Re-Thinking The Rack Choice

[Michiganian]

Eventually (hopefully sooner, rather than later) I'll be acquiring either a power rack or squat rack. Planned use is squats, RDLs, and chest presses.

Basement ceiling height is only seven feet (84 in.), so a chin-up/pull-up bar is inconsequential, as I wouldn't be able to use it, anyway. Mainly only need enough height to comfortably start squats with my 6' 4" frame

I'd been thinking the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Rack ($235 on Amazon). But, upon reflection, that rack doesn't seem particularly substantial. If I have to set down/drop the bar quickly, I don't want anything moving anywhere.

In the interest of safety, now I'm leaning towards either the Rep Fitness PR-1000 Power Rack, Rep Fitness PR-1100 Power Rack, or Titan Fitness T-2 Series Power Rack. Probably the PR-1000 or T-2 Series, for their 2-in. hole spacing.

Westside spacing through the chest-height area with a bench would be great, but, I think I'm going to have to forgo that to stay within my
±$400 budget, unless anybody has any suggestions?

[James]

Either the rep or titan racks should be fine. I have an off brand rack I got off Amazon with close to the same design and the safety pin hole for bench is at the right height for a rogue flat bench. Just above my neck and below my chest when arched.

[sera310]

I started with a light, inexpensive rack I bought used, to see if I would stick with a home gym and if so, what I liked & didn't without making a big investment. Pro: It was very inexpensive. Cons: it was light & wasn't bolted down, so on a vigorous re-rack, it would slide on the floor. There were almost no attachments for it. The 2-inch hole spacing was more of a hassle than I expected. I gave that one away and bought a heavier rack with lots of available attachments, with Westside spacing, that is bolted to the floor. IMO the difference is night & day, if you can afford it. I'd look for a used, good one rather than a new, inadequate one.

[Wilhelm]

My SML-1 has been butted up against the baseboards for 6 years, so the not being bolted down part is a non issue.
Actually having it free to move in that plane means less stress overall for the re racks.

Stand and spotter arms are rated for 1,000+ pounds.
I've set down 400+ pound squats on the safeties with no issue.

70" tall, but no pullup bar.
I have a separate pullup bar in another area.
So $595 with spotter arms before shipping.
https://www.roguefitness.com/sml-1-rogu ... quat-stand

Even before i had my platform figured out, just having it butted up againsl the baseboard worked perfectly well.
It never did drift laterally.


This is my heaviest squat in it.

[James]

Like Wilhelm my rack is against a wall so I've never had it slide. I can get it to rock back a bit if I'm being particularly aggressive but the top of the rack would hit the wall before anything happened no matter how hard I pushed.

2x2 racks have a bunch of attachments now too the market kind of exploded.

[Michiganian]

I've kind of given up on the rack idea. Being tall I need a lot of rack height, but, my ceiling being low (a skosh less than seven feet), just the right amount of height. Otherwise I'd end-up banging my head on cross-members getting in and out of the thing.

So I've decided to go in the direction of a squat stand, instead. Currently leaning toward the Rogue S-1 Squat Stand 2.0 and Infinity Spotter Arms or Titan Fitness T-3 Series Short Squat Stand and T-3 Series Spotter Arms if I want to save a buck or two.

Thanks for the comments, everybody!

[Clearwater47]

Sounds like a good plan. It should fit your needs very well.
Looking forward to pictures once you get everything and have it set up.

[sera310]

Wilhelm & James make good points about butting a squat stand or light rack against a wall; due to space limitations, I have my rack away from the walls in my garage. If you can put it against a wall or brace it against a wall, you could eliminate that issue.

[augeleven]

I have the fitness reality rack and it’s wedged against the joists in my unfinished basement. Kind of a pain to move with the ceiling clearance, but it’s pretty solid when I use it. I do pull-ups on it, and my head goes between the joists.