TITAN plate loadable functional trainer vs TITAN seated leg curl machine

This is a comparison between the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer and the TITAN seated leg curl machine including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the TITAN seated leg curl machine $469

This is an overview of the TITAN seated leg curl 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 seated leg curl machine

The TITAN seated leg curl machine is a simplified version of the seated curl you find in almost any gym across the country. This seat curl is plate loaded instead of weight stack loaded. This drives down the cost of acquisition and keeps more money in your pocket. The Titan seated leg curl machine is a good fit for home gyms with space or a private / commercial gym with a few members who know what they are doing. In large scale commercial setup you might want to invest in a beefier machine including a weights stack. The full specifications of the TITAN seated leg curl are:

- Perform leg curls and leg extensions from the same seated position.

- Adjustable thigh pad design makes getting in and out of the machine much more efficient than the competition's cumbersome tube adjustment design.

- Rotary leg clamp mechanism and pop pins allows for easy adjustment and achieving full reps every time.

- Adjustable seat depth and seat angle positions to suit different size athletes.

- 4 Bolt down holes for concrete anchors or take advantage of the counter-balance weight post for stability without permanent mounting.

- High quality steel construction for a solid, long lasting design.

- Footprint: 36-in W x 34.5-in L.

- Floor Space Required: 4' W x 5' L.

- Thigh/Foot Roller Diameter: 5-in.

- Thigh/Foot Roller Width: 17-in.

- Seat Depth Positions: 7

- Seat Angle Positions: 3

- Weight Post Diameter: 1.95-in.

- Weight Post Length: 10-in.

- Weight Capacity: 220 lb.

- Product Weight: 117 lb.

This is a good addition to a home gym of a bodybuilder who has a barn or two space garage for the gym. A big basement also helps. If you are a commercial gym focused on rough, hard iron this plate loaded machine will use do well with your clients. If you have high footfall and want to appeal to the general population you might want to invest into something a little more upmarket.

Pros of the TITAN seated leg curl machine

Pros of the TITAN seated leg curl machine are:

Price
Plate loaded
Extension and curl possible

As with all TITAN machine the Titan leg curl has been minimized to save cost and keep money in your pocket. Compared to professional grade machines from precor or other vendors you save more than half. Especially when you are the only one using the machines this is a good strategy to follow to keep yourself and the family happy while still training hard at home.

The fact that this machine is Plate loaded also saves further cost. You are not paying for weights for each of the machines, as you will reuse the plates you already own. If you do not you can purchase a set of plates from TITAN for $375.

This machine also works in both directions for curls and extensions. While this has become an industry wide standard you can still find some machines where you can only do one thing based on how the lever arms are made.

Cons of the TITAN seated leg curl machine

The cons of the TITAN seated leg curl machine:

Space requirements
Plate loaded
Build

The Titan seated leg curl machine will take up extra space in your gym. In a home gym that might not even be an option or you have to compare it to other smaller machines. These could be a preacher curl machine or calf machine. In a bigger gym you can always find a corner to place a smaller machine like this.

While plate loaded is a good approach for home gyms and to save costs it is not ideal for gyms with many clients. If you have high traffic it is better to the weights with the machine permanently to create fewer trip hazards and make the exercises more beginner friendly.

This seated leg curl has been built with the average person in mind. It is not overbuilt for massive athletes like the Rogue and Eleiko equipment. If you are 2m talk and weigh more than 125kg you might want to look something more upmarket.

Alternatives to the TITAN seated leg curl machine

Alternatives to the TITAN seated leg curl machine are:

The TITAN lying prone leg curl machine is a 2 for 1 machine for leg development. If you can fit it, it might make a better choice for your home gym as the lying prone leg curl I closes the seated curl option.

If you have covered all of your leg requirements already you might want to look into the TITAN tibia Dorsi calf machine. This will also train the calves and not eat up too much into your space as it does not swing like the leg curl machine.

The TITAN smith machine is a good option for anyone who does not trust free weights. It provides storage for plates and takes up the footprint of one rack. I am personally not a great fan of smith machines, but if you mainly train for shaping up rather than maximum strength they are an option.

Conclusion for the TITAN seated leg curl machine

The TITAN seated leg curl machine is a nice small machines for a spacious home gym. The plate loaded design saves cost. The Titan design is also learned back to realize additional savings. In a commercial setting you might want to get something beefier that includes a weight stack.

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.

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

Pros of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:

Price
Multi purpose training
Exercises per square foot

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

The cons of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:

Plate loaded
Makeshift
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

Alternatives to the plate loaded functional trainer are:

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.