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TITAN cable crossover machine vs TITAN plate loaded seated row

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Dec 22, 2020 5:00:00 PM

TITAN cable crossover machine vs TITAN plate loaded seated row

This is a comparison between the TITAN cable crossover machine and the TITAN plate loaded seated row including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 
 

Overview and review of the TITAN plate loaded seated row $314 

This is an overview of the TITAN plate loaded seated row 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 plate loaded seated row

 
The TITAN plate loaded seated row is another classic machine you will find in most gyms around the country. The plate loaded design makes it a good choice for anyone with a spacious home gym who wants to save money. This is a solid, easy to use machine where you can not do a lot wrong. The full specifications of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
- Two different grip styles to target muscle groups
- Adjustable seat, chest pad, and distance between grips
- Olympic sized weight plate holders
- Tough, solid steel construction is long-lasting and dependable
- Powder-coated paint job prevents rust and early scuffing
- One-year warranty provided for every machine
 
- Overall Length: 63”
- Overall Width: 44”
- Vertical Handle Adjustable Width: 9 1/2” - 17 1/2”
- Horizontal Handle Adjustable Width: 15” - 23”
- Adjustable Seat Height: 17” - 22 1/2”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 3/4”
 
If you have the space there is not a lot you can do wrong with this to train your back.
 

Pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
  • Easy to use
  • Low price
  • Plate loaded
  • Secure
 
This is a machine that is very easy in its construction and use. There is not a lot that can break and you will also have no problems using it right away. This makes this a popular choice for commercial gyms as it is comfortable, effective and does not need a lot of instructions.
 
Compared to the competition the TITAN plate loaded seated row cones in a my ale price. TITAN achieves this by cutting some corners on services and instructions. For a so one machine like this that does not weigh in as much and you can therefore fully enjoy the savings which TITAN fitness brings to you.
 
The TITAN seated row is plate loaded which means that you save money on buying the machine without a weight stack. Especially for home gym owners who want to go beyond a rack and some free weights this is a great option to save cost compared to other industrial machines.
 
Compared to any version of barbell rows the seated TITAN row is more secure as your back and spine rest against a lad and you are seated. Barbell rows expose you to more risk to pull a muscle or hurt your skeleton when you go heavy.
 

Cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
  • Space requirements
  • Plate loaded
  • Lower back activation
 
You will need extra space in your gym for a TITAN plate loaded seated row. As it is a one trick pony and the exercises it provides can be done with dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells this might not be the best use of space when you do not have a lot to go around.
 
While a plate loaded machine is great when everyone knows what they are doing or when you are the only one using the gym it can become a problem in a crowded area. Having to plate load all the machines in a gym can lead to conflict and trip hazards. If your gym is crowded or crammed multiple times a week try to stick with machines which have the weight stacks included. This makes the gym safer, less cluttered and you will have fewer complaints from staff that the plates are not put away properly.
 
While the plate loaded seated row is safer and easier to use than a barbell row you will get less back activation compared to free weights. If your aim is to build a big string back for sports or powerlifting you are usually better off with sticking with the free weights.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
 
The TITAN Atlas bar costs less than this machine and has more applications. If you have no plates for either of these machines to make it work you can also consider just getting a barbell and plates and start your gym this way. Also has the advantage that a barbell can be stored in the corner of a room when you are done with your routine.
 
The TITAN T bar row is a good alternative for a commercial gym to the seated back row. It takes up more space, but is easier to load. In this machine you will have to stand to row so it is closer to the experience of a barbell row. In a home gym the seated row might be the better option as it takes up less space.
 
The Titan chest supported adjustable row is a great option for anyone who rows very heavy weights with a barbell and wants to feel more secure. While the application is very niche it will work wonders for anyone who fits this description.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The TITAN plate loaded seated row is a low price option on a seated row which is ideal for the spacious home gym. In commercial gyms you might want to lean more towards a vendor with better warranty and Included weight stacks.
 
 
 

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.

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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.