Many home workout advocates will tell you that no home / garage gym is complete without a power rack. Or that one is necessary for getting really good at the compound lifts. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s a worthy investment, you’re not alone.
Determining whether or not your gym needs one is a little tough to answer but one thing is for certain, if you train on your own then it’s going to come in very handy. But before we look at specifics, let’s clear up some terminology first.
| Image | Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice  | 9.8 | Check on Amazon | |
Best Value  | 9 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 9.4 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 8.8 | Check on Amazon | |
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| 8.8 | Check on Amazon |
 | D PRO T Power Rack with Cable Pulley
| 9.4 | Check on Amazon |
Contents
Power Rack Reviews
For those who want the best of everything and take their training super seriously, it can feel difficult to find the right one. After all, it’s a personalised and individual experience and your needs are going to be different from everyone else.
Purchasing a power rack is a major decision but hopefully we’ve taken some of the pain out of it for you. Here’s a look at some of our favourite available on the market today.
A maximum load of well over 220 kg on the hooks and over 500 kg in total means the ZERELEK Power Cage can support intermediate right through to advanced lifters.
The pulley system gives you the option of both lat pulldowns and a rowing station. The built in chin up bar has adjustable grip positions so you can target various muscle groups.
The attachable dip bar and adjustable dip handles means this rack will never get boring. The higher price point means you’re going to get a little more for your money. This is definitely on the higher end of home power cages, but it’s worth the investment since it can support so much weight.
The weight storage is a nice touch too.
Summary
The ZERELEK should prove to be a good investment. Having the pulley system saves space and the extra exercises like lat pulldowns is a massive bonus. It’s a rack that can hold a reasonable amount of weight do will keep most people happy until they hit a much more advanced level.
- 4 adjustable J-hooks
- Adjustable hip handles and dip bar
- Lat tower weight security via clamping springs
- Doesn’t rock or move
- Solid steel pull-up bar
- Set aside a few hours for assembly
The GYM MASTER is a fairly basic cage but can handle 260 kg. Twenty one height positions means you’re always going to find the perfect height for whatever movement you’re doing.
Summary
This is the perfect starter rack for lifters who want a little more heft but aren’t ready to shell out a lot of money. It might not hold as much weight as others, but that’s okay. It’s easy to assemble and has a variety of accessories that will quickly make it the only rack you need. You’ll be able to get a complete lift and get all of your accessory work completed when you add this bit of kit to your home set up.
Spotter bars are going to keep you safe, so you won’t need to seek out a lifter buddy to spot you on your PRs. A great rack for the price, we recommend this for any lifter who’s ready to step up their fitness game.
- Easy to assemble
- Options of accessories add to versatility
- Flexing and lateral movement occurs when tightening bolts during assembly
- Heavier weights could make it wobble
- Knurling on pull up bar is not great
- Pull up bar is hollow
With a 363 kg weight capacity, the Fitness Reality 810XLT power case gives you everything you need in a stand-alone cage. It features an additional lat-pull down attachment and the choice of an adjustable leg hold down, so you really could get your entire lift done inside this rack.
Summary
If you have the space, this is a great cage to add to your home gym. It features just about everything you’d want from a rack – solid steel construction, great add-on features, and the ability to do just about every exercise, ever. Optional case attachments like plate holders, J-hooks, and dip bars mean that this rack can evolve as your fitness routine does.
- 19 adjustable height levels for safety bars means there’s a setting for everyone
- Multi-position chin up handles
- Since this isn’t bolted to anything, the rig can rock when there’s a lot of weight on the bar
- Taller users might have difficulty with the height of this unit
This TecTake Fitness Power Station is great for the novice lifter who’s missing getting a good workout at the gym. It’s ideal for anyone who’s just starting out and isn’t planning to put a lot of weight on the bar. It’s easy to assemble and has adjustable rubberized barbell holders.
Summary
This is not the right rack for anyone who’s been lifting for a long time. It’s also not the right rack for anyone who is over 100kg. The most ideal user for this power station is someone who is new to lifting and wants to explore how adding barbell work into their programme will be useful. Be mindful of the weight limits and the fact that the rack feels flimsy when there’s more than 100kg on the bar.
- Bar hooks are manually tightened so no worry about them slipping
- Flimsy if you add a lot of weight to the bar
- Approved user weight is only 100kg
The GYM MASTER GM1 is a great bit of equipment on a budget. Built in pull up bar with a wide grip and narrow grip allows for accessory work for core and chin ups. Adjustable safety bars and bar catches will help keep you safe.
There is an option to purchase with a pulley system allowing even more versatility.
Summary
The GM1 is one of the more budget friendly options. If you want something reasonable to get you going then this could well be the perfect rack for you.
Like all fitness equipment, you’ll need to give this rack a little TLC to make sure it holds up. For the price point, it might just be the perfect purchase. Give it a go – the cost isn’t exorbitant and you’re bound to make some gains along the way.
- Multi-grip pull up station
- Doesn’t need to be anchored
- Optional pulley system
- J-hooks aren’t as solid as they could be
Squat, bench, and press with ease when you use the 21 different positions for the barbell. A cable pulley system allows you to get a full body workout, all from one piece of equipment. Simple step by step instructions means your assembly time will go quickly and without any issues.
Summary
Probably the better investment if you’re on a budget, the D PRO T will definitely get you on the Gain Train. It’s a great budget model that will serve it’s purpose and hold up decently well.
It’s probably going to better serve the novice or intermediate lifter who isn’t super concerned with the specifics of a rack and just wants to get in there and lift heavy. If you go with this D PRO T model you’re definitely one step closer to ensuring your fitness reaches the next level. It’s a great rack for the price and for the added accessories.
- Accessories that are included make this a simple one time purchase
- Arm curl and seated row accessory
- Cable system will allow for a complete full body workout
- Included plate storage
- Plate loaded cable carriage system
- 14 gauge steel might not hold up for those that are likely to go really heavy
- Max load capacity might be prohibitive in the future
- No option for floor bolting
What is a Power Rack?
They are also often called a power cage or squat cage, though there is a difference between them that we’ll get to later. Essentially it’s like an adjustable squat rack with extra safety features and allowing you to do even more exercises. You can even bench press in them knowing you have the safety bars to help prevent accidents. They can form the foundations for a decent home gym set up.
They are made of steel and you stand inside it when exercising and have a horizontal safety bar to allow for you to act as your own spotter during your lift.
Most commonly, they are used for squatting. There are other exercises that can be performed at the rack too.
These include the following:
- Bench press
- Jerks
- Negative squats
- Overhead squats
- Push press
- Reverse barbell lunges
- Shrugs
Most of these exercises fit into the classic powerlifting arena, those and some Olympic lifts can safely be trained inside a rack as well. A power rack is an essential piece of most home gyms because it allows you to remain safe especially if you’re lifting on your own.
Though they’re generally seen inside commercial and functional fitness gyms, having a power rack as part of your home gym is becoming increasingly more common. This is largely because of their versatility and affordability.
Most will also come with pull up bars at the top and hooks on the base of the cage. The pull up bars can be used for everything from ab work to concentric pull up workouts, and the hooks are beneficial for rope work. These attachments increase the total number of exercises possible.
Power Rack vs Squat Rack
An important distinction to note is that there is a slight difference between a power rack and a squat rack. A power rack has four vertical posts and at least two horizontal bars. This creates a cage for you to stand in while lifting. Conversely, a squat rack only has two vertical posts, so there is no cage. It’s just a stand that holds the barbell at a specific height.
Sometimes squat racks are called “half-cages” because it’s basically half of a power cage. They can come with safety arms to help spot you while you lift.
It’s quite likely that you’ll find a power rack will be more beneficial than a squat rack. Generally, it’s a safer training at home, especially if you lift alone. The horizontal safety bars can add a layer of protection in case you fail a lift. They are certainly considerably safer than squat stands.
Power racks can also hold a lot more weight because they’re more stable, given their design. If you’re lifting heavy or you intend to, then they are a better choice and probably the best use of your money.
Space considerations
Floor space is a huge factor in deciding whether or not to purchase a power rack. Generally speaking, expect it to take up a lot more space than you think it will. Though each rack is going to have specific recommendations, a good rule of thumb is that you’re going to need ceilings that are at least 2.4 m.
Make sure you have at least 2.4 m by 1.5 m of space to for the rack to sit. Don’t forget too that you’ll probably be using an Olympic bar which is 2.2 m so that will be protruding either side. Plus of course, you need a certain amount of wiggle room allowing for side-to-side movement. Many will find that a typical UK garage is the perfect place to accommodate one.
Power racks definitely take up a decent amount of space, but the right model could mean you don’t need much else in your home workout space.
Why Buy One?
If you often have to lift alone then it makes the decision pretty easy – they just make so much sense for home use.
Take another look at the list of exercises that you can do inside a power rack. If you were to purchase one with a dip station, the list of exercises increases. Add a lat pull down attachment and there are easily twenty exercises that you can do.
Most importantly they allow you to train alone safely. You can bench alone without worrying about crushing your sternum if you miss a rep.
A power rack can be used to improve almost all of your compound exercises by targeting various ranges of motion. This highlights deficiencies in your current training program that will ensure your forward progression. Working from the negative of a compound lift in a power rack is an essential tool in working through plateaus.
Building functional strength by working on various planes of motion will provide you the opportunity to become stronger, fitter, and faster. With a power rack inside your home gym, you have the capability of working muscle groups in antagonistic pairs. Research shows that this approach can significantly improve overall lift capacity.
Benefits of a Power Rack
Arguably one of the most important benefits of a power rack is the safety that it provides. Presses or squatting alone can be scary if you’re going for a PR and there’s no one around to spot you. A quality rack that has safety pins, arms, or steps in place will catch a dropped bar so it doesn’t land on your body or on your floor. These safety features keep you protected but they also give you the chance to use the weights by working from the negative, which can help you progress over time.
The versatility of a power rack means it’s going to last a lifetime and you’re never going to get bored. In addition to the compound lifts, you can use your rack for so much more. Pull ups, dips, and core work can all be performed in a power rack that’s well equipped. Add in a rowing accessory and you’re legitimately able to get a full body workout from one piece of equipment.
Drawbacks
The space consideration can be prohibitive for a lot of lifters. If space isn’t an issue for you, make sure you’re clear on a few other drawbacks.
Most power racks aren’t going to come with a bench, so if you don’t own one already you are going to have to factor one in. We have done a round-up review of the best weight bench that is worth a read. The cost isn’t exceptionally steep, but it’s definitely something to consider when you’re adding up the total investment price.
In that vein, your rack isn’t going to come with a barbell or weights either. Depending on the types of lifts you perform, you might or might not need a barbell with a decent amount of spin (the rotating sleeve). No matter which type of barbell you purchase, be prepared to shell out upwards of fifty quid. Remember that a good barbell, like all other quality fitness equipment, is an investment.
Don’t forget about plates, too. The weight and number of plates you buy is going to be largely based on your own goals and strength level. Of course, you don’t need to buy 500 kg of plates all at once. Building over time might be the most cost effective approach. You’ll also need a plate stand to keep everything tidy and organised.
How to Choose a Power Rack?
Choosing the right power rack for your gym doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are so many options available and each one is going to be a little different. When you’re ready to make an investment in your overall fitness, make sure you’re selecting something that’s ideally suited for your tastes and needs.
A rack that is very strong, strong, and with a large weight capacity is crucial. If you’re dedicated to training, you’re going to get stronger over time, so select a rack with future goals in mind. Picking a rack that has a large weight capacity isn’t ever going to be a hindrance.
Though the quality and thickness of steel might differ from rack to rack, most are going to be at least primarily made of steel. The most expensive models are going to be made from 7 gauge steel. The smaller the number, the thicker the steel. This might be a little overkill for a home gym; it’s generally used in a commercial setting where they have to take a lot more abuse.
So if you’re planning to allow a bunch of people to use your rack, this might be worthwhile. Otherwise, look for a rack that has 11 gauge steel. Make sure the rack that your manufacturer lists the gauge on the product description. When a manufacturer doesn’t list the gauge, it either means they’re probably using 12 gauge still or something even thinner, neither of which are suited for heavy lifting use.
Select a rack that’s as wide and tall as possible for the space you have available. This will give you more room inside to do a variety of exercises.
Uprights and safety pins are often overlooked as part of a comprehensive power rack. But they shouldn’t be. Uprights should be inside and outside the power rack so you can adjust the height of the barbell from wherever you happen to be in the cage. Narrow spacing is better than wider spacing because it gives you more specificity on the barbell height. Safety pins should be easily adjustable so you’re not wasting time between exercises. Like uprights, make sure these have small spacing so you can adjust them to the perfect height.
The quality of the welds can be a sticking point, since you often won’t see the quality until you purchase the rack. If the welder was skilled and committed to craftsmanship, the weld will look like a stack of coins neatly arranged in a row. While a less than beautiful weld isn’t necessarily indicative of a bad weld job, it might be an indication. Keep this in mind when you’re looking.
Conclusion
Selecting a power rack is an important decision but get it right and you have a very useful piece of gym equipment that will last a very long time. A good one is also going to provide you with the support and stability to perform all of the compound lifts along with plenty of accessories, safely and in the comfort of your home. Now you have all the information you need to purchase the perfect one for your home gym.
For us the ZERELEK has to be one of the best power racks for the money that’s out there at the moment.
Now it’s time to clear some room, order your rack, and load up your bar. Train smart when you train with a very versatile piece of equipment.
