Staying fit requires effort and a good workout space. Having convenient workout times also plays a role in the overall outcome. However, what works best is owning a home gym. No more competition in the gym machinery and you can decide what time is best to do several routines.
One of the gym equipment is designed for use at home is the power rack. As the name suggests, they have to hold spaces for equipment storage.
Additionally, it makes the exercise routine simpler. Access to weights becomes easier with proper storage.
1. Fitness Reality 810 XLT Super Max Power Cage – Best Power Rack for Home Gym
Working out alone can be tiring and demotivating. However, if looking to invite friends, you must have something to accommodate all of their weights. This power rack the 810 XLT offers exactly that.
The structure/frame is steel based providing support for weights of 800lbs accommodating many people except professional heavy weight lifters. For individuals who love tight holds, when working out your biceps or back, the equipment comes with several pull up positions. Additionally, you get a chin-up rod.
What makes it a powerhouse is the 19 different points you can adjust the pins and other safeties. All these make it perfect for use with an Olympic bar (7-foot in length).
- Several additional pieces to accompany the equipment
- Lifts up to 800 lbs
- Additional pieces come at an extra cost
2. ProGear 310 Olympic LAT – Best Squat Rack with Pull Up Bar
Worried of failing to complete your bench presses or squats, the ProGear 310 Olympic LATÂ gives you total control over your exercises. Adjust the rod as securely as you deem fit using the 28 different points. The pins are only 2 inches away from one another including the safeties. Additionally, the pins are easily reachable.
One of the equipment’s amazing features is that it can support 1000 lbs in weight. No matter how big or wide you are, you will fit perfectly onto its cage. The width is at 44 inches and height is 83 inches offering adequate workout space.
- No risk of overloads with the maximum weight being 1000 lbs
- 10-year equipment warranty for the frame
- Has no additional accessories
3. BD-7 from Valor– Finest Power Rack with Lat Pulldown
The triceps and biceps require more effort when trying to tone them. Thus, good equipment is one that offers Lat pulldown for correct pullovers. The BD-7 fitness equipment from Valor has a pulley system to help work those triceps and biceps.
Another advantage is the variety of safety catches with a total of 68. However, the workout bar has 17 different positions and a steel frame.
Even though the weight limit is quite low for this equipment at 500 lbs, you can supplement it with the available storage space for plates.
- Gives a chance to be creative in your routines with its variety
- Organization is important especially with the available pins
- Maximum weight is low in comparison to others
4. Fitness Reality 2868 X-Class– Best Power Cage
If you love the Valor BD-7, the 2868 X-Class will blow your mind. Starting off with the amazing steel tubular frame, you can put all your weight into it. The only catch is you have to weigh more than 1500 lbs to cause any kind of damage to it. Can you imagine that!!
Another unique feature is the J-hook that accompanies all its workout rods. Apart from being Olympic size, the bars hold on tightly due to the hook.
Removing them is also easy. Besides, the safety catches are only two allowing you the chance to practice and perfect racking the bars.
- Carries a whopping 1500 lbs
- Additional 600 lbs on the pulley
- Only three-inch sized plates can fit eliminating versatility
5. Titan T-2 Deadlift Cage Series – Best Squat Rack
Starting a gym in the house requires a manageable power rack. However, it has to be reliable and the Titan T-2 offers dependability on a higher scale. First, is the steel frame that is upright together with fantastic j-hook Olympic bars; second, is the ability to take up to 700 lbs in weight, and lastly, the chin-up bar, at the very top.
Small pins each a quarter-inch are present for your storage needs at the back. Additionally, they provide more stability by decreasing the center of the overall mass.
- Simple but reliable rack for starting out
- Difficult to upgrade
- Few exercise or equipment accessories
6. PR-1000 from Rep Fitness  – Best Budget Under 500
Classy and superior is what this specific PR-1000 power rack from Rep Fitness oozes at a first glance. The sleek appearance is a credit to the coating with matte black. The powder increases the durability of the steel frame and improves its overall appearance.
That is not why you should get this power rack. The 1000 lbs support should be your first pick. Having the ability to control your bars movement using the two inches adjustment is an advantage. Besides, the equipment is quite stable. To top it off, there are pins for plate storage or organization at the back.
What makes this a worthy venture? The pull rods/bars present at the rack top and the amazing dip station on the side. Such a dip station provides variety and supports 400 lbs in weight. The pull bars are more interesting with one employing a standard grip while the other employs a 2-inch fat hold.
Using the second grip helps strengthen the forearm. If still not convinced, how about a bench adjustable to fit your specifications. Also, don’t forget the pulley system as an extra accessory!
- Has a fabulous dip station
- Two pull-up workout bars with different functionalities
- Additional pieces accompanying the rack are in plenty
- Easy to upgrade
- Missing safety catches which are a necessity
- Quite wide (occupies a lot of space) due to the dip station
7. Merax Athletics Olympic Squat Cage– Best Fitness Power Rack
As of last on our Power Rack list, it does not mean the equipment is in any way unsuitable. This rack has many extra pieces in accessories accompanying it in comparison to some of those topping the list. Besides the rack bar support goes all the way to 68 inches from 17 with the rest at ½ an inch. They count to 21 different positions.
Well, personal safety goes first. The rack employs catches to ensure safety. The workout bar for pull-ups has four different pins. At the same time, there are four extra bars for your routine. They help organize and properly store the plates keeping your exercise space clean and on point.
One of the extras is the cable system. It helps by increasing the variety of workout routines you can perform. Even with the dip bar and weights, you still need other exercises to keep the shape. This specific accessory offers the chance to try LAT pulldowns, get down to curls, and other triceps exercises.
- Accessories are quite many keeping your routine as fun as possible
- Only one-inch plates are available for use
- No space for Olympic plates which can impede your morale
Best Power Racks – Buyer’s Guide
Purchasing the right power rack makes a vast difference and aids you in learning how to use it between safe and unsafe lifting. Many people have different definitions and perceptions of choosing a power rack. In this case, differences come in the weight capacity, capability, accessories, and the availability of enough space in your gym zone to house the rack.
To purchase a rack, you need to have in mind what your tastes and preferences are, before landing on any rack.  This guide simplified your hustle for a rack because it outlines essential elements that you must consider when going for one. You can check on the following facts before getting your rack from a vendor.
Weight Capacity
When you choose a rack for yourself, make sure that you can not only carry it from one point to another, but also that it can support more than your weight (just in case).
If a rack has an 800-pound capacity, don’t be so sure that you can lift 800 pounds on the same rack. Unfortunately, failure in the rep can make all the weight come down crashing. Alternatively, if you reload heavier weight, it will automatically place more pressure on the frame of the rack. If you try to squat 300 pounds in a rack with a capacity of 500 pounds, your rack may be at risk of getting damaged by putting the bar too hard.
In addition, you need to make sure not only that the supports are capable of keeping sufficient weight, but also the steps themselves should not be flimsy. Also, make sure that there is a reliable fuse on the stand for stable position holding.
The amount of weight that you need depends on the nature of your muscles. Your strong ability tallies with the weight of the rack. Any frame that can support 500 pounds is sufficient for someone who can lift 200 pounds and be equally suitable for someone planning to squat 400.
The best decision to make is to buy a rack capable of supporting twice your expected loads. Any exceptionally strong athlete, any rack like Fitness Reality X-class high capacity power cage is a fabulous option because the frame can hold up to 1500 pounds. This rack can also hold up to 700 pounds on the rack.
Accessories
Depending on different manufacturer’s designs, some power racks allow a wide variety of workouts than other racks. A good example is the bare bone rack like Titan T2 is recommended for powerlifters and athletes who prize simplicity in their training and typically concentrate on certain exercises like the squats together deadlifts.
Others, however, racks that have a dip station or a pulley system are highly preferred. One rack with similar features is the Rep Fitness PR 1000 power rack because it is retailed with two pull-up bars with different thicknesses to train your grip and a dip station. Additionally, there is a variety of accessories that can be bought differently, like pulley systems and adjustable benches.
If you’re looking for a rack with an already pre-installed pulley system, Merax Athletics Fitness power rack has the best pulley system and tons of accessories. Its pulley system can be loaded up with standard plates which come in different attachment for the pulleys to allow users to taste various grips. These attachments can either be placed on the bottom or top of the pulley system. Such positions allow you to perform exercises that range from the low curls, triceps extensions, and pulldowns.
Space Availability
The space allocated for your home gym is the last thing to consider when you have the desire to own a rack. If you have minimal space, but you are searching for something essential to do your exercises, then the Titan T2 Power rack is one of the more slender racks on this list. From the list, most of the racks are of the same size and take-up to 48 inches by 48 inches of your floor space.
However, the bar will itself stick out of the rack on either side. In this case, you will need a foot together with half of the clearance on both sides. It will need you to add more space if you are planning to add more accessories like the pulley system or dip station to your rack.
Conclusion
This guide may have cleared up some of the questions you had about the power rack. It may give you the food of thought to think about a suitable rack that may fit your home gym. It may be in simple design, but a power rack is essential for your gym. The rack may aid you in opening up a variety of exercises to perform in your own home. Your choice is right from the list, and it will lead to many years of safe lifting and healthy fitness.
Merax exercise equipment is the best! I have ever brought.
I’ve been using it for2 weeks and can feel the difference in my legs already.
Would recommend it.
Merax… Fantastic, excellent price quality..
I’m a bodybuilding athlete and I can very well train like I’m in the gym.. I highly recommend!
Merax is fantastic, excellent price quality..
I’m a bodybuilding athlete and I can very well train like I’m in the gym.. I highly recommend..
I used ProGear simply because they were in the gym I went to for many years in a row. Not exactly the same, but very similar. It seems to me that this is the most reliable replacement for what I am used to.
I do not know if there is a more effective way in the world to pump up your back, like horizontal bars. But it works great. I installed this in my garage, and now I can do it in between car repairs.