TITAN ATlas stone platform vs 12-inch log bar

This is a comparison between the TITAN Atlas stone platform and TITAN 12-inch log bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details

Overview and review of the TITAN 12-inch log bar

This is an overview of the TITAN 12-inch log bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details

12-inch Log bar V2 $250

Overview of the 12-inch log bar

The 12-inch log bar from TITAN is the biggest log bar you can get from them. It weighs 84 pounds and can take up to 1000 pounds for your heaviest overhead lifts. Log bars are a staple in strongman competitions and vary in weight. Sometimes they are done for repetitions, other times for maximum weight. The neutral grip handles make the log bars a lot more forgiving on the wrists and arms than regular barbells for heavy overhead presses. The log bar is usually lifted from the ground and brought to the mid section of the body to then bring it overhead. A great tool to develop strength and try out something new, but a big boy toy. The full specifications of the TITAN 12 inch log bar run as followed:

- Rackable on most standard power racks

- A staple for Strongman training and competitions

- Durable steel construction with laser-cut Titan logo

- Neutral knurled handgrips at 26-in on center

- Fully welded seams and end caps

- 14-in loadable sleeves which fit Olympic plates

- Available in 10 and 12-inch models

- Grip Diameter: 1.65-in.

- Handle Length: 11.3-in

- Handle Spacing: 23.6-in.

- Sleeve Diameter: 50mm.

- Overall Length: 80.3-in.

- Loadable Sleeve Length: 14-in.

- Sleeve to Sleeve Length: 50.6-in.

- Knurling: Medium

- Weight Capacity: 1,000 lb.

- Product Weight: 84 lb.

This is a good budget option from TITAN for your strongman training at home or in the gym.

Pros of the 12-inch log bar

The pros of the TITAN 12-inch log bar:

Competition measurements
Cost efficient design
Neutral handles with space
Compatible with standard plates

This is the type of log which dimensions would be the same in a proper strongman competition The only difference would be that this one is metal and not wood. This makes the TITAN 12 inch log bar more cost efficient and weigh a little less by itself compared to wood. That makes it more approachable for beginners. The chambers for the grips are generous in size and you will have no contact with the outer edges of it. This can sometimes be a problem on poorly designed log bars, especially for big athletes who then have trouble getting their hands and arms to the grips. You will also not need to worry about whether your standard plates will fit this log.

Cons of the 12-inch log bar

The cons of the 12-inch TITAN log bar are:

Big boy toy
Not wood
A little too long

This is a big boy toy and therefore not necessarily suitable for most commercial gyms. To really have fun with a log bar you should already know a little bit about lifting and not be scrawny yourself. This is not a beginners training tool so look somewhere else if you are only starting out on your strength journey.

The more experienced athletes will get a great log bar for a good price, but it will not fully simulate what happens in competition. Many competitions will get an actual wooden log bar as it is a better showpiece for spectators. So if you are training for serious competitions, you might as well invest the little extra money to get a heavier wooden log that also has a bit of a different feel about it.

TITAN has not normed this to average barbell length. If your gym is already tight, be aware that the log will protrude considerably more from the rack than your barbells do.

Alternatives to the 12-inch log bar

The 10 inch log bar from TITAN is the little brother of the 12" log bar. This size is usually used in female strongman competitions, but can also be a bit more approachable for the masses in a commercial gym to get them interested in strongman training. It also comes at a slightly lower price of $230, although I think that the size differences matter more for this comparison than the prices.

The TITAN Multi grip log bar offers you two different grip widths while giving up some of the weight compared to the 12 inch log bar which makes it a bit cheaper. If you want some more variety in your log presses you can opt for this model from TITAN.

Rogue delivers their log bars in (2, 10" and 12" at prices of $345, $465, and $595. Their logs are considerably higher in cost. The log bars usually involve more manual labor and welding in production and Rogue is known for better quality welds than TITAN. Usually these differences are more cosmetic than functional in nature, but be aware that you tend to pay more for better craftsmanship at Rogue for the welding and that log bars, not like barbells, need more of this kind of work.

The slater log is the real deal when it comes to log bars. If you want to purchase a ready made wooden log bar you can get your hands in three different versions from Slater costing $449, $549, and $695. These log bars weigh more for the same diameter and come closer to what you will handle in competition.

Conclusion for the 12-inch log bar

The 12.inch log bar from TITAN is a solid budget option for anyone who is considering a log bar for their gym. Be aware that a 12" log bar is massive and that most normal humans would be better of getting a 10" or even 8" log to not overwhelm themselves. Still, if you are goliath yourself, knock yourself out with a 12-inch. Maybe get a pizza of that size first and see what you get yourself into. Chances are if you can not eat a 12" pizza by yourself, you should not get the corresponding log bar.

Overview and review of the TITAN Atlas Stone platform

This is an overview of the TITAN Atlas Stone platform including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details

Atlas stone platform $315

Overview of the Atlas Stone platform

The Atlas Stone platform from TITAN has been designed to go well with the 20" plate loadable Atlas stone from TITAN. This is a sturdy design using 2x2 tube steel at 42".It can take up to 400 pounds of weight for your heaviest of workouts. This is a professional tool for strongman who repeatedly lift heavy stones to a platform. The full specifications are:

- Heavy duty 2" x 2" steel construction for a solid, long lasting design.

- 1" Lip around edges keep your stone from rolling off the platform.

- 3/8" Rubber mat for a smooth transition and to keep the noise level at a minimum.

- 8" Center hole diameter to easily hold most size stones, slam balls, or medicine balls.

- 425 Pound weight capacity to stand up to the heaviest of lifts.

- Platform Dimensions: 25" x 25"

- Platform Height: 42"

- Hole Diameter: 8"

- Weight Capacity: 425 LB

- Weight: 125 LB

This is the proper platform for maximum weight attempts with an Atlas stone to a platform.

Pros of the Atlas Stone platform

The pros of the Atlas stone platform are:

Sturdy
Specifically designed to prevent the Stone from rolling off
Hole in the middle where the stone can rest

This platform has been designed with heavy stones in mind. Everything about it has been put together to minimize the injury risk from a stone that goes out of control when banged on the platform. This platform is unlikely to warp, break or bend even if you put a heavy stone on it and will also prevent it from rolling off the edges. If you are a serious strongman who wants the platform to lift on to be metal, this is a good purchase.

Cons of the Atlas Stone platform

The cons of the Atlas Stone platform are:

Price
Not adjustable
Single use
Can not be collapsed

This is a fairly heavy and cumbersome piece of equipment which only does one very specific thing. It almost costs as much as a yoke, which can also be used as a stone to platform simulator by using the yoke beam. I personally think that an oversight in the design from TITAN is that you can not adjust this platform for different heights. I do not know how that would work from an integrity perspective, but when I look at the safeties on the TITAN Yoke, I can imagine that you could build a Adjustable Atlas stone platform by using the T-3 uprights and the thick safety pins. This platform can also not be collapsed when not used and most people do not do Atlas lifts every single day, but more like once a week.

Alternatives to the Atlas Stone platform

Pylo boxes
Foam cubes
Self made boxes
Yoke

Pylo boxes are an alternative to a bespoke Atlas Stone platform. Especially if you already have some and you are only working with light Atlas stones.If you fancy you might even put the stone on it, draw a circle with a pencil and saw a whole into the top. This is not ideal, and also stay away from using any stones that weigh more than 100kg with a pylo box. They are often made of press wood and I would not trust it with a massive stone.

Foam cubes are a great low budget option to do stone lifts onto. They usually have a bigger surface than pylo boxes, want splinter if you load them heavy and can also be adjusted easily in height. TITAN sells a full omdular set of different heights for $500. If you do not have one yet and consider getting into Atlas stone lifting, this is the better option as you can also use these foam boxes for other things than Atlas stones.

If you go to your local carpenter and offer him $300 for making you a set of six platforms you might get lucky. Especially if when you are not in a rush and allow him to use some of the leftover cuts for the platforms. If you like a DIY job yourself you might even get wood for $300 or less and try yourself at platforms. If you make them of wood try to get some extra beams inside the box to stabilize which the standard pylo boxes do not have. Only recommended if you know what you are doing and disclaimer, you can not sue me if that thing is not secure as I warned you.

Another options is to add about $100 to your budget and get a Yoke instead of the platform. This Yoke can be collapsed and also be used for many other things than lifting Atlas stones. It will not be exactly the same as lifting to a platform, but it will get very close when you lift a heavy stone over the beam. Just make sure to weigh the Yoke down with some plates when you do this so it does not shift when the stone touches the beam.

Conclusion for the Atlas stone platform

If you have the money and intend to lift very heavy stones,this is the right equipment to get. Apart from that, I personally think that for the same or similar budget you can get more modular options which are slightly less safe as they do not have a lip running around to prevent the stone from rolling off. The foam boxes will quickly have a little indenture for the stone to roll into after a few sessions. Choice is yours.