Total Sport America Home Gym Review

 

 

If you are considering the purchase of a total sport america home gym, you are probably wondering how it measures up against the competition.  Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials on TV, featuring Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley, and you wonder if the sliding bench system used by the total home gym xl Norris can really give you all that you want and expect from such a major purchase.  If these are things you have wondered about, we have all the answers you need.

As we had wondered the same things, we decided to compare the total sport america home gym against it’s main competitor, the Bowflex home gym.  Read on to learn what we discovered.

Both makers feature different models from which to choose, giving customers options at different levels of price and complexity.  The total sport america home gym models include the total home gym xl Norris, which is the one most people think of when they think of the “total gym.”  Each total gym model works using the same principle of resistance:  the user’s bodyweight supplies the resistance for the exercises; resistance is varied by altering the degree (angle) at which the bench is placed.

Before we take a closer look at the many models available from both makers, we’d like to speak a little about pricing.  We realize that cost is an important factor, and unfortunately, can often be the limiting factor for many people.  If you are looking to spend the least amount possible, and still get a great home gym, you will probably be immediately biased toward the total gym models, because total gym offers more models at the lower end of the pricing spectrum.  However, once we researched the models and closely compared the features, we concluded that Bowflex is worth the extra money.  At each comparable price point, the Bowflex models offer more, different exercises, and greater variety during the workout.  A home gym with more versatility that is fun to use is more likely to help you succeed; a machine without variety is usually the type that ends up gathering dust and taking up space. 

One more thought: who can put a dollar amount on health, happiness, fitness, and self esteem?  We feel it is worth it to spend a little more to add tremendously to your quality of life.

TOTAL GYM MODELS

Total gym has 7 models to choose from.  The three models on TV are the total gym 2000, total gym 3000 and the total home gym XL Norris.  Their top four more expensive models are the powertower, GTS, total gym 26000 and the total gym 14000.

The main differences we found among the top four models of the total sport america home gym were increased levels of resistance and range of incline on the bench, which allows for a fairly wide range of resistance levels to be used in the exercises.  With the top two models of the total sport america home gym, the powertower and the GTS, we feel that you pay a lot of money for the flashy pulley case, which has a modern stainless steel look – it definitely dresses up the machine, but is a cosmetic feature worth the extra cost?  We determined we would probably rather spend the money to get more functionality and more features for a complete full-body workout. 

Here we outline some of the major differences between the top four models:

The PowerTower is the “Cadillac” in the total sports america home gym line. 

PowerTower - $4,495:

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Resistance levels from 3% to 72% of bodyweight

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3˚ to 35˚ incline on the bench

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Motor and rocker switch controls the degree of incline of the bench to switch resistance levels easily and quickly

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Chromed pulley case for a more modern, streamlined look

GTS - $2,895:

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8 resistance levels from 8% to 59% of bodyweight

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Lat bars

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Chromed pulley case for a more modern, streamlined look

Total gym 26,000 - $2,395:

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10 resistance levels from 6% to 70% bodyweight

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6˚ to 34˚ incline on the bench

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3-grip pull-up bar

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Retractable dip bars

Total gym 14,000 - $1,195:

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6 resistance levels from 7% to 61% of bodyweight

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7˚ to 29˚ incline on the bench

Now we will discuss the remaining models of the total gym, including the total home gym xl Norris, which you have seen advertised and demonstrated on TV.  With celebrity endorsers Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley, we figured these must be quality products that give you a complete workout.  However, as we tried these out for ourselves, we quickly grew bored of the operation of the total home gym xl Norris.  To change between exercises, these gyms simply involve changing the degree of the bench and possibly turning your body to a different angle.  It felt a little like doing the same thing over and over.  Additionally, those of us who have worked out in gyms and on full-size machines found the total home gym xl Norris difficult to adjust to.  The way that you isolate each muscle group felt so different from what we were used to that it was like trying to re-program our muscles.  And, as any seasoned weight-lifter will tell you, making the mental connection between the muscle and the weight is half of the battle.

The total home gym xl Norris is the top model in the line-up you see on TV with Chuck Norris.  It also includes instructional DVDs, workout charts and a nutritional program.

Total home gym xl - $1,748:

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Over 80 exercises

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Upgraded squat stand

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Upgraded pulley, cable, and handle system

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Wing attachment

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Leg pull accessory

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Pilates kit

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Padded glideboard with head support

The total gym 3000 - $999:

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Over 60 exercises

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2 workout DVDs

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One workout chart

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Standard squat stand

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Wing attachment

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Upgraded pulley, cable and handle system

The total gym 2000 includes - $399:

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Over 40 exercises

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BOWFLEX MODELS

Bowflex features six different models, giving customers a wide range of choices regarding workout capabilities, cost, and features.  As we tested the models, we discovered that they just “felt” like what we were used to with regard to the type of fitness machines you use in gyms, or free weights.  The range of motion was easy and smooth, unlike the total sport america home gym, which was awkward at points.  We also liked that the Bowflex models gave us a more complete full-body workout, with more exercises for the lower body and legs, as well as more total exercises.  And, since the Bowflex relies on “workout stations” where you get to change the position of your body (versus just lying on the bench with the total gym) we felt more energized and motivated to continue our routine.

Here is a list of the Bowflex home gym models; we have chosen to list only the major advantages and features of each model to make it easier for you to compare them.  (If you’d like to more closely scrutinize each Bowflex model, follow this link to the Amazon Website, where you can do more extensive research about features and components.)

The Bowflex Revolution is the top model in the line-up.

Bowflex Revolution - $2,042:

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100 plus exercises

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220 lbs. of resistance

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Built-in rowing machine for cardio workouts

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Preacher curl attachment

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Leg press plate for lower body

Bowflex Ultimate 2 - $1,185:

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95 exercises

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310 lbs. of resistance

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No-change cable pulley system

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Preacher curl attachment

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Squat station

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE - $1,299:

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70 exercises

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210 lbs. of resistance

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No-change cable pulley system

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Lat tower

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Newly added ab crunch harness

Bowflex Xtreme SE - $1,299:

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65 exercises

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210 lbs. of resistance

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Compact design for storage in limited space

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Lat tower

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Ab crunch accessory

Bowflex Blaze - $839:

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60 exercises

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210 lbs. of resistance

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Overall, the best entry-level home gym:  includes cardio plus strength capabilities in a super-compact design!

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Leg attachment

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Lat tower

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Squat station

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Rowing machine

Bowflex PR1000 - $399:

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Up to 210 pounds of resistance

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Over 30 strength exercises

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Rowing machine

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Complete Body Workout

SUMMARY

We hope that we have taken the guesswork out of your search for the ideal home gym.  Using our years of direct experience as workout enthusiasts, and passion for fitness in the betterment of our own selves as a framework, we conducted extensive research and a side-by-side comparison to find an answer:  though the total sport america home gym is a quality product, the Bowflex home gym provides the most complete full-body workout with the most variety.

Even though Bowflex models cost a little more, we feel that they are still the best value, because they offer superior workout variety and provide a better TOTAL body workout. To read more about Bowflex machines, or to order one at a special low price, follow this link to the Amazon Website, We also found their customer reviews very helpful.

 

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