The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[matrix563]

well I own the body solid one, (actually have a pop pin older version of it too for resale) and the sts pop pin style, which is very similar to the York and body craft. I haven't had time to put the body solid one together but I will probably prefer it for the swing in style safeties. pop pin seems like it will be ok, but I prefer having more material holding the bar if I drop it.

[ellisbailey]

What are peoples thoughts on this rack?

I`m in Aus and think this looks pretty good.

http://www.cyber-market.com.au/cyber...oks-p-509.html

[Rockfella]

Looks very good, go for it if you have that kinda space.

What are peoples thoughts on this rack?

I`m in Aus and think this looks pretty good.

http://www.cyber-market.com.au/cyber...oks-p-509.html

[cmarti063]

What are peoples thoughts on this rack?

I`m in Aus and think this looks pretty good.

http://www.cyber-market.com.au/cyber...oks-p-509.html

That's a really good looking rack! Never heard of the brand here in the states though. The construction looks fine, but I don't know how happy I'd be with those j-hooks without seeing them in person.

[ellisbailey]

That's a really good looking rack! Never heard of the brand here in the states though. The construction looks fine, but I don't know how happy I'd be with those j-hooks without seeing them in person.

In terms of the depth of the cup? I did think that myself when I saw them.

[cmarti063]

In terms of the depth of the cup? I did think that myself when I saw them.

No, not that. They just look like kind of puny compared to the rest of the rack. Look at GarageIron's Dark Horse thread where he compares the j-cups of the Rogue R3 to the Sorinex Dark Horse and you'll see what I mean. The hooks resemble the Rogue's from the pics you posted. Granted, I'm not looking at the rack in person, so take that in to consideration. I love the spotter arms and the swing-in safeties, although I think you will need to put some UMHW plastic on there (again, just trying to tell from the picture) as well as the j-cups if they aren't too shallow for it. Again, though, the design looks rock solid, and it has most of the additional features you would want in a rack. A dip attachment would be nice, but they are extremely easy to make if it doesn't have one.

[CptZaptain]

Anybody know anything about the xmark rack? I've been searching CL for a few weeks now and it's the only one I've found that's local. He's asking $300 for it.

[matrix563]

Anybody know anything about the xmark rack? I've been searching CL for a few weeks now and it's the only one I've found that's local. He's asking $300 for it.

depends what gauge. if its 11 gauge that's not too bad.

[DamonB82]

That rack looks like my old tuff stuff rack

[EdgeOfThorns]

Just need a quick opinion or two. Im picking up a rack tomorrow, I found a deal for a Parabody 843 with the lat tower and dip bars etc... its used but like new for the most part. 250 cash, is that pretty much a no brainer?

[Stasher1]

Just need a quick opinion or two. Im picking up a rack tomorrow, I found a deal for a Parabody 843 with the lat tower and dip bars etc... its used but like new for the most part. 250 cash, is that pretty much a no brainer?

I'd do it. Been pretty pleased with my 843.

[CptZaptain]

That rack looks like my old tuff stuff rack

You're right, found some other pics, looks like an older tuff stuff rack. Can you tell me anything about it? How did you like it? I think I'm gonna go check it out in person today or tomorrow.

edit: It's a tuffstuff tpr-265. I can't find any specific information about that model though.

[EdgeOfThorns]

I'd do it. Been pretty pleased with my 843.

Your posts are some that ive been really taking into consideration man, thanks for poppin in here for a few minutes. So after having the 843, are there any other major drawbacks? I just think for the price that 250 is simply to good to pass, glad to see others agree on it.

[Stasher1]

Your posts are some that ive been really taking into consideration man, thanks for poppin in here for a few minutes. So after having the 843, are there any other major drawbacks? I just think for the price that 250 is simply to good to pass, glad to see others agree on it.

It's a fairly short rack, so no OHP unless you do them seated, the spotter arms aren't removable, so no deadlifts inside the rack. Other than that, I don't see a problem with it. It's deeper than many home-grade racks, so just about any bench will work, and there's plenty of foot room for squats. The extra set of bar holders on the front of the spotter arms work well for LTE's...as long as you have a rackable curl bar or you do your LTE's with a straight bar.

[matrix563]

well it could be the older 843, which doesn't have the bar holders in front. op pic?

[EdgeOfThorns]

It's a fairly short rack, so no OHP unless you do them seated, the spotter arms aren't removable, so no deadlifts inside the rack. Other than that, I don't see a problem with it. It's deeper than many home-grade racks, so just about any bench will work, and there's plenty of foot room for squats. The extra set of bar holders on the front of the spotter arms work well for LTE's.

Well that's good to hear as I'm not worried about OHP, and I have another bar and area setup for deads. So I think I'm covered.

I just want it for of course the obvious reasons, spotter, squats and being able to assist with my seated shoulder presses.

I have a stand alone lat machine, but its one somebody made. I was considering getting rid of it if this 843s pull down was good, is it a decent pull down would you say?

As for pic, sadly don't have one. The guy has it all partially taken down for transfer. He had simply a pic of the dark grey lookin one, I didn't know there was two versions of the 843.

[matrix563]

the one stasher was talking about is the dark grey one. the original version was white. I would get the dark grey one they made some slight improvements like the bar holders for the front.

[Stasher1]

the one stasher was talking about is the dark grey one. the original version was white. I would get the dark grey one they made some slight improvements like the bar holders for the front.

Actually, I have the older white one and it has the bar holders on the front.

No idea about the Parabody lat machine as mine didn't come with one. I have a standalone Body Solid unit instead.

[EdgeOfThorns]

Actually, I have the older white one and it has the bar holders on the front.

Stasher, able to toss me a pic buddy?

[Stasher1]

Stasher, able to toss me a pic buddy?

I'm at work right now and don't have any decent pics on my phone, but it's just like this one...but white.

[EdgeOfThorns]

I'm at work right now and don't have any decent pics on my phone, but it's just like this one...but white.

Nice. I mean I just guess my main concern is wanting it to be solid. Which it seems to be from all I've read. I mean in the end its a rack, if it was good when parabody was in business it should still be good now.

[Stasher1]

Nice. I mean I just guess my main concern is wanting it to be solid. Which it seems to be from all I've read. I mean in the end its a rack, if it was good when parabody was in business it should still be good now.

As far as home-grade racks go, you're not likely to find a more solid one. It has a bit of side-side movement if you put a loaded bar on the hooks and give the rack a lateral shove, but almost no movement fore-aft when racking/unracking the bar unless you really slam it into the uprights. I'd only part with mine to step up to a commercial rack, but even that is unlikely due to my ceiling height.

[EdgeOfThorns]

As far as home-grade racks go, you're not likely to find a more solid one. It has a bit of side-side movement if you put a loaded bar on the hooks and give the rack a lateral shove, but almost no movement fore-aft when racking/unracking the bar unless you really slam it into the uprights. I'd only part with mine to step up to a commercial rack, but even that is unlikely due to my ceiling height.

So basically, I can buy this at 250 with really no worries than to sum up pretty much. Seems like I can't go wrong for 250.

[matrix563]

stasher I need to see a pic of yours when you get a chance

nvm lol

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/d...979722047.html

I know the original white version was without front hooks. appears whenever they switched to the grey one they upgraded the white one at the same time, which wasnt' a bad idea.

[Stasher1]

So basically, I can buy this at 250 with really no worries than to sum up pretty much. Seems like I can't go wrong for 250.

I'd do it at that price, but I'd probably go with a standalone lat machine. It would be a shame to buy a deep rack and lose some of that space for a lat machine.

[EdgeOfThorns]

I'd do it at that price, but I'd probably go with a standalone lat machine. It would be a shame to buy a deep rack and lose some of that space for a lat machine.

Yea I've got a standalone, just curious how that lat tower might be with the rack.

Either way, I think I'm getting a steal at 250 from what I've been reading.

[irongrandpa]

Just need a quick opinion or two. Im picking up a rack tomorrow, I found a deal for a Parabody 843 with the lat tower and dip bars etc... its used but like new for the most part. 250 cash, is that pretty much a no brainer?

I had the same setup, it's a good price and rack. BTW, mine sold for $400 without the dip handles. I never had any problems with lat attachment getting in the way of any exercises, if it does,you can remove the footplate for the low pulley and just put your feet against the rear cross member.

[matrix563]

I think my similar style rack for $20 and the stand alone lat I got a few months ago with low row for $25, now that was a steal . but I digress lol.

[Cleveland33]

Get the 843, it's a fine rack.

I paid $299 for mine, with a 300lb set, an a-frame plate tree, and 6 cable attachments.

I have the plate loaded lat tower - it works just fine as far as I can tell. There was also a lat tower with a weight stack available.

The only thing I have noticed about mine is that the foot for the lat tower is slightly lower than the rack's feet and caused a slight wobble. I compensated by pulling my mats forward so the lat tower isn't resting on the mat. Rock solid after that. Oh and with the plate loaded tower you have to space the rack from the wall because the horns will be too close to fit plates on.

You can deadlift in the rack, all you have to do is either put the bar under the spotters or put the spotters all the way down (without the pop pin engaged) - I believe they are lower than the bar on 45's. But I too, DL out of the cage - I never really had an urge to do it inside.

I can't see myself ever upgrading from it. I would have to get a commercial rack for an absolute steal, like one where I could sell the 843 for the same price.

[EdgeOfThorns]

Get the 843, it's a fine rack.

I paid $299 for mine, with a 300lb set, an a-frame plate tree, and 6 cable attachments.

I have the plate loaded lat tower - it works just fine as far as I can tell. There was also a lat tower with a weight stack available.

The only thing I have noticed about mine is that the foot for the lat tower is slightly lower than the rack's feet and caused a slight wobble. I compensated by pulling my mats forward so the lat tower isn't resting on the mat. Rock solid after that. Oh and with the plate loaded tower you have to space the rack from the wall because the horns will be too close to fit plates on.

You can deadlift in the rack, all you have to do is either put the bar under the spotters or put the spotters all the way down (without the pop pin engaged) - I believe they are lower than the bar on 45's. But I too, DL out of the cage - I never really had an urge to do it inside.

I can't see myself ever upgrading from it. I would have to get a commercial rack for an absolute steal, like one where I could sell the 843 for the same price.

Yep, picking it up today at about 4:30.

And its also the grey and black model, so that is great news.