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The 8 Best Power Racks To Elevate Your At-Home Fitness Routine
Squat racks, power cages, and more
If you want to take your workouts to a new level, look no further than a power rack. A versatile piece of gym equipment, the best power racks can act as a pullup bar, a squat rack, and a bench press all in one. When looking for a power rack, ensure it's adjustable and can mount J-hooks, dip bars, and other pieces at different heights to craft a compact home gym that suits your workout needs.
To find the best power racks on the market, we researched dozens of options and evaluated them for material, durability, price, adjustability, features, and weight capacity. Each of the power racks chosen in this article was determined to be the best of these factors. We also had a NASM-certified personal trainer, yoga teacher, and fitness coach from our Review Board review this article for accuracy surrounding what to look for in a power rack, its uses, and what makes it different from a squat rack.
Durable and sturdy
Adjustable J-hooks
Comes in various colors
Pullup bar isn't adjustable
If you’re looking for a no-frills power rack that doesn’t demand a ton of space, the CAP Barbell Power Rack will cover all your bases. The rack comes with a built-in pull-up bar, which you can use for suspension training as well as pull-ups. Get a little creative—since the rack is crafted from steel tubing, it promises to stay stable as you work out.
The rack ships with two built-in J-hooks, which you can use for squats and bench presses. And you can use the upright posts on the back of the rack to store your weights between workouts.
The CAP Barbell Power Rack stands at 85 inches tall and boasts a weight capacity of 500 pounds. Since the built-in J-hooks are fully adjustable, these dimensions should give you plenty of options. But please note that the pull-up bar isn’t adjustable, which may pose a challenge for some.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 46 x 50 x 85 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Built-in pull-up bar, J-hook, double-gusseted uprights
Durable
Built-in safety bars to keep cage steady
Adjustable J-hooks and dip bars
Pullup bar isn't adjustable
The HulkFit Power Cage — 1,000lb. Capacity is a solid pick for anyone who loves a versatile workout as much as they love heavy lifting. The cage is made up of a series of power racks connected by heavy-duty steel tubes. On the top of the cage, you’ll find multi-grip foam handlebars that you can use to tackle a range of pull-ups. Farther down the cage, you’ll find four J-hooks for lifting and racking weights, a pair of dip bars, and a couple of built-in safety bars designed to keep the cage steady.
The cage stands at 81 inches tall and all of the built-in pieces—except for the pull-up bar—are adjustable. The cage boasts a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, making it a seriously heavy-duty option fit for the avid lifter.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 47 x 44 x 81 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Two steel safety bars with J-Hooks, multi-grip pull-up bar, two dip bars, and bonus J-Hooks
Built-in posts to store weights
Durable and sturdy
Generous weight capacity
Must be weighted down to use resistance bands
If this is your first time using a power rack, you don’t need a complicated system with a bunch of fancy features. All you need is a pull-up bar, a squat rack, and a bench press—and ideally, you want those things to be adjustable. The Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Gym Rack Squat Stand delivers all of that in a sleek, space-efficient package.
This rack comes with a pull-up bar that you can adjust to eight positions and a pair of J-hooks that you can adjust to 18 positions. The bottom of the rack also comes equipped with a pair of built-in posts, which you can use to store your weights between uses.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Gym Rack Squat Stand stands at 87 inches tall. But since all of its built-in parts are adjustable, this shouldn’t pose a problem. The rack is crafted from heavy-duty steel and can handle up to 805 pounds at a time.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 38 x 53 x 87 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 805 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: J-hooks, built-in posts, six resistance band pins, safety clips
Small footprint
Completely adjustable
Durable and sturdy
Smaller weight capacity than other options
Low on space? You may not need a full-blown power rack. With the F2C Adjustable Squat Rack, you can get a squat rack and a bench press without taking up much room at all. Just tuck the bench out of the way in between uses. It's a convenient setup for those who regularly take short breaks during their day to squeeze in some exercise, like strength-training with balance boards and free weights or putting in a couple miles on an under desk bike in the office.
Simply assemble your weight rack posts and adjust them to a height that meets your needs. Since the posts are crafted from steel, they’ll remain sturdy and stable through all your home workouts. And the rubber feet lining their bases will keep those posts from sliding around or damaging your floors.
The F2C Adjustable Squat Rack’s height is completely adjustable to your needs, ranging from 40 inches to 66 inches tall. Though the rack is space-friendly, it’s not at all flimsy—its weight capacity is 550 pounds.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 17.7 x 20.1 x 66 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 550 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Fourteen position adjustable spotters, J-hooks
Comes with many accessories
Durable and sturdy
Expensive
The IFAST Multi-Functional Power Cage is a highly customizable option for exercisers who know exactly what they're looking for in a home workout system. Choose from five different packages—just the cage or different combinations of weightlifting accessories, including a weight bench, tricep rope, double-D handle, V-shape bar, rotating straight bar, weight plates, Olympic bar, squat pad, and fitness gloves.
What the Experts Say: "It literally has it all—it is a rather expensive setup, but it's definitely the whole package!"
Featuring a 1,000-pound weight capacity, this all-in-one cage is sturdy and durable, but easy to make your own (in case multiple household members want to use it). Assembly is straightforward, although the pieces may ship in multiple boxes. And while this cage is more expensive than others on our list, the level of customization makes it a solid investment, since it can change to meet your fitness goals as they change over time.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 55.1 x 43.3 x 86.6 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 1000 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Weight bench, tricep rope, double-D handle, V-shape bar, rotating straight bar, weight plates, Olympic bar, squat pad, fitness gloves
Chip- and corrosion-resistant
Easy assembly
Great for bodyweight workouts
Smaller weight capacity than other options
The Stamina Outdoor Fitness Power Tower makes it easy workout effectively in the great outdoors. The steel power tower was designed with outdoor use in mind. Its paint is chip-resistant and corrosion-resistant, and its frame should require little to no maintenance once it’s fully assembled. Use the pull-up bar and adjacent handles to tackle pull-ups and chin-ups, or get a quick core workout using the built-in dip bars. You can even use the handlebars at the base of the tower to log a few elevated pushups.
Yes, this power tower exclusively encourages bodyweight workouts. But standing at 81 inches tall and boasting a weight capacity of 300 pounds, it can still hold up to intense exercise.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 49 x 50 x 81 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: N/A
All-in-one workout system
Built-in posts to store weights
Wheels make for easy transport
Expensive
The Marcy Pro Smith Machine Home Gym Training System Cage is a power rack that doubles as an entire home gym. At the core of the machine, you’ll find a power cage—complete with a pullup bar, a dip station, and a pair of J-hooks that you could use as a weight rack. It also comes with a bench press (workout bench included) and a series of cable pulleys that you can use for even more dynamic strength training workouts.
Because a power rack isn’t complete without a place to store your weights, this product also comes with a series of posts you can use to store your weights between uses.
The Marcy Pro Smith Machine Home Gym Training System Cage stands at 85 inches tall and can accommodate up to 600 pounds of weight at a time. The machine also comes equipped with built-in transport wheels, so it should be relatively easy to move if you ever need to.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 86 x 73 x 85 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 600 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Plate rack, dip bars, safety bar catchers, two anchors, two single handles, transport wheels
Safety bars provide good stability
Generous weight capacity
Easy to assemble
Some parts aren't adjustable
Boasting a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds, the Fitness Reality X-Class Olympic Power Cage is a heavy-duty power cage suitable for serious lifters. The durable steel tube cage comes equipped with dual-mounted safety bars, which will keep it sturdy and stable as you tackle intense workouts. You can use the handlebars on the top of the cage for pull-ups and chin-ups, and you can use the high-density rubber handles on the side of the cage for various dips. (Do note, though, that both these sets of handlebars boast a lower weight capacity than the cage itself; each pair can only handle up to 600 pounds at a time).
The power cage comes with a pair of J-hooks, which you can mount at different heights to create a squat rack or bench press. The Fitness Reality X-Class Olympic Power Cage stands at 86 inches tall. Its pullup bar and dip handles are not adjustable, but the built-in J-hooks are.
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 86.5 x 52 x 86 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 1500 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required | Add-On Features: Dip handles, J-hooks, pull-up bar, lat pull-down attachment, low row cable attachment, safety bars
How We Selected the Power Racks
To select the best power racks, we researched dozens of options from the most popular and trusted retailers. We first consulted experts for their opinions on what every power rack needs, including Kelvin Gary, CPT, and Chris Gagliardi, an ACE-certified personal trainer.
Then, we considered each rack's functionality, adjustability, and weight capacity. We also looked at the gauge of steel and durability. Finally, we examined each rack's price, any additional features, and ease of assembly.
What to Look For When Shopping For a Power Rack
- Functionality: Power racks can serve a few purposes: you can use a power rack as a squat rack, a bench press, a pullup bar, and more, depending on how it’s designed. Consider your typical workout, then find a power rack that suits your needs. If you're the type who stashes a treadmill under a standing desk so you can take exercise breaks during the day and don't need the pull-up bar, then a space-saving shorter rack might work for you. If you prefer more dynamic options, you can always splurge on a feature-packed power cage or a Smith machine.
- Adjustability: Power racks come in different heights and sizes, and these characteristics should fit into your current workout routine. By choosing a power rack with adjustable parts, you can alter the rack over time to meet your strength training needs. Gary says that a solid rack with continuous pieces is good for professionals or those with more experience, while an adjustable rack is ideal for small spaces and portability purposes.
- Weight Capacity: If you’re looking to do some heavy lifting, check the weight capacity of a power rack before your purchase. This is important because your weight needs may increase over time, and if you buy a lightweight rack, you may have to find a replacement sooner rather than later. “If you plan on going heavy for the jump, it’s not safe to buy a lightweight rack,” explains Gary. While weight capacity can range from 300 pounds to 1,500 pounds, Gary says it’s smart to find one with a higher weight capacity to fit your future needs.
- Guage of Steel: Gauge of steel is the measure of the standard thickness of a sheet of metal, says Gary. He says that the thicker the better when it comes to building a stable rack, and that you typically have to invest more out of pocket for a quality power rack. If you’re a beginner, the highest gauge of steel might not be necessary. However, buying a rack with a high gauge of steel is a good choice if you plan on increasing your weight capacity down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you build a power rack at home?
Various power racks are available on the market, so follow the manufacturer’s specific guidelines for setup and maintenance at home. One critical consideration is the amount of space you’ll need for the rack you choose. “Be sure to include the added length of the bar you will be using and that you give yourself enough room for loading and unloading the bar safely,” says Gagliardi.
Should you secure a power rack to the floor?
Most power racks don’t need to be secured to the floor. Instead, they're free-standing and designed to be stable while simply resting on the floor, according to Gagliardi. Wall-mounted racks are attached to a wall and may require professional installation.
What's the difference between a squat rack and a power rack?
Although the terms are often interchangeable, a squat rack and a power rack do have some key differences. Both can be used to perform barbell squats, but a squat rack is open on the side you walk into and on the top. A power rack is more like a cage, with the bar enclosed inside the rack and the top enclosed.
How much does a power rack cost?
A quality power rack can cost anywhere between $90-$2,000. Cheaper options may lack features and functions like adjustability, sturdiness, and added attachments. The most budget-friendly on our list is often available for $93, while our top recommendation was $252 when we published this list.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who have tried them.