Total Gym Versus Bow Flex
Which fitness system provides the best workout, total gym versus bow flex? This is one of the most frequent questions we are asked. When choosing the best home gym system for you, there are a number of important factors that must be considered. Studying the pros and cons of total gym vs bow flex is a good way to understand these factors and decide which model will best suit your needs.
Though either the total gym or bow flex will provide you with a quality, full-body workout, we have rated the bow flex as the overall top choice for a home gym.
Read on to find out more about comparing total gym versus bow flex.
One of the best things about the total gym is its simplicity and ease of use. This gym system relies on the user’s bodyweight to provide the resistance for each exercise. A sliding bench on which the user’s body lies can be moved along a track to vary the incline of the bench. This change in incline is what varies the resistance, and is at the heart of the total gym’s ease of use and simple design. When comparing the total gym versus bow flex, the total gym has a slightly easier change-over between exercises: the user simply varies the incline of the bench to change resistance when going from one exercise to the next. This simplicity allows for a quick workout, and less chance for something to go wrong with the apparatus – however, in comparing total gym vs bow flex, this is also where we believe the total gym is lacking. It is because of the simple design that the total gym has several limitations, including a shortage of variety and number of exercises.
Here are some of the negatives we found in the total gym when we compared the total gym vs bow flex:
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While the total gym provides an excellent upper body workout, it favors the upper body at the expense of the lower body and legs – there are not many leg exercises you can do on the total gym. You can do squats on the total gym, but only with your body weight, unless you purchase a bar with weights to supplement the resistance of your own body weight. |
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Some exercises are difficult, due to the angle of the bench; if you are a more seasoned weight-lifter, you may find the adjustment to the total gym difficult, as it does not really have the same “feel” as free weights or other weight machines. So, when comparing total gym versus bow flex, more experienced exercisers may not be as satisfied with the total gym. |
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Height limitation: When comparing the total gym versus bow flex we also discovered that the total gym does not work well for tall people. Those who approach a height of 6 feet may feel a limitation on their range of motion, as the bench may be too short to comfortably and effectively perform all exercises. |
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Weight limitation: Another limitation we found in the total gym versus bow flex comparison is user weight. Some models of the total gym have a user weight limit, while the bow flex is sturdy enough that there is no weight limit. Users who are at or near the weight limit for the total gym may feel the bench flex under their body weight, while the bow flex maintains rigidity because it does not rely on the user’s weight to supply the resistance. |
Now that we have discussed some of the negatives of the total gym, we will continue our discussion of total gym vs bow flex by listing some of the advantages of bow flex:
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No limitation on user height or weight. |
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More variety of workouts: Unlike total gym, bow flex features many more leg exercises and lower body features; since exercises are performed in a wider variety of postures, there is less chance for boredom or loss of interest than with total gym. |
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Super comfortable padded leg cuff is included. |
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Power Rod Technology provides a surprisingly even level of resistance, unlike free weights or other home gyms where there are frequently areas of lighter and heavier resistance throughout the range of motion. |
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Ease of use: simply switch the Power Rods to vary the resistance! |
PRICING CONSIDERATIONS – Total Gym Versus Bow Flex
One more important comparison of the two makers of
home gyms lies in pricing -- we realize that your budget is important!
Bow flex models range in price from $2,799 to $399; Total gym models
range in price from $4,495 to $399. So, for those of you looking
to spend the least amount possible, the total gym 2000 (at $399)
would seem to be comparably priced.
However, we feel that workout capabilities are so much greater on the
Bow flex’s most affordable options. You can follow this link to the
Amazon Bowflex Store
to learn more about all of the Bowflex options.
SUMMARY
Our side-by-side comparison of the total gym vs bow flex involved testing models from both makers, as well as hearing what other users had to say about both home gym systems. We concluded that in the total gym vs bow flex debate, bow flex is the best choice for a home gym. It offers:
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The most complete full-body workout. |
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The widest variety of exercises. |
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The widest range of usability to all sizes of people. |
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Though some of the Bow flex models cost a little more, you get a LOT more for your money. |
We hope you have found our comparison useful and informative, as you decide between the total gym or bow flex in the quest to reach your personal fitness goals. If you would like to purchase a bow flex at
the lowest price available, or to learn more about their equipment options, follow this link to the
Amazon Bowflex Store.
We also found their customer reviews very helpful.
If you have questions about total gym or bow flex home gyms, please email us.
More than total gym versus bow flex on our world best home gym page