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While there are many effective, limited-equipment workouts you’ll be able to do at home to remain in shape, you’ll need a squat rack if you ought to lift heavy weight. Without one, you’ll struggle to perform lifts just like the back squat and bench press and will never reach your full strength potential.

I purchased a recent squat rack a few yr and a half ago. Regardless that I even have years of coaching experience and am aware of many various squat rack corporations through my job as a fitness author, it still took me weeks to make a choice. Nevertheless, I learned rather more about squat racks than I ever thought possible. To save lots of you from having to endure countless hours of research, I compiled an inventory of the eight best squat racks below.

Our Top Picks for the Best Squat Racks

Best Power Rack: REP Fitness PR-5000

REP Fitness PR-5000

• Dimensions: 50.8 inches wide; selection of 80- or 93-inch height; selection of 16-, 30-, or 41-inch rack depth
• Materials: 3×3, 11-gauge steel
• Weight capability: 1,000 kilos
• Hole spacing: Two inches

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Pros

• Numerous customization options available
• Compatible with attachments from other brands
• Laser cut numbers on the uprights for simple and quick rack adjustments

Cons

• High starting price and the fee of attachments and accessories adds up quickly
• No Westside hole spacing

When you’re looking for a customizable, heavy-duty squat rack, look no further than the REP Fitness PR-5000. It has 3×3, 11-gauge steel uprights, which is impressive by itself. But with the variety of compatible accessories and attachments available, you’ll be able to have access to almost a whole gym with just this one rack. Because of this, we consider the PR-5000 the most effective squat rack overall.

You might have the selection of an 80- or a 93-inch rack height, depending on how high your ceiling is. You can too select a 16-, 30-, or 41-inch rack depth. The deeper it’s, the more room you’ll have inside for squats. You’ll also give you the option to suit more attachments within the deeper racks. And, for a good more personal touch, you’ll be able to select from six colours for the uprights: red, blue, white, clear, metallic black, or matte black. The crossmembers can be found in the identical colours and are available in green, too, so you’ll be able to really make this power rack unique.

As well as, you’ll be able to add several other attachments, including:

• Safety straps, pin pipe safeties, or flip-down safeties
• A straight, 1.25-diameter pull-up bar; a two-inch-diameter pull-up bar; a multi-grip pull-up bar; or a globe pull-up bar
• Flat, standard, lowered, or sandwich J-cups
• A leg roller attachment
• A dip station
• ISO arms
• A wall ball goal
• A lat pulldown attachment
• And more

(When you feel overwhelmed from reading this, scroll all the way down to the buying guide below, where I talk more about a few of these features.)

The wide selection of accessible attachments opens up your training to rather more than barbell and dumbbell exercises, to which many home gym owners are limited. But as you’ll be able to imagine, the attachments drive up the worth, and the rack is pricey to start with. When you can’t afford to purchase every thing unexpectedly, you’ll be able to skip the attachments and buy them at a later date, as REP sells all of them individually on its website.

The rack can also be compatible with attachments from other brands, so it’s possible you’ll give you the option to seek out those you would like at a lower cost from one other company. The house gym sub-Reddit is a improbable resource for mixing and matching squat rack attachments from different brands in case you’re unsure what to search for.

Except for the worth, it’s hard to seek out any major drawbacks to the PR-5000. We do wish it got here with Westside hole spacing, though. Westside hole spacing means the holes on the lower portions of the uprights are spaced one inch apart as a substitute of two inches. The smaller spacing allows for more precise adjustments of the J-cups, so you’ll be able to maintain higher starting positions during bench presses while you unrack the load. It also permits you to place safety pins or straps in a more exact position.

The lowered J-cups mean you can get around this by creating one-inch hole spacing on racks with two-inch hole spacing. Nevertheless, you’ve got to pay extra for them.

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Best Budget Squat Rack: Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack

Pros

• 20 customization options available
• Numbered holes on the uprights for fast and straightforward J-cup adjustment
• Comes with a lifetime structural warranty
• Uses 10-gauge steel brackets to bolster its stability

Cons

• Requires a ceiling height of 98 inches if you ought to do pull-ups

The Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack isn’t the most affordable squat rack around. Nevertheless it is considered one of the lower-priced options on this list, and I wouldn’t recommend that you just go much lower than its price point — slightly below $500 — in case you desire a protected, sturdy squat rack.

The MyRack Modular Power Rack consists of 12-gauge, 2.4-inch steel uprights and boasts a 2,000-pound weight capability. It’s highly unlikely that you just’d ever lift 2,000 kilos, so this rack should give you the option to handle any weight you place on it. It also has Westside hole spacing for more precise barbell placement and may be bolted to the ground or used as a free-standing rack. Customers have reported that it’s stable even without bolting it down, which is a plus for many who can’t drill into their floor.

Several customization options can be found. You may go for spotter arms, flip-down safety bars, or safety straps; an ordinary, multi-grip, or globe pull-up bar; a lat pull-down and low row station; lat pull-down and cable crossover attachments; and rather more. In all, there are 20 options to select from, so you’ll be able to make the rack as basic or robust as you would like.

The MyRack Modular Power Rack can slot in small spaces, because it’s just 55 inches long and 47 inches wide. It’s 87 inches tall, so it could actually fit under ceilings lower than eight feet high. Nevertheless, if you ought to do pull-ups without hitting your head on the ceiling, you’ll need a ceiling height of a minimum of 98 inches.

Best Foldable Squat Rack: PRx Profile One Rack

PRx Profile One Rack

• Dimensions: 52″ W x 89″ H x 29.25″ D when folded down; 52″ W x 89″ H x 29.25″ D when folded up
• Materials: 2×3, 11-gauge steel
• Weight capability: 1,000 kilos
• Hole spacing: Two inches

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Pros

• Black powder coat finish for durability
• Takes up just 4 inches when folded
• Can make a choice from an ordinary, kipping, or multi-grip pull-up bar

Cons

• Expensive for a rack that uses 2×3 steel
• Requires a ceiling height of 107 inches to fold it up

A folding squat rack just like the PRx Profile One Rack is right for many who work out in small rooms, park their cars of their garage gyms, or simply want extra floor space once they’re not training. The Profile One Rack exploded in popularity after it appeared on season seven of Shark Tank and has change into a go-to squat rack for home gym owners limited by space.

PRx doesn’t offer many customization options for the Profile One Rack, but you do have a selection between three pull-up bars: a kipping bar, an ordinary 1.25-inch diameter bar, or a multi-grip bar. The kipping bar is great for CrossFitters since it extends from the wall by nearly 40 inches, offering loads of room to do kipping pull-ups and toes-to-bars. The usual bar is suitable for traditional pull-ups and chin-ups, and the multi-grip bar is a solid option in case you wish to vary your pull-up grip (for instance, by doing neutral-grip pull-ups).

The uprights are fabricated from 2×3 steel. That is thick and durable enough for many lifters, but for the worth, we’d have liked to see 3×3 steel. When you go for a pull-up bar, you’ll spend a minimum of $800, and you’ll find 3×3 squat racks for that price.

The opposite drawback is that you just need a ceiling height of 107 inches to fold it up. Nevertheless, when unfolded, the rack is 89 inches high. When you’re set on a wall-mounted squat rack but have short ceilings, the Profile One Rack could still be an amazing selection — you’ll just have to go away it unfolded, even when it’s not in use.

Best Squat Stand: Rogue Fitness S-2 Squat Stand

Pros

• Can make a choice from a fat or standard-diameter pull-up bar
• J-cups have plastic liners to guard against damage to your barbell
• Triangular plates at the bottom for extra stability
• Numerous compatible attachments available

Cons

• Requires a ceiling height of a minimum of eight feet

Squat stands are ideal for many who don’t have room for a full power rack or those that train the Olympic lifts, as they will’t do snatches, cleans, or jerks inside an influence cage. Nevertheless, many squat stands are wobbly since they only have two uprights, and their bases aren’t very sturdy. That’s not a difficulty with the Rogue S-2 Squat Stand. It consists of two×3, 11-gauge steel and uses the identical triangular plates on the bottom as Rogue’s heavier-duty squat racks, which help keep it grounded.

One other feature that sets the S-2 Squat Stand other than its competition is the pull-up bar. Not all squat stands have this and as a substitute of J-cups at the highest of the uprights for a barbell. The addition of the pull-up bar opens up the variety of exercises you’ll be able to do at home. You may do pull-ups and hanging leg raises or loop your favorite resistance bands across the bar for stretching and mobility work. Even in case you’re a CrossFitter and do kipping movements, the rack will remain stable.

Rogue sells several compatible attachments for the S-2. Safety spotter arms mean you can squat and bench press heavy weights with more confidence while you train by yourself. The landmine and dip stations allow for more workout versatility, as you’ll be able to do dips, landmine shoulder presses, or landmine squats. You can too purchase barbell and plate holders, a wall ball goal, a battle rope anchor, and more.

The S-2 starts at under $500, which is cheap for a high-quality squat rack from Rogue. Any accessories you add to it can drive up the fee, but spending the cash could also be value it in case you desire a versatile, customizable squat rack that can slot in a small home gym.

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Best Half Rack: Bells of Steel Hydra Half Rack

Pros

• Doesn’t should be bolted down
• Three height options available (84, 90, or 108 inches)
• Two inside depths available (17 or 30 inches)
• Compatible with attachments from other brands

Cons

• May be pricey in case you add a whole lot of attachments

It’s rare to seek out a modular half rack that may accommodate greater than just a few attachments. Nevertheless, Bells Of Steel offers nearly a dozen optional attachments for its Hydra Half Rack, making it one of the crucial customizable half racks we’ve seen. We also love its flat-foot design, so that you don’t should bolt it down.

Potential attachments include storage horns, three different varieties of J-cups (standard, roller, or monolift), and a lat pull-down system. When you’re available in the market for a high-quality barbell and/or a top-notch set of bumper plates, you’ll be able to add those to your purchase, too. Nevertheless, the Hydra Half Rack is compatible with attachments from other brands, so that you’re not limited to equipment from Bells Of Steel — just double-check the specifications to make sure the attachments will fit a rack with 3×3 tubing and ⅝-inch hole sizes.

Except for the add-ons, there are other ways you’ll be able to customize your Hydra Half Rack. For instance, you’ll be able to select uprights which might be 84, 90, or 108 inches, depending in your ceiling height. You can too select an inside depth of 17 or 30 inches. The 30-inch depth offers ample room so that you can walk your squat out, however the 17-inch depth could also be higher if you’ve got a small gym space.

There’s not much to dislike in regards to the Hydra Half Rack, except possibly the worth. It starts at around $450, and the worth quickly creeps up as you add more attachments to it. Nevertheless, in case you’ve been wanting something that’s more stable than squat stands but smaller than an influence cage, this might be the proper squat rack for you.

Best Squat Rack for Small Spaces: PRx Fold-In ONE Rack

PRx Fold-In ONE Rack

• Dimensions: 49″ L x 90″ H x 6.75″ D when folded; Unfolded: 49″ L x 90″ H x 27.5″ D when unfolded
• Materials: 2×3, 14-gauge steel
• Weight capability: 1,000 kilos
• Hole spacing: Two inches

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Pros

• Easy-to-follow installation instructions
• Takes up lower than three feet of floor space when unfolded
• Powder coat finish to ward off rust and corrosion

Cons

• Ceilings should be 91 inches or higher
• 14-gauge steel

Not everyone seems to be fortunate enough to have large home gyms, and PRx got here up with a great solution for those with small gym spaces: the Fold-In ONE Rack. It extends just 27.5 inches from the wall when unfolded, so you need to still have loads of room for some other home gym essentials you ought to buy. Moreover, as a substitute of folding in and up, like most foldable squat racks, it only folds in, so that you don’t need super high ceilings to accommodate it.

That said, PRx recommends installing it in rooms with 91-inch ceilings or higher, which may be a difficulty if you ought to put it in a basement with low ceilings.

PRx uses 14-gauge steel for the Fold-In ONE Rack. I generally don’t recommend squat racks made with lower than 12-gauge steel because they may be thin and wobbly. Nevertheless, because the Fold-In ONE rack is a wall-mounted squat rack, that helps keep it safer. Plus, it still has a 1,000-pound weight capability, which is sufficient for casual weightlifters.

The usage of thinner steel also allows PRx to sell the Fold-In One Rack for an inexpensive price. Coming in at slightly below $500, it’s a budget-friendly rack. It might not be sturdy enough for powerlifters, but it could actually be a cheap option for home gym owners with limited space.

Best Squat Rack with Cables: Force USA X20

Force USA X20 Pro Multi Trainer

• Exterior dimensions: 70” W x 88.5” D x 91” H
• Interior dimensions: 39.5” W x 72” D x 86” H
• 11-gauge, 3×3 chrome steel uprights
• Two 289-pound weight stacks
• 990-pound weight capability
• Limited lifetime structural warranty

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Pros

• Comes with 17 attachments, including spotter arms, band pegs, a landmine, and various cable handles
• Combines six machines into one
• Westside hole spacing

Cons

• Expensive
• Difficult assembly process (it’s possible you’ll want to think about paying extra for Force USA’s assembly service)

The Force USA X20 Pro Multi Trainer is greater than only a squat rack. Actually, it’s top-of-the-line home gym machines you’ll be able to buy since it combines six machines into one. In only one unit, you get an influence rack, a pull-up station, a functional trainer, a suspension trainer, a low row station, and a landmine station. Having all of those capabilities gives you a ton of workout variety, as you won’t be limited to barbell and dumbbell exercises.

Two 289-pound weight stacks are positioned on either side of the machine. They’ve a two-to-one ratio, meaning 100 kilos feel like 50 since the cable travels twice so far as the load stack. This means that you can use the machine for quicker movements because the cable is more responsive.

The frame is made with 11-gauge steel and has a 992-pound weight capability. The burden capability includes the load of your barbell, the plates you load the barbell with, and any plates you allow on the storage horns. Still, 992 kilos is rather more than most individuals can lift. Unless you’re gunning for a world-record lift, you shouldn’t have any issues using a whole lot of weight on this machine.

As you’ll be able to probably imagine, a machine like this isn’t low-cost — expect to pay over $4,000 before taxes and other fees. But despite the fact that it is a large investment, you won’t should pay for multiple machines. Once you tally up the costs, multiple machines can easily cost similar to (or greater than) the X20. You’ll also never have to visit a business gym, so that you’d lower your expenses by not having to pay for a gym membership.

Best Squat Rack for Beginners: Titan X-3 Power Rack

Titan Fitness X-3 Power Rack

• Dimensions: 50.8 inches wide; selection of 80- or 93-inch height; selection of 16-, 30-, or 41-inch rack depth
• Materials: 3×3, 11-gauge steel
• Weight capability: 1,000 kilos
• Hole spacing: Westside

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Pros

• Available in two heights (82 or 91 inches)
• Option so as to add weight plate storage pegs for an extra cost
• Compatible with a number of accessories from Titan and other brands
• Westside hole spacing
• Powder coat finish for defense against rust and corrosion

Cons

• Doesn’t include safety pin pipes or straps
• The holes on the uprights aren’t numbered

At first glance, the Titan X-3 Series Power Rack may not seem to be a beginner’s squat rack. It’s pricey, and people recent to lifting may not wish to spend the cash in the event that they’re unsure how long they’ll keep on with a strength training routine. The rack can also be beefy, with a 3×3, 11-gauge steel construction and a 1,650-pound rackable weight capability. But I all the time recommend that recent lifters consider getting sturdy, quality products from the beginning. It’ll save them from having to exchange a whole lot of equipment as they get stronger. The Titan X-3 Series Power Rack is unquestionably something you’ll be able to grow into.

I’ve had this power rack for a few yr and a half, and I find it irresistible. I’ll never lift anywhere near the rack’s max weight capability, but when I made a decision to upgrade from the low-cost squat stands I had before, I knew I wanted something rugged and versatile. I vary my workouts between strength training and CrossFit, so it was vital that my recent squat rack was suitable for each. The rack also lives in my garage, which gets very cold within the winter and really humid in the summertime, and I needed a rack with durable materials. Thus far, there aren’t any signs of rust or corrosion on my Titan X-3.

My husband and I assembled it together, and it took a few hours — though that’s to be expected for something that weighs almost 300 kilos. You’ll need to consider carefully about where you ought to put it because once it’s in place, you likely won’t give you the option to maneuver it.

The rack comes with two height options: 82 and 91 inches. I’m 5’8 and have long legs and arms, and I picked the upper rack so I wouldn’t hit my head on the ceiling at the highest of a pull-up. It matches perfectly under the 94-inch high ceiling in my garage.

Unlike some power racks that have to be bolted down for stability, the Titan X-3 encompasses a flat-foot design that requires no bolting to the ground. Regardless that I’m a much bigger lifter, I never worry about it wobbling when I exploit it. Nevertheless, in case you’re concerned about stability, you’ll be able to get the optional plate storage pegs. The burden from the plates will help keep the rack grounded. Note, though, that the stored plates can get in the way in which during bench presses, especially in case you store a whole lot of large bumper plates.

I also like that the Titan X-3 is compatible with attachments from Titan or other brands. For instance, I purchased safety straps from Rogue that fit on the rack well. I wish the uprights had laser-engraved numbers, but I mark the various holes for where my J-cups should be for squats and bench presses with painter’s tape. I occasionally have to exchange the tape, however it doesn’t leave sticky residue behind. It’s a simple, low-cost workaround for the shortage of engraved numbers that permits me to quickly adjust the J-hooks without counting holes.

How We Selected the Best Squat Racks

Before deciding on the most effective squat racks, we first considered the needs of our readers and narrowed down our selections to the racks which might be suitable for as wide an audience as possible. The list above includes squat racks at a wide selection of price points, so you’ll find one which works for you no matter your budget. We also considered various training goals and offered space-saving squat racks for those with limited space.

Moreover, we all know that brand repute is essential to many consumers. We only chosen squat racks from brands we’ve purchased from before, so we will attest to the standard of their products.

Advantages of Using a Squat Rack

Whether you’re a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, CrossFitter, bodybuilder, or general fitness enthusiast, a squat rack is an important piece of apparatus. Below are 4 strong reasons so as to add a squat rack to your own home gym:

• Easier to perform heavy lifts. With out a squat rack, back squats change into rather more difficult. You’d should load the barbell on the ground, clean it to your shoulders, then press it overhead and thoroughly lower it to your back for back squats. Otherwise you’d have to seek out a powerful, elevated surface on which to load the barbell, which not everyone has available at home. A squat rack permits you to place the barbell in a great position where you’ll be able to load it and set it in your back comfortably. It also means that you can set the barbell in place for overhead presses and bench presses.
• Safety. Since you need to use spotter attachments on nearly all power racks and plenty of squat stands, lifting with a squat rack is way safer than lifting without one. If you’ve got to drop the load, the protection attachments will catch it, stopping severe injuries and damage to your floor.
• Versatility. Regardless that they’re called “squat” racks, you’ll be able to do rather more than squat with them. Bench presses, overhead presses, and rack deadlifts are all possible on squat racks because you’ll be able to adjust the J-cups to numerous positions in your barbell. Depending on which squat rack you purchase, it’s possible you’ll give you the option so as to add lat pulldown attachments, dip stations, wall ball targets, or other attachments to perform much more exercises at home.
• Storage options. Most brands often recommend not leaving their barbells on the ground, as dust, dirt, and other debris can get stuck on them. I’ve even had a spider attempt to make a recent home for itself on my barbell after I by chance left the bar on the ground in my garage for several days. A squat rack doubles as barbell storage since you’ll be able to leave it on the rack (without plates loaded on it) while you’re done figuring out. Some squat racks even have compatible storage pegs so that you can store your plates.

What To Look For When Buying a Squat Rack

What are some features to search for in a squat rack? Well, it could actually be a sturdy piece of apparatus, so there’s rather a lot to take into consideration before you purchase one. Below are crucial aspects to think about when purchasing for a squat rack.

Style of Squat Rack

The squat rack category is broad. When purchasing for a squat rack, it helps to narrow down the form of squat rack that can be best in your needs.

4 of probably the most common varieties of squat racks include the next:

• Power rack – Power racks are also called power cages. They’ve a minimum of 4 uprights, multiple crossmembers for stability, and a pull-up bar. You may add many attachments to them, enhancing their versatility. Because lifters typically put safety straps or pin pipe safeties in power racks, also they are safer for heavy lifting.
• Squat stand – Squat stands have just two uprights, making them suitable for small home gyms. Some, just like the Rogue S-2 Squat Stand, have pull-up bars and/or horizontal stabilizer bars to assist prevent wobbling. Others are independent stands which might be easy to maneuver around your gym.
• Half rack – Half racks are a cross between squat stands and power racks. They typically have two tall uprights joined along with a pull-up bar on the front and two shorter uprights that stretch out from the back. They have a tendency to be more stable than squat squats but don’t take up as much room as full power racks.
• Foldable squat rack – I like to recommend a foldable squat rack for garage gym owners who also park their cars of their garages. You mount it to a wall, then unfold it in your workout and refold it while you’re done training. When folded, foldable squat racks stick out just just a few inches away from the wall.

Price

The value range for squat racks is kind of large, with some costing lower than $400 and others costing greater than $2,000. Once you agree on the form of squat rack you would like, resolve how much you’re willing to spend. Basically, squat stands are cheaper than power racks because they’ve fewer uprights, so less steel is required to make them. However the Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack, for instance, starts at around the identical price because the Rogue S-2. Aspects just like the steel gauge, manufacturing location, and what number of attachments you add to your purchase will affect the worth.

Also, don’t ignore shipping. Some brands like REP and Titan offer free shipping on all purchases as of this writing, but Rogue charges over $50 to ship the S-2, depending on where you reside.

Materials

One of the best squat racks are made with heavy-duty steel. When a rack’s description, you’ll see specifications akin to 11-gauge steel or 3×3 uprights. These consult with how thick the steel is and the way wide and long the uprights are.

In the case of measuring steel, the lower the number, the thicker it’s. Most squat racks designed for home gym usage are made with 11- and 12-gauge steel. Some are made with 14-gauge steel, but I don’t recommend them because they will feel flimsy and unstable.

You’ll likely also find that the majority home gym squat racks are made with 2×3 or 3×3 steel. Either one is sufficient for many lifters, though powerlifters, strongmen/strongwomen, and other elite athletes should want to consider 3×3 steel. The thicker steel will withstand heavy abuse for an extended time period.

Stability

Some racks require bolting to the ground to make sure they won’t tip over. Others have flat-foot designs with wide bases which might be stable on their very own and don’t should be bolted. The quantity of weight you’re able to lifting and the exercises you’ll perform most frequently will dictate which form of rack you need to get. For instance, CrossFitters who do kipping pull-ups and toes-to-bar may desire a rack that may be bolted to the ground to forestall it from wobbling.

If drilling into your floor isn’t an option, consider a rack that lets you add plate storage pegs. The plates will help weigh it down.

Hole Spacing

Hole spacing refers to how far apart the holes on the uprights are. Most squat racks have two-inch hole spacing throughout, but others have Westside hole spacing.

Westside hole spacing means the holes are two inches apart near the highest, then change to at least one inch apart towards the center, and return to 2 inches on the very bottom. This feature is very useful for bench pressing since it allows for more precision when adjusting the J-cups. Because of this, racking and unracking the barbell becomes much easier.

One other profit is that you may set your safety bars or straps to a more precise position. One inch could make a giant difference while you’re about to fail a heavy squat or bench press.

The disadvantage is that racks with Westside hole spacing can cost around $100 greater than racks without it. Most lifters can be just high-quality without it, but powerlifters, bodybuilders, and anyone else who bench presses often may appreciate the shorter distance between the holes.

Weight Capability

I like to recommend searching for a squat rack with a weight capability of a minimum of 700 kilos. Even in case you know you’ll never lift anywhere near that quantity of weight, the racks that may handle that much weight are much sturdier and more durable. You’ll feel more confident loading your barbell for heavy squats and bench presses, and it won’t wobble while you rack and unrack the load or do pull-ups (in case your squat rack has a pull-up bar).

Safety Features

Safety should all the time be your first priority when lifting, especially in case you train by yourself and push heavy weights often. Search for squat racks that include safety features that can catch the barbell if you’ve got to fail a lift.

For power racks (and a few half racks), you’ll be able to make a choice from various varieties of safeties:

• Pin pipe safeties are thin bars that you just slide through the holes in your squat rack’s uprights. They’ll hold a whole lot of weight, but they will change into dented in case you drop heavy barbells on them often. I’ve also heard lifters complain that the metal-on-metal contact makes a whole lot of noise and ruins the knurling on their barbells.
• Safety straps are constituted of a cloth just like that used for seat belts. They won’t damage the texture of your barbell or cause as much noise while you drop a loaded barbell on them.
• Flip-down safeties seem like smaller versions of a squat rack’s uprights. You slide them into the uprights like a J-hook, flip them all the way down to get them into the right position, and secure them with a pin. Some brands like REP Fitness add a protective liner to their flip-down safeties to forestall the problems that may arise from metal-on-metal contact.

Since squats only have two uprights, you’ll be able to’t use the safeties above with them. As a substitute, you’ll should search for spotter arms that latch onto the uprights and extend out by a few feet.

Even in case your squat rack purchase doesn’t include safety attachments, you’ll be able to (and will) purchase them individually. As an added bonus, safety bars and straps also mean you can add more exercises to your training routine. As an example, setting them to a lower position lets you do rack pulls. Or you’ll be able to set them to the peak you’d be at while you’re at the underside of a squat and do pin squats.

Attachments

If adding more versatility to your workouts is essential to you, or in case you need space-saving solutions so you’ve got more room to coach, consider a squat rack that you may add various attachments to.

Listed below are some attachments it’s possible you’ll wish to have (note that this isn’t an exhaustive list):

• Dip bars for tricep dips
• ISO arms, that are two levers with handles at the top that enable you to do exercises you’d normally only give you the option to do with a machine. Chest presses are one such movement.
• A leg roller attachment so you’ve got a stable, comfortable surface to rest your rear foot on during Bulgarian split squats. You can too use it to maintain your legs secure when doing seated upper body movements.
• A wall ball goal, which may turn out to be useful in case you do CrossFit at home
• A lat pulldown attachment so you’ll be able to isolate your lats when training at home
• Two-inch pull-up bars, that are larger than the usual 1.25-inch pull-up bars and challenge your forearms and grip strength more
• Multi-grip pull-up bars that enable you to do neutral-grip (palms facing one another) pull-ups
• Barbell storage hangers
• Weight plate storage pegs

Most of the attachments above are sometimes only available with power cages just like the REP Fitness PR-5000. Nevertheless, some squat stands, just like the Rogue S-2, are compatible with spotter arms, a dip station, a landmine, and barbell and plate storage attachments. Do your research to make sure the rack you would like is compatible with various attachments.

Footprint

Squat racks take up a whole lot of room. The Titan X-3 Power Rack, for instance, has a footprint of fifty inches by 48 inches. Except for ensuring your space is large enough for the rack itself, it’s good to ensure you’ve got room on the perimeters — a minimum of a few feet — to load and unload your barbell. And in case you get a rack with a pull-up bar, you’ll need a few foot of clearance at the highest to avoid hitting your head on the ceiling.

Before I purchased my Titan X-3, I used tape to dam out how much space it will require. This allowed me to visualise where in my garage it will fit best. I’m pleased I did this because once I had the tape down, I noticed that the rack wouldn’t have fit where I originally desired to put it. Most squat racks are difficult to maneuver, so I like to recommend doing the identical thing I did before making your purchase.

When you’re really tight on space, consider getting a folding squat rack. Even when it’s unfolded, it should only take up about 4 feet of space. Then, while you refold it at the top of your workout, it can only stick out just a few inches from the wall.

Final Thoughts

A squat rack is the hallmark of home gyms and business gyms alike, and the choice of which one to purchase mustn’t be made frivolously. Your training style, experience level, available space, and budget must all be considered before deciding on the most effective squat rack for you. After that, you’ve got to determine which sort of squat rack you would like and take into consideration whether or not you ought to add attachments to it.

The method can feel confusing and overwhelming, however the list of squat racks and the buying guide above have you ever covered. Use this information as a resource to narrow down your options, and also you’ll be squatting from the comfort of your personal home very quickly.

FAQs

What’s the most effective squat rack?

One of the best squat rack for you’ll rely upon several aspects, akin to the materials, weight capability, dimensions, and available-add ons. That said, we recommend the REP Fitness PR-5000 because you’ll be able to add various attachments to it, it has a 1,000-pound weight capability, and it’s made with 11-gauge, 3×3 steel.

What form of material is the most effective squat rack made out of?

One of the best squat racks are fabricated from 3×3, 11-gauge steel. You can too find high-quality squat racks with 2×3 steel or 12-gauge steel. We don’t recommend 14-gauge steel for squat racks, because it’s thinner and never as sturdy. Some squat racks made for business gyms are made with 9- or 7-gauge steel, but this may increasingly be overkill for many home gym owners.

Are low-cost squat racks protected?

Low-cost squat racks may be protected in case you use them properly and don’t load them beyond their listed max weight capability. Nevertheless, they could be unsteady when racking or unracking the barbell, as they’re typically made with thinner steel or weaker materials like aluminum.
When you plan on lifting greater than 500 kilos continuously, a costlier squat rack could also be value it. It’s going to typically consist of heavier-duty materials and remain more stable as you utilize it.

What’s the most effective height for a squat rack?

One of the best height for a squat rack depends totally on how tall you might be. Squat racks range in height from 72 to 108 inches. The one you purchase must be tall enough that you may set the J-cups to position for loading a barbell in your back without having to bend your knees an excessive amount of.

What’s the most effective budget power rack?

One of the best budget power rack is the Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack. The uprights consist of 12-gauge steel, which helps keep the fee low, however the brackets are fabricated from 10-gauge steel to assist keep it stable. The MyRack Modular Power Rack also has 20 customization options available. Regardless that those add-ons increase the worth, you’ll still pay lower than in case you went with a competitor.