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Best power racks for your home gym in 2024
This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements.
Anyone with a home gym has probably considered a power rack at one time or another. As far as home gym machines for weight lifting go, this is a versatile option. You'll be able to do exercises like pull-ups, squats, dead lifts and bench presses, just to name a few.
While space may be an issue in many home gyms, power racks can actually help in this area. Because they typically house a bar or several bars and weights right on them, you may be able to clear up some space for other fitness equipment.
Power racks overview
Why do you need a power rack? The short answer is it helps you make excellent progress in the three main lifts. The longer answer is having a home gym power rack can help you make remarkable progress in your health and fitness. You’re getting the power of an entire gym's worth of weights in one single piece of equipment. You can do overhead presses, bent-over rows, barbell lunges, Romanian deadlifts and so many other moves with this one addition to your home gym.
So, what is a power rack? Also called a “squat rack,” it’s usually a tall square of metal bars with various attachments or additions, like a bench. The most-used attachment is often hooks, where you place the bar before you load it. This lets you load heavy weights before you try your main lift. Imagine how much heavier you can lift without, for example, needing to haul the weight up from the ground to your upper back for a back squat. Just step under the pre-loaded and shoulder-height bar and you’re off.
How we chose the best power racks
When looking at power racks for a home gym, we took into consideration key factors like construction and durability, size, functionality, reputation of the company, ease of use and more. You won’t find a more thorough home gym power rack roundup anywhere else. Let’s dig in.
Top power racks
- Best for beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar
- Best for experienced lifters: Major Fitness Raptor F22
- Best for budget shoppers: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Best for small spaces: Titan Fitness T-3 Series
- Best for versatility: Sportsroyals Power Cage
Best for beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar
- Affordable with no unnecessary frills that might confuse beginners
- Pull-up bar weight capacity is 450 pounds
- Uprights are heavy-duty and made from a single piece for added stability
About the Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar
If you’re a beginner who’s intimidated by all the intricate-looking power racks out there, this one's for you. This no-frills option is easy to put together (the website boasts 45 minutes or so) and easier to move than other power racks for a home gym we found, weighing in at just 80 pounds. Plus, the pull-up bar is safe for folks weighing up to 450 pounds, so most users will find it more than satisfactory. It also boasts a compact profile and footprint, so if you’re just starting out on your home gym journey and aren’t ready to commit to a larger power rack, this is just right.
You can easily get used to lifting on a rack without needing a lot of experience or space. The J-cups (what holds your barbell as you load it up) are durable and built to the same standard as heavier-duty home gym power racks. It’s even got a few built-in weight pegs, so you can not only store your weight plates but also weigh down your rack at the same time. Want added stability? You can bolt the rack into the floor.
Why we like it
- Easy set-up
- Good for long-term use
- Functional
- Compact design
What to consider
- Might not be compatible with other accessories
- Must bolt down for heavy lifting
Best for experienced lifters: Major Fitness Raptor F22
About the Major Fitness Raptor F22
If you’re already an experienced lifter, you’ll want a power rack for your home gym that can keep up with your lifts. The Major Fitness Raptor F22 does just that with quality, durability, construction and stability that supports lifters of every level.
This rack has been redesigned which limits the floor space and offers an excellent workout experience. It's a combination of a deep squat rack, cable crossover system and weight cage. Getting a full-body workout with this rack is simple.
The frame is made of commercial steel and has a maximum load capacity of 1600 lbs. This means you can safely lift as heavy as you can handle. Regarding safety, this machine features a triangle design on the bottom corner, enhancing stability and safety while in use.
Why we like it
- Full body fitness with one machine
- Tons of available accessories
- Easy to assemble
What to consider
- Less than stellar customer service
- Customers report attachment durability issues
Best budget power rack: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Super affordable at under $275
- Twin support braces boost stability
- Comes with two safety bars that are compatible with Olympic barbells
About Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
Not everyone can shell out more than $1000 for a power rack, but that shouldn’t stop you from securing one for your home gym. Enter the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage. At a modest $275 (of this writing, not including option lat pull-down), you, too, can enter the world of power racks for a home gym. Don’t let the low price point fool you — this rack can hold its own. It’s made with 14-gauge steel, which, while not quite as strong as some of the others on this list, will still help you get the job done.
This home gym power rack is great for people who want a lot of variety in their workouts but have limited space and money to invest. The built-in pull-up bar means you can add that exercise to your workouts, plus the optional lat pull-down and landmine attachments add even more versatility (the landmine attachment is included in the standard purchase, as are weight storage posts). Bonus: the weight storage posts accommodate both standard and Olympic weights for added flexibility. The rack itself is about five feet in height and width and only weighs about 90 pounds, so you can move it around if you need to.
Why we like it
- Versatile, portable and affordable
- Comes with a few accessories with standard purchase
- Quick assembly
What to consider
- Not great for heavy or experienced lifters
- Can’t be bolted to the floor
- Only a one-year warranty
Best for small spaces: Titan Fitness T-3 Series
About the Titan Fitness T-3 Series
Working with a small home gym is hard, but this foldable power rack is a simple solution to how to fit a rack in your space. It offers a 1,000 lbs weight capacity, making it suitable for lifters of all experience levels. Additionally, the pull-up bar is adjustable so you're height won't play as much of a roll in whether or not this will work for you
You'll get all the hardware you need to put the rack together. However, it does not include hardware to mount it to the wall. Some customers found this frustrating, but it's standard practice. The safe, strong design and numerous activities you can complete with this space-saving rack make the simple frustration of needing extra hardware worth it.
Why we like it
- Standard J-hooks
- Made from Steel Alloy
- Good for lifters of all levels
What to consider
- Online assembly instructions not always accessible
- Extra hardware required to mount
Best for versatility: Sportsroyals Power Cage
About the Sportsroyals Power Cage
Sometimes making a large investment is the way to go. This pricey cage offers a lot making it a great option for versatility. It comes with a pull-down bar, cable bar, cable handle, J-hooks, dip bars, footboard, battle rope ring, pegs, barbell claps and plate brackets. Additionally, it accommodates standard and Olympic weight plates. You'll be able to complete your entire routine with just one machine.
This rack is easy to install and offers a great load capacity. It also includes reinforcing tabs to make sure it stays stable when lifting heavy or storing heavy plates on it. From your shoulders to your calves, you will get a safe, sturdy and reliable workout when you use this rack.
Why we like it
- Max user weight of 440 lbs.
- Comes with versatile accessories
- One year warranty
- Simple assembly
What to consider
- Expensive
- May not offer enough depth for effective bench presses
How to choose a power rack
- Preferences/Needs: Obviously, the biggest factor will be your preferences and needs. If you want to lift heavy, do CrossFit exercises, or plan to use your power rack for years, look more at durable and versatile pieces of equipment.
- Budget: Your budget will play a huge role in the home gym power rack you can purchase. While a power rack is an excellent addition to a home gym, don’t go into huge amounts of debt just to secure one; a budget-friendly option is fine.
- Space: Take careful measurements when choosing your power rack for your home gym. Don’t forget to take into account things like the length of the barbell, the diameter of the weight plates, and any additional storage to make sure you have enough room.
Methodology
To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top power racks on the market. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best power racks for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.
FAQ
Is a power rack good for a home gym?
A power rack is an excellent addition to any home gym. They offer true versatility when it comes to your fitness routine. You'll be able to work every major muscle group (with the right accessories) with one machine. Overall, this can save you time, space and money.
Are power racks safer than squat racks?
If you lift heavy weights, a power rack is typically safer than a squat rack. Power racks offer enhanced protection against failed lifts. Additionally, they usually have spotter arms and can handle heavier weights than squat racks. The vertical uprights and close space give support and safety when lifting heavy.
Can I do squats in a power rack?
A power rack is also literally called a “squat rack,” so the short answer is, again, yes! A solid home gym power rack is almost essential if you want to up your squat game. You can do front squats and back squats with ease with a power rack. Trying to get a fully and heavily loaded barbell from the floor over your head or onto your chest (for a back or front squat, respectively) without the benefit of being able to add weight plates once it’s already in place for your lift is almost impossible. Enter the power rack.
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