TITAN X3 squat stand vs Rogue RML 690 [Article, Video]
This is a comparison between the TITAN X3 squat stand and the Rogue RML 690. Follow the links for more detail.
Overview and review of the Rogue RML 690 Power rack
The video above summarises my personal opinion for purchasing a Rogue RML 690 for a home gym. If you want to just lean back and get information, watch it and then dig into the details below. In the following paragraphs you will find details on dimensions and alternative choices. I invite you to leave a comment on Youtube if you have direct questions.
Price: 1.568
This review was originally posted in the longer article "Which strength equipment to buy from rogue" in which you can read about 25 products of Rogue which cost more than 1.000$. The Rogue 690 bring storage and rack space to your basement or local gym at a resonable price for Rogue. See the details in this article.
Related articles
Overview of the RML 690
The
RML 690 comes in at 530 LB with a length of 76'''. It is 49'' wide and has a height of 90.375''. The entire footprint comes to 80'' x 53''. It can be mounted to a wall with the
Monster Lite Rack Wall mount kit. IT comes in black and therefore retails at a lower price than the
RML690C.
How many new clients should the RML 690 in bring you?
If you think that the Rogue
RML690 will bring you 6 new clients who pay you 50$ on a 1-year retainer it is worth the investment. This will yield 3.600$ net new revenue against an investment of 1.568$. Adjust the numbers for your own gym accordingly.
Pros of the RML 690
The
RML690 gives you the needed storage and training capabilities to have multiple clients or athletes train at the same time. As long as you have space this full/
half rack combo provides a gym in itself. If you will use it for your home gym you can also convert the back rack into shelving for your
kettlebells and
dumbbells.
Cons of the RML 690
In many applications, the
half racks at the back are poorly utilized and therefore a waste of space. If you already have good
plate storage options or have a home gym with limited space you might be better of saving many and space by going for a
490 instead of a
690.
Alternatives to the RML 690
For the same budget of 1.568$, you can get the following alternatives from Rogue
With this alternative, you can save 500$ and get to choose your favorite color for your rack. If you do not have specific plans for the back
half rack, this is a great option to save money and still get better value out of your purchase.
If you are running a gym and want to run more classes to maximize revenue the
USMC Pull up rig might be a better choice for you than the
RML 690C. You can have more people train at the same time at this rig, as long as they do not want to lift heavy at the same time.
Conclusion
If you want to save some money on Rogue products and do not care about the color of your rack this is a good option. Make sure that you know what you want to do with the half rack in the back of the RML 690 before you purchase. Otherwise go for something smaller as it is likely that the space will be left unused.
Further reading
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
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Pair of UHMW lined X-3 JHooks included
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Double-sided gusset plates
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Standard 1.25" Pull up bar included
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Mounted at your preferred height.
-
Pair of X-3 Spotter Arms included
-
Height: 92"
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Width: 49"
-
Depth: 48"
-
Product Weight: 203 lb
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Finish: Black Power Coating
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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.