TITAN Atlas Stone platform vs TITAN Circus dumbbells
This is a comparison between the TITAN Atlas stone platform and TITAN Circus dumbbells 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 Circus dumbbells
This is an overview of the TITAN Circus dumbbell including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details.
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Circus dumbbell $150-$180
Overview of the TITAN Circus dumbbell
The
circus dumbbell is a classic strongman event where you lift a cumbersome dumbbell from the floor to your shoulder. For this purpose TITAN offers four different
Circus dumbbells in diameters of 10"-12" and empty weights ranging from 67 Lbs. to 94lbs. TITAN does not recommend dropping these from overhead on the floor, so you might also want to invest in some crash mats for a full setup. These dumbbells are big and cumbersome, as they should be, and provide you with the necessary equipment for this event. The full specifications are:
10" 2" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 10” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 77 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 10”
- Handle Diameter: 2”
10" 2.5" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 10” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2.5” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 78 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 10”
- Handle Diameter: 2.5”
12" 3" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 12” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 3” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 94 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 12”
- Handle Diameter: 3”
12" 2.5" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 12” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2.5” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 67 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 12”
- Handle Diameter: 2.5”
With these bis dumbbells you can train and get better to move cumbersome weights which is one of the main requirements in strongman competitions. It is also a rather cheap option for a loadable dumbbell compared to other models which come in around $300 to $600.
Pros of the TITAN Circus Dumbbell
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Low price
-
Fits the requirement
-
Loadable
This is one of the cheapest possible ways you can get into the strongman sport.
Circus dumbbells are in my opinion a bit easier to get overhead than axle barbells and also provide a different experience from anything else you usually move around in the gym. Especially if you have been looking for a loadable dumbbell for a while, this might be a cheaper option compared to a full adjustable dumbbell system and a bit more fun. Compared to
Atlas stones they are a lot less hassle to get ready.
Cons of the TITAN Circus dumbbell
The main point against these dumbbells is that they warp quite easily when dropped from overhead. Original
circus dumbbells are usually solid an round at the end. Therefore they are not adjustable, but virtually indestructible. That you have to take a little more care with these
circus dumbbells is a bit counter intuitive. All you want to do when this beast is overhead is to drop it, not gently put it back down to avoid damage. Be prepared to get a thick gym mat together with your purchase for lasting fun.
Another disadvantage is that you will most likely not be able to fit these dumbbells on any
rack you already have. If your gym is very spacious that is not a huge problem. If you crammed your gym into your home, every inch counts and these dumbbells do not help your space management if you already have plates,
kettlebells and some bands lying on the floor.
The last thing is that if you want to go heavy, you might need some specialist plates. With heavy I mean strongman heavy around 100kg and more. For mere mortals the weight of the
Circus dumbbell itself might already be enough to work with.
Alternatives to the TITAN Circus dumbbell
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TITAN Loadable dumbbell
-
Rogue Loadable dumbbell
TITAN Provides loadable dumbbells which range from 15" to 36" in length and $45 to $75 in price per piece. As they do not have an outer rim like the
circus dumbbells you can use most of your plates with these. The lifting experience is more convenient and close to what you are used to with normal dumbbells. If you put big plates on them they feel a little more like
circus dumbbells depending on your preference. They are also easier to store.
Rogue also provides loadable dumbbells on 10" and 15" length which cost around $135 a piece. These loadable dumbbells are shortened versions of the classic Rogue Ohio barbell and feel more than a shortened barbell rather than just a loadable dumbbell. Rogue also provides special bumpers that have been made for the loadable dumbbells. If you want to save space in your gym while still having a full dumbbell rack, this is a very space efficient, yet pricey way of getting there. They also look really stylish.
Conclusion for the TITAN Circus Dumbbell
The
TITAN Circus dumbbell are a cheap entry point to strongman overhead lifts. Especially if you already have the space and mats available they can be a fun addition to your regimen. If you are a serious contender for strongman competitions who weighs more than 100kg or even 140kg than you might go for the solid core
circus dumbbells instead. These are more expensive and less suited for the mass market, but simulate the real life event closer. For smaller athletes or every day training to spice things up they are still a good alternative to most loadable dumbbells you can get, if you have the space and some protection for the floor.
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:
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
-
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 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.