Fitness
The Best Power Racks to Elevate Your At-Home Workouts
The core, ahem, force, of the Force USA offering is two substantial 289-pound weight stacks located at each rear pillar. These weight stacks are paired with a 2-to-1 pulley ratio, ideal for athletes seeking to perform cable crossovers, rows, and other cable movements commonly associated with high-quality functional trainers. The sturdy 11-gauge steel construction prevalent throughout the profile provides significant stability during workouts. The robust design is particularly beneficial for maintaining stability during intense training sessions. Additionally, Force USA offers a lifetime structural warranty.
For those looking to make the most of their space, the PRx Folding Squat Rack is our top pick. It provides a solid foundation for a variety of workouts and conveniently folds up toward the ceiling when not in use.
Our Tester’s Take
Our testers were huge fans of the PRx Folding Squat Rack’s small footprint and foldable design, saying that it was the ideal solution for squeezing a home gym unit into a very small space. It’s made with Westside spacing in the bench area, which allows for personalization and easy adjustment, and, in spite of its size, our testers were impressed with its stability and heavy-duty 11-gauge steel construction. When folded, the rack sits just four inches from the wall, which is unmatched in the power rack space. The multi-grip pull-up bar was a great addition, but our testers lamented the required height clearance; in order to properly set up this rack, you’ll need at least 18 inches of space above it so it can fold up properly.
The REP Fitness PR-5000 Power Rack is a fully-customizable, tough-as-nails addition to any home gym. Its huge selection of attachments make it a versatile option for a multitude of weightlifting exercises while its sturdy build and precise construction make it a confidence-inspiring unit.
Our Tester’s Take
While this rack is far from the cheapest option, home gym enthusiasts will appreciate how their dough is being put to use. Our expert noticed the small details immediately, like the extra-strength welding that reinforces the dip bar and the J-cups. These well-considered specs offer the quality and durability you’d expect from something further up the pricing scale. The last thing you want is your power rack wobbling under the weight of your barbell or your bodyweight pull-ups, and we felt 100% safe and secure every time we racked our weights.
That rock-solid craftsmanship combined with the degree of customization had us sold. You can snag extra accessories like landmines, dip stations, and extra safety bars on their own, or let REP do the decision making for you by going with one of the pre-assembled packages designed for entry-level, intermediate, or advanced lifters.
The Titan Fitness T2 Series Power Rack is the perfect pick for lifters who want to add a lightweight, easy-to-build power rack to their setup without draining their entire bank account.
Our Tester’s Take
Lightweight, pared-back, and affordable, this rack was a favorite of our testers simply because it was so easy to use. There’s really not much to it, which might be frustrating for some, but if you’re just getting into lifting, have never had a home gym before, or don’t care about having all the bells and whistles, this rack is a no-brainer—especially for just under $400. Our testing found that the rack’s walk-in design was plenty wide, making side-to-side movement safe and comfortable.
The option to choose between two different heights makes it easy to fit into workout spaces both large and small, and the overall weight and footprint of the rack is manageable for one person to move around on their own. As a heads up, while most of the racks on our list can hold up to 1,000 pounds, this one can only hold up to 700 pounds, though if you’re a 700-pound squatter, you probably already know what you’re looking for in a power rack.
When it comes to power racks, you should always pick one that you’ll actually feel comfortable putting together yourself. This is where the RitFit Power Cage comes in: It’s easy to set up, has a ton of useful attachments, and boasts a beefy 1,000-pound weight capacity.
Our Tester’s Take
Our testers, obviously, were big fans of the set-up process—it was intuitive, safe, and could be done by just one person—even though putting together any large piece of fitness equipment with more than one person is always ideal. The multitude of attachments made our testers feel like they got more of a bargain than other racks in this price range. But if you really want more attachments, more weights, or more accessories, you can get ‘em; this rack comes in five different package options, ranging from minimal to fully stocked. Overall, the combination of price, ease of use, and versatility makes it a great addition to a home gym.
The Garage Squat Cage from Fringe Sport is a versatile power rack that will be clutch for home gym beginners. It offers a comprehensive setup for beginner-friendly exercises like bench presses, squats, and dips, all at an affordable price.
Our Tester’s Take
For a beginner looking to get their home gym set up dialed in from the jump, our testers all agreed that the Fringe Sport Garage Squat Cage was the best pick. The heavy-duty 16-gauge steel is sturdy, the included accessories take the headache out of working out solo (or with your friends), and it only weighs 115 pounds total, so putting it together won’t be difficult, even if it’s your first power rack.