Hey folks, new to the forums and wanted to get some opinions here...

I know I want a Total Gym-like product, but while searching for a good deal on a lower model total gym I found this Vigorfit machine. It`s in the price range of the 1700 series total gym, I guess, but it seems to have a lot of advantages... band resistence and bars to hang weights. I`m not looking to get huge, mostly just tone and remove a bit of a stomach, but I have heard of too many people out-growing their total gyms. This VigorFit has a lot of appealing claims and a fairly resonable pricetag but I can`t seem to find any serious reviews of it... anyone know the quality of this product and how it compares to the total gym models? Aside from this machine doing more, how cheaply/well made is it?

Also, anyone have a lower model total gym (1000, 1100 or 1500) that has complaints about quality or useability?

For the price of one of those all in one gyms. You could just get a gym membership and try a little bit of everything. Cardio, free weights, machines, most gyms have classes. Also, it you have to go out of the house to workout it is on your mind. So, when you go, you know you are going there to workout. In the house sometimes leads to distractions. Phone calls, etc...or the feeling that if it is right there "I will go workout later" the machine is right there. Just my opinion....Gyms have trainers. They offer free advice. If you see or read about an exercise that you want to try. They can show you the right way to do it or if you get stuck and want to change up your routine. They can give suggestions.

Thank you for the advice, but I already have a gym membership so that my wife can swim. I just want something that I can use on my own time in my own way. The gym I belong to is the only one in my area that has a pool and their hours suck, I don't really want to pay for two memberships because I do use the place for some other activities.

Additionally, I'm a bit anti-social and not interested in working out around other people at all.

Anyone have any experience with the fitness equipment above?

A good set of dumbells is just as good, less expensive, more versatile and builds your muscles more evenly.

Thanks again for the suggestion, but does anyone out there have any info on my original questions? I am solely concerned with product quality here.

Hi,

I'm new here too! Infact, I have spent most the day researching Total Gyms and VigorFit systems. I have read responses on multiple websites about the VigorFit system as well as the Total Gym...and I think I will, personally, be investing in a VigorFit when we get our tax return. I don't think that there are as many "frills" to the VigorFit vs. the Total Gym, but what it includes is much more than Total Gym initially offers and the price is VERY tempting ! It looks like a better buy for the money.

Fitness Bargains (VigorFit Dist.) has an Ebay store where they have been selling VigorFit as well as another type of equipment through auctions. Here is there link: http://stores.ebay.com/fitnessbargains and you can check out their feedback from people who have actually bought it (lots of positives). You can also search the Ebay forums for info...I know an ebayer asked people who had them if they still liked them after months of use. Overall, the responses were quite positive. Plus, Fitness Bargain's feedback speaks volumes...and even if they had a neg or neutral feedback (which there were a few) they were quite professional and prompt in their response. That tells me what kind of company I'll be dealing with and I really respect that. I checked Epinions but they only have the Total Gym listed. But those who purchased the Total Gym gave it a really good rating too. In my opinion, I think (other than the price in mind) the Total Gym in geared more for a female and the VigorFit is geared more for a male. The reason I say this is because the Total Gym in more limiting than the VigorFit and has less varied resistance. The Total Gym is based off of repetitious exercises to create a lean physique which is what most women seek. There are less options for the degree of resistance you can set the Total Gym to and it does not offer the added resistance that VigorFit does. The VigorFit has several ways to add more resistance which, overall, helps to create more lean muscle mass. Plus it looks more durable than the Total Gym, which makes me feel better about adding so much more resistance. I don't think the thing will break adding 50 lbs weight plates to each side. I can't say that about the Total Gym (if it was an option). Now I don't know if it will really help a guy bulk up, but if they want to, a VigorFit would be the best option between the two machines. Although, I'm a woman and I'd still rather have the options for resistance...so it's all just a personal opinion.

I hope this helps! Good luck with your endeavors and let us know which one you'll purchase...and how you like it!

~TJ

I registered so I could specifically get involved in this conversation. I have also been investigating the Vigorfit system and am very tempted. The one question I have is why is no one on ebay re-selling theirs? Are they that good that EVERYONE has kept theirs? It does seem odd. I signed up to get the free instructional manual as I want to see the complete range of exercises possible, and I'm going to continue investigating for a bit before making a decision on this....and will share anything worth noting that I come across!
I'd also appreciate any one else sharing their views on this specific piece of equipment!
Thanks.

I too registered so I could jump in. My fiance bought a total gym (we had tried it at his sister's) while I was out of town. When I came home I found that everyone including the kids really enjoyed using it. After I found out how much it was going to cost, I researched and found Vigorfit. I had the advantage of comparing the open pulleys, etc., "in person" rather than just on line pictures of both machines. The comparisons on line are true - where Vigorfit has metal pins and parts, the much more expensive Total Gym has plastic and or inferior components. The flat fold, more resistance and especially the 100% lifetime warranty almost sold me. It's been two months since we sent the Total Gym Back (refund LESS shipping costs, was prompt), and I started searching again - I requested the color PDF brochure from fitness bargains (if you buy on ebay or just regular on line - all links lead to the manufacturer and the price/shipping are the same). I quickly received it via email and finally ordered it a few minutes ago. I'm sure we'll be pleased with it - my only regret is that although the color brochure gives clear directions for each exercise, there is no accompanying video - oh well....maybe I can get a used total gym video on ebay.... I would be happy to post how we like it once it arrives. I am curious: AcridSaint started this discussion months ago - did you buy anything yet? Let us know how you made out. Thanks!!!

If you're set on buying one of these instead of freeweights, it looks like the Vigor is the better choice because you can add weight.

Here's another one to look at

www.bodyrail.com

I would say that this is the best of the bunch other than the warranty is not quite as good.

Had he tried TotalGym or TotalTrainer?

That link has disappeared since your post in May. Could you possibly summarize what it said? Thanks.

Franklin

I have been reading this post and would like to know if some of you have made up your minds on this subject. i am at the point of trying to decidemyself. any help or comments are good.

peace be with you

I don't think it is a contest. VigorFit has it all over the total gym. The real contest is between VigorFit and Total Trainer.

I just bought the Total Trainer Pilates gym, and its due to be delivered on Wednesday. I bid a "best offer" on it after doing a bit of research (including talking to an owner here locally who is selling theirs). I was surprised that, upon accepting my best offer of $360 (10% off), and my payment, they shipped that same day. Total with shipping was $410.

I have a lower back problem that my doctor says can be helped by the pilates style exercises, as well as a few other back stretching and strengthening exercises. I have a cousin who is very happy with her VigorFit for the same kind of back problem, and she is actually the reason I started looking at these.

I went with the Total Trainer Pilates gym because it has soft roller wheels with ball brearings that have smoother action, and all the accessories I wanted. Because I'm under 6' 2", I don't need their "pro" version. The $299 gyms they sell are similar, but have a hard nylon roller that users on epinions.com say transmit a "bump" when the backboard rolls over the folding joint. It looks like VigorFit has that kind of roller on their gym too.

For background, I'm 50 years old, 50 pounds overweight, in a high stress job that takes up 55 to 60 hours per week and have a 80 mile round trip commute each day. When I lived behind a club, I went every night after 9 pm and had the gym to myself. I was 40 pounds lighter then. When I moved for this job 9 years ago, I found the local gyms are packed all the time and are not conveniently located enough for me to go back to that schedule, so I started looking at building a home gym. The back problem is from an old injury when I was 30, and is a disc bulge at L5-S1, and I get sciatica from that every 12 to 18 months. My goal is to do what I can now to stave off the inevitable spinal arthritis and stiffness that has started. So there's a weight goal, flexibility goal, muscle strengthening goal ... and none of this intended to make me look better, but to feel better (although losing the weight will make me look better). The muscle toning will be for the back muscles that support the spine (still studying up on these).