The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[irongrandpa]

Shipping cost a fortune $956. Rack/platform/bench only cost $525.

that's still a reasonable price for that complete package. those plates look good on there too. congrats on your buy!

[RandyMcdonald]

Shipping cost a fortune $956. Rack/platform/bench only cost $525.

Wow, thats great! So I assume you got the bench really cheap used. So shipping on just the Forza rack was $956. How much was the cost on just the rack without shipping?

[Buccaneer82]

Wow, thats great! So I assume you got the bench really cheap used. So shipping on just the Forza rack was $956. How much was the cost on just the rack without shipping?

The total for everything (bench/platform/rack) was $525 I found it on Govdeals.com they also had multi racks for the same price. It all fit on 1 8' long pallet weighing 1245lbs. which cost the $956 (I even got a discount from the gym equipment company that puts together packages for the University). Really great service all around.

[Buccaneer82]

I'll measure tonight, the rack is 96" high. I'm 5'8" and I can definitely OH press inside, I have to jump to reach the pullup bar.

Just measured 90" sorry for delay!

[ProudMarineDad]

The total for everything (bench/platform/rack) was $525 I found it on Govbids.com they also had multi racks for the same price. It all fit on 1 8' long pallet weighing 1245lbs. which cost the $956 (I even got a discount from the gym equipment company that puts together packages for the University). Really great service all around.

Was the link actually Govbids.com? When I pasted that in my browser, this link came up.

http://www.govbids.com/OurGovernmentClients.asp

I am a big dummy but couldn't figure out how to use the site. Any advice?

[deadwoodgregg]

Was the link actually Govbids.com? When I pasted that in my browser, this link came up.

http://www.govbids.com/OurGovernmentClients.asp

I am a big dummy but couldn't figure out how to use the site. Any advice?

GovDeals.com. Alot of the items sold here are in poor condition or are missing components. You just have to study the pictures closely or go prescreen the items before bidding if possible. Sometimes great deals can be had as Buccaneer82 knows.

[Buccaneer82]

Oops my bad on wrong link!

[dumb.bell]

There are some big Nebula racks available in Kentucky.

[ProudMarineDad]

Oops my bad on wrong link!

No problem. I am just glad I wasn't missing something.

[gymcompany]

That's nice...
But can you please which one gym equipment is good?

[Buccaneer82]

English?

[JetStar19]

My budget is $1,500. I've been looking at the "Texas Strength Systems" power rack. I really like the 1 inch hole spacing. What's selling me is that it's (with menial accessories) going to be under $1,000 (though my shipping is $450).

I can squat about 500, but I don't push myself with weight, because I don't have a spotter. I'm looking for piece-of-mind. I want to know that I can drop some 800lbs and feel safe. I'm at the stage where I want to begin to lift heavy, but the only thing keeping me back is not having a rack.

I'm 5'11. I wouldn't mind being able to press inside of a rack, but that will not be a deal breaker for me. My main concern is stability & dependability - Again, being able to handle/catch dropping ~800lbs. I don't plain on dead-lifting in it, mainly (to possibly catch) my squats and benches.

With a $1,500 budget and the above in mind, should I go for the Texas Strength Systems rack or would you recommend looking elsewhere?

[bluephoenixkyle]

What is a good cheap price for a power rack. I want to get some quality equipment but I am on a strict budget. Is there someone who can give me some good insight on this?

[dumb.bell]

My budget is $1,500. I've been looking at the "Texas Strength Systems" power rack. I really like the 1 inch hole spacing. What's selling me is that it's (with menial accessories) going to be under $1,000 (though my shipping is $450).

I can squat about 500, but I don't push myself with weight, because I don't have a spotter. I'm looking for piece-of-mind. I want to know that I can drop some 800lbs and feel safe. I'm at the stage where I want to begin to lift heavy, but the only thing keeping me back is not having a rack.

I'm 5'11. I wouldn't mind being able to press inside of a rack, but that will not be a deal breaker for me. My main concern is stability & dependability - Again, being able to handle/catch dropping ~800lbs. I don't plain on dead-lifting in it, mainly (to possibly catch) my squats and benches.

With a $1,500 budget and the above in mind, should I go for the Texas Strength Systems rack or would you recommend looking elsewhere?

Have you considered Rogue?

[nyjet624]

So what is the best power rack for a SS beginner? Somewhere in the 300-500 range would be best.

[JetStar19]

Thanks for the reply, D.B. The Rogue racks are a fair comparison. It seems to me, with a $1,500 price range, if I look for something 'better' than the Texas Strength rack, then I just go (too far) out of budget. So, I'm in for ~$1,000 with the Texas Strength rack. Maybe with the ~$500, I'll get a decent bench and matt.

As it stands, the Texas Strength racks is the best bang for my buck. As far as I know, if I'm looking for anything slightly stronger and perhaps a bit taller, I'm going out of price range (however, if there's something that's worth it, I'll do $1,700 TOPS. And that total includes shipping.).

Like I said, as far as I've personally searched, when I've been looking for anything 'better' than the Texas Strength rack, I start hitting $2,000. If anyone's aware of anything a little better for the buck, I'm grateful. Likewise, if perhaps the Texas Strength rack IS simply the best for this price range, I wouldn't mind hearing that from someone else.

So, I'll give myself until Tuesday to hopefully get some more input and then probably pull the trigger on something by then.

Thanks.

[jayalee]

So what is the best power rack for a SS beginner? Somewhere in the 300-500 range would be best.

So I'm a rook here and could be completely wrong... but, I'm in the same situation. Been on SS for about 8 weeks now and I'm stalling, not due to reaching my limits, but because I don't have a rack and I'm starting to get nervous with the heavier weights on squats. For the $500 or less range I've found three racks. Seems like there was a fourth but I can't remember what it was.

Powerline PPR200X - $298 shipped @ amazon.com
Powertec WB-PR11 - $479 shipped @ bestbuyfitness.com
BodySolid GPR378 - $599 new, $435 refurb (both shipped) @ fitnessfactory.com

I've read a ton (probably hundreds) of reviews and recommendations from this forum about racks for beginners and all of them say the same thing... hold out for a good deal on craigslist. If you can't, I believe one of the ones I listed above are going to be what you're looking for. Also, checkout the power rack wiki here on bodybuilding.com. It lists a lot of them with good ballpark figures on how much they cost along with info on weight limits, dimensions, etc.

For whatever it's worth I think I'm going with the refurbished bodysolid, as I've been waiting for the good used deal for 4-6 weeks and haven't come up with anything. I'm tired of waiting.. but you might have more time if you're just starting.

[nyjet624]

^ Thanks for the reply. Do any of those require bolting it down to the floor, or are they all stand alone?


Also, what about the Body Solid Power Line PPR200X Power Rack for $365 on Amazon?

[jayalee]

^ Thanks for the reply. Do any of those require bolting it down to the floor, or are they all stand alone?


Also, what about the Body Solid Power Line PPR200X Power Rack for $365 on Amazon?

I don't think any of them require bolting down, but if you wanted to I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything.

The BodySolid PPR200X is the same as the Powerline PPR200X I listed at amazon.com (only cheaper). Powerline is a line of products from Body Solid.

The rack I couldn't remember earlier is the X-Mark XM-4430 $429 shipped @ abesofmaine.com.

I'm sure there are others, but I think these are the major players in the $500 and under catagory.

[MYWAYORHIGHWAY]

I know a lot of people here are interested in "monster racks" , here is a pretty damn cool video I found on Youtube where Hammer Strength are testing one of their their HD racks with 862 pound drop on the outside safeties, according the video they did it 10 times

www .youtube .com/watch?v=B2vamIzyMQk&feature=plcp

(I had to add spaces in order to post the link due to forum limitations)

This is pretty interesting because it's the first time I saw a rack actually being tested hard ,usually the manufacturers only specify static weight limits on the j cups

[aargh57]

Hi,

I was wondering if I could get some advice on a few racks and what I should get. I'm not an avid lifter so I don't foresee squatting more than about 350 any time soon. I'm pushing 40 and am actually starting to get a lot more into running and biking than lifting but I would like to buy a rack and quit going to my gym as the only thing I use in there is the power rack and maybe the reverse-hyper once a week. Anyway, I was thinking of just getting the model sold at the local Dick's for about $300 with a 25% discount I can get from a friend that works there. I was also thinking of going bigger but I honestly don't think I would need that much. I contacted the texas strength system place for shipping and it would cost $830 to get their bare bones model. I also found a Body Solid SMR1000 model on craigslist for $995 free shipping (that one's kind of nice as it has storing pegs).

Here are the racks:
Body Solid SMR 1000 $995 (free shipping) http://racine.craigslist.org/spo/3192951321.html
Texas Strength System $860 (with shipping)http://www.texasstrengthsystems.com/powerracks.html
Dick's Fitness Gear Power Cage $320 (pick up at store) http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...98195.12598196

[Cleveland33]

Hi,

I was wondering if I could get some advice on a few racks and what I should get. I'm not an avid lifter so I don't foresee squatting more than about 350 any time soon. I'm pushing 40 and am actually starting to get a lot more into running and biking than lifting but I would like to buy a rack and quit going to my gym as the only thing I use in there is the power rack and maybe the reverse-hyper once a week. Anyway, I was thinking of just getting the model sold at the local Dick's for about $300 with a 25% discount I can get from a friend that works there. I was also thinking of going bigger but I honestly don't think I would need that much. I contacted the texas strength system place for shipping and it would cost $830 to get their bare bones model. I also found a Body Solid SMR1000 model on craigslist for $995 free shipping (that one's kind of nice as it has storing pegs).

Here are the racks:
Body Solid SMR 1000 $995 (free shipping) http://racine.craigslist.org/spo/3192951321.html
Texas Strength System $860 (with shipping)http://www.texasstrengthsystems.com/powerracks.html
Dick's Fitness Gear Power Cage $320 (pick up at store) http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...98195.12598196

I think all of them have been reviewed here at one time or another, try the search function.

Other than that, you may want to start looking at CL - you should be able to find a decent used one.

[aargh57]

Well, I have been searching here and elsewhere for the last few days, was just wondering if anyone had an opinion on if my situation. BTW, if you read my post one of the items is a CL link so perhaps I've already searched there. Thanks for taking the time though.

[Northernmoris]

BTW, if you read my post one of the items is a CL link so perhaps I've already searched there. Thanks for taking the time though.

Being a wise a$$ wont get you far. He gave you some solid advice. You listed three racks that are not even in the ball park of each other.

A used rack for $200-250 is a good deal. If your not that into lifting why would you want the TSS? It's the rack I would pick out of the 3 but shipping might surprise you if you have not quoted it. Check out the Rogue R3 or 4. If you got the cash that's a nice rack..

[aargh57]

Sorry to be a smart a. As I said in my post, I contacted TSS and its $830 with shipping included. Thanks for the reply.

[twodog]

Sorry to be a smart a. As I said in my post, I contacted TSS and its $830 with shipping included. Thanks for the reply.

I know that you're looking to leave your gym, but giving CL a few says, or even weeks, is not that much time. Most of us that got great deals bought lower quality equipment to begin with and then upgraded. I understand that you won't need a commercial style rack, and the Dick's rack will probably work for you, but it's really not a stable rack. I would either wait for CL or think something like Rogue if I were in you shoes.

If you let us know what area that you are in, we might be able to help you with CL. Good luck.

[donforeman]

For those complaining about the cost of a top quality rack - you might want to keep a closer eye on this eBay seller. It looks to be Williams strength (The people who really make EliteFts racks) Right now they have two blem 3x3 racks listed for $500 ea!!! No waiting = they are built. http://myworld.ebay.com/sweaver3561?...p2047675.l2559

[jackbravo]

that's awesome, 750 with shipping. how far apart do you think those holes are, 2"?

[donforeman]

3" spacing. Here is a link to the same rack on elitefts = basically its discounted on price and shipping when you get it off eBay
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=391&pid=3235

[romulopimentel]

That one on eBay is definitely a deal.