TITAN Series power rack vs Rogue SM2 [Article, Video]

This is a comparison between the TITAN series power rack and the Rogue SM2. Follow the links for more details.

Rogue SM 2 Monster lite squat stand

The Rogue SM2 squat stand comes in at $722 and is one of the mid-range options for under $1000 from Rogue. Learn more in this review which was originally published in the Article "Which Rack to buy from Rogue for under $1000".

What else to consider from Rogue

Overview of the SM2

The Rogue SM2 is the smallest of the Monster squat stands. It is manufactured in Columbus Ohio and comes in black. This is a good option for average sized athletes when you want to add a free standing pull up bar to your gym or want a lot of space around you for Olympic weightlifting.

The SM2 is 93'' high and has a footprint of 50''x54''. The stell notes are made of 3x3'' 11 Gauge steel. This stand is part of the monster series and therefore compatible with all monster accessories. It ships with J Cups and an option of a single Skinny bar or Fat/Skinny bar. The unit does not need to be bolted to the floor as it comes with the flat foot design of Rogue.

This is one of the most sturdy squat stands you can get on the market. You can also use it as a start to upgrade it to a full rack at a later stage when you have more funds available.

Pros of the SM2

The SM2 is easy to transport and does not take up a lot of space. If you want to provide a station to Olympic weightlifters, this might be the better option than a rack. It still provides the look and feels of the monster series which well (over) built so that you can still be proud to treat yourself and your client to the best standards.

Cons of the SM2

The safety spotter arms are not included in the price. If you buy both the price gets close to $1000 if you want to use the squat stand for powerlifting and bench pressing. In my personal opinion, this is a bit of a false economy at play. If you want to powerlift get an RM4 Fortis rack instead.

Alternatives to the SM2

Alternatives to the SM2 are

The SM 2.5 and SM3 are the taller option of the same rack. Think about your height and how high you want your pull bar to be with this squat stand. Based on this pick one of the three options. If you are buying multiple squat stands, maybe mix them up to accommodate to different body types.

The RM4 fortis rack is the better option if you want to powerlift. At first, the price tag might seem lower, but at checkout, the SM2 and the fortis rack are roughly at par. If you want to bench press and have space, I think the RM4 fortis is a good option.

Overview and review of the Titan Series power rack

The Titan Series power rack will put you back about $1000. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which Titan rack to buy for over $500”

Overview of the TITAN power rack

The Titan series power rack is the flagship rack from TITAN which is currently available. You will get an overbuild cage with a lot of space inside to play around with. If you are a massive athlete or just like big, star things, this is a good option for you. It also includes all of the its and bits and plate storage to get you started. A barbell and plates would have to be purchased separately to make a full set. The specifications of the TITAN power rack are:

3” x 3” 11 Gauge Tubing and bolt-together design.
Includes (2) 1” Diameter Pins w/ 1.5” Pipes for
Includes (4) Bolt-On Weight Plate Holders
Includes (4) Band Pegs.
Includes a pair (2) Sandwich J-Hooks.
numbered laser cut holes
Keyhole side spacing
1” bolts
Max height of 94” for pull-up bar.
Overall Weight: 388 LB
Overall Height: 100”
Footprint (including bolt-down plates): 53” x 55.5”
Overall Depth: 48”
Inside Depth: 42
Overall Width: 48”
Inside Width: 42”

This rack will make a fine centerpiece of your gym for years to come.

Pros of the Titan power rack

You will get a massive rack for a very competitive price. TITAN also offers a wide arrange of attachments to tend to all of your own or clients needs in the future. Once bolted down this thing does not move anywhere. Ideal for big guys lifting big things.

Cons of the TITAN power rack

As Titan seems to operate on lower margins than their competition you might find that the finish or welds of racks can be inconsistent. If you make less money per transaction you usually have to make up for it by cutting corners by buying different quality material from different suppliers on the cheap or pay your staff less. As we are talking racks here, this might not be as bad as with medication. However, if you get furious about little cosmetic blemishes or less than perfect craftsmanship, don’t buy from TITAN.

Alternatives to the TITAN power rack

Here are some alternatives to the TITAN power rack:

The X3 is basically the same model as the Titan rack with two differences. It doesn’t have numbered holes on the uprights and the keyhole design. This means that you can use fewer attachments with it which you have not necessarily bought from Rogue.

The T2 model comes in various shapes and heights and can be configured differently for your home gym to make it fit your space. The main difference to the other Titan racks is that the uprights are 2x2 instead of 2x3 or 3x3.

The T3 rack model is also very similar to the Titan rack but comes at a lower cost. It is the same as the X3 except that it has 2x3 Gauge uprights instead of 3x3.

Summary for the TITAN power rack

If you only want to buy a rack from TITAN and want the best, this is the one to go for. Also if you want to buy a lot of racks and don’t care about the finish that much, TITAN is a great option. If you are a smaller athlete and want to save money you might want to look at the other TITAN models as well, especially the X3.