TITAN belt squat machine vs TITAN Glute and hamstring developer
This is a comparison between the TITAN belt squat machine and the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN Glute and Hamstring developer $414
This is an overview of the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer 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 of the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer
The
TITAN Glute and hamstring developer is a clone of the similar product from Rogue, but for about half the price. A
glute and hamstring developer helps with attacking the lower back and hamstring in a way that is only hard to do with usual machines and free weights. On this the TITAN GHD delivers with minor subtractions for product quality. The full specifications of the TITAN GHD are:
- Wide adjustment range
- Extra large pads for comfort
- Heavy-Duty steel construction
- Wide base to eliminate tipping
- Includes wheels for mobility or storage
- Height: 41-in.
- Width: 45.5-in.
- Length: 70-in.
- Weight Capacity: 350 lb.
- Product Weight: 190 lb.
- Packaging: 2 boxes
This is a good addition for a home gym with extra space or a commercial gym for athletes and strength focused clients. Be preapred that this machine will need some instructions to be used properly, if you put it in a public space as it is not as straightforward to use as other machines you will find in commercial gym.
Pros of the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer
The pros of the TITAN GHD are:
This machine does what it says on the tin for half the price. It is build like a tank and if you are the only one using it you also do not have to worry about the minor design flaws this machine has compared to the Rogue GHD. If you want to save money for your home gym and at the same time train the heck out of your posterior chain than this is the weapon of choice.
Cons of the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer
One big point against the TITAN GHD is the space requirement. In addition to the big footprint you also have to factor in that you will be hanging out of the construction to do the exercise. This makes it an unusable solution in many small spaces which barely fit a
rack.
TITAN did not fully think through how to adjust this machine for multiple users. In a home gym scenario this is irrelevant and you can just take the savings made compared to the Rogue GHD. If you run a commercial gym and expect the machine to be adjusted often for several users, than you might want to go for their machine as the mechanics work easier.
TITAN also has machines in their portofolio which are a GHD and reverse hyper in one. If you want to save money and space I would encourage you to look into these options before making your final purchase decision. Especially if you have limited space.
Alternatives to the TITAN Glute and hamstring developer
The
TITAN H-PND was the first go from TITAN at a reverse hyper. This machine is heavily overbuilt and therefore great for very big individuals who have the space for a dedicated Reverse hyper machine. If you have multiple athletes that want to move tons of weights on a reverse hyper this is the one for you.
The
TITAN Economy H-PND is a budget optimized version of the Original reverse Hyper from TITAN. To put a lower price tag on it it has been shrunk on most aspects. It has a smaller pad and the steel it is built of is thinner. It is still a massive machine that can be used by most average joes. If your gym is swarmed by individuals the size of MIke O Hearn, Stan Efferding, and Brian Shaw, you might want to go for the
H-PND instead.
Conclusion for the TITAN Glute and Hamstring developer
Overview and review of the TITAN belt squat machine $599
This is an overview of the TITAN belt squat machine including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.
Overview of the TITAN Belt squat machine
The
TITAN belt squat machine is simple in its design and effective. You will get a metal frame that you can hook
plates and a belt up to to squat away. No fuss, just simple execution.
Belt squat machines are a great option for anyone who wants to build strong legs without risking a lower back or shoulder injury. High workloads on heavy
barbell squats can lead to pain in the shoulders and lower back as you have to carry the weight. With a
belt squat machine you do not have this problem and can train the glutes to failure before your lower back or shoulders fail you. All of this is delivered at a great price compared to other machines in the market which do the same. The full list of features includes:
- Build lower body explosion without stress on your shoulders, spine, and lower back
- (3) weight stopper positions to adjust how deep you squat
- (4) additional weight posts for storage and to counterbalance increasing stability for heavy lifts
- Diamond plated aluminum footplate for superb grip and sleek look
- Heavy-duty steel construction to handle anything you can throw at it
- Includes a weight belt for further back support
- Floor Space Required: 7 FT 6-in Wide x 5 FT Deep
- Overall Width: 83-in.
- Overall Depth: 52-in.
- Overall Height: 38.5-in.
- Footplate Dimensions: 49-in x 24-in.
- Weight Post Length: 16.5-in.
- Storage Weight Post Length: 9.75-in.
- Weight Post Diameter: 1.9-in.
- Inside Lifting Width: 42-in.
- Weight Capacity: 1,000 lb.
- Product Weight: 232 lb.
Pros of the TITAN Belt squat machine
-
Price
-
Simple design
-
High load capacity
As with all TITAN products the price of the
TITAN belt squat is very attractive compared to the competition. Comparable products are usually closer to $1000 or even beyond.
The simple design with a metal stop that is adjustable in height makes this a sturdy machine that anyone can use. No complex pulleys or climbing on a high platform. Load the
plates, click in the belt and put it on and off you go. Big legs in no time.
This machine scales up to 1.000 pounds which is more than enough for most athletes to get to where they want to go.
Cons of the TITAN Belt squat machine
-
Space requirements
-
Weight placement
The
TITAN belt squat is quite wide and also adds on with the
plate storage in the back. You can not fit this machine into a
rack and save some space. It needs a dedicated space and therefore might not be a great option for home gyms.
With this model the weight is around you rather than beneath or in front of you. This creates an effect similar to a trap
bar which is not simulating the real world of a
barbell squat or sumo deadlift to the same extent. This can be fixed by adding extra weight but has a different feel about it than the
rhino from Rogue.
Alternatives to the TITAN belt squat machine
The
TITAN belt squat machine is not the first item you should get for your home gym. It is an accessory and tread it as such. If you do not have a
rack and
barbell yet, start there and build your gym around this center piece. With the X3 range you can start around $200 to $300 for a
rack and add a
barbell and some small
plates to your shopping cart.
Another alternative is the
TITAN hack squat and leg press machine. This machine provides a two in and one and can be loaded with a considerable amount of weight. Generally speaking I would recommend the
belt squat more to powerlifters and weightlifters, while the
leg press might be a better option for bodybuilders. Of course, all of the above is always the best option for building the perfect physique, but you might not have the money or space to pull that off.
The
TITAN smith machine can be a good option if you desperately want to do lunges in a machine. I personally think that
smith machines are a waste of space, money and time but most commercial gyms have one so yu might want to get one just to compete.
The
Rogue Rhino is the current gold standard in the industry for belt squats. This machine can be fitted into the space of a
rack and works with one of the best pulley systems in the business. If you intend to do a lot of belt squats and only want to offer the best experience, this is the one to get. The main differecne to the TITAN model is that the load is not positioned around you, but in front of you. This minimizes the support the metal frame gives you for the lift and simulates
barbell work closer than the
TITAN belt squat. Both will blow up your legs without wrecking your lower back as much as a
barbell though. The gold standard also comes at a gold price of $1.750.
The last machine you might want to consider when you are looking at a belt squat is the Rogue leg press machine. This is probably the biggest machine I have seen in a gym and it costs around $4000. In return you get the mechanics to operate your legs separately and one of the smoothest finishes I have seen on a leg press.
Conclusion for the TITAN belt squat machine
The
TITAN belt squat machine is not sophisticated, but gets the job done. If you want a
belt squat for your home gym and have the space, get one. I think this is especially a better idea than a deadlift platform. With a bit of practive you can do your deadlifts on your
rack. Wherever you would have placed your deadlift platform you can put the
belt squat instead.