Rogue Adjustable Monolift 1.0 VS 2.0

A product comparison of the Rogue Adjustable Monolift 1.0 versus the recently released 2.0 version (both Monster Lite).

[@smokinHawkjh]

I designed the originals. Note that rogue wasnt the first to make these, Crepensek was the first, then edge had their version after Crep. Rogue just made them better (IMO), more affordable and mass produced them. The big issue to me on the redesign is the adjustablity, when I set up for a max squat I need it dialed into 1/2" height, if you noticed you have the 1" hole spacing on the monster lite racks on the front of the squat and 1/2" spacing on the bench area, and 2" on the monster through out, but in the old monolifts I had 3 holes where you could attach the hook to, so it could be dialed to the perfect height, my calculations were slightly off on the hook hole as I was playing around with it trying to get 1/4" on the monster and I wasnt allowed to fix it after it went to production. Next issue with the 2.0 is the length of the arm, with it being shorter as the arm swings back it is in a higher place then when you lift off, so when you rerack you have to lift the bar higher from where you started, the longer arm of the old when this was minimized with the length of the hook. It would make it difficult for me trying to rerack 700 something lbs on a squat. The swing is also shorter on the new ones, though they say its not, this causes possible contact hitting the hooks if you lean forward on the squat. I wanted to redo my version to give even more swing, but never was allowed. I modded my personal ones to have a little more swing though. I also designed that bolt stop in there (no others had it then), as when testing I wanted to hold the bar from swinging when setting up so I could push back against this and get tight to lift off. I know some users would want to have it swing freely when setting up, so I made that bolt removable. I sometime want to make myself a new version with improvements I thought of from using it for 7 years

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

This is awesome information! I keep my bolt out because I like the freedom of movement. In your opinion, what is the best design that currently exists? Thanks for all the information!

[@smokinHawkjh]

@@BrimhallBarbellClub well my opinion is biased, haha, but it would be the swing in rogue monolifts (ver1) I want to fab up a new version for myself sometime with improvements i have from using it for as long as I have, and with a feature that will allow you to change height while the bar is loaded.

[@OPSteel97]

Thanks! Good detailed video. I have been using my new 2.0 for a week now and love it. Being able to easily slide up and down for squats/bench is nice.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Yes. So much quicker and easier.

[@mantequillas1278]

Thanks for the comparison! This helped me choose the 2.0 version. I looked at reviews on rogues website and people weren't liking it. I usually ohp at the same height as my squat and you showing that you can pin it to be out of the way just blew my mind lol. I was rethinking even purchasing it over just another pair of j-cups. Thanks again!

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@euikong1084]

Thanks for great review!!

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

No problem!

[@richt5986]

I Got the 2.0 last week I love it.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Such a more compact design.

[@richt5986]

@@BrimhallBarbellClub yes it is. Also really helps with squat and bench.

[@thejosef225]

Awesome video and great info man! Thanks for taking the time!

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Thanks for watching!

[@LivingTheLifeRetired]

Thanks for the video. I love buying stuff for my rack but for me I just don’t see the benefit of mono lifts. I think they would be in the way more than anything. I leave my jcups in the same position for squats and overhead presses and have a second set that I take on and off for my bench presses.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Thanks for watching.

[@joshuakern1274]

If they used the westside 1" spacing on the monolift itself then it would be adjustable in 1" increments. They probably won't because that would make the monster lite version better than the "premium" monster version. I might eventually just drill my own holes in order to really dial it in, that 1" of adjustment can make a difference when you are really going heavy.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Start drilling! It would work.

[@DanielGarcia-th5ri]

Great video thanks!

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Glad you liked it!

[@0bamaGod]

Thanks for the solid video and the decisive factor in me purchasing my own set of 1.0 Monolift arms due to the easier replaceable UHM Plastic on the 1.0 vs the 2.0 (*owner of Rogue’s Agro bars… lol) Lastly, I want to just constructively dissent from your perspective of using these as fixed stationary J-cups (pinned/screwed) for standing military presses. There is a high potential to bending the detent pin/key/whatever in the top hole as you mentioned when you return to rerack, hence why Rogue did not advertise/mention this functionality. Why do I know? Similarly bought their Hyper Scout and long story short pendulum motion (unloaded) but accidentally with detent pin in Bent the pin slightly. I can imagine Us with any real weight would deform that pin and make removal/retrieval of the top-positioned pin difficult or impossible manually. Otherwise thank you once more for the solid video and excellent clear dialogue!

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Point taken and noted! Thank you, sir!

[@brucesparo3224]

HUGE QUESTION: Why is it when you have no hex pin in and no weight on the monolift the arm does not return fully against the rack? It's almost as if you have the bolts too tight hindering the arm to fully return against the rack. What am I missing?

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

It returns nicely. Can you point to a specific part of the video so I can understand better?

[@brucesparo3224]

@@BrimhallBarbellClub 6:14 on. Looks like you hava a good one-inch gap with no weight on it. NOTE: Since my comment, I did purchase the mono-lift arms, and found that I had to have the proper torque on those nuts for the arms to return fully with no weight.

[@Magnus-pm7ic]

Nice video. Can you make another video of you doing all the movements. I think everyone will be interested in seeing how much clearance will there be utilizing this.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

In the works! Thanks.

[@ted6580]

Do they swing back out of the way quickly after unracking a bar? Looks like you can move them pretty far out without them swinging back, which isn’t possible with the first gen ones.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

They do swing back quickly after unracking. As far as moving them far out, you can as long as you take the one bolt out like I did.

[@TheZX11]

The monoliths are assembled by the owner by putting that pivot bolt in and tightening the compact nut. If it isn't swinging back then the pivot bolt is too tight. Just loosen it a bit so it swings more freely.

[@tonykarannn]

Thanks for review! I am not sure if the two inch adjustment can be managed or we must have one inch spacing adjustment?

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

It will work fine. These 2.0s are nice.

[@EricB03]

Nice. And you do a video of squatting inside with the new mono lift? Thanks

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

In the works. Thanks.

[@johanbengtsson3696]

Hello ! Woulde you be able to measure the height from the lowest pin hole, to the arms when an barbell is racked ?

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Happy to measure tomorrow but I’m not sure I exactly understand what you are asking. Lowest pin hole on the mono, right? And that spot to the mono arms? What part of the arms? From the lowest pinhole to the bar, racked in the mono, the distance is 14.5 inches but that may not be what you are asking.

[@johanbengtsson3696]

@@BrimhallBarbellClub Yes ! That were what I was asking for, the lowest pin hole on the mono, to were the barbell is racked in the mono. Reason I ask is because I have a SML-1 squat stand, and I am not quite sure that I can use the mono for squats, because I am 192 cm tall. Might have to buy taller uprights

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

@@johanbengtsson3696 14.5 inches it is. Hope it works out! You will love those monos!

[@GavinBrown]

Cheers. Guess you only lose the 1" spacing in the bench area, not the squat area. But that is also where it's most important. Still, very nice design.

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Very true!