TITAN X3 squat stand vs Rogue RM4 fortis [Article, Video]
This is a comparison between the TITAN X3 squat stand and the Rogue RM4 fortis. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the Rogue RM4 fortis rack
The R
M4 Fortis is part of the Monster series of
Rogue with special welding
which makes it a little easier in your wallet. This is the est full
rack from
Rogue which you can get for under $1000. It is available in black only and is made in Columbus Ohio.
This rack comes with a width of 49'' and a length of 49''. The height is 90''. It is made from 3x3'' 11 gauge steel notes to come to a total footprint of 53''x53''. It ships with a pull-up bar, safety pins, J-Cups and MOnster band pegs. With this rack, you are entering the monster family of Rogue and can use the accessories which are labeled Monster.
The RM-4 Fortis Rack is a great option when you do not want too many options when you purchase and save money. If you like black this is a good option to stay friendly on the budget while not compromising too much on quality.
Pros of the RM4 Fortis rack
If you need a full
rack for your home gym and don't want
to go all out this is the one for you. With under $1.000 you safe considerably
to other models. It will do the job just like an
RM4 with fewer options
to customize.
Cons of the RM4 Fortis rack
If you are really all about price, you might as well go for an even cheaper rack from the Infinity or Echo series to save more. Why spent $1000 when you do not get any customization. Still, that is just me talking as I am a sucker for merchandise.
Alternatives to the RM4 Fortis rack
Some viable alternatives to the RM-4 fortis rack are
The
RM4 is the big brother of the
RM4-Fortis and gives you more options
to customize. You can choose the color and height of the
rack. In addition, you can also order Gussets or socket bars
which go with this
rack. IN turn, the
RM4 comes in at a slightly higher price than the fortis. If you want
to make your gym stand out from the rest on the block, this might be the right road
to travel down.
The
RM 3 Fortis is the smaller version of the
RM4 Fortis. This is a half
rack which can be a good alternative if you are short for space and money. It will still do the trick for the squat, bench press, and deadlift. It will still come with a pull-up bar, band pegs, and J Cups
to be ready
to rock once it is unboxed.
The last alternative is the
RML 490C. If you want
to customize your
rack, save money and get a bit of jazz going this is the option for you. It is only slightly above $1.000 and a full
rack with color options. The only downside is that it is only compatible with the Monster lite series accessories from
Rogue. You will, therefore, cut yourself out from the newest updates in the world of
Rogue upgrades as they are first released for the Monster series.
Overview and review of the X-3 Squat stand with pull up bar
The TITAN X3 Squat stand will put you back about $490. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which Titan rack to buy for under $500
Overview of the X3 squat stand
The
X3 is a squat stand which boasts 3x3 steel tubes. It is, therefore, a very sturdy
squat stand compared to other 2x3 or 2x2 options. The X3 comes with Westside spacing in the lower part of the rack to allow for smaller increments on the bench press. The flat foot design saves you bolting it to the floor which makes it a very good option in some home gym scenarios. It also comes with spotter arms. The specifics and features of the
squat stand are:
-
3" x 3" 11 gauge steel uprights
-
Westside hole pattern through bench zone
-
2" hole spacing above and below.
-
1,000 + lb capacity
-
Pair of UHMW lined X-3 JHooks included
-
Double-sided gusset plates
-
Standard 1.25" Pull up bar included
-
Mounted at your preferred height.
-
Pair of X-3 Spotter Arms included
-
Height: 92"
-
Width: 49"
-
Depth: 48"
-
Product Weight: 203 lb
-
Finish: Black Power Coating
-
Floor Space: 16.3 sq ft (49" x 48")
This is as sturdy as they come as far as squat stands go.
Pros of the X3 squat stand
As with all TITAN equipment, the first thing to note is the competitive price. You will have a challenge to find a good quality 3x3
squat stand for the same price. A
squat stand also gives you the ability to drop weight easier than in a power rack. If you prefer the Olympic lifts over powerlifting this might be the better choice for you. A squat stand also saves space and can be easily transported.
Cons of the X3 squat stand
Especially for beginners, you have less protection. The spotter arms are fine and nice, but in practice, safety pins in a full rack are a lot more secure as you won’t miss them. The whole structure is also led likely to tip over if installed correctly. In addition, TITAN is known for inconsistencies on their finish.
Alternatives to the X3 squat stand
For almost the same amount of money, you can get a colored version of the
T3 rack. While the tubes are only 2x3 you will get a full rack in the color of your choice.
Another way to go is to save on the color to have more budget for different size options on the
T3 and maybe even adding some plate holders. The
T3 is available in a short and tall version to adjust the height. For depth, you can choose between 24” and 36”.
The
T3 folding rack saves you about $100 on the X3 and can be installed in your garage. If you only train on the weekends or two days a week, this is a good option so that you can still use the garage or basement for your car/ miscellaneous rubbish you think is important ( I have that stuff in my attic). The savings can be put towards a barbell like the blues city or Atlas bar.
Summary of the X3 squat stand
A great option for anyone planning on a home gym for Olympic lifting or a gym that still has a corner left and does not j ow what to do with it. If you get the
squat stand make sure you can store your plates somewhere separate.