[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Squat rack (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/21/2012 5:25:11 AM EDT
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I'm an ectomorph on a weight gaining mission and I've gotta start doing squats. The gym is 30 minutes each way, the wrong way from everything else. (I live in BFE)
Can anyone recommend a good squat rack for basement use that won't break the bank? I'm in the middle of building a garage and remodeling my kitchen so I don't have $1,000+ right now. I can wait a few months to purchase if it is better to spend more. It doesn't need to be the strongest rack out there capable of holding 1,000 lbs. Any suggestions, or more importantly, any pieces of equipment to stay away from? Thanks. I read back 8 pages and didn't see a thread title about a squat rack, but it is possible if I overlooked one. My apologies if I did. |
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I think it is power-tec is what most people recommend as the perfect comprimise between quality and price. Bodybuilding.com used to have a great deal on those racks, it would be worth a look. Other than that there is always craigslist.
edit: If you decide to spend a lot on a rack look here. Much like a divorce, they cost so much because they are worth it. |
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Don't know what your budget is... but THIS <~~ Elitefts econo line 3x3 basic rack Is a SOLID rack, capable of anything you'd be able to do with it... There are some things I'd save money on... then there are things that I'd be scared to save money on... A squat rack is one of the latter. |
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Don't know what your budget is... but THIS <~~ Elitefts econo line 3x3 basic rack Is a SOLID rack, capable of anything you'd be able to do with it... There are some things I'd save money on... then there are things that I'd be scared to save money on... A squat rack is one of the latter. I'd have to see if that would stand up in my basement. I totally forgot about that before I posted up. It might only be a 7' ceiling and that one is 7.5' tall. Tonight I will measure and see. |
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Check craigslist, or your local ads. Sometimes you'll get lucky. As long as the rack is sturdy you should be good to go. I would invest in a good set of Olympic weights though too. I'm going tonight to pick up my weight set I had in HS. The friend I gave them to quit using them and they just sit in his shed so I can get them back for free. 
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Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. |
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I'd say go craigslist and see what you can find. It took me about 2 weeks of looking to get a cage, a bar, and 450 pounds of weight for $300. You won't find anything close to that buying new. P.S. I was originally going to build my own, there are plans floating around out there that look easy enough to build. |
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Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. This is what I have, Rogue is the way to go |
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Quoted: Quoted: Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. This is what I have, Rogue is the way to go Quality stuff, made in the USA, non-union....a bit spendy (though the econ rack is a good deal) but still hard to beat and it will last forever... |
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Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. That's just a stand. I don't know much about weight lifting yet, especially squatting and cages and stuff, but isn't the point of a cage so you can work out alone and if you get into a "Oh crap!" moment then you have the cage to catch the weight? I live alone and will be working out alone, so... It also looked like with some of the cages I could move my bench inside it for the same reason. Right? Wrong? Please instruct a newbie in the ways of all this. And yes, I realize my title says rack. I really meant a cage. |
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Quoted: Well, it depends on your comfort level with dumping weights. I am comfortable with dumping a squat, so I don't use cages for squat...however, for bench I'm not comfortable with that so I always have a spotter. Quoted: Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. That's just a stand. I don't know much about weight lifting yet, especially squatting and cages and stuff, but isn't the point of a cage so you can work out alone and if you get into a "Oh crap!" moment then you have the cage to catch the weight? I live alone and will be working out alone, so... It also looked like with some of the cages I could move my bench inside it for the same reason. Right? Wrong? Please instruct a newbie in the ways of all this. And yes, I realize my title says rack. I really meant a cage. Yes, cages will let you put a bench in it, and you can position the safety bars to protect you if you fail. Rogue also has cages, but I don't have any experience with them and they're about $700. I can assume they are quality based on the other stuff I've seen from them though. ETA- I also have bumpers and an oly platform so dumping a squat isn't a big deal. If you have steel plates and are going to be benching alone a cage is the better option. |
| Depending on the type of rack you get you may want to bolt it to a platform. I have an Elitefts 2x2 rack and if it wasn't bolted to a platform it would end up walking around some from the bar getting racked into it. Plus if you want to use bands on the bar you have the option of using band tension that would normally lift the rack up. Rouge and EliteFTS will also do custom height racks, just give them a call. And if you go with a platform, take the height of that into account when deciding ceiling clearance. Personally I went with two layers of 3/4" plywood with one layer of 3/4" stall mat on top of the plywood. |
| I've been contemplating picking up one of these––> Squat Rack The reviews all seem to be positive. |
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I've been contemplating picking up one of these––> Squat Rack The reviews all seem to be positive. Had the Powerline since Nov. '10. It's definitely a starter rack, but has worked just fine for the weights I'm at. Once you get into 3 plate squat territory, I'd be looking for an upgrade. |
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I've been contemplating picking up one of these––> Squat Rack The reviews all seem to be positive. Had the Powerline since Nov. '10. It's definitely a starter rack, but has worked just fine for the weights I'm at. Once you get into 3 plate squat territory, I'd be looking for an upgrade. That's in the price range I was looking at, and I'd seen those on ebay in 6' and 7' versions. I didn't wanna go and buy the Hi-point of squat racks, but what the heck do I need with a $1,500 rack when I'll be squatting 100 lbs to start with. 
If that. 
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It seems to be the high-point of squat racks... from reputation, as well as my experience (friend has one in his basement) But that's not a bad thing. Moving serious weight, requiring serious equipment is like a race 1911. Expensive, but worth it when you need it to perform. lifting weights this rack will support (listed at 600lbs IIRC... but honestly, over 3 plates this thing is scary to lift in) is like the occasional plinker... Regardless of what you start squatting... you'll get stronger, and if you keep yourself out of sopping vagina territory, you'll reach 3 plates pretty quick (easily doable within a year with proper programming)... and then start wanting a better cage... so you do smash yourself on a fail... |
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You can pick up a refurbished Body Solid GPR378 for $435 (normally $600+) from Fitness Factory.
LINK |
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Here is a link to the homemade one I was looking at before getting a deal on craigslist. He has total material costs listed at $115. |
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You can pick up a refurbished Body Solid GPR378 for $435 (normally $600+) from Fitness Factory. LINK What's the verdict on that one? That's in the budget for right now. Quoted:
Here is a link to the homemade one I was looking at before getting a deal on craigslist. He has total material costs listed at $115. That's not a bad idea either... it could be built to fit under my 7'2" ceiling. There's nothing on CL for the last two weeks, but maybe something will pop up in the next little bit. I'd like to go on and get one before I lose my motivation to do so. I can upgrade later if need be. |
| The Body Solid 378 is a well-regarded rack and a good deal at that price. If you want to read some independent reviews, go HERE and punch "Body Solid 378" into the "Search Forum" box. |
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For me a squat rack serves at a minimum as a place to squat safely but also a place to do pull ups. I would not buy a squat rack less than 7 feet tall. Mine is 8 and I wish it were taller. Perhaps ya missed the part about my 7' ceiling. I would love to have an 8' tall rack, but without severe remodeling, that's not going to happen. I have a pull up bar already, lag bolted into my floor joists. No need for two pull up bars. |
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Quoted: I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along  I squat page 2  You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. |
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The gym I go to has one much like the Powerline, it may be one for all I know. Anyway, I've dumped 375ish or more on it w/ no issues, and rack 450 on it to warm up for max attempts ( don't know that I would want to dump 400+ on it). I really don't see the problem w/ the little racks to start with. If you are worried about messing them up, slip a piece of gas line over the safety bars, it will sturdy them up.
I really like the fancy squat racks, but I swear they haven't helped me squat a bit more when I use them...
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I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy
Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along
I squat page 2 You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. what sort of price range are we talking about for a decent one? Not a pro level...I am weak
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Rogue is known for quality equipment, and they just came out with an economy line of squat racks. Agreed. If it was me, I'd buy Rogue. in fact, I am in the process of re-opening my gym and 90% of my new equipment will be from Rogue. |
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You can pick up a refurbished Body Solid GPR378 for $435 (normally $600+) from Fitness Factory. LINK What's the verdict on that one? That's in the budget for right now. Quoted:
Here is a link to the homemade one I was looking at before getting a deal on craigslist. He has total material costs listed at $115. That's not a bad idea either... it could be built to fit under my 7'2" ceiling. There's nothing on CL for the last two weeks, but maybe something will pop up in the next little bit. I'd like to go on and get one before I lose my motivation to do so. I can upgrade later if need be. That's a good looking home built rack.....and its got the wheels in my head a turning . I will say though that the black iron pipe they used for the safety pins is for death. Use some good shit if you build it.
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Quoted: You can actually get steel saw horses rated to like 1000# each that are adjustable for about $20...they may not work in every situation depending on the type or rack and layout though. Quoted: Quoted: I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along I squat page 2 You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. what sort of price range are we talking about for a decent one? Not a pro level...I am weak |
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You can actually get steel saw horses rated to like 1000# each that are adjustable for about $20...they may not work in every situation depending on the type or rack and layout though.
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I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy
Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along
I squat page 2 You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. what sort of price range are we talking about for a decent one? Not a pro level...I am weak Yeah my big concern is something safe, but also that will fit in my basement. I like the idea of a pullup bar but might not have the room. |
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Don't limit yourself to just a squat rack. Get a Power Rack and use it as a squat rack/bench press/military press rack/pull up bar, all in one.
Body Solid Powerline Power Rack #PPR200X $340 delivered from Jesup Gym http://www.jesupgym.com/products.php?cid=13 edit: oops, I see Sams Club beat Jesup's price. |
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I've been contemplating picking up one of these––> Squat Rack The reviews all seem to be positive. Had the Powerline since Nov. '10. It's definitely a starter rack, but has worked just fine for the weights I'm at. Once you get into 3 plate squat territory, I'd be looking for an upgrade. I just got my powerline and like it alot. |
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I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy
Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along
I squat page 2 You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. what sort of price range are we talking about for a decent one? Not a pro level...I am weak You can actually get steel saw horses rated to like 1000# each that are adjustable for about $20...they may not work in every situation depending on the type or rack and layout though. The problem with using most metal sawhorses is the fact that they're rated for a 1000# static load. If you drop 1000# on it from any height (or at an angle), there's a pretty good chance that the legs will buckle and/or fold. I have a set that I use to hold up my canoe, and another that's setup with a 5 gallon bucket for son to practice his pitching, and they'll all fold fairly easily under a lateral load. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have a set of squat rack stands, they are abit tippy Ive wanted a full 1 piece type rack. What sort of features should I look for? I am not a huge squatter, I just chug along I squat page 2 You will want to make sure the safety bars are at the correct level to place a curly bar on. what sort of price range are we talking about for a decent one? Not a pro level...I am weak You can actually get steel saw horses rated to like 1000# each that are adjustable for about $20...they may not work in every situation depending on the type or rack and layout though. The problem with using most metal sawhorses is the fact that they're rated for a 1000# static load. If you drop 1000# on it from any height (or at an angle), there's a pretty good chance that the legs will buckle and/or fold. I have a set that I use to hold up my canoe, and another that's setup with a 5 gallon bucket for son to practice his pitching, and they'll all fold fairly easily under a lateral load. That's a good point. It seems like if they're rated for 1,000# each they should be able to catch a 300# bench...or am I assuming wrong? |
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Quoted: They ought to handle 300# just fine, as long as it's coming straight down and not from an excessive height...but you know how it is. What should happen is rarely what actually happens.  Just throwing it out there. Yeah I got you, thanks for pointing this out  |
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I think we, as ARFcommers, don't hesitate to drop $500+ for an optic to mount on a rifle that'll rarely see any use, but cringe at the though of spending the same kind of money on a safety item that we'll use 3-4 times a week.
The Powerline (Body Solid) PPR200X and the comparable Atlas rack are each less than $300 shipped on Amazon right now. |
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Quoted: I think we, as ARFcommers, don't hesitate to drop $500+ for an optic to mount on a rifle that'll rarely see any use, but cringe at the though of spending the same kind of money on a safety item that we'll use 3-4 times a week. The Powerline (Body Solid) PPR200X and the comparable Atlas rack are each less than $300 shipped on Amazon right now. Yeah you're right...though I actually never use my ghetto safety bars anymore, I always have a spotter. Truthfully, I've dropped a fair amount of cash on my garage gym
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Quoted: Do you guys use a box in the squat cage to make sure your going down far enough or have a marker of some kind? Most of the time I think I am low enough, but sometimes I think during a set maybe theres a few that arent I box squat sometimes, but the purpose of the box is to work the posterior chain more, not to gauge depth. IMO it just takes some practice and some body awareness to learn proper depth...lifting partner or video would be a help. |
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Do you guys use a box in the squat cage to make sure your going down far enough or have a marker of some kind? Most of the time I think I am low enough, but sometimes I think during a set maybe theres a few that arent I use aerobic steps in the cage to be sure I hit depth as I usually work out alone. I've also seen guys use an exercise band run across. You don't have to use anything, but I feel like it helps me be more consistent. |
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I think we, as ARFcommers, don't hesitate to drop $500+ for an optic to mount on a rifle that'll rarely see any use, but cringe at the though of spending the same kind of money on a safety item that we'll use 3-4 times a week. The Powerline (Body Solid) PPR200X and the comparable Atlas rack are each less than $300 shipped on Amazon right now. Yeah you're right...though I actually never use my ghetto safety bars anymore, I always have a spotter. Truthfully, I've dropped a fair amount of cash on my garage gym Me too. Adding a new piece to the home gym every now and then usually makes me alter my workout, which helps break up the monotony. It doesn't have to be anything expensive, either. I picked up a used set of Power Hooks from Play It Again Sports for $10, which made it much more convenient to do dumbell work...so I added more of it to my workout. |
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Do you guys use a box in the squat cage to make sure your going down far enough or have a marker of some kind? Most of the time I think I am low enough, but sometimes I think during a set maybe theres a few that arent I would bet you probably are not breaking parallel most of the time. Almost nobody in commercial gyms do so don't beat yourself up about it right now. Like RoG said video and a GOOD partner will get you squared away. Don't hesitate to drop the weights WAY back for a while until you get your deprth right. |
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Do you guys use a box in the squat cage to make sure your going down far enough or have a marker of some kind? Most of the time I think I am low enough, but sometimes I think during a set maybe theres a few that arent I would bet you probably are not breaking parallel most of the time. Almost nobody in commercial gyms do so don't beat yourself up about it right now. Like RoG said video and a GOOD partner will get you squared away. Don't hesitate to drop the weights WAY back for a while until you get your deprth right. I find I get below parralell on the light stuff...then maybe close to it on the heavier stuff. Hence the inconsistency. I find I can pay attention more on depth when its light as opposed to when its heavy, I have no safety bars and rickety stands...so thats why I want a cage and some sort of level device. The band sounds like a good idea. I always lift alone to so theres that. |