The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version
This is a collaborative effort from the equipment forum members. The 2008 edition has a lot of broken links and rather than keep that one going we decided to start a new one. First let’s have a few definitions to clear up some confusion.
[b]Squat Stands[/b]: These are probably the most useless and unsafe pieces of equipment you can buy. All they are really good for is loading a bar up and having it at chest level to perform certain presses, Olympic lifts and squats. The appeal here is that they are usually a lot cheaper than a cage, but they provide zero safety if you fail on a lift and are really not ideal for home use. I would also include any of those bench press/ squat combo things made by Marcy or Apex in this category. They are cheap and completely unsafe.
[IMG]http://i35.tinypic.com/2s1xeme.jpg[/IMG]
[b]Squat Rack[/b]: A squat rack is much safer than squat stands and much sturdier. You see these in gyms a lot. The main problem with squat racks is that they typically do not have adjustable spotter arms and are really only good for doing squats, and even then they may not work well for a shorter person. Again, they are not really an ideal choice for home use, as they are really only designed for one exercise.
[IMG]http://i36.tinypic.com/23vkvg0.jpg[/IMG]
[b]Half rack[/b]: Commercial grade half racks show up a lot in gyms. They are heavy and very sturdy and have adjustable spotter arms that can withstand very heavy weight. They also usually have a chin-up bar and plate storage along the back. The main difference from a power cage/ rack is that they do not offer a fully enclosed area. In the chance that you lose your balance and fall back on a squat or overhead press, there is a possibility that you will miss the spotters and hurt yourself. Again, not a great choice for working out alone, but definitely not a terrible choice as you can use them for exercises other than just squats. There are also half racks made for home use but these generally have pretty small spotter arms and are really unsafe to use for squats. I have also seen these called multi-press racks.
Hammer Strength Half Rack and TDS Multi press rack
[IMG]http://i33.tinypic.com/2pzd8qq.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i36.tinypic.com/2hhdp4n.gif[/IMG]
[b]Power rack/ power cage[/b]: This is the obvious and best choice for working out at home. A power cage should be the center piece of any good gym. They are fully enclosed and offer the most safety for exercises like squats and bench press. I cannot tell you how many times my spotter bars have saved me on a failed set. A good rack should be able to handle close to 1000 lbs on the spotters. There are several different variations of power racks and you can pay anywhere from $300 to upwards of several thousand dollars. Racks have many different options and can often be customized with plate holders, different chin up bars, lat pull downs, and many other attachments. All power racks should come with a chin up bar and at least the option to buy dip handles. They can also be open on the top to allow for overhead movements.
Quoted from Manzooka
"One more thing to look for when shopping for a new rack: hole spacing.
The distance between holes will impact your reach and level of comfort when performing various exercises in a power rack. An inch or so may not make a big difference when setting up for your squat, but it could make a huge difference on your bench."
Hole spacing seems to vary, but most good racks have 2 inch spacing (measured from the center of the holes). Elite FTS offers 1.5 inch and even 1 inch spacing on some of their racks through the bench area, which makes it easier to get full ROM when benching. See post #20 for comparison pics.
Powertec Rack and Magnum Fitness open top rack
[IMG]http://i33.tinypic.com/14y27tx.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i36.tinypic.com/wbp6k0.jpg[/IMG]
For shorter ceilings there are also sumo racks like this one from TDS
[IMG]http://i34.tinypic.com/2s0bfrp.jpg[/IMG]
[b]Monolift[/b]: Not something you will see in a lot of home gyms, as a partner is necessary for safety, but very popular in powerlifting circles. "This specially designed squat stand allows for optimal squat training by taking the walkout way from the lift. You un-rack the weight while your training parter pulls the lever moving the rack hooks forward. The hydraulic lift and lever support stands adjust for all heights and hand positions." from Elite FTS
[IMG]http://i37.tinypic.com/117yzgn.jpg[/IMG]
*If anyone wants me to add something to the first post shoot me a pm, we have a 24 hour edit window.
Now lets see some power racks!
The two most affordable racks I know of...
Both of these you can find for about 300 shipped. They both seem to be decent starter racks with the Powerline probably getting the edge, as it is from Body Solid, which is a recognized name. The first rack does not even have a brand attached to it, but still seems like a decent rack.
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/DELUXE-POWER-CAGE-RACK-Home-Gym-Fitness-Equipment-NEW-/230501977218?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0[/url]
I really don't like the positioning of that lower cross member on this rack, seems like it could get in the way when unracking the bar for squats.
[IMG]http://i35.tinypic.com/vhqjpl.jpg[/IMG]
* Floor space: 43"(Depth)x49"(Width)x82"(Height)
* Weight about 140 LB
* It can hold about 1000 LB
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Body-Solid-Powerline-Power-Squat-Weight-Rack-/230498971348?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_1399wt_1139[/url]
[IMG]http://i36.tinypic.com/27x0w9i.jpg[/IMG]
Dimensions: 82"H x 44"L x 46"W
# 18 adjustment levels
# Upright pillars are a full 24" apart for free motion
# 41" wide knurled chinning bar
Complete with 18 positions, two heat tempered lift-offs and two saber style safety rods so you can keep your exercise routine the way it should be simple and effective. This Power Rack has a 800 lb. weight capacity.
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With that we now have four racks listed on the first page that you can get shipped for less than $500. The two in this post are at the lower end of the spectrum while the TDS and the Powertec are probably at the higher end quality wise. I think the Ptec and TDS both have closer hole spacing, maybe someone who owns these racks can help me out there, but just looking at the pics it seems like they do.