TITAN lat tower vs TITAN adjustable prone row machine

This is a comparison between the TITAN lat tower and the TITAN adjustable prone row machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Adjustable prone row machine $344

This is an overview of the TITAN Adjustable prone 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.

Overview of the TITAN Prone row machine

The TITAN adjustable prone row machine is another variation on free weight row machines that isolates your back and protects your spine at the same time. With this machine you can get onto heavy rows without having to worry too much about back as it rests safely on a bench. Think of this machine as a reverse bench press. The full specifications of this machine are:

- (5) Adjustable lifting height positions

- Barbell holder is adjustable from 16 to 22-inches tall to fit most size athletes

- Isolate and build muscle groups easily with the chest supported design

- High-quality materials used for a durable and stable design

- Face cutout for a comfortable lifting position and to keep your spine in line while working out

- Overall Height: 41-in.

- Floor Dimensions: 5 FT L x 4 FT W

- Pad Dimensions: 5 FT L x 9.75-in. W

- Barbell Holder Height: 16-in – 22-in.

- Face Cutout Dimensions: 9.5-in L x 4.5-in. W

- Weight Capacity: 650 lb.

- Product Weight: 155 lb.

This is a simple and effective machine which is surprisingly seldom to find in gyms all across the world. This machine is easy to maintain and use and protects the user from self harm.

Pros of the TITAN Prone row machine

The pros of the TITAN prone row machine are:

Simple to use
Focuses on the back
Uses free weights

This is a simple machine to use that does not need a lot of instructions. You can fully focus on your back while facing less risk to hurt yourself compared to an ordinary barbell row. You can also make use of any already existing barbells and plates to use this machine.

Cons of the TITAN Prone row machine

The cons of the TITAN prone row machine are:

One trick pony
Space requirements

Even though I am a fan of prone row machines myself they are still one trick ponys. You can not do a lot else on them except from the prone rows that they are designed. As this is a full bench with some storage for a barbell it comes in a solid T Shape and is therefore also not the best in terms of space requirements.

Alternatives to the TITAN Prone row machine

TITAN T bar row machine
TITAN Plate loaded seated row
TITAN Chest supported row machine

The TITAN T bar row machine is an alternative to the prone row machine. This machine only needs additional Olympic plates to function. It is easier to load and unload and also offers some more grip variations. The only downsides are the higher price and that your back is less protected.

The Titan plate loaded seated row is a classic machine that you will find in many gyms in countless variations. With this machine you will sit upright and row the weight attached on lever arms in front of you. This is a good machine for the general public to use as the position you row from is more comfortable. The disadvantage is that you will not be working with a barbell.

The TITAN chest supported row gives you the opportunity to row a barbell in various angles while your chest is being supported. With this you can go very heavy on barbell rows without having too worry too much about blowing your back out. This machine is slightly pricier than the prone row machine.

Conclusion for the TITAN Prone row machine

The TITAN prone row machine is a great addition to your gym to work on your back and often overlooked. While seated row is more popular as it is more convenient I personally think that the prone row will get you the better results.

Overview and review of the TITAN Lat tower $1299

This is an overview of the TITAN lat tower including pros, cons and alternatives. This article with originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.

Overview of the TITAN lat tower

The TITAN lat tower is a low budget clone of the Rogue lat pull. You can increase the weight from 10lbs to 300lbs in increments. With this machine you can train vertical and horizontal pulls to build a bigger back. It includes a seat which is great if you want to go very heavy. If you just get a pulley tower without an attached seat you need an extra bench. This makes the setup awkward, especially when you go heavy. This is a good machine for dedicated powerlifters and bodybuilders who really want to blow up your back. Any commercial gym worth their salt should have at least one of these. A home gym might consider more versatile pulleys to make better use of space. The full specifications of the TITAN lat tower are:

- Selector style weights from 10 - 300 LB.

- 6 Thigh pad and 8 footplate positions.

- Band pegs for adding resistance bands.

- High quality steel construction and powder coated for a smooth durable finish.

- Lat bar and low pull handle included.

- Floor Dimensions: 41" Wide x 57" Deep

- Overall Height: 87"

- Footplate Dimensions: 17" x 9"

- Lat Bar Width: 42"

- Lat Bar Diameter: 1"

- Low Pull Handle Width: 14"

- Low Pull Handle Diameter: 1"

- Weight: 530 LB

This is a great lat pull machine for this price. Compared to anything you will get on Amazon this thing is sturdy and can take a beast hanging from it going nuts. Compared to direct competitors for a similar machine you save $800. If you are in the market for one of these there is very little not to like about the TITAN lat tower.

Pros of the TITAN Lat tower

Pros of the TITAN lat tower are:

Price
Design
Lat bar included

As with anything from TITAN you save considerable money compared to similar products from the competition. The Rogue Lat pull down retails for $2000 and is basically the same machine with some minor differences. If you want to build a great home gym on a budget $800 can go a long way and should not be sneered at.

Even though the design is more or less copied it doesn't make it bad. With this lat tower you get a rowing machine and a lat pull machine in one. Especially for people who already own a rack and want to go heavy on developing their back, this is a great machine which covers all of these needs in a compact way.

On top of this the lat bar is included which can cost up to $200 if you source it separately and get a high quality bar.

Cons of the TITAN Lat tower

The cons of the TITAN lat tower:

Finish
Space requirements
Price

As with many TITAN fitness products, TITAN cuts some corners to offer these at half the price of the competition. This is usually reflected in the quality of their staff, manuals and consistency of the finish of their products. As most fitness equipment is not high precision formula 1 gear this is not the end of the world but can get annoying if you are not good at DIY. Compared to Rogue the weights often do not work as smooth, some of the seating positions do not click as well. Its like the difference between an Audi RS4 and a Subaru Impreza. You will get both cars to go fast around corners. The Audi will just be more comfortable and easier to handle for the non professional.

Compared to a functional trainer or rack, the TITAN lat tower takes up approximately the same amount of floor space, while giving you less versatility. If you are mainly concerned with space constraints, a lat tower is not a great choice. It is a better choice then many other machines but is inferior to a functional trainer or rack depending on your preferences in training style.

At a price point of $1299 the TITAN lat tower is still a considerable investment for a machine that is mainly geared toward accessory exercises. For less money you can get a concept 2 rower or Spin bike and make your gym more functional overall.

Alternatives to the TITAN lat tower

The plate loadable lat tower is another option from TITAN which saves you $800 if you already own plates compared to the Lat tower. If you have a home gym and already own a rack with weights and do not mind some DIY and a little more setup, the plate loadable lat tower is a great alternative to the TITAN lat tower. It will be more prone to break and have a more makeshift feel about it overall, but it keeps another $800 in your pocket to take your partner out or invest in more equipment.

The TITAN plate loadable crossover machine costs less and leaves you with more options to use two pulleys with plates. If you have the space in your gym and you do not want to go heavy on vertical pulls this is an option. I am personally not a fan of cable crossovers unless for chops for your core, but if you are not a free weight fanatic like me, this might be for you.

The wall mounted pulley tower is the ultimate budget option for vertical pulls from TITAN this comes in at under $200 to train your back and lats. It will need more DIY skills as it needs to be drilled into a sturdy wall. Avoid plaster walls with this one. It will do the job, but the cables are very exposed and easily tangled. Good for beginners, but if you already are 300lbs of fine muscle, do not get a machine that barely weighs more than your daughter and maybe even less than your partner (75lb).

The TITAN functional trainer is probably the better option if you are worried about space and do not want to go super heavy on your pulls. This machine is a fully functioning gym itself, even though some of the setups, especially for squats, can be awkward. It takes up the same amount of space as the Lat tower. If you go for the plate loadable version it even costs less than the lat tower, assuming you already have plates. Otherwise you would have to factor their purchase into the overall costs.

Conclusion for the TITAN Lat tower

The TITAN lat tower is a great option for the home gym of the dedicated Arnold or Ed Coan in wait. It is also a great option for commercial gyms that are looking for good,sturdy equipment that will take beating at a reasonable price. Anyone who needs to optimize for space should stay away from this as a functional trainer or rack would be a better option. If budget is not of concern, the Rogue lat pull will be more refined option but only if your of the mindset to only get the best in class or $800 is only spare change to you. This is a great buy for anyone who means business, has space, and still wants to protect their wallet.