PureNatural
Posts: 1349
Joined: 4/2/2006
From: Toronto Canada
Status: offline
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I've been posting routines here and some of exercises I recommend doing requires a spotter and sometimes or most of times we don't have one. Ofcourse if we don't have one our best option is to use a power rack. Another thing is not all can access a power rack at a gym because not everyone can get a gym membership. So I notice some people like build some serious strength and size but their only access is to get home gym equipment. So I thought rather then depending on universal machine or bowflex machine I'd help selecting a good power rack for you guys.
I've had tested or looked at both commercial and residential power racks from Hoist, Cybex, New York Barbell, Parabody, Body Solid, Body Craft, PowerTec, Spartan, TuffStuff, etc.
Power racks come in about three varieties: commercial quality, light commercial/residential, and residential. The commercial quality racks usually have 2x3, 2x4, or 3x3 inch steel and most sections are welded with only a few bolts and brackets. Since they're meant to be used constantly, they're very durable but also the most expensive, around $1,000. The light commercial/residential racks usually have 2x3 inch steel and are heavily bolted and bracketed with fewer welds. These are meant to be used by serious home trainers and personal trainers who don't have constant clients and cost between $400 and $600. The residential racks are almost always 2x2 inch steel with few welds and only single bolts connecting joints. These are meant to be used by the casual home trainer and cost between $300 and $500.
Unless you have the space and money for a commercial grade power rack, you'll need one that you can assemble and disassemble so that you can get it in the house. In the light commercial and residential grade power racks here's what you want to look for:
- as many fully welded pieces as possible
- joints that have more than one bolt
- joints that are bracketed if possible
- a quality power coating on the steel
- J hooks and safety bars/pins that are made of pure steel (no composites or plastics)
- chinning bar slightly inset so the power rack doesn?t rock when you do chins
- if you get a dip attachment, look for a power rack where you are on the inside of the power rack when dipping not the outside
I think Spartan, PowerTec, Hoist, Cybex, Parabody, and TuffStuff all make good racks but they're a to expensive. I didn't really approve of Body Solid basic power rack or the Pro power rack. The steel is 2x2 plus they wobble, and the joints are single bolts only. Even though they're cheap the quality isn't good enough. New York Barbell makes an excellent quality power rack for between $450 and $499 depending on height of the rack. The best buy in the market I would say is the Body Craft power rack . This is a rack I'm currently using at community gym. It's welded, double bolted, bracketed, sturdy, has an inset chinning bar, and dip bars that are inside the cage. For $350 bucks it's a great deal.
Hope this helps
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Gaining size and strength at home - 
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