One of the best things about getting into lifting these days is how easy it is to get started at home! High-quality equipment won’t cost a fortune, and you can easily get your hands on gear that’s as good as your local gym’s. The best squat racks for home gyms give you a versatile training platform for all your lifting exercises, plus bodyweight training.
Having said that, the world of weights can get complicated quickly, and there are a ton of options out there. That’s why we’re here!
In this guide, we’ll give you all the info you need to shop for your ideal new squat rack. Whether you’re an old hand or new to lifting, we’ve got the buying advice and recommendations to help you out.
Read on to see all the different squat racks we currently recommend for home gyms, and to find out which one is the best choice for you!
| Picture | Product Name | Maximum Weight Load | Dimensions | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Valor Fitness BD-9 Power Squat Stand | 350 lbs | 20.5 x 28 x 52.5 inches | $ |
 | Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage | 800 lbs | 50.5 x 83.5 x 46.5 inches | $$ |
 | Valor Fitness BD-19 Sawtooth Squat/Bench Press Combo | 600 lbs | 46 x 65 x 72 inches | $$ |
 | Rep Power Rack PR-1000 | 1000 lb capacity on bar hooks, 400 lb on pullup bar, 250 lb on lat attachment. | 84” tall x 48” wide x 47.5” | $$$ |
 | Fitness Reality X-Class Light Commercial High Capacity Olympic Power Cage | 600 lbs | 86.5 x 86 x 52 inches | $$$ |
 | Bodycraft Half Cage Squat Rack For Functional And Cross Training | 800 lbs | 48 x 73 x 82.5 inches | $$$ |
 | Bodycraft F-430 Power Rack | 1,000 lbs | 63.8 x 48.9 x 51.5 inches | $$$ |
Best Squat Racks For Home Gyms: Our Reviews
Valor Fitness BD-9 Power Squat Stand
This Valor Fitness model is currently the least expensive squat rack we recommend. It’s inexpensive, compact, and capable. While we wouldn’t recommend it to experienced, ambitious lifters, it’ll get you squatting with minimal investment and offers plenty of room for beginners to grow.
Pros:
It’s solid. This is the least you can pay for a squat rack that’s genuinely safe to use. The BD-9 isn’t rated as high as our pricier suggestions, but it’s extremely sturdy and safe within its limits.
It’s very space-efficient. You can set this up practically anywhere.
It’s enough for the casual novice to get squatting and make significant gains without having to upgrade. You can squat up to 500 pounds, and it can easily be modified for benching as well.
Cons:
This one’s only rated for 350 pounds, so it’s obviously not something we’d recommend to intermediate or advanced folks who want to go hard and lift huge amounts.
It’s also very limited in what it can do. Spend more money if you want something that can do more than just rack your weights for squatting.
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
This Fitness Reality model is our budget recommendation to folks who want a full cage-style setup without paying a premium. It can handle almost twice as much weight as the BD-9 (800 pounds!) and offers a lot more versatility.
Pros:
It’s a full cage. This is ideal for any type of lifting, not just squats. You can use a cage like this as a complete workout station. In terms of versatility, the upgrade is huge!
It’s much cheaper than other cage models. This is less than half the price of our top quality recommendation in this category, but it’s still very capable.
It’s way more rugged than anything else for the price. We think this is the least you can pay for a safe, secure squat rack in the cage format. The cage and bench can each handle 800 pounds.
It comes with a bench, so you can do presses right out of the box.
Cons:
While it’s still very affordable, it’ll cost you twice as much money as the BD-9. If you’re on a very tight budget, you may want to stick with the BD-9. Then again, there’s a lot more value for money here.
It has a lower weight rating than more expensive models. If you’re an intermediate or advanced lifter, you’ll probably want to spend more money.
It’s not as versatile as our larger, pricier picks.
Valor Fitness BD-19 Sawtooth Squat/Bench Press Combo
Valor Fitness’s BD-19 is our midrange recommendation to folks who want a space-saving squat rack. As with the BD-9 we’ve already looked at, it’s more limited than a cage model but still quite versatile. This one adds some extra weight capacity and a more ergonomic design.
Pros:
The sawtooth design is a lot more ergonomic than the straight-up BD-9. It’s easier to use for benching in particular, and we prefer it for squats as well.
Not only is it more ergonomic, it’s more stable. Having a triangular frame like this distributes weight excellently.
It’s rated for more weight than the BD-9. You can get up to 600 pounds on this thing! That makes it a better choice for ambitious beginners and intermediate lifters. Most folks won’t need to spend more on a sawtooth model.
It includes a lot more storage space for plates. Not only does that give you a place to keep your weights racked, but it makes for a more stable setup.
Cons:
It’s not as compact as the BD-9, though it still saves a lot of space compared with a cage model.
The Bodycraft Half Cage below takes this format to an even better place, with a higher capacity and a pull-up bar. If you’re an ambitious lifter or are looking for a space-saving squat rack to use for a cross-fit station, go for that model.
Rep Power Rack PR-1000
This Rep Power Rack is our recommendation to the average buyer. It’s an excellent squat rack that also serves as a complete workout station. We think it’s as nice a cage as the average user will need. It’s a nice upgrade choice for ambitious newcomers, as well as being a reasonable budget pick for experienced folks.
Pros:
You can get it in a variety of configurations. That makes it easy to customize for the kinds of workouts you want to do!
It’s rated for 1000 pounds–as much as the average person is ever going to use. Beginners, intermediate users, and even many experienced lifters can squat, press, and lift as much as they can handle without worrying.
The pull-up bar is rated for 400 pounds, so you can use a weight belt for those.
The 84” frame makes it roomy without being too large to fit under the average ceiling.
It’s very rugged. This thing is absolutely outstanding for the price, and we have no complaints in the construction department.
It’s very affordable, even if you choose one of the configurations that includes a bench or lat pulldown.
It’s backed by stellar customer service and demonstrates exemplary quality control at a price where many options are crappy.
Cons:
Our pricier recommendations offer higher weight ratings and longer warranties. They’re a bit roomier, too.
Fitness Reality X-Class Light Commercial High Capacity Olympic Power Cage
This Fitness Reality model is a nice upgrade over the Rep model we’ve just looked at. We’re including it as a middle ground between the value factor on that model and the impeccable quality of the Bodycraft below. This is the best choice for folks who want sheer capacity!
Pros:
It’s rated for even more weight than the Rep model above. You can rack a whopping 1500 pounds on this one, which means you can lift as much as is humanly possible and have room to store absolutely all your plates on this thing. It’s actually the most capable of our recommendations in that regard!
You can get it with or without the stellar lat pulldown attachment. We recommend going with it unless you already have one since it pulls smoothly and is rock-solid.
The pull-up and chin-up bars are adjustable and have 600-pound capacities. You can strap yourself to as much weight as you like and still be perfectly safe.
It comes with lots of extras, like additional J-hooks. There’s a dip station and the option to do tricep extensions, too!
Cons:
There’s not much to complain about with the Fitness Reality. However, we have heard a few very isolated complaints about quality control, resulting in customers receiving units where a few components didn’t line up. That’s not a widespread issue, though, and it’s not something we’ve come across personally. Bodycraft’s model below is absolutely perfect, though, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Buy that one if you can afford it and justify the purchase.
Bodycraft Half Cage Squat Rack For Functional And Cross Training
This Bodycraft model is our top recommendation to folks who want a space-saving squat rack. It’s way more rugged than anything else in its category. From both ergonomics and durability perspectives, it’s absolutely stellar.
Pros:
Squats are brilliant with this thing. Of course, you’d expect that for the price! What’s really remarkable is how many other exercises you can do with this half-cage squat rack. There’s a pull-up bar, plus all the room and support you need for dead-lifting or hanging clean.
Not only is this one of the only half-cage designs to do so many things, but it’s the only one we’ve reviewed that genuinely feels safe doing all of them. It’s a great choice for people who want a complete workout station in a tight space.
It’s rated for up to 800 pounds–far more than other half-cage designs. The design is rock-solid and you’re covered by a lifetime warranty. As far as we’re concerned, there’s no competition in this category.
Cons:
This is a lot to pay for a half-cage design. However, if you definitely don’t have room for a full cage, this is as good as it gets!
Bodycraft F-430 Power Rack
The Bodycraft F-430 is currently our favorite squat rack on the market. It’s the best-designed, best-constructed, and best-insured model we’ve reviewed to date. If you’re an ambitious lifter who wants the best of the best, this is an excellent investment.
Pros:
It’s as good as they come in the quality department. This isn’t any more rugged than the Fitness Reality (it actually has a lower weight rating), but everything’s made from the best materials and machined to a T.
While it doesn’t have the Fitness Reality’s absurdly high weight capacity or lat attachment, it’s more than up for the challenge where most users are concerned. You can use this with up to 800 pounds and that’s enough for even most experienced lifters.
It’s backed by a lifetime warranty. Enough said!
Cons:
It’s quite expensive. While there’s a lot of value to be had (especially when you consider the lifetime warranty), the price is steep. There aren’t many extras with this one, either.
Conclusion
Which of these squat racks should you buy?
The Valor Fitness BD-9 is the obvious choice if you’re on a tight budget and are looking to save space. It’s half the price of our next-cheapest recommendation and gets the job done. Just don’t expect tons of versatility or to use this with especially heavy sets of weights. We generally recommend spending more, since you’ll get a lot more versatility and weight capacity out of pricier models. If you’re shopping for a first one, though, this is an excellent choice.
The Fitness Reality 810 XLT is our budget recommendation to those who want a full, cage-style squat rack. It’s twice the price of the Valor Fitness, but provides a much higher weight capacity and the versatility to do bench presses, pullups, and cage exercises as well as squats. There are certainly roomier, better-equipped cages out there, though. If you can afford to spend more and have the experience level to make use of a nicer rack, do so!
The Valor Fitness BD-19 is our midrange recommendation to folks who want something more space-efficient than a full cage design. It’s sturdier than the BD-9 and offers more versatility. If you’re experienced and can afford it, though, we think the pricier Bodycraft is the best model on the market in this format. The BD-19 is the next best thing.
The Rep Power Rack is our suggestion to the average buyer. It’s versatile and offers a high weight capacity, without costing a premium. We think it’s as much as most beginners and even intermediate lifters need. If you’re getting serious, though, you’ll probably want to spend more.
The Fitness Reality X-Class is a good choice for folks who want to step it up beyond the budget range. It’s more versatile than the Rep by a long way, and also comes with the added benefit of a much higher weight capacity. We think it’s a good choice for the ambitious lifter who wants a cage that can store all your plates in one place. You can also get it kitted-out with a lat pull-down feature, so it’s easy to turn into a complete training station. It’s not quite as impeccable as the Bodycraft F430, though.
The Bodycraft Half Cage is our top quality recommendation for ambitious lifters who are short on space. It’s the absolute best we’ve found in a sawtooth design, and it can handle up to a whopping 800 pounds–much more than anything else in this format. Don’t spend this much if you’re just getting started, though. And unless you’re very tight on space, you can get more versatility out of a full cage design at this price.
Finally, the Bodycraft F430 is our ultimate recommendation to ambitious lifters who want the best of the best in a squat rack/power cage combo. It’s built like a tank, versatile enough to handle practically any exercise, and guaranteed to last as long as you’re able to use it. This is a lot to spend if you’re just starting out, but we think it’s an excellent investment for dedicated lifters who know they’re in it for the long haul.
Buying Guide
Here are the key things to think about while you’re shopping for your new squat rack:
Know Your Measurements
The most important thing to do up front is to measure your space. Where is your home gym? How much of it do you want to devote to lifting? What’s the largest rack you could reasonably fit in your space? Answering all these questions up front will help you narrow down your options quickly. If you’re struggling to make room for a full cage-style rack, don’t worry! You can get a sawtoothed rack practically anywhere and still squat as much as 800 pounds. That’s more than most folks are realistically going to do anyway, so don’t feel bad if you don’t have space for a massive rack.
Know Your Current Fitness Level And Long-Term Goals
Before you start considering specific models, make sure to think about your current level of fitness and consider where you want to be six months or a year down the road. Are you just starting out? Trying to up your game to the next level? Are you an experienced lifter looking for a rack to do it all? Think about where you are now, and then consider what you’d need in a rack to give you a reasonable space to grow.
If you’re just starting out, it doesn’t make sense to spend tons of money on a squat rack. You never know whether you’ll stick with lifting long enough to justify buying premium equipment, and you don’t need massive weight capacities anyway. Buy something simple, sturdy, and inexpensive. You can always upgrade later on, and any good rack will retain high resale value should you want to pass it along.
If you’re an intermediate or advanced lifter who knows they’ll be sticking with it for years, you should consider spending more for a premium model with a high weight capacity and the versatility to handle a wide range of exercises.
Decide On Your Budget
Before you start thinking too hard about any of the specific models we’ve recommended here, be sure to set a budget for yourself. You can get a decent squat rack as cheaply as $200. The best models we’ve found can run as high as $1000. That’s a wide range, so make sure you think about what you can afford to spend and what you can justify spending.
What’s Next
We hope you’ve found all the information you need to buy your new squat rack in this guide. You can learn more about any of the models you see here by clicking on the links in our reviews. That’s the easiest way to check current prices, see full spec sheets, and so forth. You can also head over to our homepage to find more in-depth reviews and recommendations covering all your fitness needs!