which elitefts power rack?

[josephhkim]

Hi,

after reading around, I've decided to go with a better quality power rack.

I was originally planning ot go with a powertec power rack, but these dont' seem high quality enoough so i've decided to go with an elitefts power rack.

I have a budget of around $1500.

I've been looking at the different racks they offer.

They have something called an EFS 3 x 3 classic rack:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=167&m=PD&pid=2473

and they have their custom "build your own" rack :

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=167&m=PD&pid=681

i was wondering which rack was better or hwo they differ. the build your own is cheaper, but both are customizable.

which options should i choose for each(recommendations)?

also, if there are any other racks in this price range ($1500) then please suggest so!

thanks for any help!

also one quick question:

a larger variety of benches should fit with these racks, right? woudl you recommend one in particular, or should i stlil go with like an IM superbench or bodycraft f320 (etc.)?

[sh4mike]

Call EFS and ask them -- they are knowledgable and helpful.

I upgraded from a Powertec to EFS rack myself and would always recommend an EFS rack to people who can budget for it.

The build-your-own you linked is a 2x2 -- they also have a 3x3 build-your-own. A 2x2 is fine for most applications (e.g. you aren't bashing the rack with 500+ pound weights).

[FootBallBeast]

Why get 3x3 when you can get 4x4?
http://drsquat.com/home/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=9&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=114&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1
OVERKILL FTW

[new2lifting]

I like the 2x2...the 1 inch hole spacing through the bench region is pretty cool..Sometimes it is hard to find a perfect setting for the safety bars when the hole spacing is large...I think my spacing is around 3 inches...not the end of the world, it works out

the weight holders are cool also

but really, if you just want a decent power rack, you could get a good one for 300 bucks, but if you have money to blow, the extra features on that rack would be cool to have. I bought this one for $275 with shipping and the quality is excellent.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220229042608

[Pairunoyd]

yea, its your money, but i cant see spending so much on that one thing. i mean, if ive got thousands and thousands of dollars to spend on a total gym and i want it to look VERY nice, i could see spending $1500 in the cage. At the same time, you always want to spend your money wisely. That way, you'll have more money left to spend more wisely. ;)

Think if you spent $800-$1000 instead of $1500. You could get some nice gym equipment/accessories w/ that dough. That'd be a lot of DBs, for instance.

[josephhkim]

right,

i set my limit on 1500, but i'd preferably want to spend less than that.

i was planning to purchsae teh powertec rack, but thats a step lower quality than what i want. I read some things about bad build quality, incorrect welding, etc. so i wanted to go one step higher.

I'll probably end up going with the 2 x 2 elite fts which should come otu to less than $1000 dollars with shipping and some options.

For dumbbells, i'm going with the Ironmaster ones, since i don't want a huge rack of DBs.

Are tehre any particular benches that one would recommedn for this rack? i shuld have more to choose from since more benches can fit with this rack than with the powertec one.

one more thing, whats the difference between the chin up bar adn a fat bar chin up bar?

[HardKore79]

Fat bar is to improve your grip strength.

[christophertx]

right,

I'll probably end up going with the 2 x 2 elite fts which should come otu to less than $1000 dollars with shipping and some options.

For dumbbells, i'm going with the Ironmaster ones, since i don't want a huge rack of DBs.

Are tehre any particular benches that one would recommedn for this rack? i shuld have more to choose from since more benches can fit with this rack than with the powertec one.


Like you I seriously considered the Powertec rack (and ~25 others) before deciding to go EliteFTS. The quality is superb and the 1" hole spacing is really nice.

I went with the R2 combo package (http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=893), which is the 2x2 rack with some options packaged in (you end up saving a little by bundling them in). While I wanted the dip attachment and extra spotter pins (for isometric/lockout work), the decision on a bench was what drove me to this configuration. Since the rack doesn't have any cross supports on the floor and is fully walkthrough, you can use just about any bench. After comparing prices (fully shipped) and configurations I decided the small amount saved on another quality bench brand wasn't great enough and went with the EliteFTS Flat/Incline bench in the bundle above.


RE: Dumbells
I have both the Powerblock dumbbells as well as the IronMaster. I think you'll be pleased with the IronMaster.

-christopher

[Accutron]

Like you I seriously considered the Powertec rack (and ~25 others) before deciding to go EliteFTS. The quality is superb and the 1" hole spacing is really nice.

I went with the R2 combo package (http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=893), which is the 2x2 rack with some options packaged in (you end up saving a little by bundling them in). While I wanted the dip attachment and extra spotter pins (for isometric/lockout work), the decision on a bench was what drove me to this configuration. Since the rack doesn't have any cross supports on the floor and is fully walkthrough, you can use just about any bench. After comparing prices (fully shipped) and configurations I decided the small amount saved on another quality bench brand wasn't great enough and went with the EliteFTS Flat/Incline bench in the bundle above.


RE: Dumbells
I have both the Powerblock dumbbells as well as the IronMaster. I think you'll be pleased with the IronMaster.

-christopher

Congrats, that R2 rack is awesome, I love it.

[josephhkim]

Like you I seriously considered the Powertec rack (and ~25 others) before deciding to go EliteFTS. The quality is superb and the 1" hole spacing is really nice.

I went with the R2 combo package (http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=893), which is the 2x2 rack with some options packaged in (you end up saving a little by bundling them in). While I wanted the dip attachment and extra spotter pins (for isometric/lockout work), the decision on a bench was what drove me to this configuration. Since the rack doesn't have any cross supports on the floor and is fully walkthrough, you can use just about any bench. After comparing prices (fully shipped) and configurations I decided the small amount saved on another quality bench brand wasn't great enough and went with the EliteFTS Flat/Incline bench in the bundle above.


RE: Dumbells
I have both the Powerblock dumbbells as well as the IronMaster. I think you'll be pleased with the IronMaster.

-christopher

that was a great post thansk a lot man.

helped clear up things a bit. repped.

i guess i'll be taking a path similar to yours. I'm still a little confused on the chin up bar, but i guess i'll go with a regular one instead of a fat one?

[CBoxer]

Almost $900 and it doesn't include dip bars? Those $195 dip bars better come with a bj.

[FERRUM_MAXIMUS]

Almost $900 and it doesn't include dip bars? Those $195 dip bars better come with a bj.Are dip bars really a deciding factor in choosing a power rack?A pair of bars across the safeties are better than any dip bars,you can adjust the height,angle,and width.

[HardKore79]

Almost $900 and it doesn't include dip bars? Those $195 dip bars better come with a bj.Super sloppy creamy bj also. :)

[christophertx]

that was a great post thansk a lot man.

helped clear up things a bit. repped.

i guess i'll be taking a path similar to yours. I'm still a little confused on the chin up bar, but i guess i'll go with a regular one instead of a fat one?

Here's a picture of the fat bar: http://www.fatbars.com/Rack_Options.html (Williams Strength makes the racks/benches for EliteFTS). The cambered type bar (as pictured in the R2 combo) may not be available in the build your own option. I would call Elite and see if the standard chin-bar is straight or cambered. This may influence your decision.



Cboxer said:
...Those $195 dip bars better come with a bj

Not quite, but can provide support assistance while receiving one...:)


FERRUM_MAXIMUS said:
Are dip bars really a deciding factor in choosing a power rack?A pair of bars across the safeties are better than any dip bars,you can adjust the height,angle,and width.

I would hope dip bars wouldn't be a deciding factor in a power rack purchase! For me they were purely a convenience factor (flexibility to superset dips with any exercise inside the power rack without reconfiguring the setup.)

[Skidmarx]

If you have the space, $195 will buy you a stand-alone Body Solid dip station. I love mine.

Awesome R2 rack. It's on my wish list for next year, when I graduate to something better.

[CBoxer]

Are dip bars really a deciding factor in choosing a power rack?A pair of bars across the safeties are better than any dip bars,you can adjust the height,angle,and width.

Would you expect a $60,000 car to have power windows? Are power windows really a deciding factor in choosing a car? I'm just saying that for so much money, the rack could have more features.

[christophertx]

Would you expect a $60,000 car to have power windows? Are power windows really a deciding factor in choosing a car? I'm just saying that for so much money, the rack could have more features.

My EliteFts R2 rack came with a lot of features:
- Band storage
- Band pegs top and bottom
- Chin Bar
- 2 sets of J hooks
- 2 sets of spot pins
- Weight Storage
- Sumo base
- 1 and 2 inch hole spacing
- Dip attachment

Hell, it even came with a 0-90 flat to incline bench! It's a package.

It's only loosely the same comparison as a car. You buy cars with packages. Those packages include A/C, electric windows, etc. With certain vehicles, you can buy them completely stripped and add accessories yourself (common for work vans/trucks, some police cars, limos, etc). Same can be said for racks.

Home/consumer racks tend to have more "features". Commercial racks tend to be bare with accessories as add-ons. How many commercial gyms have dip bars, lift trays, etc. on their racks?

Some commercial rack manufacturers don't even offer other accessories. Compare EliteFTS pricing with Legend Fitness, Williams Strength, Samson, Strength Inc, Wilder Fitness, and other commercial rack makers. I think you'll find the Elite pricing to be pretty competitive.

That being said, Powertec, BodySolid, TuffStuff, and Bodycraft "full featured" racks will work for a lot of people for less money.....

-c

[forgot password]

don't bother w/the weight storage or the dip add on. Like was said, you can get a nice dip station for what you're gonna pay for the add on and 2 weight trees will cost you $120(140ish with shipping).

weight tree
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=340

I bought from this place and have the following sitting on those trees.
16-45lb
10-35lb
10-25lb
10-10lb
10-5lb
4-2.5lb

[DiamondDelts]

An elitefts thread with no citro input? I must say that I am once again dissapointed with my racist, repulsive, but very elitefts knowleageable friend. Citro we need you in here!!!!:D

[CBoxer]

My EliteFts R2 rack came with a lot of features:
- Band storage
- Band pegs top and bottom
- Chin Bar
- 2 sets of J hooks
- 2 sets of spot pins
- Weight Storage
- Sumo base
- 1 and 2 inch hole spacing
- Dip attachment

Hell, it even came with a 0-90 flat to incline bench! It's a package.

It's only loosely the same comparison as a car. You buy cars with packages. Those packages include A/C, electric windows, etc. With certain vehicles, you can buy them completely stripped and add accessories yourself (common for work vans/trucks, some police cars, limos, etc). Same can be said for racks.

Home/consumer racks tend to have more "features". Commercial racks tend to be bare with accessories as add-ons. How many commercial gyms have dip bars, lift trays, etc. on their racks?

Some commercial rack manufacturers don't even offer other accessories. Compare EliteFTS pricing with Legend Fitness, Williams Strength, Samson, Strength Inc, Wilder Fitness, and other commercial rack makers. I think you'll find the Elite pricing to be pretty competitive.

That being said, Powertec, BodySolid, TuffStuff, and Bodycraft "full featured" racks will work for a lot of people for less money.....

-c

Can't argue with any of this.

[Citro64]

DURRRRRRR did someone say elitefts??????????????

[billy]

don't bother w/the weight storage or the dip add on.

I think the weight storage serves another purpose besides storing weights. As I recall, Dave Tate mentioned that it would be ideal to bolt the rack down unless you get it with a weight storage attachment. Otherwise, doing heavy band lifts without anything holding the rack down would tip the rack over. Although, it would probably be cheaper to bolt it down onto a wooden platform than paying extra for the weight storage.

[stunmai3]

hope that the pic of the dip bars is deceiving, for $200 they better be more than tri width, looks like they are only 24" apart at the ends

[dolson27]

The two pieces of equipment that I bought that was an overkill was my Legend power rack with weight storage (3133) and my Nebula FID bench. The Legend rack is very solid. It's basically the same as the elfts one but a few hundred dollars cheaper.

[Skidmarx]

DURRRRRRR did someone say elitefts??????????????

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/garfieldgirl03/CartmanRetarded-Resized.jpg

[Citro64]

skid thats exactly what i was thinking of when i said it