The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[JamminJimmy]

The Powerline rack and the ebay rack (first two on the chart) are the most affordable new ones we know of, other than that you will have to watch craigs.

Hi,

I've been following this thread for a few days now since I decided to invest into a power rack. I'm 47 years young with with 3 boys 10, 12 and 17. I've worked out on and off over the years but never consistently for more than a year or so. I've recently decided that I want to get serious and get into the best possible shape I can. It was suggested to me that a Power Rack is a must have. My question is of those in the 400 to say 800 range which do you feel would be the best for me to get. I want one that's going to be great for myself and my oldest but also last long enough for my younger 2 to take advantage of it also if they wish to. From everything I've read on here and the research I've done on my own I'm tempted to get the Legend power rack it's just more then I want to spend considering I have to get weights and a bench as well. Also what does OBS stand for on the chart?

Thx

[Jimbo.]

Hi,

I've been following this thread for a few days now since I decided to invest into a power rack. I'm 47 years young with with 3 boys 10, 12 and 17. I've worked out on and off over the years but never consistently for more than a year or so. I've recently decided that I want to get serious and get into the best possible shape I can. It was suggested to me that a Power Rack is a must have. My question is of those in the 400 to say 800 range which do you feel would be the best for me to get. I want one that's going to be great for myself and my oldest but also last long enough for my younger 2 to take advantage of it also if they wish to. From everything I've read on here and the research I've done on my own I'm tempted to get the Legend power rack it's just more then I want to spend considering I have to get weights and a bench as well. Also what does OBS stand for on the chart?

Thx

I think your best bet would probably be the Body Solid. Apparently you can get it for $380 shipped here if you use the code 'newuser' (thanks to Labuski for that one)

http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/item.cfm?id=4286

Thats a helluva deal and the BS is a very solid rack. That way you have a nice rack and extra money to spend on a bench and weights. I don't know of another rack for less than 800 shipped that has the same or better quality than that one either. The Bodycraft might also be an option for you but you can't take the safeties out if you need to. Legend racks are extremely beefy and sturdy and will definitely last a lifetime, but you are looking at spending 1500 to 2k on one of those shipped.

Honestly, I have no idea what Obs stands for on that chart either, someone else made it and we haven't seen them since they posted it.

[jormone]

Honestly, I have no idea what Obs stands for on that chart either, someone else made it and we haven't seen them since they posted it.

It was posted in his original message.

I organized the racks in this thread into a spreadsheet with just a couple of the most important features for comparison. I included cost, shipping, total cost, hole spacing (inches), height, frame thickness, whether or not there is an obstruction for your feet in the back, and a link to the rack.

[JamminJimmy]

It was posted in his original message.

Thanks for the quick response both of you.

[falco150]

csnstores.com/Valor-Athletics-BD-7-VAA1003.html?cv=

this with a bench/bar/weight and should be all set, yeah? im a 2 month newbie and hate the gym...

[Jimbo.]

csnstores.com/Valor-Athletics-BD-7-VAA1003.html?cv=

this with a bench/bar/weight and should be all set, yeah? im a 2 month newbie and hate the gym...

No sir, that rack is a POS. Over $500 for that? All it includes is the lat pulldown. It's only rated for 500lbs. I know you are new and probably not liftng that much weight but you can do MUCH better for that price. Again, I would look at the Body Solid over that piece. In fact, every rack listed in this thread for less than 500 is better than that rack. Ptec, TDS, Body Solid, go with one of those instead, you will be much happier with your purchase.

[TxZ71]

Check out this power rack on CL $150. Its almost 2 and a half hours away from me. Can you tell me what brand it is and if it looks good? Would it be worth the drove over buying BodySolid for 299 online brand new? Thanks.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/spo/2104751725.html

[Philsworld]

Check out this power rack on CL $150. Its almost 2 and a half hours away from me. Can you tell me what brand it is and if it looks good? Would it be worth the drove over buying BodySolid for 299 online brand new? Thanks.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/spo/2104751725.html

It looks like a Tuff Stuff rack. I suppose $150 is ok, but if you can buy a body solid rack new for $300, I'd go for it. I always like new if the price is right and body solid is a good brand.

Phil.

[Mitrovski]

Check out this power rack on CL $150. Its almost 2 and a half hours away from me. Can you tell me what brand it is and if it looks good? Would it be worth the drove over buying BodySolid for 299 online brand new? Thanks.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/spo/2104751725.html

It looks pretty similar to a design several companies make (mine was a tuff stuff, page 8 in this thread, sticker looks to be in the right place in the ad). It's certainly not a weider, which is a good thing (no akward liftoffs).

Make sure it's stable when you get there, but its worth $150 for sure. Try and get him to throw in the ghd for cheap if you're making the trip anyway. If that's a tuff stuff rack in alright condition, it's a bit nicer rack than the entry level body solid, but they'll both do the trick.

[JamminJimmy]

I think your best bet would probably be the Body Solid. Apparently you can get it for $380 shipped here if you use the code 'newuser' (thanks to Labuski for that one)



Thats a helluva deal and the BS is a very solid rack. That way you have a nice rack and extra money to spend on a bench and weights. I don't know of another rack for less than 800 shipped that has the same or better quality than that one either. The Bodycraft might also be an option for you but you can't take the safeties out if you need to. Legend racks are extremely beefy and sturdy and will definitely last a lifetime, but you are looking at spending 1500 to 2k on one of those shipped.

Honestly, I have no idea what Obs stands for on that chart either, someone else made it and we haven't seen them since they posted it.

Hi Jimbo.........still doing research just to see whats out there and came across this one
Star trac fitness 8536. It won't let me post a link. It sells for $706.99 including shipping on Amazon. Do you think it's worth the extra money or would you still go with the Body Solid? I think I just like the way this one looks. I'm having fun window shopping anyway Thanks again for your advice.

[Jimbo.]

Hi Jimbo.........still doing research just to see whats out there and came across this one
Star trac fitness 8536. It won't let me post a link. It sells for $706.99 including shipping on Amazon. Do you think it's worth the extra money or would you still go with the Body Solid? I think I just like the way this one looks. I'm having fun window shopping anyway Thanks again for your advice.

I'd still go with the Body Solid GPR378. I think that's my favorite rack in the sub 800 range. I have seen the ST in person and would never pay full price for it. It would be better priced in the 3 to 400 range. Not a bad rack but it is too expensive for what it is.

[jormone]

Star trac fitness 8536.

A rack without a pullup bar doesn't make much sense to me.

IMHO, Bodycraft F430 if you want pop pins, Body Solid GPR378 if you don't...

[Jimbo.]

A rack without a pullup bar doesn't make much sense to me.

IMHO, Bodycraft F430 if you want pushpins, Body Solid GPR378 if you don't...

The ST has a pull up bar, you just can't see it in most of the pics. But yeah I agree, Body craft or Body Solid in that price range.

[TxZ71]

Thought I'd show this. Body solid power rack model: PPR200X for
$299.95 and FREE SHIPPING! More than 10 in stock. Im prolly going to decide on this one for such a good deal.


http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...id=66573775903

[Mitrovski]

Thought I'd show this. Body solid power rack model: PPR200X for
$299.95 and FREE SHIPPING! More than 10 in stock. Im prolly going to decide on this one for such a good deal.


http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...id=66573775903

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/pr...equestid=36165

A few bucks cheaper if you have a sams card, although depending on tax, it's pretty much the same.

That's the entry level body solid I mentioned. It will get the job done, but the racks posted above and the one you posted off CL are probably a little nicer. Whatever you pick I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[cm45]

Here is an Excel spreadsheet I put together comparing over 30 power racks based on price, and all types of features.

[Rokman]

Received my new efs 3x3 byo yesterday along with 2 fully welded benches I ordered. It's really similar in options and color to Manzooka's rack so I'm not gonna post duplicate pics. I will post some pics that show it side by side with my old ptec rack and also the one custom option I had done that you have to call in to get, I had all 4 posts numbered.

It's substantially bigger than the ptec as you can see from the pics. In person it's almost shocking how much the efs dwarfs the ptec, it's not as dramatic in the pics with all the clutter in the background but you can get the idea.




fdhttp://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g243/dfbbq/IMG_1787.jpg[/img]

Nice! Any idea on the add'l height required for monkey bar?

[cm45]

Here is a Power Rack by Power Lift

[peequi]

omg

I love that cage.

probably 1k easily.

[cm45]

omg

I love that cage.

probably 1k easily.

Yea Power Lift equipment is very good, and as someone in this thread mentioned earlier they supply a lot of NFL and college teams with their weight training equipment.

Here are a few videos of some of the schools they supply.

[pumping4life]

Here is a Power Rack by Power Lift

That's a beautiful rack. Anyone know what the bars on the side at the top of the rack are for?

[dumb.bell]

That's a beautiful rack. Anyone know what the bars on the side at the top of the rack are for?

Maybe wrong, but I think they are just for fat bar pullups.

[blackpulpit]

What are some good racks that are wide for people with broad shoulders? I am 6'2 and long arms and wide shoulders and the powertec rack I got from a friend and use is to narrow inside for me, feels very tight inside the cage and my elbows touch the spotter bars when doing bench press, any ideas for a new rack, cost up to 2,200 is fine, it looks like legends louie simmons cage is iwder than all there others? anyone seen this cage before in person and can vouch or know others that are wide for people like me? thanks all.

[captainmorgan0]

What are some good racks that are wide for people with broad shoulders? I am 6'2 and long arms and wide shoulders and the powertec rack I got from a friend and use is to narrow inside for me, feels very tight inside the cage and my elbows touch the spotter bars when doing bench press, any ideas for a new rack, cost up to 2,200 is fine, it looks like legends louie simmons cage is iwder than all there others? anyone seen this cage before in person and can vouch or know others that are wide for people like me? thanks all.

You can only have a cage that is wide enough to fit the bar, so I doubt you will get anything much wider than the ptec cage.

[cm45]

http://www.samsonequipment.com/freew...ProdNum=111PHH



Some quotes from a Samson rep.

"$1,725 for the rack, shipping would run around $250-$300"

"A chin up bar added to the cross piece is always $113"

"We only use 3”x3” .188 (aka 7 gauge steel) for our racks. We back up every piece of equipment w/ a lifetime warranty as well."

[peequi]

I am getting a boner from this thread.

[RandyBA]

Looks like you would need a ladder to get pn that pull up bar.

[lucashpr]

you and bad

[Rokman]

My clearance to my basement ceiling joists is 89.25". The Elite Classic and DIY racks have
a posted height of 90", so on first glance, they won't fit. However, from pics, it appears that the back K-brace and the front chin-up bar may not be the full 90" height that the side frames are. If those components to the rack are at 89.25" or less, I can make it work. Anyone have an idea what the height of the bar/K-brace on these racks are? Thanks!

[Accutron]

Get a 7ft version of the rack.

7ft is 84inches so you should have enough room to put it on some rubber mats, and a little bit of clearance for your head on the chip-up bar, it will still be tight.

But less tight than the standard 7.5ft.