| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Max. user weight | Weight resistance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bayou PowerPro Check Discounted Price | L:95" W:24" H:50" | 70+ | 500 lbs | 6%-72% | 1 year limited |
The Bayou Fitness Total Trainer Power Pro is a type of home gym that uses your own bodyweight in order to create resistance. It features a similar design to the Total Gym 1400, but it does offer several extra features more than this model. The two main differences are the considerably greater weight capacity and the possibility to attach weight plates to the gliding board in order to improve the weight resistance.
This Bayou Fitness trainer model is actually an old one, released in 2003. However, due to its effectiveness and versatility, it continues to benefit from positive reviews from users all over the U.S.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 95L x 24W x 50H inches (241 x 61 x 127 cm)
- Assembled weight: 123 lbs (55.7 kg)
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs (226.7 kg)
- Possible exercises: 70+
- Weight resistance system: Body-weight resistance
- Warranty: 1 year
Frame construction and parts
To begin with, the Total Trainer Power Pro from Bayou fitness features a really sturdy frame construction, boasting a weight capacity much higher than other similar fitness machines, such as the Weider Total Body Works 5000 or the Weider Ultimate Body Works. It can actually hold 
loads up to 500 lbs (226.7 kg).
The trainer’s frame construction combines aluminum and steel elements. The main monorail is made of heavy-duty aluminum, while the machine’s bases and most of the other parts are made of steel tubing. This being said, the machine isn’t exactly light; it weighs 123 lbs (55.7 kg). However, moving it around shouldn’t be too difficult as the main base tubes feature rotating caps that can be used as wheels.
When fully extended, the Power Pro trainer is fairly large, especially lengthwise. It measures 95″ (241 cm) in length, and 24″ (61 cm) in width. On top of these dimensions, it is recommended to keep at least two feet of clearance around it in order to be able to use it properly and without any hindrance.
On the other hand, the machine is foldable, so it can easily be stored away when not in use. Its main rail is actually a 2-piece part, allowing the frame to be folded in the middle. The folded machine can be stored vertically, and with the frame folded its length is reduced to 14″ (35.5 cm). The extended gliding rail is sustained by a brace bar, which can be locked into several positions underneath the rail, in order to support a desired incline for the gliding board.
The gliding board is quite a bit heavier than for other similar machines. It’s also thicker, consistently padded to deliver maximum comfort. It features a heavy-duty vinyl upholstery made to last for many years of use. Its bottom frame incorporates durable wheels with stainless steel sealed ball bearings for smooth operation and a prolonged lifespan. In case you’re wondering, the gliding board is 48″ (122 m) long, and 14″ (35.5 cm) wide. Also, given the overall dimensions of the machine, it can accommodate users up to 6’8″ (203 cm) tall for the majority of exercises. 
The Bayou Fitness Total Trainer Power Pro is equipped with six heavy-duty nylon pulleys with industrial-grade ball bearings, designed for smooth and lifetime use. Four of the pulleys attach to the top bar of the gliding rail; two of them are fixed, while the other two can pivot.
Depending on what exercises you want to perform, you will have to attach the trainer’s ropes either to the pivoting pulleys or the fixed pulley on the top bar of the gliding rail. Also, one of the mobile pulleys can be attached to the top bar of the vertical adjustment rail, in order to perform exercises such as glute pulls or leg extensions.
The gliding board is also equipped with a set of two pulleys, situated at the top end, underneath it. However, not all exercises require the usage of the board pulleys.
As opposed to other trainers of this sort, the Total Trainer Power Pro also integrates a set of footrests for rowing exercises. They attach to the top end of the rail; they have a similar construction to the footrests of a rowing machine, such as the Sunny SF-RW5639. They can pivot around their axis bar so your feet will always be at the most comfortable angle for you no matter the exercise you are performing. They’re also equipped with adjustable straps for maximum foot stability. 
This Bayou Fitness trainer comes with several attachments and accessories. Among them, we can count Bicep Power Flex, Pro AB Strap, Bicep Curl Press Bar, Chrome Pull-up Push-up Bar, Chrome Independent Twin Handles, Chrome Power Weight Bar for Adding Free Weights, Squat Board, and Dual Leg Cuffs. All the handles and bars feature thick foam grips for optimal comfort during use.
The Squat Board is a heavy-duty part, also fairly large in size, being able to accommodate footwear of all sizes. There’s also a strength training DVD which presents a series of exercises that can be performed on this machine, in order to help you focus the right muscles properly, for a correct and maximum development.
One last aspect to mention here regards the paint finish of the machine. Its main rail features its natural aluminum polish as it’s non-corrosive itself. The base bars and the brace feature a grey, corrosion-resistant paint finish, while the weight adjustment bar and the bars of several accessories are chrome-coated.
Weight Resistance System
The Bayou Fitness Power Pro total trainer features a bodyweight-based resistance system. The top vertical bar offers 12 adjustment positions for the gliding board bar, a feature that allows you to vary
the percentage of bodyweight lifted from 6% to 72%. Evidently, if the gliding bar is attached to the vertical bar in a lower position, the board will deliver lower resistance. Conversely, to benefit from more weight resistance, you should attach the gliding rail to a higher position on the vertical post.
The gliding board is also equipped with a Power Weight Bar which can be loaded with free weights. The recommended weight load for this bar is 100 lbs (45.3 kg), 50 lbs (22.6 kg) on each side. Its pegs are designed for Standard weight plates, with holes of 1″ (2.54 cm). However, you can always improvise and add some adapters for Olympic weight plates if it’s the case.
This trainer doesn’t have elastic bands to attach to the gliding board in order to add resistance as for some of the Weider models. You can increase the resistance by adding weight plates to the bar of the gliding board, or by attaching the ropes in different ways to the pulleys. Depending on how you attach the ropes to the pulleys, you can benefit from 1:1 or 2:1 weight ratios. These aspects are all covered by the included manual, which provides instructions for all types of resistance and exercises.
Possible Exercises
This fitness machine offers the possibility to perform more than 70 bodyweight-based exercises. Among them, we can count:
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
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
- Dips
- Triceps extensions
- Kneeling triceps extensions
- Lateral single-arm triceps extensions
- Prone triceps extensions
- Punches
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
Assembly and Maintenance
The main body of the Bayou Fitness Power Pro Total Trainer come already assembled and folded. All you have to do for assembly is add some of the attachments that aren’t connected, which is far from being difficult.
In terms of maintenance, it is recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if necessary. Also, the monorail must be kept clean, free of any small objects, sand or textile fibers which may cause damage to it, or to its rollers. And finally, if the pulleys develop squeaking noises, lubrication should solve the problem.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame construction, with a maximum weight capacity of 500 lbs;
- Space-saving, folding design;
- Sturdy, thick vinyl finish on the gliding board, and 3.5″ cushioning;
- Comes with many accessories and attachments, including bicep power flex, pro ab strap, bicep curl press bar, chrome pull-up push-up bar, independent twin handles, power weight bar for free weights, footrests for rowing, squat board, and dual leg cuffs;
- Versatile machine, offering the possibility to perform more than 70 exercises;
- 12 levels of resistance, from 6% to 72% bodyweight;
- Workout exercise booklet included;
- Exercises DVD included;
- Excellent for strength, pilates, and cardio training;
- Can be used for incline dumbbell press as well;
- Quiet operation, suitable for apartment building use;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to assemble.
The Cons
- Limited weight resistance – not a machine for advanced muscle development;
- No weight plate peg adapters for Olympic plates (the weight load bar is for Standard plates only);
- Weight plates not included.
Summary
The Bayou Fitness Total Trainer Power Pro is a bodyweight-based home gym featuring quite a sturdy construction with a weight capacity of 500 lbs. It offers a weight resistance range between 6% and 72% of the user’s bodyweight, but also has a weight bar for free weights which can be loaded with an extra 100 lbs. This home gym machine comes with several accessories including biceps bar, leg cuffs, squat board, push up bar and many others. It’s an excellent trainer for muscle toning, cardio training, weight loss, and stamina building. With a bit of inventivity, you can also develop your own interval training. Compared to other similar machines it’s not an affordable model, but considering its versatility, sturdiness, overall quality and multitude of included accessories, we can safely say that its value exceeds the price.