Home Gym Equipment

Reviews

Pros: very nicely priced (especially at Weider site) in comparison with other machines of this type; well built; and came pretty much put together already. Cons: This machine has no adjustment for shorter users - in other words, neither the length of the platform nor the cords can be adjusted. The lower frame has only one position available, which means that if you are under 5'10" or so and try to do the basic cardio exercise which involves sqautting and pulling on the cords, you probably won't be able to reach the cords behind you - - they're just too far away. Even if you grab them, when you finish the motion, your feet are no longer on the foot pad. You can get around this by doing the squats separately, or by leaving the bench only partially extended (which is not recommended by the manufacturer, as it leaves the bench unsecured). Other negatives: The unit does not come with any exercise program, whether on DVD, tape or just written - - just a chart of various exercises. It's left up to the user to develop a regimen. Also, the round plastic covers at the bottom of the frame are not wheels, which means moving this thing involves actually dragging or lifting it (and it's pretty heavy).

This home gym won't make you look like Rocky Balboa, but that is besides the point. This little bad boy is awesome. I am a fitness freak and needed something for the home because of a crazy schedule. It is more than worth the one hundred and odd dollars for the workout. Like I said you won't bulk up like Rocky, but you will break a sweat and stay in shape just using this if you are not lazy. Great piece of equipment to have at home; and, good for a temporary or supplemental workout for the regular gym. Save the whales mf's!

As an ex-collegiate athlete, I bought this machine so I could workout on my schedule. GREAT investment. I use it several times a week. The machine is very heavy duty with heavy gauge steel tubing, and is also very stable, no tipping even at the highest incline. I am able to get a full upper body workout, and do several lower body exercises. Though it could be modified to accommodate a few more lower body exercises, the TBW 5000 works great for what it is designed to do, and is a great value for what I paid.

When I was young (in the 70's), my father purchased the first generation of these machines. After the novelty wore off, it became my machine. I had never saw anything like it until Chuck Norris started selling a similar machine in the late 90's. I thought I would get one, but it was too expensive. Last week, I purchased this Weider Total Body Works 5000. It is a lot heavier than the one we had in my youth. This weighs around 70 lbs, where as the one I had weighed around 35 lbs. This machine is real quality. It reaches a higher incline than my old one and is built for more exercises. I've been training my 11 yr old son, so I've had to lower the incline. I've noticed that if you lower the incline to the lowest notch, there is a knob in back that hits the ground, so what I did for my son was put the incline on the second notch and place books under the back of the machine. Based on the thickness of the book, determined the incline. In a week, he quickly went from a slight incline to fully at the second notch. I love to work out, so I doubt if this machine will go unused. I will also make my son use it as training for his swimming, but my wife and daughter will probably not use the machine. Like anything, if you don't build up a habit of working out, this machine will be just another piece of furniture. I would encourage you to block out a specific time each day to work out. When asked how do I find the motivation to work out each day, I tell them "don't think about it, just do it". The moment you think about it, you will justify why it will be better later. Oh, one more thing that I noticed in the comments. This is hard to fold up to store. This is both right and wrong. If you can lift the gym, then it is easy to fold it up. But, like I mentioned, it weighs around 70 lbs. So, it would not be easy for women and children (no offense -- I do know a few women that can lift over 70 lbs over their heads, but this is an exception rather than a rule). So, if you are committed to work out every day (or at least every-other day), you will love this machine.

I have been comparing these type of machines to establish some customer service before purchase - and its been over 13 days and Wider has not responded back to any thing that i requested - Warranty on parts / parts replacement / when they will have some in stock on the web site - Absoutley NOTHING back - if you can't back up your product, why should we buy it - I am considering other products that cost more, but have customers in mind!!!!!