Question
What’s the best power rack for the money online?
Answer
Best Power Squat Rack
Before I bought my Parabody 7 degree Smith Machine and Power Rack combo unit I was shopping for a straight forward power rack (also called a squat cage or squat rack for those of you who don’t know) to use as the foundation for my home gym.
I knew I wanted another power rack because I owned a low end Body Solid Power Rack a few years ago that I used a lot, but wound up selling it when I moved. I’d probably still have that rack except it had a couple of short comings that were deal breakers for me.
First, it didn’t have a built-in pull-up bar for working lats, and second, the whole spacing on the vertical posts were spaced too far apart which lead to compromised lift-off points and not feeling safe under a loaded bar.
There are a million different models of squat racks and cages on the market at a myriad of price points. The bottom line is that there’s no best power rack, only one that will work for your budget and needs. With that in mind, here are the racks that made my top 3…
- Powertec Power Rack
- Deltec Power Rack
- Body Solid Power Rack
Without boring you to death with tedious details about my power rack shopping experience, here’s why the Powertec, Deltec and Body Solid racks made the cut for me (and should be on your short list too).
Reason #1 – All three racks are a good deal and can be had for under $700 bucks + weights. If you’re serious about training and lifting hard and don’t have a huge bankroll get a power rack or cage, a bench and some Olympic weights. With a set up like that, you can do countless muscle building exercises in relative safety.
Reason #2 – Unlike the cheap racks from other manufacturers, the “short list” racks are built to last with heavy duty frames, good warranties and companies that will be around next year to back up their products.
Reason #3 – One of the most overlooked features of a power rack is the number of stops the rack has. Since most people train alone at home with a rack, you need to have a rack that has as many stops and adjustments as possible so you get spotting and lift-off points where you need them.
You can’t go wrong with the Powertec Rack (if you can still find one), and I liked the Deltec Power Rack too, but for my money the Body Solid Rack was the winner with the best mix of features, build quality and price.
I also like the fact that the Body Solid Power Rack is the best value of the bunch and you can get it for under $350 w/ free shipping
