The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[sm1ke]

"Old and Broken" is right. Let me break it down for you.

He asked about a Titan RACK in the Power Rack thread and I answered his question (with a false statement), so no need for any movement to the Titan thread or any other thread for that matter, it belongs here (he asked about the rack, one of the links provided was first hand experience with a Titan rack). You may want to re-read, but I never stated "you can't go wrong 'the' Titan" (see your two quoted posts below, you may want to re-read). Not really sure what that even means??? But anyway, I will say that you can't find a better VALUE in a 2x3, 11ga, westside spaced rack (wrong again. It is half the price, but for half the quality/effort/execution. That's how you perceive "value", and it isn't universal). They are 1/2 the price with the EXACT function. I'm just giving you the facts as an actual owner, and not working off of internet based stories (blah blah blah, you're not right because you own one rack. Your experience is just as valid as the many others who have raised issues. I don't need to pull from personal experience because of those people.). Just as Rep, Rogue, and other manufacturers, all have had their issues, it's how they handle them, which my experiences with Titan CS have been very good, if not excellent (compare number of issues with Titan to any other manufacturer. That's great if they make it right every time, but there's a huge underlying problem that CS is just putting a band-aid on). There were some QC issues that came up in the Rogue thread recently, I'm sure you championed that cause also? Oh, well, you said you weren't going to pursue this further, so I've said my peace as well.

I actually have a T3 rack, use it most days, and have had it for 4 years. I turned it into a 6 post before Titan offered the kits. I've said this many times before, it has ALL the function of a Rogue R3 (or other 2x3, 11g rack) with a little less aesthetics for about 1/2 the cost. Its an excellent value and an excellent rack. That all said, you can't go wrong the Titan.....or Rogue or others.

I'll just differ, I rarely beg

Again, I've said this many times before, it has ALL the function of a Rogue R3 (or other 2x3, 11g rack) with a little less aesthetics for about 1/2 the cost. Its an excellent value and an excellent rack. That all said, you can't go wrong the Titan.....or Rogue or others.

To reiterate:

All I'm saying is that you can definitely go wrong "the Titan". The two threads I posted prove that. Your rack and accessories don't make the huge number and severity of Titan issues magically go away.

Thank 70chevellegsp aka OldandBroken for cluttering up this thread.

[70chevellegsp]

sm1ke, aka 'work in progress' (absolutely, but keep working and you'll get there some day buddy!) I thought you weren't going to pursue this further????

I stand by my first hand experience with Titan over your disdain/hate. They make a fully functional 2x3, 11g, westside spaced rack for 1/2 the cost. Buy what you like and use what you buy. Keep in mind that 'work in progress' is a step before old and broken. I enjoyed those days, but at the same time I don't miss them. Good luck to you.

[murphyreedus]

cluttering up this thread.

No one on this whole page has done anything else. Here, I'll help:



Progress:




One crossmember still needs paint. The others are drying. I still need to decide what to do with the saber safeties as well. They were already painted by the previous owner, so I'll probably just prime and paint them black to match and live with the wear.

[EricAtl]

No one on this whole page has done anything else. Here, I'll help:



Progress:




One crossmember still needs paint. The others are drying. I still need to decide what to do with the saber safeties as well. They were already painted by the previous owner, so I'll probably just prime and paint them black to match and live with the wear.

Wow, looks great. On spread.

[kram1979]

No one on this whole page has done anything else.

Seriously...

Here, I'll help:

Progress:

One crossmember still needs paint. The others are drying. I still need to decide what to do with the saber safeties as well. They were already painted by the previous owner, so I'll probably just prime and paint them black to match and live with the wear.

Few questions:

What was your process for painting the rack? Sand/Prime/Few coats?
Type of paint/application method? Rattle can?

Looks really, really good.

[murphyreedus]

Few questions:

What was your process for painting the rack? Sand/Prime/Few coats?
Type of paint/application method? Rattle can?

Looks really, really good.

Sand, clean, 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of paint.

The primer and paint are Rustoleum Stop Rust brush-on enamel. The blue was a custom color mix. Seems like tough stuff, but it went on really thin and liked to run. I would have preferred my normal Painter's Touch x2 rattle can, but didn't want to haul the whole rack back upstairs to the garage, then back down again.

Also added plastic end caps for the 3x3 tubing and on the plate storage pegs. I still need to get new bolts/hardware since the original bolts are a little nasty looking and a good inch too long.

[aloosecannon]

Sand, clean, 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of paint.

The primer and paint are Rustoleum Stop Rust brush-on enamel. The blue was a custom color mix. Seems like tough stuff, but it went on really thin and liked to run. I would have preferred my normal Painter's Touch x2 rattle can, but didn't want to haul the whole rack back upstairs to the garage, then back down again.

Also added plastic end caps for the 3x3 tubing and on the plate storage pegs. I still need to get new bolts/hardware since the original bolts are a little nasty looking and a good inch too long.

Looks great. I was going to ask what shade of blue but you mentioned it was custom.

[irongrandpa]

No one on this whole page has done anything else. Here, I'll help:



Progress:




One crossmember still needs paint. The others are drying. I still need to decide what to do with the saber safeties as well. They were already painted by the previous owner, so I'll probably just prime and paint them black to match and live with the wear.

That looks really great! You have a lot more patience than I do. For the safety pins, I'd sand them bare and keep them oiled. I've done this on a few things and like the look plus , no scratched paint.

[murphyreedus]

Looks great. I was going to ask what shade of blue but you mentioned it was custom.

Gloss Sail Blue is the closest off-shelf color in the Stop Rust, but they didn't have any at the store I went to.

That looks really great! You have a lot more patience than I do. For the safety pins, I'd sand them bare and keep them oiled. I've done this on a few things and like the look plus , no scratched paint.

Sanding them down is probably the wiser path, but since they were already painted I am going to try the enamel and see how it holds up. If it looks like garbage after a few weeks I'll strip it off and leave them bare.

That reminds me that I want to get some rubber washers/grommets to go on the plate storage and safeties to act as bumpers.

[vhd16]

Also added plastic end caps for the 3x3 tubing and on the plate storage pegs. I still need to get new bolts/hardware since the original bolts are a little nasty looking and a good inch too long.

On spread. Great work. I believe your rack takes 1" bolts.. TSC sells them by the pound including washers and lock washers . That the cheapest I found. Fastenal has them as well. I would go with 2" diameter SAE washers not 2.5" ones.

[murphyreedus]

On spread. Great work. I believe your rack takes 1" bolts.. TSC sells them by the pound including washers and lock washers . That the cheapest I found. Fastenal has them as well. I would go with 2" diameter SAE washers not 2.5" ones.

5/8" hardware for the crossmembers, so I just picked up some grade 5 bolts at Menardo's.

[70chevellegsp]

murphyreedus - your rack looks great. Never would have thought you could get such a nice finish with a brush. Great work!

[gjmcshea]

Hi all, first time poster here. I have been lifting for about 8 months and would like to now purchase a power cage. Thus far I have been using an Ironmaster IM1000 I purchased used but would like to move to truly lifting free at this point as I think the restricted movement path of the Ironmaster is causing me problems in a couple exercises.

My question is on doing standing overhead presses using a power cage. I'm about 6'2" and in my garage would have space for a cage that is about 88" high at most. Given my height, overhead arm extension length, and thickness of the cage at the top it seems I will not be able to get full enough arm extension doing a standing press in the cage. Am I missing something here, are there other tall folks out there who are able to do a standing press inside a similarly sized cage?

[sm1ke]

Hi all, first time poster here. I have been lifting for about 8 months and would like to now purchase a power cage. Thus far I have been using an Ironmaster IM1000 I purchased used but would like to move to truly lifting free at this point as I think the restricted movement path of the Ironmaster is causing me problems in a couple exercises.

My question is on doing standing overhead presses using a power cage. I'm about 6'2" and in my garage would have space for a cage that is about 88" high at most. Given my height, overhead arm extension length, and thickness of the cage at the top it seems I will not be able to get full enough arm extension doing a standing press in the cage. Am I missing something here, are there other tall folks out there who are able to do a standing press inside a similarly sized cage?

I think your safest option would be to look for a 3/4 rack. Looks like this:



There are a bunch of lifters here that use commercial grade 3/4 racks. They provide all the safety of a power rack while allowing taller lifters to press inside the cage.

Your other option would be a bolt together rack like the Rogue R3-BT, the CrossBox F-1K, or the Rep Fitness PR-5000. With any of those racks, you simply wouldn't install the upper crossmembers that run from the front two posts to the rear two posts.

[Cleveland33]

Can you even press with a ceiling at 88"?

There's no need to press inside the cagez even in gyms with racks tall enough, I prefer to press outside.

[cwcmac]

Hi all, first time poster here. I have been lifting for about 8 months and would like to now purchase a power cage. Thus far I have been using an Ironmaster IM1000 I purchased used but would like to move to truly lifting free at this point as I think the restricted movement path of the Ironmaster is causing me problems in a couple exercises.

My question is on doing standing overhead presses using a power cage. I'm about 6'2" and in my garage would have space for a cage that is about 88" high at most. Given my height, overhead arm extension length, and thickness of the cage at the top it seems I will not be able to get full enough arm extension doing a standing press in the cage. Am I missing something here, are there other tall folks out there who are able to do a standing press inside a similarly sized cage?

Seems that the 88" height would be an impediment. If I'm not reading it right there are open top racks that work just fine for people:

Legend: http://legendfitness.com/product/fat-bar-power-station/
Bomb Proof open top (there are similar designed cheaper options): https://www.ironcompany.com/premium-...wer-rack-bp-96

[murphyreedus]

I'm calling it done for now. Changed out the hardware and added bedliner to the pullup bar for some extra grip. Still have a few things I'd like to add in the future, but with it being a second rack, none of those things are pressing.



Speaking of pressing in a rack, my rack is 90" tall, so I've got about 87" of clearance inside. I'm 6' tall. I have just enough clearance inside to press using a regular Olympic bar (less than an 1" at full extension with my normal stance). My 2" axle bar hits the top before I get to full extension.

[gjmcshea]

Thank you!

[dougfresh12]

Ghj

[bisonp]

This rack from Omni Fitness looks pretty interesting. I wonder if it's compatible with Rogue/Titan accessories.



Looks like they start at $880 with 300 pound Olympic set and w/o lat attachment.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...578127546.html

[sm1ke]

This rack from Omni Fitness looks pretty interesting. I wonder if it's compatible with Rogue/Titan accessories.



Looks like they start at $880 with 300 pound Olympic set and w/o lat attachment.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...578127546.html

Plates look interesting, but at $1/lb for the olympic set, that's $580 for a 2x2 flat foot rack with flip down safeties, a multigrip pullup bar, band pegs, and gusset plates. Not worth it IMO.

[bisonp]

Plates look interesting, but at $1/lb for the olympic set, that's $580 for a 2x2 flat foot rack with flip down safeties, a multigrip pullup bar, band pegs, and gusset plates. Not worth it IMO.

You know I assumed it was 3x3, but after you mentioned 2x2 I realized I couldn't really tell what it was. So I found another listing and found it's 2.5x2.5.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...556715921.html

In and of itself that's fine I guess but I don't know if there's any 3rd party stuff that would fit it. I still think it's an OK price considering you apparently get 2 sets of j-hooks, 8 band pegs, and dip bars, but that oddball size is going to limit the appeal.

[murphyreedus]

You know I assumed it was 3x3, but after you mentioned 2x2 I realized I couldn't really tell what it was. So I found another listing and found it's 2.5x2.5.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/c...556715921.html

In and of itself that's fine I guess but I don't know if there's any 3rd party stuff that would fit it. I still think it's an OK price considering you apparently get 2 sets of j-hooks, 8 band pegs, and dip bars, but that oddball size is going to limit the appeal.

I haven't seen any of the Omni stuff in person. I know some of their original offerings didn't look much better than Titan quality in the CL pictures (45s not standard diameter, junk SSB similar to Titan, ugly looking welds on everything), but the recent stuff looks much improved. The plates are supposed to be the right diameter now, the new SSB doesn't look bad at all, and the racks look nicer. For aftermarket stuff, I guess maybe 3x3 stuff with 1/2" shims?

[Duplicitous]

Force USA

Any reviews on their racks

Does anyone else have concern that they list TBA as a phone number

Actually I found a phone number but seems disconnected

I have been looking at their racks and am really enticed by what you (seemingly) get for the price. I read on another thread that their racks are only 14-gauge steel though and pretty much everyone said their gear is sh*t. I'm all for saving a buck, but the entire purpose of the power rack is safety and I don't want the thing coming down mid-set.

* Edit: It looks like they upgraded at some point. The MyRack uses 11 gauge. Titan's stuff is priced right also, but they seem to be out of stock on pretty much everything.

[murphyreedus]

I came across a used Fitness Reality 810XLT. I wasn't really planning on keeping it, but I think it might be my new chin/dip station for now. It feels pretty sturdy for both chins and dips, and actually fits into my gym a lot better than my BFS power tower. It won't be confused with a high end rack, but given the price point for a new one I'm pretty impressed with the quality vs what I've seen on my buddy's T-2 rack.

[valetudo8080]

Hi all, first time poster here. I have been lifting for about 8 months and would like to now purchase a power cage. Thus far I have been using an Ironmaster IM1000 I purchased used but would like to move to truly lifting free at this point as I think the restricted movement path of the Ironmaster is causing me problems in a couple exercises.

My question is on doing standing overhead presses using a power cage. I'm about 6'2" and in my garage would have space for a cage that is about 88" high at most. Given my height, overhead arm extension length, and thickness of the cage at the top it seems I will not be able to get full enough arm extension doing a standing press in the cage. Am I missing something here, are there other tall folks out there who are able to do a standing press inside a similarly sized cage?

You might have to put the spotters on the outside of the rack and use it that way or bend your knees when pressing inside the rack.

There is a 90 inch high rack i have that works well for standing presses inside the cage for taller people but you are at 88 inches.

[congore]

Put hooks on outside of rack and do overhead presses from one side. Primary safety benefit of rack is for #1 Bench and #2 Squat. Dead lift and overhead press don't pose the same safety issue, since you can basically just drop the bar to the floor. As for the floor, plywood sheet and horse stall mat will make it bullet proof. Enjoy!

[Farley1324]

Hi all, first time poster here. I have been lifting for about 8 months and would like to now purchase a power cage. Thus far I have been using an Ironmaster IM1000 I purchased used but would like to move to truly lifting free at this point as I think the restricted movement path of the Ironmaster is causing me problems in a couple exercises.

My question is on doing standing overhead presses using a power cage. I'm about 6'2" and in my garage would have space for a cage that is about 88" high at most. Given my height, overhead arm extension length, and thickness of the cage at the top it seems I will not be able to get full enough arm extension doing a standing press in the cage. Am I missing something here, are there other tall folks out there who are able to do a standing press inside a similarly sized cage?

Put the cups/hooks on the outside of an upright and do the presses outside the rack. That's what most people do.


Pro Tip: If you have plates on storage pegs on the upright, be sure to step back enough that, should you dump the weights to the ground, the plates on the bar won't hit the plates on the pegs

[Ronpeter]

Awesome Discussion learnt a lot from it.

[rblehm3214]

This is my first post on this forum. Here is my Rogue RML-4100C power rack. It has 100" uprights (necessary for me to dead hang for pull ups) and I have had it for about three months now. All around it's a great rack and I'm very happy with the purchase.