Sport was beefier than this model. The frame on the Sport was identical to the current generation GTS, but it did not have the adjustable glideboard like the Evolve. I plan on using the Evolve for the next 30 days, and maybe do a follow-up report. 👍 Thanks for your great questions, as always!
Thank you David!
Love your input and channel and the way you are sharing your information 👍🏻
@@KarinL. Thank you! Appreciate it!
Have you ever had a chance to try out a commercial model? I watch Sandy Leo and she has an Encompass (I think).
Yes, I own an Encompass, too! It's very nice!
Although I like the glide board and the increase in the # of levels, the cost is just too high.
👍 It is a big investment.
Nice, but overpriced by about $1000 bucks, i'll stick with my fit.
The Fit is great!
Hi David, just to let you know; I've been unsubscribed to your channel twice now by UA-cam, it would seem. Just a heads up. Thx.
Thanks for the heads up! Not sure what would be causing that.
why would I be block from viewing you 10% discount
Are you being blocked from UA-cam or do you mean on Total Gym website? Here is the direct link: www.dpbolvw.net/click-100603606-15853226
Price compared to Fit is ridiculous. Greediflation at work
What do you think is a fair price?