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Total Gym XLS vs Rogue Mono stand [Article, Video]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jun 14, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Total Gym XLS vs Rogue Mono stand

This is a comparison between the Total Gym XLS and the Rogue Mono stand. Follow the links for more details.

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Overview and review of the Rogue Mono stand 

 

The Rogue Mono Stand rack comes in at $950 and is one of the better options for under $1000 from Rogue. Learn more in this review which was originally published in the Article "Which Rack to buy from Rogue for under $1000".

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Overview of the Rogue Mono Stand

 
The Rogue Mono stand is an interesting variation on the SML 1 Squat stand. With this setup, you can unrack the weight and there is no need to walk it out. This is especially good for lifters who are injured or when you want to attempt a one repetition maximum. This design makes acquiring a Monolift station very affordable compared to other options in the market. 
 
The Rogue Mono stand comes in black and is manufactured in Columbus, Ohio. The dimensions of this Stand are 57'' in width, 86'' in length and 78'' in height. The overall weight of the unit comes to 310LB. This leaves it with a footprint of 86''x57''. The stell notes are made of 3x3'' 11 Gauge steel.
 
If you want to get serious about powerlifting and meets which allow for monolift stations, this design is the one for you. It is a lot easier to handle than a traditional Mono Stand and less prone to get broken. The arms of traditional mono stands have the tendency to block over the years. There is nothing worse than a lever that is not moving out of the way when you have a very heavy weight on your shoulders. 
 

Pros of the Rogue Mono stand

 
The design makes it clever and uses a lot less material to create the same effect as other mono stands. With this, even an average gym can implement a mono stand to attract more customers or help injured athletes. If you are serious about powerlifting and want to save some money on a mono stand this is the way to look.
 

Cons of the Rogue Mono Stand

 
The biggest flaw of this design is that you can not use the mono stand by itself. You need another person with you to rerack the weight. If you always train with other monster lifters this is great. However, for many, this is just simply not the case. 
 

Alternatives to the Rogue Mono stand

 
There the following alternatives to the Rogue Mono stand the Rogue portfolio:
 
 
The Monolift Attachments are available for Monster, Monster lite and Infinity series of Rogue. The adjustable version is only available for Monster and Monster lite. I would definitely recommend investing the extra 30 - 40$ to get the adjustable version. This way it will be easier for you to use the Monolift attachment for the squat and bench press instead of having to get the wrench ut each time you swap. 
 

Overview and review of the Total Gym XLS [Article, Video]

Overview and review of the Total Gym XLS

This is an overview of the Total gym XLS and alternatives. This article has been originally published under "Which total gym to get". Follow the links for more details.

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Total Gym XLS $799 - $2000

 
The total gym XLS is my recommendation for home use when you get a total gym. You can stay under $1000 and have a full gym at home. Especially older beginners can consider this option as it can be stored away, does not challenge the lower body too much and still keeps you fit. The specifics are:
 
  • FREE streaming workouts 
  • 6 Levels of Resistance
  • Over 80 Exercises on One Home Gym
  • 400lb User Weight Capacity
  • Arrives Fully Assembled
  • Lifetime Warranty on Frame, 6-Month Warranty on Parts

This will cover you for a long time to work out at home and improve your fitness to be healthy. 
 

Pros of the total gym XLS

 
 
The pro of the Total Gym XLS is the price point. This is the best value for money options from the total gym you can get for a home user. You only lose little on the exercises compared to the Total gym Fit while saving about $700. 
 

Cons of the total gym XLS

 
The total gym XLS has a very low warranty on parts. You will also get fewer increments in resistance compared to the total gym fit. If you are a heavy user or expect to train a lot to get stronger you might be better off with the Total gym fit
 

Alternatives of the total gym XLS

 
Alternatives to the Total Gym XLS are:
 
 
The Rogue Echo bike will be a good alternative if you want to save space and focus on cardio. compared to the total gym you will give up the option of doing any pulley exercises. 
 
The dealt CrossFit package will give a starter set for CrossFit with a few things to be desired. You will get bumper plates, a bar, rings, and a medicine ball. You might want to add some kettlebells for more variety.
 
A Y2 yoke is a great option if you want to build a home gym quick and easy without having to bolt anything to the ground. You will not have the safety options of a rack or squat stand and trade-off for plate storage and extra exercise options as you can use the Yoke for yoke carries and sled exercises.