Help to Choose a Power Rack

[nakres1984]

hi , ı wanna buy a power rack , have two options , please help me to choose one of them

1- body solid pro power rack (gpr 378) price : 700$

Wide 'walk-in' design
20 adjustment levels
3"x 3" vertical support columns
41" wide knurled chinning bar
Heat tempered Lift-Offs and saber-style safety rods keep your workouts simple, safe, and effective
Ideal for home and commercial use
82"H x 49"L x 46"W
Shown with OPTIONAL Plate Load
Attachment #GLA378
Includes Lat Bar and Straight Bar
Add on plate posts
lockouts 3” on center

http://www.bodysolid.com/Home/item.cfm?id=489

2- noname power rack made by a chinese firm 800 $

Heavy duty steel mainframe & base tubes 70mm x 50mm x 2.0mm
Great for squats,dead lifts, shrugs and heaps more.
Straight Row Bar
Solid Chin Up Bar
Side Dip Bars
2 Pole pulley system - smooth action!
Height adjustable Spotter holders/barbell supports - So you can work out safely.
Painted guide numbers on uprights for safe and easy reference
High Density Foam Padding
With Butterfly
Weight Limit 750 lbs
Lat Attachment (plate loaded)
Assembled Demension: L 193 x W 125 x H 210(cm)
Product Weight: 178 kg.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/52...ower_Rack.html

[KBKB]

Here are the photos:

Body Solid


No-Name Chinese Rack


Aside from the fact that it has a lat pull down and pec-dec, I like the looks of that no-name rack. The band pegs, close hole spacing, and dip station off to the right side all look like nice features.

[Cleveland33]

Aside from the fact that it has a lat pull down and pec-dec, I like the looks of that no-name rack. The band pegs, close hole spacing, and dip station off to the right side all look like nice features.

agreed. Does it list what gauge steel is used?

[ProtienandIron]

At first glance, the china power rack looks better due to all the accessories, holes etc. Its a modern design, compared to the classic look of the BS. But i personally would steer clear of it, especially if I had the money for that Body Solid.

The body solid has a weight limit of 1000 lbs, compared to the 750 lbs of the China rack. This weight limit may be nowhere near where you are now, but when you drop a weight, the force is multiplied. If this happens, it would be nice to not have to replace the spotters, so the higher the weight limit, the less the likelyhood.

The optional BS lat pulldown attachment may need to be bought futher down the line if funds are low, but its a lot better then the one that is offered on the china rack.

The pec dec on that china rack looks cheap and shody. Its trying to be a hardcore powerlifting rack....with a pec dec??!? It screams to me that this has been designed by people that know nothing about bodybuilding or powerlifting training.

Bodysolid all the way for me out of these two, but have you checked out what Rogue fitness have to offer?

[IronAddict7]

Have a look at Rogue's R3 rack since it's in the same price range and I guarantee is of much higher quality then either of those ones. I've heard nothing but great things about it and mine should be arriving in a few days. Upgraded from a Powertec
Here's a link- http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-r-3-power-rack.php

[nakres1984]

agreed. Does it list what gauge steel is used?

70mm x 50 mm x 20 mm
2,75 inch x 2 inch x 0,80 inch

ı think....

[nakres1984]

At first glance, the china power rack looks better due to all the accessories, holes etc. Its a modern design, compared to the classic look of the BS. But i personally would steer clear of it, especially if I had the money for that Body Solid.

The body solid has a weight limit of 1000 lbs, compared to the 750 lbs of the China rack. This weight limit may be nowhere near where you are now, but when you drop a weight, the force is multiplied. If this happens, it would be nice to not have to replace the spotters, so the higher the weight limit, the less the likelyhood.

The optional BS lat pulldown attachment may need to be bought futher down the line if funds are low, but its a lot better then the one that is offered on the china rack.

The pec dec on that china rack looks cheap and shody. Its trying to be a hardcore powerlifting rack....with a pec dec??!? It screams to me that this has been designed by people that know nothing about bodybuilding or powerlifting training.

Bodysolid all the way for me out of these two, but have you checked out what Rogue fitness have to offer?

ı live in Turkey , have limited options

[Cleveland33]

I know I have seen that Chinese rack before branded under a big name.

I'd get it. I see no reason not to. 750 is a bit low, but honestly the majority of users will only see a difference in weight capacity in the wobble of the rack. Leave some plates on the pulley horns and it will reduce the wobble.

[nakres1984]

I know I have seen that Chinese rack before branded under a big name.

magnum fitness ?

[JFByers]

It is funny. The china power rack is very similar to this ''Heavy Duty power rack'':
http://www.megafitness-shop.info/Kra...oer--2530.html

[KBKB]

It is funny. The china power rack is very similar to this ''Heavy Duty power rack'':
http://www.megafitness-shop.info/Kra...oer--2530.html

Interesting. That page lists several weight capacities for various components. It looks like the capacity of the rack portion of it is 400kg which is 880lbs. (I'm not entirely certain since I can't read German.)

[nakres1984]

it is also similar with amstaff tr023

http://www.amazon.ca/AmStaff-TR023-P.../dp/B005D1RNGK

actually , all these racks are same

[ProtienandIron]

The problem with things like these are the accessories...that you are paying for.

The pec dec is poor quality and you are unlikely to enjoy using it for long.

The lat pulldown is poor quality. You are paying for both of these and they are likely to be redundant the stronger you get, unlike better quality/commercial equivilents.

If these accessories werent included then the price of the rack would be a lot cheaper and therefore more comparable to the racks of a similar class like the powerline, bodymax etc. The bodysolid is strong enough to be considered a commercial (light/medium) use rack, whereas that china rack is not IMHO. It looks the part, but its just not.

[KBKB]

it is also similar with amstaff tr023

http://www.amazon.ca/AmStaff-TR023-P.../dp/B005D1RNGK

actually , all these racks are same

And that page says: Weight load capacity: 1500lbs

Ever get the feeling that they just make the numbers up? (I would guess that these are all identical racks except for paint and name plates.)

[Cleveland33]

it is also similar with amstaff tr023

http://www.amazon.ca/AmStaff-TR023-P.../dp/B005D1RNGK

actually , all these racks are same

Exactly. You're getting an unbranded one, probably at a steep discount.

[Cleveland33]

And that page says: Weight load capacity: 1500lbs

Ever get the feeling that they just make the numbers up? (I would guess that these are all identical racks except for paint and name plates.)

Yes. But I also doubt there is any standardized test for capacity. I also think some companies purposefully rate pieces lower than tested.

[ProtienandIron]

it is also similar with amstaff tr023

http://www.amazon.ca/AmStaff-TR023-P.../dp/B005D1RNGK

actually , all these racks are same

That is probably much better value for money as you are not paying for all the other crap. You will then probably be left with enough money to buy another quality piece of equipment.

(I keep saying 'probably' because I can't see the price on the Amstaff- but I bet its cheaper).

[KBKB]

Here's a review of the Amstaff rack...

http://www.johnphung.com/product-rev...r-rack-review/

It seems that it's a bit too wide for some bars to work well with it.

[rlundregan]

At first glance, the china power rack looks better due to all the accessories, holes etc. Its a modern design, compared to the classic look of the BS. But i personally would steer clear of it, especially if I had the money for that Body Solid.

The body solid has a weight limit of 1000 lbs, compared to the 750 lbs of the China rack. This weight limit may be nowhere near where you are now, but when you drop a weight, the force is multiplied. If this happens, it would be nice to not have to replace the spotters, so the higher the weight limit, the less the likelyhood.

The optional BS lat pulldown attachment may need to be bought futher down the line if funds are low, but its a lot better then the one that is offered on the china rack.

The pec dec on that china rack looks cheap and shody. Its trying to be a hardcore powerlifting rack....with a pec dec??!? It screams to me that this has been designed by people that know nothing about bodybuilding or powerlifting training.

Bodysolid all the way for me out of these two, but have you checked out what Rogue fitness have to offer?

FWIW, I agree with P&I on this. The no-name brand looks cooler, but I have a hard time believing that it is as well-made as the Body Solid. What happens if/when you have a problem, need to replace one of the pieces on it, etc? Are you going to be able to get replacement parts/return the rack? My own experience with Body Solid's customer service has been positive. Of course, I'm basing that on one experience because their product is well-made to begin with. I'd much rather have a basic, well-constructed piece than a piece of crap with a lot of foof on it.

[ProtienandIron]

...Bars that don't fit properly on the rack???

It screams to me that this has been designed by people that know nothing about bodybuilding or powerlifting training.

I rest my case.

[Cleveland33]

Here's a review of the Amstaff rack...

http://www.johnphung.com/product-rev...r-rack-review/

It seems that it's a bit too wide for some bars to work well with it.

To be fair, the details point to it being the bar, not the rack.

"The width of the Amstaff TR023 rack (50.5 inches) is wider than the shaft of my Olympic bar, which is 50 inches. It turns out that the Olympic bar I had wasn’t even made to standard specifications. The spacing in between the collars for an Olympic bar should be 1310mm, or 51.57 inches in length. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbell). (So if you’re thinking of buying a used barbell from Craigslist, make sure take measurements first!)"

My Parabody has about 0.5" of space between the J-hooks and my bar.

Also the final from the review:

The Amstaff TR023 power rack is almost perfect.

It’s half the price of a Rogue power rack, and has a TON of features. The only issue I have is the width of the rack. It may not be a problem with others, and I think I’ll probably get used to using a wide power rack over time.

The Amstaff TR023 is great value for money, even if this is not a well known brand.

[KBKB]

To be fair, the details point to it being the bar, not the rack.

"The width of the Amstaff TR023 rack (50.5 inches) is wider than the shaft of my Olympic bar, which is 50 inches. It turns out that the Olympic bar I had wasn’t even made to standard specifications. The spacing in between the collars for an Olympic bar should be 1310mm, or 51.57 inches in length. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbell). (So if you’re thinking of buying a used barbell from Craigslist, make sure take measurements first!)"

My Parabody has about 0.5" of space between the J-hooks and my bar.

Also the final from the review:

The Amstaff TR023 power rack is almost perfect.

It’s half the price of a Rogue power rack, and has a TON of features. The only issue I have is the width of the rack. It may not be a problem with others, and I think I’ll probably get used to using a wide power rack over time.

The Amstaff TR023 is great value for money, even if this is not a well known brand.

That's true, but the review also says this:

Even though I have the B&R bar which fits inside this power rack, it appears to be too wide for my liking.

For the B&R bar, the spacing in between the collars is 51.57 inches. Since the Amstaff TR023 rack is 50.5 inches wide (NOTE: It’s listed as 51 inches, but I measured it to 50.5 inches), I only have 1.07 inches to work with!

That’s a little more than 1/2 inches of “wiggle room” on each side of the rack.

[Cleveland33]

That's about all I have on my rack. I like it wide, I already have my hands practically on the hooks when I squat anyway and my elbows have hit the safeties when benching.

[twodog]

I found one large downside to the Body Solid, The bar across the floor, in the back, is not set back from the rear uprights. This has traditionally caused problems with FID benches in the incline position, it's always better to have the floor support set back a little.

Good luck.

[ProtienandIron]

I found one large downside to the Body Solid, The bar across the floor, in the back, is not set back from the rear uprights. This has traditionally caused problems with FID benches in the incline position, it's always better to have the floor support set back a little.

Good luck.

Agreed, thats the only thing I don't like about that rack.

[trimble006]

I guess no-one noticed the "Minimum Order Quantity: 50" part for the no-name chinese one? Or did I miss something myself?

[nakres1984]

The problem with things like these are the accessories...that you are paying for.

The pec dec is poor quality and you are unlikely to enjoy using it for long.

The lat pulldown is poor quality. You are paying for both of these and they are likely to be redundant the stronger you get, unlike better quality/commercial equivilents.

If these accessories werent included then the price of the rack would be a lot cheaper and therefore more comparable to the racks of a similar class like the powerline, bodymax etc. The bodysolid is strong enough to be considered a commercial (light/medium) use rack, whereas that china rack is not IMHO. It looks the part, but its just not.

yeah you are right about accessories but my budget is low , ım a home user , not an pro athlete , ımho noname rack can last at least 10 years without any problems , what do you think about that ?

[owasM]

I guess no-one noticed the "Minimum Order Quantity: 50" part for the no-name chinese one? Or did I miss something myself?

you could always ask for a sample 1pc order, but delivery and tax will make it pointless.

[Kodokan]

I guess no-one noticed the "Minimum Order Quantity: 50" part for the no-name chinese one? Or did I miss something myself?

This is the first thing I saw...

[Andrew_WOT]

Here's a review of the Amstaff rack...

http://www.johnphung.com/product-rev...r-rack-review/

It seems that it's a bit too wide for some bars to work well with it.

Based on the review the width of the rack makes it a great pain to use. Way too easy to miss j-hooks or safety catchers, definitely not designed by someone lifting barbell?