Can I start with the Trainer as a complete beginner? I.E. No weight lifting at the gym, no previous grip machine eperience?
272593
Try this: Go to a pull up bar and try to hang from one hand (DON'T just let your weight drop on your hand entirely, place the weight of your body on just one arm but keep your feet on the floor, then slowly remove your feet if you feel you can) are you able to hang on for a few seconds with ONE hand? then yes you can start with the trainer. If you cannot, go lighter. See how long you can hang with both arms, it should be at least 25-30 seconds before messing with the trainer. I went for the trainer even though I have been doing pull ups/chin ups and such for a few years, and I wasn't able to close it at first. I used a cheaper grip instrument as a warm up then would try to close the trainer in sets of 1 to 5 reps. I also did some static holds. Now I can close it 5 times with my right hand (dominant) and 3 times with my left hand. This is after about a month of training. I don't think I'd suggest getting the guide, get the trainer and also a cheaper gripper, the guide is too expensive and you'll outgrow it really fast. I mean, you can use it for a warm up for a while, and then you can gift it or sell it to a novice trainee - I'm just saying I wouldn't. I plan to give my trainer to my son someday! I'm sure it'll last that long (don't have a kid yet) Good luck!
272594
Get a newspaper and crunch it into a ball with one hand.You will get a better overall grip workout than a coc and its free!!girls can rep the no 2.!!
272595
Yes. i believe that you can. You may find that, at first, you can't completely close the gripper, ie complete 1 full rep. However, if you use it 3 times per day, doing what you can, you will quickly gain 1 rep, and from there you will progress. have fun with it!
272596
Personally, I would suggest getting a cheapy one from a sporting goods store to start with. Use it for a couple weeks and then get the trainer. I wouldn't waste my money on an extremely easy CoC gripper when you can progress so quickly.
272597
I suggest that you begin with the lightest (i.e. the Guide) as you may find the Trainer too advanced/difficult. Start with the Guide and progress your way up the ladder. Good luck!
304178
Your arms and legs 'motorize' the Magne Trainer. Really enjoy mine! I saw and felt results the first week.....Good luck.
653212
We have had this trainer for approx. two months now. My wife uses it seven days a week, and I try to use it at least five days a week. At this point we have had not one problem with the machine. As I had stated in my review of the trainer you have to read the instructions and use them in the order that they are printed, when you assemble it Also a light coating of good grease on all of the moving parts makes a big difference in the operation of the trainer, and I am sure it will make a difference in the length of time that the trainer will last also. To be sure this is not a trainer that you would find in a professional business, but for home use it is really great! We have had this trainer for approx. two months now. My wife uses it seven days a week, and I try to use it at least five days a week. At this point we have had not one problem with the machine. As I had stated in my review of the trainer you have to read the instructions and use them in the order that they are printed, when you assemble it Also a light coating of good grease on all of the moving parts makes a big difference in the operation of the trainer, and I am sure it will make a difference in the length of time that the trainer will last also. To be sure this is not a trainer... » Read More We have had this trainer for approx. two months now. My wife uses it seven days a week, and I try to use it at least five days a week. At this point we have had not one problem with the machine. As I had stated in my review of the trainer you have to read the instructions and use them in the order that they are printed, when you assemble it Also a light coating of good grease on all of the moving parts makes a big difference in the operation of the trainer, and I am sure it will make a difference in the length of time that the trainer will last also. To be sure this is not a trainer that you would find in a professional business, but for home use it is really great! « Show Less
97224
You can use this step with or without weights. If you are in good shape I would use 5 to 10 pd weights. If you are just beginning you might want to wait and work your way up to weights.
1731546
Did not come with weights. You can buy the Total Gym weight bar and then add your own weights. You might want to try the Total Gym on the 6th level and see if you still need to add extra weights. It is harder than it looks.
104885
No I can bench the whole stack. I'm doing 45 reps with the entire stack now. I wish I bought a machine with more weight. I'm 5' 7" and 40 years old.
1059417
A good write-up of the differences here:http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/08/kinetic-updated-trainers.html
1707431
Hello Mike F, As far as I know, the trainer is ready to use right out of the box, except assembly and needs no other parts. I hope this helps,enjoy. Jim S
2179455
Excellent for beginners. Has resistance up to 22 pounds, is easy to use and it really is fun. I've had it for two months and I'm still using it (hasn't found it's way to the exercise equipment graveyard yet)!
1697948
you can buy them directly from the company and there are also aftermarket weights that fit. i would try the existing stack before ordering more, though, because of the position the exercize starts in with this machine. you start with your hands back by your shoulders, where you are weakest, unlike with freeweights where your arms are extended at your strongest. it makes a big difference. if you can bench this stack on this machine, you can bench probably well over 300 on an olympic bench.
849316
I'm sure that wearing gloves will give you the same strength-conditioning as bare handed training would. I have never used gloves with my hand grippers, but if I did- I would use a good quality driving glove that didn't hinder my ability to close my hand into a fist. Or you could try a batting glove or golfer's glove.
1213523
It depends on your level of fitness right now. Some of the exercises with the straps are more difficult, and you must have the right door to hang them from. I'd also ask why get back in shape before joining a gym? If you are going to join, join now and take advantages of what the gym has to offer. I like these for what they are, but I don't know if they are the first piece of exercise equipment I would recommend.
718803
Kelly, do you work for beachbody or something? These workouts are insane! You didn't even break a sweat?? I just finished Chalean Extreme, a 12 week program training with heavy weights along with some plyometrics, kickboxing, etc. It's a great workout, but that was easy compared to this. I'm no athlete, but I'm in pretty good shape. I totally disagree. BBL is NOT good for a beginner. I sweat bullets when I do this and I'm not a big sweater! Good luck Kat.
1240361
I think you could actually make some, I have been thinking about it myself. I was on the total gym website and I like the new handles they have as well. I also like the foot bar they have which is taller than the thing that comes with the total body works. I showed it to my husband and he is going to make me a similar one, seems pretty simple if you can weld or bend metal tubing. It would be nice if they offer accessories like that, but I think for now it would be pretty easy to make your own.
1833658
Yes there is the Zumba has a beginner program to use before moving on to the harder workout.
677903
I Love this machine. Does it work? It depends if you use it consistently. I feel great when I use it. I typically do squats, ab twists and air boxing to get a total body workout. Last week I actually was on with my weights. I do not regret getting this machine but give it your best and I believe it will be good to your body :)
1194439
An elliptical trainer is mainly for aerobic exercise. This machine will give you a full-body workout. I would have preferred to purchase a pilates machine instead of this one, though.