You Can't Build Your Body on a Total Gym?

[@dmp762]

There are people that grow up on farms; never touch free weights, but are extremely strong. Resistance training is about just that, resistance. It doesn't matter if it comes from free weights, resistance bands, or a Total Gym, it's still resistance.

[@andrewstutz4240]

Haha, I bailed hay 8-10 hours a day in the summers in high school and I got jacked quick.

[@quantumhealthandnutrition]

Exactly

[@termil6891]

I'm 3 months into a Total Gym and Calisthenics workout routine so far I have dropped 39 lbs but I noticed my muscles are starting to pop. My functional strength/body movements have improved greatly.

[@hybridresistance]

Awesome to hear. Keep it up, pretty much guaranteed to see continual definition/progress.

[@samhemmings560]

Looking back I can’t find a single dislike on any of videos. It says a lot for both you as a host and the the Chanel! Great job on producing the very best content on this equipment, viva la sliding bench revolution!

[@hybridresistance]

I appreciate it man. There's been dislikes before they got rid of seeing the "thumbs down" and for sure some TG haters, but overall you guys that watch are super supportive. I definitely hope we see the "sliding bench" revolution.

[@herrband7320]

Your channel honestly inspired me to start working out on a sliding bench trainer after being sidelined from the gym for literally years with a shoulder injury and having lost most of the muscle I built from almost 20+ years of gym work due to shoulder instability and fear of re-injury. Between your exercise demonstrations and explanatory videos, I felt confident that this might work for me, and now it’s my all-time favorite piece of workout equipment. As a bonus, my chronic shoulder injury has been improving with the use of the machine and the back/shoulder/posture exercises that you’ve demonstrated and the machine is low impact and adaptable enough that I’m not worried that I’m going to re-injure my shoulder again. Your channel is awesome, your physique is inspiring, and I’m truly grateful to you for what you do. Thank you.

[@drollio]

Look in to prolotherapy , this may help you. Strengthen the ligaments , stabilize your schoulder , and workout again whiteout pain.

[@hybridresistance]

Very kind of you to share all that and for the positive comments. I greatly appreciate that. You've been doing all the work, so these comments are inspiration to others that may have given up on resistance training because of injury and very helpful for myself to hear stories like this that support how effective these pieces of equipment are. Thank you again.

[@steviem5279]

Your body knows resistance it doesn't know where that resistance is coming from and your body structure also plays a big role as well. A skinny person will never look like Arnold in his prime but that person can get that Michael Jordan type build and there's nothing wrong with either. You look at gymnasts and how strong their bodies are and I would say none workout with weights, it's all body weight they are using to build their strength to do the routines that they can do and we can go on and on. You can get the body you want on the Total Gym so long as you put the work in and even try different things on it to add weight resistance...maybe use a weighted vest while working out or as you do and that is add a resistance band and we can go on and on. I bought mine through QVC back around Christmas of 2020 and I love what it's done for me, I'm older (50 years old) so for me it's all about staying in shape but it's worked great for me and the only thing with it is getting used to how to workout with it, there is a bit of a learning curve but once you figure it out you've got a great machine.

[@dalebiskey2808]

When I first got my total gym, I didn't think I was going to get really good workouts on it. I've been hitting it regularly for almost 2 years now and I can honestly say that this machine delivers great workouts. But it's like when going to the gym, ya get out of it what ya put into it.

[@hybridresistance]

Excellent, very true indeed.

[@imsljr420]

It works as advertised. Your muscles feel pumped and tight while your joints feel loose and limber. You feel strong but flexible and relaxed at the same time.

[@jndq591]

The muscles do not know where the resistance comes from, the brain does. My totalgym complements my freeweight home gym as it is a versatible cable machine substitution at a fraction of the cost. It offers a constant resistance curve and is an excellent tool when used for the proper tasks. For me it started all with a second hand total gym 1000 a few years ago. Consistency is the key regardless training style or tools you use.

[@terrywarchief5647]

What makes the total gym great to me is the range of motion you get in your shoulder joints. That's my take as a beginner at it at age 61.

[@hybridresistance]

Great point. Really can improve and maintain ROM of the shoulders

[@joshualuckadoo4236]

These gyms are great my body composition changed and these machines helped with mine martial arts

[@tristanhnl]

I can attest the total gym absolutely builds muscle. I'm living proof of that, as all my resistance training comes from the TG, and I packed on 12 pounds of muscle so far (while losing body fat, so the amount of muscle put on is probably even more). People need to stop propagating the lie that you need to lift really heavy in order to build muscle. As the scientific studies are showing over and over again, lifting heavy and lifting lighter weight both build equal amounts of muscle, as long as sets are taken 1-2 reps short of failure. As such, the TG provides more than enough resistance to build muscle. And again, I'm living proof of that. If anything, I've had much faster results lifting light rather than heavy. Four months ago I decided to try lifting heavier, so my number of reps in each set can be slashed in half to save time. I did this for 3 whole months. The result? My gains came *really, really* slowly....almost stagnated at times it seemed. At first, I thought lifting heavy would have done the trick, because after my workouts, I'd have a stronger muscle fatigue feeling. And my muscles probably were getting more fatigued...as recovery time was longer, and I needed 3 days of rest between working out the same body part, in order to recover (versus 2 day in between to recover, when lifting lighter). Again, the results weren't nearly as good versus lifting lighter. I recently went back to lifting light, and the steady progress returned. Lifting lighter did result in having less of that muscle fatigue feeling, but recovery was also quicker, and I can hit the same body part 3 times a week versus 2 when lifting heavy. I can see visible results in the mirror and in progress pictures. It's also important to mention that during all this, I kept my diet and nutrition the same (I literally eat the same things every single week ...and don't mind it 😉 - beef or chicken, rice, and veggie medleys).

[@hybridresistance]

That was a great post and a great read. Love hearing from all of your personal experiences, especially one like yours where you compared heavy to light and more frequency. Awesome to hear that you found what works for and that you took the time to compare it to something else.

[@RobertCombs70]

I'd like to see a video explaining supplements you use, ones you use on a daily basis, ones you use at specific times, how long should you take some of them and what each of them do for you etc, Maybe discuss side affects some may have given you etc. This is important for me to know as i'm getting older.

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you for the comment. I am planning doing a video or series of videos on this as I am very much into sports nutrition / supplementation.

[@tristanstadtmuller4874]

Not only have I lost weight with my TG, but the muscles in my arms and chest have gotten bigger. My TG has also helped me with my balance and boxing. My body has gotten much better thanks to my TG.

[@hybridresistance]

Can't ask for anything more from one piece of equipment. Thanks for sharing that comment.

[@mattlarsen1738]

I bought the total gym apex g1 a few weeks ago and love it. My buddy came over and tried it out too, he was skeptical of it but once he got on he was like this thing will kick your butt. I'm also on creatine for that muscle growth and I know it's not healthy but I'm doing what's called dirty bulking to hopefully get bigger. I'm 37 6'1 and 200 pounds. My goal is 225 to 230. I'm also using BFR bands with dumbbells to try and get the thor arms

[@hybridresistance]

Very sick brother. You'd be a beast at 6'1 and 225. Nothing like seeing someone doubt the TG and hop on it for the first time.

[@mattlarsen1738]

@@hybridresistance I'm also trying to do a 100 incline pushups a day

[@hybridresistance]

@@mattlarsen1738 I think I need to jump on that as well. My chest needs work something like that would be great.

[@theticoboy]

Still using total gym? How are the results?

[@timothy6115]

I totally love your channel. Thanks for at least prefacing with your foundations you’ve grown up with. My biggest take away from watching your channel is consistency and redundancy. Sure you may of had an amazing physical appearance from the gym life but you’ve clearly maintained it and added more definition with the total gym. If everyone was consistent with these workouts, results will follow!

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks Timothy for the kind words. Yes, 100% it's all about consistency I believe.

[@andrewfitzman]

I've been using my TG to do upper and lower body circuits and by the end I'm dripping in sweat and my heart rate is elevated. Much easier to switch between exercises and keep the circuit going as opposed to a gym where you have to share and wait for equipment.

[@maxr2433]

Will you be uploading a warmup routine, or can you recommend one? Or do you even recommend one? I have shoulder/neck pain that can flare up from pressing exercises

[@crazyfun5150]

The reason I’m considering going to a total gym instead of heavy weightlifting at the gym is flexibility. Having back issues and worked almost 20 years in retail, I need a consistent workout but also something that is low impact on my back and joints. And this seems like a perfect way to get a good workout without having to put the extra strain on yourself with using free weights or weight plates on a bar.

[@hybridresistance]

I can attest that while I didn't sustain any big injury using heavy weight for years, my joints have definitely felt better than ever switching to sliding bench training.

[@crazyfun5150]

@@hybridresistance I never had any big issues thankfully either at the gym. But getting older you definitely have to take care of your body. At this point in my life at almost 39, I need to improve my overall flexibility rather than adding bulk. I do like to stay toned and in shape. And I’m honestly just tired of going to the gym when something like a total gym would be more convenient for me being busy. I’ve also heard heavy weighting over time takes a toll on your back and specifically affecting your spine shrinking. Not sure if that’s just a myth as I was never an expert weight lifter just a guy that liked to work out. But I digress, the point being I feel like this machine would be better for stretching and flexibility as well as keeping you toned. If it can do that while also giving me the convenience of working out at home anytime that’s an added bonus. Because going to the gym some days it’s harder to go if you have a lot going on.

[@jamestallo8949]

I purchased my Total Gym this past July and have been using it consistantly for eight months now. It's all about trial and error and what works best for you personally, everyone adapts differently. When I start getting bored with my routine I just switch things up a bit. Great video Mike, always appreciate your content!

[@hybridresistance]

Excellent points.

[@loulopez554]

When they can sell you an expensive dumbell set with a barbell along with a power rack, not to mention the weights themselves they hate this awesome one machine does it all.

[@drollio]

1000%

[@hybridresistance]

Great point Lou.

[@MidwestPyro55]

This is too accurate.. Same with other things - they'd rather sell you anxiety pills for the rest of your life than teach you breathwork/meditation as example.

[@wfqsfg]

If someone wants to stay toned and keep their muscles flexible and strong, this is the type of machine to do it. I was looking into this about 20 years ago and the brand name Total Trainer came up in my internet search. They were about half the price of Total Gyms and had the means to add weights to the sled but were the same. What I liked about these over other home equipment is they don't take up much space, the means of resistance will take decades to wear out compared to some systems like rubber bands, flex rods or what looks like shock absorbers. I guess thats why this type of machine is still selling over 30 years and the others have disappeared.

[@4kats]

This is just dogma. Period. I've used many different methods. They all work as they all create resistance. I've taken your advice from last year and going to work out, outside as we are going into spring. Unfortunately where I live as summer approaches unless it's night time it can get very hot over 100 so I'll be inside during that time. The only issue with nighttime workouts there are a lot of bugs that bite. I'll have to spray myself lol! The total gym outside is awesome!

[@hybridresistance]

Thanks for that comment and happy to hear you're working out outside.

[@MidwestPyro55]

I think it mainly comes down to Intensity and Calories. If you're going close to failure on the exercises and are in a calorie surplus (with plenty of protein) you'll have no problems building muscle with TG. Just like someone who is in a calorie deficit won't be packing on a bunch of muscle mass from throwing barbells and dumbbells around. Can't out train a bad diet no matter what equipment you're using.

[@hybridresistance]

You're right on all that for sure!

[@joannaprevost426]

Great subject, it is kind of relative. There are so many factors to gain muscles. I think its not one size fits all. I weight train and use Total gym as a supplement to my traditional workouts. Lately I have been going slow on the negative weights, its harder than you think. I do agree it takes a lot of dedication . Keep up the great work . 😁

[@hybridresistance]

Using weights and a TG is a win win for sure. And you're right about going slow on the negative reps.

[@ThePepsg35]

total gym for life 🙌💯 you are a total gym badass!😎👍

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you for that and for watching again.

[@victorialopez9717]

I was wondering if anyone has tips for men's pants that aren't slippery on the Total Gym surface. My husband uses his at a steep incline and every pair of pants he has just causes him to slide down.

[@hybridresistance]

Here's a video I did where I address that with a cheap grip mat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqq8e6Furd-Gm6M

[@staciecook5217]

As a woman I love ur channel thank u !

[@hybridresistance]

Thank you so much. I'm going to try to add some videos in the near future for women.

[@jamesbarnes1427]

True facts 💯

[@josephwright9487]

I commented on an earlier post about how I couldn't break 300 bench press in my younger days and now at 50 after using only the total gym since COVID lockdowns I can press over 310. I also notice growth using a digital measuring tape in all areas. Also there were areas that I neglected when I was younger like abs and shoulders which are visibly larger just using the total gym.

[@hybridresistance]

That is awesome. I really need to compile results such as yours that I keep hearing coming my way. Keep up the great work!

[@3Pillers]

👍

[@kevinpoynter6697]

Seems like legs and calves are the total gym's weakness by a long shot.

[@hybridresistance]

You can work them just takes a little patience. There's actually some great calve exercises though.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

I put two resistance bands (2 & 1/4 inch wide) and I think those are rated 300 lbs each at total extension. So the squats are definitely challenging now!!