Thinking about getting a Total Gym...feedback?

[partlycloudy]

Total Gym is the one Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley shill. I've done a bit of research and am surprised to find it actually seems to be a quality product. I was watching the infomercial and some sporty gal showed a pile of exercises you could do on it in 60 seconds while only changing body positions. No equipment adjustments needed.

I'm so sadly out of shape that, yes, 60 seconds of this type of exercise would improve my health. Sigh...

Anyway, anyone have one? I'm looking at the 1800 for $300 on Amazon.

 

[CDDad]

Well, I don't think there are any easy answers to get in shape. I don't have it, but that product is probably fine to build some muscle tone. I don't know about the 60 seconds - I would think you would need to exercise each body part for 60 seconds.

So if you were doing biceps, you would do maybe 10 reps, which would take maybe 60 seconds. Then rest and do another 10, then another 10. So thats maybe 5-6 minutes right there. Then on to chest for another 5-6 mintues, etc, etc.

Once you get more advanced, that product only allows you to use body weight, so you would need to progress to dumbell weights once that gets too easy. Just my 2 cents.

To lose weight, aerobic exercise is the way to go and that means to work up a sweat for at least 20 min. Fast walking, jogging, bike, swimming, etc.

Good luck and if that machine motivates you to start - then great. But you could also buy a set of light dumbells (5lb to 25lb) and get started that way.

 

[partlycloudy]

I was using dumb bells and benches a few months ago and found all the equipment changes and maneuvering to be super aggravating. I was using 2-lb weights and getting sore from THAT. I know, I'm a big wimp, which makes me Total Gym's target audience.

Hangs head in shame.

I mentioned my 60-second plan to hubs today and he had the same reaction. "That won't be worth the effort. What you need to do is......"

But I figure if I can get in there for 60 seconds or even 5 minutes and add a bit of time each week then that's better than what I'm doing now, which is absolutely nothing.

I just reread this and I sound defensive. I don't mean it that way at all. I appreciate your feedback.

I have perfectionist tendencies and tend to take on too much too soon then quit in frustration. I'm trying to develop a long-term habit instead of thinking I can go from couch potato to Iron Woman in under 6 weeks, which is what I'd typically attempt and fail.

And the honest truth is I'm tired of failing. It's a self-esteem killer. I guess this is as much about my emotional health as my physical, if that makes sense.

 

[CDDad]

Your plan is perfect - you just gotta keep at it. Just keep adding time each week or 2. If you are sore, back off for a couple of days. A bit sore is ok though, just your body telling you to quit doing something new! (the body hates change)

But, it's amazing how the body adapts. When the 2lb weights become easy (and they will), go to 2.5 or 3. The trick is just to keep challenging the body, slowly.

When I started running this past summer after many years, I started with the "Couch to 5k" program. At first, running a mile was a challenge. Now, many months later, when I'm running 9 or 10 miles, I say to myself near the end, "only a mile left, that's nothing".

 

[ben90]

Get a Barbell, power rack, bench and some weight and your sorted. Don't waste money on multi gyms as most of the time their not as good as they're made out to be.

 

[partlycloudy]

Thanks to both of you. I got in our gym room last night and whipped through five minutes of light weights and lower body stuff (Pilates stuff I remembered). Pilates will show you who's really the boss, heh.

Anyway, I was delighted with my effort. I can do that...I can spend five minutes a day doing this without it being too much too soon. And by avoiding using hub's hamstring bench thing I rid myself of the aggravation factor.

So, I've decided not to get the Total Gym. As everyone has been pointing out to me, why spend all that money for stuff I can do just as easily with a bench and a few dumbells? Between my stuff and the hub's stuff we have everything I need for now and when I get stronger. Yay!

 

[Tacykakes]

Great idea save the money for the fun things you will be able to do in shape. Dont forget to try some aerobics (I find a nice brisk walk makes me more interested in building up my body).
Unfortunately for us we have this "thing" that kicks in and weighs us down just when we want to branch out and go work out. Its not yourfault you fell out of shape....I USED to be a pretty fast runner and could run distances...psh not so much anymore after a few miles of running I run to my couch and sleep and sleep...grrrr

Big hugs and good luck

 

[partlycloudy]

Thanks Tacy. It IS very frustrating to get a good system/habit going only to be TKO'd and have to start all over again. I began my five-minute weight thing then began to feel badly due to a mild CD attack so had to stop. It's my own fault this time though as I've been really sloppy with my eating. But still, it's frustrating.

 

[Guest9283]

Thanks Tacy. It IS very frustrating to get a good system/habit going only to be TKO'd and have to start all over again. I began my five-minute weight thing then began to feel badly due to a mild CD attack so had to stop. It's my own fault this time though as I've been really sloppy with my eating. But still, it's frustrating.

I know how you feel. The good thing is that we all have muscle memory, which makes getting back in shape all that much easier. I bet if you gave it a good shot, you could get back where you were sooner than you think! =)

 

[rygon]

Personally I cant get on with multi gyms, I just havent got the will power. I go kickboxing when I can which keeps me in shape much better. Doing situps, pushups, jumping jacks and running on the spot keeps me active and I can do them at home. We also use small weights (bit of metal bar size of your fist, probably the weight of a can of beans). We will do fast punches, uppercuts with these, plus hold them out in front of you and to the side whilst doing squats.

I find this much easier to do at home as you dont need any equipment for it, just a bit of music and dont spend time setting anything up

 

[kenny]

I picked up a Weider 8515 which is a pretty standard old school home gym. Basic stuff but with the stepper mounted on one side. Takes up the space of a love seat and helps me rehabilitate. I really really like having it right in my den up front and not tucked out of the way. 10-15 min workout a few times week is all I do.

Yes they are basic and not for body building. They are great for easy access general conditioning. I am not trying to compete with anyone or anything, just trying to rehabilitate my body from a pretty drastic health crisis.

Leading up to my diagnosis I had an abscess into my abs and took the route to elective surgery over emergency surgery. That saved a lot of gut and left me much more intact than I would have been. However it involved living on an elemental/liquid diet for 3 full months prior to surgery. I went from 170 lbs to 130. Total muscle atrophy by the time I started to come back around. I looked like a concentration camp victim, seriously.

I am back up to 170 now 18 months later but in a bit better physical condition. Still not the same kind of stamina but over all I'm doing pretty good. gaining all that weight back would have left me a wreak if not for that home gym. I would be all flabby and weak as sin. My goal is to be better physical condition at 50 than I was at 30. I am on track for that with 7 years to go

Just 10-15 mins a few times a week to keep the gain directed where I want it to go.