Power Rack vs. Half Rack

[slouch]

2 questions actually:

1) Is there an advantage to using a full power rack with 4 upright posts, such as the Powertec, compared to a Half Rack such as in the picture here? I mean, other than potential sturdiness of the unit, are there exercises that can't be done on the outside of the rack, given that the external landing hooks are fairly long? It seems you could do benches, squats, and vertical presses on the outside. Why go for a four-post rack? In my case, the rack without both front and rear posts would offer significant space and aesthetic benefit, since it will be on a patio with visitors moving about when the equipment is not used.

2) How much vertical distance between holes would be ideal? I've heard of anywhere between 1" and 2.5" considered 'close', with some racks between 3" and 4". Is there much advantage to having pins closer than 2" apart? Based on real world experience...?

[Dinotrainer]

2 questions actually:

1) Is there are advantage to using a full power rack with 4 upright posts,... compared to a Half Rack such as in the picture here? ...Why go for a four-post rack? In my case, the rack without both front and rear posts would offer significant space and aesthetic benefit, since it will be on a patio with visitors moving about when the equipment is not used

The full 4 post rack is just safer to use in case you fall forward or backward, but that pic you posted looks like a really nice and very competent half rack, so for the reasons you described justifying it's use, I'd probably go for the half rack myself.

2) How much vertical distance between holes would be ideal? I've heard of anywhere between 1" and 2.5" considered 'close', with some racks between 3" and 4". Is there much advantage to having pins closer than 2" apart? Based on real world experience...?

The closer the better for "real world" use. 3" to 4" in between is too large for me.

[KSA]

This half rack is nice, the safeties bars seem to be long.

For barbell squats a power rack is safer than a half rack.

[ctgblue]

Those racks are awesome and would do perfectly.
It's no less safe using this for squats than it is using a regular "squat rack" at the gym.
Most people don't fall back on squats, they fall down or forward, just set the arms to the right height, they will hold hundreds of lbs

[geordon]

$1700 for a half rack? Better be nice! Of course, that Hammer Strength is also commercial grade. I better stick with the Body Solid Multi-Press.

[ctgblue]

yes, these are what are in my, and several other gyms in this area

I've done 600lb shrugs off the end of the arms

[1devil]

2 questions actually:

1) Is there an advantage to using a full power rack with 4 upright posts, such as the Powertec, compared to a Half Rack such as in the picture here? I mean, other than potential sturdiness of the unit, are there exercises that can't be done on the outside of the rack, given that the external landing hooks are fairly long? It seems you could do benches, squats, and vertical presses on the outside. Why go for a four-post rack? In my case, the rack without both front and rear posts would offer significant space and aesthetic benefit, since it will be on a patio with visitors moving about when the equipment is not used.

2) How much vertical distance between holes would be ideal? I've heard of anywhere between 1" and 2.5" considered 'close', with some racks between 3" and 4". Is there much advantage to having pins closer than 2" apart? Based on real world experience...?

The rack actually looks nice and would probably meet all of your needs. I personally have always preferred the cage style racks.

[cubbybear]

I use power racks, because attached to the top I use chain/suspension straps for suspended GM's, or various blast strap exercises, and for doing reverse band presses.

[jgreystoke]

Hi slouch.

Looks pretty good. Like the rack I got made to my specification, tho' I spent very little money.

One guy who makes stuff for me supplies football teams and commercial gyms. But he'll make stuff to my specs, or modify existing equipment. I'm very particular. Charges me way under catalog price.

Don't worry about the large spacings between the position of the catchers. Go to the hardware store, buy an 8'x4' sheet of thick shuttering plywood. You can cut this to make conveniently sized sheets that'll allow you to adjust the range of motion an inch at a time.

Hope this helps.

[slouch]

This particular rack is just an example, it's the best half-rack I could find online, but it turns out to be very expensive to send to me. Geordon, I don't know where you saw the $1700 price tag, but that's about what it costs to send overseas. Does it cost that much in the States also?

I'm going to custom order a rack here in China, since I can't find a pre-made one with holes less than 3.5" apart. I'm not confident they can produce a half-rack of the quality of the Hammer Strength, so I'm probably going to go with a full cage.

Thanks for the responses though, it's good to know in theory the half-rack is usable if I ever found a good manufacturer.

[Skidmarx]

If you've got that kind of money and the space, check out these Bombproof racks, they are badass. $656 plus shipping


Here's the link to their whole lineup...
http://www.ironcompany.com/index.asp...TS&Category=54

[slouch]

Actually, I had no idea the Hammer Strength cost that much, my custom rack will cost US$200 including shipping. I would pay more (up to say 2x) for a half-rack, to save some space, but not in that price range.

That rack looks solid, but the safety bars appear to be limited in their range of placement.