topic Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ? in Wellness

Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Julie_23 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 02:13:43 GMT

I'll continue to do more research into these options, but it'd be great to hear any input!

Which one do you recommend? Thank you.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

kaiwahini — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 05:54:38 GMT

I have a friend who is a trained Pilates instructor and I have taken classes with her for over 20 years. We've had this conversation before about equipment. Her opinion is that if you are new to Pilates, to start with the inexpensive equipment (a total gym or something similar). If you are experienced and committed, then ordering the more expensive machine can be justified, but she has had clients who have done both and it's her opinion that for home use it really doesn't matter which one you buy. I will warn you that a name brand Pilates bed will have a high shipping cost and can take close to a year before delivery. However, due to COVID a lot of Pilates studios closed and you may be able to find a used bed. New or used it will cost you thousands of dollars and will take up a lot of space. They also do not fold up or easily store under a bed. It is my intention to eventually buy a total gym to use as a Pilates bed.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

hckynutjohn — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 06:17:27 GMT

@Julie_23

I have owned my Total Gym 2000 for over 25 years. I also had 2 different models of Pilates Machines. While they both are similar, the TG uses only your body weight for resistsnce(along with degree of angle of the bed) for resistance. Pilates uses Power Cords along with your body weight for it's resistance.

Some exercises are more easily done on a TG, and others easier to do correctly on a Pilates Machine. For me personally, the TG is more suited to building more muscle strength, and the Pilates is better for toning and elongating muscle and their connective tissues.

As for stretching? Both can be used depending on which parts of the body one thinks needs more help for those areas.

As far as picking only 1? I see it as depending on ones goals. With either machine I can't see going wrong with either, but that is just me.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Julie_23 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 09:30:48 GMT

Thank you so much, @kaiwahini and @hckynutjohn, for having taken the time to write back such helpful answers. I definitely learned things from both of your replies!

Please know I really appreciate it. Thanks again.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

ID2 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 10:02:47 GMT

PLEASE save your money!! Just go take a walk!! I'm an avid walker. I've lost 70 lbs. and plan on keeping it off. My dh and I walk twice a day clocking over 5 miles a day. It's a wonderful exercise. Peace and quiet, out in the fresh air, seeing wildlife. I can't say enough about walking, which is free.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Meowingkitty — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 13:57:10 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
PLEASE save your money!! Just go take a walk!! I'm an avid walker. I've lost 70 lbs. and plan on keeping it off. My dh and I walk twice a day clocking over 5 miles a day. It's a wonderful exercise. Peace and quiet, out in the fresh air, seeing wildlife. I can't say enough about walking, which is free.

Walking isn't always an option when it's between 100-118 degrees from April to September. An no we can't go walking in the morning or evening. There are weeks, sometimes months where it doesn't get below 85. Sometimes the low is 95. (It can still be 105 at 10 pm) which in my opinion is still to hot and that low doesn't happen until 2 am. We have a Total Gym that I have used on occasion. My husband uses it more than me and he likes it. We got ours through Costco a couple of years ago.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

SeaMaiden — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 13:00:59 GMT

I have had both....they are very heavy and cumbersome....I gave them away.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

SweetPaisley — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 13:20:29 GMT

Years ago I had the TG and used it once in awhile.. as I was getting a little older, I bought a Pilates which i love and use it 6 days a week .. I am now 73 and still love and use my Pilates So glad I bought it !

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

kate2357 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 14:26:35 GMT

We have had both pcs of equipment and for my needs the Pilate Reformer gets the most use. I run for aerobics, either inside or outside, depending on weather and temps. The Pilates I use for stretching and working my abs. My husband also has a rowing machine which I love using for my arms and back.

My Pilates is up on a riser stand, which makes getting up a bit easier.

No matter which one you chose, enjoy building your routine. It's amazing how good you feel when you make the time for yourself to be active.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

bargainsgirl — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 14:35:11 GMT

I only have an Aero Pilates machine. I do like it very much. I go in spurts which is bad but when I do use it 3-4 times a week I do feel better. I used to walk also a few times a week but that stopped about a year ago due to hip problems. I ended up needing a hip replacement which I had last March. I have not begun a walking program again but I intend to now that the weather is cooler. Just do something! It all helps you to feel your best.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 20:11:57 GMT

@Julie_23 wrote:

Thank you so much, @kaiwahini and @hckynutjohn, for having taken the time to write back such helpful answers. I definitely learned things from both of your replies!

Please know I really appreciate it. Thanks again.

@Julie_23

Do you want it for strength building or ... to stay limber and toned .... and will someone else like a husband, also be using it?

Years ago, I had both and used both. Finally I sold the TG and kept the Pilates, which I still use several times a week. I would never give up my Pilates!

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 20:14:32 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
PLEASE save your money!! Just go take a walk!! I'm an avid walker. I've lost 70 lbs. and plan on keeping it off. My dh and I walk twice a day clocking over 5 miles a day. It's a wonderful exercise. Peace and quiet, out in the fresh air, seeing wildlife. I can't say enough about walking, which is free.

@ID2

Apples and oranges comparison. While walking is certainly good exercise, you will never get the muscle tone from that that a Pilates machine can give you. Depends what you want ... and depends on the climate you live in.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

deeva — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:43:19 GMT

@ID2

As someone who used to live in the upper Midwest, I couldn't go walking outside in the winter.
The temps were below zero and windy, and the sidewalks were covered with ice and snow.
In the winter, we used our treadmill, total gym and elliptical.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Julie_23 — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:07:54 GMT

Wow, everybody, thank you for ALL of your replies --- I really appreciate it !!

I'm glad I asked. Your input was very helpful.

--- MANY THANKS TO EACH ONE OF YOU ---

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

Beauty$Junkie — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 12:05:53 GMT

What are your favorite exercises or exercise routines that you do on your Reformer? Thanks, I need to get back on mine when the weather is not good for walking. Thanks.

Re: Total gym OR pilates machine ?

kate2357 — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:45:55 GMT

@Beauty$Junkie

At this point, I do the basics for leg work and I do the ab work (3 rounds of the 100 in between the leg work).

Legs on bar - 2 to 3 sets - for a 15 count for each position

--Pointed toes

******Legs together

******Legs farther apart

--Lowered heel (toes gripping bar, heel is lowered)

******Legs together

******Legs farther apart

Legs in straps - lifting high for two sets, keeping lower for two sets of each - for a 15 count for each position

--Pointed toes

******Legs together

******Legs farther apart

******Frog legs

Using rebounder - bouncing in middle of rebounder for two rounds, bouncing lower for two rounds of each - for a 15 count for each position

--Pointed toes

******Legs together

******Legs farther apart

******Frog legs

Hope this makes sense. I really just do the basic moves for my legs. I don't do the arm work on Pilates ... I use rowing maching or free weights.