Vasa Trainer versus Total Gym

"The Vasa Trainer is much more cost effective and not only does everything that the Total Gym does, it has even more function. The dual resistance capability of the Vasa enables the user to do plyometric and ballistic training which are more sport specific. I've found it easier to do off-the-machine exercises, such as one-arm cable crossovers, lateral raises, front raises, triceps kickbacks, side leg raises, etc., all with full range of motion and all without the necessity of using the body as resistance. Additionally, the flexible cables with their natural progressive resistance better mirrors the strength curve than the Total Gym.

Without bodyweight, the Total Gym has no resistance, unless you attach the free-weight bar, which is only available on the premium models.

The greatest advantage the VasaTrainer has over the Total Gym is the ability to perform all of the swimming strokes out of the water. Everybody can enjoy many of the benefits of swimming year-round without leaving their home. It's impossible to perform, what many people consider the most perfect exercise, on a Total Gym. This also makes the VasaTrainer a cardiovascular exercise machine as well as an ample total body strength and sport specific training device.

"The fact that Vasa uses a single rail system, rather than the Total Gym dual rail system, more muscles are recruited to help in stabilization. This is, not only important in sports training, but vitally important in rehabilitation and injury prevention as well. In our real lives we don't move in a single plane of motion, why shouldn't your exercise machine mimic a more real world feel.

"The commercial grade Total Gym is an excellent piece of exercise equipment, however the lower cost units are extremely poor quality. The units sold on their infomercials are about $1,000 and you can spend over $3,000 for their premium commercial units with all the accessories.

"When you think about all of the various aspects of fitness, one has to be impressed with the versatility of the Vasa. There are 6 components to a complete fitness program: cardiovascular, strength, power, flexibility, proprioception and balance. Only the VasaTrainer can provide all of those components in a single exercise machine." - Dr. Glenn Gero, Naturopathic Doctor and Exercise Therapist, Clifton, N.J.

"I wanted to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for your time and for showing me the Vasa Trainer and Ergometer in Oak Brook, this past weekend. Thank you also for the kind words and autograph in my book. Serious Training was the first book I used to prepare for my early triathlons and I continue to use it to this day.

"I am confident that the Vasa Trainer will be the perfect training tool for my patients, clients and for my own training needs. I was impressed with how smooth and natural if felt when replicating the swim strokes and functional movements. The quality and craftsmanship of the Vasa exceeded my expectations.

"Attached to this e-mail is the list of ‘Pros and Cons’ that I had put together prior to meeting with you. It compares the Total Gym 26000 with the Vasa Trainer Clinical version. Total Gym recently came out with the 26000, which replaces the long standing 24000, but they are essentially the same device with slight design modifications to the accessories.

"I wasn't sure where to put this information in the Pros/Cons list, but I wanted to make note of it. The Total Gym 26000 base price is $1995, plus S&H. With accessory packages the price can increase to over $3,300 plus S&H. The Vasa PT Clinical model base price is $999, plus S&H. With all possible accessories the price increases to just under $1,300, plus S&H. So from that assessment, a person can have two complete Vasa PT Clinical models with all of the possible accessories for the price of one complete Total Gym 26000 package. On the Vasa you can complete all of the same functional and rehab exercises as the Total Gym, plus swim strokes and more.

"As a former certified USA Triathlon coach, and board member to the Duathlon Commission, the Vasa Trainer was rarely spoken of, which is surprising since USA Swimming uses it and that it is recommended by professional triathletes, Dave Scott and Gordo Byrns." - Joseph S. Neczek, MS, RKT, CSCS, Registered Kinesiotherapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

"Please let me tell you that I have made the right choice in selecting the VASA Trainer. I owned a Total Gym previously and was going to buy the new model, but all the information on your web page and the excellent customer service made me make the right decision.

In deciding which model to purchase, both space and the ability to do swimming exercises were very important. Unlike Total Gym, Vasa provided information & videos on exercises at no charge. Material is also much better on the Vasa

Thank you and keep up the good work. - Ignacio A. Vela Trejo, Veracruz , Mexico

After seeing an infomercial for the Total Gym, Steve Myrland remarked, “You can do all that stuff on a Vasa Trainer." – and more!

As the two machines appear to be very similar in their concept, Steve could quickly tell you that the Vasa Trainer provides a much broader range of resistance options. This makes it a better choice for his diverse needs as a conditioning & performance coach for competitive athletes at all levels.

“The Vasa Trainer’s pulley and strap-systems combine well with easy elevation control to let you really fine-tune the resistance you are working against. I can work across the entire range of muscular and physiological responses from explosive power, to strength and endurance. Versatility is essential to anyone who must work in a team or group setting, so the Vasa Trainer fits that requirement nicely.

"I've always thought the Vasa Trainer allowed me be an intuitive coach. I could easily match a specific sport and an individual athlete (all with unique training needs) to a progression of movements on the Vasa Trainer – and not just the exercises I've seen used for swimmers. I could create specialized workouts for hockey, soccer, tennis, and baseball players as well as provide effective training for rowers, bikers, swimmers, skiers and runners.

"The Vasa Trainer works for me - I've never had the need to look at the Total Gym.” -Steve Myrland, Athletic Performance Coach, Middleton, WI - www.traintoplay.com