Best Squat Racks of 2024
Step your leg day workouts up a notch with these squat racks.
Our Experts
What to consider
Measure the space
Functionality
Additions you will need
Our Picks
Typically, as people begin filling a home gym with equipment it starts with things like treadmills, or other cardio machines. But if you prefer to lift weights, a good squat rack will open a wide range of workouts you can add into your training. However, there are many things to consider when it comes to buying a squat rack. If you're familiar with using this equipment in the gyms already, you are more prepared.
As someone who has been strength training for some time, I'm a fan of squat racks, and they're one of the best pieces of equipment if you're looking to level up your training. I've used various types and brands in different gym settings so I'm familiar with the key features a squat rack should have. Like most home gym equipment, squat racks can get rather expensive, with the price depending on the brand and style you choose. If you're in the market to add a squat rack to your home gym, below are some of the best options, based on overall customer satisfaction and brand reputability.
What is the best squat rack overall?
Based on top customer reviews and features, the SM-2 Rogue 90-inch Monster Lite Squat Stand is the best overall squat rack. If you're familiar with Rogue then you know it's one of the top fitness equipment manufacturers that are appropriate for both home and commercial gym use. This squat rack design is simple and ideal for those who just want a straightforward rack to support their training. It's ideal if you're setting up your home gym in a garage. This rack allows you to do strength training exercises like squats, bench presses, pull-ups, clean pulls and more. However, if you prefer a squat rack with more features or a different style, our best list has various ones to pick from.
Best squat racks of 2024
Rogue is well-known for its weight-training equipment and is the go-to for CrossFit and big-box gyms. The SML-2 Rogue 90-inch Monster Lite Squat Stand is a hybrid between a squat rack and a power rack, which allows you to perform other exercises such as bench presses or deadlifts. It also includes the choice of two pull-up bars: a thicker and thinner bar. This squat rack will fit in a garage gym as long as the ceiling clears over 7.5 feet.
Customers who purchased this squat rack say it was easy to put together and that it's heavy-duty and high quality. Many reviewers say they are able to do various lifts with this rack, and the pull-up bars are height-friendly for even the tallest people. Buyers agree it's worth buying the spotter arms for extra safety when lifting.
Best squat rack for the garage
PRX Performance Profile Pro Folding Squat Rack
If you're limited on space but still want to find room for a squat rack, the PRX Performance Profile Pro Folding Squat Rack is a solid choice. This squat rack first gained attention when the creators appeared on the TV show Shark Tank to promote the space-saving device.
It's perfect for a garage because it doesn't take up a lot of room (it just needs 4 inches of wall space) and can be folded in when you're done using it. The only thing you need to be mindful of is that your garage ceiling is tall enough. You will need a ceiling that's at least 7.5 feet high.
Customers love this space-saving squat rack. One reviewer is a musician who uses the garage as a studio space and a gym and says the squat rack is easy to store when not in use. Other buyers say it's sturdy, worth the investment and has changed their workout routine for the better.
Best squat rack for home gym
Titan Fitness T-3 Series Short Squat Stand
If you have a low-ceiling home gym, then you'll love the Titan Fitness T-3 Series Short Squat Stand. At only 6 feet tall, this squat rack can fit into just about any room. Despite its size, it's sturdy enough to hold up to 1,000 pounds and doesn't need to be drilled into the floor or a wall. That's a major plus if you ask us.
Customers say this squat rack exceeded their expectations for sturdiness and ease of assembly. One powerlifter said they've racked up to 600 pounds on the spotter's arms without any issues and found that it fit perfectly in their small space. This squat rack is even appropriate for commercial use -- one gym owner said he bought several for his gym.
Best multifunctional squat rack
HulkFit 1,000-pound Capacity Multifunction Adjustable Power Cage
A power rack helps you feel more confident in lifting heavier, even without a spotter. This Hulkfit squat rack includes a pull-up bar, dip bars and J-hooks to rack your barbells. It's on the larger side, so make sure you have a ceiling that's at least 7 feet high.
Buyers who purchased this multifunctional squat rack say they got their money's worth. According to Amazon, the manufacturer is transitioning from safety bars to safety straps, which means depending on when you order, you may receive either one. Some customers say they had issues with the way the squat rack was shipped and said some of the packaging was torn, but the parts themselves weren't damaged.
Best squat rack on Amazon
Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Squat Stand
This no-frills squat rack is one of Amazon's most highly-rated pieces of exercise equipment. It can hold a little over 800 pounds and fits up to a 7-foot-long Olympic bar. The squat rack includes adjustable spotter arms, storage for Olympic plates and an angled pull-up bar. If you'd like to upgrade this squat rack, there are two other styles that include a lat pulldown attachment and a weight bench. Make sure you have a ceiling that's over 7 feet tall if you opt for this rack.
Reviews are positive for the most part. One buyer said their family, including a teenager who is a football player, uses this squat rack for conditioning. Another user who uses the squat rack and the pull-up bar says it can even withstand the intensity of kipping pull-ups. She adds, "The squat rack itself is great, and I've used it to squat, bench, and do rack pulls on."
Best squat rack for outdoors
Get RX'd Galvanized Backyard Builder RMU Rig
If your home gym is in your yard, you know that Mother Nature can rust your equipment. You'll want a squat rack that's protected from the weather. The Get RX'd Galvanized Backyard Builder RMU Rig is a great option if you want a squat rack specifically intended for outdoor use.
This squat rack uses hot-dip galvanization to prevent corrosion from the inside out. The process immerses steel in molten zinc to help create a multilayered weather-resistant coat to prevent rusting. Aside from being a sturdy squat rack, this rig can be used by multiple people at the same time, and it has plenty of room to set up gymnastics rings. There are three different pull-up bar options.
Reviewers say this squat rack is ideal for a backyard and lives up to its weather-resistant promises. One buyer said, "Living in Portland with monthly rain, this is perfect for the backyard! Even wet, it has plenty of grip and is definitely all-weather!" Another reviewer said they've owned this rig for over two and a half years, and they've used it consistently without any issues.
How we test squat racks
In this case, we curated this list based on trusted customer reviews and well-respected brands. We took into consideration the different type of squat racks that exist and the appropriate users for each one. Most importantly, we made sure that they were fitting for home use.
Factors to consider when choosing a squat rack
If you're in the market to buy a squat rack, chances are you have used one before in the gym. But before purchasing one for your home, there are a few things you should think about ahead of time.
Measure the space: Determine if you're placing the squat rack in your garage, basement, outside or another room in your home. Look up the dimensions of the squat rack to make sure it will fit well. If you're using your garage to also store your car, tools or other pieces of equipment, make sure the squat rack clears enough space for these items.
Functionality: Although a standard squat rack usually has racks to place a barbell, there are styles that come with a pull up bar, dip bars or other accessories. Decide if you will only use the rack for leg day or if you'd also like it to have versatility to do bench pressing, pull ups or other exercises.
Additions you will need: Squat racks require a barbell, weight plates and storage for said weights, which come at an extra cost. Usually barbells can run you upwards of $100 and will vary depending on the bar length and style. Weight plates for squat racks usually consist of five, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 pounds -- even 55 pounds in some cases. Prices for these vary and are based on weight, brand and if it's sold individually or as a set. These can quickly add up, so it can be helpful to decide if your budget allows to purchase a set at a time or all at once. Additionally, if the squat rack you're eyeing doesn't have a rack for plate storage, you will need to buy one as well.
Best squat rack practices
Choose a squat rack that fits your needs: When shopping for a squat rack, there are some key things to keep in mind. Steve Stonehouse, VP of Education and Programming at Body Fit Training says, "focus your time and energy researching those racks that fit perfectly into your space and for the height of the people who will be using the rack." He suggests that the next thing to look for in a squat rack is the quality of the machine. "There is a different quality and standard for commercial racks as opposed to personal racks," he explains. When deciding on the quality of the rack, something to consider is the type and thickness of the steel that was used in manufacturing. You should also consider the amount of weight and frequency of use that the squat rack will see.