TITAN lat tower vs TITAN H-PND

This is a comparison between the TITAN lat tower and the TITAN H-PND including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the TITAN H-PND $574

This is an overview of the TITAN H-PND 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 H-PND

The TITAN H-PND is a reverse hyper that is built solid like a tank. With this machine you can attack your lower back and train up the area to improve your deadlift and the squat. The lower back is usually an area of your body that falls short with regular gym machines and barbell training. A reverse hyper like the H-PND can take care of this and make your back figuratively bullet proof. The full list of specifications for this model includes:

- Overall Weight: 250 lbs.

- Overall Height: 44.5-in

- Footprint: 52.25-in x 41-in

- Sleeve Diameter: 2-in

- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10-in

- Step Dimensions: 3-in x 3-in Tubing, 8-in Long.

This is a solid reverse hyper for a solid price. If you need big equipment because you are massive but do not want to pay massive bucks, this is a great option to add a reverse hyper to your training arsenal-

Pros of the TITAN H-PND

The pros of the TITAN H-PND are:

Price
Massive Pad
Massive structure

The price of a reverse hyper this weight and height is unmatched in the industry. As so often with TITAN equipment they undercut the competition from Rogue and Eleiko by almost half.

The pad which you lay on his huge on the TITAN H-PND. This provides comfort and safety for an exercise that can get very uncomfortable and even harmful very quick if it is not set up in the right way.

This thing will go nowhere. It is big and heavy and that is good, if you need one as small people usually do no use this type of equipment that much.

Cons of the TITAN H-PND

The cons of the H-PND are:

Space requirement
Low use

This machine eats up quite bit of space, especially in a home gym. While a lot of powerlifters and weightlifters say that this machine massively helped them to set new personal records and feel less lower back, it still runs a high risk to not be utilized enough. Quite a few home gym owners sell these as they find that they can make better use of their limited space with other equipment.

Alternatives to the TITAN H-PND

The Titan economy H-PND is the cheaper and smaller version of the TITAN H-PND. Especially if you are small yourself and have limited space and budget this might be the better version for you. The TITAN economy also functions as the base for the TITAN Glute and ham combo.

If are not massive and can afford the Glute and hamstring combo from TITAN than this is probably the better buy. You will get more use out of your space buy opting for this variation on the H-PND without giving up too much space. If you are buying for your own home gym, definetly like at this before checking out. In a commercial setting you might want to get two different machines, one glute ham and one reverse hyper. It is only slightly more money than getting the combo but you get the benefit of being able to handle more people at the same time or running circuit training.

The Rogue donkey is the gold standard in the industry for GHDs and Reverse hypers to date. Everything on this machine is in the right place and sturdy. The pad is massive and has a beautiful leather finish that is also practical. With all things which are exceptionally nice, they come at an exceptional price. The Rogue Donkey is no exception and retails at $1.950. Worth it, but only if you are flush with cash.

Conclusion for the TITAN H-PND

The TITAN H-PND is a great budget option for one of the sturdiest reverse hypers you can find in the market. If your goal is to provide a lot of variety to your clients and you have the space, there is not a lot you can do wrong by buying this reverse hyper. If you are challenged for the space you might want to get the combo instead or the Donkey, depending on budget. All in all a Reverse hyper is not the most essential item to training, so you might want to look for other pieces to the puzzle first. A belt squat machine could be such an option.

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.