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Total gym GTS vs Rogue R3 rack [Article, Video]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

May 10, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Total gym GTS vs Rogue R3 rack

This is a comparison between the Total Gym GTS and the Rogue R3 rack. Follow the links for more details.

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Rogue R3 power rack 

 

The Rogue RM4 fortis rack comes in at $695 and is one of the low-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 R3

 
The Rogue R3 rack has been inspired by the model that Louie Simmons used in Columbus, Ohio to build some of the best powerlifters in the world. It ships from and is built in the US. This rack is a solid option for home warriors and gym facilities alike. 
 
The R3 weighs in at 200LB and comes in different heights, The standard height is 90'' while the shorts version comes in at 84''. the steel notes are made 2x3'' 11 Gauge Steel. The R3 is part of the Rogue Infinity series and compatible with accessories and parts from the same line. It ships with J cups, band pegs, pin/pipe safeties and a Fat/Skinny pull up bar. It also provides Westside hole spacing to you in the middle of the rack.
 
This is a solid rack from an older product line of Rogue which you can use for building out your gym. Compared to the MOnster and Monster lite series you will save somewhere between $400 to $1000 depending on your build. 
 

Pros of the R3

 
This is a good value for money option from Rogue to start your gym or built a powerlifting station if you do not have one yet. It is also lighter and smaller than most other racks from the Rogue portfolio and will serve you well.
 

Cons of the R3

 
Haf racks can sometimes be a little crammed, especially when you also want to store your plates on them. Consider either getting a bigger rack or taking care of your plate storage somewhere at the sides of the rack itself. If you factor in plate storage you might as well bump up the budget for the rack. 
 

Alternatives to the R3

 
Alternatives to the R3 power rack are
 
 
The R3BT is the same rack but will be delivered in smaller chunks. This makes it easier to carry the rack to its destination, especially if it is up windy staircases. Apart from this, there are no differences between the two models.
 
The RE4 is a full rack from the Echo series. If you would like to get more rack space for roughly the same price, this is the one to go for. Be aware that the Echo and Infinity series are at the lower part of the Rogue food chain and do not get as many updates and upgrades as their bigger brothers from the Monster and Monster lite series. 
 
Te RML3WC is a good option for garage gyms in which you still want to get your cars in. They can be folded to the wall and therefore save space. The only downside is that you will be very close to the wall and have to bolt it in there. 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Total Gym GTS

Overview and review of the Total gym GTS

This is an overview of the features and alternatives to the Total Gym GTS. This article was originally published under "which total gym to get". Follow the links for more details.

Related articles

Total Gym GTS $3.700 - $4.666

 
 
The total gym GTS is the flagship of the total gym generation which can be directly sold to customers. This is the top-end product with all bells and whistles included and therefore also comes with the biggest price tag of $3.700. These are the features you will be getting with the Total Gym GTS:
 
  • FREE streaming workouts with Total Gym TV Basic.
  • 22 Levels of Resistance
  • Workout DVD included
  • Over 200 Exercises on One Home Elite Gym
  • 650lb User Weight Capacity
  • Hydraulic rail lift assists with level changes & easy two-step folding.
  • 5-year Warranty on Frame, 1-year Warranty on Parts & Upholstery, 90-day Warranty on Foam & Rubber
In addition to this, you will get a multitude of addons that lets you emulate any machine you could possibly imagine in a professional commercial gym. If you want to use this machine all day around and do not have space for a full circuit of machines, this is the machine to get.
 

Pros of the Total GYM GTS

 
The total gym GTS comes with a lot of attachments and even lets you add free weights to it so you can increase the resistance even further on certain exercises. The extended warranty and sturdiness of the 650lb capacity give it good protection against break downs under heavy use. Read this 650lb not just as a maximum capacity, but also an indication of how long the machine will last. The sturdier the material the less likely it is to break. This is the right total gym to use around the clock with many clients of different needs. If you have a rehab clinic that wants to cover from old people to recovering high performing athletes, this is a good pick. 
 

Cons of the TOTAL GYM GTS

 
For this price tag, it is not really a feasible option for most home users, which is a shame as it provides the most variety of exercises. If you have space in your facility you can also seriously consider building a full gym instead of getting just one Total Gym GTS. YOu may have fewer warranties on each individual item, but more variety and the possibility to train more people in parallel. 
 

Alternatives to the TOTAL Gym GTS

 
For the price of a TOTAL Gym GTS you can also get: 
 
The true form trainer is a self-propelled treadmill that will fit the needs of the top-performing athlete. It works with a slight arch to soften the impact of your feet. As it is set up with bearing it becomes easier to run at top speeds and do interval training compared to conventional treadmills. You will also not need as much power and there is no motor that can break down and needs to be maintained or replaced. 
 
If you have space and wanted to run spinning classes you can also get 5x Rogue Echo bikes for the price of one Total Gym GTS. Admittedly you will not have the same range of exercises to build strength and tone, but if you are looking for indoor cardio you can either save yourself a lot of money or make more customers happy at the same time. 
 
For $4.000 you can also get a top-end free weight section from a leading supplier like Rogue fitness. An example configuration can be:
 
Total: $3530
 
This will provide a full gym with weights to go into every direction. The shipping will be free with Rogue for this package. The tax might push it over $4000 depending on the country you buy from. Still, A great alternative if you have space and like to lift heavy compared to the Total Gym GTS.