TITAN cable crossover machine vs TITAN bicep/tricep curl machine

This is a comparison between the TITAN cable crossover machine and the TITAN bicep/tricep curl machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine $329

This is an overview of the TITAN bicep /tricep curl 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 bicep / tricep curl machine

The TITAN bicep / tricep machine is a classic machine you will find in most gyms all over the country. The swing arm can be adjusted so that you either pull the weight up or push it away while having your arms on a preacher curl bench. There is also an adjustable seat included and the machine is plate loaded. A curl machine works to build bigger biceps and triceps. It might eat up too much space in some gyms, as these exercises can also be done with dumbbells. The full specifications of this machine are:

- Bicep curls and Tricep extensions in one machine

- Olympic style plate loadable

- High-quality vinyl padding to minimize discomfort

- Heavy-duty steel frame construction

- Intuitive adjustable pin design

- Bolt-together assembly is fast and easy

- Overall Height: 39-in.

- Overall Width: 33-in.

- Overall Length: 44.25-in.

- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9.75-in

- Handle Grip Length: 8.5-in. (each)

- Overall Handle Length: 22.75-in.

- Adjustable Seat Height: 16-in - 21-in

This is a great machine for a good price to build your arms. It can be used in a commercial setting and home gym alike as it does not eat up too much space.

Pros of the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine

The pros of the TITAN bicep / tricep machine are:

Isolated movement
Plate loaded
Easy to use

The TITAN bicep / tricep machine is great to isolate the bicep and tricep. Compared to dumbbell movements there is a smaller likelihood of you activating other muscle groups than the arm muscles to complete your repetitions. This makes this machine great for sets with as many repetitions as possible on a lighter weight to really feel the burn.

The plate loaded design saves cost in home gyms or gyms that mainly offer plate loaded machines. This way you do not pay the weight stack in each machine and can work with the plates you already have.

The mechanics of this bicep / tricep curl machine are easy to use and robust. There are only a few moving parts which makes it easy to assemble and adjust.

Cons of the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine

The cons of the bicep / tricep curl machine are:

Space requirements
One trick pony
Plate loaded

While this is a small machine it still takes up some footprint in your gym. If you have very little space and can only fit a squat rack in your room, this is not an option and can be replaced with dumbbells.

While the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine is great at what it does, it still only does this one thing. There are other machines from TITAN that give you more variety with their two in one design.

While a plate loaded machine is great when you are the only one using your gym it can be tricky in a crowded public scenario. Loading plates and transporting them takes more time and also can lead to multiple tripping hazards. In such scenarios a machine with an integrated weight stack is the better option.

Alternatives to the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine

TITAN Preacher curl station
TITAN dumbbells

The TITAN preacher curl station does the same as the bicep / tricep curl machine. You will need to get an EZ bar in addition to get the most out of this. If you are into a training station for your arms it is a par between the preacher curl station and the bicep / tricep curl machine in terms of cost, space and footprint (if you factor in the bar). Here you have to decide whether you prefer a free weight or machine type of style of training.

TITAN dumbbells are a lot more versatile than the bicep / tricep curl stations and also come at alter price point. If you want to do your curls while seated you have to factor in the price of a bench.

Conclusion for the TITAN bicep / tricep curl machine

This is a great machine and any gym that has the space should get the bicep / tricep curl machine or a preacher curl station. If you do not have the space you can do the exercises with dumbbells I stead while standing or kneeling in front of your bench.

Overview and review of the TITAN cable crossover machine $459

This is an overview of the TITAN cable crossover 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 Cable Crossover machine

The TITAN cable crossover machine is a take on a classic which you will find in most gyms. Usually this is part of a machine with weight stacks and an included pull up bar. This machine is great for cable pulls and chopping movements to strengthen your core and back. You can even use it for chest presses and other pressing exercises, given that you have a bench. The full specifications of this machine are:

- Fits and stores easily in your garage.

- Unit fits in rooms with an 8 ft ceiling.

- High-quality pulleys and cables used.

- 4 Weight plate holders measuring 9.75-in each.

- Includes 2 premium cable handles.

- Footprint: 113-in W x 36-in D.

- Overall Height: 83.5-in.

- Clearance Height: 80.5-in.

- Weight Holder Length: 9.75-in.

- Weight: 110 lb.

This is machine that covers most of your pulley needs in one go if you can fit it into your gym. In my opinion it is still a makeshift and cheap solution to cover this need. If you can afford it, try to go with something more substantial like the TITAN functional trainer or the TITAN lat tower depending on the space you have at your command.

Pros of the TITAN Cable Crossover

The pros of the TITAN cable crossover machine are:

Price
Plate loaded

This machine is all about getting a pulley system into your gym for a minimal amount of money. Everything about this has been optimized to achieve a low price, while still providing an industrial grate machine. If you want pulleys for your home and do not want to spend a fortune, this is the one to get.

Cons of the TITAN Cable crossover

Cons of the TITAN Cable crossover:

No Pull up bar
Low own weight
Makeshift solution

Most of the Cable crossovers you will find in the industry will come with a pull up bar in the middle. That TITAN to choose to ship this one without a pull up bar already shows you how confident they are that this machine will stand by itself. If you are looking to get a fully functioning home gym for the lowest possible price, try to get a cable crossover machine that includes a pull up bar. If you look for it on Amazon, take a close look into how to anchor it to the ground and how much it weighs.

This stations has a low weight without plates and the construction is done in a way that it does not stand that well by itself. Be careful and do not climb on this, especially when there are no weights attached. It might fall over.

As with all complex assemblies from TITAN this pulley system makes no exception. The instructions are hard to follow and faulty and the end result does the job, but not very well. This whole station has a bit of a makeshift feeling about it, but you can also not complain a lot for less than $500 for such a big machine.

Alternatives to the TITAN Cable crossover

The TITAN lat tower is a clone of the Rogue lat pull machine. If you want to mainly use your cable crossover full vertical and horizontal pulls than this machine delivers it all. A seat, weight stack, beefy installation and proper pulley system. If you have the money and space beside a rack, this is a great option from TITAN to save money compared to the competition.

The TITAN wall mounted pulley tower is another option from TITAN for the low budget brigade. I would recommend this over the cable crossover if you are allowed to drill into the walls of your gym. It costs less, is safer as it is mounted to the wall and you can still use it in a very similar way. The money you save you can invest in a proper pull up station, as this also does not come with this cable crossover.

Conclusion to the TITAN Cable Crossover

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of cable crossovers in general and the TITAN does a poor job of being one on top of it. For the low budget you still get an OK machine, but as it most likely to be used in a home gym you can also go for something smaller and really bolt it down. This saves you space and money, and is more secure. If you love cable work, go for the plate loaded functional trainer or the mounted pulley tower instead.