Background
Ethics Leisure is the UK distributor of Total Gym equipment, working closely with NHS services to support rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and long-term recovery. The Total Gym Power Tower has been adopted across NHS settings to enable early, graded, and functional movement for patients with complex neurological and traumatic injuries.
This case study highlights three individuals with very different starting points, all of whom used the Power Tower as a key adjunct during critical stages of their rehabilitation.
Part 1: DJ
Incomplete C6 Tetraplegia Following Quad Bike Accident
Patient Profile
DJ is a 43-year-old agricultural worker who sustained a spinal injury and multiple fractures following a quad bike accident in 2025, resulting in an incomplete C6 tetraplegia.
Rehabilitation Challenges
- Initially wheelchair-based rehabilitation
- Required a cervical thoracic brace
- Limited lower limb activation
- Very weak plantar flexion, unable to activate in standing
- Progressed to standing and stepping with ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), but strength remained a limiting factor
Use of the Power Tower
The Power Tower was introduced in a fully horizontal position, allowing DJ to work within a supported environment. This was the first time he could visibly activate plantar flexion, providing immediate feedback and motivation.
Using the sensitivity of the graded resistance, DJ was able to:
- Gradually strengthen plantar flexors within neurological limitations
- Progress strength safely without overloading
- Access the Power Tower bench from both standing and seated positions
- Train at slight angles as his control and confidence improved
Outcome
The Power Tower enabled meaningful activation and strengthening that was not achievable in unsupported standing, supporting DJ’s ongoing neurological recovery and progression toward functional movement.
The introduction of the Power Tower played a pivotal role in DJ’s rehabilitation journey by providing a safe, adaptable, and highly responsive training environment at a critical stage of his recovery. Its fully horizontal starting position removed the limitations of unsupported standing, allowing DJ to achieve visible plantar flexion activation for the first time — a significant milestone both physically and psychologically.
The Power Tower’s graded resistance enabled progressive strengthening within DJ’s neurological capabilities, supporting consistent gains without excessive load or risk. Its versatility allowed seamless transitions between seated, supported, and increasingly angled positions, fostering confidence, control, and functional progression over time.
By enabling meaningful muscle activation that was not possible through conventional methods, the Power Tower supported DJ’s ongoing neurological recovery and contributed to improved lower-limb engagement and movement potential. This case highlights the Power Tower’s value as an essential rehabilitation tool for individuals with complex neurological injuries, bridging the gap between early-stage support and functional movement re-education.
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