Our Story

The TOTAL GYM is rooted in commercial rehabilitation and has expanded as the market leader to the homes and daily workout routines of more than four million individuals. TOTAL GYM has changed the global landscape of personal physical fitness.

In 1974, Tom Campanaro along with partners Doug Marino, Dale McMurray and Larry Westfall developed the TOTAL GYM, an incline plane training device that used an individual’s body weight as resistance. A simple change of position on the glide board allows individuals to perform any exercise and incorporate the use of multiple muscle groups together in any plane of movement, now referred to as “functional training.”

Initially, only marketed to the rehabilitation community, TOTAL GYM saw the potential to broaden its reach to the consumer “home fitness” market through television – a medium that could provide comprehensive demonstrations. In 1995 Campanaro licensed the TOTAL GYM brand in the direct response and retail markets to American Telecast, located in West Chester, PA. TOTAL GYM spokesperson actor Chuck Norris has relied on this workout for more than 30 years and internationally-renowned celebrities, super models and professional athletes have since followed his lead.

Today, the TOTAL GYM is one of the industry’s longest-running and most successful infomercials broadcast to 85 countries and credited with sales of over four million units worldwide.

The TOTAL GYM history and development:

1890’s: Incline plane resistance is developed.

1974: TOTAL GYM, INC. is invented in San Diego, California.

1978: Study at Syracuse University confirms that the TOTAL GYM non-compressive training is a safe and effective exercise program.

1984: Leading consumer magazines judge TOTAL GYM best for exercising torso.

1993: Indiana University selects TOTAL GYM for use in a three-year study researching the relationship between fitness and increased self-esteem in middle school children.

1995: TOTAL GYM licenses the Total Gym Fitness brand to American Telecast to serve the consumer “home fitness” retail market.

1996: TOTAL GYM airs its first television infomercial featuring long-time user Chuck Norris and co-host Christie Brinkley.

2000: TOTAL GYM launches fourth infomercial, making it one of the most successful in television history.

2008: TOTAL GYM hits four million customers with surveys showing 76% of customers who purchased since 1996 still love and use their TOTAL GYM regularly.

2010: 35th anniversary of TOTAL GYM.

TOTAL GYM Home Models are available directly to home fitness enthusiasts through its e-commerce site TotalGymDirect.com, a 24-hour 1-800 number as well as strategic partnerships with retail distributors and home shopping networks.

OUR NEWEST HOME MODEL – THE TOTAL GYM XLS

The TOTAL GYM XLS targets ALL major muscle groups with just ONE workout. Resistance training, cardio training and stretching – everything the body needs (with over 80 exercises) in just one machine. Individuals can work out in as little as six to eight minutes a day. The XLS makes at-home work-outs more efficient and effective. It is perfect for the entire family from ages eight to 80.

The TOTAL GYM XLS comes with a complete Fitness Training System

• 14 workouts on five DVDS • Upgraded Squat Stand • Leg Pull Accessory • Pilates Kit • Exercise Wall Chart and Training Deck • Customized Nutritional Program and Meal Plan

Dimensions Unfolded: 19" W x 90" L x 43" H

Dimensions Folded: 19" W x 51" L x 9" H