Squat Racks

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Squat Racks Basics

A squat rack is a piece of weightlifting equipment that consists of a frame, freestanding or wall mounted, with adjustable supports that you can use to customize the height of the barbell. 

Its main purpose is to safely allow the user to perform squats, but it can also assist with other exercises like bench presses or deadlifts.

Rack attachments are additional components that can be added to a squat rack to increase its functionality and versatility. These accessories help users customize their workout experience to meet specific fitness goals.

Types of Squat Racks

There are two main types of squat racks: freestanding and wall mounted.
Squat Stands

As the name implies, squat stands are freestanding squat racks. They are solid and sturdy enough to stand on their own without being bolted into the wall.

Depending on your available space and setup, this might be the more popular option.

Wall mounted

On the other hand, wall-mounted squat racks require much less room in your living space but a safe and reliable installation to the wall is required. . There are 2 kinds available.

Foldable which is a very convenient space-saving option, and fixed wall-mounted racks. While it is a bit more work, wall-mounted squat racks are the most secure, compact, and cheapest option of squat racks.

How to Choose the Best Squat Rack

When choosing a squat rack, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Space

First, consider how much space you have available. 

If you have a small home gym, then you'll want to choose a compact freestanding squat rack that doesn't take up too much space. This is especially true if you're renting and don't plan on being at your home for more than a couple of years. 

On the other hand, if you have a larger gym space and you own the home, then you can opt for a full-size wall mounted squat rack.

Budget

Another important consideration is your budget. Since squat racks can range dramatically in quality, size and options, so does the price. So, it's important to consider how much you're able to spend so that you can find one within your budget.

Durability

If a 500-pound squat is just another Tuesday for you, then durability needs to be top priority when you buy a squat rack. 

Even if you can't currently squat that much, if you're serious about a lifelong fitness journey, then you'll want a squat rack that you can grow into. You'll want one that will be around for literally dozens of years. 

High durability usually comes with a higher price tag, but it's an investment that will pay for itself within a year or two. Also, knowing that your rack is made in North America does give a boost in confidence that what you will be buying is strong and durable!

Aesthetics

You may also want to consider the aesthetics of the squat rack. If it's going to be a focal point in your home gym, then you'll want to choose one that looks good and matches your other equipment.

Customization

When buying a squat rack, it is always fun to have access to a product builder. Iron Bull Strength lets you fully customize your squat rack to your exact likings and needs thanks to our squat rack builder.

Rack Attachments

Some squat racks come with add-ons and customization options, such as weight storage or pull-up bars. If you think you might want to use these features, then look for a squat rack that allows you to include them. 

Are you okay with the essentials? Or would you like the option to do pull-ups, have spotter arms, install a cable pulley, etc.? 

Do you want your squat rack to be just a squat rack? Or would you like it to be more like a functional trainer? 

When choosing a squat rack, be sure to ask yourself how important the bells and whistles are going to be for your fitness journey.

What to Look for When Buying a Squat Rack

Here are key elements to take into consideration when shopping for a squat rack

Stability

Naturally, the most important thing to look for in a squat rack is stability. After all, it's going to be holding a lot of weight, and that weight is usually going to be above your shoulders, so it needs to be able to withstand heavy use.

Stability will be affected by the size of the base, the size of the uprights, and the overall weight of the rack. An 11-gauge 3 x 3” structure will be much heavier and stable than a 14-gauge 2 x 2” structure. Also, the size of the base and whether the rack will be bolted to the wall or ground will also affect stability. Whenever possible, you should make sure that the rack is securely bolted to the floor.

Versatility

Another important thing to look for is versatility. As mentioned above, think about what you want your squat rack to be able to do for you.

If you want a squat rack for the big three exercises – squats, deadlifts, and presses, then opt for one with less versatility. But if you want to be able to use the rack for other exercises, such as pull-ups or dips, then look for a rack that includes these features, or can welcome additional rack accessories.

Size of Uprights

If there was one part of a squat rack considered the most important, it’s the uprights. 

A squat upright is a vertical bar that holds the J-hooks, safety bars, and pull-up bar. The upright is where you’re going to load most of your weight, so it needs to be strong and stable.

The size of the uprights will depend on the height of the ceiling where you intend to workout, and how much weight you intend to put on the rack. 

You want to make sure everything is stable and secure so there isn’t a chance of failure.

Usually, 14-gauge 2 x 2” steel uprights will handle enough weight, up to 600 lb. The uprights are a little smaller, but still strong enough to handle good weight. If you’re planning on going over 600 lb, then we recommend the 11-gauge 3 x 3” uprights. This is the ultimate size for maximum strength and durability.

Coating

To ensure your squat rack is around for many years to come, you want to protect it from the eventual dings that are sure to happen during your workouts.

One of the best ways to do this, outside of buying rubber-coated weight plates, is to find a squat rack with a strong protective coating.

All of our racks are powder-coated, as this not only offers a wide array of color options, but will also help to protect them from damage, rust, and corrosion.

Benefits of Squat Racks

If you ever wanted to feel like you had the gym come to your home, the squat rack will definitely give you that vibe

Convenient

Squat racks are a convenient way to train at home, especially if you plan to convert your squat rack into more of an all-in-one gym with a pull-up bar and other accessories. 

All-in-all, squat racks can be used for the staple exercises you need to do to get fit. Squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.

Customizable

The days of single-brand, single-color squat racks are long gone. Not only do you have plenty of options for height, durability, and material, but you can also customize your squat rack to match your gym. Add your personality to your squat rack!

Cheaper in the Long Run

Think about how much the average person pays for a gym membership or monthly classes. Polls say that it’s just over $50 – maybe more due to inflation. If you cancel that membership and purchase a great squat rack for $1,000, then you’ll have it paid back in less than two years!

No matter which squat rack and accessories you buy, in the long run, it is cheaper than a gym membership.

Squat racks and power racks are both great options for home gyms. They both offer a variety of benefits, such as convenience, customization, and cost savings. 

The main difference between squat racks vs. power racks is that power racks are typically larger and “cage-like.” A power rack will have four corners like a cage while a squat rack tends to only have the two uprights with a wide base of support.

Another way to look at it is like this: You step up to a squat rack, but you step inside a power rack.

Why Purchase Our Squat Racks?

If you're looking for a quality squat rack for your home gym, then you don’t need to look any further.

Sizes

Our squat racks come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different users. 

Whether you’re a beginner who is looking for something smaller with less accessories or a long-time lifter who is ready to take his Leg Day to the next level, we’ve got the perfect sized squat rack for you.

Exercises You Can Do

With our squat racks, you can do a variety of exercises outside of the obvious barbell squats. Depending on the model you purchase, you can also incorporate the following exercises:

  • Deadlifts
  • Bench presses
  • Pull-ups
  • Overhead presses (military presses)
  • Inverted bodyweight pull-ups
  • Bulgarian split squats
  • And so much more!

Price

We believe in offering the best quality at a price point that is fair to our customers. Whether you’re looking for a basic squat rack or one that’s fully loaded, we offer competitive prices on all our squat racks.

Stability

We cater to professional lifters, and that means we need to make squat racks that can last during the toughest workouts. Our squat racks are made in North America, with a strict attention to details. We specifically designed them for stability under the heaviest weights.

Feel confident that you are safe during your workouts by using an Iron Bull Strength squat rack.

How much does a squat rack cost?

Squat racks can dramatically range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The exact cost will depend on the features and quality of the rack.

You don’t need to have an ultra-fancy squat rack that also makes you a mid-workout smoothie, but you also don’t want to purchase one that was less than the cost of your sneakers.

Find the squat rack that is best for you but be sure to be realistic about a price point. Quality, durability, and effectiveness will always cost a bit more.