TITAN lat tower vs TITAN chest supported T bar row machine
This is a comparison between the TITAN lat tower and the TITAN chest supported t bar row machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN chest supported T bar row machine $249
This is an overview of the TITAN chest supported 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 chest supported bar to row machine
The chest supported to bar row machine from TITAN is the low budget version of the T bar row from TITAN. You will get a T bar row as you can find in many gyms around the country for a consumer price. This chest supported T bar row has multiple handles to vary your workout and attack your back from multiple angles. Loading plates is easier as with a barbell as you can go directly from the front. The downsides of this machine are that it eats massively into your home gym space and the finish is not great. The full specifications of this machine are:
- Adjustable footplate and handle.
- Diamond plated footplate for grip.
- Fits Olympic Weights.
- High quality vinyl chest pad.
- Heavy gauge steel.
- Overall Footprint: 84-in x 43-in.
- Chest Pad: 20-in x 10-in.
- Footplate: 23.5-in x 17.5-in.
- Weight Sleeve Length: 13.5-in.
- Vertical Grip Length: 9-in.
- Vertical Grip Spread: 17.5-in.
- Horizontal Grip Length: 5.5-in.
- Horizontal Grip Spread: 20-in - 31-in.
- Product Weight: 103 lb.
You probably wont find a new T bar row machine for a lower price that still has a warranty. If you have the space at home or just want to throw an additional t bar row into your commercial gym you found the right address with this.
Pros of the TITAN chest supported bar T row machine
The pros of the TITAN chest supported T bar row machine are:
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Low price
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Multiple handles
This is a great machine for a home gym or a commercial gym to add to an already existing setup for a low price to vary the training more. T bar rows are great to build a bigger and more defined back or just go berserk after a challenging workout to finish off the day. This machine delivers without robbing you of a half months wage in the process.
Cons of the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
The cons of the TITAN chest supported T Bar row machine are:
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Space requirements
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Low weight
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TITAN finish
The biggest con of this machine is that it eats up a lot of space. As it is build with relatively flimsy material to save cost it is more suited to home gym use. For that you have to give up quite a bit of space to make this one work where you could place a leg press or belt squat machine. Those are two options I personally prefer any day over a T bar row as barbell rows also do it for me.
The low weight of the chest supported T bar row machine is also something to note. If you can T bar row 500 pounds and weigh 300 pounds yourself you might not want to do that on machine that only weighs 103 lbs. That is how nasty accidents happen so this machine is more suited to the general public rather than the hardcore Iron den. For this cases get the beefier T bar row from TITAN that still saves you money compared to the direct competition.
TITAN needs to cut corners to offer you the lowest possible pricing on industrial grade training equipment. This machine is no exception and some of the parts need to be forced for assembly. This does not take away from the functionality of the machine, but with TITAN there is usually some minor or even major problem for assembly. This makes this a better fit for gyms that do not care too much about optics and where the honor does not mind to do some DIY on the machines.
Alternatives to the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
Alternatives to the Titan Chest supported T bar row are:
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Rogue Lat pull / row machine
The TITAN T bar row machine is little more expensive than the chest supported version, but weighs more. That makes it a more stable solution in a commercial setting where you have to account for extreme stupidity or performance. I personally would not feel great about leaving the smaller Tbar row unsupervised in a blind corner of the gym I own unless I use it myself.
The TITAN plate loaded seated row is the safe option for building backs. You will get a little less back activation out of this machine while it is save and easy to use. Good option for spacious home gyms and I personally think a commercial gym without one of these is incomplete.
The Rogue lat pull machine is the current gold standard in the industry for a lat pull down. There are many variations on this machine and the one from Rogue is one of the most overbuilt you can find. As it also doubles up as a rowing machine it can address your needs to build a bigger back.
Conclusion for the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
This is a great machine for a home gym with space that wants to save money on building a full park of bodybuilding machines. When your space or limited or you have to account for stupid people who might ant to sue you, go for the bigger T bar row to be on the safe site.
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.
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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:
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Price
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Design
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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:
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Finish
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Space requirements
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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.