For many people, having an in-home gym is a great convenience, but space concerns tend to significantly limit many people’s opportunities for in-home exercise equipment. The Total Gym XLS is a uniquely compact setup that relies partially on bodyweight resistance to create a full-body workout. With the help of an included exercise chart, you can do more than 80 exercises to work every muscle group. This gym folds for storage and requires no assembly, and users can purchase a wide array of accessories to further customize the machine and expand the number of exercises they can do. For those who are looking for an all-in-one gym that takes up minimal space, this may be a setup worth looking at. We’ve provided further details in the following sections of our Total Gym XLS review.
Total Gym XLS Main Features
In this first part of our Total Gym XLS review we will be looking at the most important aspects you should know about this bike. We will provide additional details in the second section of Total Gym XLS review.The Total Gym XLS has an eye-catching black and blue design, and at first glance, it looks like a sliding platform with handle attachments. It does not need to be assembled, and it can be folded away in a closet when not in use. The manufacturer includes an exercise guide, and this combined with the easy-to-use nature of the setup means it can be used by people of every fitness level, including beginners. Resistance can be adjusted to accommodate any fitness level, and many motions involve bodyweight exercises as well.
The Total Gym XLS has an eye-catching black and blue design, and at first glance, it looks like a sliding platform with handle attachments. It does not need to be assembled, and it can be folded away in a closet when not in use. The manufacturer includes an exercise guide, and this combined with the easy-to-use nature of the setup means it can be used by people of every fitness level, including beginners. Resistance can be adjusted to accommodate any fitness level, and many motions involve bodyweight exercises as well.
The basic platform includes a footrest and a flat bench that moves back and forth on two inclined rails. At the top of the setup are two cables with handles, and these can be used to do flyes. Buyers receive the basic setup, but they also receive attachments, including a wing attachment, a leg pull attachment, and a training deck.
This type of gym can be alienating for those who are more familiar with traditional gyms, so it comes withs several guides to help users become accustomed to it. One of these is an exercise chart. For those who prefer to watch exercises in motion, five exercise DVDs are also included, and there is also an included diet and nutrition guide. Though there is a bit of a learning curve, this machine can provide a challenging workout for virtually anyone once they are used to using it.
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Total Gym XLS Additional Info
Maintenance
This machine does not require major maintenance. It is sturdily built, and parts are unlikely to break. However, as with any exercise machine that has padding, it is advisable to wipe down the padding after each use. Accumulated sweat can cause padding to crack and degrade over time. Additionally, it’s a good idea to inspect cables, as a cable that wears down is more likely to break, and a cable breaking may cause injury.
Warranty
This setup comes with a six-month warranty on all parts. The frame itself has a lifetime warranty. The manufacturer does not appear to offer a registration program, and if you want to extend this warranty, it may be a good idea to contact the manufacturer directly.
Accessories
While this machine has a relatively simple setup, it does come with a few accessories. These include a leg training attachment, a wing attachment, and a training deck, as well as the included exercise videos and guides and the included nutrition guide. However, if users are looking for a customized experience, there is a wealth of other attachments that can be purchased separately. These include an ab crunch attachment, a weight bar, chrome handles, a pilates toe bar, and more.
Recommended Routines
This machine offers several options for exercises, and like a regular gym, you can choose a full-body workout or a body-part split. For a full-body workout, a circuit offers a challenging opportunity. To do a circuit, choose an upper body exercise, like a cable body-weight fly. After doing the desired number of reps, switch to a lower body exercise, like a leg curl. Then, go back to an upper body exercise, and so on. Alternatively, you can choose a single muscle group, like your chest, and perform multiple exercises that target the chest.
Total Gym XLS Product Pros and Cons
If you are comparing different types of home gyms, it’s a good idea to look at what types of exercises you want to be able to do. Each home gym setup offers a potentially very different array of exercises, so looking at pros and cons can help you decide what machine you want to purchase. As part of our Total Gym XLS review, we’ve created a short list of pros and cons.
Pros
- Many available attachments. While this gym comes with some attachments, many others can be purchased, so users have many opportunities for customization.
- Lightweight and portable. This gym is portable and can be folded for storage, so it’s good for those with little space.
- Includes DVDs and guides. These accessories can help users get the most out of the gym with no additional cost.
- Many exercise options. According to the manufacturer, users can do over 80 exercises.
- Fits any fitness level. This machine accommodates beginners through advanced fitness enthusiasts.
Cons
- Somewhat expensive. While it is a very versatile home gym, this setup is somewhat costly.
- May involve a learning curve. For those who are familiar with traditional gym equipment, this setup may be difficult to use at first.
- Weight capacity. While this may not affect all users, this machine only accommodates users up to 400 pounds.
User Reviews
The majority of reviews of the Total Gym XLS are very good, and they come from many different types of customers. Some say that the machine helped them regain muscle strength after injuries, and others say that they have been able to get extraordinarily challenging full-body workouts from this setup. There are not many poor reviews, and most of these have to do with poor after-sale customer service, as opposed to issues with the machine itself. On the whole, most users seem to be very thankful they made the purchase, and they consider the Total Gym to be a worthwhile purchase that has improved their lives overall.
Verdict
Based on the vast array of exercises, the many included accessories, and the multiple opportunities for further accessory purchases and workout expansion, this product is highly recommended. Although it is somewhat expensive, its many exercise opportunities combined with the very small amount of space it takes up means that, for many fitness enthusiasts, it will be a very worthwhile investment in their health. If you would like to add anything to our Total Gym XLS review, please do so in the comments!