Squat rack vs Power rack
If you are planning on putting together a home gym, you may be considering getting a power rack or a squat stand to complete your setup. While either one can be a valuable addition to a home gym, it's important to understand the differences between them and to know what to look for when shopping for either.
A poor quality rack often gets abandoned.
What's the Difference Between a Power Rack and a Squat Stand?
A power rack, also sometimes called a power cage, is a versatile piece of equipment that will allow you to safely squat and bench press without a spotter. A power rack has pins or cups to hold the bar when you start a squat, and it also has safety bars. The safeties can catch the bar if you fail a squat or a bench. Power racks also allow you to do pull-ups or chin-ups.
A squat stand is about half the size of a power rack. It consists of two columns with pins or cups for the bar. This setup allows you to do squats. However, not all squat stands have safeties. Squatting without safeties can be dangerous, as you'll need to get yourself out from under the bar if you start to fail a rep.
Generally speaking, a power rack is a more versatile choice. If you have a squat stand with safeties, you may be able to adjust the safeties in such a way that you can bench press or squat. A power rack gives you the option of rack pulls, pull-ups, and chin-ups, and its four-cornered designs makes it more stable.
If you drop a loaded barbell on the safeties of a power rack, the power rack won't fall over. But depending on the sturdiness of a squat stand and how you drop the barbell, a squat stand may fall.
What Should You Look for in a Squat Stand or Power Rack?
Once you've decided on a power rack or a squat stand, it's important to think about what you want in your setup. What matters most to you will vary depending on the exercises you want to do and on your fitness goals, but below are some general things to consider:
Think About Safety and Stability
All power racks and squat stands are rated to hold a certain amount of weight, and this is an important consideration. If you don't lift heavy weights and you aren't intending to, most racks and stands will likely be sufficient. You want to make sure that each rack or stand you're considering can hold more weight than you're intending to lift.
Additionally, some setups can be bolted to the wall or to the ground for increased stability. This feature can go a long way toward keeping you safe when lifting, as it reduces the risk of the setup falling over.
If you are leaning towards purchasing a squat stand, make sure you choose one with safeties. Even if you aren't planning on squatting to failure, having safeties in place is a good way to guard against injury from a failed rep.
Consider Adjustability
Different setups have different spacing between the holes. These holes allow you to position the pins that hold the barbell, and they also allow you to position the safeties. When holes are closer together, you will be able to get a more exact positioning. This is especially important if you plan to bench press in the rack, since you want the safeties to allow the bar to just touch your chest.
Think About Versatility
If you want to be able to do as many exercises as possible with your setup, it's important to think about the versatility angle. It's a good idea to look into whether a given setup allows you to do chin-ups and pull-ups, as well as whether you can add a dip bar or other attachments.
Some power racks designed for home gyms even come with lat pulldown attachments or landmine attachments. If you want maximal exercise options, choosing a setup that either comes with attachments or lets you add them is wise.
Here Are Some Squat Stands and Power Racks to Consider
Below are brief overviews of six popular squat stands and power racks:
Rogue RML-390/490C Power Rack
This power rack offers high-quality construction with a colorful finish. It comes with pipe/pin safeties and Monster Lite j-cups to hold the bar. It also features a pull-up bar with both fat and skinny grips for maximum versatility.
Hole spacing is very close together, which allows for precise adjustment of j-cups and safeties. If you are someone who wants to add some color to their home gym, this may be a good option, as you choose a custom finish. This power rack must be bolted to the floor for security
Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack
This setup is uniquely space-saving, making it perfect for those who want to create a home gym despite having minimal space. While it bolts to the wall for maximum security, this setup can fold back to the wall when you're done with your routine. While it comes with j-cups, it does not include safeties.
You can add your own safeties, but these cost extra. However, hole spacing is very close together for a custom fit. While mounting may be challenging depending on the type of walls you have, this rack is a good choice for anyone who is short on space.
Rogue SML-2C Squat Stand
This squat stand is designed for stability, and its feet can be arranged in multiple configurations. Although it is not a full power rack, it includes a pull-up bar. This setup comes with j-cups.
Although it is compatible with safeties, these are an optional feature and cost extra. The base bolts together for easy assembly, and this setup does not need to be bolted to the wall or to a floor.
SML-1 Rogue 70" Monster Lite Squat Stand
This setup is simple but incredibly durable. It features a heavy, bolt-together base for stability, and it also has close hole spacing for a precise setup.
This stand has been used in home gyms, commercial gyms, and powerlifting competitions, and you have the option of adding on a pair of high-quality safeties (although these cost extra). This setup does not include a pull-up bar, although it is very space-efficient.
SML-2 Rogue 90" Monster Lite Squat Stand
This is essentially an expanded version of the SML-1. While it is structured similarly, it offers some additional features on a slightly larger platform. It includes a fat and a skinny pull-up bar, and as with the SML-1, you need to add on safeties if you want to include them. It also does not need to be bolted to the floor, but its wider base offers some additional stability.
PowerLine PPR200X Power Rack
This setup offers a wide design, and it is a full cage for maximal stability. Unlike the above setups, it includes safeties. However, hole spacing is considerably wider than that of the above models, making it potentially more difficult to precisely adjust safeties and j-cups exactly as you want them. It has an optional lat pulldown attachment for versatility.
Henrik using a wall & floor mounted rack for split jerk training.