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Rogue RM 390F Flat Foot Monster Rack vs TITAN plate loadable functional trainer

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Dec 18, 2020 5:00:00 PM

Rogue RM 390F Flat Foot Monster Rack vs TITAN plate loadable functional trainer

This is a comparison between the Rogue RM 390F Flat foot rack and the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 
 

Overview and review of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer $749

This is an overview of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.

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Overview for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great budget option to get a multi directional functional trainer into your home. Especially if you have already a rack and barbell setup at home and just not to reuse the plates for this machine. Functional trainers are great to pack a lot of exercises in one space. With this machine from TITAN you can get in your rows, vertical pulls, flyes, and even use it for deadlifts and squats. All the needed handles and accessories are included in the shipping. The full list of features includes:
 
- Comprehensive pulley options including lat, row, and pulldown
- Two 9 1/4” Olympic plate sleeves
- Tough steel design will last for years to come
- Pull-up bar installed at the top
- Sleek black and silver design
- Titan Fitness faceplate included
 
- Max user load: 390 LB
- Overall Footprint: 61” Width x 53” Depth
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 1/4”
- Overall height: 81”
- Side handle length: 5”
- Side handle diameter: 1”
- Row handle length: 14 1/4”
- Row grip length: 5” (each)
- Row handle diameter: 1”
- Lat pulldown handle length: 37 1/2”
- Lat pulldown grip length: 5”
- Lat pulldown handle diameter: 1”
 
This is a great budget option for a functional trainer for home gym use. In a commercial setting there might be too many moving parts.
 

Pros of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
Pros of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
  • Price
  • Multi purpose training
  • Exercises per square foot
 
The best thing about the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is the low price. Functional trainers can cost up to $5000 depending on the make, quality, and mechanics used. With this you can have an entire gym in your basement for $700 assuming you already own plates. If you do not a set of TITAN plates can be had for $375. TITAN is already budget orientated as a manufacturer and this is a budget design. If you are strapped for cash, this is a good investment.
 
The pulley system on this functional trainer works in many directions. You can pull up, down, and also use the machine for horizontal pulls. You get everything you need to build muscle and build an attractive physique. It goes above and beyond home trainers that only use your body weight as you can use the plates to continuously get stronger.
 
If you look at how many exercises you can do in small space, this machine is also great. It takes up the same space as a leg press machine, but you can do so many more exercises on it. This makes it a good choice for rehab centers, yoga instructors and other lifestyle and health out fits that want to add some gentle strength training to their services.
 

Cons of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The cons of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
  • Plate loaded
  • Makeshift
  • Many moving parts
 
The fact that the plate loaded functional trainer is plate loaded makes it cheaper, but also means that you have to have plates and storage for them first. Also handling the plates can be a pain, as you need to fit them onto the pins and get them off. If you like to "run the rack" in your exercises, this machine is more of a pain than a gain. The many plates can also be a hindrance when you are working with a client and create a trip hazard.
 
The hole construction has a bit of a makeshift feel about it. This is often the case when the exercise machine is majorly a combination of pulley which have been connected on a frame. That is the entire idea of this machine, but it doesn't make it something that I want to use on a regular basis. If you are not strapped for cash, you might want to opt for the functional trainer from TITAN that includes to weight stacks. If your commercial gym wants to convey a slick and hip image to your clients this might also not be the right choice. This model screams iron den.
 
The many moving parts also make the assembly of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer complex. TITA is known for bad manuals and occasional missing out in small parts in the shipping. If you are missing a small part in your shipment it is next to impossible to source it separately from the vendor. You will either end up with more big parts to just get one small part or at your local DIY store.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
Alternatives to the plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
 
The TITAN functional trainer is the big brother of the plate loaded functional trainer. It ships with two 200lbs weight stacks. While these can have their own challenges, this is the cleaner and more stable installation once it is set up. If you buy a functional trainer as an addition to a health/spa or yoga gym, this is the better choice. This is also the better choice in a gym with high footfall as it creates fewer opportunities to break the machine while loading the plates. The only disadvantage is that you have to fork out about $1300 more to get this version of the functional trainer.
 
The TITAN lat tower is a great addition to any home gym that means business. Usually you will already have a couple of kettlebells, dumbbells, and a rack with plates and a barbell before considering this. As a second purchase to add a sizable machine to your home gym the lat tower is a better choice than the plate load able functional trainer. The quality of the pulleys is better, you can load it with up to 300lbs, and it will provide a weight stack to your for a different form of training for you.
 
The TITAN hack squat leg press is also slightly more expensive, but provides a good focus on your legs. If you have the space and prefer dedicated machines over multi functional machines in your training, than you can consider the hack squat leg press machine as a 2 in 1 for your home gym. For commercial gyms this is not necessarily the best option as 2 for 1 always means you need more instructions for the machine or higher injury risk due to using it incorrectly.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great solution for a dorm basement where everyone chips in. Especially if there are already some plates available. If you are building a garage gym in your home and you have the spare change I would lean more towards the TITAN functional trainer or the lat tower as an addition to your already existing rack or as a training station for the entire family.

Overview and review of the Rogue RM 390F Flat Foot Monster Rack

 

 

Please also note that there is a Monster ltie and monster version of the flat foot rack in the Rogue line up. This video explains the differences very well:

 

Price: 1.211

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 Monster Flat Foot will save you bolting down the rack. You will have no holes in the floor with this one. See the details in this article.

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Overview of the RM 390F Flat foot

The RM390F rack is a special rack in the Rogue Line up. IT is one of two racks with the flat foot design. The flat foot design makes it possible that you do not have to drill the rack into the ground to anchor it. This makes the flat foot a very popular option in scenarios where a wood, carpet or rubber floor have already been installed and should not be damaged. 
 
The Flat Foot weighs 335LB and comes in with a width of 24''. It is 93'' high and therefore has a footprint of 54''x'50''.  The flat foot is compatible with the accessories of the Monster series. The only thing to consider is that Band pegs and safety spotter arms should not be used with the Flat Foot Monster rack. Get safety pins instead.
 

How many clients should the Rogue RM390F bring you?

If you think that the Rogue RM390F 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 1.211$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.
 

Pros of the 390F Flat foot

The biggest pro of this rack is the flat foot design. This means you can install this rack anywhere where there is space. No nasty holes in the floor which need to be refilled once you want to move the rack somewhere else.
 

Cons of the 390F Flat foot

 
If you get a half rack you have to think about where to store your plates. In addition, not everyone likes to train in a half rack. IT can be a bit tight for a three-step walk out. 
 

Alternatives to the 390F Flat foot

For the same budget of 1.211$ you have the following alternatives with Rogue:
 
  • 1x RML 390F Monster Lite @795$
The Rogue RML 390F is the Monster Lite version of the flat foot design. This is a very viable option to save about 500$. You are already in the market for a solution with a small footprint for home use and small athletes. You might as well save a bit more money by going for the slightly less sturdy construction of the same product.
 
If you want a full rack that gets you close to the champions this is the rack to go for. Think of the fittest man on earth while training to set new PRs in a full rack dedicated to the greatest CrossFitter of all time.
 

Conclusion

The 390F Flat foot is a great half rack to use at home which does not need to be bolted down. With this you can train and move whenever it is convenient.