amen..........

I have used both products. I was introduced to the Total Gym in my physical therapist's office. I was immediately impressed with the workout I received. I think you get more bang for the buck, timewise and results. However, I'm not willing to pay $1700 for another piece of equipment.

Based on the testimonials on Vigor Fit's website, and the lifetime warranty, I purchased it and have had it for a week now. It is not as smooth as the $1700 Total Gym, but it is a fine piece of equipment and works excellent. The resistence is more than adequate and it is easy to use. I can truly get a total workout with the one piece of equipment.

My son put it together for me and it took about 30 minutes tops. Shipping was fast and the instructions clear. I live on the 4th floor of a condo and there won't be a problem with noise.

I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend it above any other type of exercise machine.

I haven't recieved the Vigor Fit yet, but didn't expect to. It has only been about 4 days. I will repost once I get it and share what I think about it. I haven't used any other machines of it's kind so I don't know how good the others are. I do like the resistance on the Vigor Fit. That means alot to me.

The only problem I have so far, in which I shouldn't have a problem at all, is the fact that their customer service seems to be looking for an argument any time I ask them any questions. I emailed them with specific questions about their resistance and they dodged them all and just sent me to their website. Typical customer service now a days! I already read their explanation of how their resistance worked, but I wanted to make sure I understood it.

So, then I called them and didn't get through to them. I left a message explaining that I read a post from someone else saying the resistance these type of machines offer are decieving. Then I asked the same questions I did on my email. Later they returned my message and acted as if I was trying to shoot down their gym, when I wasn't. They also argued with me saying they deal w/customer service all day long and provided accurate answers to my questions. I called back and finally got my answers. I understand the resistance now, but I was wrong before.

Next, I order the gym. I never recieved a tracking number for the gym! I only recieved the tracking number for the bicycle feature which I ordered at two different times. I emailed them very nicely and asked them for the tracking number and that I had not recieved one for the gym itself yet. Instead of responding by apologizing or just simply kindly giving me the number, they repeated 4 times in their email that they had sent me the tracking number and I was wrong. They never said sorry for your trouble, they never said showed any understanding, they only wanted to drill in, that me, the customer, was wrong and they were right!! Here is your tracking number AGAIN! Check your spam filter because we ALREADY sent you this before! Please reply saying that you got this since we have already sent this to you once before! They made me feel like I was an inconvenience to them and I was wasting their time because they already sent me the tracking number! They really don't know how to value a customer!

I treasure kind people and good customer service and I would have to say that the VigorFit customer service comes across as rude. They will bite ya and say they didn't!

All in all, I think the gym was the best choice compared to the others. But if I had known about how argumentive their customer serivice is, I would have done just fine with the Bayou one. I think the trick is to call them for customer service; I don't think they will be rude to you over the phone. The lady I spoke to wasn't. Over email I think they are less watchful over how they respond to their valued customers. I wouldn't be surprised if they come on here and start an argument with me!

Whew...after reading through all of these threads, I'm still not sure what to do. I own the Vigorfit, it's fine for workouts, but the pilates aspect of it isn't what I need. I used to have a pilates reformer (by Stamina...), so I know how it should feel and work. The Vigor fit does not have shoulder pads which are essential. I am concerned that the TTPilates doesn't have an adjustable neck pad...but it does have the shoulder pads.

I guess I'd like to hear more conversation about the pilates part of these machines. Like I said, I own the Vigorfit, but doing pilates reformer work on it is a joke. I don't want to spend additional money on something that isn't going to be that much better...convince me that the TTPilates will be as good as having a reformer again. Reformers are terribly expensive...at least the ones with springs are...and yes, I could go the Stamina route again and purchase the new AeroPilates machine which is just like my old one but with the cardio rebounding jump board....but...if I could get a machine that will work for both my hubby and me, it would save me a lot of space in my workout room. And, the price of the TTPilates is about half of what the Stamina reformer is.

By the way....I have been treated poorly by the people at Vigorfit also. Any time I have written and asked them questions, the replies are always snotty and snippy and make me feel like I'm an idiot.

Helllo everyone I have just registered to post on this site since I was looking for a 'total gym' type of machine. In doing my research I came across this post and have reviewed it.

In sum, for me, the Weidler and the Total Gym are not what I want, the first is too limited and the latter way too expensive. I am leaning to a Vigorfit over the Total Trainer. But in my research I also found the Body Rail Compare Total Gym and BodyRail. Has anyone used one of these? I'd appreciate any info.

Thanks and good luck all around.

I've had a Body Rail for a while now... Like you I ran across it while looking for a Total Gym. I absolutely love it. I've used Total Gyms before and they're ok, but I have really come to like the Body Rail's ability to move the cables up and down. Being able to lift the rail by putting the foot platform under the rail is a nice touch....

I would recommend it....

BL

I am interested in hearing more about a comparison between the total trainer and the bodyrail. I just started reading more about the bodyrail and it sounds really good, especially for leg exercises like extensions which I'm not sure can even be done on the TT. I'm also short (5'1") and have to consider what machine will fit me the best. I do a lot of cardio already and would like to continue strength training in a way that doesn't make me feel so stiff and sore but builds strength. There hasn't been much written about the bodyrail and I wonder why as it sounds more versatile than most gyms of this type.

I am new here but I have been using Total Gyms for a couple of years now. I started with the 1700 and now have the 2200. I purchased them both from ****s Sporting Goods and both cost me under $250.00. I gave my 1700 to my brother who uses it now with his wife and I am using my 2200 4 to 5 times a week. I still add in a little weight lifting from time to time but my major workout is with a Total Gym now. I can add weights on the 2200 and I have done so. It has all the resistance I need and the quality is fine. I have not tried the others but I am sure they are all fuctional for their uses. I started out weighing in at 200 pounds even. I am 5'7" so I was carrying a little too much weight. After my doctor advised me to lose some, I started a regular regime. I am now at 177 and holding there. The machine has worked to help me lose the excess weight and keep myself in very good shape. I have been on the TG web site with Chuck and Christie and when I saw the price of the machines there I almost fell out of my chair. If you want to check one out just go to a sports store and try it. Buy one online or from the store but not from their web site. Much cheaper. Enjoy and use whatever machine you choose. They all work and will help you in you fitness endeavors.
Cheers!

Hey, where are all the TG people? I know there are more than this!!

I've read alot of this forum on Toatl Gym etc. I'm looking for some basic info without the mudslinging. I'm 6'3" tall. of the Toatl Trainer, Total Gym and VigorFit, which ones will accomidate me?

Last year, I was also in the dilemma of choosing a Total Gym type machine. First I decided to do some research, since even with the money back guarantees, you still have to pay for the shipping to ship it back. A friend of mine had purchased the Total Gym on the infomercial about 2 years ago and he likes it. I went over to his home at that time, to check his Total Gym out and see if that is what I should get. I thought it looked nice and seemed to give a good workout, but I thought the price of almost $1500 was unrealistic, when you saw how simply it was made.

When I Google Total Gym to see if I could find one on sale, I found a link to Vigor Fit, and after looking at the Vigor Fit , I decided to give it a try. I ordered it and received it in a little over a week. The unit I got had a problem, right out of the box. It was very difficult to fold and unfold and their apparently was something wrong with the roller mechanism. I called their customer "no-service" and was treated pretty rudely. They acted like I must have done something to break machine. In addition the board was much too short for me, despite them telling me on the phone that it would be big enough for my height. After arguing over the phone for almost 2 days, they finally reluctantly agreed to take it back. I decided at that point that I would never buy anything from that company again.

After finding this thread, I looked up the Total Trainer and since I am 6'4", I ordered the Pilates Pro Chrome Total Trainer. The people on the phone were the exact opposite of what I had dealt with, very friendly, and seemed anxious to answer any questions that I had regarding which machine to order. When I took the machine out of the box, and set it up , I could see that this was not only much better than the Vigor Fit ( everything worked) but better than the Total Gym TV model that I had looked at. The pad was thicker, all the hardware was made very well, and it had every attachment that I would ever need, in fact I haven't used them all yet.

I have worked out in gyms for years, but now live in the country which makes going to the gym impossible. The workout on this Total Trainer kicks my butt. The only time I feel it needs additional weight is when I do squats, so I just to one leg at a time. I probably will get the 100 pounds of weights to add on for that one exercise. All the other exercises, there is plenty of resistance. This machine has 21 levels of resistance, plus the 4 cords for the Pilates. For the money I paid, I am really impressed.

I have added 70 lbs. to my TG. I have it at the highest setting and it does give an @$$ kicking workout. You can add more if you like. I like the ease and simplicity of it's functionality. It works out great for me.

Just curious. On my Total Trainer I can add 100 pounds on a weight bar that is attached to it. How do you add weight to a Total Gym? I have never seen that option.

There is a weight bar that slides through the bottom of the glide board. You add the weights there. The earlier models ... and the lower cost ones, don't have this ability. I have the TG 2200. It has all the add-ons. I can do pull-ups, chin-ups, dips and an exercise called muscle ups. I don't do all the concentration exercises. I do the ones that are multi joint/muscle exercises. More of a full body workout.

I purchased the Vigorfit and have been using it for about a week. The manual that came with it shows how to do the exercises,but doesn't have a recommended routine. When I was member of the YMCA, I used the Nautilus equipment and came up with a routine that worked. I wanted to quit paying a gym fee, so after researching, decided the Vigorfit was the way to go. I'm not familiar with the routines this machine provides. Anyone out there have a workout plan for the Vigorfit?