Choosing inclusive fitness equipment is about more than counting exercises: the setup should match your body, movement preferences, space, and need for support. I rank the Total Gym Evolve first for its 500-pound user capacity, 16 resistance levels, and broad exercise range. The TRX All-In-One is my pick for portable training and flexible anchoring, while the Total Gym APEX G3 offers a lighter, lower-cost-in-features alternative for people who want a folding glideboard system with a smaller capacity.
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The main tradeoffs are practical. A glideboard can provide supported, low-impact movement, but both Total Gym models need a long workout area. TRX packs away easily and supports varied bodyweight movement, but it depends on a suitable anchor and may take practice to use confidently. I compare these options by how well they accommodate different training needs—not by treating one design as a fit for every person.
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Key Takeaways
- The Total Gym Evolve has the highest listed user capacity here, at 500 pounds, plus 16 resistance levels for finer adjustments than the APEX G3’s eight.
- Both Total Gym machines use an incline glideboard and offer low-impact exercise options, but each needs more than 92 inches of clear length when open.
- The TRX weighs 1.7 pounds and packs for travel; its flexibility comes with an anchor requirement and a learning curve for people new to suspension exercise.
- The APEX G3 weighs 53 pounds—far less than the Evolve’s 100 pounds—but its listed maximum user weight is 300 pounds.
- I would choose by access first: supported glideboard movement, portable suspension training, or a lighter folding machine each suits different spaces and training preferences.
| Total Gym Evolve Home Gym with 16 Resistance Levels |  | Best Overall: most adjustable glideboard option | Resistance levels: 16 | Exercise options: More than 100 | Maximum user weight: 500 pounds | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| TRX All-In-One Home Gym System – Suspension Training Kit for Strength, HIIT & Full-Body Workouts |  | Best for portability: adaptable training with an anchor | Operation mode: Manual | Programs: Access to more than 500 guided workouts | Item weight: 1.7 pounds | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Total Gym APEX G3 Home Gym |  | Best lighter glideboard pick: folding design with lower listed capacity | Resistance levels: 8 | Exercise capability: More than 70 exercises | Maximum user weight: 300 pounds | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| inclusive fitness equipment | Item weight | Resistance levels | Maximum user weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gym Evolve Home Gym with | 100 pounds | 16 | 500 pounds |
| TRX All-In-One Home Gym System | 1.7 pounds | — | — |
| Total Gym APEX G3 Home Gym | 53 pounds | 8 | 300 pounds |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Total Gym Evolve Home Gym with 16 Resistance Levels
The Evolve earns my top position by offering the broadest mix of capacity, resistance adjustment, and exercise variety in this lineup. Its 16 levels give users more steps for changing effort than the APEX G3’s eight. That can be useful when a large jump in resistance feels uncomfortable or when someone wants to progress in smaller increments. The stated 500-pound maximum user weight is also the highest of the three listed products; the APEX G3 is rated to 300 pounds, while TRX lists a 700-pound capacity for its suspension system, which is not directly comparable to a machine’s user-weight rating.
Because this is an incline bodyweight gym, it offers a padded glideboard and a guided movement path across more than 100 listed exercise options. The product description includes strength, cardio, flexibility, Pilates, yoga, and HIIT, with attachments such as an AbCrunch, squat stand, leg pull accessory, press-up bars, and wing attachment. Those components add ways to vary positioning and movement without making the main frame a different machine. It arrives assembled, which avoids a major setup task, and it folds for storage.
Compared with the TRX, the Evolve provides a fixed platform and glideboard rather than requiring the user to create movement through suspended straps. That may suit people seeking a more supported exercise format, but it does not make every transfer or position accessible by default. The product information does not say that it works with a wheelchair or that the board can be used without assistance. I would confirm access, reach, and transfer needs before choosing it.
The tradeoff is its footprint and heft. At 100 pounds and 97 inches long when set up, this is not a convenient machine to shift between rooms, and buyers need a generous clear area for exercise. It folds, but folding does not erase the effort involved in moving a heavy frame. Compared with the 53-pound APEX G3, the Evolve prioritizes greater listed capacity and finer resistance selection over easier handling. It is my best overall pick for a buyer whose room and movement needs suit a large glideboard gym.
Pros:- Listed for users up to 500 pounds, the highest machine-style user capacity in this lineup.
- Sixteen resistance levels allow finer effort changes than the APEX G3’s eight.
- More than 100 exercise options and several included attachments support varied routines.
- Arrives assembled and folds for storage.
Cons:- The 100-pound frame may be difficult to move between rooms or fold without help.
- Its 97-inch setup length calls for a large, clear workout area.
- The product details do not confirm wheelchair compatibility or independent transfers.
Best for: Buyers who want a wide range of low-impact and strength exercises, need more resistance adjustments than the APEX G3 provides, and fit the listed 500-pound capacity.
Not ideal for: People with limited floor space, anyone who needs to move equipment frequently without assistance, or buyers who require confirmed wheelchair access or transfer features.
- Resistance levels:16
- Exercise options:More than 100
- Maximum user weight:500 pounds
- Item weight:100 pounds
- Dimensions:97 x 17 x 45 inches (D x W x H)
- Frame material:Alloy steel
- Storage:Folds for storage
- Warranty:Lifetime on frame; 2 years on parts
Our verdict“I recommend the Evolve for buyers who can accommodate its large frame and want the most adjustable, high-capacity glideboard system in this comparison.”
TRX All-In-One Home Gym System – Suspension Training Kit for Strength, HIIT & Full-Body Workouts
The TRX stands apart from both Total Gym models: it is a portable suspension trainer, not a folding glideboard machine. At 1.7 pounds, it is easy to carry and store, and the included indoor and outdoor anchors give buyers more possible training locations than a fixed-frame gym. For someone who travels, shares a small home, or cannot leave a large machine set up, this is the clearest choice in the group. Its listed 700-pound capacity refers to the suspension system, so I would not compare that figure directly with the Evolve’s or APEX G3’s maximum user-weight ratings.
Bodyweight suspension training can offer a broad range of movement by changing body position, strap angle, and how much support the straps provide. The included workout guide and access to more than 500 guided workouts through the TRX Training Club app may help users find structure; that guidance matters because the system relies on setup and technique rather than fixed resistance levels. The Evolve and APEX G3 each make resistance changes through incline settings, whereas TRX users adjust the challenge through their position and movement.
That flexibility has a learning curve. A beginner may need guidance to set strap length, choose a stable anchor, and find a position that feels secure. The TRX description says it supports all fitness levels, but that is not the same as confirming that every exercise is suitable for every ability, balance level, grip, or joint limitation. Buyers who want a guided movement path may find either Total Gym model easier to understand, while people comfortable learning bodyweight variations may value the TRX’s adaptability.
The main access barrier is the need for an appropriate anchor point. A door, beam, or outdoor anchor has to be compatible with the kit and safe for the intended exercise; not every room or rental home will offer a suitable setup. The TRX is also limited to bodyweight training, with no glideboard or listed selection of machine attachments. I would pick it over the Evolve or APEX G3 when portability and flexible placement outweigh the convenience of a fixed exercise surface.
Pros:- At 1.7 pounds, it is much easier to carry and store than either Total Gym frame.
- Indoor and outdoor anchors support more location options when a compatible setup is available.
- Access to more than 500 guided workouts can provide exercise structure.
- Body position and strap angle allow users to vary the challenge without changing machine settings.
Cons:- Training requires a suitable anchor point that may not be available in every home or outdoor space.
- New users may need instruction to set up straps and perform movements with control.
- It is limited to bodyweight suspension exercise rather than a glideboard or machine-based resistance.
Best for: People who want a lightweight kit for indoor or outdoor bodyweight training, have a suitable anchor, and are comfortable learning strap setup and exercise technique.
Not ideal for: Beginners who want a stable guided movement surface, people without a verified anchor point, or buyers seeking a fixed-resistance machine and included glideboard attachments.
- Operation mode:Manual
- Programs:Access to more than 500 guided workouts
- Item weight:1.7 pounds
- Materials:Nylon, thermoplastic rubber, and steel
- Included components:Suspension trainer, indoor/outdoor anchors, travel bag, workout guide, and DVDs
- Training type:Bodyweight suspension training
- Anchoring:Requires an appropriate anchor point
Our verdict“I recommend the TRX to buyers who value portability and adaptable bodyweight training more than a fixed platform or a simple resistance-level dial.”
Total Gym APEX G3 Home Gym
The APEX G3 is my pick for buyers who want the glideboard approach in a lighter frame. It weighs 53 pounds, about half the Evolve’s 100 pounds, and folds for storage. That does not make it a small machine: its unfolded length is 92.5 inches, so users still need a long exercise area. But the lower item weight may make storage and repositioning more manageable for some households than handling the Evolve.
Its padded glideboard and cable pulley system support more than 70 low-impact exercise options, including strength, cardio, stretching, Pilates, yoga, and HIIT. The squat stand, dip bars, leg-pull accessory with ankle cuff, and wing attachment provide more movement choices than a basic single-exercise device. Compared with the TRX, it gives users a defined surface and pulley-based movement rather than requiring an anchor and body-position adjustments. Compared with the Evolve, it offers fewer listed exercises and half as many resistance levels: eight rather than 16.
The biggest deciding factor may be its 300-pound maximum user weight, which is lower than the Evolve’s 500-pound rating. Buyers should use the listed limit as a strict selection check, not assume that the similar-looking glideboard format means the machines have the same capacity. The product information also does not describe transfer aids or wheelchair access, so anyone with access needs should ask the manufacturer about their particular setup and movement requirements.
The APEX G3 weighs less than the Evolve, but both require close to eight feet of length while open. It therefore makes more sense as a lighter-folding alternative than as a compact-room solution. Its weight bar is compatible but sold separately, so anyone who wants that component should account for the fact that it is not included. I would choose the APEX G3 over the TRX for a buyer who prefers a glideboard and does not need the TRX’s travel-ready format; I would choose the Evolve instead when higher listed capacity and more resistance steps matter more than frame weight.
Pros:- The 53-pound frame is lighter than the Evolve while retaining a folding design.
- More than 70 listed exercises cover several training styles.
- A padded glideboard and cable pulley system support low-impact movement options.
- Includes several attachments for changing exercise selection.
Cons:- The 300-pound maximum user weight is lower than the Evolve’s 500-pound rating.
- Its 92.5-inch unfolded length still requires substantial floor space.
- The compatible weight bar is sold separately, and resistance is limited to eight levels.
Best for: Buyers who prefer a folding glideboard gym, want a lighter frame than the Evolve, and fall within its listed 300-pound maximum user weight.
Not ideal for: People whose needs exceed the stated user-weight limit, anyone needing a compact setup area, or buyers who want a weight bar included or more resistance levels.
- Resistance levels:8
- Exercise capability:More than 70 exercises
- Maximum user weight:300 pounds
- Item weight:53 pounds
- Unfolded dimensions:16.5 inches W x 92.5 inches L x 43 inches H
- Frame:Slim, foldable steel frame
- Included accessories:Squat stand, dip bars, leg-pull accessory with ankle cuff, wing attachment, exercise flip chart, and nutrition guide
- Model number:RG3APEX
Our verdict“I recommend the APEX G3 for buyers who want a lighter folding glideboard machine and meet its lower stated capacity, but not for anyone trying to save substantial workout-room length.”
How We Picked
I ranked these products around the parts of inclusivity a buyer can verify from the supplied specifications: user capacity, adjustability, movement options, setup demands, storage, and the amount of space needed. Inclusive equipment does not serve everyone in the same way. A person who values a supported, low-impact movement path may prefer a glideboard; someone who needs a kit that can travel may lean toward suspension straps; someone moving or storing equipment alone may care more about weight and folding design.
The Evolve ranks first because it combines the highest stated capacity in this group with 16 resistance levels, more than 100 exercise options, included accessories, and an assembled-on-arrival design. It is not the easiest model to move, and its long footprint makes it a poor fit for some rooms. I give the TRX second place because its low weight, indoor/outdoor anchors, and bodyweight versatility make it the most adaptable for location and storage, though anchoring and technique can create barriers. The APEX G3 ranks third as a more manageable glideboard alternative by equipment weight, with a 300-pound listed capacity and fewer resistance levels than the Evolve.
I have not treated a high exercise count as proof that every movement will work for every body. The product information does not establish doorway width, transfer accessibility, mobility-device compatibility, grip modifications, or whether a particular user can reach each attachment. I recommend checking those details with the manufacturer and, where appropriate, a qualified clinician or trainer before buying. My comparisons rely on the supplied product descriptions and specifications; they are not claims of hands-on testing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Inclusive Fitness Equipment
I would start with the physical and practical requirements that can rule out a machine before exercise variety enters the decision. Compare each design with your available space, movement preferences, capacity needs, and ability to set up or store it.Match the equipment to your movement needs
The three options use different kinds of resistance, so their exercise lists should not be treated as interchangeable. The Evolve and APEX G3 use an incline glideboard and pulley system. That format can provide a defined surface and guided movement path, with low-impact exercise choices listed in the product descriptions. TRX uses suspended straps and bodyweight, asking the user to create and adjust resistance through body position and movement. That can suit a person who wants flexibility, but it also asks more of balance, grip, setup, or exercise instruction.
Before choosing, consider how you get onto, position yourself on, and move through each piece of equipment. The provided descriptions do not confirm wheelchair access, transfer support, or specific modifications. If these details affect your use, ask the manufacturer for measurements and demonstrations related to your needs. A product described as suitable for many fitness levels does not guarantee a comfortable fit for every body or disability.
Compare capacity and how resistance changes
The Evolve lists a 500-pound maximum user weight, while the APEX G3 lists 300 pounds. These numbers make the Evolve the stronger fit for buyers who need the higher stated machine-user limit, provided its other dimensions and exercise positions work for them. TRX lists a 700-pound capacity for its suspension system, but that figure is not the same specification as a machine’s user-weight rating; confirm what the manufacturer’s limit means for the intended setup and exercise.
Resistance adjustment matters too. The Evolve’s 16 levels offer more steps for changing effort than the APEX G3’s eight. TRX does not use a comparable numbered resistance setting: users adjust challenge with their position and leverage. Someone who prefers a clearly numbered setting may favor a Total Gym, while someone comfortable learning movement adjustments may appreciate TRX’s adaptable bodyweight format. Choose the setting system you can use reliably, rather than assuming more options always mean a better fit.
Measure the room, including setup and storage
Both Total Gym models need a long area when open: the Evolve measures 97 inches in length, and the APEX G3 measures 92.5 inches. Measure the full usable area, including space to get on and off, reach attachments, and perform the intended movement. A machine that technically fits against a wall may still leave too little room for safe and comfortable use. Folding helps with storage, but does not make either frame a short-footprint machine during a workout.
The APEX G3 weighs 53 pounds and the Evolve 100 pounds. The lower weight may make the APEX G3 easier for some people to reposition, but moving or folding either unit may still require help. TRX is just 1.7 pounds and includes a travel bag, although the anchor determines where it can be used. I would treat equipment movement and workout clearance as separate questions: portability after packing does not guarantee that the setup is accessible once opened.
Factor in setup support and learning
The Evolve arrives assembled, which can reduce the initial setup burden; its tradeoff is the challenge of moving a heavy, full-size frame. The APEX G3 includes exercise materials and attachments, while TRX comes with anchors, a guide, and access to guided workouts. Those resources may help, but they do not replace checking anchor safety or learning movements at a suitable pace.
Ask yourself whether you want fixed equipment that stays in one location or a kit that needs to be attached each time. TRX users must confirm that the anchor is compatible and secure for their planned exercise. Total Gym buyers should check that the unit can be brought into the home and stored in the available space. If a new movement causes pain, loss of control, or difficulty getting into position, seek qualified advice and choose a variation or device that fits your needs.
Count the included equipment, not just the exercise claims
The Evolve comes with a broad set of attachments and lists more than 100 exercise options; the APEX G3 lists more than 70 and includes a squat stand, dip bars, leg-pull accessory, and wing attachment. TRX has fewer physical components, but its straps support many bodyweight variations and its training app provides guided workouts. Exercise totals are not a direct measure of accessibility: a movement may be listed but still be unsuitable without an adaptation, different attachment, or assistance.
Look closely at what arrives in the box and what the product description identifies as separate. The APEX G3’s compatible weight bar is sold separately. The Evolve’s listed accessories arrive with the machine, while the TRX package includes anchors and a travel bag. If a particular handle, support, or training resource is necessary, verify that it is included and usable for your routine before making a choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these options is the most inclusive overall?
I rank the Total Gym Evolve first for its mix of a 500-pound listed user capacity, 16 resistance levels, more than 100 exercise options, and included attachments. That ranking is not a claim that it works for every person: the machine is heavy, needs a long setup area, and has no supplied confirmation of wheelchair access or transfer support. For a buyer who prioritizes portability, TRX may fit better; for someone who wants a lighter glideboard frame and meets the lower capacity limit, the APEX G3 may be the more practical choice.
Which product is best for a small home?
TRX is the easiest to pack away because it weighs 1.7 pounds and comes with a travel bag, but it still needs a suitable anchor and room to perform each exercise. Neither Total Gym model is especially short when open: the Evolve is 97 inches long and the APEX G3 is 92.5 inches long. I would measure your actual workout area, including access around the equipment, before choosing a folding machine based only on its storage claim.
Are the TRX capacity and Total Gym user-weight limits directly comparable?
No. The TRX description lists a 700-pound capacity for the suspension system, while the Evolve and APEX G3 list maximum user weights of 500 and 300 pounds. These specifications describe different equipment and should not be read as equivalent limits. I would ask the manufacturer to clarify the TRX rating for the exact anchor, setup, and exercise planned, and use each Total Gym’s stated user-weight limit as its own selection check.
Which home gym is easier for a beginner to use?
The answer depends on what makes exercise easier for that person. The Total Gym models provide a glideboard and numbered resistance levels, which may feel more structured than adjusting body position on suspension straps. TRX includes workout guidance, but the buyer still needs to learn anchoring, strap setup, and movement technique. I would compare an introductory exercise that matches your abilities, then check whether you can get into position, maintain control, and adjust the effort without discomfort.
Can these products be used by someone who uses a wheelchair or needs transfer assistance?
The supplied product information does not confirm wheelchair compatibility, accessible transfers, or specific disability adaptations for any of the three products. A glideboard should not be assumed to support wheelchair use, and suspension training may involve balance, grip, or anchor requirements that vary by user. I recommend contacting the manufacturer with specific questions about entry, positioning, reach, and attachments; a qualified clinician or adaptive fitness professional can also help assess whether a particular setup is appropriate.
Conclusion
My choice depends on which access requirement matters most. For the highest listed user capacity among the glideboard machines, more resistance steps, and the broadest exercise list, I would choose the Total Gym Evolve—if the 97-inch setup length and 100-pound frame suit the home. For a buyer who puts portability and flexible training locations first, I would choose TRX, provided a safe, compatible anchor is available and strap-based movement feels appropriate. For someone who wants a lighter folding glideboard gym and falls within its 300-pound user limit, the APEX G3 is the better match than the Evolve.
Before ordering, I would check the fit details that product descriptions cannot settle: access to the exercise position, transfer needs, reach, room clearance, help with moving the frame, and any required adaptations. The best inclusive equipment here is the one that fits the person’s movement needs and home—not simply the one with the longest exercise list.
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