The Best Power Rack – Guidance & Reviews

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Whether you are not motivated enough to reach the gym or you cannot afford wasting time driving back and forth, having your power rack at home might be the ideal option. It allows you to perform complex workouts from the comfort of your own home, but also to enjoy your workouts while playing music or watching television. Choosing the best power rack can be a bit challenging though, especially if you are new to such equipment.

There are certain things you need to know before investing in one, as well as the most important considerations when looking for a power rack. Furthermore, it is highly recommended to go with a highly rated product.

Product namePriceRating
810XLT is ranked #1

810XLT

View Lowest PriceRead our review
PowerLine is ranked #2

PowerLine

View Lowest PriceRead our review
 BD-7 is ranked #3

BD-7

View Lowest PriceRead our review

Reasons to Invest in a Power Rack

Safety

Safety is extremely important when you train by yourself. After all, if you have been to a gym before, you have seen people training with a spotter – that person waiting to grab weights and help in case the one working out feels like failing.

Luckily, power racks eliminate this necessity. They come with plenty of safeguards to finish your exercise safely, without dropping weights. Generally speaking, the more safeguards you have, the more intense your workouts can be. Also, you can perform many more types of exercises.

Confidence

Power racks are also responsible for great peace of mind. When you know that you are in good hands, your confidence inevitably grows and allows you to perform deeper movements and handle heavier weights. Knowing that the safeguards will catch the weights if you fail will give you enough confidence to push your workouts even more.

Add extra weights, push yourself or allow an extra repetition because you know for a fact that you will not end up trapped under a barbell.

Diversity

The best part about power racks is the fact that you can perform complex exercises for pretty much any part of your body – literally. You can do abs exercises, as well as exercises for the lower part of your body or the arms. The back and core are not to be overlooked either. You do not require a sophisticated rack either. No matter how basic your models are, you will most likely find a series of exercises to perform.

Look up online and organize your workouts efficiently – spend a day on the upper body, another day on the lower body and so on.

Extras

A power rack is a frame with some tension parts that allow you to perform all kinds of exercises. Different power racks come with various features and parts. The good news is they allow a deep level of customization. You can always add more parts, bells, and extras, depending on what kind of exercises you want to perform.

From this point of view, it might be wiser to just invest in a basic rack with just the right tools, then invest in small extras as you gain experience, strength, and confidence.

Convenience

Imagine coming back home after a long day at work. You have dinner, and you feel full already. You feel like sitting down, rather than changing clothes and driving to the gym. By the time to get there, that little motivation is already gone.

Having everything in your home makes it much easier. Change your clothes and exercise while playing your favorite music or watching a television show. It saves you time, and it simply makes everything much more convenient. You are more likely to do it like this than go to a gym after a long day at work.

Space Efficiency

Power racks can be quite large and bulky. It depends on several factors. The basic ones are relatively skinny and can fit into any room. You can fit one inside your basement or even your bedroom. Also if you want a sophisticated model with plenty of extras, you can still install it pretty much anywhere. Is space a problem? You can even get a good power rack, yet you might need to move it around, disassemble and assemble it again.

It is not the most fortunate case, but it is an option if your space is limited.

Full Workouts

There are no doubts about it – a power rack will be able to provide full body workouts. Most people imagine basic fitness movements for each body part, but it can go way further than that and provide sophisticated training solutions.

Some of the most common exercises you can perform with the best power rack include:

  • Bench presses
  • Rack Pulls
  • Barbell shrugs
  • Inverted Rows
  • Barbell curls
  • Dips
  • Hanging knee or leg raises
  • Cable Rows
  • Triceps push downs

And the list can go on forever. There are lots of tutorials online to discover new exercises to perform with a power rack.

Now that you know what you can get from one, what do you need to pay attention to when going shopping?

What to Look for in a Power Rack?

Sizing

Power racks come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The best power rack for some people may not necessarily the best power rack for you, hence the necessity of some research. There is no such thing as a standard size between manufacturers. Each of them has its standards. Even more, you will find different sizing standards between products belonging to the same brand. With these ideas in mind, you have to buy a size that is right for you.

If you are taller than average, make sure your rack is taller than you. It is a general rule, yet, if you are short, do not invest in a model that is way too tall for you.

It might be a bit more sophisticated if more people in your house use the power rack, but you can still find a good middle option.

Dimensions

Dimensions are related to the sizing standards, yet they represent the space needed by the power rack, rather than its height. Before even looking at power racks over the Internet, decide where you want to put it. Is it your basement? How about the garage? Or maybe you want to exercise outdoors. All in all, decide on the right location and measure the available space. Do not make assumptions just by looking at it or you will end up with some surprises. Just grab a measuring tape and give yourself plenty of space around the rack.

If space is too tight around the rack, you will not be able to perform plenty of exercises. You cannot go freely, and you will limit your movements. In other words, your workouts will not be too efficient. If space is an issue for you, just consider a more compact rack.

Stabilizer

Most newbies overlook the stabilizer – terrible mistake. The stabilizer is normally fitted at the back of the rack, right by the bottom. It has a role in balancing the rack to prevent accidents and injuries. Most commonly, stabilizers are optional or completely missing. They have one drawback though – they might block you. They might interfere with specific exercises.

So, what is the option then? Get a rack with a removable stabilizer. You can take it off for specific exercises and put it back on later. It might feel a little inconvenient, but it is all about safety. You do not want a heavy 100-pound rack falling all over you.

Accessories

You can use a basic rack with no attachments or equipment at all. You will mostly use your bodyweight then. Your workouts will be incredibly limited, but you can still do it. However, more accessories give you more flexibility and allow you to try more complex exercises.

The more accessories you have, the better. The best power rack should come with enough equipment to support full body workouts without any limitations. Some of the most popular accessories associated with power racks include:

  • Technique scoops
  • Squat handles
  • Two and three peg and pegs
  • Dip bars
  • Landmines
  • Step up platforms
  • Platform ramps
  • Rotating chin handles
  • Core handles

The list can go way further than that, but these are just some of the basics. Keep in mind that you can get a naked rack and customize it yourself by buying accessories separately. It is more cost efficient to get a fully featured model though, yet you might end up with equipment that you do not use.

Durability

Durability is essential when looking for the best power rack. Keep in mind that you will use it on a regular basis and it is supposed to take lots of beating. It is not a fragile flat screen television set, but a rack that takes weights pulls and pushes like there is no tomorrow.

It is hard to tell how long a rack will last, but you can check the quality of the build and the material. Stay away from the low-quality model, regardless of how attractive the price is. They can lead to severe injuries.

Now that you know the basics in shopping for the best power rack, what are the best-rated models on the market and why?

Top 3 Best Power Rack

Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage

The #1 pick - the best power rack

Design and Capacity

The best power rack from Fitness Reality comes with a 2×2 inch square steel frame design. It also features a couple of 3¼ inch long lock on safety bars covered in chrome, not to mention the two 23 inch dual mounted safety bars – chrome too. It is a solid design that will last you for ages.

Regarding capacity, it can take 800 pounds or less – more than enough for professional bodybuilders too, hence its popularity. Designed like a cage, it provides plenty of space for movements and long motion exercises.

Adjustability

Regarding adjustability, you have 19 different height levels. It is suitable for a series of exercises, but it is also handy if more people in your household want to exercise. It can take both tall and short users with no issues at all. If you are into fitness equipment and own other accessories, you should know that its safety bars are compatible with 7-foot Olympic bars.

It is worth noting that it can be mixed with various weight benches too.

Extras

Chin up or pull up grip bars can be fitted in more positions. There are lots of extras coming with it, but most of them must be purchased separately. For example, weight plates are not included. The same goes for Olympic bars, dip bars, weight plate holders, landmine or J hooks.

Simply put, it is a relatively naked power rack allowing you bodyweight exercises and the possibility to customize it yourself.

Pros

  • Impressive weight capacity
  • Lots of room for long motion exercises and movements
  • Solid and sturdy construction
  • Plenty of adjustments
  • Many extras available for it

Cons

  • Most accessories must be purchased separately
  • Must be assembled

PowerLine by Body-Solid Power Rack

The second best option

Sizing

PowerLine’s best power rack is a naked unit designed to allow bodyweight exercises and lots of customization. It is compact and does not require too much space once you put it together – full instructions in the owner’s manual.

In terms of sizing, it measures 44x46x82 inches so that it can go into pretty much any room. Despite its compact design, it still allows free movements around it. All in all, it weighs 133 pounds. It is quite heavy for a naked rack, but this can only mean one thing – it is stable and can take all kinds of exercises.

Adjustability

The power rack is entirely adjustable and allows for lots of customization. It has a walk in design and measures 24 inches between the main pillars. It is wide enough to take overweight users as well without any struggle. Adjustability leaves no room for mistakes – you have 18 different adjustment levels.

Other than that, your exercises can be quite diversified because of the heat tempered lift-offs (two of them) and the saber style safety rods (another two).

Safety and Integration

The power rack looks like an industrial shape – nothing wrong with that. Its functionality is flawless, and this is what should interest you. It is safely designed to prevent injuries. Double check the owner’s manual to make sure you adjust it correctly.

Unlike other models in this segment, the knurled chin up bar is integrated and not sold separately.

Pros

  • Well put together and safe
  • Multiple adjustment levels
  • Can take lots of extra accessories
  • Compatible with most equipment due to its design
  • High capacity

Cons

  • Quite heavy, but stable
  • Needs to be put together

Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack

The #3 pick Construction

The best power rack from Valor Fitness brings in everything you might need as an amateur or experienced bodybuilder or fitness enthusiast. From extras to its actual design, it is one of the complete power racks in this segment.

Its construction is quite sturdy. It is made of steel – durable and reliable, but lightweight. Frame bars measure 2×2 inches, so it is quite thick and ready to take a good beating.

Positions and Adjustability

The power rack can be adjusted in height and allows everyone in your family to exercise – tall or short; it makes no difference. There are not less than 17 different positions for the bar. Not only is it suitable for everyone, but it also allows a wide variety of exercises and movements. Just put the bar in the right position for your exercise, and you are ready to go.

When it comes to its adjustability in height, it goes from 17.5 to 68 inches. It is more than enough for everyone and every exercise.

Extras

Given the extras, this power rack counts as a complete home gym. It has four plate storage pegs all around it – 8 inches in length. It also has four solid steel adjustable weight bar supports covered in chrome.

Looking for a lat pulldown station? Check! Plate loading carriage? Check! Pull up station? Check! Knurled grips? Check!

It is worth noting that a different version of this rack is around double in size and features cable crossover equipment too.

Pros

  • Complete home gym
  • All the required bars and handles in the package
  • Solid steel design
  • Adjustable height
  • High safety standards

Cons

  • Takes time to assemble
  • Owner’s manual is not incredibly detailed

Conclusion

As a short conclusion, choosing the best power rack depends on more factors, such as your budget, space, required features and expectations. These top-selling racks are in the top for their durability and high-quality design, as well as the accessories (whether they are included or must be purchased separately).

Given its complete profile and full functionality, Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack might be the best option for you, regardless of your fitness level. It is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – over 90% of all buyers find it perfect or almost perfect.

Read more articles, here.

Summary
Review Date
Reviewed Item
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
Author Rating
51star1star1star1star1star

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