The idea of having one’s own gym at home is appealing, but unless you are a millionaire or a top celebrity, having one’s home gym and trainer will be forever a dream. Unless of course, you decide to try getting a handy home gym machine. Two of those in the market currently are the Total Gym and the Bowflex Home Gym. If you were to choose between the two, which would be better?

The Total Gym is endorsed by Chuck Norris and Christy Brinkley. It promises to slim all the body parts of some peoples’ nightmares--the arms, abs, back, chest, legs and shoulders. That’s the Total Gym. Exercises can be done on a lower incline to firm and slenderize, then done on a higher incline to build and sculpt, they say. There are three versions of the Total Gym machine, with the least expensive being the Total Gym 2000 at US $599.40. With this machine you get a 30-day trial for US$49.95, and if you wish to keep it, there are 5 additional payments for US $109.89. On the other hand, paid in full you will get a free upgrade, which means an additional attachment to your machine that can add to your exercise regimen. Shipping is free for all three versions.

Independent reviews note that the Total Gym is used by over 7000 fitness centers, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics worldwide. Nonetheless, they claim that you won’t get your money’s worth if you go beyond the Total Gym 2000 for personal use, since the basic to intermediate user will do fine with this basic model. A reviewer noted that all three models do the same thing anyway, give or take a few minor changes. On the downside, the Total Gym is difficult to move around, bulky and heavy. Hair can get caught in it, and the accessories are expensive. Bodybuilders will not benefit from it, and the machine is expensive compared to a health club where you get more options.

Enter the Bowflex Home Gym, which comes in six versions. The cheapest version is the Classic Bowflex Home Gym is US $649.00, or about US$50 more expensive than the Total Gym. Financing is available for as low as US $10 a month. The cheapest machine comes with all the basics and allows you to do 30 different types of exercises. It has a 210 pound power rod resistance, roller cushions for leg extension, a horizontal bench press, hand grips for lat pull downs, a built in cardio rowing station, and a folding unit.

Independent reviews are generally positive. The Bowflex is good if you want to attain and achieve a level of muscular fitness. It is rated as excellent in resistance training, but must be considered as simply a supplement to cardio exercise and good nutrition. Most athletes and bodybuilders will not find what they are looking for in this machine. Also, it is expensive compared to other home gyms. And bear in mind that the cost of the Bowflex Home Gym does not include accessories, which can range in cost from an "ab attachment" for US $169 to an "accessory rack" for US $199.

So which machine is better? Both obviously have gotten good reviews. The Bowflex is about $50 more expensive, but it is more lightweight and easier to store. It may be more useful if you live in a small apartment, if for that reason alone. However, there is no trial period unlike the Total Gym. Also, there will be shipping costs, plus added costs if you get accessories. The Total Gym is cheaper, but accessories are less expensive and shipping is free. Since both products have credible reviews, it is basically up to the buyer to decide what will work best with his situation, his needs, and his budget.