Total Gym has released close to 50 models since the company began producing home gyms in the mid 1970s.
It is also the go-to brand for celebrity Chuck Norris and the brand claims its fitness equipment maximizes space, efficiency, and results.
With so many to choose from and the differences often very minor in nature, I decided to put 10 Total Gym models to the test, and the results are below.
- Comparing The Total Gym Product Range
- How We Found Our Top 10 Total Gym Models
- 10 Best Total Gyms Reviewed
- 1. Total Gym APEX G5 - Our Top Pick (For Most People)
- 2. Total Gym XLS - Runner Up
- 3. Total Gym APEX G3
- 4. Total Gym Xtreme
- 5. Total Gym Summit - Best For Beginners
- 6. Total Gym APEX - Best Budget Pick
- 7. Total Gym FIT
- 8. Total Gym TGBLAST
- 9. Total Gym XL7 - Best For Seniors
- 10. Total Gym GTS – Top of the Range
- Considerations Before Purchasing Any Total Gym
- Comparing with Alternative Home Gym Options
- Frequently Asked Total Gym Questions
- Conclusion
Comparing The Total Gym Product Range
Preview | Model | Exercises | Resistance Levels | Maximum User Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gym APEX G5 | 80+ | 10 | 375 lbs | |
| Total Gym XLS | 80+ | 6 | 400 lbs | |
| Total Gym APEX G3 | 70+ | 8 | 300 lbs | |
| Total Gym Xtreme | 60+ | 12 | 350 lbs | |
| Total Gym Summit | 70+ | 8 | 300 lbs | |
| Total Gym APEX | 60+ | 6 | 300 lbs | |
| Total Gym FIT | 85+ | 12 | 450 lbs | |
| Total Gym TGBLAST | 8+ | N/A | 300 lbs | |
| Total Gym XL7 | 60+ | 12 | 350 lbs | |
 | Total Gym GTS | 200+ | 22 | 650 lbs |
How We Found Our Top 10 Total Gym Models
18
Products Considered
40
Hours of Research
77
Reviews Examined
03
Experts Interviewed
As consulting firm McKinsey noted there has been a "shift toward personalized at-home workouts" and this has helped increase the popularity of brands such as Total Gym.[1]
I was already familiar with their range of home gyms and had purchased several models over the years. Through this hands-on experience I was able to decipher which models needed to be included and which could be left out of this article.
I began by considering how each product would benefit most people. Through this process, I was able to critic 18 models that have been released in recent years. Online star ratings and reviews played a role when evaluating their entire range as user feedback is essential.
Ultimately, I chose 10 products covering a good range of models, then spent a few hours reviewing the products again, ensuring the information gathered matched my initial thoughts.
For some, I looked at videos and things like Chuck Norris Total Gym reviews.[2]
I also have a separate review on the Total Gym Fusion and decided it would not make our list.
Finally, I drew on my experience using 6 of the 10 models previously and discussed and compared the remainder of products with friends who had those Total Gyms.
10 Best Total Gyms Reviewed
1. Total Gym APEX G5 - Our Top Pick (For Most People)
Our Rating
Workout Versatility
8.5
Value For Money
8.5
Ease Of Use
9.0
Ease Of Assembly
10.0
Materials & Durability
8.0
Overall Rating
8.8
Key Features
Our Review
The Total Gym Apex G5 is the best Total Gym model according to our experience and what other buyers have said.
It's an excellent choice for those with advanced fitness goals and offers more exercises than most Total Gym models like the Apex G3 (70+ exercises) or Apex G1 (60+ exercises).
Key Factors
The Total Gym Apex G5 supports high weight, offers quick workouts that you can do in just 15 minutes a day, and covers every muscle group in the body.
This makes it a perfect choice for anyone who wants a Total Gym workout to help lose weight.
It’s made easy to use with the provision of routine cards to help plan an effective workout, plus sturdy construction in all areas ensures peace of mind when trying out new Total Gym exercises among the 80+ available on the G5.
With a price of just $500, it's very competitive compared to Total Gym home gym equipment like the Total Gym TLS, providing a full body workout at about $1000.
It also has the standard 1-year warranty offered by Total Gym.
Exercises
It’s often possible to do more with this machine than at the gym, which makes it very convenient if you’re not within reasonable driving distance of one.
Not only that, it enables gradual progression by offering 10 levels of resistance.
Fine-tuning a workout like this isn’t as easy as the previous Apex models, which offer only 8 and 6 levels of resistance, respectively.
But users should keep in mind there can be some fiddly movements required when unhooking the pulley cable from the glide board for some exercises.
Assembly & Maintenance
This Total Gym model folds away without much effort, making it a handy Total Gym model to use at home.
The absence of any complex weights or pins means that it comes fully assembled, and all the attachments fit without any issues.
This makes routine maintenance and adjustments very simple. Reconfiguring the cable and pulley system is straightforward, taking only 15-20 seconds.
This saves you from experiencing any excess cool-down time, which I appreciate.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
2. Total Gym XLS - Runner Up
Our Rating
Workout Versatility
8.5
Value For Money
7.5
Ease Of Use
9.0
Ease Of Assembly
10.0
Materials & Durability
8.0
Overall Rating
8.6
Key Features
Our Review
The Total Gym XLS also offers a full-body workout, much like the Total Gym Apex G5, which took our top spot.
The Total Gym workouts on this machine are just as comprehensive but have the added benefit of including Total Gym TV workouts for free. A nutritional program has been included too.
But the Total Gym XLS just misses out on being our preferred choice because it’s double the cost of the Apex G5, yet only has a 6-month warranty, 6 levels of resistance, and takes extra care and attention to assemble.
Key Factors
This home gym offers many exercises to provide excellent body workouts and is a complete gym all-in-one.
It has various Total Gym accessories to help target specific muscle groups regardless of fitness levels, like the training deck.
Most exercises are easy to incorporate into a great workout, but some cause cords to bind against your arms and the incline board isn’t resistant enough for heavy weights.
But the machine will help you stay in shape and give you a hard workout. Even the beginner’s program can tire you out after 15 minutes of exertion.
As for cost and warranty, the nearly $1000 price isn’t good value for money, and the warranty isn’t for the usual 12 months you’d expect from Total Gym.
Exercises
Ideal full-body workouts performed using the Total Body XLS will be set at moderate resistance with high reps.
This is because the weight stack isn’t as taxing as you’d get at a gym, and there isn’t sufficient resistance for bodybuilding.
Building muscle mass or achieving weight loss is achievable for beginners using this home gym. Even for the average weightlifter, a good workout is possible for just about any goal.
However, some strength training and resistance training exercises do require practice and coordination.
Variations
For those wanting a home gym that can use body weight, the Total Gym XLS with the ab crunch attachment is best. It increases the number of exercises you can do and enables you to build muscle in the core.
Assembly & Maintenance
Alongside workout DVDs, there is also a setup DVD. This helps with folding it to save space, as the Total Gym XLS comes fully assembled.
All the parts of this Total Gym model ensure smooth resistance, easy storage, and a focused workout.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
3. Total Gym APEX G3
Our Rating
Workout Versatility
8.0
Value For Money
8.5
Ease Of Use
9.0
Ease Of Assembly
10.0
Materials & Durability
8.0
Overall Rating
8.7
Key Features
Our Review
The Total Gym Apex G3 is the mid-range Total Gym model between the Apex G5 and the Apex G1.
With slightly fewer exercises and reduced maximum user weight, it’s not quite as capable as the Total Gym Apex G5.
But it does come in at $100 cheaper than the Total Gym Apex G5 while retaining the same praise and enthusiasm from users.
This is because it maintains the quality and durability of the best total gym model. It also comes with the standard 1-year warranty on most Total Gym models.
Key Factors
If you have serious fitness goals that require many levels of resistance, a cable and pulley system, and a nutritional program, this home gym fits the bill.
It has over 70 exercises, slightly lower than the 80+ on the Total Gym Apex G5, but more than enough for most Total Gym workouts.
It comes with a padded glide board and high-quality steel frame to ensure ease of use over time, and we found it surprisingly comfortable for the under $400 price.
Exercises
Body weight exercises are conveniently executed on this machine, and it also comes with a squat stand.
This is vital for working the quads and calves regardless of a machine’s weight capacity. The leg attachment is very helpful for strength training the lower body too.
This means if your fitness goals involve using fitness equipment to bolster your lower body, then the Apex G3 is ideal.
You can target all major muscle groups, perform your own bodyweight exercises, and benefit from the squat stand.
Assembly & Maintenance
Assembly required for high-quality premium products from Total Gym is minimal, and the Apex G3 is no exception.
It relies on a simple pulley system with cables and gravity doing the rest of the work.
It also folds for quick storage, and when purchased, it’s ready to go with parts like the wing attachment in separate boxes. This makes setup very easy.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
4. Total Gym Xtreme
Our Rating
Workout Versatility
8.5
Value For Money
7.5
Ease Of Use
9.0
Ease Of Assembly
10.0
Materials & Durability
8.0
Overall Rating
8.6
Key Features
Our Review
The Total Gym Xtreme is a unique Total Gym system because it features 12 levels of resistance, enabling a great workout despite a reduced number of exercises compared to Total Gym machines.
It also costs the same as our top pick, but there are some reasons we’ve got it at #4. It doesn’t have a reliable ankle strap, and the rope with the machine is too long for leg exercises.
Key Factors
All the usual exercises are possible on this Total Gym machine, including pull-ups, leg presses, and the ab crunch.
But there are only around 60, which falls short for an entire body workout. Other Total Gym machines like the Apex G5 and the XLS have more resistance training options.
At about $500, the price isn't competitive because you can purchase high-end Total Gym products for the same price and not lose out on the exercises.
But the quality and durability that Total Gym is known for hold true with the Xtreme, so if you dislike our top pick, this is one of the affordable alternatives.
It also comes with a decent 1-year warranty.
Exercises
With several strength training add-ons, like the wing attachment, there are many different workouts possible with the machine.
In addition, bodyweight resistance is enhanced through the provision of 12 resistance levels.
The generous weight limit enables users to build muscle or lose weight depending on their needs.
The downside is that despite having the most resistance levels, there are fewer exercises than comparable Total Gym products like the Apex G5.
Assembly & Maintenance
The Total Gym Xtreme uses your body weight and has a decent height and weight capacity once assembled.
Most of the assembly required has been done for you, with only a few steps necessary once your equipment arrives.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
5. Total Gym Summit - Best For Beginners
Our Rating
Workout Versatility
8.0
Value For Money
7.5
Ease Of Use
9.0
Ease Of Assembly
10.0