Total Body Works 5000 at sportsauthority.com The Good:
Easy setup
Easy Use
Good aerobic workout
good upper body work out
quick simple transitions between exercises
exercises for every major muscle group
when folded it's about the size of a iron board
The Bad :
Heavier than a normal foldable weight bench (80 lbs)
Not enough resistance for legs
Completely expanded length is about 6 ft
Probably max out on resitance in a year or so
The Ugly :
people who think this machine is a quick fix or will make them huge
Like with any other equpiment you have to weigh your means vs your goals. Depending on your goals this machine can either be great or horrible.
First my means. I can afford a gym membership no problems there. However work and real life cut into the time when I can actually go to a gym. I can afford a weight bench, weights and bars, but I'm living in an apartment with two roomates, thus room for said equipment is not available. I do have a small amount of space in my room so I need something that will meet my workout goals.
Workout Goals.
- *Must be quick and efficient.
*have to be able to work multiple muscle groups easily or at the same time.
*Must provide cardio.
*Must be able to maintain or develop strength and fitness levels.
Why did i choose this machine?
Incline slide benches have been around FOREVER. Watch the directors cut of Pumping Iron and you'll see Arnold on a incline slide bench. There are old pictures from blackblet mag with Chcuk Norris using one circa 1970's. For the past couple decades these things have been used mainly for rehab from injuries because of the low stress it puts on joints during use. So first off it is a proven machine in my eyes. Second, I chose this machine because it met all my fitness goals. I had been doing a lot of bodyweight exercises that work my lower body and abs, but none of the ones for upper body were doing it for me. I needed something to supplement my current workout with my time schedule. This machine helps me target what I want to work quickly and efficiently. I am able to workout now consistantly on top of my 3 two hour martial arts training sessions a week.
This model will use 60% of your body weight for weight resistance and will support up to 250 lbs, so this is a high-rep type machine. For your upper body workouts this will be more than enough for you get into shape and maintain that level of fitness. However when moving on to lower body exercises the 60% body weight will not cut it. I supplement this with bodyweight exercises for my lower body like jump squats (a la Bas Rutten's MMA workout) which use 100% of my body weight. This type of machine is NOT designed to build large mass. It's more for overall fitness and will get you a nice lean look. You will see results in terms of strength and physique but not the same results as you would get with free weights. Free weights and an adjustable incline bench are a better choice if you have the room and money for them. If I did would have gotten a full set, since i didn't this was my next best choice. I'm not dissappointed with my decision.
The Weider Total Body Works 5000 is pretty much exactly like the total gym 1500. The Difference is that you can add 20 lbs of added tensile resistance to the sled to make your workouts a little more difficult whereas the total gym does not have a way to add more resistance outside of the seven level incline. Another major difference is the price, TBW 5000 retails about $100 cheaper than the Total Gym 1500 and provides the same functionality. There are other forms of incline slide benchs out there, I was able to get my machine realtively cheap ($150 including 1 year extended warranty and shipping) so that is why I went with the Weider Total Body Works 5000.
This machine like any other is a supplement to decent nutrition, common sense, a regular workout schedul and sensible exercise. Do not believe that this, or any other piece of equipment is the all encompassing quick fix to better health and fitness. Just like everything else you have to work hard for it.