The Official Power Rack Thread - August 2010 version

[Robfitx]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the information posted on these threads. After reading everything I could find on here, I decided to pull the trigger on a Rogue SML-2. Eventually I want to convert it to an RML-390F Flat Foot but I have to do this project in stages. I ordered it yesterday and they say it will arrive tomorrow! Thanks again...

[keyboardworkout]

I decided to pull the trigger on a Rogue SML-2. Eventually I want to convert it to an RML-390F Flat Foot but I have to do this project in stages. I ordered it yesterday and they say it will arrive tomorrow! Thanks again...

I ordered two more of the triangle plates for my HR-2 and I made spacers for the pullup bar so I can add them to the rear posts. Rogue charges $5.50 each for the triangle plates.

Just thought I would pass this on in case you want to order pieces separately.

[who28]

Hello all,

New user/first post. Just wanted to know how much the Powertec Power Rack weighs (2011 model +). I saw a thread on here dated 2002 that said it weighed 385 lbs? Not sure if that's accurate.

Any help/links would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[CliveWarren]

I can't give you an actual figure, but I'm guessing it's more like 250 lbs.

[Freakin11]

I've got an R3 bolted to the floor. Does it matter where I put my double pullup bar crossmember? Right now I have it dead center at the top of the rack but a bar on the jcups gets in the way sometimes. I was going to move the pullup bar to the very front of the top to give me more room.

Will this affect stability/rigidity?

[smokinHawk]

I've got an R3 bolted to the floor. Does it matter where I put my double pullup bar crossmember? Right now I have it dead center at the top of the rack but a bar on the jcups gets in the way sometimes. I was going to move the pullup bar to the very front of the top to give me more room.

Will this affect stability/rigidity?

if its bolted to the floor, no you will be fine to move it to the front of the top

[imhungry4444]

I'm planning on upgrading my home gym. These are the purchases I am planning on making once I get the money for them in the coming weeks:

Power rack:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Bench(thanks Desert_Eagle):
http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/fit-505-fid-bench

Olympic weight set:
http://www.amazon.com/USA-Sports-Bar...pic+weight+set

[bigoafreturns2]

Guys, I have a 7.5 ft ceiling and it seems to really be limiting my options for a quality cage. I do like the standard rogue cage I believe it is the RM-3 but that seems to be the only cage they make in the shorter stance. I would much prefer a cage with more room to move around since that cage has such a narrow front to back depth. I would like a quality cage that I will never have to replace. I can get into the 4-500 pound squat range when I am at the top of my game so I dont want to buy one of the rinky dinky amazon cages.

Anyone have any suggestions? Height is really the limiting factor. I would not want to spend more than 1200-1500 at max but would also entertain far less expensive options.

Thanks!

[GreatDutchHope]

Guys, I have a 7.5 ft ceiling and it seems to really be limiting my options for a quality cage. I do like the standard rogue cage I believe it is the RM-3 but that seems to be the only cage they make in the shorter stance. I would much prefer a cage with more room to move around since that cage has such a narrow front to back depth. I would like a quality cage that I will never have to replace. I can get into the 4-500 pound squat range when I am at the top of my game so I dont want to buy one of the rinky dinky amazon cages.

Anyone have any suggestions? Height is really the limiting factor. I would not want to spend more than 1200-1500 at max but would also entertain far less expensive options.

Thanks!

I believe the RM4 in the shortest spec is the same height and offers more space inside the rack.

[bigoafreturns2]

The RM-4 is 90" which is 7.5 exactly which makes me very nervous and completely removes the ability to do any chins. The R3 shorty is 7 feet exactly which is where my sweet spot is in my opinion. I do not see any other rogues in this height to my knowledge.

[faisal233]

Don't get the r3 shorty. Get the R3 bolt together, you can adjust the pullup bar height and it comes in both 24" and 30". I got the R3 shorty and regret not getting the BT 30".

I moved to a different house with a much higher ceiling and the length of the pullup bar and the fact that I can't do OHP inside pisses me off.

[bigoafreturns2]

Don't get the r3 shorty. Get the R3 bolt together, you can adjust the pullup bar height and it comes in both 24" and 30". I got the R3 shorty and regret not getting the BT 30".

I moved to a different house with a much higher ceiling and the length of the pullup bar and the fact that I can't do OHP inside pisses me off.

Thanks. I didnt realize that I could adjust the pull up bar down a few notches on the bolt together R3. I assume I could also attach the multi-grap monkey bar a few notches down as well. I have one question for yuo since you ordered an R3... did it come with the pin-pipe safety system and J-cups? It seems like they are trying to get me to add those onto the purchase, but it also seems to indicate that they are included.

http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-bolt-together-r-3

Not sure why I would want to add another set of pin-pipe safety arms if those were already included?

[p3nt4g0n]

Thanks. I didnt realize that I could adjust the pull up bar down a few notches on the bolt together R3. I assume I could also attach the multi-grap monkey bar a few notches down as well. I have one question for yuo since you ordered an R3... did it come with the pin-pipe safety system and J-cups? It seems like they are trying to get me to add those onto the purchase, but it also seems to indicate that they are included.

Not sure why I would want to add another set of pin-pipe safety arms if those were already included?

If you look at the Spec. list for that rack on the Rogue website, it states that "(2) Infinity J-Cups, (2) Pin/Pipe Safeties, (4) Band Pegs" are included.

[faisal233]

Thanks. I didnt realize that I could adjust the pull up bar down a few notches on the bolt together R3. I assume I could also attach the multi-grap monkey bar a few notches down as well. I have one question for yuo since you ordered an R3... did it come with the pin-pipe safety system and J-cups? It seems like they are trying to get me to add those onto the purchase, but it also seems to indicate that they are included.

Not sure why I would want to add another set of pin-pipe safety arms if those were already included?

Yea it's included just like p3nt4g0n said.

If you are going to get the multigrip, ask them to swap out the fat/skinny bar for either the single fat or single skinny bar (it should be a free swap), the fat/skinny bar is kinda useless in the back.

I had them swap out the pin/pipe safeties for strap safeties and they knocked $65 of the price of the strap safeties but I would get the pin/pipe if I had to do it over again.

I love the rack itself but I would definitely get R3 BT30 with pin/pipe, multigrip & single pullup bar if I had to do it all over again.

[Massguy27]

Has anyone bought attachments for Atlantis power racks? Interested in adding the band pegs and neutral grip thick chins.. Anyone know what they go for? Thanks guys

[evanevanevan]

Hey, I'm new to lifting - have been for a few months, and I'm looking to buy a power rack. I've looked quite a bit throughout the forums and I'm extremely confused as to which rack to buy.

I've looked at the following:
http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/fit505-power-rack
http://shop.fitnessdepot.ca/Power-Ra...x#.VMQasNLF-Do
http://www.titandistributorsinc.com/...-x3-tubes.html

I'm looking to spend ~$500 or less.

My garage ceiling is 90" and I'd prefer something with a small footprint, but I don't want to bolt it down.

If anyone could recommend me something, or help me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[imhungry4444]

Was wondering, do Power Racks only take 7 ft. Olympic bars? I'm asking because I only have a 6 ft 1-Inch Threaded Bar.

[Robfitx]

Was wondering, do Power Racks only take 7 ft. Olympic bars? I'm asking because I only have a 6 ft 1-Inch Threaded Bar.

I'm using a 6 foot York bar in mine for space reasons. It has the same length between the sleeves as a 7 ft. Olympic bar, which makes it rack-able, but the sleeves are each 6 inches shorter. It doesn't hold as much weight, obviously, but works well for my purposes.

[Hulk066]

Hi. I have a limited space and was thinking about "Valor Fitness BD-9 Power Squat Stand". Anybody had experience with this model.

Thanks

[Cleveland33]

Hi. I have a limited space and was thinking about "Valor Fitness BD-9 Power Squat Stand". Anybody had experience with this model.

Thanks

not many (if any) around here are fans of squat stands of any kind. The safeties are virtually worthless being that short, and there isn't enough weight to the stands to keep from potentially knocking them over when racking the bar.

[mase31683]

I think Jimbo's original post put it well


Squat Stands: These are probably the most useless and unsafe pieces of equipment you can buy. All they are really good for is loading a bar up and having it at chest level to perform certain presses, Olympic lifts and squats. The appeal here is that they are usually a lot cheaper than a cage, but they provide zero safety if you fail on a lift and are really not ideal for home use. I would also include any of those bench press/ squat combo things made by Marcy or Apex in this category. They are cheap and completely unsafe.

[bjlasota]

Hoping to get some insight on which route to go? I'm looking at 2 different options on a budget and height contraints that I've researched over and over again. Hopeing to get some personal opinions from previous owners or users of the following items. Already have plates, just need the rack and bench.

Option 1: Marcy/Impex PM3800 found on Amazon
Pros for me: Short enough for basement, opening on front to remove bar easily in small room, Weight limit my range
Cons: Not a full cage, not as sturdy?

Option 2: Atlas/Generic Power Rack Found on Amazon under Power-Squat-Deadlift-Chrome-Safety
with Marcy Bench SB-670 also on Amazon
Pros for me: About same price as above with many more A+ Reviews and full cage, Heavier, sturdier, weight holders on rear to help hold rack down
Cons: No front opening to remove bar, only 1 set of hooks, no dip bars

Just wondering who's had either of these racks, did they stand the test of time, and what you liked/disliked about them. I can get either option for virtually the same price.

[Cleveland33]

<snip>

From the FAQ sticky:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=113942001

"Q: "Power racks are expensive, how can I get started without spending a couple thousand dollars?"
A: Craigslist, Ebay, Kijiji, garage sales and your local classifieds are the way to go. You can get higher quality equipment at a fraction of the price you would pay for new. Many of us have gotten our home gyms for free or nearly free just by buying things on Craigslist and selling what we don't need.
This thread has info on a great site called Craigshelper that makes it crazy easy to find what your looking for. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=111442291"


Q: "What are some bad equipment manufacturers?"
I tend to shy away from anything by the following companies (although if the price is right you never know...) Weider, Golds, Impex, Marcy, Body By Jake, Total Sports America, Apex, Bowflex, Image, Body Vision, Weslo, Pro-Form, Reebok, Icon, Tracker, Nordic Track and the vast majority of things you see advertised on television.

[bjlasota]

<snip>

Thanks man, and that's all information I've found. I'm looking for personal opinions from previous/current owners of those specific racks. I definitely agree with the bad equipment being Impex, but I also know that the specific rack I was asking about has been reviewed as an exception to the Impex/Marcy junk warnings. Just trying to see what other peoples personal Pros/Cons are of each rack from someone who's owned, built, and used those specific models.

[Cleveland33]

are you in the US? For what you are going to pay new, you should be able to find a much better rack on CL unless you are in a really bad market.

[bjlasota]

are you in the US? For what you are going to pay new, you should be able to find a much better rack on CL unless you are in a really bad market.

I've checked there too. There's a few good deals in my area, but a lot of the racks for sale are over height. My ceiling is 89", and I need the pull up bars no higher than 81" so I'm not knocking my melon on the ceiling. It's also a finished ceiling, so I can't just move tiles around. I live around the lake from Chicago over in Michigan. Downside of CL in this area is that you get a lot of people on CL that are dealers, not people selling used stuff. But I have looked and I've actually watched CL for the last 6 months. I've seen a couple, but they've all been in the similar price range for what I could get from the 2 above.

I'm starting to lean more towards the full cage by Atlas. 160 great reviews on amazon, barely any negative, and it will be much sturdier than the Marcy half rack.

[Requiem238]

What is the cheapest power rack recommended?

What is the best out of the TDS, Atlas, Powerline, Titan?

I don't see myself squatting over 400lbs in the next few years, so I imagine any weight tolerance should be fine for my needs. I don't need lat attachments, I have a pull up bar already so that's not really necessary either. Dip attachment possibility would be nice but I don't need them either.

My main concern is sturdiness, but money is an issue.

I have been watching CL for weeks and have not yet found anything decent and well priced(under $350). If I can spend closer to $200 that would be nice.

Looking at:

TDS: amazon.com/TDS-Super-Power-Squat-Cage/dp/B00QZ2G7FY/

Atlas: amazon.com/Power-Squat-Deadlift-Chrome-Safety/dp/B004UMM4QC/

Powerline: amazon.com/Powerline-PPR200X-PowerLine-Power-Rack/dp/B000VLRVSC/

Titan: amazon.com/Titan-Power-Squat-Deadlift-Bench/dp/B00GHNLK9E/

[Stasher1]

What is the cheapest power rack recommended?

The cheapest rack I would (and do) recommend is the Powerline PPR200X with the Titan as a possible second choice, but only after careful examination of the welds and paint. I definitely wouldn't buy one sight-unseen.

My only experience with TDS/NYBB stuff was a seated row machine that was a real flimsy POS, so I don't even consider them when it comes time to buy equipment.

No experience at all with the Atlas and no opinion on it either way.

[Cleveland33]

Requiem238 - where are you located / what is your CL market?

[Buccaneer82]

Not CL but on Ebay at CSU are 3 power lift reverse back extensions plus other goodies, delivery would be nearly a grand so I'll have to pass.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Lift-R...item3cf3720383