TITAN Olympic dumbbell vs rubber hex dumbbell
This is a comparison between the TITAN Olympic dumbbell and rubber hex dumbbell including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more information.
Overview and review of the TITAN rubber hex dumbbells
This is an overview of the TITAN rubber hex dumbbells including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more information.
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Overview of the TITAN Rubber coated Hex dumbbells
Price: $24.99- $2,499.99
The
rubber coated hex dumbbells from TITAN are their bread and butter model when it comes to dumbbells. Versatile, relatively cheap and available in many different weight combinations this can be the start to a home gym when combined with a bench purchase. the full specifications of the
TITAN rubber hex dumbbells are:
Features:
- Sold in pairs
- No assembly required
- Strong, weather resistant finish
- Easy grip handle
- Material: Cast iron
- Finish: Chrome plated handle, and rubber coated weights
- Weight: 5lb - 100lb
You can not do a lot wring with these dumbbells as the hexagonal design combined with
rubber is a time tested and often copied design. These dumbbells get the job done for a reasonable price, even though they might not be the prettiest or most innovative. In return you also do not have to feel guilty when you drop them on the floor from any position.
Pros of the TITAN Rubber coated hex dumbbells
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Price
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Versatility
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Quick use
The biggest pro of the
TITAN rubber hex dumbbells is that they are price optimized regarding shape and material and the brand. TITAN usually offers the same product specifications and design at roughly half the price of something comparable from
Rogue Fitness or Eleiko. Combine this with the low cost design of
rubber hex dumbbells and you are in for significant savings. IN return, TITAN cuts more corners as a company than their direct competitors. They are generally more reports about issues with delivery, finish of the products or customer service with TITAN than with other brands. This might not apply to your specific purchase but the risk is higher.
A rack of
rubber hex dumbbells is very versatile. Especially in a professional gym with high foot fall you can make multiple clients happy at the same time. The dumbbells can be transported to different parts of the gym and used by multiple clients at the same time. This makes them more versatile than barbells or machines.
Another advantage is that dumbbells are quick to use. Just pick up the weight of your choice and get going. No adjustments, no plates to be racked or unracked, and no calibrations to be made to a machine you want to use.
Cons of the TITAN rubber coated hex dumbbells
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Space requirements
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Design
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Longevity
One of the biggest drawbacks on a collection of dumbbells is the space you need to store them. Especially in a home gym you are eating up a lot of space for an additional rack for storage for dumbbells you will only use once per mesocycle. If you do not get the dumbbell rack it is almost certain, that these dumbbells will clutter your training space. In these scenarios an adjustable dumbbell using weights might be a better choice.
The hexagonal design makes the
rubber dumbbells hard to handle. Especially if you are regularly training heavy with dumbbells you might want to invest the extra dollars to get a round, rather than an hexagonal design. When the dumbbells get huge at about 80lbs upwards it is safer fr your training and spotters to have round dumbbells. Those are easier to spot and do not behave as awkward during the range of movement like the hexagonal design.
Another disadvantage of hexagonal dumbbells is that they are made of rubber.
Rubber does not last as long as
Urethane. Especially in high traffic or moist areas you might want to consider
Urethane dumbbells instead of
rubber dumbbells that do not respond as well to abuse.
Alternatives to the TITAN Rubber coated hex dumbbells
Urethane dumbbells are the Ferrari of dumbbells. These dumbbells have a round design and are made of
Urethane which lasts longer.This makes them a perfect choice in high traffic professional gyms, especially for the weight range 20lbs to 40lbs that is used most often. For home gyms these are overkill, unless you have no budget constraints and expenses up to $30.000 for your home gym are just peanuts to you. If you are a professional athlete making millions a year, you might as well get the best of everything to keep fit at home.
Neoprene dumbbells are a lighter version of dumbbells that also come in various colors. These are usually better for your wife at home, in the women's section of a professional gym or at a rehab clinic. These dumbbells are either for rehab and mobility for the seasoned athlete or entry dumbbells for anyone who comes in with a low bodyweight. These are also better for body pump or other cardiovascular classes with weights, as the
neoprene responds better to weight than the metal of the
rubber coated dumbbell handles.
The last option from
TITAN are Olympic dumbbells that come in 36-inch, 20-inch, and 15-inch lengths. These are great dumbbells for home gyms that alreadyhave a barbell and plates and want an adjustable dumbbell to save space and add variety to their training. The only downside is that cast iron plates might be a bit big in diameter and the time you need to switch between weights as opposed to just grabbing the next bigger or smaller dumbbell of the rack.
Conclusion for the TITAN rubber coated hex dumbbells
The
TITAN rubber coated hex dumbbells are a solid option for home gyms with space. The bigger versions can also be a good option to expand the weight range at a professional gym beyond 60lbs without having to pay too much. in the 20lbs to 40lbs range professional gyms might want to consider a rack of
Urethane dumbbells as they last longer and they are easier to handle. If you want to plaster your gym with reasonably priced dumbbells of reasonable quality, these are the ones to go for.
Overview and review of the TITAN Olympic dumbbell
This is an overview of the TITAN Olympic dumbbell including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more information.
Related articles
Overview of the TITAN Olympic dumbbell
Price: $42.99 - $74.99
The
Titan Olympic dumbbell comes in three sizes. These are 36-inch, 20-inch, and 15-inch. With these sizes you get the possibility to have a shortened barbell and use it like a dumbbell. You can use your change and fractional plates to load the barbell. This saves money and space, especially in home gym setups. The full specifications of this dumbbell are:
- Knurled handles for better grip.
- Titan Branded endcaps
- Compatible with Olympic plates
- Overall Length: 20-in
- Handle Length: 5.75-in
- Handle Diameter: 28mm.
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 6.5-in.
- Sleeve Diameter: 50mm.
- Knurling: Medium
- Sleeve Coating: Chrome
- Weight Capacity: 500 lb.
- Weight: 12.1 lb. Each | 24.2 lb. Total
- Quantity: 2
Be aware that only the 20-inch version is sold in pairs and that the 15-inch and 36-inch come in singles. Read the fin print on each version to get their specifics.
Pros of the TITAN Olympic dumbbell
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Price
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Space requirements
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Flexibility
One of the main point in favor of TITAN fitness equipment is their price. TITAN strategically positions themselves at half the price to
Rogue Fitness and Eleiko for comparable products. The Loadable dumbbells are no exception to this. If you are on a budget and like the idea of a loadable dumbbell, TITAN is a good vendor to get your supplies.
Loadable dumbbells have the advantage that you can adjust them with the plates you already have. This makes them a lot more space efficient than regular
urethane or
rubber dumbbells. Just stack the plates on and work away with the weight of your choice. If you lack space in your home gym setup a pair of loadable dumbbells is the best options to cover dumbbell exercises in a wide range without having to pole vault into your gym every morning.
Another plus of
Olympic loadable dumbbells is that they are compatible with standard plates from all vendors. Especially if you already invested in your home gym and intend to get a barbell and rack too, this is cost and space efficient. There are other solutions in the market which provide flexible weight choices but they are usual not as flexible. The widely know block systems only work with the same weights and once the mechanics break you need to get anew set of dumbbells.
Cons of the TITAN Olympic dumbbell
If you like to run the dumbbell rack up and down for bodybuilding exercises, this is not for you. With regular dumbbells you have the advantage that you can switch fast between weights. With
Olympic dumbbells you have to take the plates on and off between sets if you want to work with different loads.
Especially in hotels this might also not be the best solution. Most hotel gyms do not have plates and therefore the
Olympic dumbbells are more trouble than they are worth. If you want to have a full set of dumbbells in a hotel on a minimal footprint, the stackable dumbbell systems are a better option even though they are more prone to break.
For a very busy gym
Olympic dumbbells are also not the best solution. If you have a lot of clients training at the same time you also want to provide them with a lot of handles and material. With an
Olympic dumbbell you are focusing all of the options on one handle to save space. In a commercial gym you want multiple weights so that multiple clients can train at the same time.
Alternatives to the TITAN Olympic dumbbell
Cast iron dumbbells are cheaper than
rubber or
urethane dumbbells as they are easier to produce. They are little more prone to rust and also not great for dropping on the ground. Apart from that it is easier to acquire a full set to have multiple options for your training, if you have the space to store them
If you want to switch fast between different weights and not wreck your floor
rubber hex dumbbells are good value for money. The only downside is that you will not the space to store multiple pieces to work through a full range of loads.
Adjustable chrome dumbbells are a little cheaper than the
Olympic dumbbells as they already come with the weights included. They are a good option when you just want dumbbells in your home to work on your physique and do not plan to build an entire gym. IN other scenarios they are not really the best option, as the weights only fit to the respective handles.
Conclusion for the TITAN Olympic barbell
Loadable dumbbells are great for home gyms to save space while still being able to train with a wide variety of different loads. The TITAN loadable dumbbells are also a budget friendly option to get a loadable dumbbell into your home gym. Commercial gyms should invest in a rack of
rubber hex dumbbells or urethane dumbbells depending on budget. Very affluent home gym owners also might fill their massive space with a full rack of dumbbells.