I saw on TV recently that Total Gym offers their risk free trial for $49. That is if you call their phone operator. If you buy online you can get the Total Gym for $1 for the first month and usually with free shipping. So the total month one cost is actually $1. On top of that the company usually offers some sort of discount on top of this. Retail price of the Total Gym XLS (which is the one you want and the one we have) is $1948.05. Sometimes they have sales as deep as 45%. For example today (February 23rd, 2010) you can buy a Total Gym for $1071.43. They also offer a monthly payment system which comes out to $107 a month for ten months.
Another option you have is if you can pay in full you can get a free upgrade:
We have had our Total Gym for a year now, and it is used daily. A Total Gym tip for you is that in the course of 3-4 minutes you can do a very quick workout that gets your blood flowing. It can be very easy as well. You can apply just a little incline and get a workout in that does not make you sweat, but gets you going.
Of course you can also really work your muscles aggressively, but the biggest draw that we see is that this is something that you can easily incorporate into your life every day. Imagine just doing a 5 minute workout a day for 30 days.. you would have such a win in your mind. You would then remind yourself that you did this. This is what we talk about in PEERtrainer all the time, stacking small wins on top of each other. When you do this you put yourself in a position where you are set up to win.
Easy rituals like this are great. Imagine if every day you woke up 10 minutes early, had half a cucumber and some green tea and did 5 minutes of Total Gym. We have a yoga mat right next to our Total Gym so we can hop off and stretch for a couple minutes. These are the kinds of rituals you can genuinely look forward to. Quiet time, if you have kids you can do this before you wake up. It can be a lot of fun!
Btw- we were given our Total Gym by the company, and we need to disclose that. But we get sent a lot of things by companies looking to promote their products and a lot of it gathers dust or is given away. Ours sits in our garage and is between our office and kitchen. This is a high traffic area.
We are big advocates of people getting physically stronger. And we strongly recommend having stuff at home that you can use. Two things that I use literally every day when I am at home are Bodylastics and Total Gym. You can get both products at a discount this week.
Bodylastics
Bodylastics makes resistance bands sets. There are different options depending on how much resistance you are looking for. This company makes the highest quality product in the market. We cover resistance bands a lot in our fitness content. If you have been thinking about buying a set, for the next week the company is offering PEERtrainer members a 5% discount. You can apply the discount by clicking on this link and then entering the word "peertrainer" (you need to use lowercase) in the coupon code field. This code expires in a week. Btw, Blake runs this company and is my buddy. I can personally vouch for the product and the people behind it!
Total Gym
The best way to describe Total Gym is by presenting part of their Wikipedia Entry:
"In 1974 (before there was any thought of an informercial) the very first Total Gym was developed by Tom Campanaro (then a competitive body builder) and his partners Dale McMurray and Larry Westfall in San Diego, California. They started a company with the name "Total Gym Incorporated". The device encouraged "functional exercise", a way of duplicating movements the body performs in everyday life, with and against gravity. This caught the eye of Physical Therapists and other medical professionals. The machine was found to engage all muscle groups, allowing over 100 functional exercises on different levels of inclined resistance. The full range of motion and variable resistance levels (heavier resistance near the top and light resistance when more horizontal) brought much attention to various professionals. Customers were starting to use the product for upper and lower body exercises to do stretching, strengthening, and comprehensive movements similar to aerobics. The easy concept was found to help facilitate key components of exercise: cardiovascular endurance (aerobics), muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. The machines typically take up much less space than a complete set of weights and machines."
I simply LOVE this machine. Right now I am training for a marathon and find that it is an excellent addition to my overall training. Until August 20th you can get the top of the line model (the XLS) for almost half off. If you have been thinking about getting one, this is the time! Click here to buy a Total Gym XLS with the discount.
I'm a big fan of workout downloads and having your own personal trainer right on your IPOD. People LOVE these things and I was just forwarded this 10% off coupon.
Go to the gym, download this and have your own personal trainer guiding you through your workout. Gotta love technology bringing the trainer to you at your own convenience.
This video shows you how to use Bodylastic resistance bands to get a great ab workout. This video shows you 4 different exercises to isolate the obliques, abdominal muscles and your overall core. These muscles are great for golf, tennis, martial arts, baseball -- and are especially good for getting young athletes the strength, speed and stamina they will need to compete effectively:
We are working on getting a new coupon for PEERtrainer members. We will let you know as soon as we know something. In the meantime, we'd encourage you to look around the Bodylastics Website and read about their different products and packages. There is also some excellent information on the science behind resistance bands.
We recently interviewed the founder of Bodylastics, Blake Kassel. He talks about how and why the product works, his circuit training program and why Terrell Owens became interested in Bodylastics:
If you are looking at Bodylastics resistance bands, we have made a video that shows you how they work. The Bodylastics system is the highest quality product on the market, and the video will show you why. We also have a detailed written review just below this video.
Bodylastics is a manufacturer of top of the line Stretch
Band (also known as Resistance Bands and Exercise Bands) home workout
equipment.It was founded by
elastics expert and fitness enthusiast Blake Kassel.
If you’re uncertain what Resistance Bands are, then you can
get a quick peek by visiting www.bodylastics.com
before you finish reading the review.
Bodylastics has taken the concept of the Resistance Band
Home Gym Workout to a new level.Our fitness team tested it and loved it!It may sound a little hard to believe but this simple system
that weighs as little as 3 pounds (depending on which model you get- there are
a total of 3; we’ll give you the breakdown shortly) and fits easily into your
suitcase can go head to head with all the equipment at your local gym, as well
as with both The Total Gym and The Bowflex Revolution.Don’t get us wrong- we liked those
systems too, but you’ll be amazed when you see how this small, affordable and
portable package can hold it’s own compared to those more familiar brands.
What are Resistance
Bands (aka Exercise Bands)?
Resistance bands are simply flexible bands made from elastic
materials that are used to strengthen muscles.They are typically about 4 feet long and have varying gauges
or “thickness” that will determine how much resistance it will provide.
Typically, resistance band systems come with a handle system
and the bands clip onto that handle system using either a plastic clip, or in
the case of Bodylastics, a strong metal karabiner (a smaller, lighter version
of what is used for rock climbing).
The Bodylastics system then comes with a variety of
attachments for affixing the system to a door jamb or other anchor so you can
begin working a variety of muscles.You don’t need the attachment, however, to do many of the exercises.Most major muscles groups can be worked
without any attachment mechanism whatsoever.
The Bodylastics system allows you to complete over 140
different exercises from the comfort of your home (or hotel room, or park, or
wherever).
If you are still having trouble “getting the picture”, then
once again, visit www.bodylastics.com
before reading the rest of our review so you’ll have the right image in your
mind.
What does Terrell
Owens know that you don’t?
One of the things that really impressed us about Bodylastics
is that Terrell Ownens (“TO”), the Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver (who is known
for his strength and conditioning, not to mention the best physique in the NFL)
is a big advocate of the Bodylastics system.
Actually, he’s more than a big advocate- he has partnered
with Bodylastics to create the Terrell Owens Super Strong Man Edition.We did a little research, and you can
find the backstory on the Terrel Owens Bands website: www.tobands.com.
In short, Terrell injured his hamstring in a game and it was
recommended that he use resistance bands to rehabilitate himself.He did and his hamstring recovered
quickly. Once he got back into action, however, he realized that his moves were
even more powerful and explosive.
He had gone back to weight lifting shortly after his
recovery, and soon realized that he actually lost the explosiveness and power
he had gained from the bands!
He immediately went back to training full time using
Resistance Bands and has not looked back since.That evolved into a partnership with Bodylastics, and the
Terrel Owens Super Strong Man Edition was born.Bodylastics developer Blake Kassel tells the full story of
how the partnership came about on the same website as well (www.tobands.com).
Are Resistance Bands
Truly Effective?
The answer, in a word, is “Yes.”You will probably be surprised how truly effective the
Exercise Bands are.
The Bodylastics Exercise Bands may not look like they can give
you a workout like free weights, but you will be pleasantly surprised.Our fitness editorial team took the
Bodylastics to the test, and we were very impressed.Here is what one member of our fitness team- who has used a
different brand of resistance tubes in the past- had to say:
“I have an old set of
bands at home that I have had for several years.I don’t remember the brand, and I think I picked them up at
Sports Authority several years ago.I think they’re made from a slightly differently material than
Bodylastics because they’re not as smooth.
Anyhow, I always take
them with me when I’m traveling because they are so compact.I’ve enjoyed them and was always glad I
had them, but never felt like I got a real “replacement workout” when I used them…meaning
they never duplicated the way I felt coming out of the gym after a workout.
That is where
Bodylastics most impressed me.It
really is a complete system, and if you follow the basic guidelines they
suggest in the manual or DVD, you’re going to get a serious workout at home in
your living room.I had never
considered the idea of really gaining muscle with bands- again, I always
thought there were a ‘nice maintenance type workout’.But Bodylastics is really making me rethink that.”
How does Bodylastics
compare to Free Weights?
This is the scientific explanation of the difference:
"Many individuals using elastic resistance report that they can feel a difference, such as a stronger burn in the muscles and greater muscle fatigue, as compared to when they use free weights. This is due to the linear variable resistance that the elastic resistance equipment offers. This allows a greater number of muscle fibers to be used and taxed throughout the range of motion. Anecdotal evidence aside, research studies also confirm this difference. One study performed at Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) found that athletes who included elastic resistance bench press training in their regimens had a significantly greater increase in bench press strength and power as compared to those who only utilized free-weight resistance training.".
Here is another interesting tidbit that we found on the
Bodylastics site:
“In 2002 we had a
booth at the Arnold Classic in Ohio. This is one of the most famous
Bodybuilding shows and also hosts the largest fitness Expo. Not knowing what to
expect we brought 450 sets of Bodylastics for sale.
At the last minute I
came up with an idea to get people to try it. We challenged guys walking by,
some huge some average size to curl all four elastics (the max resistance at
that time) 30 times. Well, that definitely drew 'em in!
Out of about 1000 only
about 30 could do it and let me tell you something, everyone was raving about
the product. People were so blown away by the product that we sold out in 1.5
days!! These guys could not believe how well Bodylastics worked their muscles.
You won't believe it either!”
Don’t Live In A Gym,
Just Look Like You Do
This is actually the Bodylastics tag line, and we included
it here because a) it’s funny, and b) it sums up how most of us at PEERtrainer
feel about fitness.We love to
work out and be fit, but we’re not the kind of people that have time to spend
2-3 hours a day in the gym.There’s nothing wrong with that if you enjoy that lifestyle, it’s just
that most of our fitness editorial team doesn’t roll that way.
That’s another reason why we are really enjoying
Bodylastics.It can easily be used
at home, or, as we’re conveniently and pleasantly finding, at the office as
well : )
Can Resistance Bands
actually build muscle or are they just for strength training?
This is probably where we have been most surprised with
Bodylastics.We honestly
anticipated that it was going to be more of a strength building tool (like
Total Gym or Bowflex), but it turns out that is not the case.
Check out the article we mentioned above that compares
elastic bands to free weights. Here it is again:
As we stated before, this is the brand Terrell Owens,
perhaps the best conditioned guy in the NFL, chose to work with to develop a
proprietary line.More info on
that here:
What are the
different Bodylastics models?How
much do they cost?
One of the greatest benefits of the Bodylastics system is
that they are EXTREMELY cost effective.It’s actually almost hard to believe, actually, that you can get a home
gym system that does what Bodylastics does for the price.Here is the breakdown.
There are 3 different Bodylastics models to choose from:
Option #1: The
Basic Tension Fitness Tubes System
Package includes:
1 Yellow elastic (5 lbs.)
1 Green elastic (7 lbs.)
1 Red elastic (13 lbs.)
1 Blue elastic (19 lbs)
2 Foam Covered Handles
2 Ankle straps
1 Door anchor
1 Bodylastics User book
1 Travel Bag
1 Year access of to Strength Band Online University (SBU- the Bodylastics online learning
program)
**Circuit training DVD Optional
Cost:$45.95 with manual ($49.95 with manual
and DVD)
Option #2 Max
Tension Fitness Tubes System
Includes:
1 Yellow elastic (5 lbs.)
1 Green elastic (7 lbs.)
1 Red elastic (13 lbs.)
1 Blue elastic (19 lbs)
1 Black elastic (23 lbs)
2 Foam Covered Handles
2 Ankle straps
1 Door anchor
1 Bodylastics User book
1 Travel Bag
1 Year access to online university
1 Year access of to Strength Band Online University (SBU- the Bodylastics online learning
program)
Cost:$55.95 with manual ($59.95 with manual
and DVD)
Lifetime access of to Strength Band Online University (SBU- the Bodylastics online learning
program)
Cost: $99.81
Which model should I
buy?
The bottom line is that if you are a guy and want to build some muscle, you will want to get the T.O. package because it includes the two orange 30 pound bands. One of the orange bands gives you a nice and smooth bicep curl that ends up working your entire upper body including your shoulders. You will feel it a day later.
If you are a woman, the cheaper options will be fine for you.
The truth is, because the pricing of all the systems is so
reasonable, it’s hard for us not to suggest you just go right for the Terrell
Owens edition.If this was a
multi-thousand dollar system, we’d exercise a lot more caution in telling you
to spend the extra money.But when
the top of the line model is under $100 and delivers what it does, we frankly
suggest you buy it so you can grow into it or let your high school football
playing son share it with you.
With the bonuses (the DVD, the TO diet/exercise plan,
lifetime SBU membership) you really are getting a lot for the money.In our humble opinion, it’s kind of a
no-brainer.
What are the
advantages of using Resistance Bands?
ØUse
it pretty much anywhere: indoors, outdoors, at the park, in a hotel- pretty
much wherever.
ØEasy
to travel with.At about 3 pounds,
even with airlines charging for luggage these days you should have plenty of
room to squeeze it in.Also, you
don’t have to take every component with you if you need to make it more
compact.
ØAffordable.We love our Total Gym and we’ve used
Bowflex too, but there isn’t a great deal of comparison to be made here.The top of the line unit is less that
$100.00.
ØEasy
on the joints.This is a big
reason TO and other pro-athletes (not to mention military and SWAT teams) are
using Bodylastics.It provides
great (and portable) resistance training with minimal impact on joints compared
to other workout methods.It’s
very easy on you ligaments and tendons.
What are the
disadvantages of using Resistance Bands?
ØYou
may never want to leave the house.Seriously, though, that’s the best we could come up with.There are no discernible disadvantages
that we could think of.If you
come up with any, please let us know.
The Bottom Line On Bodylastics
This is a very well made product. Blake Kassel, the founder of the company, sent several members of the PEERtrainer team the T.O Bands version of the product. We found them easy to set up and versatile. (and the kids had a blast playing with them. If you want to occupy young children for hours, let them play with this kit. Seriously!)
We were quickly able to figure out how to do many exercises and found that they give a broader workout- meaning that a doing curls for example on Bodylastics works out your entire upper arms and shoulders vs doing curls with dumbells. You just feel it- especially a couple days later.
There is actually an explanation of this phenomenon:
"during the biceps curl (with free weight), the muscle is not receiving adequate resistance when the muscle is in its strongest point in the range of motion. When performing a curl with elastic tubing, however, the resistance increases as the range of motion increases. This means the muscle is receiving greater resistance at its strongest point in the range of motion and therefore is receiving more adequate resistance to better stimulate strength adaptations."
How To Buy:
If you want the regular version go to the first URL, if you want the version we tested, go the second URL. You will want to have these in your home gym.
