Overview and review of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
This is an overview of the TITAN Upright farmer's including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details.
TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles $215
Overview TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
The TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles are a little more pricey than regular carry handles and bear two additional features. They have an adjustable handle for different heights and you can put the plates on top of the handle frame. With this you have more variety in your training compared to a regular handle and do not use up your plates as much. The full specifications of these farmer#s handles are:
- Built with heavy duty 3"x3" 11 gauge steel tubing.
- Sold in pairs, so you'll be able to get started immediately.
- Vertical weight posts save your weight plates if you drop the handles and your plates won't fall off.
- Knurled 1.25" diameter handles can be set at 8" and 16" off the ground.
- Stabilizer feet to keep the handles upright if dropped.
- Modular design can be converted to a deadlift platform with Farmers Walk connectors (available separately)
- Compatible with standard Olympic plates - steel plates or bumper plates.
- Weight: 52 lbs each
- Handle diameter: 1.25"
- Usable handle length: 8"
- Handle heights: 8" and 16" from ground
- Overall length: 50"
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs per handle
The Upright farmer's walk handles are an overlooked item that cost slightly more but will leave your plates in tact and does not need collars to work properly.
Pros of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
Pros of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles are:
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Plates are upright
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Adjustable handle
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Knurled handle
One main advantage compare to regular farmer's handles is that the plates are upright and therefore are more secure and do not get wrecked when you use these handles. More often than not the farmer's handles get loaded and sealed with a collar never to be touched again,until the plates are destroyed. That makes it inconvenient for different gym members to load it separately and costly in the long run. On top of that you get a proper handle that provides grip compared to the powder coated alternatives that most gyms stock.
Cons of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
Cons of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles:
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Price
The only real disadvantage of this handle is its price. You can get other handles for around $100 or even below. For $200 you can also almost get a barbell or trap bar instead. So oyu have to weigh up your options in terms of what other things you could possibly do with $200 instead of getting farmer's walk handles.
Alternatives to the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
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TITAN farmer's walk handles
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Rogue Farmer's walk handles
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Heavy kettlebells
The TITAN trap bar comes in at $270 and is therefore slightly more expensive than the upright farmers walk handles. Technically you can also do farmer's walks with a trap bar. It is not exactly the same, but if you are only after the core and grip benefits a trap bar farmer's walk will also do. In addition to farmer's walks you can also use the trap bar for deadlifts, especially if you want to put less strain on your lower back. The TITAN trap bar is likely to have some minor quality issues as it has a lot of welds. Whenever welding is to be done, TITAN is more likely to botch the job then Rogue. That doesn't render the bar unsafe or unusable but it will suffer in cosmetics and might have some material inside the frame. With the Rogue trap bar you have a lower risk of this occurring, but you will also pay $100 more.
The farmer's walk handles are cheaper version to which you attach the plates directly. What you safe in the handles you will probably spent many times over on the plates for these solutions.
The last option for farmer's walks are heavy kettlebells. These are probably the most versatile alternative to farmer's walk handles, but also do not exactly reflect the exercise. The weight is more centered to the body and therefore a lot easier to handle.
Conclusion for the TITAN Upright Farmer's walk handles
If you want to get classic farmer's walk handles to simulate strongman competition these are a serious consideration. Especially if you only get them for yourself and do not have to buy them in bulk. The upright handles are superior to the classic farmer's handle and are worth the money as long as you want to do farmer's walks. If cost and versatility are your main concern, then a pair of heavy kettlebells are probably the better option.
