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Volcano Yoke vs Rogue Y2 Yoke

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Sep 2, 2020 4:00:00 PM

Volcano Yoke vs Rogue Y2 Yoke

This is a comparison of the Volcano yoke and the Rogue Y2 Yoke including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in Which sled to get from Rogue.

 
 

Overview and review of the Rogue Y2 Yoke

This is an overview of the Rogue Y2 Yoke including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

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Overview of the Rogue Y2

Price $535
 
The Rogue Y2 is the next step up from a squat stand from Rogue. The additional plate storage and the adjustable cross-member on the stand make it a great all in one gym option. You can use it as a sled, rack, and yoke at the same time. For $535 you will find yourself a good deal, as long as you have the footprint to fit it into your commercial gym or home space. The full specifications are:
 
  • Made in the USA
  • Height: 92" with base
  • Total Weight Capacity: 750+LB (two side storage and four corner-post weight storage options)
  • Applications: Strongman Yoke Training, Pushing, Pulling, Carrying, Zercher, Squat, Press, etc.
  • (2) Uprights: 2 x 3" 11-Gauge Steel
  • (2) Bases and (4) Skid/Storage Feet
  • Adjustable Crossbar: 3" OD
  • (2) J-Cups
If you are looking into a budget rack option from Rogue this is probably one of the best you can get, as long as you do not want to work with a lot of attachments in the future.
 

Pros of the Rogue Y2

 
The pros of the Rogue Y2 Yoke are:
 
  • Great value for money
  • Multiple-use cases
  • Adjustable height
You will be hard-pressed to find more options in one rack for this price from Rogue. If you want to be space and budget efficient, this is the way to go. You will get the use cases of equipment that can cost up to $5000 in this one rack. Especially if you are a single user and do not have to worry about waiting times, this is great.
 

The cons of the Rogue Y2

 
The cons of the Rogue Y2 Yoke are:
 
  • Limited safety
  • Clunky for sled work
  • Big footprint
While the Y2 saves a lot of space as it combines a lot of functionality, it still has a larger footprint than a half rack, squat stand, RM3 rack. Compared to the purpose-built sleds it is also clunkier to move. While bench pressing and squatting are possible, you will need spotter arms to be safe. Spotter arms just have the habit of being missed or making the whole structure fall over when you drop the weight. Safety üins and straps in a power rack are easier to handle and more secure. 
 

Alternatives to the Rogue Y2

 
Alternatives to the Rogue Y2 are:
 
The Rogue Y1 is a smaller version of the Rogue Y2. If you do not have very tall athletes or do not need to practice any sandbag throwing, the smaller version will do and save you a little bit of money. 
 
The SM2 squat stand is an alternative that saves some space compared to the Yoke and only focuses on functioning as a squat stand rather than a yoke and sled. With the SM2 you also get the bigger steel tubes from the Monster series and can upgrade at a later stage to the big racks that Rogue is currently focusing on.
 
The volcano costs about 4 times what the yoke costs but has its applications especially for very mature strongman. If you want to flip or carry very big weights the Volcano is probably the better option than the Rogue Y2. 
 

Conclusion for the Rogue Y2

 
The Rogue Y2 is an often overlooked option for home gym owners that does it all. It is relatively low priced and you can get a lot of mileage out of it. If you are not considering a folding rack for your home gym, definitely look at this instead of bolted down power racks. Professional gyms with space can cover a lot of needs with just one or two yokes. Think of what you can get out of these two yokes for your clients instead of being one more treadmill. 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the Volcano Yoke

This is an overview of the Volcano Yoke including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

 

Overview of the Volcano

Price: $1.999
 
The volcano is a yoke that has been modified in a way that it can also be used to simulate tire flips. It has six plate storage pins and its triangular shape makes it stable, even when large amounts of weight are being moved. This makes it a great tool for serious strongman training. The full specifications are:
 
  • Made in Columbus, OH, USA by Volcano Strength LLC
  • 2x2" & 2x3" Steel construction
  • Weight (Unloaded): 250 LBS
  • Height: 60" overall / 45" yoke bar height
  • Length: 69" (depth)
  • Width: 48"
  • Footprint: 69" x 48"
  • 3 Easy-Grip Crossmembers: 1.75” diameter
  • 6 Weight Posts: 9.75" loadable post length
  • 1" thick Rubber Corner Protection
  • Color: Black
  • Ships Disassembled
Especially if you have a lot of space and ant to train yoke carries and tire flips outside, this is a good investment.
 

Pros of the Volcano

 
The pros of the volcano are:
 
  • Lower injury risk
  • Adjustable load
  • 2 in 1 for strongman training
If you have space and you want to get serious about strongman training, then this a great tool to use. With the three handles, you can get a good grip on the weight and simulate strongman events that involve flipping cars or tires. Compares to tires and other strongman tools you can also increase the weight in increments and therefore track your progress better. All of this makes the Volcano a great option if you ave the indoor or outdoor space to do the flips and carries. 
 

Cons of the Volcano

 
The cons of the volcano are:
 
  • Big frame
  • No option to put a barbell on
  • Can not be used for conditioning
Even though the volcano claims space efficiency it is a massive frame that will take up a big portion of most home gyms. If you do not have a lot of extra space, the chances are high that the volcano will end up vas a glorified plate tree. Compared to a traditional yoke you also do not have as many options to store a barbell on it, use it to get atlas stones over or do sled work. This is mainly due to the fact, that the three handles are fixed and can not be adjusted. Compared to a tire you can not jump onto the volcano or beat the crap out of it with hammer. I am confident that if you have the space for a volcano, you also have the space for a yoke and a tire. A yoke and a tire will likely cost the same or less and give you more training options.
 

Alternatives to the Volcano

 
Alternatives to the volcano are
 
The Rogue Y2 Yoke is one of the bigger Yokes from Rogue. With this option, you will be able to do carries, sled pushes, and atlas stones over the bar exercises. It also only $535 compared to the almost $2000 of the Volcano.
 
If you have a gym and want to get a tire flip, without the dirt and fewer space requirements, you can get the Titan tire flipping machine. In fact, for the budget of one Volcano you can get the Tire flipping machine and the Yoke
 

Conclusion for the Volcano

 
The Volcano is a great option for actual strongmen who want to get ready for competition. The Volcano simulates the load distribution of very heavy yoke carries better than a traditional yoke. For example hay or other heavy objects that usually stack higher than plates for the same amount. It also probably the best tool for simulating a very heavy tire or car flips at home. That being said, most people do not follow this type of heavy strongman training. If you are just a weekend warrior you can me your money stretch a lot better by getting a yoke, barbell, plates, and an old tractor tire.