John Stone's Titan Photo Journal

[williamso]

John -- your progress documented on the home gym page is tremendous, but only because it reflects the progress on your regular picture pages. Any rich fool can buy an amazing-looking workout room, but working to the point where you need that room is a different story. The Titan looks awesome! I'll have to start saving my paper money now, not just the coins.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by John Stone

Ok, my home gym page is updated!

It documents my home gym's evolution from this...



to this...



I hope you enjoy it!

Wow my weight bench looks pathetic compared to that

[Nico]

I had a dream recently that I was somehow independently wealthy and the first thing I did was buy a new house already equipped with a Titan. That thing is a cream dream.

[¿prodigy¿]

I have some questions about the Titan.

What do you need Option F for? Can't you do everything with the standard T1?

What do you think about Option E? Can you use the dumbbell spotter with all kind of dumbbells? All sizes?

What about changing between different exercises? Is it easy and will it go fast? Or do you have to do 10 things to change the gym? My bench now can be changed for different exercises, but it is to lengthy to do it

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

What do you need Option F for? Can't you do everything with the standard T1?

It just adds an extra low pulley and lat pulley. Not required at all, but comes in handy if two people want to use the machine simultaneously. Lisa also does leg abduction exercises with it.

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

What do you think about Option E? Can you use the dumbbell spotter with all kind of dumbbells? All sizes?

I've only used them with up to 70 pound hex dumbbells. No problems. I don't see why other kinds of dumbbells (pro style) wouldn't work. I don't know if powerblocks would work or not, as I've never used them.

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

What about changing between different exercises? Is it easy and will it go fast? Or do you have to do 10 things to change the gym? My bench now can be changed for different exercises, but it is to lengthy to do it

When you first get the machine there is a definite learning curve. During that time, you can expect to spend a little more time than usual to set up the machine for each exercise. This issue has been mitigated with a new numbering system and corresponding instruction book, which together give exact instructions on how to set up each exercise - no guesswork. Now that I've had the Titan for a while, I can get each exercise setup very quickly; I have everything ready to go by the end of my between-exercise rest. Once you understand how the Titan works, it's very logical and easy to get the machine ready for almost every exercise.

[¿prodigy¿]

Thanks for the answers! How much space do you need to have from the main frame of the Titan in each direction (with your configuration) to be able to do all exercises?

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

Thanks for the answers! How much space do you need to have from the main frame of the Titan in each direction (with your configuration) to be able to do all exercises?

No prob...

Brian at Fitcore answered that question in the Titan Info thread, so I'll just quote him here:

"Regarding minimum space required, as a general rule if it is mainly just the Titan you will be placing in the room you can go as little as 10' by 12' (less if you don't mind giving up some free weight squat area). However, a more comfortable fit would be something like 11' by 13' or larger. A standard 8' ceiling will do the trick for height. Any less and you might have to do some "notching" which a few of our customers have successfully done."

[¿prodigy¿]

Originally Posted by John Stone

No prob...

Brian at Fitcore answered that question in the Titan Info thread, so I'll just quote him here:

"Regarding minimum space required, as a general rule if it is mainly just the Titan you will be placing in the room you can go as little as 10' by 12' (less if you don't mind giving up some free weight squat area). However, a more comfortable fit would be something like 11' by 13' or larger. A standard 8' ceiling will do the trick for height. Any less and you might have to do some "notching" which a few of our customers have successfully done."

Great! But if you want to put this beast as close as possible (and still be able to do all exercises) to the walls, how many cm (or feet) do you need in each direction of the Titan bottom frame?
|------------------------------|
|.................^.......................|
|.................|A......................|
|.................v........................|
|.........._............_.................|
|..........|________|.................|
|..........|.............|.................|
|...B.....|.............|.........C......|
|.<->.-|------------|-.<----->.|
|..........|.............|................|
|........../----------\................|
|......../......|...|......\..............|
|...............|...|.....................|
|...............|...|.....................|
|...............----.....................|
|................^.......................|
|.................|D.....................|
|.................v.......................|
|__________________________|

I don't want to place it exactly in the middle of the room if it is possible, but when you can't move this thing, you can't test the space for the exercises by yourself

How big are the bottom frame? I can see at fitcore.com that the machine as standard is 86,6"x98,4" and with option A 106,2"x98,4", but I can't find the dimensions for the bottom frame.

[Peter_France]

Hi,

I will try to give you detailed answer:

A - about 1 m ( it's enough space to make low row or squats on machine )
B - about 50 cm
C - about 50 cm
D- about 70 cm

Peter

[¿prodigy¿]

John: How much weight (plates) do you need to the heaviest exercise with the Titan (I think it could be leg press)?

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

John: How much weight (plates) do you need to the heaviest exercise with the Titan (I think it could be leg press)?

Sorry, don't understand the question.

[henderjr]

Originally Posted by ¿prodigy¿

John: How much weight (plates) do you need to the heaviest exercise with the Titan (I think it could be leg press)?

I think what he means is for the exercise that uses the most weight how much do you use. Probably trying to figure out how much weight to buy?

[John Stone]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread with my workout. Today's Back/Bicep workout was awesome. The Titan excelled again, and I enjoyed my workout a lot.

Here's a breakdown of what I did:

BICEPS: DB Curls, Preacher Curls (Machine), Cable Curls, Chin-Ups
BACK: Behind the Neck Lat Pulldown, Low Rows, DB Rows, Pull-Ups


COMMENTS

DB Curls: I always like doing dumbbell curls to warm up. Because of my shoulder, I have to be extra careful and warmup properly. Lately I've been starting off with a set of 20 light weight curls, then a set of 12, then I increase the weight and do another set of 12. After that I do 3 working sets using heavy weights and strive for perfect form. I aim for 8-10 reps per set.

Preacher Curls (Machine): The Titan has a couple of ways to do Preacher Curls. The past couple of weeks I've been doing them with the "normal" preacher curl attachment and an EZ Curl Bar. Today I decided to try the Preacher Curl machine on the Titan. The Preacher Curl machine uses the leg curl attachment system along with an extension bar with handles. There's also a special chest pad, and of course a pad for your arms. Heck, lemme go take a couple pictures...

Ok, here's is the Titan all set up for Machine Preacher Curls:



...and here I am using it:



The movement is LIQUID smooth, and the handles swivel as you move through the range of motion. This is a very cool alternative to the Titan's standard Preacher Curl attachment!

Cable Curls: I've done cable curls a few weeks in a row now. I love how smooth the Titan's cable and pulley system is. Everything just glides. Exercises setup is a snap.

One thing that many people don't realize is that the Titan's smith carriage weights quite a lot on it's own - 80 pounds - that's with NO plates applied. Of course there are any number of circumstance in which one might want less weight. That's where the Titan's counter-balance system comes into play. All exercises that use the smith machine carriage can also engage the counter-balance system to offset the weight of the carriage as much or as little as needed.

Chin-ups/Pull-ups: Once again, the Titan offers you choice. You can use the pull-up/chin-up attachment handles or you can use a standard Olympic barbell to do either of these exercises. I love the handles: they are rock solid, padded with thick rubber and are angled just right. Of course you can use the barbell for these exercises, and also for 3rd-party accessories such as hanging ab-straps.

Behind the Neck Lat Pulldown: Like all Titan exercises that use the smith carriage, the lat pulldown system's movement is perfectly smooth and, of course, it can be used with the counter-balance system (if needed). The grips on the lat pulldown bar are covered in thick, durable rubber. The bar won't slip out of your hands no matter how much you are sweating.

Low Rows: I've been doing low rows for a few weeks now because they really seem to hit my back well. The low row system uses the rear cable assembly and a couple of the big, tough foot plates. This exercise also utilizes the ultra-smooth Titan smith carriage/cable/pulley system. Of course the counter-balance system is also available if you need to lighten the smith carriage's base weight.

DB Rows: Pretty standard stuff here. I use the Titan's bench to perform these. The sliding bench is easy to position, and easy to lock into place with a quick twist of the side handle.

Pull-Ups: See chin-ups (above).

For someone like me coming off a regular power rack, all these exercise options are making me feel like a kid in a candy store.

[Hercules]

Thanks, John, for all the time and effort you put into documenting this new machine for us. I'm moving to the San Juan Islands (Washington State) in November and planning to get one for myself there. After 15 years of training at Gold's in Venice, CA, I've gotten used to decent equipment. (Not that the current Gold's/Venice management selects or maintains the equipment properly -- but that's another rant!)

I can't thank you enough for describing the Titan system so thoroughly!!

Steve in Venice

[Hercules]

Two general questions for Titan owners:

In the Titan pictures, there seem to be lots of plates loaded on the sides of the machine. But it doesn't come with plates, does it? These plates seem to be proprietary, with a distinctive square-within-a-circle design.

I want to make sure and receive my T1 by early November. I spoke to Lee in Salt Lake City today, who didn't seem to think I'd need to order one much in advance, but aren't the units already being backordered by some sellers?

[Stecman]

Behind the Neck Lat Pulldown: Like all Titan exercises that use the smith carriage, the lat pulldown system's movement is perfectly smooth and, of course, it can be used with the counter-balance system (if needed). The grips on the lat pulldown bar are covered in thick, durable rubber. The bar won't slip out of your hands no matter how much you are sweating.

Oh man - with the shoulder problems you've had in the past, I'd keep those lat pulldowns to the frount. I could be wrong, but I've read doing them behind the back strains the deltoids.

[williamso]

Originally Posted by Stecman

Oh man - with the shoulder problems you've had in the past, I'd keep those lat pulldowns to the frount. I could be wrong, but I've read doing them behind the back strains the deltoids.

I was about to say the same thing.
http://www.chekinstitute.com/articles.cfm?select=10
http://www.topendsports.com/fitness/avoid-latbehind.htm
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/...pull-down.html

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Hercules

Thanks, John, for all the time and effort you put into documenting this new machine for us. I'm moving to the San Juan Islands (Washington State) in November and planning to get one for myself there. After 15 years of training at Gold's in Venice, CA, I've gotten used to decent equipment. (Not that the current Gold's/Venice management selects or maintains the equipment properly -- but that's another rant!)

I can't thank you enough for describing the Titan system so thoroughly!!

Steve in Venice

Ah, that's great to hear - you're very welcome! I appreciate the feedback, and I'm glad this journal has been useful to you.

I'm awfully busy, but I'll try to update it more regularly. Stay tuned!

[John Stone]

Originally Posted by Hercules

In the Titan pictures, there seem to be lots of plates loaded on the sides of the machine. But it doesn't come with plates, does it? These plates seem to be proprietary, with a distinctive square-within-a-circle design.

It doesn't come with plates. The plates in the official photos are available, but they are not cheap. Any standard Olympic barbell plate set will work fine with the Titan.

Originally Posted by Hercules

I want to make sure and receive my T1 by early November. I spoke to Lee in Salt Lake City today, who didn't seem to think I'd need to order one much in advance, but aren't the units already being backordered by some sellers?

Maybe, but if you buy through JSF then your Titan will not come from a retailer. It will come straight from the US source - Fitcore Technologies. Lee and Brian with Fitcore are the two people who are responsible for bringing Titans into the USA, so I'd feel very comfortable with anything either one of those guys tells you.

[John Stone]

Stecman & williamso, Thanks for the heads-up and the great articles! Consider that my last set of behind the neck lat pull-downs. It sounds like pull-downs to the front are ok, so maybe I'll try that as an alternative to weighted pull-ups.