If you were to choose just one exercise to do for the rest of your life, for maximum benefits, it would be the squat. The squat works just about every major muscle group in your body.

It boosts raw strength in the entire rear chain of your body, and can work both quick and slow twitch muscle fibers. However, for maximum benefits you want to squat more than just your body weight.

To perform weighted squats as safely and as effective as possible, you need a squat rack. To make your choice easy we researched the top squat racks available so you don’t have to. Let’s get started!

Best Squat & Power Racks

	Marcy Home Gym Rack	Fitness Reality Power Cage	REP FITNESS POWER RACK
Dimensions:	56"L x 61"W x 85"H	50"L x 46"W x 83"H	47"L x 48"W x 80"H
Capacity:	300 pounds	800 pounds	1000 pounds
Weight Storage:	Yes	No	No
Other:	Lat, Shiver, Dip & Safety Bars	Chin-Up & Pull-Up Bars	Safety Bars, Pull-Up Arch

For more of my exercise equipment recommendations, have a look through these popular Women’s Workout guide links: Home Gyms, Medicine Balls, Cable Crossover Machines.

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Squat Racks For 2024

1. Marcy Home Gym Cage System Workout Station
2. Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
3. REP FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack
4. CAP Barbell 6′ Full Cage Power Rack
5. Titan T-2 Series Short Power Rack Squat Deadlift Cage
6. Merax Berbell Rack 550LBS Max Load
7. Sunny Health & Fitness Power and Squat Rack

Our reviews to the top rated power racks with our comparison table and buyers guide will help you choose the right rack for you.

Squat Rack Reviews

#1 Marcy Home Gym Cage System Workout Station

If you’re serious about bodybuilding, weightlifting, and strength training in general, then check out the Marcy MWM-7041 Home Gym Cage System.

Often noted as the best squat rack available, it is made to take regular abuse but will make sure you’re safe while working out. This full-body system is so much more than just your commercial gym’s squat rack.

Featuring solid steel construction, you can expect this beauty to last you years upon years of consistent use.

Reinforced with a powder coating, it doesn’t scratch, and won’t break down in humid environments. In fact, it even creates a 1:1 ratio of resistance from weights loaded on the sliding post.

If you’re limited on space, you’ll love this all-in-one station. You’ll be able to work out both your lower and upper body, thanks to the included high and low pulleys, lat bar, and tricep bar.

The higher pulley is perfect for performing exercises like crunches, lat pushdowns, and pull-downs.

When you incorporate both the push and pull-downs, you’ll hit all aspects of your latissimus dorsi, which can seriously strengthen and grow them to give you a V-shape if you’re a man and a tight waist if you’re a woman. The lower pulley is ideal for performing hip abductions, squats, and rows.

With an open cage design, there will be no limits as to what you can do. Incorporate kettlebells if you want; there’s no need to worry about hitting something.

With an additional dumbbell/kettlebell rack and weight plate storage, it’s perfect for smaller spaces!

#2 Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage

As the best power rack, the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is here to impre

ss. It’s hard to find a cage that can tolerate what this model can, supporting even the most intense weightlifting routines. Capable of working with over 20 exercises, you can work your entire body without feeling limited.

This model features a 2”x 2” tubular steel frame construction, made to be able to resist against up to a whopping 800 pounds.

The design is made to allow for wider lifters and extra workout space, providing easy side-to-side movement.

Coming with two chrome dual mounted safety bars and two chrome lock-on safety bars, you can rest assured you have your own personal “spotter” if you can’t quite complete the rep.

Adjustable to an impressive 19 different heights, you can feel confident knowing your squat rack will work perfectly with your individual height and body type.

Squats, curls, shrugs, pull-ups, flat bench presses, and more are all possible here, and you can always choose to add on optional cage attachments for things like dips.

However, due to the addition of the multi-position overhead chin-up, pull-up grip bars, you can work your upper body just as well as the lower.

#3 REP FITNESS PR-1100 POWER RACK

The REP-FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack is a beast of a machine sure to impress you and anyone else who comes across it. The best power cage is fully featured but listed at a surprisingly low price point for all it offers.

Giving you the ability to work both your upper and lower body, you’ll wonder why you didn’t jump on this deal sooner.

The Denver, Colorado company builds each one of their products with quality designed for modern training regimens, made to last through even the toughest workouts.

If you’re serious about setting new PRs, you won’t be disappointed with this compact model capable of supporting up to a huge 1000 pounds. Can you imagine how many exercises you can pull off with this?

Made with tough 14-gauge steel and a durable black powder coat, it not only looks cool – it’s made to hold up even in humid conditions and extreme temperatures. With double rear stability bars, you can lift with confidence, knowing you’ll be in safe hands.

First, you have the multi-grip pullup arch which lets you perform traditional, neutral, close-grip, and wide-grip pullups. You can even attach assistance bands if you’re not quite ready for full pullups on your own.

You can also choose to add on optional dip bars and a lat pull-down attachment. For the best power rack with lat pulldown options, look no further.

#4 CAP Barbell 6′ Full Cage Power Rack

The CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack is one of the most visually unique models, coming in Black with Red accents, Green, Red, and White.

You can truly choose one that suits your personality, making your home gym just a bit more special to you.

However, this best squat rack for home gyms is about so much more than just looks – you’re about to find out why.

Comprised of both 12-and-14-gauge steel tubing, it not only meets industry standards, but exceeds them. It’s actually a bit shocking how inexpensive it is when you take into consideration how well-built they’ve made it.

Available in both 6 or 7-foot heights, the rack is made to work with lifters of all heights and can be used with a wide array of exercises.

The safety catches and bars will make sure you don’t accidentally drop any weights on yourself, and that they’ll never roll away when set down.

We will mention that in comparison with most on our guide, this model is a bit more narrow than others, so just take this into consideration if you’re going to need more room.

This model is perfect if you’re looking for a well-made, basic cage that will accommodate pull-ups, squats, and more.

#5 TITAN T-2 Series Short Power Rack Squat Deadlift Cage

Easily earning the title of “best workout station”, the TITAN FITNESS Short Power Rack T-2 Series is the most comprehensive design we’ve had the pleasure of using.

There are very few exercises you won’t be able to perform with this rack. If you’re looking for the perfect addition to a home gym with a low ceiling or a basement, then you can’t get better than this beast.

Featuring sturdy steel construction with a capacity of up to 700 pounds, this is an excellent investment if you’re serious about your health, body, looks, fitness goals, or all of the above.

However, it isn’t much of an investment when you take into consideration the low price point it’s placed at. No matter if you’re a complete newbie or a pro athlete – this squat rack will change your life.

Assembly is quite simple, coming with all hardware you’ll need, including J-hooks. No need to have a complete workout yourself just putting it together.

Coming with dedicated weight storage racks, if you’re limited on space, you’ll appreciate the extra organization and not have to worry about tripping over stray weights.

With an included pull-up bar and two dip bars, you can perform chin-ups, dips, curls, deadlifts, squats and more.

You can complete your back and biceps one day, chest and tris the next, and legs after that if you want for a traditional split or do full-body workouts; whatever suits your goals best!

#6 Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack

As the best home squat rack, the Merax Barbell Squat Rack is ideal for smaller spaces or if you’re just on the hunt for something basic yet versatile and reliable.

Coming in Black/Dark Red, it is a sleek and cool-looking addition to any existing gym. While it may not look that elaborate, you’ll be able to hit your upper body and lower body.

The rack features a 550-pound max load, which isn’t the most, but let’s be honest – most of us aren’t going to need more than that anyway.

You can adjust it starting from 43.5 inches all the way to 67.5 inches, which makes it even more convenient with lower ceilings. Considering its size, 550 pounds is actually pretty impressive.

With a 2-inch hole spacing on the uprights, you can adjust the spotter arms to perfectly suit your height depending on the exercise you’re doing.

Squats, flat/incline/decline bench presses, curls, shrugs – it doesn’t matter. Lift with confidence no matter which you’re trying to complete.

The dip station is also a valuable addition, and thanks to the non-slip rubber boots, the stand will always stay in place, never scratching your floor.

Finally, you’ll find dedicated weight pegs located out of the way of your work area, so you can safely store them without issue.

#7 Sunny Health & Fitness Power and Squat Rack

Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the most reputable names in the fitness world. Taking a look at their Power and Squat Rack, it’s easy to see why.

They put quality in everything they produce, combining innovation with durability and offering it at a rate that most consumers are able to afford.

First off, the loaded power rack includes a 360-degree swivel built-in landmine post which is perfect for working the shoulders, chest, and lats to absolute exhaustion.

The raised height pull-up bar only helps with upper body destruction, working your back and biceps with precision focus. As it features a knurled grip, you won’t have to deal with slippery hands.

The 16” spotter arms will let you workout with extra peace of mind and the assurance that you’re safe if you can’t complete a rep or the barbell slips.

The max weight for the pull-up bar is an impressive 500, though the bar holders can support up to 880 pounds which is also more than sufficient for most.

With over 30 adjustment points, this model is made to work with every user and their unique body types.

Olympic plate storage posts will give you both organization while adding more stability when you’re using the rack! What more could you ask for?

Squat Rack Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Squat Rack – Buying Guide

Size

Before you do anything else, you must make sure that you know the dimensions of the area you have available to you. Where are you going to be placing it?

Do you already have a dedicated home gym or will you find a place just for the rack alone? Whatever your situation is, make sure you measure it.

Trust us, you’re rarely going to get it right if you’re just eyeing it, and you don’t want to waste time and money for something that could be so easily avoided.

If you have lower ceilings, there are plenty of excellent products on our guide that either come made to be shorter, or have adjustable heights to accommodate various ceilings.

Also think about width. Are you a wider person, or do you need extra space to perform certain exercises, such as kettlebell swings?

If you’re just using them for squats, dips, pull-ups, chest presses, etc, then you can easily get away with a narrower model.

Weight Capacity

You need to know that a pull-up bar can hold your body weight and that your squat rack can hold the amount of weight you’re going to be lifting.

The smaller or less expensive models typically hold up to around 500 pounds, which in all honesty, is more than the vast majority of us would ever need.

However, if you’re a serious athlete/bodybuilder then you should probably go for more than that. Just take note that lesser-quality models often list their racks at a higher weight capacity than their hooks are rated, which can obviously cause some serious issues.

While we don’t have to deal with that with any of the aforementioned products, it’s just a solid tip to watch out for. If you really want a rack you can grow with, then stick with those rated at at least 1,000 pounds.

Material

As you can see, most quality racks are going to be made of steel. Where they vary, however, is the type and thickness of the steel. You can expect more budget-friendly models to have 2” x 2” steel, while the higher-quality models can go all the way up to 3×3 inches.

However, we place a bit more focus on the gauge of the steel as it is often a better indicator of quality and durability. 7-gauge steel is essentially indestructible and a bit unnecessary when it comes to squat racks. 11-gauge and 12-gauge steel, on the other hand, is extremely tough and should be the only material you work with.

Type of Rack

As you can see from the products we’ve covered, there are an array of rack types to choose from. Let’s take a look at each.

1. Power Rack: If you can afford this one or have the room for it, we highly recommend getting one. They feature the most safety features and accessories, and are often known as a “squat rack” or “power cage”. They essentially provide you with a mechanical spotter, letting you perform innumerable lifts with the confidence of this back up. They’re perfect if you’re a serious lifter or athlete and offer the greatest number of exercise possibilities.
2. Half Rack: These are similar to the power racks, but are much smaller in size and are more limited in the number of exercises you can perform on them. They’re basically a smaller power rack, but are much more affordable and perfect for smaller spaces and/or lower ceilings.
3. Squat Stand: These are essentially open power racks, though this also means most of the safety features are removed, along with the versatility a power rack provides. They are, however, much cheaper and more portable.

Additions

Are you just planning on doing squats with your squat rack? If so, then perfect! You can choose literally any option on our guide and you’ll probably be happy.

However, most of us want the best bang for our buck and are looking for the ability to perform the most exercises possible. The vast majority of models on our guide will come with safety bars for squatting, as well as a pull-up bar.

There are others that have a variation of your standard pull-up bars, along with dip bars, lat pull-down bars, and so on.

Safety

Make sure that if you’re an inexperienced lifter, that you’re placing special focus on safety bars. That way, you always have a backup in case something goes wrong. Even if you’re a pro, however, safety should be at the forefront of your decisions.

Always make sure that you’re lifting weight that you know you can manage, and that your squat rack can support, too. Take advantage of weight pegs to minimize the chance of tripping over them or stubbing your toe.

Price

How much are you willing to spend on a good squat racks? It’s a good idea to figure this out before you start shopping to eliminate the risk of spending more than you wanted to. No matter what your price range is, you can find a model on our guide that suits your needs.

Just know that a squat rack should be an investment, and if you spend more you’re going to get a better level of quality, more safety, more exercise possibilities, and more.

FAQs About Squat Racks

Q: How much is recommended to spend on a squat rack?

A: While we just briefly touched on this, if you can spend more, spend more. When it comes to squat racks and exercise equipment in general, you should splurge a bit (if you can swing it) and opt for quality. Not only are they going to last longer, but they’re most likely going to be safer to use and provide you with better results.

Q: Can I use my squat rack outside?

A: While many on our guide could probably hold up well against rust and corrosion, we highly recommend not using yours outdoors. They’re not made for the elements, and it’s not safe to use it under these kinds of circumstances.

Q: Will my squat rack come with weights?

A: No, squat racks and power racks in general almost never come with weights included.

Q: Will I have to put the rack together myself?

A: Yes – shipping a fully-assembled squat rack isn’t going to be very feasible nor cheap. No need to worry, however, as they’re pretty easy to assemble; especially if you have a buddy or loved one who can help.

Tips For Choosing Squat Racks

#1: Even if you’ve used a hundred different squat racks, make sure to read the instructions on yours before using it.

Each squat rack is a little bit different. To ensure your safety and the best results possible, just give it a read before you use it. It’s a bit annoying, but it will be worth it in the end.

#2: Try to figure out the height you need your squat rack to be beforehand.

On average, you’ll only need a few feet in depth when the stand is not in use and then enough room in front of it for a bench when you are using it. As far as height goes, I’d still want at least 8′, but that’s so you can functionally squat. The rack itself will vary from 6′-8′ tall depending on the model.

#3: Think about the weight you’re going to be able to lift in 5, 10 years.

As we’ve said before, a squat rack is an investment. They’re made to last for many years, so try to select a rack that will hold more weight than you’re able to lift now. Who knows, you may be able to lift twice the amount you are currently – or even more! You don’t want to limit yourself and have to buy a brand-new rack when your old one still holds up fine.

Summary

Now that you’ve had the opportunity to read about pretty much everything you could ever want to know about squat racks, which is the model for you?

No matter which one you select, know that you’ll be getting one of the best squat racks available. However, what’s most important is that you select the perfect product for your goals and needs. A squat rack is a very personal product, and your needs will vary depending on your current level of fitness, body type, available space, budget, and more.

We hope that our guide has helped to lead you to the right one for you. Thanks for tuning in and we’ll see you again soon! Happy lifting!

How We Researched

To come up with the top squat and power racks, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Sears along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources