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Best power racks for your home gym in 2024
This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements.
If you have home gym machines, chances are you’ve thought about getting a power rack. This versatile piece of equipment packs a big punch in a small space. Think heavy squats, deadlifts and bench presses with only a barbell and some weight plates.
Power racks overview
Why do you need a power rack? The short answer is it helps you make excellent progress in the three main lifts. The longer answer is having a home gym power rack can help you make remarkable progress in your health and fitness. You’re getting the power of an entire gym in one single piece of equipment. You can do overhead presses, bent-over rows, barbell lunges, Romanian deadlifts and so many other moves with this one addition to your home gym.
So, what is a power rack? Also called a “squat rack,” it’s usually a tall square of metal bars with various attachments or additions, like a bench. The most-used attachment is often hooks, where you place the bar before you load it. This lets you load heavy weights before you try your main lift. Imagine how much heavier you can lift without, for example, needing to haul the weight up from the ground to your upper back for a back squat. Just step under the pre-loaded and shoulder-height bar and you’re off.
How we chose the best power racks
When looking at power racks for a home gym, we took into consideration key factors like construction and durability, size, functionality, reputation of the company, ease of use and more. You won’t find a more thorough home gym power rack roundup anywhere else. Let’s dig in.
Top power racks
- Best for beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar (Pending SAS)
- Best for experienced lifters: REP PR-4000 Power Rack
- Best for budget shoppers: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Best for small spaces: Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack (Pending SAS)
- Best for versatility: Bells of Steel 3×3 Inch Four Post Hydra Rack
Best for beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar
- Affordable with no unnecessary frills that might confuse beginners
- Pull-up bar weight capacity is 450 pounds
- Uprights are heavy-duty and made from a single piece for added stability
About the Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack Pull-Up Bar
If you’re a beginner who’s intimidated by all the intricate-looking power racks out there, this one's for you. This no-frills option is easy to put together (the website boasts 45 minutes or so) and easier to move than other power racks for a home gym we found, weighing in at just 80 pounds. Plus, the pull-up bar is safe for folks weighing up to 450 pounds, so most users will find it more than satisfactory. It also boasts a compact profile and footprint, so if you’re just starting out on your home gym journey and aren’t ready to commit to a larger power rack, this is just right.
You can easily get used to lifting on a rack without needing a lot of experience or space. The J-cups (what holds your barbell as you load it up) are durable and built to the same standard as heavier-duty home gym power racks. It’s even got a few built-in weight pegs, so you can not only store your weight plates but also weigh down your rack at the same time. Want added stability? You can bolt the rack into the floor.
Why we like it
- Easily accessible for beginners to not only put together but use long-term
- Only two uprights means it saves space while still being incredibly functional
- Compact profile and footprint so if you’re just starting to build your home gym, this power rack will fit right in — literally
What to consider
- If you plan to pursue lifting for years, you might need to upgrade in the future
- 2” x 3” uprights are industry standard but might not be compatible with other accessories or leave much room for growth
- Not great for lifting heavy unless you bolt it down
Best for experienced lifters: REP PR-4000 Power Rack
- Optional lat pull-down attachment
- Huge weight capacity of 1000 pounds
- Can customize height and depth to match your space
About the REP PR-4000 Power Rack
If you’re already an experienced lifter, you’ll want a power rack for your home gym that can keep up with your lifts. The REP PR-400 does just that with quality durability, construction, and stability that won’t break the bank. It is pricier than, say, the budget-friendly product we’re about to review next, but you won’t need to replace this power rack any time soon. It’s made from 11-gauge steel and boasts westside hole spacing, meaning the holes are closer together near the bottom and further away near the top.
This power rack is customizable and modular, so it can grow with you as you progress in your lifts. You can purchase uprights and crossmembers (often used for weight storage on your rack) separately so you can fully customize how your rack looks and functions. This is also one of the few home gym power racks we found that’s CrossFit-ready, so you can do your favorite CrossFit exercises at home (just bolt it down first, as a precaution).
Why we like it
- An affordable, high-quality rack that fits most home gym spaces
- Multiple color options are available
- Can be expanded to include weight storage, pull-up bar, strap safeties, etc. as you want to add them
What to consider
- Some reviewers say the accessories aren’t as high-quality as competitors’
- Uprights are only numbered on one side
- The powder coat isn’t completely smooth (if you prefer a smoother finish)
Best budget power rack: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Super affordable at under $275
- Twin support braces boost stability
- Comes with two safety bars that are compatible with Olympic barbells
About Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
Not everyone can shell out more than $1000 for a power rack, but that shouldn’t stop you from securing one for your home gym. Enter the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage. At a modest $275 (of this writing, not including option lat pull-down), you, too, can enter the world of power racks for a home gym. Don’t let the low price point fool you — this rack can hold its own. It’s made with 14-gauge steel, which, while not quite as strong as some of the others on this list, will still help you get the job done.
This home gym power rack is great for people who want a lot of variety in their workouts but have limited space and money to invest. The built-in pull-up bar means you can add that exercise to your workouts, plus the optional lat pull-down and landmine attachments add even more versatility (the landmine attachment is included in the standard purchase, as are weight storage posts). Bonus: the weight storage posts accommodate both standard and Olympic weights for added flexibility. The rack itself is about five feet in height and width and only weighs about 90 pounds, so you can move it around if you need to.
Why we like it
- Versatile, portable, affordable entry-level power rack for people on a budget
- Comes with a few accessories in the standard purchase
- Only about 45 minutes to assemble
What to consider
- Not great for heavy or experienced lifters
- Can’t be bolted to the floor
- Only a one-year warranty
Best for small spaces: Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack
About the Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack
While the Fitness Reality power rack above has a small footprint, sometimes you need it even smaller. Like, folds-up-against-the-wall small. Enter the Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack that retracts and lays almost completely flat, inward or outward, against your home gym wall. This is a key feature when space is at a premium, like if you train out of a backyard shed or your literal garage but still need to, say, park your car there, too. In fact, when stored, it only protrudes 5” into your home gym space.
For such a small power rack, it supports up to 800 pounds of weight, so even heavier lifters can make good use of this equipment. The J-hooks that hold your barbell are coated with UHMW plastic to protect the finish of your barbells. This home gym power rack also boasts 11-gauge steel, making it durable and stable during use. One potential downside is that this rack doesn’t come with safety bars included, so it’s a good idea to purchase the squatter arms if you’re going to lift heavy safely.
Why we like it
- Adjustable pull-up bar included
- Free returns within a year
- Compatible with accessories from Fringe and competitors
What to consider
- Mounting to the wall can be difficult and requires hardware not included
- Depth when extended is 25” which can be too shallow for some
- Wall mounting means it’s not easy to move around your home gym
Best for versatility: Bells of Steel 3×3 Inch Four Post Hydra Rack
- Fully customizable build
- Compatible with other brands’ equipment
- 1” spacing in the bench zone
About Bells of Steel 3x3 Inch Four Post Hydra Rack
The first thing that caught our eye about this power rack for your home gym is that it’s fully customizable. As in, you can pick and choose almost all its details and measurements to find the exact right fit for you. So whether you’re a tall or short lifter, want a different pull-up bar attachment, or even to choose a different color, this power rack has you covered. It’s basically guaranteed to fit any lifter and any home gym space.
Plus, the uprights (vertical steel bars) of the Hydra rack measure what they call a “true” 3”x3”, which is precisely 76.2mm x 76.2mm (most other brands round down to 75mm x 75 mm). So, if you’re a fan of the metric system, you get precise specs. That means you can shop around for the best brand of, say, a dip bar or safety strap that will still fit your home gym power rack. You can’t beat this level of versatility.
Why we like it
- Lots of different attachments from not only Hydra themselves but also compatible with other brands
- 1” spacing (instead of 2”) in the bench zone means experienced lifters chasing even a “small” personal record of adding a single pound to their bench press have more flexibility
- Every Hydra home gym power rack comes with your choice of safety options: pin pipe, straps, or spotter arms — never be afraid to dump a heavy barbell if needed
What to consider
- Some users report shipping can take longer than they’d like
- Must store at least 300 pounds of weight on the back to prevent rocking when re-racking the barbell
- Must double-check that other brands’ attachments are the precise 76.2mm x 76.2mm (rather than the rounded-down “traditional” 3” x 3” that’s 75mm x 75 mm) to make sure they fit
How to choose a power rack
- Preferences/Needs: Obviously, the biggest factor will be your preferences and needs. If you want to lift heavy, do CrossFit exercises, or plan to use your power rack for years, look more at durable and versatile pieces of equipment.
- Budget: Your budget will play a huge role in the home gym power rack you can purchase. While a power rack is an excellent addition to a home gym, don’t go into huge amounts of debt just to secure one; a budget-friendly option is fine.
- Space: Take careful measurements when choosing your power rack for your home gym. Don’t forget to take into account things like the length of the barbell, the diameter of the weight plates, and any additional storage to make sure you have enough room.
Methodology
To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top power racks on the market. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best power racks for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.
FAQ
Is a power rack worth it for a home gym?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. The longer answer is if you’re going to the trouble of building out an entire home gym… then yes, absolutely. There aren’t any other single pieces of equipment in which you can invest that will yield the strength gains of a power rack that — again — enables you to do more than a dozen exercises (with some accessories) in one compact space.
How much should I spend on a power rack?
This will depend completely on your budget. If you have more to spend, do your research (like you did with this article) and invest accordingly. If you have less to spend, go with our recommendation for a budget power rack, the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage. You can always change your mind later and choose a different one or upgrade.
Can I do squats in a power rack?
A power rack is also literally called a “squat rack,” so the short answer is, again, yes! A solid home gym power rack is almost essential if you want to up your squat game. You can do front squats and back squats with ease with a power rack. Trying to get a fully and heavily loaded barbell from the floor over your head or onto your chest (for a back or front squat, respectively) without the benefit of being able to add weight plates once it’s already in place for your lift is almost impossible. Enter the power rack.
