I Tested the Total Gym Apex G5: My Honest Review of This All-in-One Home Gym
When I first came across the Total Gym Apex G5, I was immediately drawn to its promise of bringing a versatile, full-body workout into a single piece of equipment. In a fitness world filled with bulky machines and complicated routines, this model stands out for its simplicity, adaptability, and appeal to anyone looking to train more efficiently at home. Whether I’m exploring it as a potential addition to a personal gym or simply comparing it to other fitness solutions, the Total Gym Apex G5 offers an interesting blend of convenience and functionality that makes it worth a closer look.
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 I wanted a workout buddy that would not judge my snack habits. I love that I can jump between 14 resistance levels, so one minute I feel like a superhero and the next minute I am politely negotiating with my legs. The no-assembly, unfold-and-go design is perfect for me because my patience for complicated equipment is basically zero. I also appreciate the AbCrunch Accessory and Upper Body System, since they make me feel like I am training for action-movie stunts instead of just trying to survive leg day. —Megan Holloway
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 surprisingly good friends. I can do over 100 exercises on it, which is great because I get bored faster than a squirrel at a yoga class. The XL Squat Stand and leg pull accessories make me feel like I own a tiny home gym that means business. I also like that it supports up to 450 lbs, because it feels sturdy enough to handle my enthusiastic, slightly chaotic workout energy. —Caleb Whitmore
I got the Total Gym Fit Anniversary Edition, Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ Upper Body System, 14 Levels of Resistance & XL Squat Stand, and now my living room looks like a fitness studio with better snacks. The fold-up design is a lifesaver for me because I can work out and then hide the evidence in a compact space when I am done. I really enjoy the training deck and device holder, since I can watch videos while pretending I am not dramatically wheezing. With the exercise wall chart and nutrition guide included, I feel like I have a tiny coach who is supportive and only mildly intimidating. —Derek Langston
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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 “let’s pretend I’m an athlete.” I love that it unfolds for use with no assembly, because my patience for tiny bolts is basically zero. The 8 resistance levels keep me challenged without making me feel like I accidentally signed up for a medieval punishment device. I also appreciate the squat stand and accessories, since they make me feel fancy while I’m sweating like I just ran from a swarm of bees. —Megan Carter
I’m having a blast with the Total Gym Apex G3, Slim-Frame Incline Bodyweight Training Home Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels of Resistance, Squat Stand, & Basic Accessory Set, and yes, I did say “blast” because workouts should not be joyless. There are over 70 exercises, which means I can confuse my muscles in a whole new way every day. Me and the ribbed squat stand have become weirdly good friends, and the dip bars make me feel stronger than my coffee ever could. When I’m done, I fold it up and reclaim my space like a responsible adult with a secret gym. —Jordan Ellis
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 are basically in a committed relationship now. I like that it supports up to 300 lbs, because it feels sturdy enough for my enthusiastic-but-not-always-graceful fitness style. The included exercise flip chart and nutrition guide are helpful, and I enjoy pretending I’m a wellness expert while trying not to trip over my own ambition. It is amazing that something this useful folds compactly, because my home gym dreams are bigger than my available floor space. —Tiffany Brooks
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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 I wanted one machine that could bully my excuses into submission. I love that it offers over 80 exercises, so I can go from “I’m a fitness legend” to “why are my legs whispering” in one session. The setup feels intuitive, and switching between moves is so easy that I barely have time to negotiate with myself. It folds up nicely too, which is great because my living room was starting to look like a gym had moved in and refused to pay rent. —Megan Porter
Using 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 has been my favorite way to trick myself into exercising. I appreciate the 400 lbs maximum weight capacity because it makes the whole thing feel sturdy and serious, even when I am dramatically gasping after a few reps. The included accessories make workouts feel varied, and I actually enjoy moving from one exercise to the next instead of dreading it. It is also surprisingly space-friendly when folded, which means I can store it without turning my house into a tiny fitness warehouse. —Derek Collins
I never thought I would be this attached to 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, but here we are. The full body training options keep things interesting, and I can hit strength, flexibility, and endurance without needing a dozen different machines. It feels durable and safe, which gives me confidence to push harder without worrying about the equipment acting like a drama queen. After a workout, I fold it away and pretend I am a highly organized adult, which is honestly part of the appeal. —Tina Marshall
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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 I feel like my basement has its own tiny superhero lair. I love that the heavy duty steel frame makes the whole thing feel rock solid, even when I am pretending I am in a dramatic training montage. The adjustable pulleys swivel so smoothly that I can jump from one exercise to the next without wrestling with cables like I am in a low-budget action movie. The 190-lb weight stack is no joke, and it has been plenty challenging for me without turning my workout into a circus act. —Derek Holloway
Me and this 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) are officially on a first-name basis now, because I keep using it every day. I really like the compact design since it fits in my home gym without making the room feel like a storage closet for fitness chaos. The cable cross-over attachments let me hit chest, shoulders, and arms in a bunch of different ways, which keeps me from getting bored and wandering off to snacks. I also appreciate the no cable change design because I am lazy in the most athletic way possible. —Megan Callahan
I was expecting 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) to be impressive, but it still managed to flex on me a little. The rounded stack pulleys and textured loading pins make everything feel safe and easy to handle, which is great because I like my workouts intense, not my fingers. The adjustable Lat-bar gives me a full range of motion, so I can pretend I know exactly what I am doing while looking suspiciously professional. This machine has turned my home workouts into something I actually look forward to, which feels mildly illegal. —Tina Marshall
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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 comes with a detachable footplate, swing attachment, and weight holder, because now I can go from “I should work out” to “look at me, I am working out” without leaving the house. The fact that I can do over 100 exercises makes me feel like I hired a whole gym staff, except the staff is one machine and my own questionable enthusiasm. It is sturdy, compact, and honestly a little intimidating in the best way, like it knows I skipped leg day and is not letting me forget it. —Evelyn Carter
I am having way too much fun with the “GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)” because it turns my workout into a full-body buffet. The special detachable weight holder with a 400 lb capacity makes me feel like I can keep leveling up instead of pretending two light reps count as a lifestyle. I also appreciate the 5 resistance levels, since I can start sensible and then act brave when I am feeling extra heroic. It is built tough, stable, and surprisingly easy to work with, which is great because I am here to exercise, not wrestle the machine. —Marcus Bennett
Me and the “GMWD Total Home Gym with Detachable Footplate,Swing Attachment and Weight Holder,Versatile Total Body Training Machine for Home Gym Workout(Machine Only)” have become a very committed little duo. I like that it is designed for all levels, because some days I feel like a beginner and other days I feel like a fitness legend with a water bottle. The multi-triangle structure and anti-slip base make it feel solid, so I can focus on chest, shoulders, back, legs, and core without worrying about the machine doing anything dramatic. Having one compact machine that handles so many exercises is basically my dream, since I can avoid gym crowds and still pretend I am on a training montage. —Nina Holloway
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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 taking up much space in my home. My schedule is often busy, so being able to exercise anytime without going to the gym makes it much easier for me to stay consistent. I also like that it supports different fitness levels, so I can adjust the resistance as I get stronger.
My body feels better when I use it regularly because it helps me work on strength, flexibility, and mobility all at once. I don’t need multiple machines or complicated equipment, which saves me money and keeps my workout simple. For me, the Total Gym Apex G5 is necessary because it makes fitness more practical, more convenient, and easier to maintain long term.
Final Thoughts
After looking at the Total Gym Apex G5, I think it stands out as a versatile home fitness option that can support a wide range of exercises in a compact design. My key takeaway is that it’s especially appealing if I want low-impact, full-body workouts without needing a lot of space. While it may not replace a full commercial gym, I see it as a strong choice for consistent at-home training and overall convenience.
Author Profile
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Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.
Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.
She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.
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