The Total Gym was developed by an athlete named Tom Companaro. He created the equipment in the 1970s as a means of rehabilitation of a football injury. Total Gym works on a pulley system. Unlike traditional strength-training machines, which supply resistance in a linear movement pattern, Total Gym exercises can be performed in various planes of movement.
Total Gym Pilates
The cable system used by Total Gym is similar to the one used on the Pilates reformer. As such, the Total Gym lends itself to Pilates training, with some added benefits. The machine can be placed on an incline, which can either add challenge or assistance to many of the Pilates exercises. You can purchase a Pilates accessory package, which includes a foot bar and two Total Gym Pilates DVDs.
Total Gym Leg Workouts
The ability to use the machine at various degrees of inclination makes Total Gym an efficient tool for leg workouts. Squats and lunges can be performed from both the high end and the low end of the Total Gym. These workouts can also be used for sport-specific movements. For example, leg exercises can be performed from a supine position with the feet against the foot bar. The legs are straightened in an explosive movement, which builds strength and power for high-impact sports.
Total Gym Abdominal Workouts
The ability to use the machine at an incline or decline also makes the abdominal exercises more effective. For example, performing a crunch with your head on the high end of the Total Gym alleviates the neck tension that is often associated with the exercise. Those with highly trained abdominal muscles can perform the exercise with the head on the low end. The Total Gym also enables rotary movement, which works the oblique muscles.
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