Connect with us

Fitness

The Best Squat Racks Turn Any Living Space Into the Ultimate Home Gym

Published

on

The Best Squat Racks Turn Any Living Space Into the Ultimate Home Gym

Constructed from 3×3-inch 11-gauge steel, the robust frame is customizable to your needs, space, and bank account: Choose from a four-post or six-post base, and 80- or 93-inch rack height, and four rack depth options from 16 inches to 41 inches. Then add adjustable pull-up bars, J-cups, safeties, or a range of attachments like dip bars, lat pulldown systems, and landmines.

One of the features our testers called out was the laser-cut holes on the uprights. These not only allow for easy J-cup placement during squats and bench presses, but they’re compatible with lots of accessories—from REP Fitness and from the brand’s competitors. While REP offers plenty to choose from, that cross-brand compatibility makes your options truly limitless. And while our testers praised the PR-4000’s sturdiness, they also recommended bolting it down for extra stability (or if you don’t want to damage your floor, you can purchase foot extensions).

PRx Performance

PRx Performance Profile Squat Rack

Pros

  • 2 heavy duty J-cups included
  • Easy to assemble and install

Cons

  • Need a ceiling that’s at least 7.5 feet high
  • Have to pay extra for add-ons
  • May feel less stable than traditional squat racks

The PRx Performance Profile Rack’s space-saving design helps you make big gains without sacrificing much living space.

Our Tester’s Take

We get it: Not everyone has the space to erect a monster squat rack in the middle of their apartment, home gym, or even garage. The PRx Performance Profile Rack mounts to a wall, and neatly folds away so you can maximize your floor space. When you’re not using it, it takes up a mere four feet of wall space (about the width of a standard coat closet).

What our testers loved about this particular folding rack was its high-quality design. The sturdy 11-gauge steel frame is comparable to floor-based models on this list, and it can handle an impressive 1,000 pounds of weight. When you pull out the rack downward (which moves smoothly, thanks to hydraulic shocks) and rest the uprights against the floor, the floor bears the weight—not your wall.

This model comes without a bar, but you can add on a standard pull-up bar or a kipping pull-up bar; our testers recommended the latter for its versatility and height (as long as your home or garage has lofty enough ceilings to accommodate it). To fully trick out your at-home squat rack, you can also purchase a wall-mounted flat or incline weight bench.

Force USA

ForceUSA MyRack Modular Power Rack

Pros

  • 20 attachment options
  • Freestanding and bolt-in options
  • Built-in bar storage

Cons

  • Steel is thinner than competitors
  • Attachments are made from inferior materials
  • J-hooks are not included

The customizable ForceUSA MyRack Modular Power Rack starts at a wallet-friendly price and allows users to build on accessories to suit their exact training needs.

Our Tester’s Take

Skimping on cost generally means you’re short-changing yourself when it comes to squat rack features and safety. Not so with the ForceUSA MyRack Modular Power Rack, which our testers claim has the same durability as models twice its price and offers a wealth of add-on features.

While few squat racks can be considered “compact,” the dimensions of this steel-crafted setup make it a solid choice for lower ceiling heights and limited workout space. Even without bolting it down (which is an option), we found it to be stable and sturdy—it actually has one of the highest weight capacity ratings of all the racks on our list. If you’re concerned and don’t want to damage your floor, a quick hack is to further weigh it down with optional plate holders.

For a budget rack, this is also one of the most customizable. Configure your modular base rack with any assortment of 20 attachments—chin-up bars, pull-up bars, safety spotter arms, dip handles, cable crossovers, and even a monolift attachment—so you only pay for what you need, and nothing that will end up gathering dust. You can always add on additional features as needed (or as your cash flow allows).

Major Fitness

Major Fitness All-In-One Home Gym Power Rack F22

Pros

  • Compact all-in-one gym
  • Very stable and durable
  • Easily adjustable to multiple users

Cons

  • Hole spacing doesn’t accommodate third-party attachments
  • 14-gauge steel isn’t as strong as other options
  • Some buyers reported minor damage in shipping

Put your Amazon Prime membership to good use on the Major Fitness Power Rack, a multifunctional machine that doesn’t take up too much space.

Our Tester’s Take

Yes, it’s nearly $1,000, but trust us when we say the amount of features in the Major Fitness Power Rack make this an amazing value for at-home lifts. This 4-in-1 machine includes four training systems and eight free attachments, combining a power rack, cable pulley system, multi-grip pull-up bar, and a 360-degree landmine—which allows you to use it for over 80 different exercises. It’s an entire gym with a footprint under five by six feet (and four built-in storage hooks keep your workout space organized).

Continue Reading