Total gym GTS vs Rogue SM2 Squat stand

This is a comparison of the Total Gym GTS and the Rogue SM2 squat stand. 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 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.

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:

True form Trainer $3995
5x Rogue Echo bike $3875
Full free weight section $3530

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.