Question

I'm looking to get a home gym for 300 or less. I read on the website that the Total Trainer DLX is the best value. I was wondering though if the Vigorfit is a better value due to the lifetime warranty.

Also, will the Total Trainer really give me the strength building I want or just tone me up? I'm a big, overweight 17 year old and I want to get rid of my fat and gain muscle. If possible, please compare to Total Trainer DLX, Vigorfit, and Total Gym 1500 in your answer. Thank you.

Answer

I'm glad to hear that you're taking responsibility for your fitness and making positive changes to your lifestyle - it shows a lot of maturity for your age.

If you want a home gym for $300 or less (as you said) only 2 of the glide board gyms in your question meet that criteria - the Total Trainer DLX and Total Gym 1500 retail for about $289, and the Vigorfit retails for about $377 (all gym prices fluctuate depending on the day).

All three gyms are a good value for home strength training to increase flexibility, muscular endurance and build tendon strength but are not meant to build tons of muscle like lifting heavy free weights will do. That's not to say that you shouldn't get one, just to be clear about what we're talking about here.

I've made it pretty clear on the website and blog that I think the Total Trainer is the best value in glide board gyms on the market and I especially like the Total Trainer Power Pro which is currently being used in my wifes personal training studio at SpotFit.

For your reference here's a PDF download comparison sheet for the Vigorfit, Total Trainer DLX and Total Gym 1500 that I made for your viewing pleasure. As you'll see when you compare the three gyms side-by-side the Total Gym 1500 falls short on accessories, padding, resistance, user weight load and warranty.

OK, so now that you've read the comparison sheet I made for you (you did download it right?) I feel that you need to know that a home gym won't solve your weight and muscle building problems alone.

If you've read any more than 5 pages on my website or blog you know that in order to lose weight or build muscle as fast as possible you need to do three things:

• use a home gym for strength training to build muscle mass and increase metabolism
• perform cardio training on a treadmill, elliptical or similar machine to burn calories (get a free copy of the Cardio Secrets Manual here)
• get your eating habits and calorie intake under control

I'd also like to reiterate the fact that if you're looking for a hardcore muscle building or bodybuilding gym none of these gyms are going to cut it for you. I know this is probably more information than you asked for but I thought it was important to address the entire issue rather than just give you a short simple answer that will just confuse you.