TITAN rubber hex dumbbells vs Rogue loadable dumbbells

This is a comparison between the TITAN rubber hex dumbbells and Rogue loadable dumbbells including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more information.

Overview and review of the Rogue loadable dumbbell

The Rogue loadable dumbbell combines the design of a barbell with a dumbbell. This saves space and cost to have a full set at home. The loadable dumbbell costs $135 and is not sold in pairs. This article has been originally posted in "which dumbbell to get from Rogue".

Overview of the Rogue loadable dumbbell

The Rogue loadable dumbbell is basically a shortened Rogue Ohio bar. The Rogue Ohio bar is the best selling backbone of the Rogue barbell portfolio. The loadable dumbbell is available in a 15 and 10 lb version. The 15 lb version doubles the available sleeve space so you can add more weights. The Rogue loadable dumbbell is compatible with your barbell plates. You can also get specially fitted dumbbell weights with a smaller diameter which I recommend. The big plates are usually in the way when they get close to your body. On a barbell, they are further away as the shaft is longer. The specs of the Rogue loadable dumbbell are:

Sold Individually, NOT in Pairs
Made in the USA
DB-10 - 200,000PSI

DB-15 - 200,000PSI or 190,000PSI Tensile Strength Steel
28.5MM diameter knurled handle
Bronze Bushings & Snap Ring Design
Length:14.25" (DB-10) 20.5 (DB-15)
Load Capacity: ~100LB (DB-10)
Rogue branded endcaps
Available as package with set of Rogue OSO Collars
Compatible with any standard Oly plates and/or Rogue Dumbbell Bumper plates

A solid combination of a barbell, dumbbell and the idea of the power block to save space. Probably one of the best executed of its kind in the market in terms of design and finish.

Pros of the rogue loadable dumbbell

They look great and the finish is a high standard. The loadable dumbbell will also save a lot of space in a home gym setup compared to a whole wall of kettlebells or dumbbells. Compared to the power block the mechanism to change between weights is easier and a lot more durable. They are functional, nice to look at and can be dropped without risking to break them.

Cons of the Rogue loadable dumbbell

In a commercial gym setup, I think they are too expensive as they are not sons in pairs and not user-friendly enough. I can already see the mess when purple start loading their own dumbbells and leaving all the little parts scattered on the ground. In most gyms, it’s bad enough with plates and the usual rubber dumbbells. Imagine if all of the dumbbells also have multiple parts to them.

Alternatives to the Rogue loadable dumbbell

Alternatives to the Rubber Hex dumbbells are

Rubber Hex dumbbells
Rogue Urethane dumbbell
Power block classic elite dumbbell
Rogue Kettlebells

The rubber hex dumbbell is pound for pins the cheapest dumbbell with a rogue logo on it. They are also sold in pairs. If you like the hex design for your commercial gym I think this is the one to go for in bulk.

The Rogue Urethane dumbbells are slightly higher quality than the rubber hex. As the name suggests they are made of urethane instead of rubber which makes them more durable. Personally I think the main reason would be aesthetic and functional to get them over hex dumbbell. They are round instead of a hexagon. I never liked that design myself.

The Power block dumbbell is a classic design for home use. It follows the same idea as the loadable dumbbell to save space in a home setting. This is the most compact it can get for lifting dumbbells with many options in denominations. The only downside is the clicking mechanic to change between weights which is prone to break and that the block can a little too big when moving big weights. Here the loadable dumbbell might be less error-prone if you have the space to store the change plates.

Kettlebells are always a good alternative to dumbbells. You can do almost all dumbbell movements with kettlebells while kettlebells also offer the Turkish getup and kettlebell swing as great conditioning exercises. The only negative with kettlebells is that I haven’t seen a great loadable Design for them yet to save space. If I was in the market for a big set I dumbbells I would get a wall of kettlebells instead. Especially if you have very heavy kettlebells it will set you apart from other gyms. It all depends on the clients you want to target as bodybuilders usually prefer dumbbells.

Summary for the Rogue loadable dumbbell

The Rogue loadable dumbbell is a great option for the dedicated home gym owner who wants to save space and doesn’t mind the cost per dumbbell. This is a purchase that will make you happy and doesn’t make you look cheap. If you have to buy in bulk to cover the needs of more than five people you are probably better off with the hex dumbbells to save cost. Unless you are a rich university or NFL team who can afford to only buy the best for your athletes. You pay them millions, don’t be cheap on the equipment. Sends the wrong signals to your best athletes.

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.

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

The pros of the TITAN rubber coated hex dumbbells are:

Price
Versatility
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

Cons of the TITAN rubber coated dumbbells are:

Space requirements
Design
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

Alternatives to the TITAN rubber coated dumbbells are:

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.