TITAN hex bar vs Rogue Thor power bar [Article, Video]
This is a comparison between the Titan Hex bar and the Rogue Thor power bar. Follow the links for more details.
Rogue fitness vs TITAN fitness
Rogue Fitness is the current market leader when it comes to a functional home gym and commercial gym equipment. They have one of the widest portfolios including racks, barbells, benches, dumbbells, and apparel for the weekend warrior and dedicated athlete. The biggest downside of Rogue Fitness is their comparatively high prices to the competition.
TITAN Fitness is the clear cost leader when you want to build a home gym on a budget that is still similar to what Rogue offers in function, look, and feel. While you will save about half on the sticker price you will run a higher risk of inconsistencies in quality compared to a purchase from Rogue. The equipment will be safe but is more likely to have blemishes, quality issues with welds or that pieces will not easily fit into place. That makes TITAN a good option for a DIY enthusiast who does not mind tinkering with their equipment, but not the first choice to get the best equipment and treat yourself.
Overview & Review of the Rogue Thor power bar
This overview of the Rogue Thor bar was originally published in my comprehensive guide on which Rogue barbell to buy. If you are currently considering to buy a Rogue barbell it is worth a read to get input on the latest models. I update the guide on a yearly basis depending on Rogue's new releases.
Price: 450$
What else to consider from Rogue
Overview of the Thor bar
The diameter of this barbell is 29mm. The shaft withstands 205K of tensile strength and has no whip. The knurling is very aggressive to suit the needs of powerlifters. The loadable sleeve length is either 16.25 or 16.88 depending on which version of the Thor bar you will get. The sleeve coating is available in Cerakote or Chrome.
Pros of the Thor bar
The design is innovative and you get a strong powerlifting bar which connects you to one of the greatest strongmen of our time when you train. Especially if you own a home gym and want to give it the extra special touch, this can be a good choice. No whip is a great option for bench presses and squats. You want as little whip as possible on these two movements.
Cons of the Thor bar
As with all the new
Rogue bars you have to like the design. If you are a Brian Shaw fan or want to appeal to the masses in your gym you might be better off getting a
barbell with fewer design features on it. The
Thor power bar is also a focused bar. If you want to keep things flexible you might be better off getting the
Chan or
Ohio bar. The price tag of 450 USD might also be off-putting to some.
Conclusion
The Thor bar is a great addition to the Rogue portfolio which honors one of the great athletes of our time. If you are from Iceland or like Game of Thrones this is a good option. For the budget conscious among you you will also have the option to go for the Rogue Ohio Power bar. This is the same base, but not as nicely finished as the Thor bar.
Overview and review of the Hex trap bar
The Titan Hex trap bar will put you back about $200. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which barbell to get from TITAN”.
Overview of the hex trap bar
A
hex trap bar is a great option to introduce beginners to the deadlift or to have a multi-purpose tool to do farmers walks. Lifting the weight from inside the frame while making it less strenuous on your lower back limiting injury risk. The specifications and features of the
hex trap bar are:
Bar details
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Dual handle design
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Raised set of handles stands 7.5" from the floor for a raised starting position when lifting.
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Frame measure 49" across so you can easily rack the bar on your power rack safety system.
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Solid 48mm weight posts for maximum capacity and long term durability. Tested at 810 LB over a 24 hours period.
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Overall Length: 87.5"
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Hexagon Frame Length: 49"
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Handle Spread: 25"
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Handle Diameter: 1.25"
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Handle Length: 24.5"
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Weight Post Length: 15.75"
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Weight Post Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 60 LB
Good tool when you have lower back problems or beginners.
Pros of the Hex bar
A
hex bar lets you develop about the same muscle groups as the straight bar for the deadlift with a lesser risk of lower back injuries. It can also be used for farmers walks in Strongman classes.
Cons of the Hex bar
Hex bars are usually hard to store and intimidating to beginners. Because of their higher weight and big frame beginners usually don’t like to set them up. Apart from the farmers walks and deadlifts the applications of the
hex bar are quite limited.
Alternatives to the hex bar
The Titan Atlas bar is a great option from TITAN to save money when you buy in bulk while still providing great service to your clients. The Atlas bar is the all-around workhorse out of the TITAN portfolio.
For only about $100 more you can get a yoke. Most people who consider a hex bar already own a barbell. You might as well consider a yoke as it gives you a lot more options for only slightly more money.
If you are already looking into strongman equipment, you might want to have a look at a log bar. These are great to develop overall body strength and have been a staple of strongman competitions for years.
Summary of the hex bar
The
hex bar is a great tool to get athletes used to the deadlift or lower injury risk for people who are not into powerlifting but want to reap the benefits of the deadlift.