A power rack, also known as a power cage, is an exercise equipment designed for performing weight training fitness routines. They allow free-weight workout sessions that include barbell but avoids the restrictions that otherwise are seen while using the Smith Machine.
A squat cage has four vertical poles or posts and contains two adjustable horizontal bars on every side. The frame takes the shape of a cage, hence the name. It also has bars on the exterior that allow exercises like chin-ups and pull-ups. These are immensely beneficial for bodybuilding and muscle training.
It is large, spacious, rectangular-cubical-shaped strength training equipment. It is usually made from steel and is finished using proper coatings that make it a lot more durable and sturdy for continuous usage. It is used for heavy-duty workouts and is very efficient.
It may seem a low price for such an essential piece of equipment, but you can buy a quality rack for under $500. A few models cost only around $300.
If you are on a tight budget and do not want to lift extremely heavy weights, one of the products below will do for you. For weight lifting 300-400 lbs. each of the items below are suitable.
What is the best choice at this price range? Well, considering the price, the features, and the customer reviews, Fitness Reality is the winner. Besides using it for barbell exercises, you can do bodyweight moves such as dips, pull-ups, and chin-ups. Also, you can store your plates on it.
Best Power Rack at a Glance
Contents
1. Fitness Reality 810XLT
Are you looking for the ultimate home power rack to add to your garage gym? Amazon has the best deal for you by Fitness Reality.
It is an excellent product for intense training to build up your muscular body and strength.
Fitness Reality 810XLT is designed specifically to help you bulk up more in a sophisticated fashion.
The steel-made product makes your exercise experience a lot more enjoyable, comfortable, and very sturdy.
Fitness Reality 810XLT
You can rely on this machine to help maximize productivity and achieve your bodybuilding goal efficiently. Many people have claimed that it intensified their athletic side.
It made their target easier to reach and assist them in getting a ripped physique in no time.
To get fit and build strength requires you to have the right equipment that will enable you to work every part of your body to the maximum.
This involves lifting weights mostly, and at times it becomes a bit dangerous because it can cause stress and strain to the arm muscles, shoulders and back.
Features:
- Rack dimensions are 50.5” L x 46.5” W x 83.5” H
- 270 lbs. weight capacity
- Easy-glide chrome guide rail
- Includes one 39″ bar and one 20″ low row bar attachments (with foam grips)
ALSO READ: Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldown
2. HulkFit 1000-lb. Power Rack
HulkFit is a renowned name for athletic gear and gym equipment because of its unique quality and par excellence performance.
HulkFit 1000-lb. power rack is the epitome of class that will make your entire fitness regime much more exciting and fruitful.
In case you are searching for a “bare-bones” type power rack, then this model from HulkFit is for you.
It is a real minimalist product that comes with the standard dip attachment and chin-up bars.
HulkFit 1000-lb. Power Rack
It has such a robust structure that you can use it to in a professional fitness center. It is hard to get a platform that will allow you to perform some exercises at once with or without other equipment.
Features:
- Rack dimensions are 47” L x 44” W x 81” H
- Constructed with 11-gauge steel
- 1000 lbs. weight capacity
- Stable and durable frame construction
- Includes safety bars with J-hooks
- Multi-grip pull-up bar for added exercises
3. HulkFit Multi-Function Power Rack
Another HulkFit-manufactured power rack is its Multi-Function, a rack built for the people who wish to push their bodies to the limit.
Moreover, it is among the superb exercise equipment in your garage gym, or home fitness area not only makes your target achievement a lot easier but even more enjoyable as well.
It delivers a powerful workout performance, and it is ideal for lunges, squats, and other exercises.
HulkFit Multi-Function Power Rack
The rugged construction makes workouts enjoyable and quick. You can use it together with other equipment for strength training such as a cable crossover attachment, dip handles, low row station, and incline/flat/decline bench.
Features:
- Rack dimensions are 46” L x 44” W x 81” H
- Constructed with 12-gauge steel
- 800 lbs. weight capacity
- Stable and durable frame construction
- Includes two spotter arms/dip bars with J-hooks
- Two weight plate holders (upright) designed for convenience and stability
4. Fitness Reality X-Class
The Fitness Reality X-Class gives you everything that you need for an all-around workout. It enables you to perform different kinds of exercises much safely.
It is constructed by the use of a heavy gauge material that is designed to last a lifetime.
This equipment is versatile because you can use it to work your shoulders, arms, legs, back by doing several exercises such as squats, bench press, deadlifts pull-ups and other large muscle group exercises.
Fitness Reality X-Class
It gives you the option of doing various workouts that you want so to be able to diversify your workouts without worrying about equipment.
When you are working out, and the muscles get exhausted, you can have muscle failure, which could lead to being trapped under the bar or dumping them behind you. At times this causes stress and strain on the body, which leads to injury.
This home gym equipment is sorted because it has a spotter that allows one to work safely by setting the safety bars to the appropriate height. This means that you can use heavier weight much safely and for better results.
Features:
- Rack dimensions are 71.5” L x 52” W x 86” H
- Two adjustable dip handles
- 1500 lbs. weight capacity
- Stable and durable frame construction
- Includes two 35.5″ handlebars and multi-grip chin/pull-up bars
- Involves U-shaped stability bar
5. Body Champ Power Rack
Get the Body Champ power rack from Amazon at an incredible rate for your home exercise room or your gym.
It is a traditionally designed power cage that has a wide walk-in design. It allows great side-to-side movements during training and is a lot more spacious than many other workout racks.
More space makes it easier to perform multiple routines more efficiently. The exercise routines are made efficient and beneficial with this simple and safe design.
Body Champ Power Rack
It is heavily built with a stable shape that gives stability when you one is lifting weights. With this design and stability, the cage allows you to reach maximum performance. You can also lift more weight to 300 lbs. with sufficient space and safety.
It is safe to use while doing any workout. It has adjustable safety spotters, which will help you avoid injury when doing workouts, and you can easily adjust them to accommodate a wide variety of weight lifters’ preferences and sizes.
Features:
- Rack dimensions are 42” L x 62” W x 82” H
- Four built-in floor anchors for added stability and security
- 300 lbs. weight capacity
- Includes two built-in Olympic weight plate holders
- Includes two pairs of adjustable weight bar holder
- Solid and superior grip
Guide for Buyers
Benefits
When you are working out, it is vital to maintain safety no matter the type of exercise you are doing. To get the desired results, you also need to vary your workouts, and it requires the use of different kinds of equipment.
Most gym equipment can only be used for one or two types of exercises, and this requires you to have various kinds of gym equipment, which may be impossible if you have a small gym space.
It has many advantages in strength training, and it has several uses for gym enthusiasts. It allows a safe and secure place to perform free-weight exercises.
You can do power rack exercises, allowing placement of maximum weights on the barbell and removing the possibility of crushing the chest in case of an accident. It is also used for limited range workouts.
It has innumerable benefits when it comes to a proper fitness regime, and some of them are as follows:
Peace of mind
The better your exercise equipment, the more you will feel more confident about your fitness session. Thus, you will be sure that you are doing your best. The choice of a home power cage should be made while keeping in mind your safety, comfort, and your ultimate goal to be achieved. The best power cage will help you get nearer to your target with each passing day.
Precise movement
It is necessary for training because it improves your ability to perform within a particular range of motion. It is adjustable according to your safety, and it can be changed to any height to a width you like. They allow for precise training of certain body parts that you intend to work out on. See our post on best power rack with lat pulldown for more information.
Variety of exercises
The best benefit of a power rack is its versatile use for fitness enthusiasts. There isn’t an exercise known to us that you cannot do using this equipment. You can lift heavy barbells, perform dips, chin-ups, curls, squats, military press, bench press, and a lot more using this one strengthening exercise equipment.
It allows you to do upright rows, rack pull, barbell bent-over rows, rack lockout, overhead press, close grip bench press, inverted row, and barbell curls.
ALSO READ: Top Power Rack Exercises for a Better Workout
If you have extra cash, you can purchase other equipment that will help you with other major additional movements for specific routines such as cable row, triceps pushdowns, cable crunches, straight arm pull down, cable face pull; cable pulls through, lat pulls down, biceps cable curl, etc.
Watch the video below to see why it is the most important equipment for a home gym.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Power Rack
Space
Since a rack is not a small piece of home gym equipment, you should check if you have enough room to use it comfortably and safely. Keep in mind while workout you will move around, so not just the floor space is important to be checked out.
Also, lifting exercises such as military press or pull-ups having enough height for the move is vital. So check the model’s specifications and compare it to the space you would like to use. The more space you will have, the better.
Do not forget that you have other equipment in the home gym, such as dumbbells, benches, etc., that also need space.
Product Size
Most of the models are made for average users. So, if you are taller or shorter than usual, you should focus on the model’s depth, height, and width.
Suppose a squat rack is too short or tall or too narrow or wide for you. In that case, it will be not only uncomfortable to perform the moves correctly but also dangerous.
Adjustability
Most of the cages come with safety pins and a pipe safety system, which is not the easiest to use in most cases. It needs time to set the height making your workout not so continuous. So, always check out the reviews of how this function works for users.
The best fitness power racks come with straps or spotter arms that are more practical and safer. They cost a little bit more but worth the extra cost.
Stabilizer elements
In most cases, power cages are anchored to the floor. However, some models come with a stabilizer bar found in the backside of the rack at the bottom. This bar is necessary to keep the frame stable, so it must be made from sturdy materials.
Some models come with a removable stabilizer bar, while others not. In most cases, you do not use that area when you work out, so it is not annoying.
Accessories included
Cheaper models only come with essential accessories. While the most expensive ones have almost everything, you need. And usually, the difference between the prices is not big.
Sooner or later, you will have to buy the required accessories, so it is maybe better to get everything at once even if it costs a little bit more.
Additional equipment
Keep in mind that squat racks do not come with a barbell and weight plates. Hence, if you do not have them yet, you will have to buy those things.
Quality Olympic weight plates and a barbell are not cheap, but you will be able to use them for a lifetime. Also, if you want to use it to do bench presses, you need a weight bench.
The good news is if you have those things and a rack, you will have everything you need to have complete strength training workouts at home.
ALSO READ: How to Buy Weights for Your Home Gym
Shipping
A squat rack is not light and small equipment, so you have to pay for the shipping in most cases. However, Amazon gives you free shipping in most cases.
Assembly
Well, I’m not a techie guy, but I could put my rack together with ease. All models come with instructions, but you will need tools for sure.
Price
As you see, they are not so cheap, but there are power racks for sale. Gym quality models cost more, but for a home gym and an average user, a not so expensive model will do. If you are on a budget, check out the best cheap power racks here.
Conclusion
If you are joining a gym and are planning to do intense training, your commercial gym must have at least one. If it doesn’t, then I suggest you look somewhere else. Or you could get one for yourself at home. A home gym is the new cool and is a good way to use your basement, garage or other spare rooms. It saves you a lot of time and energy and also precious money!
(Prices may differ as they are updated once every hour.)
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Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thanks for the comparison. I think about buying the body-solid rack. I’m not a techie guy, Can you tell me how to bolt the power rack to the floor?
I found a video you may find useful. Check out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZzt4J6oUcs
Good guide. I’m just planning my garage gym but the first item I’m going to buy will be a power rack for sure.
Yes, it is a must have after weights.
Hey thank you guys for the reviews I was just looking for power rack for my home gym “Atlas Squat Deadlift Cage” is really in my budget and reviews are also good, before that I gone through a website power racks. 2016 but really confused at that time but now I’m okay with my decision once again thanks!!!!
Thanks for sharing this guide, it sure will help a lot of people.