TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles vs TITAN Circus dumbbells
This is a comparison between the TITAN Upright farmer’s walk handles and TITAN Circus dumbbells including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details
Overview and review of the TITAN Circus dumbbells
This is an overview of the TITAN Circus dumbbell including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details.
Related articles
Circus dumbbell $150-$180
Overview of the TITAN Circus dumbbell
The
circus dumbbell is a classic strongman event where you lift a cumbersome dumbbell from the floor to your shoulder. For this purpose TITAN offers four different
Circus dumbbells in diameters of 10"-12" and empty weights ranging from 67 Lbs. to 94lbs. TITAN does not recommend dropping these from overhead on the floor, so you might also want to invest in some crash mats for a full setup. These dumbbells are big and cumbersome, as they should be, and provide you with the necessary equipment for this event. The full specifications are:
10" 2" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 10” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 77 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 10”
- Handle Diameter: 2”
10" 2.5" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 10” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2.5” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 78 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 10”
- Handle Diameter: 2.5”
12" 3" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 12” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 3” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 94 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 12”
- Handle Diameter: 3”
12" 2.5" Handle
- 1.9” Tube allows for Olympic Weights under 12” in diameter to be placed inside the circus dumbbell to easily increase weight.
- 2.5” diameter handle.
- 10.75” loadable sleeve length.
- Comes with a pair of weight retainers.
- Empty Weight: 67 LB
- Length: 30.125”
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 10.75”
- Dumbbell Diameter: 12”
- Handle Diameter: 2.5”
With these bis dumbbells you can train and get better to move cumbersome weights which is one of the main requirements in strongman competitions. It is also a rather cheap option for a loadable dumbbell compared to other models which come in around $300 to $600.
Pros of the TITAN Circus Dumbbell
-
Low price
-
Fits the requirement
-
Loadable
This is one of the cheapest possible ways you can get into the strongman sport.
Circus dumbbells are in my opinion a bit easier to get overhead than axle barbells and also provide a different experience from anything else you usually move around in the gym. Especially if you have been looking for a loadable dumbbell for a while, this might be a cheaper option compared to a full adjustable dumbbell system and a bit more fun. Compared to
Atlas stones they are a lot less hassle to get ready.
Cons of the TITAN Circus dumbbell
The main point against these dumbbells is that they warp quite easily when dropped from overhead. Original
circus dumbbells are usually solid an round at the end. Therefore they are not adjustable, but virtually indestructible. That you have to take a little more care with these
circus dumbbells is a bit counter intuitive. All you want to do when this beast is overhead is to drop it, not gently put it back down to avoid damage. Be prepared to get a thick gym mat together with your purchase for lasting fun.
Another disadvantage is that you will most likely not be able to fit these dumbbells on any
rack you already have. If your gym is very spacious that is not a huge problem. If you crammed your gym into your home, every inch counts and these dumbbells do not help your space management if you already have plates,
kettlebells and some bands lying on the floor.
The last thing is that if you want to go heavy, you might need some specialist plates. With heavy I mean strongman heavy around 100kg and more. For mere mortals the weight of the
Circus dumbbell itself might already be enough to work with.
Alternatives to the TITAN Circus dumbbell
-
TITAN Loadable dumbbell
-
Rogue Loadable dumbbell
TITAN Provides loadable dumbbells which range from 15" to 36" in length and $45 to $75 in price per piece. As they do not have an outer rim like the
circus dumbbells you can use most of your plates with these. The lifting experience is more convenient and close to what you are used to with normal dumbbells. If you put big plates on them they feel a little more like
circus dumbbells depending on your preference. They are also easier to store.
Rogue also provides loadable dumbbells on 10" and 15" length which cost around $135 a piece. These loadable dumbbells are shortened versions of the classic Rogue Ohio barbell and feel more than a shortened barbell rather than just a loadable dumbbell. Rogue also provides special bumpers that have been made for the loadable dumbbells. If you want to save space in your gym while still having a full dumbbell rack, this is a very space efficient, yet pricey way of getting there. They also look really stylish.
Conclusion for the TITAN Circus Dumbbell
The
TITAN Circus dumbbell are a cheap entry point to strongman overhead lifts. Especially if you already have the space and mats available they can be a fun addition to your regimen. If you are a serious contender for strongman competitions who weighs more than 100kg or even 140kg than you might go for the solid core
circus dumbbells instead. These are more expensive and less suited for the mass market, but simulate the real life event closer. For smaller athletes or every day training to spice things up they are still a good alternative to most loadable dumbbells you can get, if you have the space and some protection for the floor.
Overview and review of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
This is an overview of the TITAN Upright farmer's including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in Which Strongman equipment to get from TITAN. Follow the links for details.
TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles $215
Overview TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
The
TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles are a little more pricey than regular carry handles and bear two additional features. They have an adjustable handle for different heights and you can put the plates on top of the handle frame. With this you have more variety in your training compared to a regular handle and do not use up your plates as much. The full specifications of these farmer#s handles are:
- Built with heavy duty 3"x3" 11 gauge steel tubing.
- Sold in pairs, so you'll be able to get started immediately.
- Vertical weight posts save your weight plates if you drop the handles and your plates won't fall off.
- Knurled 1.25" diameter handles can be set at 8" and 16" off the ground.
- Stabilizer feet to keep the handles upright if dropped.
- Modular design can be converted to a deadlift platform with Farmers Walk connectors (available separately)
- Compatible with standard Olympic plates - steel plates or bumper plates.
- Weight: 52 lbs each
- Handle diameter: 1.25"
- Usable handle length: 8"
- Handle heights: 8" and 16" from ground
- Overall length: 50"
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs per handle
The Upright farmer's walk handles are an overlooked item that cost slightly more but will leave your plates in tact and does not need collars to work properly.
Pros of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
-
Plates are upright
-
Adjustable handle
-
Knurled handle
One main advantage compare to regular farmer's handles is that the plates are upright and therefore are more secure and do not get wrecked when you use these handles. More often than not the farmer's handles get loaded and sealed with a collar never to be touched again,until the plates are destroyed. That makes it inconvenient for different gym members to load it separately and costly in the long run. On top of that you get a proper handle that provides grip compared to the powder coated alternatives that most gyms stock.
Cons of the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
The only real disadvantage of this handle is its price. You can get other handles for around $100 or even below. For $200 you can also almost get a barbell or
trap bar instead. So oyu have to weigh up your options in terms of what other things you could possibly do with $200 instead of getting farmer's walk handles.
Alternatives to the TITAN Upright farmer's walk handles
The
TITAN trap bar comes in at $270 and is therefore slightly more expensive than the
upright farmers walk handles. Technically you can also do farmer's walks with a
trap bar. It is not exactly the same, but if you are only after the core and grip benefits a
trap bar farmer's walk will also do. In addition to farmer's walks you can also use the
trap bar for deadlifts, especially if you want to put less strain on your lower back. The
TITAN trap bar is likely to have some minor quality issues as it has a lot of welds. Whenever welding is to be done, TITAN is more likely to botch the job then Rogue. That doesn't render the bar unsafe or unusable but it will suffer in cosmetics and might have some material inside the frame. With the Rogue
trap bar you have a lower risk of this occurring, but you will also pay $100 more.
The farmer's walk handles are cheaper version to which you attach the plates directly. What you safe in the handles you will probably spent many times over on the plates for these solutions.
The last option for farmer's walks are heavy
kettlebells. These are probably the most versatile alternative to farmer's walk handles, but also do not exactly reflect the exercise. The weight is more centered to the body and therefore a lot easier to handle.
Conclusion for the TITAN Upright Farmer's walk handles
If you want to get classic farmer's walk handles to simulate strongman competition these are a serious consideration. Especially if you only get them for yourself and do not have to buy them in bulk. The
upright handles are superior to the classic farmer's handle and are worth the money as long as you want to do farmer's walks. If cost and versatility are your main concern, then a pair of heavy
kettlebells are probably the better option.