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TITAN rubber hex dumbbells vs Urethane dumbbells

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Nov 3, 2020 9:00:00 AM

TITAN rubber hex dumbbells vs Urethane dumbbells

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

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Overview and review of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells

This is an overview of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more information.

 

Overview of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells

Price: $48.99 - $670.99
 
Urethane dumbbells are the Ferrari under the dumbbells which are available on the market. Urethane lasts longer than rubber and is more forgiving when it us dropped. There fore Urethane dumbbells are priced higher than most other dumbbells you will find in the market In addition Urethane dumbbells are usually round instead of hexagonal. This makes them easier to handle when you lift or transport them in your gym. The full specifications of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells are:
 
 
  • Urethane provides greater shock-resistance perfect for dropping repeatedly.
  • Urethane maintains its looks and shape far longer than tradition rubber.
  • Each handle features knurling for a secure grip.
  • Black matte finish for a clean, professional look.
  • Dumbbells are sold in pairs and are available in 5 pound increments from 5 - 120 LB.
 
  • Handle Diameter: 1.25"
  • Handle Width: 6"
  • Weight: 5 - 120 LB Single | 10 - 240 LB Pair
 
Urethane dumbbells are the luxury version of dumbbells which you should get if you expect a lot of use out of them or if you like to just have the best of everything. Otherwise rubber hex dumbbells might be a better choice to save some money.
 

Pros of the TITAN Urethane Dumbbells

 
The pros of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells are:
 
  • Price
  • Round design
  • Durability
 
As with most TITAN products you will get a comparable piece of equipment for roughly half the price when compared to brands like Rogue Fitness or Eleiko. Especially for an item like dumbbells, which you usually buy in bulk and are not that safety critical, this is nothing to be sneered at.
 
Urethane dumbbells are usually designed in a round shape compare to the hex design of the cheaper rubber dumbbells. It can be a matter of state, but especially very heavy dumbbells are a lot easier to manage, store and move around when they are round.
 
Urethane lasts longer than rubber. So especially if your gym is highly frequented or you plan to abuse the dumbbells outdoors and leave them in the rain or moist place, than Urethane might be the better choice.
 

Cons of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells

 
The cons of the TITAN Urethane dumbbells are:
 
  • Price
  • Space requirements
 
While the price of Titan products is always lower than the competition the price for Urethane dumbbells or plates is generally a lot higher than for rubber. If you are building a gym on a budget or a home gym with just one user, I personally do not see it justified to spend that much more compared to rubber dumbbells. Unless you like the good things in mind and having a gym is peanuts for your budget. If you are this kind of buyer i think it is also unlikely that you would be shopping at TITAN.
 
Dumbbells which are fixed in weight are not necessarily the best for home gyms or any other places that are constrained in space. A full rack of dumbbells ranging from 5lbs to 120lbs or even higher takes up an entire wall. If you are training by yourself this is a lot of space to give up and money to invest  on material that you will not use very often.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN Urethane Dumbbells

 
Alternatives to the TITAN Urethane Dumbbells are:
 
 
The Titan rubber hex dumbbells are the cheaper version of the Urethane dumbbells. You will have the same functionality and space requirements, but at a lower cost and with a different shape. The hexagonal shape makes the hex dumbbells a bit harder to handle and transport. The rubber is also more prone to wear off over time. In return you save on the purchase as the material is cheaper. The rubber hex dumbbells are a good alternative for home gyms that have the space for a full rack of dumbbells, but do not want to spend the money on Urethane. When you are the only user of the dumbbells longevity becomes less of an issue, as the usage will not be as high.
 
The neoprene lightweight dumbbells are an alternative for anyone who wants to do yoga or other exercises with slightly more weight than body weight. They tale up less space and are cheaper than the Urethane dumbbells. These dumbbells are aimed at stay at home moms who follow programs like bikinibodymommy. Professional gyms can place these in the dedicated ladies area. Athletes can use these for recovery and mobility exercises to work on problematic ranges of motions.
 
The TITAN Olympic dumbbells come in a 36-inch, 20-inch, and 15-inch version. These adjustable dumbbells are a great solution for home gyms with limited space. You can use the plates you already have to load these individually.This way you have a wide range of weights at your disposal without having to give up the storage space for an entire rack of dumbbells.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Urethane Dumbbells

 
Urethane dumbbells are a great choice for gyms with high traffic in the free weight area. In this scenario they will suffer a lot of abuse and be transported the gym around a lot. The round shape and the Urethane will help so that you have fewer dumbbells to replace. TITAN themselves as a brand also presents an opportunity to gym owners to expand into high weight dumbbells without breaking the bank too much. While the 20-40lbs dumbbells also might be gotten from a brand with a better reputation for high quality, like Rogue or Eleiko, the big bomber dumbbells could be purchased from TITAN. Reason here is to save half the cost on dumbbells that 90% of your members can not use as they are too heavy.
 
For home gym owners I personally think that Urethane dumbbells are not a great choice. You will not put the mileage on them that warrants paying the extra money compared to rubber hex dumbbells. IN terms of space requirements one of the Olympic dumbbells might be the best choice.
 

 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.

 
Titan Black Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbells

 

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

 
 
  • 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

 
 
  • 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.

Topics: TITAN