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TITAN lat tower vs TITAN plate loaded seated row

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jan 6, 2021 5:00:00 PM

TITAN lat tower vs TITAN plate loaded seated row

This is a comparison between the TITAN lat tower and the TITAN plate loaded seated row including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 
 

Overview and review of the TITAN plate loaded seated row $314 

This is an overview of the TITAN plate loaded seated row 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 plate loaded seated row

 
The TITAN plate loaded seated row is another classic machine you will find in most gyms around the country. The plate loaded design makes it a good choice for anyone with a spacious home gym who wants to save money. This is a solid, easy to use machine where you can not do a lot wrong. The full specifications of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
- Two different grip styles to target muscle groups
- Adjustable seat, chest pad, and distance between grips
- Olympic sized weight plate holders
- Tough, solid steel construction is long-lasting and dependable
- Powder-coated paint job prevents rust and early scuffing
- One-year warranty provided for every machine
 
- Overall Length: 63”
- Overall Width: 44”
- Vertical Handle Adjustable Width: 9 1/2” - 17 1/2”
- Horizontal Handle Adjustable Width: 15” - 23”
- Adjustable Seat Height: 17” - 22 1/2”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 3/4”
 
If you have the space there is not a lot you can do wrong with this to train your back.
 

Pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The pros of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
  • Easy to use
  • Low price
  • Plate loaded
  • Secure
 
This is a machine that is very easy in its construction and use. There is not a lot that can break and you will also have no problems using it right away. This makes this a popular choice for commercial gyms as it is comfortable, effective and does not need a lot of instructions.
 
Compared to the competition the TITAN plate loaded seated row cones in a my ale price. TITAN achieves this by cutting some corners on services and instructions. For a so one machine like this that does not weigh in as much and you can therefore fully enjoy the savings which TITAN fitness brings to you.
 
The TITAN seated row is plate loaded which means that you save money on buying the machine without a weight stack. Especially for home gym owners who want to go beyond a rack and some free weights this is a great option to save cost compared to other industrial machines.
 
Compared to any version of barbell rows the seated TITAN row is more secure as your back and spine rest against a lad and you are seated. Barbell rows expose you to more risk to pull a muscle or hurt your skeleton when you go heavy.
 

Cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The cons of the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
  • Space requirements
  • Plate loaded
  • Lower back activation
 
You will need extra space in your gym for a TITAN plate loaded seated row. As it is a one trick pony and the exercises it provides can be done with dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells this might not be the best use of space when you do not have a lot to go around.
 
While a plate loaded machine is great when everyone knows what they are doing or when you are the only one using the gym it can become a problem in a crowded area. Having to plate load all the machines in a gym can lead to conflict and trip hazards. If your gym is crowded or crammed multiple times a week try to stick with machines which have the weight stacks included. This makes the gym safer, less cluttered and you will have fewer complaints from staff that the plates are not put away properly.
 
While the plate loaded seated row is safer and easier to use than a barbell row you will get less back activation compared to free weights. If your aim is to build a big string back for sports or powerlifting you are usually better off with sticking with the free weights.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
Alternatives to the TITAN plate loaded seated row are:
 
 
The TITAN Atlas bar costs less than this machine and has more applications. If you have no plates for either of these machines to make it work you can also consider just getting a barbell and plates and start your gym this way. Also has the advantage that a barbell can be stored in the corner of a room when you are done with your routine.
 
The TITAN T bar row is a good alternative for a commercial gym to the seated back row. It takes up more space, but is easier to load. In this machine you will have to stand to row so it is closer to the experience of a barbell row. In a home gym the seated row might be the better option as it takes up less space.
 
The Titan chest supported adjustable row is a great option for anyone who rows very heavy weights with a barbell and wants to feel more secure. While the application is very niche it will work wonders for anyone who fits this description.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN plate loaded seated row

 
The TITAN plate loaded seated row is a low price option on a seated row which is ideal for the spacious home gym. In commercial gyms you might want to lean more towards a vendor with better warranty and Included weight stacks.
 
 
 
 

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:
 
  • 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.