As promised, here is my Rogue 30” Bolt Together Review.
It’s really difficult to find a quality rack in Canada and not get hosed on price or shipping. I spent a good couple of months (and being a pen-pal with Accutron) trying to figure out how to get some of the Legend or Elite product into Ontario without getting raped at the border. We also looked at custom racks from companies like Edge Fitness in Ohio.
In the end it was just too much of a pain in the ass and so I settled on Rogue. Now, while I say I settled, the R3 or R4 was ALWAYS in the running for me – I just wanted to see what I could get for my $1000-$1500. I’ve purchased a number of things from Rogue (including a barbell) and I have always been impressed with their service. Once again, I was impressed as the rack made it from Columbus to Waterloo, Ontario (and my Front door) in two days.
Part of the reason I went for the R3 is the knowledge that Rogue is always going to be offering accessories, additions, and improvements for the line and the ability to upgrade and add will always be there. This is also part of the reason I went for the BT option as I will be able to add a dedicated weight storage component to it later or easily turn it into the R4 or R6.
The real reason I opted for the BT is because of the 30” working space. I know what you’re thinking: 24” is more than enough space dude, and if it’s good enough for the Westside boys who do you think you are?
It’s just nice having the extra space, it makes the rack more flexible, and I have the gym space to spare. In fact, for personal home use I’d venture to say that the 3o“ R3BT renders the R4 somewhat redundant as IMO the 30” is a perfect amount of space for any rack-based exercise.
Probably my main concern about the R3 was the fact that it has to be bolted down. Once I convinced myself that it’s not that big on an issue bolting it to my basement floor I pulled the trigger. Indeed, bolting it down is not as big as issue as I had thought. Now, while it’s certainly not as simple as bolting a rack together in 20 minutes, the added stability makes it so worthwhile because it transforms this thing into an absolute tank.
What would I improve? Color options would be nice but is certainly not a necessity. I’d also like to see “beefy spotters” like the ones Legend offer as an option. I’ve been told, however, that these will be offered soon. The pin and pipe safeties are fine, but beefy spotters with the plastic coating would be a nice touch. An option for numbered holes would also be nice (it’s tough with the “Westside” hole spacing), but it’s nothing some stickers can’t take care of….and I find I use stickers to help my memory even with numbered holes.
In conclusion there’s not much I don’t like about this rack. Are there more desirable racks out there? Of course. However, for the home gym enthusiast looking to upgrade to a “big boy rack” the R3 offers one of the best values for a quality rack out there. Plus, there’s almost always something new being created at Rogue to add to their rack series…for Christmas I’m going to add the Matador and Landmine attachments
Any questions or something I missed let me know.
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11-30-2012, 10:39 AM #1
- Join Date: Oct 2011
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- Age: 43
- Posts: 366
- Rep Power: 2397
Rogue R3 30" Bolt Together Initial Review
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11-30-2012, 11:54 AM #2
5-star view VM. Glad you like the rack. Thanks for the great pics and write-up.
I looked at the Matador too. To get it with the rack or order separately later there is no pretty much no saving in shipping, like $3 or something.
Enjoy the rack, hope it server you well bro!!!! Great looking gym set-up too, lots of space.[]---[] Equipment Crew #6 []---[]
Rogue R3 Crew -[]--(ಠ_ಠ)--[]-
Isn't it weird that pirates would go out to shore looking for buried treasure but the real treasure was in the friendships they were making?
"Where the **** are we at?" -Christopher Columbus
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11-30-2012, 12:10 PM #3
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11-30-2012, 01:16 PM #4
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11-30-2012, 01:27 PM #5
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11-30-2012, 02:30 PM #6
- Join Date: Apr 2009
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Age: 34
- Posts: 1,126
- Rep Power: 758
Good review
I see you didnt have the monkey pull up bar (wasnt sure if its due to ceiling height). What i would do if i was you is on the back of the rack(where your collars are hanging) make the fat bar only accessible and on the front of the rack (where your chain is hanging) i would put the custom pull up bar from dean at black widow training gear. I believe he made it for some ones R3 rack so it should fit no problem.
Just an idea : http://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/access-_-pub.htmIt surprises me how many people refuse to buy equipment from Elitefts because its too expensive but they will buy equipment from their competitors, then continue to go on EFS website to educate themselves for FREE
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11-30-2012, 03:16 PM #7
Last edited by Accutron; 11-30-2012 at 03:25 PM.
[]---[] Equipment Crew #6 []---[]
Rogue R3 Crew -[]--(ಠ_ಠ)--[]-
Isn't it weird that pirates would go out to shore looking for buried treasure but the real treasure was in the friendships they were making?
"Where the **** are we at?" -Christopher Columbus
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11-30-2012, 03:20 PM #8
- Join Date: Oct 2011
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- Age: 43
- Posts: 366
- Rep Power: 2397
817. That's literally EXACTLY what I have planned and I talked about it in a another post here. I just need GarageIron to hook me up with his mailbox or I'll buy it from his site. Otherwise, I'll grab it when I'm in Detroit in January.
Also, I didn't go with the money pull up because I was unsure of ceiling height but it might have worked. Either way I think I prefer the setup with the BW pull up.
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11-30-2012, 03:27 PM #9
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11-30-2012, 04:02 PM #10
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11-30-2012, 05:54 PM #11
Awesome review and awesome rack! Even more awesome that you're in KW, seems like there's a few of us around here.
Unrelated note, but since you live in the area, if you aren't up to much tomorrow you should come check out the CPF Provincial championships at St Davids high school in Waterloo. I'm getting excited to lift and it should be a good time!BW: 247
Squat: 550
Deadlift: 601
Bench: 381 w/pause
Press: 275
Front Squat: 405
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11-30-2012, 06:19 PM #12
- Join Date: Mar 2011
- Location: North Carolina, United States
- Posts: 3,176
- Rep Power: 20490
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did" Mark Twain
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats" H. L. Mencken
[]---[] Equipment Crew #42 []---[] ()---() York Barbell Club #18 ()---()
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12-01-2012, 05:19 AM #13
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12-01-2012, 06:31 AM #14
- Join Date: Oct 2011
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- Age: 43
- Posts: 366
- Rep Power: 2397
Forbidden, can you PM me the details please?
Thanks Twodog. No, my two bars are the Rogue Operator Bar and the York 32121 which I use as a "power bar."
I have a fight with myself everyday with calling GI and telling him to put aside one of those bars for me....but if I do that the York 32121 becomes totally obsolete....and I've only had it a few months......I am a barbell whore though and it's tempting. I could move the 32121 to my other rack and get rid of the ****ty bar there. It's tough because I really do like the 32121.
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12-01-2012, 06:51 AM #15
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12-01-2012, 11:31 AM #16
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12-01-2012, 02:39 PM #17
- Join Date: Mar 2011
- Location: North Carolina, United States
- Posts: 3,176
- Rep Power: 20490
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did" Mark Twain
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats" H. L. Mencken
[]---[] Equipment Crew #42 []---[] ()---() York Barbell Club #18 ()---()
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12-01-2012, 06:59 PM #18
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12-01-2012, 07:07 PM #19
- Join Date: Aug 2012
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Age: 47
- Posts: 2,097
- Rep Power: 5289
Who is this guy?
http://startingstrength.com/resource...809#post571809()---() York Barbell Club #30 ()---()
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12-01-2012, 07:34 PM #20
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12-01-2012, 10:34 PM #21
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12-02-2012, 06:34 AM #22
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12-08-2012, 11:28 PM #23
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12-09-2012, 06:02 AM #24
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03-28-2014, 02:28 PM #25
- Join Date: Oct 2011
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- Age: 43
- Posts: 366
- Rep Power: 2397
A little update.
So Rogue never got around to doing flip safeties. So, I had Mech6 (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=158840393) fab me up a pair and an additional fat chin bar. Very happy with the results, Mech6 (Greg) is a great guy to deal with and very professional.... and his work is top notch. He shipped me his fabrication work in 1 day and the work took only about a week or so.
Last edited by Vmango; 03-28-2014 at 02:42 PM.
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03-28-2014, 03:17 PM #26
Those look quality! Nice work Mech.
Thanks for posting VMango. How's the grip on the fat bar? It looks slippery due to the paint...? If you still are thinking about getting weight storage for it, I'd be getting Mech to make it in the same colour as soon as he has time.▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #54 ▪█─────█▪
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03-28-2014, 03:29 PM #27
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03-28-2014, 04:38 PM #28
Awesome, noticed the NOV sticker too LOL. Srs, very nice work.
Im still thinking of getting these from M6, but dont know, I equally like my pins.[]---[] Equipment Crew #6 []---[]
Rogue R3 Crew -[]--(ಠ_ಠ)--[]-
Isn't it weird that pirates would go out to shore looking for buried treasure but the real treasure was in the friendships they were making?
"Where the **** are we at?" -Christopher Columbus
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03-28-2014, 04:39 PM #29
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03-28-2014, 04:41 PM #30
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