Love mine. Rest of my gym is of the "top tier" brands. Gave this a try and man, I couldn't be happier. Got it a couple weeks ago for 560 new due to a sale.
Variety is a good thing, but I rather rotate leg exercises with the Titan Fitness SquatMax MD, back squats using a monolift on my power rack, dumbbell lunges, and dumbbell step-ups on plyo platforms. I already have different ways to do leg extensions and leg curls, but there are more effective leg exercises so I rarely do them.
Add a loopedstrap that goes from the weight horn to the handle to the left of the seat then gou can pull the strap to pull the weight towards you then you can put your legs on the pad and do your leg curls full ROM
The valor fitness version it is cheaper, far better quality , more adjustments, and no weird top swivel leg pad features. I got mine used for $100 because live near military bases in colorado lots turn over of equipment, new is $320
Seems like a solid piece but I'm just not a big fan of most of these plate-loaded options due to them being suboptimal for hypertrophy. There's a lot of research coming out on how tension in the lengthened/stretched portion of the movement is more hypertrophic, and on the leg extension it can make a big difference based on some new research. Dr. Milo Wolf is probably the lead expert right now on this stuff, I'd check out his channel for a lot more info: th-cam.com/video/zixIi5q4gfo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=HJGwB22-z0X2jTr2 But the basics are you want to maximize the ability to bend the knees and stretch the quads while leaning back (which stretches the rectus femoris head of the quads since it crosses the hip joint) and have maximum tension applied in this start position. This type of machine doesn't seem like it would allow all that to happen unfortunately. You can get some tension at the start for sure with the plate hacks and setup discussed in this video, but it's still not maximized and leaning far back or getting near full knee bend didn't seem like it's possible, but I could be wrong. I think that having a height-adjustable cable system and using ankle straps (I recommend one with a secondary strap under the foot/heel so it's more secure), a bench with a seat pad that inclines, and long chains along each side of the bench connected to a pulley behind you is probably a better option if you want to maximize muscle growth. But it does require a specific setup to do bilaterally since you want a bench with a wide seat pad or foam rollers (with bottom ones being removable so they don't get in the way) so it's wide enough to fit both legs side by side and pretty long chains so the attachment point behind you doesn't hit the back of the bench when you fully extend your legs. A small spreader plate may help make the pull more straight back by splitting the single cable attachment point into two, or use a cable tower with dual pulleys on the post. So it definitely can require having a few pieces to make the ideal setup. But, pretty much any bench should work for unilateral work, or you can just do sissy squats or reverse nordics with minimal equipment for quad isolation which should be more hypertrophic than a shortened-biased plate-loaded leg extension based on the latest science. To be clear, a plate-loaded option like this will still work and provide some growth, but I personally feel if I'm putting in the time and effort I'd like to get maximal results and the difference with lengthened-biased leg extensions and curls seems to be pretty meaningful based on the research that I don't think this Titan piece is a great option for most people. Still great review and really appreciate the details and thoroughness!
Appreciate the comment brother. For sure I've read and heard the research on what you presenting here my friend. I'll eventually get into a video on this in future. The only thing I say for the individual, you don't need a research study to tell you if an exercise is stressful or intense. But for sure nothing wrong with learning and applying what works.
@@terraGaliciaXXIV Haha yea I'm autistic and lifting and home gym equipment are some of my special interests so thinking about this stuff SUPER deeply is fun to me 😁. My main point is you can get a plate-loaded height-adjustable cable tower, ankle straps, chains, and an FID bench all for noticeably less than the $650-700 this machine costs and have a more optimal setup for growing the muscles targeted by this machine and maintaining mobility as you age by keeping your muscles/joints accustomed to forces at their most stretched ranges of motion. Plus, you get way more versatility for other exercises compared to the limited functionality of this machine. So a unit like this doesn't make a ton of sense to me, I'm sure there are valid use cases where it makes sense for someone in their gym setup, but I think for the majority of people their money can be better spent elsewhere.
How do you feel about this versus the Powertec bench attachment that does leg curls/extensions? If you had to pick between this and the Powertec leg curl/extension attachment not including price or space saving options, which would you choose? I would prefer something that also gives me more resistance on the lengthened part of the lift bc I became OCD about lengthened partials to finish my sets over the last few weeks thanks to the new research lol. Or do they feel identical? You don't have to answer here if it's a video topic you're planning to release soon. Like a nice comparison between the various leg curl/extension machines or techniques you use.
I get into that a briefly in the video, but basically feel that this machine for sure feels better on the leg extensions compared to the leg ex. attachments ( I've tried 3 different ones).However, understandably the benefits / space might not be worth it for everyone. I do still value the lying leg curl, but with this machine, I'll probably rarely set that up. I'm definitely not as into the "lengthened partials", but mostly just focused on which one gives off the most direct tension/stress to the given working muscle.
@@hybridresistance Thanks for the input. I was contemplating which to get, and yeah, the space saving aspect and the cost play a role, but for just a few hundred dollars and a little more space to take up, why not get the better option. I'm probably going to settle on the Titan or one of its spinoffs like from GMWD or something. As for the lengthened partials lol, I actually started doing that toward the end of my sets because of all the prison workout videos I watched and how they swear by partial reps. Then suddenly all the TH-camrs started talking about it because of recent papers being published supporting it. I like the pump it gives me.
I can almost guarantee that for about the same price someone could buy a used newer generation Nautilus machine, and most certainly an older (perhaps better) one ✌️
@@hybridresistance Understood. Buying a big heavy selectorized commercial machine should be a "permanent" investment. Obviously everything has gotten more expensive in recent years, but a few years ago I would routinely see machines from Nautilus (and others) for ~$500 on Craigslist. The problem with these lightweight home machines, and there are several big ones, are the el cheapo high friction bushings & bearings, the lack of a cam to vary the resistance to allow for full range exercise without using excessive momentum (although an adjustable weight arm lever can approximate that if you know what you're doing), flimsy pads, and the lack of a hip belt to restrict reactionary force. With any or all of those things missing or poorly designed, users will knowingly or unknowingly pick up on the deficiencies and stop using the machine because it will feel bad and ultimately be ineffective.
Love mine. Rest of my gym is of the "top tier" brands. Gave this a try and man, I couldn't be happier. Got it a couple weeks ago for 560 new due to a sale.
Awesome to hear. I still use mine about 2x a week. One of my most used purchases of the year no question.
Variety is a good thing, but I rather rotate leg exercises with the Titan Fitness SquatMax MD, back squats using a monolift on my power rack, dumbbell lunges, and dumbbell step-ups on plyo platforms. I already have different ways to do leg extensions and leg curls, but there are more effective leg exercises so I rarely do them.
Add a loopedstrap that goes from the weight horn to the handle to the left of the seat then gou can pull the strap to pull the weight towards you then you can put your legs on the pad and do your leg curls full ROM
Very key tip brother. Thank you
The valor fitness version it is cheaper, far better quality , more adjustments, and no weird top swivel leg pad features. I got mine used for $100 because live near military bases in colorado lots turn over of equipment, new is $320
Yeah i remember a few years back when you could get this for under $500 in the $399-$499 range on sale
I heard that. I wonder the rational in price increase.
Got one for 500 during the pandemic. Nowadays you can find it second hand for that or cheaper.
Found the vid! Yeah missed this one 😂
@@DeadLinux haha, i might just be putting out too many videos
@hybridresistance No no no no don't say that - the algorithm will hear you!
Another good review. Thanks!
Thanks Chris
Any idea what the changes were for version 2?
@@dano.2807 it was just buffered vinyl padding and pull pin adjustments
Seems like a solid piece but I'm just not a big fan of most of these plate-loaded options due to them being suboptimal for hypertrophy. There's a lot of research coming out on how tension in the lengthened/stretched portion of the movement is more hypertrophic, and on the leg extension it can make a big difference based on some new research.
Dr. Milo Wolf is probably the lead expert right now on this stuff, I'd check out his channel for a lot more info:
th-cam.com/video/zixIi5q4gfo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=HJGwB22-z0X2jTr2
But the basics are you want to maximize the ability to bend the knees and stretch the quads while leaning back (which stretches the rectus femoris head of the quads since it crosses the hip joint) and have maximum tension applied in this start position.
This type of machine doesn't seem like it would allow all that to happen unfortunately. You can get some tension at the start for sure with the plate hacks and setup discussed in this video, but it's still not maximized and leaning far back or getting near full knee bend didn't seem like it's possible, but I could be wrong.
I think that having a height-adjustable cable system and using ankle straps (I recommend one with a secondary strap under the foot/heel so it's more secure), a bench with a seat pad that inclines, and long chains along each side of the bench connected to a pulley behind you is probably a better option if you want to maximize muscle growth.
But it does require a specific setup to do bilaterally since you want a bench with a wide seat pad or foam rollers (with bottom ones being removable so they don't get in the way) so it's wide enough to fit both legs side by side and pretty long chains so the attachment point behind you doesn't hit the back of the bench when you fully extend your legs. A small spreader plate may help make the pull more straight back by splitting the single cable attachment point into two, or use a cable tower with dual pulleys on the post.
So it definitely can require having a few pieces to make the ideal setup. But, pretty much any bench should work for unilateral work, or you can just do sissy squats or reverse nordics with minimal equipment for quad isolation which should be more hypertrophic than a shortened-biased plate-loaded leg extension based on the latest science.
To be clear, a plate-loaded option like this will still work and provide some growth, but I personally feel if I'm putting in the time and effort I'd like to get maximal results and the difference with lengthened-biased leg extensions and curls seems to be pretty meaningful based on the research that I don't think this Titan piece is a great option for most people.
Still great review and really appreciate the details and thoroughness!
Appreciate the comment brother. For sure I've read and heard the research on what you presenting here my friend. I'll eventually get into a video on this in future. The only thing I say for the individual, you don't need a research study to tell you if an exercise is stressful or intense. But for sure nothing wrong with learning and applying what works.
You’re really overthinking it. This is a lower cost option for someone who wants a smaller machine which can be used with plates.
@@terraGaliciaXXIV Haha yea I'm autistic and lifting and home gym equipment are some of my special interests so thinking about this stuff SUPER deeply is fun to me 😁.
My main point is you can get a plate-loaded height-adjustable cable tower, ankle straps, chains, and an FID bench all for noticeably less than the $650-700 this machine costs and have a more optimal setup for growing the muscles targeted by this machine and maintaining mobility as you age by keeping your muscles/joints accustomed to forces at their most stretched ranges of motion. Plus, you get way more versatility for other exercises compared to the limited functionality of this machine.
So a unit like this doesn't make a ton of sense to me, I'm sure there are valid use cases where it makes sense for someone in their gym setup, but I think for the majority of people their money can be better spent elsewhere.
How do you feel about this versus the Powertec bench attachment that does leg curls/extensions?
If you had to pick between this and the Powertec leg curl/extension attachment not including price or space saving options, which would you choose? I would prefer something that also gives me more resistance on the lengthened part of the lift bc I became OCD about lengthened partials to finish my sets over the last few weeks thanks to the new research lol.
Or do they feel identical?
You don't have to answer here if it's a video topic you're planning to release soon. Like a nice comparison between the various leg curl/extension machines or techniques you use.
I get into that a briefly in the video, but basically feel that this machine for sure feels better on the leg extensions compared to the leg ex. attachments ( I've tried 3 different ones).However, understandably the benefits / space might not be worth it for everyone. I do still value the lying leg curl, but with this machine, I'll probably rarely set that up.
I'm definitely not as into the "lengthened partials", but mostly just focused on which one gives off the most direct tension/stress to the given working muscle.
@@hybridresistance Thanks for the input. I was contemplating which to get, and yeah, the space saving aspect and the cost play a role, but for just a few hundred dollars and a little more space to take up, why not get the better option. I'm probably going to settle on the Titan or one of its spinoffs like from GMWD or something.
As for the lengthened partials lol, I actually started doing that toward the end of my sets because of all the prison workout videos I watched and how they swear by partial reps. Then suddenly all the TH-camrs started talking about it because of recent papers being published supporting it. I like the pump it gives me.
I can almost guarantee that for about the same price someone could buy a used newer generation Nautilus machine, and most certainly an older (perhaps better) one ✌️
@@MrChristopherMolloy I actually almost considered one of those. But wanted something smaller and if I had to unload easy, I could do so.
@@hybridresistance Understood. Buying a big heavy selectorized commercial machine should be a "permanent" investment. Obviously everything has gotten more expensive in recent years, but a few years ago I would routinely see machines from Nautilus (and others) for ~$500 on Craigslist.
The problem with these lightweight home machines, and there are several big ones, are the el cheapo high friction bushings & bearings, the lack of a cam to vary the resistance to allow for full range exercise without using excessive momentum (although an adjustable weight arm lever can approximate that if you know what you're doing), flimsy pads, and the lack of a hip belt to restrict reactionary force.
With any or all of those things missing or poorly designed, users will knowingly or unknowingly pick up on the deficiencies and stop using the machine because it will feel bad and ultimately be ineffective.
700$ lmaoooooo wtf
@@privatecitizen4001 pretty much the going rate of these but they also have steeper sales
@@hybridresistanceno it's not. They're all over Amazon for half that.
@@hybridresistanceno it's not they sell all day long on a m a zon for half that.
Yeah it used to be like $399 on sale a few years back