TITAN belt squat machine vs TITAN T bar row machine
This is a comparison between the TITAN belt squat machine and the TITAN T bar row machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN T bar row machine $489
This is an overview of the TITAN T bar row 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.
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Overview of the TITAN T bar row machine
The
TITAN T bar row machine is their take on a classic in every gym. Most movie montages with bodybuilders will include some type of the
t bar row and with good reason. The
T bar row is a staple in building bigger backs and putting on mass. With a dedicated station for
T bar rows you save time for the setup and can go heavier. This station takes up considerable space and therefore might be not the best option for a home gym. In my opinion a commercial gym that wants to provide strength to their clients absolutely needs one of these. The full specifications of the
TITAN T bar row machine are:
- Dual diamond plated footplates for grip
- Vertical and horizontal grip handles with a durable rubber grip
- Adjustable handle height
- Includes holes for bolting the machine to the floor
- Olympic sized weight plate holders
- Tough, solid steel construction is long-lasting and dependable
- Powder-coated paint job prevents rust and early scuffing
- Overall Height: 22.5-in.
- Overall Length: 39.5-in.
- Overall Width: 85-in.
- Footplate Dimensions: 15.75-in x 8.65-in.
- Grip Handle Diameter: 25 mm.
- Weight Sleeve Length: 12.7-in.
- Knurling: Medium Diamond Texture
- Finish: Powder-Coated Black
- Material: 2-in x 2-in 11-GA Steel
- Weight Capacity: 440 lb.
- Product Weight: 150 lb.
This is a great addition to any commercial gym that has the space.
Pros of the TITAN T bar row machine
One of the main advantages of buying from TITAN fitness is that they undercut their competition on most of their products by half. The
T bar row is no exception in this. As a
T bar row station is no rocket science to build, you should try to save some money on it. Where I would lean towards spending a little more are
belt squat machines,
barbells, and
functional trainers. These take a little more care and engineering to build well.
The frame of the
T Bar row is heavy and can take big weights and athletes. If you have people rowing multiple
plates on a regular basis,this is the machine to get.
A big advantage of
T bar rows is that you can load them very heavy fairly easy. With a
barbell you always need to load on both ends, while with a
T bar row you can just keep adding at the front. With the station it also means that the pin rests in a place where you can immediately add
plates without the need to jack up a
barbell.
Compared to
barbell rows
t bar rows also behave a little differently as the weight moves inside the athlete's frame rather than outside of it. It is a minor thing, but it can be nice to break the routine and row on a
t bar, rather than with a
barbell.
Cons of the TITAN T bar row machine
The main point against a T-Bar row machine is that it eats up a lot of space to only do one thing.
Barbell rows can pretty much do the same thing and also leave more room for variations. This makes the
T Bar row a bad choice for home gyms that need to save space. Here a landmine combined with a
barbell handle for
t bar rows comes in handy.
The price of a
T bar row machine is hard to justify, if you already have
plates and a
barbell. With this equipment you can build your back and row the heck out of your body to get bigger already.
Alternatives for the TITAN T bar row machine
The
TITAN chest supported adjustable row bench is a very specific machine that minimizes the activation of the entire body in the row to focus on the back only. This is popular with powerlifters and strongmen, but not necesserily the best machine to get for the average commercial gym. It also puts your body at a 45 degree angle to make the exercise more stable and challenging.
The
TITAN Adjustable prone row machine is a variation on the
barbell row which allows full extension of the arms when rowing while lying flat. This is also a good exercise for building your back which is popular among powerlifters and bodybuilders. Therefore this machine is more geared towards the "hardcore" gyms rather than the more mainstream ones. In a home gym setting you might give up too much space for a machine that can only do one thing.
The
plate loaded seated row is a classic you find in many gyms up and down the country. If you have a spacious home gym this is an option as it takes up little space compared to other machines. For a commercial setting i think one of these is a must. In very frequented commercial gyms you might want to consider a version with its own weight stack rather than a
plate loaded one to save time for your customers.
The Rogue T bar machine is the direct competitor of the
TITAN T bar row. The price difference between the TITAN and Rogue version is $200. If you only want to do T bar rows, get the TITAN version and save yourself $200. The main difference in design is that the Rogue version also allows for band pegs to be used so you can do banded rows. If you are big into the west side method in your gym, get the Rogue one instead, as attaching bands to the TITAN version is awkward at best. Remember to add the band pegs to your order with Rogue as there are none included on the T bar row order (on
rack orders this happens automatically).
If you want to
T bar row in your home gym, try to get the cheapest landmine attachment for your
rack and a handle for your
barbell. Also keep the handle relatively small so that it is easy to store. Otherwise it will just be in the way most of the times. For a homegym that only fits a
rack, this is the best option to do
T bar rows. In a home gym you also do not have to worry that you will wreck the equipment for setting it up for the
T bar row.
Conclusion for the TITAN T bar row machine
The
TITAN T bar row machine is a great option for any commercial gym to save cost and still provide a proper
t bar row to their clients, I personally think a
T bar row machine is a requirement for a commercial gym that has the necessary floor space. Get rid of one of the many bench stations most of the big gyms have and install a
T bar row instead. The general gym rat population should do more rows anyway. In a home gym scenario the
T bar row is a massive one trick pony that eats into your space. Attach a landmine to your
rack instead and get a handle while minimizing cost on thise. If you are not careful you might shell out up to $500 on these two items in total so try to keep it cheap, unless money is not an issue for you.
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.