TITAN plate loadable functional trainer vs TITAN chest supported T bar row machine
This is a comparison between the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer and the TITAN T bar row machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN chest supported T bar row machine $249
This is an overview of the TITAN chest supported T Bar row 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.
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Overview of the TITAN chest supported bar to row machine
The
chest supported to bar row machine from TITAN is the low budget version of the T bar row from TITAN. You will get a T bar row as you can find in many gyms around the country for a consumer price. This
chest supported T bar row has multiple handles to vary your workout and attack your back from multiple angles. Loading
plates is easier as with a
barbell as you can go directly from the front. The downsides of this machine are that it eats massively into your home gym space and the finish is not great. The full specifications of this machine are:
- Adjustable footplate and handle.
- Diamond plated footplate for grip.
- Fits Olympic Weights.
- High quality vinyl chest pad.
- Heavy gauge steel.
- Overall Footprint: 84-in x 43-in.
- Chest Pad: 20-in x 10-in.
- Footplate: 23.5-in x 17.5-in.
- Weight Sleeve Length: 13.5-in.
- Vertical Grip Length: 9-in.
- Vertical Grip Spread: 17.5-in.
- Horizontal Grip Length: 5.5-in.
- Horizontal Grip Spread: 20-in - 31-in.
- Product Weight: 103 lb.
You probably wont find a new T bar row machine for a lower price that still has a warranty. If you have the space at home or just want to throw an additional t bar row into your commercial gym you found the right address with this.
Pros of the TITAN chest supported bar T row machine
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Low price
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Multiple handles
This is a great machine for a home gym or a commercial gym to add to an already existing setup for a low price to vary the training more. T bar rows are great to build a bigger and more defined back or just go berserk after a challenging workout to finish off the day. This machine delivers without robbing you of a half months wage in the process.
Cons of the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
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Space requirements
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Low weight
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TITAN finish
The biggest con of this machine is that it eats up a lot of space. As it is build with relatively flimsy material to save cost it is more suited to home gym use. For that you have to give up quite a bit of space to make this one work where you could place a leg press or
belt squat machine. Those are two options I personally prefer any day over a T bar row as
barbell rows also do it for me.
The low weight of the
chest supported T bar row machine is also something to note. If you can T bar row 500 pounds and weigh 300 pounds yourself you might not want to do that on machine that only weighs 103 lbs. That is how nasty accidents happen so this machine is more suited to the general public rather than the hardcore Iron den. For this cases get the beefier T bar row from TITAN that still saves you money compared to the direct competition.
TITAN needs to cut corners to offer you the lowest possible pricing on industrial grade training equipment. This machine is no exception and some of the parts need to be forced for assembly. This does not take away from the functionality of the machine, but with TITAN there is usually some minor or even major problem for assembly. This makes this a better fit for gyms that do not care too much about optics and where the honor does not mind to do some DIY on the machines.
Alternatives to the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
The
TITAN T bar row machine is little more expensive than the
chest supported version, but weighs more. That makes it a more stable solution in a commercial setting where you have to account for extreme stupidity or performance. I personally would not feel great about leaving the smaller Tbar row unsupervised in a blind corner of the gym I own unless I use it myself.
The
TITAN plate loaded seated row is the safe option for building backs. You will get a little less back activation out of this machine while it is save and easy to use. Good option for spacious home gyms and I personally think a commercial gym without one of these is incomplete.
The Rogue lat pull machine is the current gold standard in the industry for a lat pull down. There are many variations on this machine and the one from Rogue is one of the most overbuilt you can find. As it also doubles up as a rowing machine it can address your needs to build a bigger back.
Conclusion for the Titan chest supported T bar row machine
This is a great machine for a home gym with space that wants to save money on building a full park of bodybuilding machines. When your space or limited or you have to account for stupid people who might ant to sue you, go for the bigger T bar row to be on the safe site.
Overview and review of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer $749
This is an overview of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer 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 for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer
The
TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great budget option to get a multi directional
functional trainer into your home. Especially if you have already a
rack and
barbell setup at home and just not to reuse the
plates for this machine.
Functional trainers are great to pack a lot of exercises in one space. With this machine from TITAN you can get in your rows, vertical pulls,
flyes, and even use it for deadlifts and squats. All the needed handles and accessories are included in the shipping. The full list of features includes:
- Comprehensive pulley options including lat, row, and pulldown
- Two 9 1/4” Olympic plate sleeves
- Tough steel design will last for years to come
- Pull-up bar installed at the top
- Sleek black and silver design
- Titan Fitness faceplate included
- Max user load: 390 LB
- Overall Footprint: 61” Width x 53” Depth
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 1/4”
- Overall height: 81”
- Side handle length: 5”
- Side handle diameter: 1”
- Row handle length: 14 1/4”
- Row grip length: 5” (each)
- Row handle diameter: 1”
- Lat pulldown handle length: 37 1/2”
- Lat pulldown grip length: 5”
- Lat pulldown handle diameter: 1”
This is a great budget option for a functional trainer for home gym use. In a commercial setting there might be too many moving parts.
Pros of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer
The best thing about the
TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is the low price.
Functional trainers can cost up to $5000 depending on the make, quality, and mechanics used. With this you can have an entire gym in your basement for $700 assuming you already own
plates. If you do not a set of TITAN
plates can be had for $375. TITAN is already budget orientated as a manufacturer and this is a budget design. If you are strapped for cash, this is a good investment.
The pulley system on this
functional trainer works in many directions. You can pull up, down, and also use the machine for horizontal pulls. You get everything you need to build muscle and build an attractive physique. It goes above and beyond home trainers that only use your body weight as you can use the
plates to continuously get stronger.
If you look at how many exercises you can do in small space, this machine is also great. It takes up the same space as a
leg press machine, but you can do so many more exercises on it. This makes it a good choice for rehab centers, yoga instructors and other lifestyle and health out fits that want to add some gentle strength training to their services.
Cons of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer
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Plate loaded
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Makeshift
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Many moving parts
The fact that the
plate loaded functional trainer is
plate loaded makes it cheaper, but also means that you have to have
plates and storage for them first. Also handling the
plates can be a pain, as you need to fit them onto the pins and get them off. If you like to "run the rack" in your exercises, this machine is more of a pain than a gain. The many
plates can also be a hindrance when you are working with a client and create a trip hazard.
The hole construction has a bit of a makeshift feel about it. This is often the case when the exercise machine is majorly a combination of pulley which have been connected on a frame. That is the entire idea of this machine, but it doesn't make it something that I want to use on a regular basis. If you are not strapped for cash, you might want to opt for the
functional trainer from TITAN that includes to weight stacks. If your commercial gym wants to convey a slick and hip image to your clients this might also not be the right choice. This model screams iron den.
The many moving parts also make the assembly of the
TITAN plate loaded functional trainer complex. TITA is known for bad manuals and occasional missing out in small parts in the shipping. If you are missing a small part in your shipment it is next to impossible to source it separately from the vendor. You will either end up with more big parts to just get one small part or at your local DIY store.
Alternatives to the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer
The
TITAN functional trainer is the big brother of the
plate loaded functional trainer. It ships with two 200lbs weight stacks. While these can have their own challenges, this is the cleaner and more stable installation once it is set up. If you buy a
functional trainer as an addition to a health/spa or yoga gym, this is the better choice. This is also the better choice in a gym with high footfall as it creates fewer opportunities to break the machine while loading the
plates. The only disadvantage is that you have to fork out about $1300 more to get this version of the
functional trainer.
The
TITAN lat tower is a great addition to any home gym that means business. Usually you will already have a couple of
kettlebells,
dumbbells, and a
rack with
plates and a
barbell before considering this. As a second purchase to add a sizable machine to your home gym the
lat tower is a better choice than the
plate load able functional trainer. The quality of the pulleys is better, you can load it with up to 300lbs, and it will provide a weight stack to your for a different form of training for you.
The
TITAN hack squat leg press is also slightly more expensive, but provides a good focus on your legs. If you have the space and prefer dedicated machines over multi functional machines in your training, than you can consider the hack squat
leg press machine as a 2 in 1 for your home gym. For commercial gyms this is not necessarily the best option as 2 for 1 always means you need more instructions for the machine or higher injury risk due to using it incorrectly.
Conclusion for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer
The
TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great solution for a dorm basement where everyone chips in. Especially if there are already some
plates available. If you are building a garage gym in your home and you have the spare change I would lean more towards the
TITAN functional trainer or the
lat tower as an addition to your already existing
rack or as a training station for the entire family.