TITAN plate loadable functional trainer vs TITAN vertical leg press
This is a comparison between the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer and the TITAN vertical leg press including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the TITAN Vertical leg press $349
This is an overview of the TITAN vertical leg press including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.
Related articles
Overview of the TITAN vertical leg press
The
vertical leg press is a low budget approach on a
barbell squat or leg press machine. IT uses two uprights to and three
plate pins to deliver something similar to the classic leg press machine you see in every gym. It also has a smaller footprint than most other machines which train the legs. The full specifications of the
TITAN vertical leg press are:
- Takes the stress off of your back and isolates your lower body.
- Three weight posts for plenty of room to add weight.
- Adjustable footplate starting height to suite different size athletes.
- High quality steel construction and pads for a solid, comfortable design.
- Dual post design lets you feel the weight on either leg.
- Footprint: 48" x 38"
- Footplate Starting Height(s): 26.5", 32", 35", 38".
- Full Extension Height: 52.5"
- Footplate Dimensions: 21.5" x 5"
- Back Pad Dimensions: 32" x 15"
- Head Rest Dimensions: 10" x 6"
- Weight Post Length: 8.75"
- Weight Post Diameter: 1.95"
- Weight Capacity: 400 LB
- Weight: 94 LB
This is a great machine if you want to save some space and money. It has its little flaws and I would not recommend it if you are massive yourself.
Pros of the TITAN vertical leg press
-
Small foot print
-
Small price
-
Easy to transport
This leg press does not cost much and also saves space in your gym. For any home gym that is pressed for space this can be a good solution to still get a leg press into a crammed space. If you take it apart there is also not a lot to transport. This makes it a good option for someone who moves around a lot and wants to take their gym with them.
Cons of the TITAN vertical leg press
-
Small footplate
-
Small area to lie on
-
No security pin
This machine has all kinds of issues of you are the type of person that leg presses several hundred kilos of plates. Even though the position is less advantageous than in other leg presses, the small design without any security stops can be scary. I would not recommend this machine to anyone who already
barbell back squats north of 150kg for repetitions as this machine has too many options to harm yourself in a serious way if the weight is too heavy.
Alternatives to the TITAN vertical leg press
The
TITAN smith machine is another option in the TITAN portfolio to do squats and other exercises. While this machine comes in at a much higher price than the
vertical leg press, you can also store
plates on it and do more than just squats. I am personally not a huge fan of
smith machines as I think that a
rack with a
barbell does the job better and safer once you learned how to use it properly.
The
titan hack leg press is a good option for a home gym with a bit of space as it doubles up as two machines. The design is also closer to the common
leg press machines which you see all over the world. While it is still a bit flimsy compared to other leg presses in the market, i would recommend it over the
vertical leg press, if you have the space for it.
If you are considering a
leg press machine mainly to get more squat volume in, than a
TITAN belt squat machine might be the better option for you. This machine also puts less pressure on your spine than a regular
barbell squat, but you are still standing on your won feet rather than laying on the ground. This is a great option for anyone who want s to blow their quads.
The
Rogue Rhino is the current gold standard in the fitness industry for
belt squat machines. This is the best you can get in terms of build and functionality if you want to get a leg machine. That also comes with a bigger price tag as the
Rogue Rhino is very close to the $2000 mark which plays in a completely different league than the
TITAN vertical leg press.
The Rogue leg press is a $4000 dollar monster of a leg press machine that even Ronnie Coleman could not break. In addition to the large weight capacity and the amount of metal you would need to build a car it also offers the option to train each leg separately. The footplate can be unlocked in the middle and each platform runs on its own lever system.
Conclusion for the TITAN Vertical leg press
The
TITAN vertical leg press is a good machine for a crammed space at home to get a leg press. Be careful when you use and do not load it up too much. It only weighs 94lbs so you might not want to put 1000lbs on top of it when all that separates you and the floor is your legs.
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.
Related articles
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
-
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
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.