Where should I place my power rack in this room?

[boldblue737]

I am totally new to free weights but have kinda gone all in on a power rack but will need help deciding how to place it most efficiently.

I have a room that I'll dedicate to weight equipment in my basement. We already have a separate room with cardio equipment. The room for weights is 13'10" x 10' with a few key obstructions in the room I have to work around. The floor is concrete and I have already put in wall-to-wall stall mats. The Rogue RML-390BT with extended 30" depth is the rack and has a footprint of 40"x53". I've enclosed pics to help but I'm thinking of putting the rack on the left wall that has 124" of open space. That should leave me plenty of room on the sides as well as in front of the rack for deadlifts. I plan on doing most everything in the rack except deadlifts and will follow Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5. Another option is the top wall that has 98" of open space but I'm afraid that won't leave enough room on the sides with the barbell and is dangerously close to the fragile water pipes. The right wall has 94" of space which is even worse and has ceiling height issues where the rack would go due to water pipes. The rest of the entire room has nice 104" high ceilings for the 90" tall rack.

1. Where would you put the rack to most efficiently use the room and have space if I ever decide to expand? (I already have plenty of cardio equipment in another room and is what I've been doing for years as I'm a runner.)

2. How close can the back of the rack be placed to the wall if I want to leave room for weight storage on the back? How much room on the sides would you leave for the additional length of the barbell and easy of racking the barbell?

Thanks, I know these are laughably basic and I certainly can figure out a decent position for the rack but I'm concerned I'll be wasting space perhaps being overly conservative with the placement and since I'm bolting it to the concrete I'd rather not have to move it later when I figure out I messed up.

[CliveWarren]

Since the room is empty, I'd probably just assemble the rack then drag it around the room until I found the optimal spot. It doesn't look like you have any ceiling obstructions that wouldn't allow this.

[TBoneBrah]

I agree with CliveWarren.

Though facing a wall is usually a good place

[ironwill2008]

Put it here, centered on this wall, and about a foot away from the wall.

[Domicron]

Put it here, centered on this wall, and about a foot away from the wall.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/dlnIj2f.jpg[img]

agreed, it's really the only good spot for a rack.

face the rack so that you're facing away from the wall when squatting and then a mirror on the wall behind the rack.

[aj2754]

In the middle of the room under a spotlight like a CIA interrogation room.

Seriously though, I'm a weird rack in the corner at a 45 degree angle guy. It just feels like I'm wasting less space that way. I'm sure I'm wrong but at this point I ain't moving that beast.

[boldblue737]

ironwill's spot is what i've had in mind as the best and i'm glad it seems i'm on the right track... SO...

1. a full 12 inches from that wall? that's enough for weight storage on the back legs hopefully.
2. stupid, stupid question but is there really a "front" or "back" to this rack design? i assume i will stand FACING the wall (the wall the rack is closest to) which like someone said could have a mirror to squat, overhead press (i'm short and can do it in the rack) etc. for bench press i assume my head would be closest to the wall. deadlifts would be in "front" of the rack in the middle of the room.

obviously i will assemble the rack, drag it into position, make sure it works for my barbell/weight layout then mark the feet on the mats to cut the stall mats and have it sit directly on the concrete to bolt in place. thanks again, here is a photo of all of the goodies i got with the black friday $5 shipping laid out for assembly this weekend... along with all this i have 280 lbs of vulcan bumper plates and a American Fitness SS WOD barbell to start.

[ironwill2008]

ironwill's spot is what i've had in mind as the best and i'm glad it seems i'm on the right track... SO...

1. a full 12 inches from that wall? that's enough for weight storage on the back legs hopefully.

That would give you a few inches clearance around a 45 to grip it. You'll figure this out when you get it assembled.

2. stupid, stupid question but is there really a "front" or "back" to this rack design? i assume i will stand FACING the wall (the wall the rack is closest to) which like someone said could have a mirror to squat, overhead press (i'm short and can do it in the rack) etc. for bench press i assume my head would be closest to the wall. deadlifts would be in "front" of the rack in the middle of the room.

If your rack has a Pullup/Chinning bar, it will go on the end of the rack that's away from the wall. The liftoffs will then be placed on the uprights closest to the wall.

[boldblue737]

thanks. my rack puts the pullup/chinning bar dead center so i'm not sure there really is a front or back but my current plan is to have it just like in the picture below with the wall "behind" it, just a bit closer. I'll build it this weekend and lay it out and post a few more pics before I anchor it.

[Seatard]

i assume i will stand FACING the wall (the wall the rack is closest to) which like someone said could have a mirror to squat,

mark the feet on the mats to cut the stall mats and have it sit directly on the concrete to bolt in place.

I, and I think a lot of others, squat facing out of the rack with the hooks on the inside of the front uprights.

I also think it is common to bolt right through the stall mat with no issues rather than cutting out little squares.

[stalintom]

I think you can place it where ever you want. Because it is a empty place right?

[Domicron]

no you want to face away from the mirror while squatting.

[irongrandpa]

no you want to face away from the mirror while squatting.

Why is that. You mean I've been squatting wrong for 20 years?

[Cleveland33]

no you want to face away from the mirror while squatting.

how do you know what he wants to do?

[dieselmike]

This is one of those endless debates here. There is no wrong way. It's preference.

[Cleveland33]

This is one of those endless debates here. There is no wrong way. It's preference.

can you imagine if the internet existed during Bob Peoples' day?

[boxertim]

Is the floor level? I have the greatest spot for my rack...except that the floor is sloped. As a result, my rack is in the second best location.

[splitsquat]

I, and I think a lot of others, squat facing out of the rack with the hooks on the inside of the front uprights.

Why is that? Due to having a mirror on the wall closest to the rack? I.e., squat facing out to avoid looking in the mirror?

[dieselmike]

Everyone knows there's only ONE wrong way to squat. And that ABOVE PARALLEL.

[boldblue737]

I see people squatting out of racks (away from walls) it seems to be able to "walk" out of the rack and they set the barbell back on the j-hooks, but obviously you could do it either way. I will likely do it facing toward the wall if I put a mirror on it because form is something I'm going to have to learn. It's been a long time since I worked free weights (22 years ago in high school) so I'm sure form won't be great so I plan on video taping myself and using a empty bar or even a broomstick the first week or two till I'm confident I won't wreck myself.

I think I've got a handle on where it has to go now and I should get it built this weekend and I'll post some pics before I bolt it down. Thanks.

[dieselmike]

..... so I plan on video taping myself and using a empty bar or even a broomstick the first week or two till I'm confident I won't wreck myself.

Very smart.

[cwcmac]

Why is that. You mean I've been squatting wrong for 20 years?

Just think how much bigger you would be had you been squatting while facing in the right direction all those years. You'd probably have about an extra 2 plates per side by now.

[irongrandpa]

Just think how much bigger you would be had you been squatting while facing in the right direction all those years. You'd probably have about an extra 2 plates per side by now.

Then I would have to find some more vintage Yorks.

[Seatard]

Why is that? Due to having a mirror on the wall closest to the rack? I.e., squat facing out to avoid looking in the mirror?

I don't have a mirror in either direction, it's just a preference as it feels a little claustrophobic facing a wall. Also, I feel like I can keep a little more stable and balanced by focusing on one point on the far wall. It depends on how deep your rack is too, I don't have storage uprights so I'm pretty close to the wall.

[Domicron]

Why is that. You mean I've been squatting wrong for 20 years?

It's just a general statement. facing a mirror doesn't really help you with form that much. OP already says he's planning on using video which is better anyway. if the rack has a bottom cross member then i would definitely want that towards the wall.

how do you know what he wants to do?

i'm very smart.

[SpotThis]

Definitely keep all weights as far away as possible from that water main. Damage that supply line and you are in for a costly repair.

[Cleveland33]

It's just a general statement. facing a mirror doesn't really help you with form that much.

This is the point Diesel and I were getting at - that's highly personal. Everyone has their own preferences and queues.

[FoolsErrand]

*opens up Rippetoe PDF and does a keyword search for 'mirror'*

[Synthetickiller]

Definitely keep all weights as far away as possibly from that water main. Damage that supply line and you are in for a costly repair.

I cannot stress that enough. The cost of messing up water lines & having to replace them will be monumental in comparison to buying a decent rack or bar. Keep everything away from the pipes at all costs.

This is the point Diesel and I were getting at - that's highly personal. Everyone has their own preferences and queues.

Yep. You can have an ugly wall or you can paint it a solid color/colors. You can install a mirror & be a Disney princess. You can also paint a picture of a window (people actually do this) if you fee like being artsy. Hell, I'd paint a window, but my brain doesn't work that way & I have no artistic gifts, lol.

*opens up Rippetoe PDF and does a keyword search for 'mirror'*

LOL @ quotting Rippetoe. Critically think. His opinion has as much weight as anyone else here, no more, no less.

[Mech6]

If you're ever planning to compete in PL then no mirror and squat facing away from the wall. You have to be used to squatting with a bunch of stuff in front of you. At meets this will be a judge, some spectators, people moving... Although this does get somewhat tuned out in competition, you don't want to get thrown off by not having a wall (or worse a mirror) in fornt of you.