Run Faster, Lift stronger, Think deeper

Total gym GTS vs Titan T3 short power rack [Article, Video]

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Aug 24, 2020 4:00:00 PM

Total gym GTS vs Titan T3 short power rack

This is a comparison between the Total Gyn GTS and the TITAN T3 short power rack. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the T3 short power rack 36

The TITAN T3 short power rack will put you back about $380 - $440. 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

Related articles

 

Overview of the T3 short power rack 

 
The T3 Series of TITAN is the best value for money option you can get from them. It sits right in the middle of the TITAN portfolio with its 2x3 uprights. You can also opt for 2x2 to save cost or 3x3 if you want more stability. A short power rack is usually a good option in basements or cramped spaces where the ceiling is low. The 36” depth version provides you with a spacious full rack to do your workouts in. The features and specifications of this version of the T3 are: 
 
T3 overview: 
  • 2 uprights featuring 6" side hole spacing. 
  • 2"x 3" steel tubes
  • 1,100 LB rackable capacity
  • 4,400 LB total rack capacity.    
  • 1.25" and 2" diameter pull up bars. 
  • Includes J-Hooks and weight holders.
  • Weight: 254 lb 
  • Height: 82 1/4" 
  • Height of Pull Up Bar: 77" 
  • Inside Width: 42 1/8"
  • Outside Width: 53 1/4"  
  • Inside Depth: 36"
  • Outside Depth: 44 3/4"  
  • Floor Space: 16.7 square feet
  • Material: Steel
 
This is a solid rack for environments with low ceilings for the weekend warrior. If you are an elite athlete you might want to upgrade to 3x3 steel tubes. 
 

Pros of the T3 36” short rack 

 
As with the entire TITAN portfolio, the main argument is price. Compared to the competition you will keep a considerable amount of money in your own pocket. The T3 will provide the necessary equipment and space to squat, bench press and deadlift safely. There are also a good few options in accessories available from TITAN. 
 

Cons of the T3 36” short rack 

 
The most obvious is that it is short. If you are 6 feet tall and want to do pull-ups you are probably saving money on the wrong end by getting a short rack. It also might not go with the most up to date accessories that TITAN releases to the market because of the 2x3 tubes. For example, the TITAN lever arms are not an option with this rack. The last con is about TITAN itself. While you save on the price tag you are at a higher risk of minor quality issues on delivery of your shipment. These can range from inconsistent finish to low-quality welds or material quality in a camber or safety bar. These are minor and not necessarily have an impact on the performance, but might look poor or annoy you. 
 

Alternatives to the T3 36” short rack 

 
Alternatives to the T3 36” short rack are 
 
 
If you need a short rack because of the space you have to fit a rack into your gym, garage or basement you can also opt for the 24” version. This way you can save on space on height and square foot of space is tight. 
 
If you want to save space and have 3x3 steel tubing you can also go for the X3 Half rack. If you use it like a squat stand rather than a full rack, you can use the second set of uprights to store plates on. 
 
If you don’t need plate storage and want the freedom of a squat stand you can opt for the  X3 squat stand instead. Just be aware that it would be good to have space to drop the bar as spotter arms can not always be relied on. 
 

Summary of the T3 short 36”

 
A good basement rack for budget-conscious weekend warriors. An elite athlete might want to opt for a 3x3 tall rack if space is available. 
 

Further reading

Overview and review of the Total gym GTS

This is an overview of the features and alternatives to the Total Gym GTS. This article was originally published under "which total gym to get". Follow the links for more details.

Related articles

Total Gym GTS $3.700 - $4.666

 
 
The total gym GTS is the flagship of the total gym generation which can be directly sold to customers. This is the top-end product with all bells and whistles included and therefore also comes with the biggest price tag of $3.700. These are the features you will be getting with the Total Gym GTS:
 
  • FREE streaming workouts with Total Gym TV Basic.
  • 22 Levels of Resistance
  • Workout DVD included
  • Over 200 Exercises on One Home Elite Gym
  • 650lb User Weight Capacity
  • Hydraulic rail lift assists with level changes & easy two-step folding.
  • 5-year Warranty on Frame, 1-year Warranty on Parts & Upholstery, 90-day Warranty on Foam & Rubber
In addition to this, you will get a multitude of addons that lets you emulate any machine you could possibly imagine in a professional commercial gym. If you want to use this machine all day around and do not have space for a full circuit of machines, this is the machine to get.
 

Pros of the Total GYM GTS

 
The total gym GTS comes with a lot of attachments and even lets you add free weights to it so you can increase the resistance even further on certain exercises. The extended warranty and sturdiness of the 650lb capacity give it good protection against break downs under heavy use. Read this 650lb not just as a maximum capacity, but also an indication of how long the machine will last. The sturdier the material the less likely it is to break. This is the right total gym to use around the clock with many clients of different needs. If you have a rehab clinic that wants to cover from old people to recovering high performing athletes, this is a good pick. 
 

Cons of the TOTAL GYM GTS

 
For this price tag, it is not really a feasible option for most home users, which is a shame as it provides the most variety of exercises. If you have space in your facility you can also seriously consider building a full gym instead of getting just one Total Gym GTS. YOu may have fewer warranties on each individual item, but more variety and the possibility to train more people in parallel. 
 

Alternatives to the TOTAL Gym GTS

 
For the price of a TOTAL Gym GTS you can also get: 
 
The true form trainer is a self-propelled treadmill that will fit the needs of the top-performing athlete. It works with a slight arch to soften the impact of your feet. As it is set up with bearing it becomes easier to run at top speeds and do interval training compared to conventional treadmills. You will also not need as much power and there is no motor that can break down and needs to be maintained or replaced. 
 
If you have space and wanted to run spinning classes you can also get 5x Rogue Echo bikes for the price of one Total Gym GTS. Admittedly you will not have the same range of exercises to build strength and tone, but if you are looking for indoor cardio you can either save yourself a lot of money or make more customers happy at the same time. 
 
For $4.000 you can also get a top-end free weight section from a leading supplier like Rogue fitness. An example configuration can be:
 
Total: $3530
 
This will provide a full gym with weights to go into every direction. The shipping will be free with Rogue for this package. The tax might push it over $4000 depending on the country you buy from. Still, A great alternative if you have space and like to lift heavy compared to the Total Gym GTS.