Are you considering buying the Total Gym XLS or the Gr8Flex home gym system? Great! Because you can do 80 to 100 exercises on those machines.
As a personal trainer, I like that very much. I find that people who have either of those two machines at home, tend to exercise more than people who only have dumbbells.
So, which system is your best choice? At a glance, they look quite similar, but I am going to take a deeper look and point out some important differences.
Gr8flex
???? Winner????
Offers 100+ exercises
450 lbs weight capacity
15 resistance levels
Total Gym XLS
????Best For Beginners????
Offers 80+ exercises
400 lbs weight capacity
6 resistance levels
So, keep reading.
Table of Contents
- Features Gr8flex vs Total Gym
- Gr8Flex vs Total Gym: The Winner
- Which Home Gym is Best for YOU?
- What to do next?
Features Gr8flex vs Total Gym
| Features | Gr8Flex | Total Gym |
| Package Dimensions | Length: 96 in (243.84 cm) Width: 18 in (45.72 cm) Height: 50 in (127 cm) | Length: 89.76 in (227.99 cm) Width: 17.72 in (45 cm) Height: 42.91 in (108.99 cm) |
| Product Weight | 113 lbs (51.26 kg) | 81.57 lbs (37 kg) |
| Resistance levels | 15 | 6 |
| Maximum User Weight | 450 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Warranty | All-Inclusive Lifetime Warranty | Lifetime Warranty on Frame 6-month Warranty on Parts |
| Included Accessories | Wing barDip barsLeg harness/pulley system Cellphone holder/stand EZ (easy) curl bar Crunch ab accessory Soft grip handles Extra large squat stand Resistance bands Mats to protect the carpet/floor. | Ribbed squat stand Wing attachment Leg pull accessory and 2 ankle cuffs Total Gym exercise wall chart with 35 exercises Total Gym Training Deck (Personal Training System) Dan Isaacson’s Nutritional Program & Meal Plan Total Gym® TV Basic AbCrunch Attachment |
| Optional Attachments | None | Total Gym TV Premium |
Exercise comparison
As I mentioned, Gr8Flex can help you perform up to 100 exercises, while Total Gym XLS can do up to 80.
You might think Gr8Flex is the best choice right off the bat.
But, the types of exercises these two offer are different—and you might like the exercises of the one better than the other.
Let’s take a look.
Gr8Flex
Gr8Flex offers 100 exercise options, including:
Resistance Bands
- Chest press
- Lat pull-down
- Leg curls
- Bicep curls
- Tricep extensions
- Shoulder presses
- Squats
Pilates
- Leg circles
- Roll-ups
- Hundreds
- Teasers
- Planks
Stretching
- Hamstring stretch
- Quadriceps stretch
- Hip flexor stretch
- Shoulder stretch
- Back stretches
Total Gym XLS
Meanwhile, Total Gym provides over 80 exercises.
Examples are the following:
Bodyweight Exercises
- Chest press
- Pull-ups
- Leg curls
- Push-ups
- Squats
- Rows
Pilates and Yoga
- Pilates leg circles
- Reformer-style exercises
- Yoga stretches and poses
Functional Training
- Core exercises (planks, Russian twists)
- Balance exercises
- Cardio exercises (squat jumps)
- Plyometrics (jump squats)
Flexibility Training
- Hamstring stretches
- Quadriceps stretches
- Hip flexor stretches
- Shoulder stretches
Gr8Flex and Total Gym offer identical exercise and workout options. The exercises differ slightly with their accessory attachments.
Winner Exercise Comparison
In general, the winner for the exercise comparison is Gr8Flex, because it offers 100 diverse exercises to hit multiple muscle groups. Of course, it can also depend on your exercise preference.
Resistance comparison
The resistance level of workout machines dictates how intense, beneficial, and adaptable your workout sessions will be.
The Gr8Flex High-Performance Gym shines with 15 resistance levels. With it, you can calibrate your workouts to suit your fitness demands and inclinations.
Moreover, Gr8Flex uses flexible rods for its primary resistance, while offering additional resistance bands to spice up your workout. From 10 lbs to 50 lbs, these bands can give you many options for a more intensive, all-around exercise.
On the other hand, Total Gym delivers 6 resistance levels, predominantly using your body weight to do so. The intensity changes when you adjust the angle of its glide board.
Winner Resistance Comparison
Gr8Flex is the winner, because it offers more resistance levels than Total Gym XLS.
Attachments comparison
The main reason why these two home gyms can perform many exercises is because of the included attachments.
When you buy the Gr8Flex High-Performance Gym, it includes the following accessories and kits.
- Wing bar
- Dip bars
- Leg harness/pulley system
- Cellphone holder/stand
- EZ (easy) curl bar
- Crunch ab accessory
- Soft grip handles
- Extra large squat stand
- Resistance bands
- Mats to protect the carpet/floor.
Meanwhile, Total Gym XLS comes with the following accessories.
- Ribbed squat stand
- Wing attachment
- Leg pull accessory and 2 ankle cuffs
- Total Gym exercise wall chart with 35 Total Gym exercises
- Total Gym Training Deck (Personal Training System)
- Dan Isaacson’s Nutritional Program & Meal Plan
Winner Attachment Comparison
The winner is the Total Gym XLS. Not only does it include exercise attachments, but it also includes a nutritional program and meal plan, which provides additional fitness support.
Weight capacity comparison
The Gr8Flex High-Performance Gym can support up to 450 pounds.
This is great for heavy people, because it is proof of its durability and stability. You can confidently use it without worrying about the machine’s capacity.
The Total Gym XLS has a notable 400 lbs weight capacity. While 50 pounds less than Gr8Flex, it still provides solid support that won’t easily break down.
Winner Weight Capacity Comparison
The Gr8Flex is the winner, because it has a higher weight capacity than Total Gym XLS.
Construction Comparison
The construction of Gr8Flex and Total Gym machines is crucial to choosing which is better for your home gym.
Here’s a quick look:
Size and Material
Gr8FLex
The Gr8FLex has a dimension of 96 L x 18 W x 50 H. It delivers plenty of workout space for complete engagement without feeling confined.
However, this also means it takes up a lot of floor space. So, it may not be suitable if you have a small home gym.
Gr8Flex uses carbon fiber in its gym equipment construction. You can rely on carbon fiber for durable and sturdy workout equipment, because it has a high tensile strength.
Total Gym XLS
The Total Gym measures 89.76 L x 17.72 W x 42.91 H. It provides adequate room for several workouts while maintaining a compact, lightweight size—an ideal choice for smaller home gyms.
The Total Gym used a chrome-plated finish on the upper rails, which is great for corrosion resistance.
They’ve incorporated a black powder-coated finish on the lower rails, known for resisting scratches, chipping, color fading, and holding up under pressure.
Total Gym uses non-tear vinyl, providing a consistent, reliable surface and a 1.5-inch high-density foam for padding. You can stay comfy during intense workouts because of its durability and resistance to sagging.
Winner Construction Comparison
The construction comparison winner is Total Gym because of its compact dimensions to accommodate limited space and the transparency of materials used for the equipment.
Price and warranty comparison
Gr8Flex comes with a higher price tag and is a big investment if you are serious about fitness goals.
If you buy this machine, it has a lifetime warranty, including the accessories.
The Total Gym XLS, however, is cheaper than the Gr8flex. It is a budget-friendly option if you have a tight budget.
The Total Gym XLS provides a lifetime warranty on the frame, but limits the cover to just 6 months for the parts.
This is a big step down compared to the all-inclusive lifetime warranty offered by Gr8Flex.
Winner Price and Warranty Comparison
It’s a draw for price and warranty. If price is your primary concern, the Total Gym XLS, with its lower cost, might be the better pick. But, if the warranty influences your preference, the Gr8Flex edges ahead with its exceptional lifetime warranty on the entire machine.
Gr8Flex vs Total Gym: The Winner
In this Gr8flex vs Total Gym comparison, I found that each home gym has its strengths and limitations.
But, which is better?
Gr8Flex is the winner, in my opinion, for the following reasons:
- Gr8Flex offers more exercises than Total Gym XLS.
- Gr8Flex has a higher weight capacity.
- Gr8Flex offers more resistance options
However, this does not mean Total Gym XLS is not a good choice. It’s still a great home gym. Many people prefer Total Gym XLS because it is more affordable and saves space.
For the overall workout experience, I think Gr8Flex is better.
Which Home Gym is Best for YOU?
Which home gym is best for beginners?
For beginners, Total Gym or Gr8Flex are both suitable options. You can start immediately with their straightforward design.
You can choose from 100 exercises, including chest presses and roll-ups with Gr8Flex. Or 80+ options like leg curls, squat jumps, and hamstring stretches with Total Gym XLS. They are a good starting point to target different muscle groups.
But Total Gym added more features that are valuable for beginners.
Like, you can access Total Gym® TV basic for free, including select workouts you can stream and follow along with at your convenience.
You can also incorporate a nutritional plan to complement your workout routine by providing a balanced dietary plan and personal training system of Total Gym developed by certified trainers to help you achieve better performance.
Which home gym is best for your budget?
Total Gym is more affordable than Gr8Flex, a big advantage if budget is your concern.
Which home gym is best for heavy users?
If you are a heavy user, the Gr8Flex is a good option and can support up to 450 pounds. Constructed with carbon fiber, it is a sturdy equipment for intensive workouts and could stand up well under frequent and heavy use.
Which home gym is best for small spaces?
If space is an issue, Total Gym wins in this regard. Its compact design and ability to fold away after use make it an excellent choice for a home gym with space constraints.
What to do next?
If you are new to the fitness world, these two home gyms might look the same to you. They practically look the same, right?
But it’s the small details that make these machines different. The minor things that may seem insignificant, but can actually make or break your routines.
Don’t rush this decision. Take your time and review the options and comparisons above.
Pick the one you enjoy using, which motivates you to exercise regularly.
After all, all exercise machines can help you reach your fitness goals. It’s just a matter of finding the one that works best for you.
We also have a review of all Total Gym models if you need more information.
