Squat Rack Buying Guide: Get the Best of Strength Training
Published by Adam Pol,
Whether you want to stock your home or professional gym, getting the right type of squat rack is one of the most important things you can do. The main reason why you should choose your own wisely is that gym squat racks in general are one of the most fundamental lifts in weight training. This rack is nothing new, in fact, it became popular and prominent in all commercial weightlifting gyms in the ‘30s, and over the years its look, convenience and functionality have been improved.
Nowadays, squat racks are also known as power racks as this gym equipment can act as a bench rack, squat rack, spotter, etc. The thing that matters the most is that today’s power racks are safe to use even when lifting heavier weights which is paramount for heavy lifters. In order to choose the right rack of this kind for your needs, besides its look, there are some other and most important things to look for.
Look for Safety
Safety is maybe one of the most important things you need to look for in a squat rack. Whether for your home or for the commercial gym, gym squat racks should be safe and quality enough to withstand any weight you put on them. This goes especially when performing movements like squatting and pressing. The ones coming from trusted and well-known brands usually have arms, straps and safety pins in place to catch a dropped bar. Except for being great in keeping you safe from an injury, they can also allow you to use weights that cannot be used on poorly made squat racks of this kind.
Choose Easy to Load Squat Rack
The main reason why no one did squats and bench presses in the past is that there was no way for people to get the designated weight safely into position in order to lift it. Although in the past those who wanted to lift heavy have had help from other people, this was quite inconvenient which is why it never became popular among gym lovers. Over the years this has changed and nowadays you have the ability to choose from a range of quality squat racks that are easy to load and unload.
Consider the Steel Thickness
Generally speaking, it is said that the more affordable racks have 5x5cm steel, while those that are made of more quality steel can go all the way up to 7x7cm or more. Another important thing to have in mind is the gauge. For instance, the racks designed for commercial use usually have 7-gauge still which is quite thick and almost indestructible. For those of you who are looking for a home or garage gum rack, then you should look at the 11-gauge steel.
Types of Squat Racks
Power Rack
Power racks are one of the most commonly used types of squat rack as it has lots of safety features and accessories. Also known as a power cage and squat cage, a power rack is a type of weight training equipment that can provide lifters with a safe way to lift heavyweight. But most importantly, it will give them, you, the versatility to perform many and different lifts. Although it is convenient, functional, easy and safe to use, power racks have their downsides as well. The biggest one is that they take up a lot of free space and besides this, they are considered among the most expensive gym equipment.
Squat Stand
This gym equipment is basically an open power rack only smaller in size. This makes them more affordable than power racks but also less versatile since squat stands don’t have the same features as power racks. If planning to use it on your own, investing in spotters arms is paramount in order to stay safe and sound while lifting.
Half Rack
Similar to the squat stand, the half rack is similar to the power rack only smaller in size. The number of exercises performed on this gear is also fewer. The biggest benefit is that they are great for people who have less space in the gym or for those gyms with shorter ceilings. Although with a similar look, half racks don’t match the capabilities of a full power rack. So if the price, space and ceiling height are not a problem, then, it’s better if you invest in a full power rack.
Fold-Away Squat Rack
As the name implies, these racks are designed to fold and are ideal for those of you who are short on space. These racks are especially used in the gym garage so people could have peace of mind when working out while still having the place to park their car later on. The only thing to have in mind is that these racks offer a limited number of exercises.
Combo Rack
The last but not least type of squat racks are the combo racks which are mainly designed to be used in powerlifting meets. These racks have a bench that is designed to lock in, and also adjustable uprights. Although it is said that these racks can be used for home use as well, they are more ideal for meet events and powerlifting gyms.