Are you bored of the basic look of your home gym? Do you wish to make things professional without the need to hit your local gym, especially amid a pandemic in place? Well, a great piece of exercise equipment is the squat rack. This metal assembly is in-demand training equipment for your home gym.
With the best squat rack for home gym, you can avoid the queues in the gym you frequently visit. However, the market is jam-packed with options that might confuse you. So, here is a complete guide to help you pick the right option for your home gym.
What is a Squat Rack?
Squat racks are designed to hold the weight when you indulge in squat variations. These racks comprise 2 adjustable metallic posts that support your barbells. To use a power rack, you position yourself under your barbell and lift it off from the stands by stepping back. Now, you need to execute the squatting as you would normally do.
Regardless of how heavy they look, squat racks are versatile in design. Therefore, they are important for accomplishing heavy squats that give your legs access to a complete exercising routine. Further, these racks can be customized as required for the bench exercises like incline, bench, & shoulder press.
Several top-notch squat racks come with a chin-up station that is built into the design. This allows for a complete body workout.
What are the Uses of a Squat Rack?
Squats are no doubt an efficient way to exercise your lower body and core muscles. A single fluid movement allows you to target multiple muscles and is surely important for your fitness regimen. The main purpose of the rack for your home gym is to help you enhance your exercises by incrementing the weight one after another in a repetitive set.
Squat racks help you carry weights that would normally be impossible to hold in position without any manual assistance. A squat rack isn’t just a simple metal stand that is kept in a corner unused.
Rather, it is a metallic mix that can be adjusted to fit your heavy exercising needs without the need for additional help from your gym trainer or a fellow friend.
With the help of a squat rack, you can do these exercises that include:
- Box squat
- Leg press
- Pause squats
- Hack squat
- Deadlift
- Goblet squats
- Lunges
- Rack pulls
- Good mornings
- Push presses
- Shoulder presses
Which home users need a squat rack and why?
Although exercising at home is a great way to avoid busy gym situations, you need to have proper space within the house to keep the squat rack. The largest of this rack you can easily place within your home gym is 12-inch width X 13-inch depth X 8-inch height.
You can also opt for a small rack by cutting down on the depth requirements. However, the height and width should remain constant. Apart from this, if you have a small home gym, you can opt for squat racks that tend to fold up clean against your gym wall. Thus, they take up the required space in your home gym only when being used.
Plus, if you are someone that looks for safety, a squat rack will ensure that your gym weights are secure in their place when not being used. Instead of adding several equipment to your home gym, squat racks make up a versatile fitness enthusiast option.
6 Facotors to Consider While Buying Squat Racks
Most home gyms do not have the same space as is available with any commercial gym. Even if your home gym does have a lot of space, you surely wouldn’t want your room to look congested. This is why you need to consider several factors before investing in a squat rack.
1. Space Saver
You surely would want your home gym to be neat and clutter-free. This is why the best way to go about it is to pick a squat rack with a space-saving design. You can opt for an over-the-door mounted or foldable rack that works best for small home gyms.
On the other hand, a standing rack would fit best for a garage gym or a large-size home gym.
Also, ensure that the depth of your squat rack isn’t too much as it would take up the vertical space in your gym.
2. Additional Accessories
If you would like to modify the functionality of your squat racks, the best way is to opt for additional accessories. For example, you can choose racks that are paired with sturdy pull-up bars to help you perform dips and bench presses.
You can either purchase these accessories separately or opt for a squat rack that comes with all these options as a bonus.
3. Price
Squat racks are no doubt a major investment, but they sure don’t have to rob you completely. To ensure that your investment is worth it, consider how you are planning to use the squat racks.
You don’t have to pay for a feature that you won’t be used in any way. This will help you make an affordable pick minus the unnecessary bonus features.
4. Height
If yours is a house with a low ceiling, you must select a squat rack that does fit your room well.
Most of the squat racks available in the market are 5 to 6 feet in height. However, additional attachments would require you to have more space vertically.
5. Stability
As squat racks are used to place weights and perform movements such as pull-ups and strength training, they need to be stable enough.
Therefore, you need to prioritize the squat racks with a massive base and added features for stability.
6. Weight Capacity
Every squat rack available in the market comes with a note about its maximum weight capacity. As a beginner, you aren’t going to lift anything above 500 anytime soon. So, opt for a basic or intermediate-level rack that completely accommodates your fitness needs.
However, it is better to opt for a rack with a higher weight capacity to support your heavy workout minus any injuries if you are an advanced lifter.
Now that you have a good idea about the things to be kept in mind when purchasing a squat rack, let us check out some of the best squat racks that you can invest in.
1. Doeplex Multi-Functional Squat Rack
Black & red-colored fitness equipment, the Doeplex squat rack has a stable and durable design. The equipment is crafted from high-quality steel with an enhanced frame that adds to the stability. In addition, the rack can easily support weights as high as 550lbs.
Further, this squat rack features an adjustable and flexible height that is suited for small home gyms. The equipment features 12 adjustable height levels that can be adjusted from 46.8 inches to 70.1 inches. Further, you can also adjust the rack’s base width from 30.3 inches to 48 inches.
To ensure guaranteed safety, the makers have also added an anti-slip grip to the dip station while providing an extra level of support & protection when kept on the floor. In addition, the squat rack features an innovative & multi-functional design along with a retractable base. The equipment is ideal for bench press, dips, squats, and several other forms of exercise.
Pros
- Rubberized pads added to the bench hooks help reduce friction
- Advanced design helps increase the rack’s overall life
- The enhanced frame helps provide extra stability and support
- Rubber pads present on the j-hooks
- Features double security design with butterfly nuts, spring locks, and screws
Cons
- Some screws do not fit in well during assembly
- Assembly is complicated and doesn’t come with instructions
2. Oristus the Best Wquat Rack for Small Space
Nothing suits the need better than the Oristus Barbell Squat Rack for a fitness enthusiast chasing a simplistic design. This squat rack is perfect for holding your barbell and dumbbell. The squat rack features 13 different rack levels that can be adjusted from 40 inches to 66 inches.
The rack can be best suited for your height and comfort requirements. All you need to do is pull out its lock peg and slide this bracket post either down or up, depending on your requirements. This would allow you to reset your lock peg while ensuring you get a glitch-free exercising session from the comfort of your home.
This squat rack’s anti-skid design features rubber feet that help maintain stability minus the scuff marks in the floors. In addition, this rubber feet design helps prevent issues such as slipping or tumbling of the squat rack while you exercise.
Pros
- Features a heavy-duty squat rack with a solid metal design
- Capacity to hold weight as much as 550lbs
- Comes with adjustable spotters for safety purpose
- Features a set of anti-skid feet pads
- Houses a safety locking system for squats
Cons
- Posts tend to wobble with weights sitting on top
- The stand might be a bit tilted due to misplaced holes
3. YOLIYOQU Best Squat Rack for Home Gym
Are you looking for a simple yet effective squat rack for beginners? Then, the YOLIYOQU squat rack is an amazing choice for your fitness needs. With a solid steel construct, this squat rack brings in sturdiness during your exercising routines.
These squat racks also feature durable, heavy-duty, powder-coated steel to ensure enhanced strength to its structure. This stand is designed to support weight as heavy as 550lbs. You also don’t have to worry about any cracks forming due to the weight burden. The coating helps prevent rusting issues with a shiny and durable finish.
The squat rack has a base with an ‘H-Shaped’ design that doesn’t tilt off easily and is heavy enough to handle any exercises with ease. In addition, the square tube has a 2X2 inch design used within the mainframe to enhance the squat rack’s stability.
Pros
- Features a safety locking design for stable exercising
- Height & width are easy to adjust when exercising
- It comes with 15 different adjustable heights
- Has 2 installation positions for barbell use
- Ideal for a dip, squat, shoulder press, bench press, overhead lifts, & more
Cons
- The base needs more stability
- It tends to create scuff marks on the floor
4. JX Fitness Squat Rack With Pull Up Bar
Are you looking for the best squat rack for bench press, barbells, push-ups, and more? If this is you, the JX Fitness rack is an ideal option for you. This portable squat rack is constructed with 5X5 inches heavy-duty steel formed in a tube-like design. This ensures enhanced and top-notch structural strength to hold a maximum load of 660lbs.
This squat rack is compact & easy to place in your home gym while taking up minimum space. The squat rack’s steel base ensures stability and is sturdy enough to last for years. The base also has an anti-slip plastic finishing on the caps. Further, the design helps prevent any scratches from happening on the ground while using or moving the equipment.
The JX Fitness is designed for a complete workout routine and can easily collocate with similar fitness equipment like barbells, weight benches, & dumbbells.
Pros
- Features 5-level height & 4-level width adjustments
- Anti-scratch design in the feet pad for stability
- Quadrilateral design to restore solidity and stability
- Enlarged barbell half “U” design for barbells
- It doesn’t tip over when being used
Cons
- Assembly is a bit complicated
- Pricey as compared to the competitors
5. AKYEN Best Budget Squat Rack
Are you in need of a reliable and durable squat rack for your home gym? The AKYEN adjustable squat rack is multi-functional equipment that adheres to all your exercising needs. In addition, the squat rack can hold about 850lbs weight to help your fitness goals.
Further, the squat rack has a durable powder-coated design with heavy-gauge steel that enhances the structural strength. The rack is particularly stable and sturdy to ensure there is zero cracking from the burden. This rack has a 3-in-1 design with multi-functional features to help you focus on your core strength.
The squat rack functions as a barbell stand as well as a dip bar. With the AKYEN squat rack, you can easily indulge in the bench press, squats, shoulder press, bar exercises, overhead lifts, and more.
Pros
- Easy to adjust height and width with 5cm increments
- Ideal for a complete family exercising routine
- It comes with a non-slip design with rubberized foot pads
- Safe for your floor without any scuff marks
- UVA material-based handgrips for a slip-free experience
Cons
- The design doesn’t allow you to position directly under its bar
- Width adjustment is a bit complex
6. Marcy Olympic Home Squat Rack
If you are looking for a customizable fitness training station, nothing could be better than the Marcy Olympic Home-Gym squat rack. Decked with a heavy-duty construct, this gym equipment features a high-quality steel frame that can withstand intense usage for years. In addition, the walk-in design helps with an easy entry into the cage.
Further, the industrial style design incorporates superior and safe functionality. This multi-grip squat-rack and pull-up bar have handles that are furnished with top-notch foam pads. The adjustable safety catch in this rack allows you to perform exercises such as chest press, pull-ups, & squat.
The squat rack allows you to target different muscle groups with convenience for weight storage. The rack comes with 2 Olympic plates to serve as storage posts. It can easily accommodate 6 to 7 feet of bars with other gears for weightlifting.
Pros
- It helps bulk up the upper body and other core muscles
- Functions as an all-in-one exercising station
- Equipped with top-notch plate posts & anchoring points
- It comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty
- It has a 300lbs weight capacity
Cons
- Thin bars on the sides lead to uneven lifting
- It feels a bit wobbly in the base
7. ANT MARCH Best Fitness Squat Rack
The ANT MARCH squat rack is versatile equipment for your home gym that features adjustable height and width. With this squat rack, you get a bracket height change of 44 inches to 68 inches. You can also adjust these spotters to fit the height requirements easily. It also features a design that helps you adjust the bolt height and a reverse buckle design for safety.
The squat rack is durable and stable with its heavy-duty construct. The steel design can easily hold a weight load of about 500lbs. In addition, the overall design is safe & secure to ensure innovative and fun exercising routines.
Its multi-functional design, along with a unique base, is rather a stent and solid. The squat rack also has a non-slip rubber design on the boot area to help the equipment stay in place when you exercise.
Pros
- Doesn’t scratch your floor as you exercise or move the equipment
- Ideal for performing exercises such as shoulder press, bench press, dips, and more
- Anti-skid design to help position yourself perfectly
- Stands upright with minimal or zero wobbling
- Designed for ease of installation
Cons
- Safety locks might not lock in perfectly for certain weights
- Barbell shelf might be ill-fitted in certain pieces
8. HulkFit Multi-Functional Adjustable Squat Rack
A multi-functional squat rack, the Hulkfit is well-suited to your home gym needs. This black and the yellow squat rack has an 800lb weight carrying capacity to help professional fitness enthusiasts work on their core muscles.
With an assembled dimension of 81 inches in height X 44 inches in width X 46 inches in depth, this squat rack weighs about 110 pounds yet is easy to move around in your home gym. The equipment has 2 pull-up bars with different diameters that can be mounted on your required height.
The rack also comes with two spotter dip and armbars that feature safety locks & 2 J-hooks. The Hulkfit also comes with 2 holders with weight plates that are present in an upright position. The rack is designed for stability and convenience.
Pros
- Crafted with a 12 gauge high-quality steel design
- Can hold as much as 800lb weight
- Features a 2.5 inch X 2.5 Inch frame design
- It comes with an H-shaped stability bar
- Houses a rubberized feet design for enhanced stability
Cons
- Metal coating tends to chip off, and even rust
- Parts do not have tight tolerances
9. Amikadom Squat Rack with Weights
When in need of a squat rack with an adjustable height design, the Amikadom home gym squat rack is an ideal investment. This squat rack is ideal for beginners as well as expert fitness enthusiasts. In addition, it can be placed in combination with professional-quality dumbbell stools.
The Amikadom squat rack features a high-quality design that comes from a heavy-duty tube frame made of steel. The rack can hold a maximum of 200 kg or 441lbs of weight. In addition, the rack’s anti-slip design ensures that the weight doesn’t slip off during your exercising sessions.
Plus, the anti-skid feet design helps prevent any damage to your gym floor while increasing the safety protocol.
Pros
- Barbell rack features an adjustable variant of safety pins
- Height can be adjusted from 31.5 inches to 59 inches
- Enhanced stability with easy to tighten nut design
- High-quality tube design that doesn’t bend or crack
- Sturdy iron with a rust-free coating
Cons
- The base isn’t as sturdy, tends to wobble with heavy exercising sessions
- Screws tend to come off loose with time
10. STOZM Affordable Squat Rack
Are you looking for a premium-quality squat rack with an improved design? The STOZM squat rack has a solid construction made of steel with 2mm thickness to ensure maximum durability. In addition, this squat rack can hold about 550lbs of weights, such as dumbbells or barbells.
Its reinforced design, along with the vertical bars, helps distribute the weight evenly to ensure extra sturdiness. In addition, the rack is optimized for flexible exercising sessions with tactical joints that are expandable and adapt to the fitness and physique level.
The squat rack has 2 barbell racks that can be adjusted from 25 inches to 33 inches in height and 26 inches to 44 inches in width. The base feet feature a durable design with rubber cushioning to protect the equipment & your gym floor.
Pros
- Ergonomic design with ample storage for weight plates
- It comes with attached spotters with plastic pads
- It helps you focus on the muscles on your upper body
- Non-slip design to help you exercise safely
- Ideal for dips, shoulder press, squats, bench press, and more
Cons
- Welding isn’t perfect at certain places
- It is a bit pricey for its features
Comparison of Squat Racks
| Products | Colors | Weight Carrying Capacity | Width Adjustment | Height Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doeplex | Black | 550lbs | 30.3 inches to 48 inches | 46.8 inches to 70.1 inches |
| Oristus | Black | 550lbs | - | 45 inches to 70.5 inches |
| YOLIYOQU | Black | 550lbs | 33.4 inches to 39.3 inches | 37.4 inches to 67 inches |
| JX Fitness | Black | 660lbs | 25 inches to 40 inches | 41 inches to 57 inches |
| AKYEN | Black and Red | 850lbs | 24 inches to 43 inches | 46 inches to 72 inches |
| Marcy Olympic | Black and White | 300lbs | Up to 65 inches | Up to 51 inches |
| ANT MARCH | Black | 500lbs | 30.3 inches to 48 inches | 44 inches to 68 inches |
| HulkFit | Black, Red, and Yellow | 800lb | Up to 44 inches | Up to 81 inches |
| Amikadom | Black and White | 441lbs | 42.12 inches to 63.77 inches | 31.5 inches to 59 inches |
| STOZM | Red and Orange | 550lbs | 26 inches to 44 inches | 25 inches to 33 inches 39 inches to 60.3 inches |
Frequently Asked Questions
Every user has different needs when tone the muscles or losing weight, like height, weight, intensity, and expertise level matters a lot and stays different in every case. As a beginner, you will not lift the weights that professionals lift, so consider a lightweight and flexible option. We advise you to stick with our first recommendation. It’s a medium-grade squat rack that suites best for beginners and professionals.
Adjustability, weight-bearing capacity are the two most important factors to consider while buying a squat rack for home gym. You might not have a space issue now, but in the future, when you have to accommodate more fitness fears, you will fall short of space. So consider these options at the very start will save you from future problems.
A squat rack supports weights when doing the squat variations; metal posts on the squat stand support the barbells. At the start of the exercise, your life barbell from the stand and the final rep replace the bar on the stand, so it’s designed for very simple functionality.
While in the power cage, four metal posts are connected by horizontal framing with the vertical rods/hooks at various heights to hold the weights. Keep you safe from bailing on a rep, ideal for lifting heavy when along—designed for safety and heavyweights.
Conclusion
We hope these squat racks would help you attain a perfect body from top to toe without investing a lot of time at the local gym. When selecting a squat rack that fits your bill, make sure you consider the points mentioned above.
Whether it is a budget-friendly option or something that is powerful equipment for your daily fitness needs, this list of the best squat racks for s home gym has some of the best choices for you. So, have fun as you craft your body to perfection with these squat racks.