Total Gym 1400 Deluxe Home Fitness Exercise Machine Equipment with Workout DVD

First of all, the version pictured is not what I received. I received the one with the red lettering and red post. Super nice. :) This baby is about 75 pounds, so I just unboxed it in my garage and carefully dragged it upstairs, one step at a time. That was a work out in itself. lolThe full length of this machine is 8 feet, so plan your space accordingly. To unfold and set everything up, I googled total gym set up and watched one of their people demonstrate. Very helpful and faster than trying to figure it all out from the papers that came with it. Speaking of which, this is what I got in the box:The board itself and the stand with pulleys and handles, 8 levels of difficultyFlip chart for the top of the standFootboard (what you push off of for squats and jumping)Dip handles (they go at the bottom by the footboard)Pull up handles with pads (they go at the top)Leg Pulley system with one ankle cuffNutrition GuideOwner's GuideExercise GuideThe 2002 Dan Issacson workout DVD (very helpful as a starting point)I am finding it fairly easy to use. I ran through the DVD just watching the moves to make sure I understood them before I started. Little things like DO NOT let any of your hair hang even a little bit off the board when you lay down on it. You'll figure out why pretty fast. Ouch. Also, make sure that the extra safety pin is always put back in the stand to hold it nice and firm after you change the level.After I understood the safety rules....I started doing the moves. I have to say, for myself, I was surprised how low I had to set the level for the arm exercises! haha I was sure I could do the mid-range, but I had to start at 2. No shame. This is why I bought the thing thing in the first place, right?For the squats, my favorite part so far (you will REALLY feel these in your legs and butt, plus it's great cardio and easy to do to music) make sure you raise the level much higher than for arms so you are challenged. Luckily, this machine is super easy to switch around.There are a TON of Total Gym videos online, so have fun exploring the zillion exercises and routines.SEPTEMBER 2018 UPDATE!I’ve really been enjoying this machine. Still great, and I can say that I’ve gained significant muscle tone and lost fat. I only do about 20 minutes 3 times a week. Nice complement to my bike. It’s a keeper. 😎JUNE 2019 UPDATE!Still going strong, no issues with the machine at all. Nice!

Only complaint is that the squat platform is way too small. Easy to assemble..Made fairly nice for price.

What sold me before my purchase was finding YouTube videos showing that public gyms were setting up Total Gym stations.Once it arrived, I had my toolbox all ready to start setting it up.It took my 20 minutes to realize, there was NO assembly!I opened it and stood back a bit concerned about the amount of space it was taking up, but later when I folded it back up, in under a minute, and was able stand it up agains the wall, I was so relieved! But as simple as it is to set up and fold back up, it’s a solid construction that will certainly hold up over time.Now for the workout portion:I cannot believe the range of exercises I can execute with little changes of position!With the included add-ons, I can cover all body parts and afterwards I truly feel I have had a great workout!Because of "computer back" my doctor had told me I should do more rowing exercises to strengthen my back, which this was a main target for me in purchasing this. And it's amazing for that!The dip bar function is fantastic!With a pair of dumb bells to my side, I can also use the TG as an incline/decline bench, but I can still get a great chest workout with the cables alone.Best of all, I find that I'll jump on intending on just doing a quick exercise, but then I'll go through various routines and get a full, unexpected, workout. And it's fun! And I’m still finding new things I can do.Tip: I found raising the back end with a step platform will increase the resistance even more, if you need it. I’ve seen videos where people add resistance bands, but simply raising the back a few inches has the same effect without the possibility of damaging the unit.It's now been over a month and my back feels great, my shoulders and biceps are toned and friends are taking notice of the changes.

As some of us get older, and we stop working out, our joints have more space inside of them.Muscles that normally push things away from each other loosen up.If you are like me, things start to catch, like tendons. This leads to popping and often pain (as in both my shoulders).Add in a dead fall onto my shoulder (while roller skating) that popped my clavicle loose, and you'll understand where I am at.So, I am currently using this 1400 model for shoulder and clavicle rehab.My physical therapist said that she is also a pilates instructor.I asked if the total gym was considered to be kind a joke to pilates instructors and she gave me a very firm no.So far, it seems to be helping. I am alreqdy feeling my shoulders firming up.It feels a lot better than using the rubber excercise strips they gave me for therapy.I have it at the lowest setting for certain excercises that would cause me a lot of sharp pain if I increase it.However, if i am to do some other excercises that don't hurt my clavicle or shoulder, I can crank it up all the way and i can get a good workout.What i didn't realize is how fun it is.And this is coming from a person who questions what fun is.The unit is so simple and yet it does so many things.I thought i would be spending a lot of time moving around attachments but i am not.One word of caution is the be careful the first few times that you move it from verticle to horizontal.The whole thing came down hard on my foot and I am usually good with mechanical things like this.I could tell that if the impact was on the right person in the right place, it could break their foot, so please be careful and read the instructions.