What I wanted to get into in this article was the overall topic of comparing a sliding bench trainer like the Total Gym to other one piece multi-muscle resistance training machines. Because the Total Gym really gets lumped into this broad category of being a “home gym” such as a bow flex, Powertec Lever gym, or multi use resistance training machines. Which don’t get me wrong, some of these can give a sliding bench trainer a run for its money. And at the end I’ll feature my most recommended home gyms that are not sliding bench trainers. But there certainly are some flaws in many of them that a sliding bench wins out in.
I do however find that most consumers looking for something for their home that allows them to get some strength or resistance training tend to gravitate towards these big multiuse units versus some barbells, free weights, and a squat rack. Often times because they feel it will be cheaper in the long run because you’re not paying for expensive weight plates. But also because they feel they are less intimidating to use and a have a lower space footprint.
These big machines really are not the best idea
In comparing a Total Gym or some other sliding bench trainer to one of these home gym units, I first am comparing it to the overall tagline that I say with these machines. And that’s they are the most versatile, efficient, effective, and fun way to resistance train that accomplishes 90+% of people’s goals.
So already that’s already a strong position to take, but that’s not to say that maybe a home gym unit might make sense for you or is worth picking up along side a sliding bench trainer.
COST
This is generally something most people consider and initially may argue that a top of the line Total Gym like the FIT model (my personal favorite) is comparable in price as most of these multi use Gyms can cost upwards to >$1000 easy. But depending yon the brand and model of sliding bench trainer, you roughly would be spending somewhere in the range of $300 on the low end to upwards of $1500 on the higher end. Which can go even higher if you go “premium” on say a Total Gym GTS. But compared to most sliding bench trainers, most of the home gyms use weight plates and are just bigger iron machines. So these generally will almost always cost more than an entry level sliding bench trainer.
Versatility
Efficiency and Effectiveness
This is where a traditional strength trainer using dumbbells / barbells (which I’d considered myself formally trained in) will just dump on any “home gym” unit or sliding bench trainer as being inferior to producing any or will be limited in producing results. And that was kind of my mentality or sentiment for a long time. I had some skin in the game as my parents had a massive Hoist multigym at our house. Growing up, even when I first started going to the gym, I really only used this equipment at my house if it was a holiday and or if the gym was closed. The thought of working out with this kind of home equipment was only out of necessity and always felt inferior to going to the gym.
But if there’s something that consistently using the TG has taught me, its to get rid of my preconceived notions of what’s possible using really any piece of home fitness strength equipment. Because now I’m fairly confident, if you gave me one of these multiuse machines I could equally find ways to stress my body so that wouldn’t set me back.
However, this leads me into a giant reason why I prefer and recommend a Total Gym or sliding bench trainer. And that’s because is just fun, enjoyable, and engaging. I never get sick of it or bored despite performing a lot of the same exercises most of the time. Versus in the past when I had squat rack, free weight sets ups, I always ended up selling them because they weren’t getting used.
And I really wasn’t using them, not because I didn’t’ think they were effective, but because I I just got bored using free weights in my house. That may not make sense, since I would just go to the gym and continue to use them there, but that was case. Not to mention a large part of why I go to the gym was the versatility in equipment.
Space Concerns
As I was alluding to early at the start of this article, what both sliding benches and home gyms units more or less have in their favor is that they don’t take up much space. Arguably again, a sliding bench trainer massively wins out not just in the space it takes up, but that it can be broken down and that you could transport it relatively easy or I’ll say much easier than a home gym unit. When it’s summer, I actually lug my Total Gym out of the basement outside no problem. If you’re investing in a multi unit beast of a home gym, odds are you’re planning on not moving any time soon, because taking down and packing these is not fun.
I’m sure some of you have done it, but I’d hate have to break these things down and reset up some of these units. And I think that’s also a reason why I sold most of my equipment throughout the years. I just didn’t want to deal with moving it. What I did keep were my smaller compact equipment like my Powerblock adjustable dumbbells, a bench, and an old Weider Ultimate Body Works sliding bench.
Using Both
As far as using or having both machines. I’ve made many videos on my Youtube channel comparing free weights (barbells/dumbbells) and resistance bands to a sliding bench. And in all those videos, I conclude that if you enjoy those other types of equipment then having both to compliment each other is ideal.
The only place I actually see it being a detriment is really mentally. Where people feel like they HAVE to use free weights or whatever else with their total gym. And unfortunately this can lead to a lot of problems. Primarily, that since your including equipment you don’t enjoy, you’re less likely to actually use it.
But I think using a home gym with a sliding bench trainer would work out well. Simply by mixing things up a bit, you could incorporate some really great supersets that allow you to get off of the incline and do some exercise standing or using a bench. All while reaping those same benefits faster with more interesting workouts. They key is to find a home gym unit that compliments what you want and feel are lacking in your home gym workouts.
Ultimately, I believe what matters if you’re deciding on one versus the other, is which one do you think you’d enjoy and or use the most. Go to a store and try out a machine to see if works for you. The beauty of buying say a Total Gym from their website, is that you can simply return the product with their trial period.
I will compare other specific home gyms to a sliding bench trainer in the future and I have much more to say on this. So I’m sure this will be the first of many articles comparing a various home gym unites to each other.