Ways to Exercise With Total Gym Platinum

Within the Total Gym home exercise product line, the Platinum model is a lower end model that will retail for about $200. The Total Gym exercise system was created in 1974 and has been in featured on cable and broadcast television for years, utilizing Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley as celebrity spokespersons. Total Gym is classified as a cable-and-pulley system, using an incline bench to create more or less resistance from your body weight. This differs from a home exercise system such as Bowflex, which uses a technique known as "bending rod resistance."

Exercise Groups

Total Gym is designed to work your body within six main exercise groups: abs, arms, back, chest, legs and shoulders. Within each grouping is a variety of exercises that will work important muscles to improve muscle tone, firm up weak areas and burn calories to reduce body fat.

Abs -- Abdominal exercises such as the crunch and sit-up will target the upper and lower core muscles as well as the obliques. The padded glide board supports your back, avoiding pain and discomfort that can result from exercising abdominals while lying on a hard floor.

Arms -- Targeting biceps and triceps with the Total Gym Platinum involves movements such as the curl, the arm pull and triceps extension. The biceps are the muscles that cover the front of the upper arm, while the triceps cover the back. The arms are a noticeable body part that can highlight strength gains by increasing in size for men and becoming toned and lean for women.

Back -- Building a stronger back reduces overall back pain, improves posture and increases abdominal core strength. With the Total Gym Platinum, you can work not only your back, but arms and shoulders. By utilizing pull-ups, reverse fly and front pullover routines, your back can become not only stronger but more flexible.

Chest -- Chest exercises work some of the largest muscle groups in the upper body. When working the chest, you involve your arms and shoulders and burn more calories. Perform push-ups, a chest press and chest fly to build a powerful, more toned upper body.

Legs -- Working the leg muscles to tone, strengthen and build muscle provides additional benefits in improving your buttocks. Front and side squats are the most popular routines performed on Total Gym.

Shoulders -- Along with arm and chest exercises, focusing specific exercises on your shoulders will enhance your look in attire such as T-shirts and tank tops. Perform shoulder extensions, rows and front raises to work the muscles thoroughly and properly.

Summary

Description of these exercise routines can be found on the Total Gym website or on numerous Internet exercise and strength training websites. Common recommendations are to perform eight to 10 exercises, two to three sets for each routine and eight to 12 repetitions per set.

Before starting any exercise regimen, consult with your physician to make sure you are physically able to undergo these types of exercises. Start slow and build your intensity over time, which will increase your endurance. Proper diet and rest, along with exercise, are important in achieving and obtaining better physical health.