Rogue Monster Lat pull down stand alone vs TITAN H-PND
This is a comparison of the Rogue Monster Lat pull and the TITAN H-PND including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN H-PND $574
This is an overview of the TITAN H-PND 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 H-PND
The
TITAN H-PND is a reverse hyper that is built solid like a tank. With this machine you can attack your lower back and train up the area to improve your deadlift and the squat. The lower back is usually an area of your body that falls short with regular gym machines and
barbell training. A reverse hyper like the
H-PND can take care of this and make your back figuratively bullet proof. The full list of specifications for this model includes:
- Overall Weight: 250 lbs.
- Overall Height: 44.5-in
- Footprint: 52.25-in x 41-in
- Sleeve Diameter: 2-in
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10-in
- Step Dimensions: 3-in x 3-in Tubing, 8-in Long.
This is a solid reverse hyper for a solid price. If you need big equipment because you are massive but do not want to pay massive bucks, this is a great option to add a reverse hyper to your training arsenal-
Pros of the TITAN H-PND
-
Price
-
Massive Pad
-
Massive structure
The price of a reverse hyper this weight and height is unmatched in the industry. As so often with TITAN equipment they undercut the competition from Rogue and Eleiko by almost half.
The pad which you lay on his huge on the
TITAN H-PND. This provides comfort and safety for an exercise that can get very uncomfortable and even harmful very quick if it is not set up in the right way.
This thing will go nowhere. It is big and heavy and that is good, if you need one as small people usually do no use this type of equipment that much.
Cons of the TITAN H-PND
The cons of the
H-PND are:
-
Space requirement
-
Low use
This machine eats up quite bit of space, especially in a home gym. While a lot of powerlifters and weightlifters say that this machine massively helped them to set new personal records and feel less lower back, it still runs a high risk to not be utilized enough. Quite a few home gym owners sell these as they find that they can make better use of their limited space with other equipment.
Alternatives to the TITAN H-PND
If are not massive and can afford the
Glute and hamstring combo from TITAN than this is probably the better buy. You will get more use out of your space buy opting for this variation on the
H-PND without giving up too much space. If you are buying for your own home gym, definetly like at this before checking out. In a commercial setting you might want to get two different machines, one glute ham and one reverse hyper. It is only slightly more money than getting the
combo but you get the benefit of being able to handle more people at the same time or running circuit training.
The
Rogue donkey is the gold standard in the industry for GHDs and Reverse hypers to date. Everything on this machine is in the right place and sturdy. The pad is massive and has a beautiful leather finish that is also practical. With all things which are exceptionally nice, they come at an exceptional price. The
Rogue Donkey is no exception and retails at $1.950. Worth it, but only if you are flush with cash.
Conclusion for the TITAN H-PND
The
TITAN H-PND is a great budget option for one of the sturdiest reverse hypers you can find in the market. If your goal is to provide a lot of variety to your clients and you have the space, there is not a lot you can do wrong by buying this reverse hyper. If you are challenged for the space you might want to get the
combo instead or the
Donkey, depending on budget. All in all a Reverse hyper is not the most essential item to training, so you might want to look for other pieces to the puzzle first. A
belt squat machine could be such an option.
Overview and review of the Rogue Monster Lat pull down stand alone
If you read between the lines you can see that the pulley, the bar, cable, and Steel eye were not up to Rogue's standards in the V1 of this machine. All of these parts have been consequently brought in-house and are not bought from 3rd parties anymore. These things are normal when new production lines are being built, a new market is tested and new processes build around them.
At least Rogue took the right learnings from this and perfected their
Rhino launch. The
prone leg curl and the
ISO leg press have not gotten a V2 overhaul yet whereas the
Lat pull down has. Be aware of this when you buy from Rogue. I am positive they will accommodate valid feedback, especially on big orders. If you buy for your home gym, maybe wait on the
leg press and
curl until there is more feedback available or find a gym nearby to test them.
A
lat pulldown is a big machine. It will take up quite a bit of space where a
pull-up bar might create a similar effect. Especially in a home gym scenario, you might be better off getting
dumbbells and a pull-up bar which takes up less floor space. As with other machines, the pulley system takes maintenance. Oiling this system and keeping it in check might not be for everyone.
The
Rhino belt including the
half rack will give you a better pulley system and the necessary
rack to play around with it. It will not exactly be the same and the workarounds might be not ideal, however, it is possible. I would also be very surprised if Rogue did not capitalize on the opportunity to deliver a system that combines the
RM6 and
Rhino to a fully built all-purpose gym station. Stay tuned for that one.
For less than the price for one lat pulldown machine. If you are aiming to open a small CrossFit gym this is the way to go. This also shows you that Rogue still has to work on optimizing their costs on building machines. The upshot is that you will get a machine that is fully made in the US. If you work for the government this might even be a requirement for purchase.
The Rogue Monster lat pull down is a very solid machine for your gym. If you do not want to compromise and attract the biggest and best athletes to your gym, this is the one to go for.