Rogue R4 and Rogue 490C

This is a synopsis and overview for anyone who is weighing up their options between buying the Rogue R4 and Rogue 490c.

Synopsis of the Rogue 490C and R4

490C vs R4

Entry point: $1.075 vs. $960

Square foot: 53''x53" vs. 53''x53''

Height: 90.375" vs. 90''

Main distinction: Thickness of steel tubes and color

The 490C comes out of the Monster Lite series and has color options while the R4 comes out of the Infinity series and has no color option. With the 490C you will have access to the monster lite attachments which Rogue Offers. In my opinion, you are better off opting for the 490C at a slightly higher price as there are fewer upgrades for the Infinity series in recent years than for the Monster Lite and Monster line.

Related articles

Rogue Monster vs Monster Lite

If you are torn between the Rogue Monster and Rogue Monster Lite Series then this video is for you. Commercial buyers should lean more towards the Monster Series as it gets more attention from the Rogue Product development team and will also take a bigger beating due to the sturdier nuts and bolts. Home gym buyers ought to have a good look at the upgrade paths and accessories for the Monster and Monster lite line.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the RM3 as it puts you at the entry-level of budget to get into the Monster line. However, with the 3.0 upgrade of the Monster lite series, there is not a lot to compromise anymore between the two lines. So, if you are not into the big upgrades and just want to upgrade a Monster lite rack to the max with your available budget, then that is also a great road to travel.

Overview and review of the Rogue R4 power rack

The Rogue R4 rack comes in at $960 and is one of the better 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 Rogue R4

The Rogue R4 is one of the flagship racks out of the older Rogue Infinity series. With the R4 you get a full rack which is made in Columbus, Ohio. The available color is black and it weighs 250LB.

The R4 Infinity rack is 90'' high and comes in at a footprint of 53''x53''. It is compatible with the Infinity accessories and lines from Rogue. It ships with J CUps,, Pin/Pipe Safeties and band pegs for the westside method. It is also designed with Westside hole spacing to enable you to use the bands for your lifting appropriately.

If you want the best of one of the outdated series from Rogue this is the one for you. It will cover all of your basic needs, just don't expect too many product upgrades as the focus of Rogue is clearly with the Monster and Monster lite series for eh time being.

Pros of the Rogue R4

You get one of the best from a bygone era of Rogue. This is reflected in the amount of real estate you get for the price for Rogue standards. It can also be an advantage to get an R4 over a Monster or Monster rack if you have to move the racks often. This comes in at 100LB less than its bigger brothers.

Cons of the Rogue R4

Going into the Infinity series is probably not a wise decision if you want to protect your investment long term. The rack will hold for a lifetime, you just will not find a lot of new products for it to entertain your clients. For home use, this is completely irrelevant, but if you are buying this rack to use with clients you might want to reconsider.

Alternatives to the Rogue R4

Alternatives to the R4 are

The RM4 comes out of the flagship Monster series of Rogue. With this rack, you can choose the color and height of your purchase and have access to Monster accessory series. This is definitely the better option if you work with a client and want to keep adding to your rack in the future. The downside is the price.

The R6 is the big brother of the R4 in the Infinity series. This rack combines a full rack with a half rack to provide more space for plates and storage room. With this rack, you will upgrade the footprint from 53x53 to 53x80.

The R3 is the half rack version of the Infinity series. This might be a good choice for you if you want to save space and money. Especially if you are a smaller athlete this might be a really viable option as you don't need as much space around you.

Overview and review of the Rogue RML 490C Power Rack

This review was originally posted in the longer article "Which strength equipment to buy from rogue" in which you can read about 25 products of Rogue which cost more than 1.000$. The Rogue RML 490C rack is a stylish and not too expensive Rogue option for your home gym. See the details in this article.

Overview of the RML 490C

The Rogue RML490C weighs 340LB and comes in with a footprint of 53''x53''. This is a solid full rack in the mid-range price area of Rogue. It is 90.375'' high and comes with a free choice of color. The colors to choose from are:

Bright Blue
Bright Green
Burnt Orange
Dark BLue
Dark Red
Gun Metal
Light Gray
Rogue Red
Satin Black
Satin Clear
White

With this rack, you will be entering the Monster Lite series of Rogue and accessories. You can also have a look at the Monster Lite rigs to built a solid CrossFit gym. This is a good entry point to build from for powerlifters and other heavy lifting needs alike. Rogue provides a long list of accessories for their Monster lite series.

How many clients should the Rogue RML 490C bring you?

If you think that the RML 490C will bring you 4 new clients who pay you 50$ on a 1-year retainer it is worth the investment. This will yield 2.400$ net new revenue against an investment of 1.075$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.

Pros of the RML 490C

The Monster Lite gives you a full rack in which you can train with space. You will be secure and be able to maneuver without feeling cramped

Cons of the RML 490C

The 490C does not leave a lot of room to store any plates. Be prepared to find other solutions to store the plates or upgrade to a 690C rack to get the plates organized.

Conclusion

The Rogue RML 490C is a great option to be nice to your bank account while still getting a solid piece of Rogue into your gym.

Rogue R4 vs 490C