Squat rack vs leg press

In terms of what to buy first for a home gym the squat rack is the clear winner as it is more versatile at a fraction of the cost. When it comes to building your legs, the leg press can be a very good tool to make your legs grow safely without the limiting factor of your shoulders and lower back. In most cases of effective strength training don’t think either or, think both.

Leg press

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 ISO leg press is a machine for the advanced athlete to perform the leg press at a cost of $4.750. See the details in this article.

Overview of the Rogue ISO Leg press

The Rogue Iso Leg press is one of the products of Rogue which have recently appeared in the portfolio. In my opinion, you can clearly see that Rogue wants to use the Lat pulldown machine, Prone Leg Curl and ISO Leg press to gain market share in the commercial gym sector to diversify their business beyond CrossFit gyms. While Rogue has already mastered the mass production of barbells and rigs, the production of big machines is done more manual. You might get a cheaper, more refined machine from somewhere else who has specialized in these for decades. Still, this will be most likely not American made and definitely not fit the rest of your Rogue gym setup.

The future looks promising as the Rhino Belt Squat has been a great release with a positive reception in the market. I am sure rogue will take the new technological developments from the 50 cals (locking system) and the Rhino (Pulley System) to create more refined machines in the future which will take over the market.

The Rogue ISO press can load up to 2475lb and has four load pegs. Rogue claims a 60% true weight ratio for the leg press. Machines are often criticized that too much of the load gets lost and does not have an effect on the lifter. This is why you see some people on Youtube leg pressing a bunch of plates and four Chinese girls on a leg press machine. They have better leverage than in a barbell squat.

The Rogue ISO leg press weighs 708lbs with a footprint of 64'' x 98''. It is 98'' long, 64'' wide and 47'' high.

Pros of the Rogue ISO Leg Press

Rogue has paid attention to the feedback from other machines by working on the true weight ratio. The four loadable pegs will go down well with your stronger clients who like big machines and also cannot find sufficient machinery in other gyms.

The fact that each leg can be addressed individually will be interesting to rehab clients and professional athletes alike. Not many leg press machines bear this feature.

You will also get a machine that has been made by American hands in Columbus. There is quite some work to be done to finish this beast and you will always know that this has been done by an American.

A leg press machine is also less intimidating to many clients than a barbell squat. Anyone who feels like they are hurting their back with the barbell squat can be put on a leg press machine instead.

Cons of the Rogue ISO Leg Press

The leg press machine is a single purpose machine with a relatively big footprint. This does not make it a suitable option for most gyms with a small footprint. You will also be buying outside of Rogues core business with less volume. Expect that customer services have fewer options to help you out with parts/replacements/repairs as the order volume on these is lower. There is less storage to draw from and all parts are welded together for the ISO (which means if you want to return it, they probably have to weld another from scratch or move someone else's order).

For this price, especially if you buy multiple, maybe ask Rogue whether you can inspect the machines on site before delivery. Bring your biggest and smallest athlete/client&relative, Based on the test ask whether small alterations can be made before the machines are finished (coated etc) and shipped.

How many clients should this leg press bring you?

If you think that the ISO leg press will bring you 16 new clients who pay you 50$ on a 1-year retainer it is worth the investment. This will yield 9.600$ net new revenue against an investment of 4.750$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.

Alternatives to the ISO leg press

Here are some alternatives to the Rogue Iso leg press which come in at roughly the same budget.

1x Rogue Wingspan Rig @ 5.099$ (including all options, no weights)

The Rogue Wingspan Rig only costs about 250 USD more but is an all in one gym for that price. You have a pull-up station, rack, lots of storage room, a crown pull up bar for various grip variations and space to store up to five barbells. While the ISO leg press is on one end of the spectrum as a leg training giant, this is one of the most versatile options from Rogue in the same price range.

1x Rogue Rhino Stand Alone @ 1750$ USD
6x Monster Lite SML.2C @445$

This would be an alternative for a weightlifting gym that has no need for pull up bars and has a lot of space. You have to teach your clients how to drop a bar safely when there is enough room. The Rhino belt squat can be used by athletes with shoulder injuries or for heavy squats/volume work. It still loads enough weights for mere mortals.

1x Rogue Wood Jerk Block Starter Set @ 972.50$
1x Rogue Multi belt @90 USD
1x 10lB chain @ 17$ USD

The belt squat is the poor man's version of the leg press. It does more for balance and natural movement patterns and can not be loaded as heavy as the Rhino Belt Squat or Leg press machine. If you already have jerk blocks or pylo jump boxes this is probably the most cost-efficient version to get close to a leg press. Be aware that the setup is tedious and the injury risk is high if you do not assist your clients in setting this up.

Conclusion

With the Rogue Iso Leg press you will get a fully welded, American made leg press machine. The specialty of this leg press machine is that you can work one leg at a time or both optionally. With some extra space to add plates to the leg press and special attention to a maximum carry over of the weight to the lifter this leg press is for serious gyms that do not want to compromise.

Overview of racks

Here are four articles I have written which go into the details of the different racks of two vendors. They both have a good reputation for home gyms.

Rogue fitness is the market leader in the area of CrossFit and home gyms in the USA. They are based in Columbus Ohio and were founded by an ex-military man. They pride themselves for making their equipment in the States by American hands. While the price tags are about twice from their competitors you almost always have positive feedback about the finish of their products and their customer service when you research online.

Titan Fitness has a very similar line up to Rogue fitness, but at a much lower price. They also market themselves as American made. While their price is lower you will have it easier to find reports have blemishes, transport damage or poor/inconsistent finish on the Titan products. This doesn’t take away from their functionality, but might be something to think about when you place your order.

Sizes of racks

There are different types of racks which you can consider for your home. It will all depend on how much space you have and what your training goals are. Budget will of course also play a role.

Full racks with plate storage

These racks usually have a 50”x50” rack in the front and additional uprights in the back which you can use for additional plate storage. These are the biggest racks you can get which also have to be bolted down to the ground. The advantage is that you have lots of space for storage and upgrades. The entire family might be even able to train in parallel on these racks. The downsides are the cost and space requirements. This will probably take up your entire garage or basement unless you live like Oprah. Some models to consider in this section are:

Titan T3 with Extension kit
Titan T2 with Extension kit
Titan X3 with Extension kit

These racks are a valid option when you want to store your plates directly on the rack and you do not want them interfering with the positions available on the rack.

Full racks

A full rack is usually around 50” by 50”. It provides plenty of space inside the rack so that you can easily do a three-step walkout, even if you are big and move big weights. Most of a bench would also be inside such a rack once it is set up. Full racks still have four uprights and come in different colors and shapes. Some examples are:

These racks provide plenty of space to move around, but you probably want to store your plates somewhere else.

Half racks

Half racks are one of the original designs from Westside gym owner Louie Simmons. Their footprint is usually somewhere around 50” x 50”. These racks have half the amount of space inside the rack compared to outside. This usually makes them a little cheaper and eat up less space. You will also be able to do exercises from the rack while not being obstructed by it. Some examples are:

These are usually good for the right spaces or dorms.

Squat stands

Squat stands are usually the cheapest option for a home rack as they use the least material. They are generally less secure as the setup with spotter arms can be cumbersome and easier to miss than safety pins or straps. Squat stands are usually great when you have space and know-how to drop weights safely. They are not great in commercial settings or when you squat or bench press to failure often. Some of the examples for squat stands are:

Squat stands are best for people who know what they are doing. Beginners might not want to start with them without guidance.

Types of racks

The price of racks is often determined by how much material is being used to build them. Generally speaking the more footprint you get the more you pay. When this is not the case and you get the same footprint for seemingly a lower price look into the following factors:

Color options
Steel
Warranty
Country of origin
Numbered holes
West side spacing
Included extras
Brand

If the price varies for seemingly the same thing there is usually a reason.

Color options can impact the price. Whenever you shop and you go for color, make sure that you choose a color option. If you go with default color on a color line item, you pay a premium which you did not have to. So if you want black and the default color of the vendor is black buy the standard model and don't go near any color options.

Many racks come in three different versions of steel tubes which are 2x2, 2x3 and 3x3. The thicker the steel the more you pay. Think about how big and heavy you are and whether you really need the 3x3 option. If no, you might save some money.

When material and size are the same but prices are different look into the fine print. What are the actual policies for warranty and which kind of damage is covered and which isn’t. This becomes especially important when you buy commercially instead of for private use.

Numbered holes are very helpful and are often laser cut which adds another step in the production process. Therefore models, where everything is the same except the numbering, differ in price.

With the country of origin, I won’t go into too much detail. If it is from the US or Europe it is more expensive and when it comes from China it is less expensive because of different Labour costs. If Chinese and EU/Us products have the same price, someone is having a laugh on your expense.

Westside hole spacing is found in the bench press range of the rack. Not all racks come with this so check individually. This set up makes it easier to adjust your bench press setup in smaller increments. It also can be helpful when you do a lot of training with bands and pegs.

Always check if something apparently cheaper or more expensive come with the same kind of extra material. Things to look out for are J Cups, pull up bars, plate pins, Landmine attachments and barbell racking options.

The last thing is the brand. Rogue and TITAN are well established in the market for squat racks. You might find other vendors that do not as much marketing and therefore can sell at lower prices.

Rogue

Rogue fitness is the market leader in the CrossFit community, maybe even in sales for racks in the US, but I don’t have the statistics at hand to support that. Rogue takes care in quality and invests a lot on marketing. This reflects in the prices of their products and good reviews. Rogue generally might not be the best option for a small budget but is a good investment and Most of their clients seem to be happy. They are geared towards CrossFit boxes and home gym owners.

Titan

Some say that Titan is the low budget clone of Rogue Fitness, however, I find phrases like this terribly unfair as it is never easy to establish a production line and distribution. Just try to bake a cake and sell it in your local community on a regular basis and you might get a grasp of the task. This being said the main argument to buy from Titan is usually the price. With low prices usually come shortcuts. These are usually apparent in the finish of the Titan products. They are still functional, just not as neat as the Rogue products. But who cares when you get a bench, rack, and barbell for the price of one Rogue rack.

Eleiko

Eleiko has recently repositioned themselves to target the upper market commercial gym owner or professional training facility. There are no more prices on their websites and you get quotes only on request. This is because Eleiko wants you to speak to a rep as fast as possible which is a corporate approach to sales. They want to sell a solution to someone who buys an entire gym and doesn’t want to deal with a lot of small transactions. This makes them a great one-stop-shop for elite trainers with big plans but maybe not the best choice for home gym owners. Their products are high quality and have a long track record of being used by Olympians all over the globe.

Elite FTS

Elite FTS is rough and ready. Everything is big, even monstrous. They are heavily geared towards heavy powerlifters and bodybuilders. If you like the pain, grind, and blood and occasionally grunt at people to get them out of your favorite rack, this is the place for you.

Rogue monster lite fold rack

The Rogue Monster lite fold rack is a best seller from Rogue. It stems from the Monster lite series of Rogue which uses 2x3 Gauge Steel to form the rack. With Rogue, you can be sure that you will get a high-quality rack with a great finish. Here are the full details:

Overview of the RML3WC

The RML3WC is one of the best sellers of Rogue. It has some of the most Reviews of all racks on the entire website and with good reason. This rack is affordable and practical. It has been designed to be easily mounted to a standard wood stud wall. This is the quick solution for home warrior dads who want a quick solution that they do not have to negotiate a lot with their wives with. Plus this version of it comes in color.

The 3WC comes with a length of 25'' or 44'' depending on which depth you choose. The width comes to 56'' on the wall, 49'' outside the uprights, and 43'' inside the uprights. It is 90'' high and weighs 190LB. You can choose between an inside depth of 21.5'' or 41.4''. In most scenarios, the rack space for 21.5'' will be sufficient according to Rogue. The Steel notes are made from 3x3'' 11 Gauge Steel. As the 3WC is part of the Monster lite series it is compatible with the accessories and beams from the Monster lite product line.

The delivery list includes:

J Cups
Mounting Brackets
Detent pins
Pull up bar
Hitchpins
Plastic caps to protect the floor
Stringer Pair

Rogue highly recommends using the included stringer pair to attach the rack to the wall. This is based on security and stability. If you want to mount the 3WC to a different wall as a standard wood stud wall, you are responsible to provide the necessary hardware. The colors you can choose from are:

Bright blue
Bright Green
Burnt Orange
Dark BLue
Dark Red
Gun Metal
Desert Tan
Light Gray
Rogue Red
Satin Black
Satin Clear

This is a great rack that puts you at the heart of Rogue's innovative product lines. It also has a lot of positive reviews which is a good sign that you can not go wrong. If you are in the market for a home gym and do not want to alter your house much, this is the option to go for a reasonable budget.

Pros of the RML3WC

The two big pros of this rack are that it is foldable and still a sturdy rack. More often than that convertible options are poorly executed either in the folding mechanism or the steel itself. With this rack, you buy the highest quality build that has been adapted to make it fit snug against a wall.

Cons of the RML3WC

As this unit does not weigh a lot and cannot be bolted to the floor you will experience more movement than with other rack options from Rogue. Especially if you want to kip a lot or when you are a huge lifter moving a lot of weight, you might want to look for something more rigid. Apart from this, you will also have to think about where to store your barbell and plates as you can not store them on the rack in this setup.

Alternatives to the RML3WC

Here some alternatives to the 3WC rack:

The RML 3W rack is the same rack as the 3WC without a color option. If you like black and want to save some money this is the one to go for. Apart from this, all other options are the same as described above.

The W4 Garage Gym is a lower cost option compared to the 3WC and does the same thing. You will get a rack that is bolted to the wall and stays there. If your garage is mostly not used because you or your wife do not like to drive the car in, you might as well go for this option to save money and hassle.

The R3 W is an option from the Echo series from Rogue. It has the same mechanics and logic as the RML 3The W. Biggest difference is that it is made from 2x3'' 11 Gauge steel instead of 3x3'' 11 Gauge steel.

Titan T3 fold rack

The Titan T3 fold rack would be the same idea as the Monster lite fold rack, just at a lower budget. With the T3 you can squeeze a bench or a barbell into the same budget as with Rogue just for the rack. The downside is that Titan is known for cutting corners on the finish of their product. Here are the details:

Overview of the T3 folding rack

The T3 folding rack is an option from TITAN which uses the 2x3 steel tubes from the T3 series to form a foldable rack. Foldable racks are very popular with garage gym owners as they give you the option to either still park your car in the garage or provide more space if you want to to do conditioning in your limited space. The features and specifics of the T3 are:

Rack details

2" x 3" 11 Gauge steel.
Rackable Capacity: 1,100 LB
Height: 91"
Width: 50"
Depth: 41.5"
Weight: 175 LB

This is the optimal option for dads who have to compromise with their wife to get a man cave in the garage.

Pros of the T3 folding rack

The T3 folding rack comes at an excellent price compared to the competition of TITAN. You will get a functional rack which folds to the wall in case you need to get it out of the way. This saves space and money on your purchase.

Cons of the T3 folding rack

A folding rack will not be as stable as a full rack which you bolt to the ground. Depending on how much abuse you throw at the rack you might want to reconsider a moveable installation. If you want to use an accessory with your rack, you will also have to deinstall it every time you would the rack. Apart from this TITAN has been reported to struggle more with mi or quality issues and inconsistencies. This doesn’t impact the functionality of the equipment, but it’s appearance and longevity.

Alternatives to the T3 folding rack

41 folding rack
X2 power rack
X2 and incline combo

The 41 folding rack is a folding rack with 3x3 Instead of 2x3 steel tubes. If you want more metal for roughly the same price this is the one for you.

The X2 is one of the cheapest series in the TITAN line up. With its 2x2 steel tubes, it uses the least material to build a rack. If you want to downsize on all ends to fit a bench and rack into $500 budget comfortably, this is for you.

Summary for the T3 fold rack

A good option for Dads who have to compromise with Mom for garage space on a budget.

Rogue RM6

The Rogue RM6 is my personal favorite for a basement or garage gym which is fully dedicated to fitness. With the RM6 you invest in the future as you can get multiple upgrades and have the 3x3 steel which will stand the test of time. Downsides to this rack are the price and that it needs to be bolted to the ground. All the specs here for you:

Overview of the Rogue RM6

The RM6 is the flagship rack of Rogue. If you buy a 24' Monster Rig in the racked configuration you basically buy multiple RM6 with pull up bars in between them. This is the rack for serious home warriors or small gyms who do not want to compromise.

The RM6 has a length of 76'' and width of 49''. You can get the rack in three different heights ranging from 90'' through 100'' to 108''. The Footprint comes in at 80'' x 53''. The new keyhole design also makes it easier for you to fit smaller attachments into the Monster series. You can choose from the following colors for the RM6:

Bright blue
Bright Green
Burnt Orange
Dark Blue
Dark Red
Gun Metal
Light Gray
Rogue Red
White
Satin Clear
Satin Black (Standard)

All of these options come in a medium gloss powder coat. Above this, you have many options to customize the top crossmembers, safeties and J Cups. The better the options you pick the higher the price. If you go for all the finest it drives the price to 2.640$. Then you have the fanciest pull-up bars, flip-down safeties and J cups that money can buy from Rogue.

How many clients should the RM6 bring you?

If you think that the RM6 will bring you 7 -9 new clients who pay you 50$ on a 1-year retainer it is worth the investment. This will yield 4.000$ - 5.400$ net new revenue against an investment of 2.000$ - 2.600$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.

Pros of the Rogue RM6

This rack gives you a full and a half rack in one go. With this, you can train more athletes at the same time. If you do not want to train multiple athletes on the same rack, you can use the half rack for storage. Another option is to install a Rhino belt squat Drop in at the back of this rack. This can be a very powerful configuration to attract powerlifters to your gym.

Cons of the Rogue RM6

A lot of people will argue that this rack is completely overbuilt. The little sisters of the Rogue line, Echo, Infinity and Monster lite bear this reputation. You can definitely save a lot of money by going with other options. It depends on your needs. For myself, I only want the best to be the best. No one in the market argues that Rogue products are built to last, only price is a concern.

Alternatives to the Rogue RM6

Based on this budget here are some alternatives you might want to consider to the RM6:

1x RM4 1.300$ to 2.000$

If you do not know exactly how you are going to use the half rack at the back of the RM6 you are better of going with an RM4. Ask yourself whether your gym already has enough storage options for plates and whether your clients will use a half rack. Often the answer is that you already have enough storage and clients do not like to use half racks. Same goes for basement and garage gyms. You can use the saved space for something else. The only disadvantage of this option is that you can not install a Rhino belt squat in the back of the rack. You can remedy this by buying a racked Rhino version at a later stage.

1. RML-690C 1.750$ - 2.350$

The RML is the Monster Lite version of the RM6. It gives you the same space and storage options with less sturdy beams. This is more than enough for most applications. If you want to save money and still have a very sturdy rack, this is the option with extra storage and a half rack at the back.

Conclusion

The RM6 is one of the most overbuilt and yet impressive racks you can get in the market. When you get this you know that you did yourself and your clients proud. Even the biggest athletes will not be able to make this rack rattle.

Titan rack

As the name suggests the Titan rack is the flagship rack in the Titan line up. The closest comparison would be the Rogue RM4 rack. If you want a massive rack, but save some money, the TITAN rack is a viable option. Here are the details for you:

Overview of the TITAN power rack

The Titan series power rack is the flagship rack from TITAN which is currently available. You will get an overbuild cage with a lot of space inside to play around with. If you are a massive athlete or just like big, star things, this is a good option for you. It also includes all of the its and bits and plate storage to get you started. A barbell and plates would have to be purchased separately to make a full set. The specifications of the TITAN power rack are:

3” x 3” 11 Gauge Tubing and bolt-together design.
Includes (2) 1” Diameter Pins w/ 1.5” Pipes for
Includes (4) Bolt-On Weight Plate Holders
Includes (4) Band Pegs.
Includes a pair (2) Sandwich J-Hooks.
numbered laser cut holes
Keyhole side spacing
1” bolts
Max height of 94” for pull-up bar.
Overall Weight: 388 LB
Overall Height: 100”
Footprint (including bolt-down plates): 53” x 55.5”
Overall Depth: 48”
Inside Depth: 42
Overall Width: 48”
Inside Width: 42”

This rack will make a fine centerpiece of your gym for years to come.

Pros of the Titan power rack

You will get a massive rack for a very competitive price. TITAN also offers a wide arrange of attachments to tend to all of your own or clients needs in the future. Once bolted down this thing does not move anywhere. Ideal for big guys lifting big things.

Cons of the TITAN power rack

As Titan seems to operate on lower margins than their competition you might find that the finish or welds of racks can be inconsistent. If you make less money per transaction you usually have to make up for it by cutting corners by buying different quality material from different suppliers on the cheap or pay your staff less. As we are talking racks here, this might not be as bad as with medication. However, if you get furious about little cosmetic blemishes or less than perfect craftsmanship, don’t buy from TITAN.

Alternatives to the TITAN power rack

Here are some alternatives to the TITAN power rack:

The X3 is basically the same model as the Titan rack with two differences. It doesn’t have numbered holes on the uprights and the keyhole design. This means that you can use fewer attachments with it which you have not necessarily bought from Rogue.

The T2 model comes in various shapes and heights and can be configured differently for your home gym to make it fit your space. The main difference to the other Titan racks is that the uprights are 2x2 instead of 2x3 or 3x3.

The T3 rack model is also very similar to the Titan rack but comes at a lower cost. It is the same as the X3 except that it has 2x3 Gauge uprights instead of 3x3.

Summary for the TITAN power rack

If you only want to buy a rack from TITAN and want the best, this is the one to go for. Also if you want to buy a lot of racks and don’t care about the finish that much, TITAN is a great option. If you are a smaller athlete and want to save money you might want to look at the other TITAN models as well, especially the X3.

Flat foot

There are flat foot variations of the rack from Rogue and Titan. Some examples are:

These racks have the advantage that they do not have to be drilled into the floor or into a floor. This is helpful when you want to place the rack against a glass front or can not do anything with the structure of your home as it is a rental.

Squat rack vs leg press

The leg press is the ultimate machine for moving the most weight on anything you ever touch. If you are a bodybuilder you probably even want one at home. The squat rack would still be the first item to get for your home or professional gym when you want to go professional for strength.