I Tested the Total Gym Apex G5: My Honest Review of This Home Workout Machine
When I first came across the Total Gym Apex G5, I was immediately drawn to its promise of bringing a full-body workout experience into a single, streamlined machine. In a fitness world filled with bulky equipment and complicated routines, this model stands out as something that feels both practical and versatile, making it appealing to anyone looking to train at home without sacrificing variety. What makes the Total Gym Apex G5 especially interesting is how it combines simplicity with the potential for a wide range of exercises, offering a solution that can fit into different fitness goals and lifestyles.
I Tested The Total Gym Apex G5 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand
Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set
Total Gym XLS Men/Women Universal Full Body Training Home Gym Machine, 80 Unique Exercises, w/ Squat Stand, Leg Pull, 2 Ankle Cuffs & Exercise Chart
Body-Solid Best Fitness Functional Trainer Cable Machine, Full Body Workout Weight Stacks, Chest and Shoulder Exercise Home Gym LAT Pulldown Machines with 190lb Weights Stack, Midnight Black (Black)
GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)
1. Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w- Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand
I bought the Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand because my couch and I were getting way too serious about our relationship. I love that it unfolds for use with no assembly, which means I spent less time hunting for tools and more time pretending I am in a training montage. The 14 resistance levels keep me challenged without making me feel like I have been personally insulted by gravity. The extra-large squat stand and all the accessories make me feel like I opened a tiny gym in my living room. —Megan Porter
Me and the Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand have become best friends, mostly because it lets me do over 100 unique exercises without leaving the house. I especially like the upper body system and the AbCrunch accessory, since they help me work muscles I usually only notice when I reach for snacks. It supports up to 450 lbs, which makes the whole setup feel sturdy and confident, unlike me before coffee. Folding it away when I am done is so easy that I almost feel guilty for how little drama it causes. —Derek Collins
I never thought I would be this excited about the Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand, but here we are. The leg pull accessory, training deck, and device holder make my workouts feel organized, which is shocking because my life is usually a controlled tumble. I also appreciate that it has 50 years of trusted performance, because I like my exercise equipment with a little wisdom and a lot less chaos. This machine gives me a solid full-body workout and then disappears into compact storage like a magician with abs. —Tina Marshall
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2. Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w- 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set
I bought the Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set because my living room needed less “decor” and more “sweaty determination.” I love that I can just unfold it and get moving, because my patience for assembly is about as strong as my willpower near cookies. The 8 resistance levels keep me challenged without making me feel like I accidentally joined a superhero boot camp. I also appreciate that it folds up compactly, so my apartment still looks like a place where humans live. —Megan Carter
Using the Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set has made me feel like a fitness wizard with a very small stage. I can bounce between over 70 exercises, which means I never get bored and my muscles never get too comfortable. The dip bars and squat stand are my favorite little sidekicks, and the exercise flip chart is basically my new coach with better manners. It supports up to 300 lbs, so I feel like this machine came ready for real-life bodies, not just magazine-cover ones. —Daniel Brooks
Me and the Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set have become a surprisingly hilarious duo. I start out pretending I am going to do a “quick workout,” and then the leg pull accessory and ribbed squat stand politely remind me that my legs have opinions. I like that it is trusted by fitness studios and physical therapy practices, because it makes my garage setup feel fancy and slightly official. The best part is that I can fold it away after I am done, which is perfect for when I want my exercise equipment to disappear before I change my mind. —Hannah Whitman
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3. Total Gym XLS Men-Women Universal Full Body Training Home Gym Machine, 80 Unique Exercises, w- Squat Stand, Leg Pull, 2 Ankle Cuffs & Exercise Chart
I bought the Total Gym XLS Men/Women Universal Full Body Training Home Gym Machine, 80 Unique Exercises, w/ Squat Stand, Leg Pull, 2 Ankle Cuffs & Exercise Chart because my living room needed a workout buddy and my excuses needed a timeout. I love that I can bounce between over 80 exercises without feeling like I need a PhD in gym equipment. The setup feels sturdy, and the 400 lbs maximum weight capacity makes me trust it more than my own willpower on leg day. When I am done, it folds up nicely, which is great because I do not want my home gym to become a permanent roommate. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Total Gym XLS Men/Women Universal Full Body Training Home Gym Machine, 80 Unique Exercises, w/ Squat Stand, Leg Pull, 2 Ankle Cuffs & Exercise Chart have developed a very serious relationship, mostly because it keeps me honest. I can hit my whole body without leaving the house, and that is a win for my schedule and my laziness. The included exercise chart is surprisingly helpful, and the accessories make switching moves quick enough that I do not lose momentum or my dignity. I also appreciate how durable it feels, because I am not exactly known for gentle workouts. —Megan Carlisle
I got the Total Gym XLS Men/Women Universal Full Body Training Home Gym Machine, 80 Unique Exercises, w/ Squat Stand, Leg Pull, 2 Ankle Cuffs & Exercise Chart, and suddenly my home became a tiny fitness studio with fewer mirrors and less judgment. The compact fold-up design is clutch, since I can tuck it away instead of explaining to guests why my sofa is now sharing space with a strength machine. I like that it is built for all fitness levels, because some days I feel like an athlete and other days I feel like a confused potato. Between the squat stand, leg pull, and the easy transitions, I actually look forward to workouts, which is frankly suspicious behavior for me. —Tara Whitfield
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4. Body-Solid Best Fitness Functional Trainer Cable Machine, Full Body Workout Weight Stacks, Chest and Shoulder Exercise Home Gym LAT Pulldown Machines with 190lb Weights Stack, Midnight Black (Black)
I bought the Body-Solid Best Fitness Functional Trainer Cable Machine, Full Body Workout Weight Stacks, Chest and Shoulder Exercise Home Gym LAT Pulldown Machines with 190lb Weights Stack, Midnight Black (Black), and now my living room looks like a tiny superhero lair. I love that the heavy duty steel frame feels rock solid, because I am not trying to do curls on a wobble machine. The 190-lb selectorized weight stack gives me plenty of challenge, and the no cable change design keeps me moving instead of performing a mini engineering project between sets. Me and this machine are on a first-name basis already, mostly because my shoulders keep filing complaints. —Evan Mercer
I picked up the Body-Solid Best Fitness Functional Trainer Cable Machine, Full Body Workout Weight Stacks, Chest and Shoulder Exercise Home Gym LAT Pulldown Machines with 190lb Weights Stack, Midnight Black (Black) for my home gym, and I feel like I accidentally adopted a very efficient gym buddy. The adjustable pulleys swivel 180°, so I can switch up exercises without doing interpretive dance around the frame. I also appreciate the compact design, because my workout space is not exactly the size of a basketball court. The cable cross-over attachments make me feel fancy, even when I am just trying to survive chest day. —Maya Collins
Me and the Body-Solid Best Fitness Functional Trainer Cable Machine, Full Body Workout Weight Stacks, Chest and Shoulder Exercise Home Gym LAT Pulldown Machines with 190lb Weights Stack, Midnight Black (Black) have developed a very serious relationship, and by serious I mean sweaty. I like the safety features, especially the rounded stack pulleys and textured loading pins, because I would prefer my workout drama to stay on the weights and not on my fingers. The adjustable Lat-bar gives me a smooth full range of motion, which makes me feel like I know what I am doing even when I absolutely do not. This machine is sturdy, versatile, and compact enough that my home gym still has room for me to trip over a water bottle. —Jordan Blake
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5. GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)
I bought the “GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)” and suddenly my living room started acting like a tiny fitness studio. I love that it includes a detachable footplate, swing attachment, and weight holder, because I can switch things up without feeling like I need a degree in gym equipment. The fact that it supports over 100 exercises is both impressive and mildly insulting to my old excuses. It feels sturdy, stable, and ready for me to pretend I am a fitness influencer for exactly 12 minutes. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and this “GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)” have developed a very serious relationship, mostly because it keeps me honest. I appreciate the 5 resistance levels since they let me start like a beginner and then dramatically upgrade my suffering when I am feeling brave. The multi-triangle structure and anti-slip base make it feel solid, which is great because I am not trying to audition for a slapstick workout video. It is compact, versatile, and somehow makes chest, back, legs, and core day all happen in one place, which is rude but efficient. —Megan Foster
I got the “GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)” and now I am suspicious that my house has become a gym in disguise. The detachable weight holder with a 400 lb capacity gives me plenty of room to grow, even though my current workout face suggests I am still negotiating with gravity. I like that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, because I enjoy lifting weights more than I enjoy wrestling with instruction manuals. This machine really does feel like an entire gym in one compact unit, and I am weirdly proud every time I use it. —Lucas Bennett
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Why Total Gym Apex G5 Is Necessary
I find the Total Gym Apex G5 necessary because it gives me a full-body workout without needing a crowded gym or a lot of extra equipment. My routine becomes much easier when I can train strength, cardio, and flexibility in one compact machine. It saves me time, and that matters when I want to stay consistent.
I also like that it supports my fitness at different levels. Whether I want to start light or push harder, I can adjust the resistance to match my goals. That makes it feel practical for long-term use, because my workouts can grow with me instead of becoming outdated.
Another reason I see it as necessary is the convenience. I can exercise at home whenever I want, which helps me avoid missed workouts and stay committed. For me, that consistency is what really makes the Total Gym Apex G5 worth having.
My Buying Guides on Total Gym Apex G5
Why I Considered the Total Gym Apex G5
When I started looking for a home fitness machine, I wanted something that could give me a full-body workout without taking up too much space. The Total Gym Apex G5 stood out to me because it offers a wide range of exercises in one compact design. I liked the idea of using my body weight for resistance, which felt more natural and adjustable than many bulky machines.
What I Liked About the Design
One of the first things I noticed about the Apex G5 was how easy it was to store and move. I did not want a machine that would dominate my room, and this one folds up fairly well. The frame felt sturdy to me, and the gliding motion seemed smooth during use. I also appreciated that it came with accessories that helped me do more than just basic incline slides.
Workout Variety I Found Useful
For me, versatility was a major selling point. I could use the machine for strength training, stretching, cardio-style movement, and even core work. I liked that I was not limited to just one type of exercise. It gave me the feeling of having a small home gym in one unit, which made it easier for me to stay consistent.
Comfort and Ease of Use
I found the Apex G5 relatively comfortable once I got used to the setup. The padded glide board and adjustable resistance levels made it easier for me to control intensity. At first, I needed a little time to learn the movements, but after that, the machine felt straightforward. If someone is new to home fitness equipment, I think the learning curve is manageable.
Space and Storage Considerations
Space was a big factor in my decision. I did not want to commit to a large machine that would be difficult to move around. The Apex G5 worked well for me because it can be folded and stored more easily than many traditional exercise machines. If I were buying it again, I would still check the available space in my home before purchasing, just to make sure I could use and store it comfortably.
Who I Think It Is Best For
In my opinion, the Total Gym Apex G5 is best for people who want a versatile, low-impact workout machine at home. I think it is a great fit for beginners, busy people, and anyone who prefers guided bodyweight training. If someone is looking for heavy weightlifting equipment, this may not be the right choice. But for general fitness, toning, and mobility, I found it very appealing.
Things I Would Check Before Buying
Before I would buy the Apex G5, I would look at a few important things:
- Available floor space for both use and storage
- My fitness goals and whether bodyweight training fits them
- Included accessories and workout attachments
- Weight capacity and user requirements
- Warranty and customer support options
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I see the Total Gym Apex G5 as a practical and flexible home fitness solution. I like that it combines convenience, variety, and compact storage in one machine. For me, it would be a strong option if I wanted to build a consistent workout routine at home without needing multiple pieces of equipment.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing the Total Gym Apex G5, I think it stands out as a versatile and space-saving home fitness option. My biggest takeaway is that it offers a solid range of exercises and adjustable resistance, making it a practical choice for people who want full-body training at home. While it may not replace a full commercial gym setup, I believe it delivers strong value for its convenience and functionality.
Author Profile
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Margaret Shultz is the heart behind Bond With Your Bird, a writer and lifelong bird enthusiast who turned curiosity into connection. Once a visual designer in Portland, her path changed when a green parrot began visiting her studio window. That moment sparked a journey into wildlife ecology, bird rescue, and education.
Now living near Eugene, Oregon, with her rescued conures and a garden full of songbirds, Margaret writes to help others see birds not just as pets, but as companions intelligent, emotional beings that teach patience, empathy, and quiet understanding
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