Total Gym Evolve, Premium Inclining Bodyweight Training Exercise Machine

Like many of us, I was forced to stop attending my beloved local gym due to the pandemic. I set up a decent home gym, with free weights, a medicine ball, workout mat and balance board, but I felt a bit stuck, and although I stayed in decent shape, I wasn’t getting the results I wanted.A friend told me I should get a Total Gym, and although I scoffed at first (“You mean the one that Chuck Norris hawks on TV?!”) I looked into it. So, I did a ton of research online, read reviews and compared features, and the Total Gym brand did seem legit. I settled on this Total Gym model as the perfect balance between price and functionality. I’m a small woman, 63 years old, and my goals are overall fitness, toning, weight loss and health. I am not looking to build bulk, and the “limited” range of 6 resistance levels - other models offer more - is sufficient for me. I live alone, but using leverage and gravity, I was able to get the heavy box through the house down the stairs to my basement workout area. Unboxing was fairly straightforward. (I will say, be SURE to remove all the packing materials. There are some stealthy bits of cardboard I didn’t find at first.) Set up was easy. The Total Gym comes with a set-up guide, exercise guide and wall poster showing all the major exercises. It took me a couple of days to get the hang of using it, but after that’s was off and running. Exercises are effective and the Gym moves smoothly. I’ve always enjoyed working out, but now I can’t wait to get downstairs every morning and hit the Gym. Exercises in booklet and on poster are well described and easy to follow, and the workouts feel good. Accessories are easy to install and take off. The Total Gym also comes with a workout DVD and subscription to online videos, but I haven’t used either of those, so can’t speak to that aspect of this package. One thing I added to my order was a set of interlocking 24”x24” floor mats to place under the gym, as I’d read thy have a tendency to scoot around on hard surfaces if you don’t place mats under them. I recommend plastic/rubber mats it you are using your Gym on a hard surface. My whole setup takes up a space around 10’x4’ - and at just under $350.00, the gym and mats together were less than my yearly gym membership. For fun, community and support I hope to go back to my local gym when I can, but for now the Total Gym is a fantastic alternative.

UPDATE: 1/12/2025: The effort and consistency has paid off, I've gotten a lot stronger since I've been using this for the last almost seven months now, the machine is holding up well, I haven't lost a lot of weight but my body composition has changed there's definitely more muscle there and I am looking better. (But I do love to eat so I might have to tackle that later) This is a great piece of exercise equipment especially for its price. (I bought the version with 6 levels of resistance) It comes with a quick reference charge for exercises. There are 32 exercises on the chart total for a total of 4 exercises to target your Arms, Abs, Legs, Arms, Chest, Back, Shoulders, and a set of Compound exercises that work more than one muscle group. Setup was simple, The box weighed about 60-70 pounds so depending on your fitness level you might need a buddy to bring it inside. After unpacking the box you'll need a pair of scissors or a box cutter to remove the other packing materials that are on the equipment. You don't need any tools otherwise just pull the locking pin and lift the resistance column up and you're pretty much done. The manual provides some circuit training programs that are helpful if you don't have a clear idea on where to start. Remember the machine works on your body weight so if you're a heavier guy like me you should start at the lower resistance levels until you start building your strength up. Overall this is a great product, I'm glad I bought it and I've already noticed a huge difference in how I feel just from a quick 10-15 minute low resistance workout every morning before work and really going hard on the weekends.

Hubby ordered this and set it all up. I heard no yelling or swearing, so setup was seamless. :) He spoke up later all huffing and puffing and said wow, great machine. This is very very high praise coming from him. It has all the weights and resistance that he was expecting it to have. He also mentioned that once he stops huffing and puffing on the lowest setting, he's glad he can move it up for more resistance work. Yup, I'm giggling while writing this and very very happy that he is totally satisfied with this.

Easy to put together and use. Will not disappoint. Great alternative for days when you cannot get to the gym or for your home gym.

I have used the Total Gym for over 30 years and found it a real match for my exercise interests and not turning it into a clothes hanger (like other exercise equipment). From the title, you can tell that they can last a long while. Granted, I have had to change a few things on the 1000. I bought a new wing attachment plus the wheels gave out on the 1000 glideboard. So, I bought the 1500 glideboard as it fit to the 1000 frame. However, the wheels wore out on it as well. Luckily, I found a company from Tennessee called Huck Products, who sell higher quality wheels and bearings for the Total gym glideboards and are very smooth operating. They are worth the investment! So, a few days ago in August, 2021, my Total Gym 1000 base welding to the frame split apart so I had to look for a new overall frame. The Total Gym Apex G1 seemed to be the right price with the necessary amount levels that I use (6). However, there are a few differences. Their glideboard has the cheaper plastic wheels so I put my Total Gym 1500 glideboard on the frame and it fits perfectly. I will save the Apex glideboard if the 1500 ever wears out. Also, I did not like the separate wings to use for leg and arm exercises on the Apex. So, I am using the upgraded wing attachment (all one piece) from my 1000 as it fits on the Apex as well. Finally, the attachment on the Arm Pulley to the Glide Board was very difficult to get off and on, so I use a metal S hook to make it easier to remove when doing different exercises. Total Gym might say it is unsafe but I have never had a problem. My rating is a definite 5 as I am back in business to exercise again after about 15 to 20 minutes of setting it up and applying the pieces from the old 1000 that broke.

Small

If you are looking for a home gym solution then there is hands down no better price to results option on the market. A sliding bench machine can allow you to reach your fitness goals except perhaps if you were looking to be a competitive body builder or power lifter. However for typical fitness goals a sliding bench provides relatively cheap home option that allows you to train your entire body and what is great for my case, I don't have a lot of floor space real-estate, this total gym model is fairly compact and doesn't require much room when set up and is easy to store away. If you buy this product I recommend searching YouTube if you are seeking a guide on getting started.

I have been using a total gym for 40 years. I have wore out two of them. Kept them going with new wheels and cables. Finally needed a new one. I use mine almost ever day I miss very few days. I am 72 and have always found it a great workout. The new design is great. It arrived one day after ordering. I highly recommend The Total Gym

When the parcel arrived one of the black leg ends was damaged. We notified the seller and they responded right away and sent the new part through to us with no delay. The product is great and will get a lot of use. Don't hesitate to purchase this product, you can be sure the product is good and the seller is #1

The sliding backboard prevents closing/folding product for storage. 1 of the metal hooks that hold board to frame is bent in and causes a jam when folding/unfolding. This should have been caught by quality control...perhaps the seller skips that step. Otherwise i would normally say 5* rating