Buying a Power Rack

Osmosis Jones

Moving into a new house in the coming months and have plans to get a shed gym built out the back, looking like approx. 4x3m space. I don’t want to cheap out on a power rack as it’ll be the most used piece of equipment in the gym and something I never want to have to replace. I’ve found looking at a lot of the Irish retailers they don’t seem to give many specs or often even brand names on their listings which can make things confusing. From the little I understand a 3x3(75x75) 11 gauge frame is what I should be looking for.

At the moment my top pick is this Body Solid GPR400, it fits the specs and offers a good selection of attachments made specifically for this rack. It shoudl also fit any other attachments designed for 3x3 uprights:

https://www.mcsport.ie/products/bodysolid-power-rack?variant=46592432832854&adg_id=&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=&g_keyword=&cmp_id=17509335004&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=&g_productid=46592432832854&g_acctid=909-888-3592&g_merchantid=9239069&g_partition=&g_campaign=McSport_Smart-Shopping_Fitness&kwd=&g_campaignid=17509335004&g_ifproduct=product&device=c&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17509335004&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwko21BhAPEiwAwfaQCBOZrNPxgc8uIwh1ySOOY3m6A-U0lDtMtazG_2GFGhM90Vy6RFVAZxoCqpgQAvD_BwE

Also considering the Riot Power Cage from StrengthShop UK but would worry about customs charges:

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/products/strength-shop-riot-power-cage?variant=42415702835453

Of course I’d love something like the Rogue RML3 or a piece from BLK BOX but I’d find it really hard to justify the extra cost compared to those listed above.

REP Fitness have a lot of good gear for a decent price too but despite coming to Europe recently they seem difficult to get in Ireland.

Can anyone advise on the options above or perhaps offer suggestions I haven’t mentioned?

Black Sheep

I have a shed gym and some basic things to be aware of:-

If you haven't already considered it, flooring matters if you're ever going to pull off the ground and just want to ensure a stable and even surface in the long term. Rubber mats over concrete is what most people go with, but another option is to install a proper platform or to put plywood and then mats down.

Ceiling height will have a big impact on your choice of rack, and potentially even your ability to press overhead. Just make sure that if you did a pull-up over the rack, or you pressed a barbell with bumper plates overheard, there is enough clearance. It may not be a factor, but if it is, you need to know before you buy. There are 'garage' racks available from the likes of Strength Shop sold for this reason.

In terms of choice of rack, I would always personally suggest going with a half rack, with catcher arms, and plate storage on the side of the rack. This is the most space efficient option in a confined space. A place for plates, ability to put in place catcher arms for safe squatting and benching alone, and if it's a good quality rack, it'll be heavy enough for stability.

For example: https://www.strengthshop.ie/products/half-rack

The only reason to go for a fully enclosed rack is if you really want the added safety and stability, or the machine attachment potential.

Most enclosed cages will require bolting down. With half racks they are usually designed to a have a footprint that negates that.

Unless it's a rack that specifically mentions it's made in the UK, made in EU, made in Ireland etc. (So BLK BOX would be an example) then the rack is imported from China. It's going to be have some specs associated with it, but the issue is that the QC is sometimes questionable, and you'll have components where the welds aren't great, and you might need a bit of ingenuity at times. As a guide to overall build quality, overall weight can be a good indicator of strength moreso than any stated max lift limit etc.

In saying that, I have bought various products from Strength Shop before, and where I got a lemon, they just replaced it immediately, or gave me a partial refund. Personally I like their designs - I think they're a bit better designed than the type of equipment sold on McSport and similar - and the price is usually good for what you're getting, especially if you wait for the item you want to be on sale. Everything on Strength Shop goes on sale eventually.

Importing their stuff from the UK - make sure you're getting an Ex VAT price because you'll pay our people on the way in.

I'd keep an eye out for BLK BOX sales, or second-hand sales of better quality racks as well, adverts.ie etc.

May also be worth getting quotes from some Irish gym equipment fabricators. I got a few half racks made up by a company called Ultimate Gym Equipment, based in Tallaght, and they were the same spec and quality as BLK BOX, but a lot cheaper, as it was a one-man show.

Osmosis Jones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122429337#Comment_122429337

Thanks for all the info, as you said the advantages of the full rack are better safety and better attachment potential and I think I value both enough to increase the footprint and cost.

Flooring will be a concrete base with rubber mats, I may eventually build a deadlift platform but it's not in the plans right now.

Your last point about local fabricators is something I hadn't considered, even after a quick check I've found this place that seems good, though it's hard to find any reviews or anything on them.

https://tde.ie/product/power-rack/

It'll be minimum 6 months before this project really gets going so I'll be keeping an eye on prices and potential sales between now and then.

Mr. CooL ICE

TDE equipment is solid AF. My gym has 4 full racks and they don't budge. I'd recommend them anyway.

Deedsie

Hi, sorry to piggy back on your thread but just wondering if anyone would have any thoughts on this rack?

https://www.fitnessequipmentireland.ie/product/semi-commercial-power-rack/?attribute_accessories=Semi+commercial+power+rack+with+lat+pulldown

In the process of setting up a gym room at home and will prob order with the cable pull down attachment

I haven't lifted weights in about a decade. On memory I used to bench 5x5 around 80 kilos and squat 5x5 120 kilos. At the time that would have been my body weight and 1.5 x bodyweight which I was happy with. Would be unlikely I'll have the time to commit to getting much beyond those kinda weights. Will this rack be OK for that weight? Plan to build a deadlift platform in time but just want to have the rack in place so I can plan out the platform dimensions.

Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Black Sheep

At 85kg it's a good weight, should be pretty stable.

It seems to include a lot of attachments - catcher arms, dip attachment - which is attractive.

Considering that, the price (without pull-down attachment) is reasonable.

For the weights you're potentially looking at squatting and benching that rack would be totally fine. To be honest, I'd still give the same advice as I gave to the poster above… Consider whether a half rack with pull-up bar and plate storage would actually be adequate for you, do you really need the extra footprint of an enclosed full rack?

Regarding the pull-down attachment, personally I am not a fan of add-ons like this. I think the clutter up the training space, and at that price you're getting something that is simultaneously expensive for what it is, and yet probably not that well-made.

If you really want a pull-down system I'd actually soon go with something like this. Cheaper, less to go wrong/troubleshoot and if when you're doing doing this movement it doesn't have to be on the rack-

The origin is from Spud Inc -

Spud Inc Pulley Systems | Rogue Fitness IE

But there are cheaper knock-off options everywhere:-

Tricep and Lat Pulley — Strength Shop

Fitness Cable Pulley System - Fitness Equipment Ireland

You have the option of just doing pull-ups (or jumping pull-ups, or negatives, or band-assisted pull-ups), straight arm banded pushdowns etc. as alternative to any kind of machine or pulley pull-down, but maybe you've considered that.

Deedsie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122549182#Comment_122549182

Thanks a million for the feedback. To be 100% honest the lat pull down thing is for the Mrs. I don't want it at all but she prefers that kind of exercising and I have to take her preferences into consideration too. I'll defo have a look at your links though so thanks a million for that.

Just to confirm for someone max benching ~90kg 5x5 sets, squatting ~130kg 5x5 sets the rack would be well able for that kinda weight?

Black Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122549289#Comment_122549289

Yes, that rack would be absolutely fine for those kinds of weight.

You probably wouldn't want to load up the 130kg barbell and squat outside the rack, but that's not a very logical thing to do anyway (I only mention it as I've seen people do it, and then a light rack can tip forward).

Deedsie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122549350#Comment_122549350

I am a cautious cat, I'll always bench and squat inside the rack. I'll be working our on my own so just want to be extra cautious. Thanks again

drunkmonkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122549714#Comment_122549714

What do you make of this RPM one?, would a smith be a bit safer on your own. Never seen their racks, have a set of their adjustable dumbells a few years and they're going strong. https://rpmpower.com/product/multi-gym-homeflex-crossover-bundle-with-smith-rail/?_gl=11hc9clu_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwlbu2BhA3EiwA3yXyu_y02jIzogq-JRA-8-SjLZLf_G9UXFSfCupQRvW6iyDKKuwdZR9TCxoCHYMQAvD_BwE

Deedsie

I should be OK as I was saying I'm not planning on lifting huge weight. The absolute max ill be squatting will be 5x5 sets of 130kilos. And even then it will take time to build up to that and I'll have the safety arms.

I tried to squat on a smith machine years ago and hurt my neck. Could have been coincidental but that's my only experience of using one.

Widdensushi

bumping this thread as looking for something similar, cleared out a 4m/3m shed and the plan is for a gym for a couple of teenagers who have been looking for it and their younger siblings if they become interested, so trying to balance future proofing with safety,I have never gone to a gym so very green, any advice welcome, thanks .

Black Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122799884#Comment_122799884

That's a relatively small space, so I would make sure to properly measure up the footprint of whatever you're buying, and consider the ceiling height as well - I think you have more than enough clearance for a normal sized rack, but just double-check to be sure.

First order of business is the floor. If it's cement, and in reasonable condition, then you can buy rubber tiles and fit them. They can be cut, with a bit of effort, to go around interior walls / be made to fit.

Search: 20 results found for "tiles" — McSport

For tiles, thicker = more protection for the floor and maybe some noise reduction.

Assuming the kids want to bench, squat, press, incline bench, row, do pull-ups etc. then you'll want a rack, an adjustable bench, a barbell and weight plates.

A 'half rack' of sufficient quality would be my first suggestion. This is an option that has arms for plate storage, which is a feature you'll want. It is semi-commercial so the build quality should be decent. You won't need to bolt it down, which is a bonus.

HIT FITNESS Commercial Half Rack — McSport Ireland

I don't think what is called a 'full rack' would be a good use of space for you. That's a rack which has four uprights, that someone trains inside of. It's potentially safer than other options, used properly, but it'll just be too big a footprint in your shed I would think. Something like this would work, but you'd need to see about also buying plate storage arms, should be available as attachments.

Hit Fitness F200 Pro Power Rack — McSport

For the barbell, plates and adjustable bench, you can buy better quality options individually, but this would probably be adequate for a start:-

Hit Fitness Weightlifting Starter Set — 80kg — McSport

In the context of "future proofing", the racks above would both likely outlast all your kids. There's not much that can go wrong. The adjustable bench will probably be fine as well. Cheap barbells (any anything under 150-200 euro for a barbell is a cheap barbell) will usually be fine if they are not dropped or otherwise abused, but generally if they fail it will be something to do with the sleeves on either end becoming loose or otherwise failing. More expensive barbells have superior sleeve construction, and generally feel better in the hand, will not bend or break even if they are 'abused' a bit. But I would say get a cheap barbell set first, see if the kids train consistently for a couple years, and THEN upgrade to a nice barbell, and spent 300-400, and maybe they'll appreciate it.

Similar situation with plates. At the start, any cheap plates will do, but the cheaper they are the more likely they are to crack, warp and they'll also probably not be 'true weight' i.e 20kg might actually be 19kg or 21kg. None of this really matters if you get a couple of years out of them. Again, you could upgrade to a better quality set of plates in time, and the kids might be strong enough to need them anyway.

If they're teenagers who are already very strong, then you'll need to buy a full set now, so be it.

The other thing you mention is "safety".

When it comes to free weights, the above equipment is, in theory, fine, it's not going to catastrophically fail unexpectedly, unless they load on 200kg+ on the cheap barbell.

However, where injuries and incidents can occur is when kids train alone, or unwisely. If you have a rack with weights in a shed, and they're out training in it, you really need to have confidence in their understanding of what can go wrong.

If they're benching, they need a spotter (someone there with them), and the safeties (the catcher arms, on the half rack) MUST be set up at an appropriate height. If they bench without a spotter, and without safeties, they risk being pinned under the bar, or the bar potentially dropping on their face / throat / chest. Accidents like this do happen in home gyms. So have that conversation.

If they're squatting or pressing overhead, they should make sure they have collars on either end of the barbell. They should ramp up progressively, and again, set the arms so that they can lower the barbell down to them and escape from underneath if they need to.

When unloading a fully loaded barbell, they should understand that they need to unload both sides at the same rate… If they totally unload one side then the barbell can be too heavy on one side and could lift off the rack. It happens.

If there are younger kids around, watching the teenagers, then potentially they're the most dangerous, as if they attempt to lift up a plate or dumbbell then if they drop it on their toes/foot, there's a chance of a fracture. Rubber plates can be slippy to the touch, particularly when cold.

Anyway, best of luck.