The Best Squat Racks for 2024 — Our Top Picks After 500 Leg Days

The squat rack is the centerpiece of just about every home and garage gym in the world. As such, it should be versatile, durable, useful, and fit the space it will be used in. We have tested countless of today’s best options, putting them through heavy squats, bench presses, pull-ups (when applicable), and a number of other exercises.

Based upon our use, experience, and community input, we’ve compiled the best power rack, half rack, squat stand, and fold-away squat rack for most people—including recommendations for various budgets.

Squat racks are one of the most reviewed pieces of fitness equipment here at Garage Gym Reviews, perhaps only surpassed by barbells, and believe us when we say we know just about everything there is about them. That includes how things like:

• Hole size and spacing: The size and spacing of your rack holes will determine what attachments can be used with the rack. The two most common sizes are 5/8″ and 2/3″ and most holes are spaced 1-inch apart.
• Size: How big is the rack? Is it tall enough that taller people can do pull-ups on it (if it has a pull-up bar)?
• Construction and durability: What gauge steel of is it made of? Is it corrosion-resistant?

Plus, as certified personal trainers and CrossFit coaches, we can tell you what squat rack belongs in your home gym. And as always, we’ll have back-ups based on your budget and space constraints.

The Top 11 Squat Racks for Your Home Gym

• Best Squat Rack Overall Rack: REP Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack
• Best Power Rack Amazon: Major Fitness Power Rack
• Best Budget Squat Rack: ForceUSA MyRack Modular Power Rack
• Best Squat Rack for Beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar
• Best Squat Rack for Small Spaces: Titan T-3 Series Folding Power Rack
• Best Foldable Squat Rack: PRx Performance Profile Rack
• Best Squat Stand: REP Fitness SR-4000
• Best Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar: Bells of Steel Hydra Rack
• Best Customizable Squat Rack: Eleiko Prestera Rack
• Best Squat Rack on Amazon: Fitness Reality 810XLT
• Best Half Rack: Rogue HR-2 Half Rack

Best Power Rack: REP Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack

Good for: Anyone looking for a safe, value-packed squat rack at an affordable price

Best Power Rack

REP PR-4000 Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Heavy duty 11-gauge steel
• 3" x 3" uprights
• Rated for 1,000 lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable, high-quality rack
• Several color options available
• Laser-cut holes and logos
• Uprights are numbered every 5 holes
• Westside hole spacing
• Can be built out to include weight storage, pull-up bar, strap safeties, etc.
• 3x3-inch 11-gauge steel

Cons

• Accessories for the PR-4000 and PR-5000 racks aren’t as good as the competition
• Some of the welds and powder coating aren’t up to par

Bottom Line

The Rep Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack is honestly one of the best value power racks on the market. This rack has garnered excellent reviews from us and others and it's largely due to how great it's features are for the price point. This is still a pretty expensive rack for those on a tight budget and trying to build a home gym, but this is the type of rack you never have to upgrade. Is it better than the Rogue Monster Lite? No, but it is cheaper and very similar quality, although it is imported. We are big fans of the PR-4000 and recommend it.

The power rack I suggest for most people is the Rep Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack. The PR-4000 combines excellent features, unlimited expandability, great quality, lots of customizability, and best of all, a great value. It looks and performs nearly as well as any rack on the market at a price that years ago would seem unfathomable. Dare I say that if you purchase the PR-4000 for your garage gym, it will very likely be the last squat rack you’ll ever buy.

The PR-4000 is made with 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel tubing with 1-inch Westside Hole Spacing through the weight bench zone and is rated at a 1,000-pound capacity. These numbers are standard for this price of rack. One of the things I really like about the PR-4000 is the ability to customize just about every part of it. With multiple colors, height, and depth options you can make this PR-4000 fit your space and training style exactly. Also, you won’t overspend on things you don’t want or won’t use.

On top of the incredible quality of the rack, there is an ever-increasing accessory list that will make it expandable in the future with other gym equipment. You can add free weights storage, a pull-up bar, safeties, and multiple J-cups at the time of purchase to add some versatility to your machine. There are also stabilizing and safety accessories such as the spotter arm, rear base stabilizer, and front foot extensions. When these are added, even more accessories can be piled on, like lat/low row attachment, monolift arms and jammer arms.

Almost any accessory you can think of either is or will be available with this power cage. The Rep PR-4000 has been making a lot of noise in the community, and for good reason—it’s a tremendous value.

Check out my full Rep Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack review here.

(If you want something similar with a bit better quality and is made in the USA at a slightly higher price point, I suggest the Rogue RML-490C Power Rack or the Rogue Monster Series Power Racks.)

Best Power Rack: Major Fitness Power Rack

Good for: Those looking for a high-value and customizable power rack at a good price

Best Power Rack

Major Fitness PLM03 Multi-Functional Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Power rack that includes various attachments
• Cable crossover has max capacity of 300 lbs
• Safety bars support 700 lbs
• 15 adjustable holes along uprights
• Steel shaft pulley
• Comes in red, black, or white
• Comes with cable bar, pin and pipe safety set, J-hooks, landmine, dip bars, T-bar, lat bar attachment, band pegs, and an extra standard barbell holder

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lots of attachments included
• Precision laser cutting and robotic welding for accuracy
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• 14-gauge steel may not be strong enough for powerlifters
• Some reviews reported minor scratches from shipping

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly home gym in the form of a power rack, the Major Fitness PLM03 is a viable option. At under $1,000, this power rack includes a cable crossover as well as various other attachments, allowing this rack to be a compact all-in-one gym. The 14-gauge steel may be too weak for loads from an elite powerlifter, but the power rack should hold up for most consumers.

The Major Fitness Power Rack was one of the most highly-requested YouTube video reviews during my nearly 10 years of home gym equipment reviews, and it’s easy to see why people are obsessed with this Amazon squat rack. It easily blows the countless other options on the third-party site out of the water, and while you can usually get a good deal on Prime we recommend also checking out Major Fitness’, formerly Major Lutie, site as they often give major discounts on their equipment.

It’s a little pricier than similar power cages, but I think the fact that the optional cable system is set behind the power rack. This allows users to squat inside the cage instead of outside like you see on systems like the RitFit Power Cage. It’s also really stable, and my fellow video review Lindsay Scheele gave it a 4 out of 5 because of the reinforcing tabs placed throughout the frame.

The J-hooks have a 1,000-pound weight capacity and the safety bars can withstand up to 700 pounds, so you can go pretty heavy with this budget-friendly power rack.

My one major callout is that while it can hold any Olympic barbell—the width between uprights is 48 inches—the hole spacing makes it so only Major Fitness attachments can be used. If you already have a bunch of those in your home gym this may not be the best choice, but if you’re looking to start a home gym this would serve you really well and save you some money for other equipment.

Myself and Lindsay did a full in-depth Major Fitness Power Rack review to give you our full thoughts.

Best Budget Squat Rack: ForceUSA MyRack Modular Power Rack

Good for: Those on a budget who want a sturdy, safe power rack

Best Budget Squat Rack

Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Extremely versatile
• Use freestanding or bolted
• 100% customizable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Modular and extremely versatile
• Performs well after yeas or use
• Easy online buying process
• Price point on the rack is pretty competitive
• Westside hole spacing
• Features a cable crossover attachment.
• Bar storage built-in
• Numbered uprights

Cons

• Thinner uprights with 12-gauge steel
• Attachments use inferior materials
• Powder coat leaves much to be desired
• Numbers on uprights may fade

Bottom Line

The Force USA MyRack is a modular power rack that features every attachment you can think of in a compact rack designed for a home gym. After using and reviewing the rack over the past two years, we stand behind our initial assessment that it's a good option for those that want a rack with a lot of attachments for not a lot of money. It's not the best rack on the market by any means, but it is a novel solution at an affordable price.

The Force USA MyRack is not only one of the most customizable power racks on the market, but it’s also one of the most feature-filled for those looking for budget home gym equipment who still want a safe rack. I or one of my friends used this rack almost daily for more than a year. Despite the abuse that’s been placed on it and its many accessories (I tested all of them), it still performs as it did the first day I unboxed and assembled it.

When looking for a budget power rack, there are many options available. However, what you’ll find is that most have a low weight capacity, use too thin of steel, lack accessory options, and are frankly, a bit unsafe to use. Seriously, there aren’t many racks on the planet that can compete with the number of accessories the MyRack has, and for the price, the rack excels.

The MyRack excels in that it combines many budget-friendly features like thinner steel and painted-on-hole numbers with higher-end accessories. This provides a rack that should not only last but is enjoyable for even the strongest who train at their home. And, most importantly, you should feel safe while using it.

In use, the MyRack is sturdier than expected. Thanks to the lower and upper braces, the MyRack sways very little side to side when racking and re-racking weight. Although it would definitely benefit from being bolted to the floor (as all racks would) it isn’t completely necessary. You can purchase optional plate holders for rather cheap to weigh it down.

Read my full Force USA MyRack review.

(For another cheap power rack, check out the Titan T-2 Power Rack.)

Best Squat Rack for Beginners: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar

Good for: Those looking for a basic squat rack at an extremely affordable price

Best Squat Rack for Beginners

Fringe Sport Squat Rack with Pullup Bar

GGR Score: 4.3

Community Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Priced under $300
• Free shipping
• Has a pull-up bar

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced under $300
• Accessories more affordable than those from other brands
• Free shipping
• Comes with a pull-up bar
• Great customer service

Cons

• 2-in x 3-in 12-gauge steel
• Spotter arms sold separately
• One-year warranty

Bottom Line

This is an affordably priced power cage that comes with a pull-up bar.

The Fringe Sports Garage Series Squat Rack is a cheaper, more basic squat stand than our other picks, but it works. Coming in at about $299 and with considerably cheaper accessories, this is the ideal stand for the budget-minded trainee.

Add to that the free shipping that is consistently offered at Fringe Sport, and you have a great bargain.

Now that you have heard about the terrific price, you are probably wondering about safety and quality. The Fringe Sport is made with 2-inch-by-3-inch 12-gauge steel which, though lower quality than the previously mentioned stands, is more than enough strength for virtually any garage gym (if you’re a powerlifter, I wouldn’t suggest a squat stand anyway).

It comes with a pull-up bar, and dip horns and spotter’s arms can be bought separately. I suggest both, and if you’re going to bench, please do not do so without spotters’ arms. The main thing that you want to be aware of when looking at more budget-friendly exercise equipment is the safety factor. If you spend less money, does the quality of the equipment go down so far that it is no longer worth the purchase? In the case of the Fringe Sport Squat Rack, the answer is no. There are available spotter arms, J-cups, high-quality steel, and sturdy construction that make this not only a budget-friendly rack but also a safe one.

(Another cheap squat stand is the Cap Barbell stand on Amazon; I’ve used it and tested it, but I’m not crazy about its limited weight capacity and overall construction.)

Best Squat Rack for Small Spaces: Titan T-3 Series Folding Power Rack

Good for: People in small spaces looking for an affordable power rack

Best Squat Rack for Small Spaces

Titan T-3 Fold Back Wall-Mounted Squat Rack

GGR Score: 4.5

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Foldable rack
• 2" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Includes pull-up bar

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced under $500
• Free shipping
• Two heights to choose from
• Folded, it only takes up 5 inches of space from the wall
• Westside hole spacing

Cons

• One-year warranty
• Customer service isn’t the greatest
• Although shipping is free, it is sometimes problematic

Bottom Line

The T-3 Folding Rack from Titan is the best-priced fold-away rack currently on the market.

The Titan T-3 Series Folding Power Rack is a well-liked squat rack in the community. It uses the same steel and hardware as Titan’s other great racks, but this adds in the ability to fold the rack away when not in use. This type of rack has become extremely popular and for good reason: it simply works extremely well and can be done at a good price point.

RELATED: Titan Fitness T-3 vs. Rogue Fitness R-3 Power Rack

The T-3 Folding Rack from Titan is the best-priced fold-away rack currently on the market. They aren’t the only company making this style of rack, in fact, there are others that likely have the same rack made in the same factory as Titan (see the Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack as an example).

RELATED: Titan Fitness Coupon Code

Although I’m a fan of American manufacturing and have had issues with Titan’s shipping and customer service in the past, it’s hard to not be enticed by the price. The T-3 Folding Rack will get the job done if you’re on a budget, no doubt.

Best Foldable Squat Rack: PRx Performance Profile Rack

Good for: People seeking a very easy-to-use foldable squat rack

Best Foldable Squat Rack

PRx Profile Squat Rack

GGR Score: 4.3

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Folds to save space
• Easy folding with hydraulics
• Ability to add a kipping bar

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Hydraulic system folds rack
• Incredibly easy and convenient to use in a garage
• Durable at upward of 600 pounds
• Option to add a kipping pull-up bar

Cons

• Priced around $900
• Uses 2-inch x 3-inch steel
• 3×3 steel only available on upgraded product

Bottom Line

The PRx Performance Profile Rack is a great option for those looking for a space-saving option that is easy to use.

A fold-away rack is only worth having if you actually fold it away. Unfortunately, due to the number of adjustments required, most fold-away racks never actually get “folded away.” That is not the case with our top pick. The PRx Performance Profile Rack is by far the best fold-away rack on the market.

This is the most convenient and easy-to-use fold-away squat rack I’ve tested. If you have the money, I definitely recommend it over some of the cheaper, swing-style racks. Featuring an easy-to-use fold-up design that is made possible by hydraulics, you’ll have no issue parking in the garage and still having a full-fledged garage gym.

After being on Shark Tank (and getting an offer), PRx Performance has taken off and created a myriad of other pieces of equipment, although the Profile Rack is by far my favorite. I suggest the Profile version for most due to the lower price point, although the Pro Version with 3-inch x 3-inch steel and laser-cut whole numbers is a joy to have if you have the money in your budget.

This rack’s stability, foldability, and overall usability make it an even better rack for most people seeking a collapsible rack. The price is a bit high at around $900 (depending on which model you get). Although the components used in the PRx Racks aren’t superior to those used by Rogue and others, what separates them is the patented fold-away system. No other rack on the market folds away as easily and simply as PRx Racks, and they’ve literally built their entire business on this element.

The PRx Racks have the option to come with no pull-up bar, a standard pull-up bar, or a kipping pull-up bar. I would definitely suggest the kipping pull-up bar for its versatility and height. And, despite the racks not being secured to the floor, they are incredibly stable.

I loaded up over 600 pounds on the rack and it didn’t even budge during unracking and re-racking. The same goes for when the pull-up bar is used. Whether my dainty wife or 300-pound friend is using it, they enjoy the same rock-solid experience.

Read my full and in-depth PRx Profile Squat Rack review.

(If the Profile Rack is a bit out of your price range, I suggest taking a look at the Rogue RML-3WC Fold Back Wall Mount Rack.)

Best Squat Stand: REP Fitness SR-4000

Good for: Those looking for a high-quality, free-standing squat rack

Best Squat Stand

REP SR-4000 Squat Rack

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Compatible with most REP 4000 attachments
• No need to bolt down

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1,000-lb weight capacity
• Doesn’t need to be bolted
• J-cups and pull-up bar included
• 1-inch hole spacing through bench area

Cons

• No height option shorter than 96″
• Not the most compact squat stand
• Moves a little bit during kipping pull-ups

Bottom Line

For a little more than $500, this squat stand has a lot to offer: A 1,000-pound weight capacity, one-inch Westside hole spacing through the bench area, and included J-cups and pull-up bar.

Squat stands are not known for being the most stable piece of home gym equipment, but the REP Fitness SR-4000 features a flat foot base that eliminates that concern. This not only eliminates the need to bolt it into the ground, which some people may not be able to do, but also gives you peace of mind during heavy squat sessions or pull-ups. Some reviewers said the stand moved a little bit when doing kipping pull-ups or muscle-ups but it wasn’t anything to be concerned with.

For a little more than $500, this squat stand has a lot to offer: A 1,000-pound weight capacity, one-inch Westside hole spacing through the bench area, and included J-cups and pull-up bar.

The SR-4000 is essentially an imported version of our previous pick for best squat stand, the Rogue Fitness SML-2. They’re about the same price but REP offers free shipping so you end up saving a little, and we found that the SR-4000 was a little more stable during lifts and pull-ups than the SML-2.

Our major callout with this squat stand is that it has quite a large footprint and may not be the best choice for those training in compact home gyms.

See my full REP SR-4000 squat rack review.

Best Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar: Bells of Steel Hydra Rack

Good for: Home gym owners looking for a high-quality rack at a good price that comes with a pull-up bar

Best Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar

Bells of Steel Hydra 4-Post Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Fully customizable
• Free shipping and 30-day money back guarantee
• 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Limited lifetime warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fully customizable
• 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Choose your own height and depth
• 5/8" holes with 1" and 2" spacing
• Compatible with a number of attachments
• Free shipping
• 30-day money back guarantee

Cons

• Add-ons quickly increase price
• Only attachments made precisely for 76.2mm x 76.2mm uprights will fit
• Assembly may be challenging to do alone

Bottom Line

The Hydra Rack is a great option for home gym owners looking for a fully customizable rack from a trusted brand.

For a fully customizable rack where you can choose even the type of pull-up bar you want, the Bells of Steel Hydra Rack is close to unbeatable.

We love the rack-builder design that Bells of Steel (along with several of our other favorite brands) employs. When looking at the Hydra, you can choose from a classic four-post design, flat-foot design, six-post design, and folding design. There are also squat stands and half racks in the Hydra series.

A staple of the Hydra build is a 3-inch-by-3-inch, 11-gauge, powder-coated upright with laser-engraved numbers next to 5/8-inch holes. In other words, the *chef’s kiss* of power rack construction. Once you choose your style, you can customize how tall the uprights are and how deep the cage goes.

Then, you have your choice of pull-up bars: a straight pull-up bar, an adjustable pull-up bar, a double bar, a multi-grip bar, or a globe bar. Other customizations include safeties, J-cups, and attachments like adding a lat pulldown.

The downsides to all the customization is that the more you add on, the more expensive the price tag. Also, the more you add, the more complicated (and heavy) the assembly might be.

Best Customizable Squat Rack: Eleiko Prestera Rack

Good for: Those wanting to customize the ideal rack and ecosystem for their gym space

Best Customizable Rack

Eleiko Prestera Rack

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Product Highlights

• Fully customizable rack and attachment ecosystem
• Can build off of rack build with platforms, cable systems, and more attachments
• Available in powder-coat finish or stainless steel
• 3-mm thick steel used
• 70mm x 70mm uprights

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Can be fully customized to fit your space and needs
• Quality build
• Stainless steel or powder-coat finishes
• Option to add platform, cable system, and other attachments
• Customizable colors

Cons

• Not a common upright size
• Expensive

Bottom Line

Eleiko markets their Prestera racks not as a power rack, but as a modular strength system, due to the seemingly limitless customization options available to you. Starting with a power rack, half rack, or other setup, you can then add platforms, cable pulleys, storage shelving, and other attachments to fit your fitness goals, needs, and floor space. Although it can get pricey, the Eleiko Prestera can be built out for personal or commercial use.

A lot of squat racks and power racks can be customized with the number of posts, height, and depth, but none get to the level of customization of the Eleiko Prestera Rack. Most people who look at the Prestera shouldn’t be thinking about where to put just another squat rack; instead, you’re purchasing a centerpiece for your gym.

Starting off with a type of modular rack—power rack, half rack, double rack, and other options—you can then customize it to fit your needs and space. You can adjust the dimensions, as well as adding storage systems, lifting platforms, cable systems, and other rack attachments. Racks can be extended for an entire collegiate gym, or remain compact for a compact garage gym.

RELATED: Best Home Gym Storage Solutions

The Prestera racks have the same quality build of other Eleiko products. The steel used is 3 millimeters thick, which is about the same thickness as 11-gauge steel. The uprights are 70 millimeters by 70 millimeters, and can have either a powder coating or stainless steel finish.

RELATED: Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Bar Review

Eleiko recommends the pricier stainless steel option for sliding attachments, like a cable pulley system. However, the powder coating can be customized with multiple color options. The upright sizing isn’t a common size, which means you’re less likely to already have compatible rack attachments for the Prestera.

If you know Eleiko, you know this premium rack will be expensive, too, with most racks starting at thousands of dollars. However, if you’re looking to build the power rack and attachment ecosystem of your dreams, the sky’s the limit with the Prestera Rack. You can get submit a request for a custom proposal to get started, and Eleiko will walk you through the many, many options available.

Best Squat Rack on Amazon: Fitness Reality 810XLT

Good for: Folks looking for reliable shipping and an affordable price tag

Best on Amazon

Fitness Reality 810XLT Squat Rack

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Rated for 800 lbs
• Comes with weight storage, landmine attachment, and spotter arms
• Priced under $300
• 1-year warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Compact
• Comes with a number of attachments
• Extra long spotter arms included
• Fairly sturdy
• Has a pull-up bar

Cons

• Short 1-year warranty
• Rated for 800 lbs

Bottom Line

The Fitness Reality 810XLT Power Rack is a good option for those looking for an affordable, durable squat stand with lots of extra attachments included.

If you’re looking for the best budget home gym equipment on amazon, the Fitness Reality 810XLT is one of the best places to start. For under $300 you’ll have a sturdy place to squat, bench, overhead press, and perform pull-ups on the pull-up bar cross section. 

While the price tag may have you questioning quality, our tester says the 2-inch-by-2-inch 14-gauge steel uprights offer a durable foundation for walking squats back into the rack. It’s also worth noting the holes are 1-inch in diameter with 1-inch spacing, which will allow you to explore some universal power rack attachments. 

Additionally, the Fitness Reality 810XLT offers an 800-pound weight capacity and comes with a landmine attachment, spotter arms, and weight storage. You can buy a lat pulldown attachment for this rack through Fitness Reality or Amazon. You’ll also find multiple spots with band pegs for accommodating resistance. 

The Fitness Reality 810XLT footprint is ideal for small home gym owners, taking up about 4-square feet of space. Keep in mind it’s over 6 feet tall, so it may not work in basements or garage gyms with low ceilings. To read more about our hands-on experience, check out our Fitness Reality 810XLT review.

Best Half Rack: Rogue HR-2 Half Rack

Good for: Anyone looking for the best squat rack under $1,000

Best Half Rack

Rogue HR-2 Half Rack

GGR Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• Great storage capacity
• No need to bolt down
• Has a pull-up bar

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Doesn’t have to be bolted to the ground
• Extremely stable
• Customizable height options
• Has a single “skinny” pull-up bar
• Priced around $800

Cons

• Base is made of weaker steel
• Pin safeties cost extra

Bottom Line

The Rogue HR-2 Half Rack is one of Rogue's best-reviewed squat racks. It's a great rack that can fit anywhere, doesn't have to be bolted down, is still very stable, and has a majority of the abilities of a more expensive and bulkier rack like the ever-popular Rogue R-3 Power Rack.

The Rogue HR-2 Half Rack takes one of my favorite squat stand, the SML-2, and adds two additional uprights along with storage pins for plates to create my top pick for the best half rack. A half-rack feels awesome to train in due to its open nature. Add in some spotter’s arms and you’ll be able to perform the majority of lifts you would be able to in a full power rack rather safely.

The Rogue HR-2 Half Rack is one of Rogue’s best-reviewed squat racks. It’s a great rack that can fit anywhere, doesn’t have to be bolted down, is still very stable, and has a majority of the abilities of a more expensive and bulkier rack like the ever-popular Rogue R-3 Power Rack.

Rogue only has two half-racks in their arsenal, and the Rogue HR-2 Half-Rack is the better value. If you have the Monster Lite Series Squat Stand, you only need a $270 conversion kit to turn it into the HR-2, which is a great option that will add plate storage and greatly increase the stability of the rack.

The first difference you will notice is that the upright steel is a little less robust at 2-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge rather than the 3-inch-by-3-inch you might see in the other racks, but the base of the machine has 3-inch-by-3-inch measurements. Other than that, the quality of this rack matches any other half rack on the market and is highly customizable and versatile. It is considered “Monster Lite,” so while most of the Monster Lite accessories can be used, it will not have the same number of options as the HR-5000 or the Monster Collegiate.

The height of the HR-2 is customizable, it boasts Westside hole spacing throughout, and the rack’s footprint is 49 inches x 48 inches. As far as the quality and options for the price, you cannot beat the Rogue HR-2. The professional quality and look Rogue is known for is just as present in this rack as its others. If you’re wanting to spend less than $1,000, but still want a high-quality half-rack, then this is the one I recommend.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Squat Racks

Here are a few of the criteria we used to narrow down our picks for the best squat racks.

Stability

Could the squat rack remain stable in use, and when heavy amounts of weight were placed on it? If not, it was a no-go in our book (for obvious reasons).

Versatility

We wanted to look at how many attachments each rack could work with, whether it had any additional features (such as a pull-up bar), and how many different strength training routines it could be used for (weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, etc.).

Price

We wanted to offer a mix of high-end racks, as well as budget-friendly options that still performed very well.

Space

A squat rack is going to take up a good amount of space, but it should still allow you to walk comfortably around your home gym and leave room for other equipment.

Quality

The squat rack is sort of like the Thanksgiving turkey, and in both cases only the highest quality will do. This means finding squat racks that are not only durable but also look good and won’t chip easily.

Benefits of Using a Squat Rack

Squats are one of the best exercises you can do for overall strength and power building. A dumbbell squat is great, but a barbell squat and other barbell exercises can be even better. However, a squat rack is used for much more than simply squats. And there are a number of reasons to consider buying a squat rack:

Safety

Above all, my favorite thing about quality squat racks is that they help make exercise safe. When lifters are moving hundreds of pounds, whether they are new or veterans, it’s imperative to be safe. Doing bench press or squats alone could leave you in a bad spot if you fail a lift. A squat rack with safety bars keeps the weight from crushing you – literally.

Versatility

It’s called a squat rack, but you can perform a large number of exercises just with the uprights and J-hooks: front squats, back squats, overhead squats, overhead presses, bench press, weighted good mornings, just to name a few.

However, some of the top squat racks on the market have a large number of attachments to add even more exercises. There are dip bars, cable attachments, land mines, lat pulldown add-ons, pulley systems, and more. Your power rack could essentially be a complete home gym if you are willing to spend the money.

Adjustability

For nearly every human being, there is a setting on most squat racks that should work for you. The holes in the uprights house the J-hooks, which are adjustable for your height. Therefore, you can put your Olympic barbell at whatever height you need. Some squat racks actually have uprights that feature adjustable heights, though these aren’t typically as sturdy.

Gains

Let’s face it: You’re looking at buying a squat rack because you want to get stronger. You can safely add more weight to the bar when it’s racked because of common sense. If you have to pull a bar off the floor, clean it to your shoulders and then put it on your back, you won’t be able to have as much on the bar as if you have to simply take it off the rack.

What to Look for in a Squat Rack

Some of the best power racks can cost in the thousands-of-dollars range. So spend your money wisely by factoring in the following:

Style

Do you need a power rack (which is like a cage), a half rack, a squat stand, or a rack that folds? Each style has its benefits.

Power Rack

For most people, the best squat rack type I suggest is the power rack, thanks to its availability, versatility, and most importantly, its inherent safety features. The power rack, also known as the power cage, is our most often recommended squat rack. It sort of looks like a big box you stand inside when lifting the barbell. But those four posts make it the safest option, as well as giving it the most versatility.

Half Rack

A half rack is essential, as the name suggests, half a power rack. Despite the half-rack being less safe than a full power rack, it’s still extremely popular due to its open nature, lower price, and space-saving ability. Also, the half-rack still has a higher level of safety than, say, a squat stand. I’ve used and tested many different half racks at all different price points.

Squat Stand

Squat stands are free-standing squat racks that don’t necessarily need to be bolted to a wall or the floor (though in some cases, it may be recommended).

Although squat stands have been around for a while, in recent years they’ve begun getting quite popular thanks to their increased instability and addition of a pull-up bar. There are many squat stands available, but we’ve found this particular product category to be fraught with ultra-cheap products that are unsafe and not enjoyable to use.

Fold-Away Squat Racks

Fold-away squat racks are a newer type of squat rack that has cropped up due to the large number of people starting garage gyms. In most cases, they’re as sturdy, if not sturdier than power racks. Although they often only have two posts, they have a lot of customization options available and there’s a variety of different ways that the rack fold-away. All of this said the most legitimate reason to have a fold-away rack is that you want to park your car in the garage.

Weight Capacity

Look, most of us are only going to have a few hundred pounds on the rack at one time. And most racks are weighted for 500+ pounds. But, if you’re superhuman, you can find racks out there that are weighted for upwards of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. Also, if you do lift heavy, even if you don’t lift THAT heavy, you might like the peace of mind knowing that the rack won’t wobble when you’re unracking or re-racking the weight.

Safety Features

I think I’ve said safety about a billion times already in this article. But I’ll say it again: SAFETY. If a rack doesn’t come with an option for safety bars, pins, or straps of some sort, I have to question its safety. And your sanity.

Injuries are avoidable if you use the safety features, so take advantage of them! Most racks will charge you extra for the safety mechanisms, but I’m willing to bet that they are far cheaper than a hospital bill for a mistake made during bench pressing.

Price

Racks can be just a few hundred dollars or upward of $2,000. You can easily find budget options, but keep in mind that something incredibly affordable is also probably not the highest quality. I don’t recommend many racks for under $300 for that reason.

And, of course, the price of your rack will go up with the more attachments you want to add to it. Many racks can multi-function as a home gym once you start putting the add-ons in your cart. I recommend setting a budget ahead of time before getting lost in the accessories.

Footprint and Portability

Power racks tend to take up a considerable amount of space, both on the floor as well as floor-to-ceiling. Your typical power rack – which is like a cage, for lack of a better description – will be around 4 feet by 4 feet. That’s 16 square feet of real estate on your garage floor. Half racks and squat stands will take up even less room, and a foldable rack will literally fold into your wall.

Also, consider that the bigger racks should be either mounted to the wall or bolted to the floor, so those aren’t moving at all. If you have a platform for deadlifts or the Olympic lifts, you may want to position the rack in conjunction with the wood. A squat stand, however, might be more portable.

Construction

In the world of heavy-duty squat racks, 11-gauge steel is pretty much the standard. Now, that’s a heck of a lot stronger than most of us really need from the metal on a squat stand, but your best racks are going to use it. You can still have a perfectly good rack that uses 12-gauge or higher (which is actually lower-grade steel). But if you’re looking at durability, 11-gauge is a good place to starting place for heavy-duty steel.

There are some other specifics to get into, like the hole spacing. Industry-standard is Westside hole spacing, which means that near the bottom of the rack, the holes are closer together (25mm) and near the top of the rack, the holes are spaced about 50mm apart.

Also consider that some racks have the holes numbered, either through etching in the steel or with stickers. This is incredibly convenient when it comes to placing the J-hooks for squats or bench, as well as placing safety pins or other attachments.

Attachments

The list here is pretty endless, but I’ll give it a shot. Most notable brands offer some sort of power rack attachment, so your rack doubles as, well, just about anything else. You can find attachments or add-ons for:

• Dip stations
• Cable attachments
• Landmines
• Lat pulldowns
• Flywheels (yes, flywheels)
• Various pull-up bars, like multi-grip pull-up bars
• Band pegs
• Utility seats
• Gymnastics rings

Storage

If you’re using a barbell, you’re using weight plates. Maybe even bands and chains and all the fun extras that add variety in your strength training. Some rack stands come with weight storage options, both for plates and your barbells.

Squat Rack Buying Guide Video Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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