Should I buy a total gym??

I had a total gym. I hated it. Ended up being a great shelf for awhile till i gave it away for free. Couldnt even sell it.

Wow! Couldn't even give it away?
I vote for free weights instead of the Total Gym.

We have a Total Gym XLS and love it. I have free weights, pullup bar, etc, etc, also...but for convenience, the Total Gym is my go to for resistance workout. My goal is to strengthen my muscles (overall body) and lose weight. I am not looking to become a body builder at this point in time, but I have no reason to think someone couldn't get there while using this gym. While there are pilates attachments and exercises, the TG is not at all like pilates if using it for merely resistance. Right now I mostly use the TG for circuit training.

Free weights are fantastic. No doubt about it. But there are moves you CAN do on the TG that can not be done with free weights and a flat bench alone. Pullovers, leg curls, outer hip and thigh, iron cross (you can't get that range with a simple dip or free weights), inner thigh pull, inverted situps, surfer...to name a few. I personally love doing pullups on the TG because I can work on that range of motion and target the muscles without feeling like a failure on my actual pullup bar, which I can not use properly...even with a stool or chair. Plus the stretch before engaging the muscle you are using is fantastic!

CONS of the Total Gym:
~Price...it is very expensive
~Size...it is big/long. For me, it is not convenient to collapse and move, so it sits in the corner of my bedroom ready to use each time.
~Weight/resistance... you would have to buy the additional attachment to add weights if level 6 is not enough for you.
~Leg Presses/Squats...don't have enough weight for me to get a deep burn without doing many additional reps and sets.
~I prefer bicep curls/exercises with free weights (this is a personal choice for me).
~Some floor exercises are better at targeting certain muscle groups.

PROS of the Total Gym:
~Convenience...it's always ready to use.
~Great range of motion.
~Targets multiple muscle groups with minimal change of position.
~Quick change of attachments and resistance levels keeps your heart in target range when moving from each exercise.
~Tricep workouts hit my arms best on the TG than with most free weight exercises, and I feel it in the parts that are the most difficult for me to target.
~Great for family to workout on. My kids use it a few times each week...my son for building strength, and both for practicing their jumping (one and two legged) and lunges to help with the sports they are involved in. My husband is big into playing sports but does not enjoy working out or free weights. He just started with the TG and raves about it. Shoulder presses are currently one of his favorites (no problems for his surgically repaired rotator cuff).
~Stretching while exercising. I don't feel tight after "lifting" like I have in the past with free weights because I get a full stretch on the TG as I'm performing each exercise...and I don't have to stretch for longer periods of time at the end of my workout.
~Great for toning.
~Great for building muscle.
~Control of movements is easy. Sometimes with free weights you hit your max rep and just want to drop at that peak/burn. There is no fear of dropping weight on your head, foot, toe, hand, buddy, etc.
~No need for a spotter.
~You can't swing through your movements (like too many novices do with free weights).
~I can use it in the morning while my husband sleeps...there are no loud noises and clanging of weights.
~The DVD's are great to get you started and give a better understanding on how to best use the TG.
~Saves time and money from going to the gym (not just the gym fees, the gas to drive there, etc).
~Sturdy piece of equipment

I have used my Total Gym to assist with other workouts. During P90X I used the pullup feature on the TG, used it as a bench for some of the seated moves.

From someone who is an all around sucker for workout infomercials the Total Gym is no gimmick. It is consistently the one thing I use over and again. I'm not sure the free weight advocates here have ever tried one, or they may feel differently. To the original poster, if you want to spend the money and have the space for it, I say go for it! Once you have it set up and learn how to move the attachments around, working out is a piece of cake. :0)

I would NOT buy TG new, but I bought one used for $75 and thought it was well worth the money. Other similar brands are far less expensive new as well. This type of machine allows for a variety of exercises to get full body workout. That said, you might outgrow it as your fitness level increases. Some models allow you to add additional weight, but otherwise you are limited to `60% of your body weight for resistance. If you are in the beginning phases of exercising and looking for something for 3-5 months I would recommend a used TG. It is a great way to work up to doing pull-ups. Trying before buying is always a good idea if possible.

I also have free weights and dumbbells, but still enjoy the TG for variety and some of the unique exercises.

I picked up one with a load of other equipment I bought on Craigslist. I set it up, tried it out a couple of times, and then re-sold it on CL. And I'm the type to hold onto something if there's any use for it. I've even got a bosu in my home gym.

It was just another piece of equipment taking up space that didn't do anything I couldn't do with dumbbells and a pull-up bar.

I have the total gym xls and I think its great. It does what it says it does, and its easy to change from one exercise to the next, and fold it up when you are finished to get it out of the way. Its still you that has to keep you accountable and using it. I have the cyclo trainer also and im not a fan of it. It just does nothing for me. It gets boring and tedious and I'm not sure why. I have a total gym, a 40 lb heavy bag, a Stamina orbital rower and a pull up bar (because eventually my goal is to be able to do an unassisted pull up) and i can get a great workout at home in my little gym. I love it.

My father has one. It's "okay," but the way it works makes many exercises awkward, and the way it works forces poor form on many of them. For a similar (and cheaper, and more compact, and just plain BETTER) system, look into suspension trainers. Far superior.