The 9 Greatest Squat Racks in 2024

Our fave options: Our tester loves that PRX doesn’t sacrifice sturdiness or stability to make this rack fold so nicely—its top-of-the-line 3×3 uprights are made out of heavy obligation 11-gauge metal, and the metal wall attachments work nicely to maintain the rack agency in place. It additionally makes use of Westside gap spacing, that means it makes use of strategic 1- or 2-inch spacing all through the machine for optimum adjustability. Our tester provides that he’s a fan of the standard end on the machine: “I feel the powder coats are prime notch.”

Different profitable choices: PRX does supply a barely cheaper model that includes 2×3 uprights and an possibility with a kipping bar (which is a pull-up bar particularly designed for the kipping pull-ups generally included into CrossFit exercises).

Execs

Excessive-quality building and finishes
Compact
Two top choices
Lifetime guarantee

Cons

Attachment capabilities are restricted by lack of modularity and house
Security set prices additional

Why we picked it: A half rack is a extra compact model of a full squat rack, Artzi says, making it possibility for a house fitness center as a result of it takes up much less house with out compromising key qualities like having the ability to help substantial weight. In case you’re largely interested by compound actions like squats, bench presses, pull-ups, and overhead presses, this smaller rack ought to work nicely for you. Our tester favored the Rogue H2 a lot that he was tempted so as to add it to his own residence fitness center. “It’s a beast with a small footprint,” he says, in reference to its sturdy 3×3, 11-gauge metal uprights completed with a scratch-resistant powder coat. “I really love this rack.”

Our fave options: You may select between two top choices and add on a pull-up bar, bench, and plates should you like. Our tester can be a fan of how steady this machine is when in use. “I loaded over 550 kilos on it and shook it throughout, and the factor didn’t budge,” he says.

Simply so : The H2 Half Rack isn’t tremendous modular, so it’s not as straightforward so as to add on a wide range of attachments (past the aforementioned bar, bench, and plates). “In case you needed to have the power so as to add a lat pulldown and low row attachment, you wouldn’t be capable to try this very nicely with this rack,” our tester says. As an alternative, take a look at the choices from REP Health and ForceUSA.

Advantages of utilizing a squat rack

Undecided should you want or desire a squat rack? Right here, Artzi unpacks the 4 main advantages of including one to your house fitness center:

Squat racks help a variety of actions, serving to you have interaction totally different muscle teams in a number of methods and maintain your exercises contemporary and efficient. “A squat rack means that you can carry out all kinds of workouts past squats, reminiscent of bench presses, deadlifts, overhead presses, TRX anchor and push ups [or] pull-ups, relying on the rack,” says Artzi.

Artzi says squat racks additionally are usually safer to make use of at dwelling than heavier free weights (significantly whenever you’re understanding with a spotter). “With security arms or spotter arms, a squat rack supplies help throughout heavy lifts, decreasing the danger of damage when lifting alone,” she says.

One other benefit of squat racks is that they help progressive overload, that means they help you step by step improve the load in your muscle groups to advertise steady energy features. “Squat racks allow you to [gradually] improve the weights you raise, serving to you construct energy and muscle over time,” says Artzi.

Particularly, squat racks make it simpler so that you can take a look at your limits or improve your masses extra safely than free weights resulting from options reminiscent of security pins and spotter arms. Squat racks additionally enable for a wider vary of workouts than free weights, which may help you goal varied muscle teams to progressively overload extra successfully. And squat racks supply a consistency that’s onerous to copy with free weights—you’ll be able to return to the identical setup each time, eliminating variables in your lifts.

You may’t beat the comfort of a house fitness center that may truly get you match. “Proudly owning a squat rack at dwelling saves you time and eliminates the necessity to commute to the fitness center,” says Artzi. “You may work out in your schedule with out ready for gear to turn into out there.”

How one can decide one of the best squat rack for you

With so many squat racks in the marketplace, the choices could be overwhelming. Earlier than shopping for your rack, listed below are some elements Artzi suggests contemplating:

Lifting targets

In case you’re lifting heavy or plan to sooner or later, Artzi says it’s finest to put money into a sturdy, mid-range or higher-end rack. This can make sure the rack you select can safely help your weight targets and gained’t restrict your features, since less-expensive racks are inclined to have decrease weight capacities.

House

Some squat racks, like wall-mounted racks, can save house, says Artzi, whereas others embody so many options (like pull-up bars, cable techniques, and low row attachments) that your squat rack turns into a near-total fitness center by itself. Which kind you select could rely on the quantity of room you will have in your house exercise space.

Security

In case you plan to raise alone, says Artzi, you might need to search for a rack with premium security options, reminiscent of spotter arms (which provide you with a spot to soundly relaxation a barbell mid-squat).

Sturdiness

In case you see your self lifting for the long term, Artzi says you might need to future-proof your buy by investing a bigger amount of money on it from the leap. “Spending just a little extra up-front can prevent from needing to improve as you progress in energy,” she says.

Squat specs

Understanding sure squat rack specs also can enable you to decide the most suitable choice on your wants.

Uprights are the big metal posts on a squat rack. They arrive in three commonplace dimensions: 3×3 inches, 2×3 inches, and 2×2 inches—with 3×3 having the ability to help probably the most weight safely whereas maintaining the body steady. Barely smaller are 2×3 uprights, after which 2x2s, that are often discovered on extra cheap machines.

Gap spacing refers back to the distance between the middle of every gap on an upright (to which you’ll add weights and different attachments). Most squat racks characteristic certainly one of three commonplace gap spacings: 2-inch, 1-inch, or “Westside spacing,” a mixture of the 2.

Spacing is what means that you can modify the barbell top to match your particular person wants for workouts like bench presses and squats. The nearer the spacing, the extra exactly you’ll be able to set the bar, which boosts security and helps you higher customise your lifts based mostly in your physique measurement. In distinction, bigger gaps between holes may end up in compromised type and improve the danger of damage. The hybrid possibility of Westside provides 1-inch spacing within the bench-press zone, the place exact barbell top changes are most crucial, and 2-inch spacing all through the remainder of the upright.

This metric impacts the compatibility of attachments, reminiscent of J-cups, spotter arms, dip bars, and pull-up bars. If the attachments’ specs don’t match the rack’s gap measurement, they gained’t match correctly or could also be much less safe. Attachments ought to match snugly within the holes to make sure they don’t wobble or shift throughout a raise, particularly below heavy masses. The commonest gap sizes are ⅝-inch and 1-inch.

Weight capability usually refers back to the quantity of weight the J-Hooks on a machine can maintain, which impacts how a lot you’ll be able to raise.

How we examined these squat racks

Our skilled testers used SELF’s full fitness-testing methodology to charge these squat racks. Listed here are three areas, specifically, we saved in thoughts:

Nobody desires to shell out a whole bunch of {dollars} on health gear solely to have it disintegrate after just a few sweat periods. Sturdiness (and by extension, high quality!) is very vital relating to squat racks as a result of heavy weight lifting could be harmful. Our testers assessed how nicely every product supported totally different physique weights and sizes, and whether or not the rack wobbled or rocked whereas utilizing it.

The ACE issue refers to adjustability, customization, and ergonomics. In case you’re shopping for a squat rack, you doubtless plan to make use of it for a wide range of strength-training workouts and wish it to remain secure and efficient for all. So we seemed for machines that had been suitable with numerous attachments. We took word of which racks got here with additional customization choices, like adjustable top or depth, the power so as to add a bench, foldability, and extra.

In case you’re shopping for a squat rack on your dwelling fitness center, house might be a priority. It’s vital to grasp the precise dimensions of a machine so that you’ll understand it’ll slot in your storage or visitor room. Our testers seemed for machines that may adapt to suit a wide range of totally different areas because of options like adjustable heights, modular designs, and folding functionality.

What’s the finest sort of squat rack?

There are a number of totally different rack types, together with energy racks, squat racks, half racks, wall-mounted racks, Smith machines, and squat stands. “The perfect type of squat rack depends upon your particular wants, house, and health targets,” says Artzi.

Consider this like a squat rack, plus. “A full energy rack has 4 posts, making it probably the most steady and secure possibility for heavy lifting,” says Artzi. “It comes with security spotter arms, pull-up bars, and can be utilized for all kinds of workouts past squats, like bench press, deadlifts, and pull-ups.”

“A half rack is a smaller, extra compact model of the total energy rack,” says Artzi. “It nonetheless supplies security options like adjustable spotter arms and may maintain substantial weight, making it an awesome stability between purposeful and space-saving.”

Folding wall-mounted rack

“A wall-mounted rack can fold up when not in use, saving important house. It nonetheless supplies robust stability when unfolded and may maintain first rate weight,” says Artzi. “Wall-mounted racks are nice for dwelling fitness center setups in tight areas like garages or small rooms.”

“Squat stands are [often] probably the most reasonably priced and compact possibility,” says Artzi. “They’re nice for gentle to reasonable lifting and could be moved round simply. Some squat stands include security arms, however they aren’t as steady or versatile as full or half racks.”

“The Smith machine has a set barbell inside a guided monitor, offering additional security and management for people who find themselves new to lifting or choose help throughout workouts,” says Artzi. Nonetheless, she notes that Smith machines restrict the pure vary of movement and aren’t essentially as efficient for constructing purposeful energy as the opposite machines on this listing.

FAQs

Don’t have time to learn a novella on squat racks? Take a fast peek at our solutions to a few of the most steadily requested questions on this fashionable piece of kit as an alternative.

Is it price shopping for a squat rack?

In case your health targets embody severe energy coaching, and also you need to have the ability to have interaction in a wide range of workouts safely from dwelling, a squat rack could also be funding. Most racks will allow you to do every little thing from squats to deadlifts and past, they usually supply a secure method to get these features with out all the time needing a spotter. Squat racks are usually sturdy as nicely, and lots of can develop with you as you progress in your health journey—all of which suggests your preliminary funding doubtless gained’t have to get replaced for an extended, very long time.

How a lot must you spend on a squat rack?

The quantity it’s best to spend on a squat rack depends upon your price range, house, and health targets, says Artzi. Decrease-budget choices within the $200 to $400 vary—such because the ForceUSA MyRack Modular Energy Rack or the Titan Health T2 Rack—are perfect for inexperienced persons and people brief on house. That stated, they usually have decrease weight capacities and fewer options. Mid-range racks, priced between $400 and $800—such because the Ritfit PSR05 2.0 or the Torque Health Customizable Squat Rack—are higher fitted to intermediate to superior lifters, providing extra versatility, security options like pull-up bars and security arms, and the power to deal with heavier weights. Premium racks, priced over $800—such because the REP Health PR-5000 Energy Rack or the Bells of Metal Manticore Six Submit Energy Rack Builder—present a heavy-duty setup with a number of attachments, good for severe lifters or anybody searching for a sturdy, versatile rack able to supporting substantial weight.

What are some issues to contemplate when selecting a squat rack?

When deciding between varied squat rack fashions, Artzi says it’s vital to contemplate your lifting targets before everything. In case you plan to raise heavy, you’ll need to select a extra premium machine constructed to shoulder the load. You’ll additionally need to take into consideration the quantity of house you will have for the machine; some are designed to avoid wasting house, whereas others are extra complicated and can take up fairly a little bit of actual property.

In case you plan to work out alone, you’ll need to take into account the security options provided by every mannequin, too. And at last, you’ll need to take your price range into consideration, in addition to how lengthy you see your self using the machine.

How a lot can a squat rack maintain?

The burden capability of a squat rack depends upon the kind and high quality of the rack and may differ fairly a bit, says Artzi. With that stated, listed below are some normal pointers, in keeping with the professional coach:

Full energy rack: Usually holds between 500 to 1,000 kilos, however can exceed 2,000 in some circumstances
Half rack: Often helps between 500 to 700 kilos, however higher-end fashions could help 1,000 kilos
Squat stand: Usually holds between 300 to 600 kilos
Smith machine: Usually ranges from 600 to 800 kilos, relying on the producer and mannequin, however some high-end business fashions can deal with 1,000 kilos or extra
Wall-mounted rack: Often helps 500 to 1000 kilos relying on the model and mannequin, however higher-end choices can help as much as 1000 kilos

What’s the finest squat rack for dwelling?

“In case you have the house and price range, a full energy rack is usually thought of the only option for many severe lifters resulting from its versatility, security options, and skill to help heavy masses and a variety of workouts,” says Artzi.

Are cheaper squat racks secure?

Artzi says cheaper racks could be secure, however this depends upon just a few elements. For starters, the rack must have the correct weight capability to fulfill your wants. It must also embody security options reminiscent of spotter arms and security bars, and it ought to have a steady base. “Some price range racks can wobble or tip if not correctly designed or if the bottom is just too gentle,” says Artzi. “Search for choices that both bolt to the ground or have a large, steady body.”

Associated:

Tags: Racks, Squat

Advantages of utilizing a squat rack

How one can decide one of the best squat rack for you

How we examined these squat racks

What’s the finest sort of squat rack?

FAQs

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