So, you’re thinking of adding a squat rack to your home gym or starting a home gym with a squat rack as the centerpiece, but you’re not entirely sure where to begin. We get it. Squat rack product pages have a ton of info, and there are a million options to choose from. That’s why this guide exists; we’re here to break down the squat rack basics for you in a straightforward manner.
All the essentials that you need to know before starting your shopping adventure are below – what types of racks exist, what they consist of and why you should have a rack in your home gym. Let’s dive in.
Squat Rack Basics
The Types of Squat Racks
There are a few main types of squat racks – notably power racks, half racks (sometimes called squat racks) and squat stands. Each has their own pros and cons, and each type could be a suitable rack for a home gym. The type of rack you choose will depend on your budget, needs and available space.
Power Racks:
Power racks, sometimes called squat cages, have 4-vertical uprights connected by crossbeams. The front of the rack generally has a pull up bar connecting the uprights. The uprights, coupled with the crossbeams create a ‘cage’ in which exercises are performed. Barbell movements, such as a squat, bench press and overhead press, are often performed in the power rack. Safety pins usually run between the uprights to catch the barbell if it is dropped in a missed lift. Some power racks have additional posts beyond the cage to allow for weight plate storage.
Power racks are typically the most expensive and largest form of rack. They generally allow for the most accessories to be added to the rack and many are modular so you can build out your rack to fit your needs.
Half Racks (or Squat Racks):
Half racks are about half of what a power rack is. Sometimes half racks are also called squat racks, which is confusing because squat racks can also refer to the over-arching category of racks that people squat in (but I digress). Half racks have two vertical uprights that are connected to a U-shaped metal base. The base has a crossmember at the back that provides side to side stability. A metal support or pull up bar may also attach the top of the uprights to provide additional stability and functionality.
Half racks can accommodate safety arms that project off the uprights to provide peace of mind while lifting. Half racks can also be customized with accessories and attachments to increase their functionality. Exercises can be performed within the base of the rack or you can walk further out of the rack to take advantage of more open space.
Although many people assume that a half rack has a significantly smaller footprint than a power rack, our analysis of over 130 racks shows that this is not necessarily true.
Squat Stands:
Squat stands consist of two independent uprights on which a barbell can be placed. Squat stands allow the barbell to be at a desired height for the chosen exercise, without the enclosed structure of a half rack or power rack.
Since squat stands are independent and not attached to each other, they lack in stability. However, they can be stored compactly and are easy to move (particularly if they’re on wheels), which makes them a great option for small home gyms or if you need flexibility in your gym layout.
Squat stands are not compatible with accessories or attachments because they lack the stability to support them. The incompatibility includes safety arms or spotters, which we’ll talk about below.
Wall Mounted Racks:
Recently, wall mounted racks have exploded in popularity as people attempt to pack more equipment into small spaces. Wall mounted racks typically fold away to save space when not in use, but not all wall mounted racks also fold. The uprights of fold back, wall-mounted racks have short crossbeams that attach to a pivot point on a ‘stringer’ mounted on your wall. The stringer is how the rack is anchored to the wall.
Wall mounted racks do not require a base and their uprights can be very close to the wall, meaning that the rack takes up a small amount floor space.
Wall mounted racks are typically compatible with accessories and attachments and can handle when heavy barbells are dropped on their safeties.
The Anatomy of a Squat Rack
Squat and power racks can be intimidating when you first see them. Some are huge pieces of equipment with multiple attachments and components. websites list enough options that it can send your head spinning. However, there are a few main components to be aware of, which are the key pieces that help the rack be considered the centrepiece of home gyms.
Tubing:
The uprights and crossbeams make up the frame, and therefore the tubing, of a squat rack. These are typically made of high-grade steel, described by their steel gauge. The majority of racks will use between 11- and 13-gauge steel, of which the lower the gauge the thicker (and more robust).
The tubing is described by its size (e.g., 3” x3”) and gauge. The main tube sizes found on racks are: 3×3”, 2×3” and 2×2”, as well as their metric equivalents. More expensive, and higher weight capacity racks use 3×3” tubes that incorporate 1” diameter hardware (bolts/nuts) to secure the uprights and crossbeams together.
The height of the uprights is variable between racks. Most racks will be approximately 90” tall. However, you can find taller (108”) or significantly shorter (48”) racks, with some options in between.
The overall footprint of a squat rack is dependent on the length of the crossbeams. Power racks, in particular, will have varying depths of the cage. Small racks will give you 16-24” of depth to perform your exercises, while large power racks may have 40+” of depth. Our full analysis of squat rack sizes assessed the floor space needed for over 130 of the most popular racks on the market.
J-Hooks:
J-hooks are attachments that fit onto the uprights of a squat rack to hold the barbell in place during exercises. Their “J” shape allows them to cradle the bar securely and have the bar ‘racked’ at a set height that corresponds to the exercise you are performing.
The material and design of J-hooks play a significant role in protecting the barbell’s knurling from scratches. High quality J-hooks will utilize UHMW hard plastic that won’t damage the barbell when it is racked. Low quality J-hooks are bare metal and can damage a barbell easily.
Racks generally come with a set of J-hooks included. However, many people will upgrade their J-hooks. Variations in J-hooks are available because they interact with the barbell so often and can alter the set up and safety of a rack. Types of J-hooks include roller, sandwich, or monolifts.
Safety Spotters:
Safety spotters attach to the uprights of a barbell, either within the cage of a squat rack or off the front a squat/half rack. They provide a fail-safe mechanism to catch a barbell if you cannot complete a rep. Safeties, as they are called for short, are typically used in squats and bench press but can be used for many other lifts too.
Safeties attach through the holes on the uprights of your rack, and therefore can be set at different heights to accommodate exercises and different sized lifters. Safeties can save a lifter from heavy weight crashing on them in a failed lift, and they protect equipment from damage due to being dropped.
Pin and pipe, spotter arms and nylon straps are the main types of safety spotters used.
The Power of Squat Racks
The squat rack is the centrepiece of a home gym. It is the most used piece of equipment, strength gains are reliant on it, and it is a safe, versatile piece of equipment. And you should have one in your home gym.
Some people might think that you only use a squat rack for squats. This isn’t true. We have two squat racks in our home gym that are used in every single workout we do – but we only squat in about 1 of 6-8 workouts.
Squat racks provide the backdrop for the essential compound movements that are required to gain strength and muscle mass. The ability to perform countless exercises in a ~15 square foot area is unmatched by individual machines. Additionally, rack attachments can allow you to expand your exercise possibilities to include pretty much anything you could think of.
Simply put, a squat rack is the single most important purchase for your home gym and is the most functional piece of equipment you could buy.
Cost of Squat Racks
Squat racks can fit into nearly any home gym budget. Low end, budget-friendly squat racks can be as little as $200. The upper end of pricing is limitless due to the customization and modular options that many companies offer. It’s safe to say that many people will spend between $500 and $1500 on a half rack in their home gym, while power racks will generally be in the $1000+ range.
Cheap racks are still safe though. Even the cheapest racks on Amazon (or at Walmart/Dick’s Sporting Goods) can handle 600-700+ lbs of weight dropped onto their safety arms. Essentially any squat rack on the market will be safe enough for use.
More expensive squat racks offer higher weight capacities, and generally better warranties compared to cheaper Amazon-type options. These higher end squat racks will also have upright sizing that is more compatible with accessories from other companies, which allows the rack to be built out over time due to the modular nature of racks. More expensive racks may also include laser-etched hole numbers on the uprights, better powder coating or more colour options, and higher quality J-hooks, safety arms and/or pull up bar options.
Budget Rack Suggestions:
- Fitness Reality Power Rack – one of the cheapest power racks available on Amazon, but can still handle 700+ lbs
- VANSWE Power Cage – a step up from Fitness Reality. A great starting point for a home gym
- Bells of Steel Residential Power Rack – moving away from Amazon and to a name-brand rack. This could be a rack you keep forever.
Power Rack Suggestions:
- Rogue RML-390F – a rack you could have forever, without breaking the bank. Plus, it doesn’t need to be bolted down so you don’t have to worry about screwing into your floors.
- TITAN Series Power Rack by Titan Fitness – a 3×3” rack that will be compatible with a ton of attachments. It looks so pretty, especially with the custom colour options.
Half Rack Suggestions:
- Rogue SML-2 Squat Stand – we have 2 of these racks, and we will always stand by them as a great home gym option. For an extra $265 you can add in plate storage.
- Rep SR-4000 Squat Rack – can be built super affordably and comes with some storage built in. 3×3”, 11 gauge steel with 5/8” holes and hardware means it’s a tank and compatible with accessories from every major retailer.
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