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XPO 2 trainer vs Rogue echo dog sled

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Sep 13, 2020 4:00:00 PM

XPO 2 trainer vs Rogue echo dog sled

This is a comparison of the XPO trainer 2 and the Rogue Echo Dog sled including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in Which sled to get from Rogue.

 
 

Overview and review of the Rogue Echo dog sled

This is an overview of the Rogue Echo sled including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in Which sled to get from Rogue.

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Overview of the Rogue Echo Dogsled 

Price $195
 
The Rogue Echo Dogsled is a streamlined version of the first Dogsled design from Rogue. This way they manage to cut cost on a time tested model for push and pull movements for your home gym or commercial gym. With 450lb weight capacity you can still get a challenging workout in, while keeping mobile. If you are worried about the floor you can get plastic skis to do less damage. The full specifications are:
 
  • Made in the USA
  • Single-piece formed steel construction: 0.25" Plate Steel
  • Foot Print: 36.5" x 25"
  • Height: 37.5" (with uprights & plastic)
  • Weight: 87LB, 450+LB weight capacity
  • Includes (1) carabiner
  • Includes (2) Push Poles which can be placed in any of the four sockets
  • All hardware for set-up included
This is a solid low budget option for a home gym or commercial gym that works these sleds a lot outdoors on rough surfaces.
 

Pros of the Rogue Echo Dogsled 

 
Pros of the Echo dogsled are:
 
  • Price 
  • Carabiner included
This sled is mainly about the lowest price point possible from Rogue and does what it says on the tin. Dogsled, pin, plate, go train. Nothing much more here.
 

Cons of the Echo Dogsled

 
The cons of the Echo dogsled are:
 
  • One purpose only
  • Feet not detachable
Compared to the Dogsled 1.2 the echo sled only has one operation mode. You can detach the uprights for easier storage, but you can not use other attachments with it. Still, it has two carabiner holes prebuilt. Another problem can be the bottom of the sled. As it is mainly made from one piece, you have to get a new one if it breaks. 
 

Alternatives to the Rogue Echo Dogsled

 
Alternatives to the rogue echo dog sled are:
 
 
The dogsled 1.2 is the upgraded version of the original Dogsled design from Rogue. While the Echo is the budget version, the Dogsled 1.2 has many different options for attachments to make training more interesting and challenging. If you are only getting one sled for yourself the Dogsled 1.2 is probably the better buy. If you have to get an armada, stick with the Echo sled. 
 
The Rogue butcher V2 is the truck amongst the sled from Rogue. This sled can take the most plates if you want to do heavy pushes. The downside is that it is not very versatile and harder to store than all the other sled from Rogue because of its size. 
 
The Xpo trainer 2 has an innovative design for a sled and uses wheels. This way it is less damaging to driveways and lawny in suburbia or your precious gym flooring. It wors with a flywheel engine that increases the resistance the harder you go at it. This is great for a good speed workout. If you want to et better at getting heavy loads moving from zero, the XPO might not be the best tool to improve in this section. 
 

Conclusion for the Rogue echo sled

 
The Rogue echo sled is a great budget option to get yourself a high-quality sled to do your workouts outside. Especially if you are going to store your sled outside, this is probably a better option than the more expensive ones from Rogue. 
 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the XPO 2 trainer

This is an overview of the XPO 2 trainer including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details

 

Overview of the XPO trainer 2

Price: $699
 
The XPO Trainer 2 offers an innovative design for sled work by adding tires and an accelerating resistance model. The secret sauce of this sled is a little motor at the front wheel that provides more and more resistance the harder and faster you push. This is similar to training with bands or flywheels for running, except the resistance comes from the front rather than behind. This makes the XPO a great sled for beginners who want to work with resistance from the start or pros that want resistance at high speeds. The full specifics of this sled are:
 
  • Made by Armored Fitness Equipment
  • First Push Sled with Wheels
  • Patent-Pending Exponential Resistance Curve: As you push harder/faster, the resistance increases to compensate
  • No Weight Plates Included or Required
  • (2) Removable Handles for easy transport and storage
  • Laser-cut XPO Trainer logo in front plating
  • Durable rubberized wheels for safe all-surface sled training
  • Nearly Silent Operation
  • Suitable for Beginner / Rehab up to High Intensity / Pro training
  • Color: Black
A great addition to a commercial gym with a lot of space or a home gym with a spacious driveway. For professional, very heavy athletes, this might not be the right choice.
 

Pros of the XPO trainer 2

 
The pros of the XPO trainer 2 are:
 
  • Wheels instead of a sled
  • work at high speeds
  • Accelerating resistance curve
The biggest pro of this machine compared to sleds is that it has wheels. This means less wear and tear on any floor that it is used on. This is especially good for indoor gyms and home gyms that are worried about sleds wrecking the floor. The wheels also enable that you can get to a sprinting speed without worrying that the sled will get caught on the ground and you really hurt yourself. Compared to other sleds, this one gets harder the more momentum you create. Traditional sleds are usually the hardest to get moving and get easier, once momentum is built.
 

Cons of the XPO trainer 2

 
The cons of the XPO trainer 2 are:
 
  • Lightweight
  • Wheels 
  • Accelerating resistance curve
Depending on the training application and where you use it the XPO is great. Anyone who is not an NFL linebacker or rugby player will probably be satisfied and get excellent results from it improving their explosiveness and getting some cardio work in at the same time. If you weigh 100kg plus and are mainly concerned with moving a big heavy object out of the way that is reluctant to budge then the XPO is not the right training tool. Here you need a heavy ass sled, that only starts moving after you throw your full weight behind it. Imagine you tackle the 60-pound XPO with full might. It will go flying unless you weigh it down. 
 

Alternatives to the XPO Trainer 2

 
Alternatievs to the XPO trainer 2 are:
 
The butcher V2 costs only a third of the XPO and simulates better to get momentum into an inanimate object. The downside is that it comes on feet instead of wheels which is more likely to damage the surface you are using it on. Rogue has addressed this in their V2 redesign with replaceable feet that can be equipped with a plastic footplate set. Still, this will damage your floors more than wheels. On the positive side, you can get a lot of weight on this to simulate rugby and football tackles. You might even like that the friction provides even more resistance.
 
The Rogue Y2 yoke can also be used for sled pushes and pulls. The setup is more cumbersome as the structure is bigger compared to sleds. Still, a good yoke is an all in one gym that can have a pull-up bar, squat stand, sled, and yoke in one. If you have space a yoke is not to be scoffed at, as it has way more applications for the same price as the XPO. The only downside is that it is less portable and will screw more with your floor. 
 

Conclusion for the XPO trainer 2

 
The XPO trainer 2 is a great sled for anyone who has the money too spent and I worried about their driveway or floor for sled work. This probably covers 95% of the fitness population that is in the market for a sled, as it is a nice to have rather than must-have for a home gym anyway. For the remaining 5% who are massive beasts and want to simulate running into a brick wall a fully loaded butcher is probably the better option.
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