The 1500 model of the Total Gym is one of the older versions of the Total Gym machine, but it is still an effective home gym for strength training. The Total Gym 1500 has several benefits, but the main function of the machine is to let users challenge their muscles by pulling on the handles of the machine which instead of attaching via cables to a weight stack, they attach to the machine's bench. The bench, or glideboard, moves up an incline ramp when you pull on it. You have to raise the bench plus your body weight.
Toning
Muscular toning is what the Total Gym 1500 is mainly designed for. It is effective for building slim muscles at lower inclines and larger muscles at higher inclines, according to TotalGymDirect.com. Exercises for the upper body muscles include the chest, arms, shoulders and back. The Total Gym 1500 also has options for abdominal exercises. An article in "Popular Mechanics" titled "5 Infomercial Workout Machines: Get Ripped Or Ripped Off?" states that the Total Gym 1500 is also an effective machine for sports conditioning. You don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports conditioning. Recreational athletes improve their performance with sports conditioning as this improves strength, speed, coordination and endurance.
Aerobic Conditioning
The Total Gym 1500 is not just a strength training tool. Exercising at a quick pace with low resistance improves aerobic conditioning. You can also use the Total Gym like an aerobic rowing machine to burn calories and work your heart and lungs. For low resistance, set the sliding bench at one of the lower angles so you can move quickly with good form.
Flexibility
Although the primary purpose of the Total Gym isn't to be a stretching machine, the Total Gym 1500 works for stretching exercises, according to "Popular Mechanics." Because the Total Gym's setup allows for moving through your full range-of-motion, you stretch your muscles and joints while you exercise. Stretching reduces muscle tension, increases the length of your muscles and reduces the chance of injuries.
Increasing Metabolic Rate
Increasing your heart rate through aerobic exercise and reducing body fat percentage by burning off fat and gaining lean body mass causes your metabolic thermostat to become higher. The Total Gym 1500 therefore is an effective machine for increasing your metabolism, according to the owner's manual. Metabolic thermostat simply refers to how many calories your body burns as a base for survival. It is a well-known fact that fat exists on the body with no effort but muscle needs to be maintained, which uses calories.
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