9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great piece of exercise equipment, June 12, 2009
This review is from: Bayou Fitness Total Trainer DLX-II Home Gym (Sports)
I recently acquired a Total Trainer DLX-2 and am very pleased with it. I have lifted free weights since middle school and had only once seen a system like this (a Total Gym in Sears) which I briefly experimented with. I quickly realized that I could get a good workout from such a system.
In my routine I typically hit my quads, hamstrings, calves, biceps, triceps, shoulders, forearms, chest, middle/lower/upper back and abs. There are multiple exercises to choose from for working each muscle group. Changing levels is easy to do. Moving the pulleys from one spot to another is easy as is attaching the pulley with the ankle strap on it. In fact, there is nothing even remotely complicated about it.
Setup is a snap. It's odd at first but after a couple of times opening and folding it back up are simple. I was skeptical that when folded it would take up so little space but it does. My wife is completely happy with how it disappears when I'm through with it.
In summary, I love my Total Trainer!!!
UPDATE (November 28, 2011):
Still loving it!!! I have increased the resistance a couple of times and am still getting an excellent workout. Transition from one exercise to another is simple and only takes a few seconds (no exageration). I'm able to do three sets of 12 repetitions (25 for calves and situps) for ten exercises in about 45 minutes.
Amazing product! Doesn't show any wear. Very sturdy.
I wish I would have purchased one of these years earlier.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Total Trainer is the perfect match!, April 30, 2009
This review is from: Bayou Fitness Total Trainer DLX-II Home Gym (Sports)
I don't have time to go to the gym due to my crazy work schedule & usually workout to exercise DVDs at home, but I wanted to change up my workout routine a bit. My apartment is small, so I don't have the room for a large piece of equipment, such as a Bowflex and the Home Gym was out of my budget range. I happened to come across an advertisement for the Total Trainer and realized it fit all of my needs: affordable, easy to use, versitle to do a variety of exercises upon, arrives fully assembled, and best of all...I can fold it up, roll it away & store it in my closet. Perfect!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Decent workout for a small piece of machinery, September 6, 2006
I bought the DLX-II approximately 5 months ago. I had just sold my olympic weight home gym because it took up way too much room in the garage, and it was a hassle to lift heavy weights without having the proper spot in place. I wanted to continue working out, but with two small children at home, and a demanding job, I did not want to join a gym. Therefore, I took a chance on the Bayou Fitness DLX-II.
Here are the main things that impressed me with this machine:
*Sturdiness: When I first saw the DLX-II, I was very impressed with the manufacturing. I am a big person (240 lbs, and can bench over 300 lbs), and was afraid that the machine would not be stable with me on it. Was I wrong. I would go through my whole workout with no woble at all. That really impressed me.
*Resistance: The other impressive part is the ability to add free weights to the system to increase the resistance. I had an old Weider Total Gym (similar system); and even at the top resistance point, it did not give me a good, hard workout. I started out at the top resistance point on the DLX-II, but have been able to increase the resistance by adding weights. The weight bar is properly placed so it does not get in your way (I do recommend to put smaller weights close to the board and larger weights on the outside).
*Exercise Variety: With the DLX-II, there are so many different exercises that you can do without worrying about weights dropping on you (have you ever been stuck bench pressing and have roll the weights down your chest because you could not get them back on the bar?). My old free-weight gym had a multiple position bench (for inclines, declines, and flat bench), squat rack and a lat pull-down, but it took some time to switch the weights from one place to the next. It would even take time to switch between the different chest exercises, as I would have to take all of the weights off the bar, move the bar holders to the new position, then put all of the weights back on so I could switch from flat to incline to decline. With the DLX-II, there is no weight movements; you just change your position on the bench. The leg work is not the greatest, but you can increase your resistance by doing one leg at a time. Also, with this machine, it is very easy to do circuit training. I will normally do a chest set, then a leg set, or a back set, then a neck set. By the time I am done (I usually work out for 30 - 60 minutes), I have a good sweat going.
The machine still looks brand new, even though I have worked it hard 4-5 days a week for the last 5 months. I have had no problems with the pulley rope, or the wheels. My biggest problem has been during squats. Since I am on the highest resistance point, and have 100 lbs of weight on the weight bar, I begin to slip on the board. I resolved this problem by lifting my shirt slightly in the back when I get on the board so that some skin is touching the board. This has kept me from slipping. Also, you will not get big with this machine. You are limited on the amount of weight you can do. Even if you get the more expensive Power Pro, which can support more weight, doing flat bench is still not easy because you can strain your back (you are sitting up to do flat bench, so you do not have good back support) while doing the exercise.
To summarize this review, I really enjoy this machine. It has a good variety of exercises, is very well built, and allows you do do circuit training without having to make many changes to the machine. If you expect to get size, stick with free weights. If you are looking to get tone and lose some weight in an efficient manner (i.e. a short workout), then get this machine.
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