The 9 Best Squat Racks in 2024

Different successful 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).

Professionals

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

Cons

Attachment capabilities are restricted by lack of modularity and area
Security set prices further

Why we picked it: A half rack is a extra compact model of a full squat rack, Artzi says, making it an excellent possibility for a house fitness center as a result of it takes up much less area with out compromising key qualities like with the ability to assist substantial weight. For those who’re largely keen on compound actions like squats, bench presses, pull-ups, and overhead presses, this smaller rack ought to work properly for you. Our tester appreciated 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’ll be able to select between two peak choices and add on a pull-up bar, bench, and plates in the event you like. Our tester can also 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 you realize: The H2 Half Rack isn’t tremendous modular, so it’s not as simple so as to add on a wide range of attachments (past the aforementioned bar, bench, and plates). “For those who wished to have the flexibility so as to add a lat pulldown and low row attachment, you wouldn’t be capable to do this very properly with this rack,” our tester says. As an alternative, try the choices from REP Health and ForceUSA.

Advantages of utilizing a squat rack

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

Squat racks assist a variety of actions, serving to you have interaction totally different muscle teams in a number of methods and preserve your exercises recent and efficient. “A squat rack lets you 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 typically safer to make use of at residence than heavier free weights (significantly if you’re figuring out with a spotter). “With security arms or spotter arms, a squat rack supplies assist throughout heavy lifts, decreasing the danger of damage when lifting alone,” she says.

One other benefit of squat racks is that they assist progressive overload, which means they let you step by step enhance the burden in your muscle tissue to advertise steady power beneficial properties. “Squat racks allow you to [gradually] enhance the weights you elevate, serving to you construct power and muscle over time,” says Artzi.

Particularly, squat racks make it simpler so that you can check your limits or enhance your masses extra safely than free weights on account of options reminiscent of security pins and spotter arms. Squat racks additionally permit for a wider vary of workouts than free weights, which can assist you goal varied muscle teams to progressively overload extra successfully. And squat racks supply a consistency that’s laborious to copy with free weights—you’ll be able to return to the identical setup each time, eliminating variables in your lifts.

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

How you can choose the perfect squat rack for you

With so many squat racks available on the market, the choices may be overwhelming. Earlier than shopping for your rack, listed below are some elements Artzi suggests contemplating:

Lifting targets

For those who’re lifting heavy or plan to sooner or later, Artzi says it’s greatest to put money into a sturdy, mid-range or higher-end rack. This may make sure the rack you select can safely assist your weight targets and gained’t restrict your beneficial properties, since less-expensive racks are likely to have decrease weight capacities.

House

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

Security

For those who plan to elevate alone, says Artzi, you could wish 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

For those who see your self lifting for the long term, Artzi says you could wish 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 power,” she says.

Squat specs

Understanding sure squat rack specs also can make it easier to choose the most suitable choice on your wants.

Uprights are the massive metal posts on a squat rack. They arrive in three customary dimensions: 3×3 inches, 2×3 inches, and 2×2 inches—with 3×3 with the ability to assist probably the most weight safely whereas holding the body steady. Barely smaller are 2×3 uprights, after which 2x2s, that are normally 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 function one in all three customary gap spacings: 2-inch, 1-inch, or “Westside spacing,” a mix of the 2.

Spacing is what lets you regulate the barbell peak 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 reinforces 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 enhance the danger of damage. The hybrid possibility of Westside provides 1-inch spacing within the bench-press zone, the place exact barbell peak changes are most important, 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 elevate, particularly beneath 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 elevate.

How we examined these squat racks

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

Nobody needs to shell out a whole bunch of {dollars} on health gear solely to have it collapse after just a few sweat classes. Sturdiness (and by extension, high quality!) is particularly vital with regards to squat racks as a result of heavy weight lifting may be harmful. Our testers assessed how properly 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. For those who’re shopping for a squat rack, you seemingly plan to make use of it for a wide range of strength-training workouts and wish it to remain protected and efficient for all. So, we appeared for machines that had been suitable with numerous attachments. We took notice of which racks got here with further customization choices, like adjustable peak or depth, the flexibility so as to add a bench, foldability, and extra.

For those who’re shopping for a squat rack on your residence fitness center, area might be a priority. It’s vital to know the precise dimensions of a machine so that you’ll understand it’ll slot in your storage or visitor room. Our testers appeared for machines that may adapt to suit a wide range of totally different areas due to options like adjustable heights, modular designs, and folding functionality.

What’s the greatest kind 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 most effective type of squat rack will depend on your particular wants, area, 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 protected 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 a fantastic steadiness between purposeful and space-saving.”

Folding wall-mounted rack

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

“Squat stands are [often] probably the most inexpensive and compact possibility,” says Artzi. “They’re nice for mild to average lifting and may 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 hard and fast barbell inside a guided monitor, offering further security and management for people who find themselves new to lifting or favor assist throughout workouts,” says Artzi. Nevertheless, she notes that Smith machines restrict the pure vary of movement and aren’t essentially as efficient for constructing purposeful power as the opposite machines on this record.

FAQs

Don’t have time to learn a novella on squat racks? Take a fast peek at our solutions to among the most often requested questions on this standard piece of apparatus as an alternative.

Is it value shopping for a squat rack?

In case your health targets embrace severe power coaching, and also you need to have the ability to have interaction in a wide range of workouts safely from residence, a squat rack could also be an excellent funding. Most racks will allow you to do all the things from squats to deadlifts and past, they usually supply a protected approach to get these beneficial properties with out all the time needing a spotter. Squat racks are typically sturdy as properly, and plenty of can develop with you as you progress in your health journey—all of which implies your preliminary funding seemingly gained’t have to get replaced for a protracted, very long time.

How a lot do you have to spend on a squat rack?

The quantity you need to spend on a squat rack will depend on your finances, area, 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 novices and people brief on area. That mentioned, they sometimes 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 suited to intermediate to superior lifters, providing extra versatility, security options like pull-up bars and security arms, and the flexibility 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 Put up 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 think about when selecting a squat rack?

When deciding between varied squat rack fashions, Artzi says it’s vital to think about your lifting targets in the beginning. For those who plan to elevate heavy, you’ll wish to select a extra premium machine constructed to shoulder the burden. You’ll additionally wish to take into consideration the quantity of area you have got for the machine; some are designed to avoid wasting area, whereas others are extra advanced and can take up fairly a little bit of actual property.

For those who plan to work out alone, you’ll wish to take into account the security options provided by every mannequin, too. And at last, you’ll wish to take your finances under consideration, in addition to how lengthy you see your self using the machine.

How a lot can a squat rack maintain?

The load capability of a squat rack will depend on the sort and high quality of the rack and may range fairly a bit, says Artzi. With that mentioned, listed below are some common pointers, in response to the professional coach:

Full energy rack: Usually holds between 500 to 1,000 kilos, however can exceed 2,000 in some instances
Half rack: Often helps between 500 to 700 kilos, however higher-end fashions might assist 1,000 kilos
Squat stand: Typically 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 industrial 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 assist as much as 1000 kilos

What’s the greatest squat rack for residence?

“You probably have the area and finances, a full energy rack is commonly thought of the only option for many severe lifters on account of its versatility, security options, and talent to assist heavy masses and a variety of workouts,” says Artzi.

Are cheaper squat racks protected?

Artzi says cheaper racks may be protected, however this will depend on just a few elements. For starters, the rack must have the correct weight capability to fulfill your wants. It also needs to embrace security options reminiscent of spotter arms and security bars, and it ought to have a steady base. “Some finances racks can wobble or tip if not correctly designed or if the bottom is just too mild,” says Artzi. “Search for choices that both bolt to the ground or have a large, steady body.”

Associated:

What's Hot

Important Pages: