TITAN lat tower vs TITAN neck machine

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

Overview and review of the TITAN neck machine $399

This is an overview of the TITAN neck 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 Plate loaded neck machine

The TITAN plate loaded neck machine is a special machine that is a good choice, if you have the need to build extra strength in your neck. It can be used in four directions to develop your neck muscles. This is a niche machine that will not get a lot of use in your commercial gym and also only is a good choice in a home gym with a lot of space. The full specifications are:

- Left, right, front and back; this 4-way machine works all the neck muscles.
- Arm pivots on precision flange bearings to provide a smooth action.
- Removable pin is used to restrict direction of head movement.
- Fully adjustable seat height.
- Includes 2 weight sleeves

- Overall Height: 59-in.
- Foot Print: 38-in x 26-in.
- Roller Pad Length: 11-in.
- Roller Pad Diameter: 4.9-in.
- Seat Dimensions: 12-in x 12-in x 2.4-in.
- Seat Adjustment Height: 22-in to 34-in.
- Grip Diameter: 29mm
- Sleeve Diameter: 48mm
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 8-in.
- Finish: Powder Coated Black
- Material: 2-in x 2-in 11-GA Steel
- Finish Color: Black Powder Coating
- Material: 2-in x 2-in 11-Gauge Steel
- Weight Capacity: 175 lb.
- Product Weight: 86 lb.

Pros of the TITAN Plate loaded neck machine

The pros of the TITAN plate loaded neck machine:

Focused training
Plate loaded
Seat included

The TITAN plate loaded neck machine is a great tool to train your neck in multiple directions. If you are a wrestler or mma fighter this might be a machine to consider to get your neck into shape.

Plate loaded machines save cost, especially if you are the only one using them, as you do not pay double or triple for the weight stacks which are included with most other machines.

In addition this machine also includes a seat and therefore can function by itself without having to buy a separate bench. This can be interesting for commercial gyms who buy this in bulk all over the country as there is fewer items to ship and itemize.

Cons of the TITAN plate loaded neck machine

The cons of the TITAN plate loaded neck machine are:

Health hazard
Niche use
Some other options out there

While this machine is not a health hazard when used correctly it become one quite easily if there no proper instructions given. The fact that it is plate loaded perpetuates this problem even further. If you run a commercial gym with very little instructions given to the clients you might want to steer way clear of this machine to not expose you to any kind of risk.

Even if the machine is used properly it has a very niche application and will not be used many clients in your gym. If you have the need to build a string neck for your sport you might also find other gadgets that can help with that that take up less space.

Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded neck machine

The TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great choice for home gym owners who want to cover all bases and not pay too much money to so. The plate loaded functional trainer comes in at $700 and is therefore quite affordable. This is a great option for a home gym that wants to save space and yet still train all muscle groups with pulley resistance. If you want to provide this service in a public space the TITAN functional trainer with weight stacks might be the better option, as this creates less risk for tripping up or injury for loading the plates onto the machine.

The TITAN plate loaded deltoid machine is the better machine to build the neck and upper body in a safe way. With this machine there is less risk of serious injury when it is not used correctly. It also is a two in one machine for seated shoulder presses and deltoid work. If you want to build a big neck without risking serious injury and giving up too much space, this is a great alternative.

Conclusion for the TITAN plate loaded neck machine

I personally think that the TITAN plate loaded neck machine comes into the same bracket as a smith machine. Yes it has it benefits, but there is other machines and equipment that do the same thing in a safer and better way. One of these would be a head harness that you can attach weight or a band too. Less space taken up even though a good one of these will cost roughly the same as the TITAN neck trainer.

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.