The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[mjd2012]

I am looking at these two power racks. Is it worth getting the lat attachement one? I don't think i could afford the 475 with the lat attachment or are they really worth the exra money?

Do you use regular barbell weights on the lat attachment?

powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack.php
powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf375-power-rack-system-with-latlow-pulley.php

Sorry can't post link please add www

Cheers

[WhoDoesThat]

Is this cage any good? I'm about to call him

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/spo/3006652734.html

edit: he already sold it

[Vermonter]

Is this cage any good? I'm about to call him

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/spo/3006652734.html

edit: he already sold it

lol $20 for a power rack, somebody got a great deal, even if it is entry level model.

[OntarioGuy]

Hey guys I'm on a pretty low budget so I'm looking for a power rack + bar for less than 500. What do you guys think of this power rack? It comes with a free dip bar and it costs $350 before tax and shipping

Strength Armour deluxe power rack.

Sorry I don't have enough posts to imbed the link. I found it on a website called treadmillfactory.ca, Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edit:add www before treadmillfactory.ca/p-1606-c--strength-armour-deluxe-power-rack.html , an imbed by anyone would be appreciated. Thanks!

Here ya go

[Keetman]

lol $20 for a power rack, somebody got a great deal, even if it is entry level model.

He has a "Cage and rack $100" in the listing, I'd assume that is the power cage. I think the line that says "rack $20" is for the dumbbell rack. $100 was still a decent deal for the rack and bench, though.

[Vermonter]

He has a "Cage and rack $100" in the listing, I'd assume that is the power cage. I think the line that says "rack $20" is for the dumbbell rack. $100 was still a decent deal for the rack and bench, though.

Ahh yeah, nice catch.

[Northernmoris]

He has a "Cage and rack $100" in the listing, I'd assume that is the power cage. I think the line that says "rack $20" is for the dumbbell rack. $100 was still a decent deal for the rack and bench, though.

Lol.. was about to say the same thing.

[WhoDoesThat]

Yeah, I was kinda bummed it was sold. Not sure how I missed that ad since I have been constantly looking for the past week. Anyways, here's another one:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...012038388.html

Doesn't look like it has a lot of adjustability, but looks like a decent deal. Already texted him. Thoughts?

[Northernmoris]

Yeah, I was kinda bummed it was sold. Not sure how I missed that ad since I have been constantly looking for the past week. Anyways, here's another one:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...012038388.html

Doesn't look like it has a lot of adjustability, but looks like a decent deal. Already texted him. Thoughts?

Post deleted, so either you got it or someone else?

[WhoDoesThat]

Post deleted, so either you got it or someone else?

I was able to pick it up for $260. I was also able to get a lat attachment, but it needs a new pulley. Turns out there is quite a bit of rust on the bottom bars, but its already disassembled and I've begun to remove the rust. The top bars are fine. I'll be replacing the nuts and bolts since many are rusted while the lock nuts are in terrible shape. I'm hoping to get it all done and repainted tomorrow so I can start making use of it. Its not in the greatest condition, but I can't complain since my budget is so limited. I was able to get a screenshot of the original ad, and here are some other images of the cage.

[KeithTheSnake]

I just got a text from the guy I sold my old Wate Man power rack, newly built wooden platform to stand it on, and flat/incline utility bench to last summer. I sold him the gear for a fair price, it needed some tender loving care, and he did a fantastic job of refurbishing it all.

It was really gratifying to hear from him with the pictures and the update. He mentioned how he's transforming himself with this equipment, and I have no doubt that this is the case. He's obviously enthusiastic about it, and it fuels my enthusiasm.

My gym is constantly in a state of flux, with gear coming in and going out -- but a sturdy power rack is worth its weight in gold.

[thezc]

Just purchased a brand new Elite 3x3 rack for $700. Will post pictures and a review as soon as I pick it up. I can't wait!

[claricSTi]

^^ Details?

That seems like a killer price.

[Cleveland33]

^^ Details?

That seems like a killer price.

Once a year sale is going on now

[thezc]

I'm picking the rack up from the company who produces them for Elite FTS. The rack wasn't shipped out due to some chips in the powder coat. Here is the link to the rack flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=2473 I am so excited! I was going to get the PowerTec from bestbuyfittness.com but for $200 I felt like this was such a better rack.

[BigTwoThree]

http://www.fitnessavenue.ca/item.php?id=263
I bought this rack back when it was on sale for around $320. Haven't set it up yet(haven't moved yet). Anyone have this? I think for the price it's a good rack, but just wondering if anyone else has it and would know how it is.

[screwedgenetics]

What are good measurements for inside the rack? Everything I see only has a 26" depth and that seems so narrow to me. Is that normal?

[Cleveland33]

What are good measurements for inside the rack? Everything I see only has a 26" depth and that seems so narrow to me. Is that normal?

Honestly, it will be fine. Guys in the 60s/70s got big in racks that were 19-20" deep.

[HealthNutMD]

I thought I'd mention that I have two power racks and two benches that people here might be interested in if you are driveable to the SF bay area. The Atlantis Fitness Poliquin rack, fully loaded, and an Elite FTS Collegiate with dips attachments and extra set of rod safeties. Two benches are available for them as described as well:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/spo/3041305897.html

[7usabball]

Found a guy selling a smith machine for $150 and a power rack for $350. I want the power rack and I'm curious why his smith is priced so low. Aren't they over $1,000 new?


Will try and offer $200 on the power rack. Should I get the smith machine for a price like that? $150... seems like it should be priced around $300+ used, right? Haven't been looking into this stuff much though.


Pic:

[haku123]

I was able to pick it up for $260. I was also able to get a lat attachment, but it needs a new pulley. Turns out there is quite a bit of rust on the bottom bars, but its already disassembled and I've begun to remove the rust. The top bars are fine. I'll be replacing the nuts and bolts since many are rusted while the lock nuts are in terrible shape. I'm hoping to get it all done and repainted tomorrow so I can start making use of it. Its not in the greatest condition, but I can't complain since my budget is so limited. I was able to get a screenshot of the original ad, and here are some other images of the cage.

/snip

Nice! is this the parabody rack?

[claricSTi]

Hey guys, I feel kind of silly posting this here as I have done enough research to make my head spin. Looks like this is one of the months where I am lucky enough to get an extra paycheck (gotta love bi-weekly). After a close call the other day on my cheap cl bench I knew that I couldn't wait for a rack much longer, luckily I will be able to buy one next week.

I was pretty sold on a TDS base model due to all the upgrades. I like 8515 but it is slightly out of my pricerange. I have always liked the powertec due to the thicker 2.5 tubing and I trained on a buddies for a while. I know the pull up bar can be solved pretty quickly so that's not a huge deal to me. I am trying to stay around 600 shipped and it seems that the Powertec might be my best bet. If I could get free shipping on the 8515 then I would just go that route but after shipping it takes the cost up too high for my current budget (one day I'll be able to justify a rogue or elitefts rack). Is there any other options I can look at for around that price, I had some bad body solid equiptment in the past and have a bad tase in my mouth for them, not that they don't make quality gear.

Just want to make sure I am not over looking everything. It may sound stupid but I actually have a tuff stuff db rack that was painted yellow so the yellow powertec would look nice in the gym. However color is the last thing I care about. If there is something out there with 1" spacing around the benching area or something with band pegs that holds 1000lbs please let me know.

[dnb]

@claricSTI

I too am one of those totally anal guys who think things through over and over before I make a big purchase like a rack. Not so much dollars, but actual size. You can unload or put away a set of adjustable db's easy, but the rack is there to stay!

I recently ordered an Elie Classic 3x3 with a few options. It's not cheap by any means, and out of your budget. I kept thinking about buying a less expensive, lighter rack, maybe without storage, and getting some plate trees. In the end I went big. Why?

In my case I am working in a limited footprint. I need my rack to also store my plates to keep floor space open. I also plan to adapt it with some cables and pulleys to do lat work. So I didn;t want anything rickety by any measure. I wanted to move it ONCE, and be done with it, not buy, sell, upgrade, buy again, etc.

I also wanted to use it for reverse hyperextensions. See: http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com...extension.html I am a pretty big guy and want that rack to not move when I am swing around on it. Or when I hang a heavy bag in it.

In the case of the 3x3, I like the tight hole spacing as I will do pretty much everything in the rack, deadlifts, seated presses (ceiling too low for standing), squats, bench presses, etc. Getting those spot pins right where i want them is important to me.

And finally, I plan on dedicating a spare old bar as a deadlift bar that will never come up off the floor, so I wanted a big enough cage to leave it puched back in the back corners of the cage at all times.

Finally, I liked the sumo setup as well.


Before you bite, i encourage you to think about all the things you want your rack to be, not just now, but down the road. If you are unsure, better to save up a little more, scrounge CL looking for deals in the meantime, and bite on what you want once in the future.





After a lot of thought, looking at brands like Legend, Rogue, Elite, and some of the less expensive stuff, I opted for the 3x3 Classic to get it done once and once only.

[twodog]

Before you bite, i encourage you to think about all the things you want your rack to be, not just now, but down the road. If you are unsure, better to save up a little more, scrounge CL looking for deals in the meantime, and bite on what you want once in the future.

dnb says it all in this statement^^^

If you truly want something like an Elite in the future, then work for it by flipping. Buy what you can on CL and deal with it for the moment while flipping pieces, eventually you will be able to get what you want, and maybe even stumble onto a "deal" for one along the way. Buying new and upgrading is a waste of money and should be avoided if at all possible.

Remember, if you buy it on CL for a fair price, you'll be able to sell it later for the same or more. If you buy it new, knowing that you want to upgrade eventually, you'll get 50%, or less, for it later.

Good luck.

[claricSTi]

I am a pretty simply dude really, I have a good sized room dedicated as my gym and am not sure whether I want a lat attachment on the rack or to just buy a seperate unit all together. I really just want the low and high pulley for tricep work and the ability to do low rows. Plate storage isn't a huge issue as I don't mind buying a plate tree, plus that puts less weight on a single spot on my homes foundation.

Really the main reason I would be wanting something like an elite is the band pegs and 1" hole spacing through the benching area. With that said, there are no racks on craigslist and I have been scouring for a while, probably has something todo with my location.

I am really at the point where my safety is far more important than a few hundred dollars. If I buy a powertec new and loose a little money 3 years down the road after flipping it that is fine. As far as I am concerned I need to get a rack very, very quickly. I really hate to admit it but yesterday I was at my commercial gym and for the first time ever got the bar stuck on my chest while doing decline. I had already hit db flat and db incline presses really hard (used DB's since no spotters around) and went to do decline. I was only doing 165 but somehow I got stuck, not sure what happened. This futher made me realize that I need to hurry up and get inside of a rack (our gyms here don't have power racks which is absolutely rediculous).

I think I will send off an inquiry to texas strength today to see what one of their very basic racks would run. I know they start around 600 and since I am close to texas maybe shipping wouldn't be too insane. Either way, I am open to suggestion. I would love to save up for an Elite but just feel for safety reasons that waiting is not an option.

[dnb]

Safety first man, no doubt about it. and no reason to be embarrassed about a failed lift. if you don't fail, you are not pushing yourself. everyone fails.

As to a lat machine, well, I personally plan to make my own out of cable and a pin plus some sailing pulleys. By the time I am done, less the bar, I will be into it for less than $100 or so. Won't change out selectorized plates of course, but seriously, you gotta take some time between sets anyway. Plus I can make it all work within the rack and the space behind the lifting area where the plates rack.

[claricSTi]

Sounds like a good idea brother, post some pics up when your done, I would like to see em.

I have definitely failed quite a few times but I generally always ask for someone to help if I am getting to a point where I think I may fail. I thought I was going light since I didn't have any spotters. Got 11 up and as soon as I went back down I realized I was stuck. What's funny is the old guy that helped me re-rack goes "Man you want them big muscles you gotta hit that big weight", I chuckled, lowered the weight a bit and got back after it.

I think I messed up by looking at these Texas Strength racks, 1" spacing all around, band peg post top and bottom, tons of attachments, sumo pull width, super deep, 250 off price for non-painted models. Looks like I am going to just have to apply the standard buy once, cry once method here but with a little less crying. For the basic model without any attachments I'd be looking at 535 plus shipping and can get a monkey bar added for a little over 100 bucks. That seems like it's well worth spending the money on over a powertec. Obviously it is quite a bit more expensive but I have yet to see any other racks in the price range with 1" spacing on the entire rack.

[leark10456]

Can someone tell me the name of the power rack manufacture that is in North or SOuth Carolina(i think)? Seems to be a similar manufacturer like Texas strength. I just cant remember the name of the manufacturer. Think they are in North or South Carolina

[deadwoodgregg]

Can someone tell me the name of the power rack manufacture that is in North or SOuth Carolina(i think)? Seems to be a similar manufacturer like Texas strength. I just cant remember the name of the manufacturer. Think they are in North or South Carolina

That would be Williams Strength out of Columbia, South Carolina.

[dnb]

That would be Williams Strength out of Columbia, South Carolina.

They make thoer own racks, as well as for Elite and I believe York too.