An anterior tib machine makes it extremely easy and actually kind of enjoyable to train your tibialis anterior, which can otherwise be a real nightmare to train and will often end up neglected.
I’ve spent the day researching these devices and have ranked the current top anterior tib machines money can buy in 2023.
I’ve provided detailed reviews of each to help you to decide which anterior tib machine is right for you!
At the end of the article I’ll brief you on everything you need to know about anterior tib machines for those of you looking for more information.
Let’s begin!
Titan Fitness is known for making some decent and affordable fitness equipment and they’ve managed to absolutely nail it with their ant tib machine. Top tier quality at a top tier price!
Best Overall Anterior Tib Machine
When it comes to anterior tib machines, Titan is the only major brand in the scene making these things at an affordable rate.
Their ant tib machine isn’t only affordable at just under $200, but it’s also exceptionally well designed with heavy duty bearings as well as thicker padding than alternatives.
Compared to the others, it’s also a little heavier, the finish is a little nicer, and it’s got longer sleeves so if you had the strongest shins in the world and needed more real estate for weights, it’s got you covered.
Recommended Use
This anterior tib machine is the best balance of quality and affordability and will be the best option for the vast majority of athletes.
Pros
- Dependable quality and extremely comfortable to use.
- Super high customer satisfaction with virtually no complaints.
- Very affordable compared to other options on the market.
Cons
- Titan don’t ship internationally.
The most budget friendly anterior tib machine worth considering is the TDS tibia dorsi machine. It’s definitely not as solid as the Titan product, but should still get the job done.
Best Anterior Tib Machine – Runner Up
This is one of a couple “white label” Amazon only products which do more or less the same thing as the Titan machine, only without the name brand.
At the time of writing it’s about $10 cheaper than the Titan machine, making this the cheapest ant tib machine on the market.
It’s a little lighter than the Titan product and the sleeves aren’t quite as long. The padding is also a little thinner, but otherwise it’s quite similar.
One issue with this device is that the weight plates will slide towards the edge/slide off the machine if you don’t have clips and are using it even slightly aggressively.
As far as customer satisfaction goes, people seem very pleased overall with the quality of this product. There is however a few more complaints compared to the Titan machine.
Personally, I would never choose this product over the Titan anterior tib machine just to save $10.
Recommended Use
This anterior tib machine is the cheapest on the market, so it might be a decent option for anyone on a strict budget.
Pros
- Lighter than the Titan machine, so it should be easier to move around the gym.
- Slightly cheaper than Titan machine.
Cons
- Weight plates tend to start sliding off the sleeves if you’re not using clips.
- A few complaints about defects and poor customer service.
If you’re looking for the Rolls Royce of tibialis machines, the Watson tibialis trainer is right up there at the top of the list. This product was recently popularized by Ben Patrick (knees over toes guy) and it’s his recommended option for advanced athletes.
Best High-End Tibialis Machine
These devices are the bee’s knees of tibialis machines.
The upright handles make them super easy and comfortable to use.
They are however considerably more expensive than the other machines, costing just under $500.
They do come with a lifetime warranty and they ship worldwide, which makes them one of the few options available to people outside of the US.
Recommended Use
One of the best and most affordable options for anyone located outside of the USA. Great option for commercial gyms.
Pros
- Upright handles make this anterior tib machine the easiest and most comfortable to use.
- This is the most affordable anterior tib machine that’ll ship outside of the US!
Cons
- At just under $500, this machine is substantially more expensive than the alternatives.
Best Anterior Tib Machine Alternative: A Tib Bar
While anterior tib machines are the ideal way to train your shins, there are plenty of benefits of using a tib bar as well…
Tib bars are extremely portable, significantly more affordable, and still provide an absolutely amazing tib burn.
If you’re open to considering tib bars, be sure to check out my full tib bar buyer’s guide so you can pick the right one for your needs.
Recommended Use
For anyone who wants a portable tib training solution, and also wants to save some money, definitely consider getting a tib bar!
Pros
- Tib bars are significantly more portable than anterior tib machines – you can throw them in your gym bag easily.
- Tib bars are significantly cheaper than anterior tib machines.
Cons
- I can’t think of any! Tib bars are amazing!
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Final Verdict?
My official recommendation is the Titan Fitness Tibia Dorsi Calf Machine because of its quality design and affordable price tag.
It retails for about the same price as the TDS machine, but is slightly better quality, so it makes a lot of sense to go for the Titan product.
If you’re located outside of the US, one of the most affordable options is going to be the Watson Tibialis Trainer which also happens to be one of the nicest overall tibialis machines you can get.
Alternatively, you could look at getting a tib bar which is quickly becoming the most popular way to train your tibialis anterior!
My Anterior Tib Machine Research & Review Process
I always make it my mission to be as comprehensive as possible with these product reviews so I can be as helpful as possible to my readers.
Unfortunately, since I’m living abroad in Thailand, I’ve not been able to purchase and test any of these anterior tib machines yet, as neither the Titan nor TDS machine ship internationally.
So in the interest of full transparency, I cannot yet speak about these products from first hand experience.
Since there wasn’t much information available on the internet about anterior tib machines, I decided to take the time to research each of these options and put together this list anyway, hoping some of you would find it helpful.
Research Process
Since there’s only a few anterior tib machines on the market, it wasn’t difficult to narrow this list down to the 4 products discussed.
There are some anterior tib machines which come as part of a larger calf training machine, but these cost north of $1,000, so I decided not to include them in this article.
I primarily used price as well as customer satisfaction as grading metrics when ranking these products, and after reading every review I could find, it wasn’t difficult to come up with the list as it stands.
After the popularity the Watson Tibialis Trainer has received on the back of Ben Patrick/Derek Williams promoting it to their audiences, I decided to include this product in the roundup as well.
Continually Updating With New Products & Information
I’m keeping an eye out for new anterior tib machines that can offer value to the marketplace for inclusion in this article.
Also, as newer versions of the products discussed above come out, I’ll update this article accordingly so you have the most up-to-date information.
Feel free to read more about my product testing standards and review process.
What Is An Anterior Tib Machine?
An anterior tib machine, otherwise known as a tibia dorsiflexion machine, is a relatively small piece of gym equipment specifically designed to train the tibialis anterior muscle (located on the front of your shin).
They used to be quite common but don’t tend to crop up in gyms very often anymore. However now with the resurgence of interest in tibialis strengthening thanks to the Knees Over Toes Guy, we’re starting to see interest for this device start to pick back up.
What Does An Anterior Tib Machine Do?
When you dorsiflex your ankle (i.e. bring your toes towards your knee), this movement eccentrically loads the tibialis anterior (meaty part on the front of your shin).
By using an anterior tib machine, you can perform repetitions of this dorsiflexion movement using weight to strengthen the muscle.
Consistent use of an anterior tib machine will add size and considerably more strength to the muscle on the outside of your shin, which comes with a whole host of benefits when it comes to sports performance.
How To Use An Anterior Tib Machine
Simply wedge your foot under the pad and rest your heel on the metal pedal. This creates a lever/fulcrum.
Add a small amount of weight to either side and then perform anywhere from 6-25 repetitions, depending on your training focus.
Focus on squeezing that anterior tibialis muscle – you can experiment with holding it isometrically at the top of the movement before lowering it back down.
You can do these either single leg or both at once.
Start with very little weight and slowly add more if it feels too easy.
I’ve included some helpful usage tips in the FAQ section at the end of this article.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An Anterior Tib Machine
The list of benefits you’ll get from actually going out of your way to train your tibialis anterior is really long, so I’ll just cover a few of the main ones.
- Increased stopping power – Think of sports like basketball or tennis where there’s quick and sudden changes of direction. Strong tibs allow you to react and change direction far more efficiently.
- Less patella tendonitis – Developing the muscles around the knee, including the TA, is one of the best things you can do to help with patella tendinopathy.
- Increased vertical jump – On this blog I talk all the time about the kinetic chain of the vertical jump being only as strong as its weakest link. Having a strong anterior tibialis muscle will allow you to perform more efficient knee flexion and in turn will contribute to an improved vertical jump. Be sure to read my full article discussing the importance of the tibialis anterior in the vertical jump.
I go on and on about all the reasons why you should train your tibialis anterior in a separate article, but this question asks more specifically about the benefits of using a tib bar. So, briefly…
- Significantly easier to maintain balance compared to standing tib raises – I used to go to the park to do bodyweight tibialis raises where I’d have to simultaneously hold onto a wall (so as not to fall over) while not taking the load off my shins. It was very awkward and not enjoyable in the least.
- Requires less repetitions to achieve desired result – I used to have to do 30-40 reps of the standing tib raises to feel as though I was getting anywhere and even then I felt as though it wasn’t just my tibialis tiring out but my whole lower body! Using an anterior tib machine allows you to effectively isolate the tibialis anterior using any load you like to get size and strength gains without doing hundreds of reps.
- More effective and versatile than using a tibialis bar – Tib bars work pretty well too, don’t get me wrong, but they often don’t quite create as tight of a squeeze in your shin and can sometimes be impractical to use depending on your seating arrangement. I’ve found the fact that the tib machine is securely on the ground to produce a better overall training effect.
- It’s really easy – You can do these all day long while sitting comfortably on a bench or in a chair. It’s honestly pretty relaxing and standing up after your set to walk off that tibialis anterior burn is a really awesome feeling!
Simply put, if you want to take your tibialis anterior training seriously, there is no better way than by using an anterior tib machine. Period.
Who Should Use An Anterior Tib Machine
Anyone can use an anterior tib machine but it’s geared towards serious athletes that understand the benefits they can unlock by having really strong tibs. The athletes who’ll benefit the most from using an anterior tib machine include,
- Basketballers – The TA is responsible for sudden changes of direction, jumping efficiently, and landing safely.
- Volleyballers – With the huge amount of jumping (and landing) these athletes do, they’ll benefit a ton from extra shin development.
- Track & field athletes & runners – Whenever you walk, run, sprint, or jump you’re using your tibialis anterior. This muscle contributes a lot to knee stability and to efficient transferal of force and is hugely important for any athlete doing a lot of running.
- Athletes with shin splints – Shin splints are an overuse of the lower leg injury. Using an anterior tib machine helps prevent shin splints and improves overall lower leg durability.
- Mountaineers & Hikers – Ever hiked up and down a mountain? You probably woke up the next morning with brutal tibialis anterior pain. If you’re a serious mountaineer or hiker, this is ideal for strengthening the tib which is in overdrive during a descent.
- Snowboarders – Similar thing applies. You get the picture. If you need control and durability in the lower leg, you need to be hitting those tibs!
- Bodybuilders – This machine is becoming more popular with bodybuilders nowadays. People are starting to realize that you can attain a super dangerous and athletic looking lower leg by developing your tibialis muscle.
What To Look For In An Anterior Tib Machine
There’s a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for anterior tib machines. I’ll discuss a few of the more important things to think about before making a purchase decision.
- Quality steel – A quality product with strong and durable welds is important. This is one of the main reasons anterior tib machines are superior to tib bars: they’re highly rigid and heavy duty, producing better muscle stimulus. All of the products I’ll be discussing in this article are made from heavy duty 11 or 12 gauge steel and are of high quality.
- Appropriately sized foot pad – This is something that I found really problematic with the Hammer Strength Tibia Dorsi Flexion machine and is one of the reasons I no longer include it in this article… When the foot pad is too narrow, you’re forced to keep your toes together to use the product. This reduces comfort and narrows the range of stimulus you gain from positioning your toes at unique angles.
- Fair price – The three anterior tib machines I compare in this buyers guide are very similar products made from very similar materials which perform very similar functions. And yet one of them has a very different price and offers no additional value. It makes no sense to pay so much for a brand name on such a simple machine that performs such a rudimentary movement.
Is An Anterior Tib Machine Worth It?
I haven’t purchased a ton of exercise equipment recently, but getting ahold of an anterior tib machine was one of the best investments I’ve made.
As an athlete who is focused around developing strength and explosiveness so I can increase my vertical jump, I found that consistent strengthening of the tibialis anterior would be one of the best ways to inch me closer to my goal of a 45″ vertical jump.
If you’re a serious athlete or work with serious athletes (coaches and gym owners), I think the value of a tib machine is really understated. There’s simply no more convenient or effective way to train this muscle.
I’m really pleased with my decision to get one.
Tibialis Anterior Training Exercises
I’ve recently ranked the most effective tibialis anterior training exercises in a separate article, so be sure to check that out if you’re looking for ideas on how to get the most out of your tibialis anterior training.
Anterior Tib Machine FAQ
I seem to be answering the same questions over and over again regarding anterior tib machines, so I’ve included answers to some of your most popular questions below.
Where To Put An Anterior Tib Machine?
Most anterior tib machines are just standalone contraptions and don’t come with a seat attached.
Simply place the tib machine in front of any normal gym bench to sit on while using the device.
Try to keep the tib machine nice and close to the bench.
Usually higher benches are better as they allow some athletes to get a deeper stretch through the full range of motion.
How Much Weight Can I Fit On My Tib Machine?
The Titan Fitness tib machine will hold 8x10lb plates on either side, so you’re looking at 160lb which would be a total load of 163lb (3lb starting resistance). You can load up even more weight if you choose to use 25lb plates.
The Titan Fitness tib machine has 7″ sleeves whereas the TDS machine has only 5″ sleeves which means you won’t quite be able to cram as much weight onto the TDS machine.
Having said that, no human will ever have a need to lift anywhere near that much weight with their shins, so it’s not really something you need to concern yourself with.
What Size Weight Plates Will Fit On My Anterior Tib Machine?
These devices fit 2″ Olympic plates onto them. If you have 1″ plates, they won’t fit onto your anterior tib machine. I’m referring to the diameter of the hole the barbell/sleeve inserts into here, by the way.
As far as different plate sizes go, I know you can fit some smaller/thicker 25lb plates onto the Titan Fitness tib machine. Your 25lb plates need to be less than 4.5 inches from sleeve hole to the outside of the plate for them to fit onto the tib machine.
Basically, when it comes to 25lb plates the answer is: it depends.
To use 45lb plates on these contraptions, you’ll need to raise the tib machine off the floor using some sort of a wooden board or platform to give slightly more clearance so the plate doesn’t bang into the ground and prevent you from completing the exercise.
All of these machines will have no issues fitting 10lb and smaller plates.
Does My Anterior Tib Machine Need To Be Secured To The Floor?
Absolutely not. These things are heavy enough that you don’t have to worry about them moving around while using them.
Since you need to position these machines in front of benches to use them sitting down, you definitely won’t want to bolt them to the ground.
Can I Use My Anterior Tib Machine Standing Up?
Yes absolutely, and this is really a fine option if you don’t have access to a bench. You’ll only be able to do one leg at a time however, as you stand on your other leg for balance.
Is There Anything You Don’t Like About Anterior Tib Machines!?
Some people struggle to find 10lb weight plates with a 2″ insertion diameter. If you don’t have access to 2″ plates, you basically can’t use a tib machine, which is a little annoying.
Still, they can be bought online or from most sporting goods stores, so it shouldn’t really be a problem.
That’s one of the few complaints I see about tib machines.
They’re also not super cheap.
But I personally think the price is pretty fair for a heavy duty hunk of metal that allows you to perform a highly specialized task.
I’ve been sat here for 5 minutes now trying to think of things I dislike about my TDS tib machine and I’m drawing a blank. I am pretty fanatical about these things if you couldn’t already tell!
What Are The Best Anterior Tib Machine Alternatives?
Definitely the next step down would be to use a tib bar which performs a similar function.
After that you could go really ghetto and fashion your own homemade/DIY tib machine/bar, or even just do bodyweight tib raises.
What’s The Difference Between An Anterior Tib Machine & A Tib Bar?
A tib bar is a very lightweight contraption that also trains the tibialis anterior in a similar way to the tib machine.
They’re a little cheaper and produce almost the same results.
If this is something you’d like to look into, be sure to check out my tib bar buyers guide for more information.
