| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Max. user weight | Weight resistance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weider 5000 Check Discounted Price | L:79" W:26.5" H:48" | 70+ | 250 lbs | Bungee cords, +50 lbs | Parts: 90 days Labor: 90 days |
The Weider Total Body Works 5000 is more of a multifunctional workout bench rather than a traditional home gym. It’s a fitness machine designed to use your body weight as main resistance element, but you can also add resistance to it via several bungee cords. Although this particular machine is an older model, it still benefits to this day from 5-star reviews mostly, from users all over the world. And that’s simply because it offers excellent value for the price.
The Total Body Works 5000 is almost identical to the newer model, the Weider Ultimate Body Works. The main differences between the two are the color.
To avoid any confusion regarding the identity of this product, before we proceed with the presentation of its features, pros and cons, there’s one aspect to be clarified. This is the Weider WEBE1441 model number.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 79L x 26.5W x 48H inches (201 x 67 x 122 cm)
- Assembled weight: 79 lbs (35 kg)
- Max. user weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Possible exercises: 70+
- Weight resistance system: Bungee cords
- Warranty: 90 days parts / 90 days labor
Frame construction and parts
This Weider home gym system features a 2-piece frame, made mostly of steel tubing. The bottom part of the frame slides into the top part, and they are fixed together via a pull-knob. The top part features a chrome finish, while the bottom part, along with the footplate, handlebar and incline adjustment leg, feature a black paint finish. Both types of finish are corrosion resistant and scratch resistant.
When fully assembled, the machine is not extremely heavy. It weighs approx. 79 lbs (35 kg) and anyone should be able to fold it, adjust it, or relocate it. It takes quite a bit of space though, especially length-wise. It can extend up to 79″ (201 cm) in length, and is approx. 26.5″ (67 cm) wide. However, as we’ve mentioned, the frame features a folding design. In other words, you can unlock the frame pin, slide the bottom frame all the way up into the top frame, fold up the incline adjustment leg into complete horizontal position, and also remove the footplate and the handlebar attachment. This way, the machine becomes approx. 59″(150 cm), and about 6″ (15 cm) thin. It can also be stored vertically, against a wall, or you can slide it under the bed.
The bench itself is 45″ (114 cm long) and approx. 13″ wide. It offers enough space to position yourself adequately, depending on your height, in order to be able to perfom exercises correctly. Differently put, the machine can accommodate users up to 6’3″ (190 cm) with no problem. Taller users should also be able to use it properly for at least a number of exercises, typically the ones that don’t involve the whole height of the user, such as kneeling triceps extensions, or kneeling biceps curls.
The bench features approx. 2″ (5 cm) of padding, offering all the comfort required by a workout bench. Upholstery is made of thick vinyl material, really durable, made to last for many years of use. The bench glides on a set of rollers integrating industrial quality ball bearings.
When it comes to the other parts of the machine, there are quite several aspects to mention. First of all, the pulleys are made of a combination of steel and nylon, also really durable parts. Just as the bench’s rollers, they’re made with heavy-duty ball bearings for prolonged use. The cables are military standard steel ropes, covered by a sheet of PVC. Needless to say, they can withstand much more tension than the maximum user weight of the machine. The wing attachment of the machine, or “the handlebar”, incorporates thick foam pads for the maximum comfort of the ankles during crunches for example. The footplate for squats and leg presses is pretty much a simple steel plate attachment. Both footplate and handlebar are easily detachable.
One last aspect to mention regarding the Weider Total Body Works 5000 is its user weight capacity. The manufacturer specifies a 250 lbs (113 kg) maximum user weight capacity for this machine. However, the frame features a really sturdy construction, and many users with a higher weight have reported to have been using it without a problem for years. Thus, even though the maximum specified weight capacity of the machine is 250 lbs, it should be able to withstand users up to 20-30 lbs heavier with no problem.
Resistance System
There are three main elements involved in the machine’s resistance system: your own body weight, the 4 bungee cords, and the incline leg. Evidently, since you can only workout on an inclined plane for more resistance, you won’t be lifting your whole body weight, but only a 
portion of it, as gravity will “forgive” the other portion. But differently put, the maximum resistance that this Weider home gym can generate is approx. 55% of your body weight, plus 50 lbs (22.6 kg) of resistance added by the 4 bungee cords (each cord will add approx 12 lbs of resistance).
The adjustment leg of the machine has 7 positions, and allows you to change the angle of the gliding board, adding or reducing resistance. The maximum incline of the bench is 45°.
In case you’re wondering, the bungee cords of this Weider machine are not meant to be replaced, since they’re cut for a specific standard, and offer standard resistance. However, their replacement is possible, if you can find and/or adapt similar cords to the machine.
Possible Exercises
This machine offers the possibility to perform more than 70 gym-quality exercises. Some of them are:
Abdominal Exercises
Crunches
Trunk rotations
Resisted crunches
Inclined crunches
Crunches with leg curls
Sit-ups with feet attached
High leg pull-ins
Low leg pull-ins
Side planks
Back Exercises
Pull-ups
Back flies
Prone back flies
Back flies with leg curls
Hyperextensions
Aerobic rowing
Crossover rowing
Kneeling rowing
Lateral pulldowns
Lateral pulldowns with squats
Chest Exercises
Chest presses
Wide grip chest presses
Close grip chest presses
Incline push-ups
Chest flies
Incline chest flies
Lateral chest flies
Decline chest flies
Pullovers
Pullovers with crunches
Pullovers with twisting crunch
Pullovers with squats
Leg Exercises
Leg curls
Calf raises
Reverse leg curls
Squats
Single-leg squats
Kneeling single-leg squats
Wide squats
Twisting squats
Jumping squats
Front lunges
Hip extensions
Hip adductions
Hip abductions
Shoulder Exercises
Shoulder presses
Upright rows
Upright rows with leg curls
Upright rows with hyperextension
Lateral deltoid raises
Front deltoid raises
Lying front deltoid raises
Front deltoid raises with leg curls
Wide grip front deltoid raises
Front deltoid raise with supination grips
Shoulder extensions
Shoulder extension with hyperextension
Shoulder extension with leg curls
Lateral arm pulls
Arm Exercises
Biceps curls
Lateral single-arm biceps curls
Lying biceps curls
Biceps curls with hyperextensions
Biceps curls with leg curls
Biceps curls with crunches
Chin-ups
Triceps extensions
Kneeling triceps extensions
Lateral single-arm triceps extensions
Prone triceps extensions
The machine is not designed for traditional leg extensions, as you would do on a home gym machine with a leg attachment. Also, some of the exercises on the list above are performed in a different way than you would perform them on a gym machine with weight plates. For example, in order to do leg curls, you will have to lie back on the glide board (with or without an incline adjustment), place your feet behind the foam pads on the wing attachment (or handlebar), and curl your legs with knees up, also pulling your body forward (or upward, if you use an incline setting).
You can also use this machine as a bench, for dumbbell chest presses. But in this case, make sure your own weight plus the dumbbells’ total weight won’t exceed 270-280 lbs.
Assembly and Maintenance
The machine comes almost completely assembled. The two frame pieces are attached together and the gliding board, pulleys and incline leg are also attached to the main frame. All you’ll have to add are the footplate and the wing attachment (or handlebar). This task should take no longer than 20 min. The owner’s manual supplied with the machine provides pretty clear instructions for the assemble. Tools are not supplied though, so you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver and an adjustable wrench.
For maintenance, you must check the machine’s joints from time to time and re-tighten them if it’s the case. Also, the main bars of the frame onto which the board glides must be kept free of any dirt, sand or objects that may damage the rollers. And finally, if the pulleys become squeaky, a bit of greasing should solve the problem.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame, being able to actually support 20-30 lbs heavier users than the specified (250 lbs) capacity;
- Space-saving, folding design;
- Sturdy, thick vinyl finish on the bench, and 2″ cushioning;
- Versatile machine, offering the possibility to perform more than 70 exercises;
- Excellent for both strength and cardio training;
- Can be used for inclined dumbbell press as well;
- Quiet operation, suitable for apartment building use;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to assemble.
The Cons
- Takes quite a bit of space, length wise.
- Limited weight resistance – not for hardcore weight lifters;
- No complete workout guide – just a few exercises specified on the box.
Final Word
Although the Weider Total Body Works 5000 is a fitness machine that has been around for quite a few years, it still continues to receive a wide amount of positive reviews from users all over the world. It’s a sturdy and versatile machine, offering the possibility to perform an extensive array of exercises, perfect for muscle toning, stamina and strength building, and also aerobic training. And finally, considering the amount of possible workouts that it offers and the fact that it’s currently available for less than $200, we can safely say it offers excellent value for the price.