Take your workouts to the next level with these fantastic and versatile squat racks.
There's a lot to factor into finding the best squat rack, especially as they often vary drastically in price, making it tricky to figure out how much you need to spend to pick up a quality bit of kit.
As squats are one of the 'core movements' that should feature in almost every workout programme though, getting a squat rack is a great way to upgrade your home gym so you're ready to load up the plates on your best barbell.
To help kick off your search, we've put together a list of our top picks based on features, price, and reviews, highlighting some of the key differences that make each one of these items stand out from the crowd.
Whether you're after one of the best power cages, like this HulkFit bit of kit, or you're searching for something slightly cheaper, like this BangTong&Li Squat Rack Stand, we've got you covered right here.
We've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding squat racks to help you decide which is right for your own gym setup. With that in mind, let's get into it...
We've featured Sunny Health & Fitness products before like in our best exercise bikes under 500 list and, like the indoor bike, its squat stand is a highly versatile bit of kit that comes with a bench and the option of a lat pulldown attachment to help you achieve more than just your squat goals.
Moreover, with the Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Squat Stand you get a pull-up bar which means you can hit back as well as legs with this bit of kit.
There are also 6 exercise band attachment points allowing you to warm up with some top resistance band exercises before you go into lifting heavier weights.
What is great about this cage though is it comes with Olympic plate storage to help keep your gym tidy both during and after a workout.
If you've got yourself pumped with some amazing pre-workout and are looking for something a little more heavy-duty to withstand heavier weight, then the HulkFit Power Cage might be for you.
It has been constructed using 11 gauge steel meaning this bit of fitness equipment has a 1000lbs weight capacity, ideal for even the most experienced powerlifter.
The HulkFit Power Cage also comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar and two dip bars which means you can tackle your back, arms, and chest all within this one bit of kit.
Additionally, the two steel safety bars that run across the cage not only provide you with some protection when lifting but can also be used to attach resistance bands for warm-ups.
Sometimes a simple squat rack, like this BangTong&Li Stand, is all you need if you're looking to save space and are working within a budget.
The stand can still hold 500lbs safely and securely which means you are still able to strap yourself into your top weightlifting belt and squat pretty heavy if you're more of an accomplished lifter.
The BangTong&Li Squat Rack should be suitable for beginners just starting out as its relatively inexpensive price tag means you can use the stand as a starting point before progressing to a full power cage if you wanted.
Like the Sunny Health & Fitness cage, it comes with Olympic plate storage which means you can keep your weights racked when they're not in use to help keep your gym nice and tidy.
This impressive bit of kit has all the attachments to complete an effective and challenging full-body workout, beneficial when trying to save space as it keeps everything you need in one place.
The heavy-duty rack has a steel frame meaning it should be durable as well as strong, with Fitness Reality stating it can hold 800lbs making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned pros.
The cage also comes with the option of having a high lat and low row pulley attachment which means, with the multi-grip bar taking the place of a top pull-up bar, you can use it to take on a killer back workout if needed
The Fitness Reality 810XLT's versatility is what makes it so great as there's something in there to train your legs, back, chest, and arms making it ideal for a home gym setup.
CAP Barbell has been in the fitness business for over 30 years, and they specialise in bringing the regular gym into your home.
Their power rack is designed to be strong as it's made from both 11 and 12-gauge steel which means it should keep you safe when testing your maximum performance.
CAP also boasts a durable powder coat finish as well as industrial zinc hardware meaning this cage is likely to remain maintenance-free.
With the addition of the rail across the top acting as a top pull-up bar, the CAP Barbell Power Rack is a great option if you're looking for a multi-purpose weights setup for your gym.
People often have a tonne of questions about squat racks, especially as there are so many different types, but we're here to clear up a few common queries to help you make your purchase.
Strictly speaking, a squat rack is designed to support weight through two metal posts acting as stands when doing squat variations.
However, many squat racks can double up as a place to bench press as you use similar equipment when performing both lifts.
On the other hand, a power cage has four metal posts connected by horizontal framing which acts as a safety feature for when you train by yourself.
A half cage falls somewhere in between, often keeping a lot of the benefits of a full rack but they typically end up slightly cheaper and smaller.
If you enjoy lifting weights then a squat rack should benefit you as it can often be used for more than just a lower body workout.
With an accompanying bench and bar, you can pretty much achieve a full-body workout whilst using a rack through bench press, barbell rows, and so on.
So, depending on your fitness needs, a squat rack can be an excellent tool to help you build some muscle and achieve your workout goals.
More often than not, squat racks take a lot of punishment from heavy barbells being dropped on them.
However, given their purpose, they are built to be strong, usually out of steel, meaning they will likely last a long time and not collapse if assembled correctly.
They may become chipped or slightly worn the more they're used but this shouldn't affect their ability to function correctly and safely.
Generally speaking, fixed squat racks are around 79" (200cm) to 90" (229cm) in height to accommodate even the tallest of individuals.
For adjustable squat stands, like this BangTong&Li bit of kit, you may find the height in which you can set the rack to fall between 55” and 70” in order to reach around shoulder height for the majority of standing exercises.
There are, of course, some stands which measure even taller than this, but for home gyms, we'd recommend sticking to a rack that sits somewhere in these height ranges.
Read More: Best Weight Benches Available Right Now