TITAN lat tower vs TITAN indoor tire flipping machine

This is a comparison between the TITAN lat tower and the TITAN Indoor tire flipping machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the Indoor tire flipping machine $1199

This is an overview of the TITAN Indoor tire flipping 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 tire flipping machine

The Tire flipping machine is probably one of the coolest and silliest machines I have seen in a long time. The basic idea is that you get a tire on a metal frame with some loading pins inside. This is great for a very specific use, which is not to get the floor dirty while still doing tire flips, but other than this I think this is expensive and a waste of space. Get a real tractor tire instead, especially for your home gym. The full specifications of this machine are:

- Achieve a full traditional tire training workout in one stationary machine.

- 125 lb. starting weight with room for an additional 60 LB worth of weight plates.

- Compact design takes up minimal room.

- Handles and wheels for easy storage and movement.

- High quality steel construction with 3.5-in rubber stoppers for a silent drop.

- Footprint: 48-in L x 57-in W

- Recommended Floor Space Required: 108-in L x 100-in W

- Tire Width: 13-in

- Tire Diameter: 48-in

- Tire Weight: 125 lb.

- Weight Post Loadable Length: 4.5-in

- Product Weight: 315 lb.

This is a good option in an urban commercial gym that wants to offer tire flips and has no access to the road. A crossfit box or garage gym probably is better of getting an actual tire/s to flip.

Pros of the TITAN tire flipping machine

The pros of the TITAN tire flipping machine are:

No dirt
Higher safety
Loadable
Fun

Compared to a proper tractor tire the TITAN Tire flipping machine produces less dirt. There will be no track marks and less impact on the floor compared to a traditional tire. In this sense the tire flipping machine saves a lot of the problems a main stream commercial gym would have with actual tires.

As the machine makes the range of motion more controlled and leaves less opportunity to grip or lift the tire in a weird way, it is also safer with beginners. The frame is sturdy and will not go anywhere once it is installed.

To progress beginners you also have the option to load this tire with additional weight to incrementally improve. This is a big advantage to an ordinary tire which will always stay the same weight, unless you get another.

The last thing about tire flips is that they are fun. Anyone who does them, likes them. Having this machine will definitely set you apart from your average run of the mill gym with a subscription fee of $20 a month.

Cons of the TITAN tire flipping machine

The cons of the Tire flipping machine are:

Limited use
Space requirements
Price

Compared to an old tractor tire the tire flipping machine has limited use. Real tires can be dragged, pushed, flipped, and hammered. You can do only one of these with the machine. If you put a hammer to this tire it will over time warp the frame and wreck the construction as the tire has lost its integrity to be fitted for the machine.

This is definetly not an option for most home gyms. The Tire flipping machine will eat up a lot of space for very limited use and can also not be leaned against a wall to save space. Get a tire instead for your home gym.

Not everyone has the right connections, but if you do, you can get a big tire for free or the cost of the transport to you. Most people want to get rid of their old tires and it is a hassle to transport them. If you offer the transport you can usually pick them of for $20 to $100 or even for free depending on how well you know your local source. That is 11 tires for the price of one of these and they usually last forever.

Alternatives to the TITAN tire flipping machine

Alternatives to the TITAN Tire flipping machine are:

Old Tractor tire
The Volcano

An old tractor tire is cheaper, has more uses and overall is cooler and more manly. If you can source one for a decent price and do not mind that your gym gets a little dirty, get this instead.

The volcano is in my opinion the better option for urban commercial gyms who want to offer flips to their customers. The volcano is easier to move around in your local gym, triples up as a yoke and plate stand, and still lets you do flips in a secure way without tire marks. It can also be loaded with more and a bigger variety of plates. The only downside is that it is $700 more expensive than the TITAN Tire flip machine.

Conclusion for the TITAN Tire flipping machine

The use case for the TITAN Tire flipping machine is narrow and better covered by a real tractor tire or the volcano depending on whether you are in a barn or urban setting. I think there are many better ways to spend more than $1000 on your gym. I would use it, but definitely not buy it. Unless I owned a gym on the 32nd floor of a skyscraper in London or New York and wanted to keep some Yuppie clients happy who have been pestering me about tire flips for some years. Even then i would only do it If I happen to get a windfall for new, but ultimately non essential equipment.

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.