where to buy squat/power racks?

dezki

Nearly finished my home gym, need either a squat rack or power rack to really make it complete. I've tried looking online but results haven't been great. Anyone one where to buy a cheapish squat or power rack online or are there any decent shops to look at?

And would people recommend getting a power rack. They look fairly expensive but seem to be the only way to squat or bench on your own safely. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.:)

mrkf1984

dezki wrote: »

Nearly finished my home gym, need either a squat rack or power rack to really make it complete. I've tried looking online but results haven't been great. Anyone one where to buy a cheapish squat or power rack online or are there any decent shops to look at?

And would people recommend getting a power rack. They look fairly expensive but seem to be the only way to squat or bench on your own safely. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.:)

irishlifting.com. has to be a power rack. not on comission for irish lifting but maybe i should

power rack is alot more versatile.

Brendygg

Got mine from Irish lifting too, great set up. Recommended.

dezki

thanks for the help really appreciate it, but i was hoping for something a little cheaper. any ideas? can they be bought second hand anywhere?

mrkf1984

dezki wrote: »

thanks for the help really appreciate it, but i was hoping for something a little cheaper. any ideas? can they be bought second hand anywhere?

what price u looking for. theres one for 400. if u go much lower u cant be sure of the quality. theres always the possibility he might knock off a few pound from the asking price. dont know of any second hand ones

Zamboni

dezki wrote: »

thanks for the help really appreciate it, but i was hoping for something a little cheaper. any ideas? can they be bought second hand anywhere?

How about €299

https://www.vjhomefitness.com/product_info.php?cPath=19&products_id=819&osCsid=d583140f5982b2cea9751cd791701d08

dezki

Zamboni wrote: »

How about €299

https://www.vjhomefitness.com/product_info.php?cPath=19&products_id=819&osCsid=d583140f5982b2cea9751cd791701d08

thanks for that. Still expensive but i think it's worth it

shootermacg

Zamboni wrote: »

How about €299

https://www.vjhomefitness.com/product_info.php?cPath=19&products_id=819&osCsid=d583140f5982b2cea9751cd791701d08

That's an awesome deal, I wonder if's OK, I'd be very interested in that for the price.:D

Deise Musashi

The VJ's rack weighs 46kg though?

This one

http://www.irish-lifting.com/power-rack-pe-197.html

is the lighter of Mickk's and weighs 70kg

His big power rack

http://www.irish-lifting.com/heavy-power-rack-pe-194.html

is 100kg.

It is literally your neck on the line here, I would be inclined to get heavier duty gear?

shootermacg

Deise Musashi wrote: »

The VJ's rack weighs 46kg though?

This one

http://www.irish-lifting.com/power-rack-pe-197.html

is the lighter of Mickk's and weighs 70kg

His big power rack

http://www.irish-lifting.com/heavy-power-rack-pe-194.html

is 100kg.

It is literally your neck on the line here, I would be inclined to get heavier duty gear?

Fair point. Well made. I'll think I'll save for the heavy one then, it's a once off payment anyway I guess.
Although I prefer the chin up bar on the lighter one.

bryanbal

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php

could not recommend enough. very strong. removable sidebars for deadlift. adjustable for pretty much every exercise. great chinup bars for all variations. lat pull down cables at back. olympic weights. wont get better

Brendygg

was looking at them racks at powerhouse, decided not to as you cant put the j-hooks outside the rack for military press. something to take into consideration

shootermacg

bryanbal wrote: »

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php

could not recommend enough. very strong. removable sidebars for deadlift. adjustable for pretty much every exercise. great chinup bars for all variations. lat pull down cables at back. olympic weights. wont get better

That's a lot of kit bench, weights and cables, almost everything I'd need
I'd personally love the cable kit that comes with it. It's a big chunk of change but great value. It's rated at 200 pounds less than the heavy rack at irish lifting, but tbh I can't see myself putting 800 pounds on a bar.

Found this also:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-system-with-latlow-pulley-and-95kg-selectorised-weight-stack.php

Nice that they sell all the parts separate, for individual purchase. It's hard to drum up the cash all in one go. Gonna start a private kitty for a rack, the 1st she'll know about it is when it arrives Buahhahahhah:D. I can stop paying the gym and have my own! It'd also be great for the kids in a few years like say 15 years ^ ^.

bryanbal

Brendygg wrote: »

was looking at them racks at powerhouse, decided not to as you cant put the j-hooks outside the rack for military press. something to take into consideration

i can do press inside rack . height 6ft

bryanbal

shootermacg wrote: »

That's a lot of kit bench, weights and cables, almost everything I'd need
I'd personally love the cable kit that comes with it. It's a big chunk of change but great value. It's rated at 200 pounds less than the heavy rack at irish lifting, but tbh I can't see myself putting 800 pounds on a bar.

Found this also:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-cf475-heavy-power-rack-system-with-latlow-pulley-and-95kg-selectorised-weight-stack.php

Nice that they sell all the parts separate, for individual purchase. It's hard to drum up the cash all in one go. Gonna start a private kitty for a rack, the 1st she'll know about it is when it arrives Buahhahahhah:D. I can stop paying the gym and have my own! It'd also be great for the kids in a few years like say 15 years ^ ^.

i bought it when my gym membership needed renewal eases the pain of the purchase. Dont use cable kit much, enough of other exercises you can do. they will also give you a good deal on extra plates when you ring up. Putting it together takes a few hours but thats enjoyable.

Brendygg

bryanbal wrote: »

i can do press inside rack . height 6ft

Ya seated press, but if most people tried to do a standing military press inside a 6ft high rack I can see a few small problems arising

bryanbal

im 6ft. rack height about 6feet 8 inch. i can do standing press. i do clean and jerk also in rack. but ya a couple of inches taller you will be restricted.

d'Oracle

Doing olympic lifts inside racks sounds pretty dangerous to me.

dromdrom

Just saw this thread and had the same problem, went to a local lad who does gates/metalwork gave him the spec and what I needed it for and he did me up a purpose built rack which is suitable for chins for €90, it ain't pretty (black iron ugly) but very effective and as good as anything else you'll buy for a lot more money

d'Oracle

dromdrom wrote: »

Just saw this thread and had the same problem, went to a local lad who does gates/metalwork gave him the spec and what I needed it for and he did me up a purpose built rack which is suitable for chins for €90, it ain't pretty (black iron beautiful) but very effective and as good as anything else you'll buy for a lot more money

FYP

discus

dromdrom wrote: »

Just saw this thread and had the same problem, went to a local lad who does gates/metalwork gave him the spec and what I needed it for and he did me up a purpose built rack which is suitable for chins for €90, it ain't pretty (black iron ugly) but very effective and as good as anything else you'll buy for a lot more money

That's pretty sweet man! Would ya mind posting a pic? I might be moving out of dublin by years end, and I'd like to build myself one wherever I end up!

Poncherello

anyone know any irish supplier where I could pick up a set of rings, ab mat, skip rope and resistance bands ?
I can get them on ebay handy enough but just wanted to check here first
Thanks

BigBraveBear

Which would be the best to buy, a power rack or a smith machine?
Is the power rack as safe to use on your own as a smith machine?
and does the smith machine take your own balance and stabilizer muscles out of the equation, and hence not as effective a workout.
Im leaning more towards getting the power rack.
Any advice?

COH

Definately a power rack

shootermacg

Brendygg wrote: »

Ya seated press, but if most people tried to do a standing military press inside a 6ft high rack I can see a few small problems arising

Not trying to preach or anything but I'm for seated military presses.
I have a tendency to cheat on the last few while standing, by arching my back or using my legs. Seated keeps my form good.

shootermacg

BigBraveBear wrote: »

Which would be the best to buy, a power rack or a smith machine?
Is the power rack as safe to use on your own as a smith machine?
and does the smith machine take your own balance and stabilizer muscles out of the equation, and hence not as effective a workout.
Im leaning more towards getting the power rack.
Any advice?

Only thing I use the smith for is calf raises, I always tend to lose my balance a bit with the barbell.

dromdrom

discus wrote: »

That's pretty sweet man! Would ya mind posting a pic? I might be moving out of dublin by years end, and I'd like to build myself one wherever I end up!

Here you go as I said it ain't pretty but effective, if you get a decent fabricator and the specs of the net you should be able to get a good bench and squat rack made up without having to spend the earth, might give a go at getting a cable machine going if I can pick up the pulley online.

rubadub

shootermacg wrote: »

I have a tendency to cheat on the last few while standing, by arching my back or using my legs. Seated keeps my form good.

Some would like the ability to "cheat", e.g. I knowingly/willingly do push presses on the last few and then do a slow controlled negative. Also standing works you harder trying to stabilise everything.

shootermacg

Finally managed to pick up a rack and bench, I saw the CF475 Heavy Power Rack and the CF430 Heavy duty bench, just got em so I haven't assembled them yet, I'll have to clear out the garage.
I'd like to have gotten the rack from irish lifting, but if you saw yer one's reaction to the outlay for the cheaper stuff, you'd understand;)

I'm now gonna have to save some cash for the olympic set, I'll definately get that from irish lifting, until then it's dumbells, still it's a start. Can't wait to saw bye bye to the gym membership and walk next door for a session!

Laughed my ass of at the delivery man, I just arrived home to see him give up on getting the rack to the house, he dragged it through the snow got half way and started cursing. He wasn't a small guy either, just goes to show appearences can be deceptive. Ended up having to dig up half the road outside the house so he could get his van moving again haha.

Deise Musashi

I got my Olympic weights, spare plates and a set of kettlebells from Mickk, I would recommend him.

I think a box squat bench will be my next buy from him!

Sea Sharp

How about..... free.

weeman2

i have been making equipment for a few years and i have to say some of the pics and links people have posted are pure crap. Alot of this stuff is using steel with 1mm wall which is cheap crap

i cant understand why if you are on a budget people do not either commision one like someone else on here or build one from timber both are far better options

4 x 4 timber, some long screw and a few steel brackets and for 150 euro of supplies you would build a fine rack that would stand up to alot of punishment. There are plenty of sites for home made equipment if you google them

the lad who got one made also had a good idea sure it doesnt look the best but it is sturdy and does the job i bet it is made from 3mm box which is stronger than most of the crap others have suggested

if you are on a budget of under 300 - 400 then build one as you simply will not get anything that is in anyway good,

dont get fooled by the weight of the unit either as this does not mean the quality of the steel is good and some companies use big chunky brackets to make the rack heavier but the steel box sections are still 1 mm and are too light


also worth noting that steel in ireland and the uk needs to have one of those esn numbers so it will be of good quality chinese steel doesnt have such standards and tends to be the inferior waste they sell to europe and the usa

shootermacg

weeman2 wrote: »

i have been making equipment for a few years and i have to say some of the pics and links people have posted are pure crap. Alot of this stuff is using steel with 1mm wall which is cheap crap

Don't suppose you have some pics?

WHIP IT!

shootermacg wrote: »

Don't suppose you have some pics?

^^^
What this guy said...

senorG

I built a cage using scaffold tubing similar to this:

http://www.joeskopec.com/scaffold.html

I use it for squats and pull-ups, works well for me.

WHIP IT!

senorG wrote: »

I built a cage using scaffold tubing similar to this:

http://www.joeskopec.com/scaffold.html

I use it for squats and pull-ups, works well for me.

Any pics of your own one? The one in the pic has elastic holding it together in places - I'm not sure I'd feel confident putting 100kg+ back onto those hooks while I was "under" said weight.

Having said that, I wouldn't be against making one if I thought one could be made to a high enough standard safety wise.

EDIT: Have just read the FAQ's in the link you provided and it appears to be as sturdy as you'd like!

senorG

He uses elastic bands to keep the locking bolt from dropping back down and 'into the way'... I just cut the bolts off. The clamps are certainly strong enough to handle anything I'll ever lift.

Scuba Ste

The elastic bands are only holding the bolts from falling, they've no 'structural' purpose.

I wouldn't be overly confident using that myself. Get a welder to make one up if you can't afford to buy a decent one. It's far too ropey to wondering how safe it is when your trying to squat in it.

senorG

It's far too ropey to wondering how safe it is when your trying to squat in it.

I've been using it for a year and dont find it ropey at all. Scaffold tubing & clamps aredesigned to hold big weight.

The beauty of it is that everything can be easily adjusted with a spanner, so it's perfectly customized for yourself, and if its in the way or your not using it you could take it apart in ten minutes easy.

As I say, I find it works well for me, but each to his own.

weeman2

Sorry guys i dont know how to add pics on this forum but if you look at the facebook link below you will see my equipment in the photos section


http://http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Limerick-Strongman-Club/102398083717

i will try and find a pic i saw recentley of a guy that made his own rack it was a very good job and it cost him very little if you are in anyway handy with your hands you will save a fortune and have a far superior product for under 200 euro

weeman2

Take a look at this timber rack its not the best but its not bad the basic idea is good they should have used 4x4 all around and 32mm bar for the crash bars but its a very good cheap alternative and will be far safer than some of the other stuff that has been recomended


http://http://www.daddystrength.com/2010/01/home-gym/

Brendygg

http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1056#p1056

Check out that link. Has a load of great things that can be made for your own home gym. Squat racks are under strength equipment.

Gonna make the trx in the new year, cost only about 20e to make, and its simple to do so.

shootermacg

The trx does look good, I'd need to bolt the rack down though, I'd say.
One thing the store bought rack has over the scaffolding is ease of use. I don't fancy moving the scaffolding every time I want to move the safety bars.
Saying that, looks like a great option if you have mates in the building trade.

wilryan92

bryanbal wrote: »

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php

could not recommend enough. very strong. removable sidebars for deadlift. adjustable for pretty much every exercise. great chinup bars for all variations. lat pull down cables at back. olympic weights. wont get better

here could anybody tell me roughly how much is delivery from this website???

arse..biscuits

wilryan92 wrote: »

bryanbal wrote: »

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/premium-strength-package.php

could not recommend enough. very strong. removable sidebars for deadlift. adjustable for pretty much every exercise. great chinup bars for all variations. lat pull down cables at back. olympic weights. wont get better

here could anybody tell me roughly how much is delivery from this website???

£35 to Ireland. I got that rack delivered last week.

shootermacg

Great package, I have the bench/ power rack/ pulley about a year and no problems what so ever. The pulley attachment, is ok for pull downs, and triceps work.