very relaxing and fulfilling workout

Since my birthday is at the end of Dec. and my New Years resolution was to get fit, the Total Gym 1700 Club was my present! I have to admit this is very nice.

Setting up the machine was easy. It is ready to go from the box and all you do is open it and set the height to where you want it.

It comes with a DVD that shows both a Pilates workout and a regular weight training sort of workout.

I enjoy Pilates, but we moved to the country and I no longer have a class nearby. I am usually not good at working out on my own so if you have a temperament like mine, then you may like this machine as well as I do. I put on relaxing zen like music and set the machine to a comfortable height and work peacefully until the end of my CD, lost in the music and totally feeling as if I had a good workout when it is all done. I was not fast at changing the bars and un-clipping the seat at first, but I get faster all the time, and the first time I disconnected the cable to the seat was tough, but the clip was new and stiff the first time. It is easier now.

The first day I used it I was sore in my upper arms and ab area, but my body adjusted quickly so I raised the incline to get a little more resistance. It is my preference that I stay with a smooth, slow, easy and relaxing workout. I can see how the higher incline could do more for me, and maybe I will add that in sometime, but for now, I am lost in the music and can feel myself getting toned! I took about a week and a half to start to physically see any results- and I can tell they will be slow and steady results, not huge changes overnight.

My biggest challenge is getting on any machine, but once I am on the Total Gym 1700, I don't feel the urge to get off as fast as possible. I enjoy my time on it. It is not a chore. For the first time, I tend to think about getting on the machine when I have free time. When I have had other equipment in the past, my mind tended to find reasons to NOT workout.

So, this fit my needs because:

I wanted a simple machine that would hold my attention and actually give me a good workout and this does.

I wanted one piece of equipment that would exercise most of my body in a short amount of time. This does.

I wanted something that would not swallow a room with it's size.. well, this takes up 1/3 of my 12 x 12 room when it is open, but when closed it just sits in a corner and I have my room back. It will not fold down and fit under my bed as advertised, unless I raise my bed, but it could go into my closet if I wanted to do that.

I wanted equipment that would not jar my back because I do have back issues (upper and lower) and this machine gives me a very kind workout! It does not jar any part of my back and on those days that my back is bothering me, I can choose to use the machine to stretch rather than work my muscles! Not many machines have that option! I know that as I strengthen my back my problems will go away, but until then, I can still use the machine on painful days.

I wanted a good price (bang for my buck) with lots of impact, and I got it with this machine.

So for me, as a person who wanted a Pilates experience at a fraction of the cost, I was able to obtain that with this piece of equipment. For people who want to build muscle and sweat and huff and puff and get an exhausting workout that leaves them tired and satisfied, I can tell you it is possible to do that with this machine if you set it at higher height inclines and even add weights.

This is a machine for all and I am very glad that I have it.