Squat racks, also known as power racks, are great tools if you want to lift heavy safely, without any help. You’ll find them in most gyms, but they are a good addition to your home gym.
You’re probably wondering if you can fit one in your home, if you can find one that’s affordable, yet durable and of good quality, or if the investment is even worth it.
Keep reading and you’ll find the answers to all these questions, along with the top 3 best squat racks for your gym at home!
Squat Racks: Buying Guide
Price
When buying a squat rack, the first thing you’ll probably think of is the price. While these tools require a slight investment, if you choose the right one, it will be worth it. There are a few features you need to seek to make sure your squat rack will not need changing for many years to come.Quality and Durability
The first two things are quality and durability. A high-quality, heavy duty product will last longer. And before you start worrying – no, “high-quality” does not mean the most expensive product on the market. As you’ll see throughout this guide, you can find a great quality power rack at affordable prices.Size and Adjustability
And since you’re setting up an at-home gym, size and adjustability are two very important things to consider. A bigger power rack could come with more features and can be used for more than just squats, but you can have a great workout with a smaller one. In short, don’t worry if your space is limited! You can still fit in a great rack.Additional Features
Finally, you’ll want to look at the accessories and any additional features provided. Most people would think the more accessories, the better. This isn’t always true, so make sure the accessories and features the power rack you’re looking at has are truly useful for you. For example, there are great power racks with lat pulldowns. Otherwise, you’ll be paying for features you’ll never use.Best Cheap Squat Racks - Top 3 Options
#1 Rogue Echo Squat Stand 2.0
Another great power rack that you can get is the Rogue Echo Squat Stand 2.0. It is 48.5″ L x 43″ W x 70.375 H, which means it is slightly shorter than the RP-1100.
Its weight is only 95 lbs, which means it is not the best in terms of stability, but used with care, there shouldn’t be any issues.
It can handle up to 500 lbs weight capacity, again, less than the previous squat rack, but still enough for most home users.
Since it is only a squat rack, it doesn’t come with any additional features, such as a pull up bar, or pull-down attachments.
It’s safe to say it is a product that does what it says on the tin: a budget-friendly, good-quality squat rack that can fit in most home gyms.
#2 Rep Fitness PR-1100
The PR-1100 is a budget-friendly home gym rack from Rep Fitness. It is rare to find a power rack with a lot of features and accessories for a cheap price and this one has it all.
It is 84” tall x 48” wide x 47.5” deep, which makes it just a bit smaller than the typical squat racks you see in gyms.
The size could be a minus if you don’t have a lot of space.
Also be mindful that if you want to use some of its additional features, such as the possibility to use the top bar for pull-ups, you’ll need additional space around the rack.
It has a weight capacity of 1000lbs, which is surprising if you consider its lighter gauged frame.
The weight of the power rack itself is 130lbs. It isn’t bad in terms of safety and stability, as most high-end power racks weigh around 200lbs and the cheaper ones are at the 80-100 lbs mark.
In terms of accessories, it comes with a dip bar and lat pull-down attachments. As previously mentioned, you can also use it for pull-ups, as long as you have enough space above it.
The final squat rack in our list is the Titan T2. It is slightly more expensive than the previous two on the official Titan website.
It has a weight capacity of up to 700 lbs and is made of heavy-duty gauge steel.
It weighs 146 lbs, so it wins in the stability area. It is 83 inches tall and has a depth of 48 inches and an opening of 44 inches.
It also comes with a pull-up bar that is placed at the 80 inches mark. Just with the PR-1100, keep in mind you’ll need space above it to be able to do pull-ups with injuring yourself.
It doesn’t come with any additional features or accessories, but you could probably improvise if you wanted to do different exercises like lat pull-downs and more.
While all 3 racks are made to last, the materials definitely recommend the Titan T2 as the most durable.
So if you’re looking for a sturdy rack that allows you to lift heavy, this could be the ideal choice for you.
The Bottomline
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com
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