Total Gym 1600 Review
There are many benefits to an all in one home gym system: it is an affordable and convenient way to get fit and healthy. Instead of having to buy multiple machines or an expensive gym membership that locks you into a contract, you can instead buy one machine that does it all.
One of the drawbacks of an all in one home gym is that it can still take up a lot of room, and look unattractive in your house. That’s why we were excited to hear about the Total Gym 1600, which is especially designed to be lightweight and easily stored away when not in use.
It also offers a great workout, at an affordable price. Let’s look more closely at its features and whether it may be the right home gym for you.
The Pros
The Total Gym 1600 is an affordable offering from the Total Gym company. This company is well respected in the industry, and have been making and selling home gym equipment for many years.
It is definitely a plus that this product is sold by such a reputable brand, as it speaks to the quality and build of the gym system.
The next important thing about the Total Gym 1600 is that it allows you to undertake a wide range of exercises. With the machine as well as the additional extras, you can do over sixty different types of exercises.
Not only does this variety make your work outs more fun, but it also means that you can use all your different muscles for a full body work out. The Total Gym 1600 has exercises that target all muscle groups, including biceps, abdominals, glutes, pectorals, calves and more.
The variety of exercises is further improved with the handy additional extras that are included with the product. Additional accessories such as a squat mat and a dip bar greatly extend the amount of exercises that can be completed on the Total Gym 1600.
In addition to the variety of exercises, the Total Gym is also flexible in how much resistance you can have in your exercises.
Because the Total Gym 1600 use body resistance, this setting allows you to change what % of your body weight is used in the resistance at the lower end of the scale, exercise is very easy, even for beginners, whereas at the higher end it becomes much more challenging.
There are other additional extras which seem to have been designed with the beginner in mind.
The Total Gym 1600 comes with several instructional DVDs that cover operation of the machine, different exercises you can do with it, and nutrition.
These DVDs are very helpful in getting you started quickly, and helping you to create and maintain a wholly healthy lifestyle.
One of the major selling points of the Total Gym 1600 that differentiate it from other total home gyms on the market is its convenient storage.
The entire system weighs just 75lb, so it is very easy for everyone to move and fold away. Once it is folded up, it reduces to about half its full size, and can very easily be stored in a cupboard or under your bed.
The price of the Total Gym 1600 is also very competitive, being one of the cheaper models in the Total Gym range.
This means that the product is an excellent option for those just getting started on their fitness journey, or who are on a tight budget but don’t want to sacrifice features and design.
Pros in a Nutshell
- Reputable brand that has been manufacturing gym equipment for many years
- Lightweight frame that folds up for easy storage
- Sixty different exercises for a whole body workout
- Thoughtful extras such as the instructional DVDs about exercises and nutrition
- Affordable
The Drawbacks
As the Total Gym 1600 is one of the more affordable options from Total Gym, it does lack some of the features of other models.
Most significantly, the Total Gym 1600 has a maximum weight of 250lb (113kg).
This weight limit is quite restrictive and may prevent people with larger and/or more muscular frames from safely using the all in one gym.
We would have liked to have seen a more generous weight limit to allow this product to be accessible for all.
In addition, the Total Gym 1600’s lightweight frame and more modest resistance modes means that it may not be suitable for particularly intense workouts.
While it is fine for beginners and those wishing to focus on toning and sculpting, those who require a high intensity workout might find the offerings of the Total Gym 1600 a bit restrictive.
Finally, we are a bit disappointed by the warranty on offer by Total Gym. The warranty with this product is a one year limited warranty, probably due to the relatively low price point.
However, if you are looking for the peace of mind that comes from knowing a product is guaranteed for a long time, you are unlikely to be satisfied by the warranty on this product.
The Drawbacks in a Nutshell
- Low minimum weight that may not be suitable for all people
- May not be suitable if you are looking to do high intensity workouts
- The warranty is very restrictive
Final Thoughts – Total Gym 1600 Review
The Total Gym 1600 is an excellent entry level all in one home gym system, particularly if you are looking for something that can easily be stored away and that is suitable for beginners.
Despite its entry level price, it offers many different options for exercises and comes with extras for an even greater variety, including a squat mat and a dip bar.
While this option may not be suitable for people with a higher body weight or those looking for really intense workouts, overall it is great value for money and is sure to be a great purchase for helping you on your way to a fitter, healthier life!