Written by Kiel DiGiovanni | Co-founder
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
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Are you in search of the best power rack? Your quest ends here.
We've done the legwork to unveil the best power racks for home gyms.
We chose our lineup of top-rated power racks by evaluating durability, size, adjustability, cost, customer opinions, and expert guidance.
Our list of the top power racks covers a range of criteria too, including overall best power rack, most budget-friendly, best on Amazon, and so on.
Let's see how the top options compare to each other...
9 Best Power Racks
- Best Overall: Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack
- Budget Pick: HulkFit Power Cage
- Premium Pick: Power Systems Sierra Power Rack
- For Small Spaces: Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack
- Amazon Pick: Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack
- Amazon Budget Pick: Fitness Reality Power Cage
- Powerlifting Power Rack: American Barbell Power Rack 48
- Folding/Collapsible Power Rack: Force USA MyRack Folding
- Floor Mounted Power Rack: Fringe Sport Floor Mounted Power Cage
SFS Pick
Force USA MyRack
SFS Budget Pick
HulkFit Power Cage
SFS Premium Pick
Sierra Power Rack
1. Best Overall Power Rack: Force USA My Rack Modular Power Rack
This Force USA MyRack modular power rack, is simply one of the best - and most affordable - racks you can find. It’s backed by a great warranty from a juggernaut in fitness equipment.
The rack is modular, so you increase the rack’s overall footprint and add several attachments. The MyRack is also fairly short so it will be at home in rooms with low ceilings.
The Force USA MyRack modular power rack is fully customizable where you can buy add ons including cable attachments, dip bars, and more. The basic model has a maximum weight capacity of 2000 lb which should be more than enough for heavy weight lifting.
Another perk of the Force USA MyRack is that the 2.4’ square uprights are made of heavy duty 12 gauge steel with Westside spacing.
What’s more, is that the Force USA MyRack comes with a lifetime structural warranty and at a price point that won’t break the bank. Usually available in multiple colors, at the time of this writing the only color available was powder coated black finish.
Pros
- 20 attachment options
- Lifetime Structural Warranty
- 12-gauge steel
- Westside hole spacing
Cons
- Too short for taller users
- No weight plate storage
- No J hooks included
The Force USA MyRack Power Rack is the first truly custom power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 20 attachments...
2. Best Budget Power Rack: HulkFit Power Cage
This HulkFit power rack is an excellent buy for those trying to stretch their dollar, especially if the brand means little to you. This rack features solid construction at just under $300 with 13 gauge steel.
With a 800 lb weight capacity you can add dip bars, a lat pulldown pulley system and multi-grip pull up bars. This is a great power cage considering the price tag.
Pros
- Price
- Features 4 J-Hooks (included)
- 800 lb weight capacity
Cons
- 2-year warranty may be limited
- Pull-up bars add extra height that you may not have
Improve total body strength in your home gym; Strength and conditioning routines include strength, body weight, resistance band, and circuit training...
3. Best Premium Power Rack: Power Systems Sierra Power Rack
If you’ve got the money and the space, this is one of the most premium options. The Sierra Power Rack is full size, bolts to the floor, and is compatible with an integrated lifting platform plate. It also comes in over 20 color combinations.
If you want a top notch commercial grade power rack then this might be for you. The Sierra Power Rack comes with plenty of plate storage, safety bars, pull up bar, J hooks, resistance band pegs, safety spotter arms and Olympic barbell storage.
This is a high-quality power rack that comes with a hefty price but the construction is top of the line with 6 gauge steel!
Pros
- Includes lots of attachments
- Integrated bar storage
- 6 Gauge steel
- Modular to support a range of equipment attachments
Cons
- Expensive
- Oversized – not a small footprint
The Sierra Power Rack is the ideal single, full sized lifting station. This rack is fully customizable with attachments and colors to suit your training...
4. Best Power Rack For Small Spaces: Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack
Look no further than the Fringe Sport Retractable Rack if space is really tight. This rack combines the benefits of a compact half-rack and a retractable rack in one. This wall-mounted power rack comes with an adjustable bar for pull ups, plastic-coated J hooks, and a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
You’ll need to make sure you have the wall space as this one is wall-mounted. The heavy duty 11 gauge steel uprights have a maximum weight capacity of 800 lb and includes Westside hole spacing in the bench pressing zone.
Keep in mind that half-racks don’t support highly dynamic movements. Even so, this rack is a stellar rack for nearly every exercise you can think of. This folding rack is perfect for small spaces as you can stow it away when it’s not being used. Just think, it has more functionality than a squat rack with less of a footprint than a squat stand!
Pros
- Affordable
- Adjustable pull-up bar
- Westside hole spacing in the bench press area
- Incredibly space saving
Cons
- Limited weight capacity
- Minimal attachments
The Retractable Power Rack makes a good addition to any home/garage gym. The rack retracts for easy storage and includes a pull up bar and squat rack. If you're tight on space you can unfold to use and stow away...
5. Best Power Rack On Amazon: Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack
If you prefer to use Amazon to shop for home fitness equipment, Valor Power Rack is one of the most highly rated power racks on the site, and for a good reason: Valor fitness has been around a while, so you know you’re getting quality and durability with this one.
This squat rack comes equipped with a pull up bar, plate storage, cable pulley system and is composed of 12 gauge heavy duty steel.
In addition, it comes with a 3-year frame warranty and two-year cable warranty. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a rack comparable in quality and price.
Pros
- Cable pulley system
- Weight horns
- Affordable
Cons
- Short (< 7’ tall) may hinder taller users
- Weight horns are thinner than normal Olympic weight plates
Whether you are racking your heavy barbell or performing pull-ups, this rack will has your back. It will remain completely still with no...
6. Best Budget Power Rack On Amazon: Fitness Reality Power Cage
If you want a solid squat rack but have limited money to spend and don’t need a bunch of attachments, this is your rack. The Fitness Reality Power Cage is as solid as they come for a fraction of the price.
The standard version has dual pull up bars for overhand/underhand or neutral grip pull ups. The height of this rack can also be adjusted in case you have low ceilings.
It comes with a max weight capacity of 800 lb and has optional attachments like a lat pulldown cable system or weight bench that you’d have to purchase separately. There aren’t many squat racks available that have similar specs at this price.
Pros
- Cheap rack
- Integrated pull-up bar
- Space-saving
Cons
- Low weight capacity
- No attachments included (J cups, storage pegs etc.)
Don't put your safety in the hands of a squat rack that hasn't been tested. Our Squat Rack was ASTM tested at...
7. Best For Powerlifters: American Barbell Power Rack 48
American Barbell is a standard in the strength equipment industry, and this is yet another example of their dedication to the craft. The Rack 48 is the ideal rack for powerlifters who need the space and weight capacity to support heavy, dynamic lifts. Aside from its rugged construction, it is modular to support attachments for traditional strength training.
Power cages like this are built to hold some serious weight while taking up minimal space. The uprights are made of 3x3 11-gauge steel and comes with a bar for chin ups as well as J hooks for your safety.
You can completely customize this for your home gym with add-ons which makes it similar to the Force USA MyRack modular power cage. One downside of this unit is that it must be bolted to the floor for maximum stability.
Pros
- Heavy duty 3x3 11-gauge steel
- Comes in 7’, 7’6”, and 8’ heights
Cons
- Must be bolted to the floor
- Thin pull-up bar
- No weight horns
The American Barbell Rack 48 features 3x3 11 gauge steel and 3/4" hardware, with modular functionality and a wide variety of customization options. Plastic protection on both sides of the J-Hooks helps...
8. Best Folding Power Rack: Force USA MyRack Folding
Force USA makes this list twice with their foldable power rack. This folding MyRack is as good as any full-size rack but is perfect for limited available space.
This is an affordable option for people with limited floor space but still want to lift heavy weights. With a max weight capacity of 2,000 lb this folding rack has a higher weight capacity than many other larger racks.
Force USA gives you the ability to buy add ons such as safety spotter arms, band pegs, dip station or landmine attachment. This home gym squat rack is one of the more affordable options for limited space.
Pros
- 2000 lb weight capacity
- Westside hole spacing
- Supports multiple attachments
Cons
- Does not bolt to the floor
- Doesn't come with safety pins, J cups etc.
The Force USA Folding MyRack Power Rack is the first fully folding power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 10 attachments...
9. Best Floor Mounted Rack: Fringe Sport Floor Mounted Power Cage
Fringe Sport has produced one of the finest and more affordable floor-mounted racks. This floor mounted rack is designed to bolt to the floor for extra stability during dynamic exercises but can also stand free.
The heavy duty steel used in the construction of 11-gauge offsets the somewhat limited warranty, and the additional features make this one of the better options out there. It comes with two pull up bars, safety pins, band pegs and plate storage for Olympic weights.
The sturdy build of this rack would be a great addition to the garage or home gym.
Pros
- 1000 lb weight capacity
- Strength band pegs
- Westside hole spacing in the bench press zone
- Weight horns
- Standard and axle thickness pull-up bars
Cons
- 90” may be too tall for some spaces
- No attachments included
Feeling Kong strong in this beast or attacking it like a Great White going after a shark cage won't be anything strange once you've lifted in it once. Either way, our power cage will...
Top Power Racks Comparison Table
To better visualize the similarities and differences, have a look at this side-by-side comparison:
|
Product Name |
Price ($-$$$$) |
Size (dimensions) |
Warranty |
Weight Capacity |
Attachments Included |
Average rating |
|
$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
Lifetime |
2000 lb |
None |
65 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
2 years |
800 lb |
Dip Bars (2) Multi-grip pull-up bars (2) J hooks |
5,179 |
|
|
$$$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
3 years |
2000 lb |
Chin-up bar Joining bar Plate horns (8) J Hooks (2) Safety arms (2) Bar storage |
0 |
|
|
$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
1 year |
800 lb |
Integrated pull-up bar J cups |
26 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
3-year frame 2-year cable 1-year hardware |
2000 lb |
Pull-up bar Lat pulldown |
449 ☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
1 year |
800 lb |
None |
9797 ☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
Limited lifetime (structural vs mechanical parts differ) |
2000 lbs |
J Hooks |
3 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
Lifetime |
2000 lb |
J Hooks |
11 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$ |
Height: Width: Depth: |
1 year |
1000 lb |
J Hooks Weight horns |
14 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A POWER RACK FOR HOME GYM
There are many factors to consider when trying to get the perfect power rack for your home or garage gym.
1. Size:
A big consideration when choosing from the best power racks is to look at the size of it. Need to save space? Then maybe a folding power rack is the best choice for you.
The average rack’s footprint (height x width x depth) is roughly 86”x48”x50.” So, you’re looking at around a 4 x 4 square foot space.
Footprints vary from full racks to folding racks to premium racks and half racks; so measure the space in your home gym before making a purchase.
Apart from the square footage of the rack, ceiling height can also play a major factor. Thankfully, many adjustable racks are available these days that will allow you to set different heights. As the old saying goes, always measure twice, cut once!
2. Build Quality:
Purchasing a rack should only be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. The median maximum weight capacity for most racks is 1000 lb.
Ideally, you'll want to find a rack built from 2x3 or 3x3 in 12 or 11-gauge steel. The 11 gauge steel is a stronger, more durable option so if you're lifting heavy weights and plan on having multiple users getting their PRs on the rack then this is the choice for you.
Besides the materials used in building the rack, you’ll want to find a rack with standard Westside spacing. This means that the holes towards the bottom of the uprights are closer together than the holes towards the top at 25 and 50mm, respectively.
Last but not least is to look at the warranty. Lifetime is ideal, but most manufacturers offer 2- or 3-year limited warranties. Some warranty coverages often differ across parts – try to find the one that offers a general blanket warranty for all pieces.
3. Price/Budget:
Price is hard to nail down because this is entirely dependent upon your budget and your needs. But, as shown here, you will find a power rack to cost between $400-$1000.
In our opinion, $600 will buy you a truly solid rack then you might have to tack on added costs for weight storage, J cups, dip handles, weight bench, or other add-ons that are sold separately. Keep in mind that many manufacturers offer deals on rack + equipment packages.
For more information on pricing, check out our article that discusses how much a squat rack costs.
4. Difficulty of Assembly:
Based on reviews, assembly of most power racks takes 1-2 hours. This obviously depends on how handy you are, but power racks include only a handful of parts, and assembly is relatively straightforward.
Premium and super modular power racks require a bit more time and tools as they include more parts.
You should expect to spend the better part of a morning assembling and setting up any power rack. Then, grab a coffee and a buddy, and you’ll be doing squats in no time.
Last but not least, some manufacturers will offer assembly options as add-ons if you want to spend the extra money while saving time.
5. Usage:
Most power racks are suitable for use by lifters of all levels. If anything, buy “up” rather than down. We mean that most racks would be fine for a novice, as the features and setup are the same.
What differs is the strength and durability – a serious power lifter should stay away from entry level and half racks. If you're planning on some heavy lifting then you'll want a rack with a sturdy construction with 11-gauge steel.
6. Attachments:
Different racks have options for a variety of attachments or add-ons. Make sure to check the specific model for all the possibilities.
Here are just a few common attachments for some racks:
- Dip station
- Multi-grip chin up bars
- Weight plate horns
- Pulley systems
- Safety mechanisms
- Landmine attachment
- Lever arm attachment
7. Online Ratings:
To find the best power rack on the market you should look for products with social proof. If you come across products that have been purchased thousands of times and the feedback is generally positive then chances are the product is good enough.
You should also take into account the manufacturer's name and brand reputation. Brands that have been around in the fitness industry for a long time are still there because they offer quality products. So this is one factor to consider if you come across a product without tons of reviews.
BENEFITS OF POWER RACKS
The power rack is an indispensable piece of equipment for those who want to take their home gym to the next level. Not to mention, power racks provide much-needed stability and safety for heavy compound lifts.
Let's look at some of the benefits of adding a power rack to your home gym.
1. Stability & Safety:
They offer the stability and safety that is absolutely critical when performing compound movements like the squat and deadlift. Racks serve as your lifting base of operations – they provide the framework to support the bar when not in use.
The safety bars and J hooks provide a structure that will catch you, and your weights, in the event of failure. Just remember that some racks require you to purchase safety bars, safety straps, safety spotter arms or J hooks separately.
2. Utility & Versatility:
Power racks can support various pieces of equipment, like cables and benches, to add a full complement of exercises to your workout routine. The best part about this is most attachments are universal, so you are not limited to buying from a single manufacturer. However, this is recommended to ensure consistency, and the warranty persists.
A good rack is simply a solid base around which you can base other exercises, even those that do not require machines, such as body weight exercises, resistance bands, and cross-functional movements.
3. Adjustability:
The beauty of most racks is that they can adjust to the person using them. All you have to do is insert the J hooks at different heights to match the lifter’s body. Try to find a rack with Westside spacing that’s perfect for the big compound lifts such as bench presses or squats.
Besides adjusting the height of the J hooks, with some racks you can completely change the footprint. A folding rack lets you adjust the amount of space it takes up when not in use; this is a life saver for those short on extra space.
Some racks even allow you to adjust the total height of the cage making it easier to match the specs of your home gym whether you have high or low ceilings. The one downside of these adjustable racks is they may be a little less stable than the fixed racks.
4. Muscle Gains:
This is probably the most significant benefit. Making gains requires consistency and heavy weights, and relying on body weight exercises, or flimsy equipment simply will not help you push harder and heavier.
A good power rack will support the extra weight you need while providing a solid base from which to lift instead of maneuvering a barbell awkwardly around your garage.
SQUAT RACK VS POWER RACK VS HALF RACK
A power rack is a solid, albeit big, investment and not one that should be made without some consideration.
People tend to confuse power racks vs squat racks vs half racks and squat stands, so we tried to cover the major difference below. However, if you want a deeper dive then check out our post, squat stand vs half rack vs full power rack.
Power Rack:
As you’ve by now learned, a power rack is the ultimate piece of equipment for your home gym. It is designed to fully support compound and heavy lifts. In addition, it offers a place to store barbells and weight plates. Most are modular to support a variety of attachments, including cable machines, dip bars, and benches.
As you’ve also seen, power racks can be relatively affordable to super expensive, meaning there’s a solid rack for every budget and need. Usually, the high-quality rack with more weight storage pins and overall functionality will cost you more. However, there are affordable options with a high weight capacity so not all hope is lost if you don't have a big budget.
Half Rack:
A half rack is similar to a power rack but, as the name suggests, it is half the size. The main difference is the upright posts are much closer to each other – half the distance of a full power rack.
The base, however, is the standard length, so a half rack won’t offer much more space-saving weight capacity than a full power rack. Surprisingly, they aren’t often any more affordable than a full rack or squat rack, so the decision to use a half rack is really based on preference.
The main benefit of a half rack is that it provides stability and versatility of a power rack in a smaller size that supports exercises outside the rack. This means more freedom to move around.
Squat Rack:
A squat rack is the most basic rack you can buy. It looks similar to a bench press rack but a squat rack has multiple J-Hooks to support the bar and fixed bar stops to help in the event of failure. These are good options for those who only need a squat rack to perform squats, plus they can be used to support bench presses and overhead presses.
A similar piece of equipment is the squat stand – these are like squat racks but resemble a power rack with only a single pair of vertical supports. These are much more durable than a normal squat rack and generally support multiple attachments. The downside is that squat racks are usually tall so you’d need to consider your ceiling height.
Ultimately, a squat rack may not be worth the investment: they tend to cost as much as a full power rack and are very limited in their versatility.
Power Rack FAQs:
Are Power Racks Worth It?
Yes. If you have the money and know how to use the equipment, a power rack may be the single best investment you can make in your home gym. It will last years to a lifetime with minimal maintenance and should keep you motivated to continue lifting and staying in shape.
How Much Should You Spend On A Power Rack?
A power rack can range in price depending on the construction quality, attachments included, and warranty.
You can expect to spend between $500-$1200 for one made of 11 or 12-gauge steel. Then you might have to add on expenditures for plate storage, safety pins, and other attachments.
It’s possible to purchase one under $500 if you don’t plan on lifting extremely heavy weights.
Who Makes Good Power Racks?
There are a number of manufacturers that produce high-quality racks. In this post you can consider Force USA, Fringe Sport, Power Systems, and American Barbell as a few manufacturers you can trust to deliver a quality product.
Other fitness brand manufacturers that tend to make well-built fitness equipment are Rogue Fitness, Rep Fitness, and Titan Fitness.
Which Is Better, A Power Rack, Squat Rack Or Squat Stand?
If we had to choose, we’d pick the power rack over squat stands or squat racks. Overall, power racks have way more advantages. While you can perform barbell exercises on any of these pieces of equipment, power racks generally allow for more customization options such as cable attachments, pull up bars or landmine attachments.
A squat stand may have a slight edge over the other racks in terms of price and how compact they but they only have one functionality.
We think most people’s training goals would align with a multi-function power rack over a squat stand or squat rack.
Which Is Better A Power Rack Or Smith Machine?
We would go with the rack over the Smith machine any day of the week. Smith machines have fixed bars that usually only move in a vertical direction in a fixed path. Because of this, racks have much more functionality than Smith machines.
The only advantage a Smith machine would have is if you're trying to do exercises to failure or if you wanted only target specific muscles without needing to engage any stabilizing muscles.
What Exercises Can I Do With A Power Rack?
Many of the best strength training exercises involve a power rack. Here's a short list:
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Bench press
- Shrugs
- Overhead presses
- Rows
- Rack pulls
- Pull ups
- Dips (with attachments)
- Pull-downs (with attachments)
What’s The Best Power Rack For A Home Or Garage Gym?
The Force USA MyRack modular power rack is one of the best racks for home use. It is modular, meaning it supports a variety of attachments (sold separately).
This rack is tall enough (87”) for most users but will fit in rooms with lower ceilings (9’). It’s rated at 2000 pounds, and it features Westside hole spacing for incremental adjustments to bench and overhead press movements. And at $400, it’s one of the cheapest racks out there.
You won’t find many racks that are as well built at the same price point.
What’s The Best Power Rack For Low Ceilings?
Ceilings, including garage ceilings, are usually 8’ (96”) or 9’ (108”). Most of the power racks listed are below 96”, but you will absolutely need some extra space for top-mounted attachments like pull-up bars.
At 83.5” tall, the Fitness Reality Squat Rack Power Cage is the best option for low ceilings (8’ or lower), with the pull-up bar. This is also the most affordable rack on our list.
Can I Use A Power Rack On Carpet?
We would advise against using a power rack on a carpeted floor. Depending on how much weight you're lifting and the weight of the rack itself, your carpet is likely to get destroyed under the pressure.
Many home power racks will come with rubber feet that can rest against a hard surface like concrete while some will need to be bolted to the floor.
Last but not least when performing heavier lifts we wouldn't recommend you doing them on a surface like a carpet as it might make you less stable.
Do I Need To Bolt Down My Power Rack?
No, you don’t need to bolt it down. Many of the racks listed are designed to support you and your weights without being secured to the floor. That said, if you plan on using hefty weights or very dynamic movements, you should opt for a bolt-in model. This may require some permanent modifications to your existing floor for a secure attachment.
Summary of the top power racks for home gyms:
In summary, we have listed what we believe are simply the best home gym power racks across various categories.
The market is flooded with high-end, name-brand options, but there are a lot of lesser-known brands that offer equivalent, if not better, equipment. So we scoured the internet and compared the most important specifications, features, and prices.
In terms of what to look for when buying, we recommend 12- or 11-gauge steel and include safety bars and J Hooks. While not essential, attachments will improve the overall utility of your rack, and many include basic attachments, like pull-ups and dip bars.
Finally, consider the warranty – most warranties are pretty good, and a lifetime is ideal. But, 2-3-year warranties are a solid offering.
Ultimately, please keep in mind that you know what you want in a power rack. Our goal was to expose you to some of the better options to keep your muscles – and your wallet – in good shape.
As a final recap, here are our top recommendations for power racks this year:
- Best Overall: Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack
- Best for Budget: HulkFit Power Cage
- Most Premium: Power Systems Sierra Power Rack
- Best for Small Spaces: Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack
- Best on Amazon: Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack
- Most Budget-Friendly on Amazon: Fitness Reality Power Cage
- Best For Powerlifting: American Barbell Power Rack 48
- Best Folding/Collapsible: Force USA MyRack Folding
- Best Floor Mounted: Fringe Sport Floor Mounted Power Cage
More Best Equipment Roundups:
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author