Rogue RM4 rack vs TITAN plate loaded seated row

This is a comparison between the Rogue RM4 rack and the TITAN plate loaded seated row including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Rogue fitness vs TITAN fitness

Rogue Fitness is the current market leader when it comes to a functional home gym and commercial gym equipment. They have one of the widest portfolios including racks, barbells, benches, dumbbells, and apparel for the weekend warrior and dedicated athlete. The biggest downside of Rogue Fitness is their comparatively high prices to the competition.

TITAN Fitness is the clear cost leader when you want to build a home gym on a budget that is still similar to what Rogue offers in function, look, and feel. While you will save about half on the sticker price you will run a higher risk of inconsistencies in quality compared to a purchase from Rogue. The equipment will be safe but is more likely to have blemishes, quality issues with welds or that pieces will not easily fit into place. That makes TITAN a good option for a DIY enthusiast who does not mind tinkering with their equipment, but not the first choice to get the best equipment and treat yourself.

Overview and review of the TITAN plate loaded seated row $314

This is an overview of the TITAN plate loaded seated row including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.

Overview of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

The TITAN plate loaded seated row is another classic machine you will find in most gyms around the country. The plate loaded design makes it a good choice for anyone with a spacious home gym who wants to save money. This is a solid, easy to use machine where you can not do a lot wrong. The full specifications of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:

- Two different grip styles to target muscle groups

- Adjustable seat, chest pad, and distance between grips

- Olympic sized weight plate holders

- Tough, solid steel construction is long-lasting and dependable

- Powder-coated paint job prevents rust and early scuffing

- One-year warranty provided for every machine

- Overall Length: 63”

- Overall Width: 44”

- Vertical Handle Adjustable Width: 9 1/2” - 17 1/2”

- Horizontal Handle Adjustable Width: 15” - 23”

- Adjustable Seat Height: 17” - 22 1/2”

- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 3/4”

If you have the space there is not a lot you can do wrong with this to train your back.

Pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

The pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:

Easy to use
Low price
Plate loaded
Secure

This is a machine that is very easy in its construction and use. There is not a lot that can break and you will also have no problems using it right away. This makes this a popular choice for commercial gyms as it is comfortable, effective and does not need a lot of instructions.

Compared to the competition the TITAN plate loaded seated row cones in a my ale price. TITAN achieves this by cutting some corners on services and instructions. For a so one machine like this that does not weigh in as much and you can therefore fully enjoy the savings which TITAN fitness brings to you.

The TITAN seated row is plate loaded which means that you save money on buying the machine without a weight stack. Especially for home gym owners who want to go beyond a rack and some free weights this is a great option to save cost compared to other industrial machines.

Compared to any version of barbell rows the seated TITAN row is more secure as your back and spine rest against a lad and you are seated. Barbell rows expose you to more risk to pull a muscle or hurt your skeleton when you go heavy.

Cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

The cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:

Space requirements
Plate loaded
Lower back activation

You will need extra space in your gym for a TITAN plate loaded seated row. As it is a one trick pony and the exercises it provides can be done with dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells this might not be the best use of space when you do not have a lot to go around.

While a plate loaded machine is great when everyone knows what they are doing or when you are the only one using the gym it can become a problem in a crowded area. Having to plate load all the machines in a gym can lead to conflict and trip hazards. If your gym is crowded or crammed multiple times a week try to stick with machines which have the weight stacks included. This makes the gym safer, less cluttered and you will have fewer complaints from staff that the plates are not put away properly.

While the plate loaded seated row is safer and easier to use than a barbell row you will get less back activation compared to free weights. If your aim is to build a big string back for sports or powerlifting you are usually better off with sticking with the free weights.

Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row

Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:

The TITAN Atlas bar costs less than this machine and has more applications. If you have no plates for either of these machines to make it work you can also consider just getting a barbell and plates and start your gym this way. Also has the advantage that a barbell can be stored in the corner of a room when you are done with your routine.

The TITAN T bar row is a good alternative for a commercial gym to the seated back row. It takes up more space, but is easier to load. In this machine you will have to stand to row so it is closer to the experience of a barbell row. In a home gym the seated row might be the better option as it takes up less space.

The Titan chest supported adjustable row is a great option for anyone who rows very heavy weights with a barbell and wants to feel more secure. While the application is very niche it will work wonders for anyone who fits this description.

Conclusion for the TITAN plate loaded seated row

The TITAN plate loaded seated row is a low price option on a seated row which is ideal for the spacious home gym. In commercial gyms you might want to lean more towards a vendor with better warranty and Included weight stacks.

Overview and review of the Rogue RM-4 Monster Rack

Price: 1.300 - 1765$

This review was originally posted in the longer article "Which strength equipment to buy from rogue" in which you can read about 25 products of Rogue which cost more than 1.000$. The Rogue Monster RM4 rack gives a cage for your powerlifting needs without providing a lot of storage options. See the details in this article.

Overview of the RM4

The RM4 is the core of the Rogue Monster rack series. This is the full rack that can be built onto in many ways. As it is part of the Monster series you can choose between 90'', 100'' and 108'' in height. The RM4 is 49'' long and wide. The overall footprint comes to 53''x53''. You get westside spacing and a multitude of colors to choose from. These are:

Bright Blue
Bright Green
Burnt Orange
Dark Blue
Gun Metal
Light Gray
Rogue Red
White
Satin Clear
Satin Black

With the MOnster rack, you are entering Rogue's flagship series of construction. This protects your investment for the future. You can choose from multiple options like Flip down safeties and 2'' Monster Sandwich J cups for your own comfort.

How many clients should the Rogue RM4 Monster Rack bring you?

If you think that the Rogue RM4 will bring you 5 new clients who pay you 50$ on a 1-year retainer it is worth the investment. This will yield 3.000$ net new revenue against an investment of 1.300$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.

Pros of the Rogue RM4

This is a rack that can be upgraded easily while still being in the Monster series of Rogue. This is one of the most cost-effective options to get into the Monster portfolio with a relatively standard product to build upon. There are less costly options in the Monster series, but they are specialty racks which might lead to challenges when upgrading.

Cons of the Rogue RM4

The biggest con for the Monster series is the price tag. You can get a lot more rack for the same price out of the Infinity series.

Alternatives to the Rogue RM4

Here are some alternatives within the Rogue portfolio based on a budget of 1.300$

1x Rogue RML 490C @1.075$

With the Rogue RML 490C, you basically get the same amount of rack space at a lower space. The Monster Lite series is built a bit less sturdy than the Monster series. Some of the bigger machines also do not attach to the Monster Lite series. Apart from this, you save 300$ for more or less the same effect.

1x Metal jerk Blocks @ 1.150$

If you are considering to upgrade your existing gym you might want to consider metal jerk blocks instead. This will help to attract professional weightlifters to your gym who usually pay more and stay for longer. This is only an option when you have the basics already covered. #

Conclusion

The RM4 is a bit friendlier on your purse than its big brother the RM6. You still get a good option out of the Monster series to do your workouts in. Be mindful of where to store your plates when you buy the RM4 as it is very unlikely that there will be enough room on the rack itself.