Total Gym 1000
by Scott Bird
May 24, 2006
5 comments
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With the jetlag associated with moving through a dozen timezones in less than two days comes a strong desire to do any sort of strength training available - even at odd times. As it’ll be a few weeks before I again find myself with a rack at my disposal, I’m giving my dad’s Total Gym 1000 a bit of a test.
If you haven’t seen the Total Gym (usually on TV as an infomercial squeezed between various ab machines), it looks similar to an incline bench with a sliding pad, and cables + pulleys to move the pad up and down the guides. Although plates can be added via an optional accessory, the standard for most of the Total Gym machines is body weight.
This machine blends the cardio and strength training components, and seems like a great way of maintaining (or developing in my case) a good level of GPP. As the angle of the slide is adjustable, it’s also an excellent way of building up to handstand pushups. Fun stuff.
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Personally, I would prefer it if you boxed kangaroos or embarked on some sort of combat training with a passel of Tasmanian Devils. Good to see you back online.
Posted by: Bud Gibson | May 24, 2006 1:50 PM
Ouch!!!
I don’t know whether to second that or not. But anything is better than nothing. Good to see you back, Scott.
Posted by: Alberto Caraballo | May 24, 2006 9:39 PM
I was just thinking about handstand pushups today. CrossFit had them as part of their WOD on Thursday, and one of the commenters mentioned that he/she was using the Total Gym to work up to them. (No, I wasn’t doing any, but it’s nice to dream…)
I’m looking forward to reading your review of the Total Gym. Does your dad use it for his workouts?
Posted by: Mich | May 26, 2006 8:22 PM
Not sure if you guys have ever had the chance to see Tasmanian Devils up close, but their appearance doesn’t really equal their reputation. Look at this.
Mich, I’ll post a review as soon as I get a chance to knock one up; but I will say that it’s a great little thing. Certainly not a replacement for the heavy stuff, but a welcome addition just now. And yes, my dad uses it daily.
Posted by: Scott | May 28, 2006 12:20 PM
I have to say, that devil looks positively cuddly. Perhaps you could do a sandbag routine while walking one of those on a leash.
Posted by: Bud Gibson | May 30, 2006 12:11 AM