Best Squat Racks
When you visit a gym and look at the machines, they probably look pretty intimidating. You may also wonder whether the various pieces of equipment you see are useful.
If used properly, all the machines offer some kind of benefit. Among others, a squat rack is one of the pieces of equipment that you’ll see in many gyms these days. It has become a popular piece of machine because it supposedly helps in multiple ways.
But what is a squat rack and is it worth buying one, and what brand should you choose? If you’re curious to know, hang on there because we take a look at some crucial aspects of squat racks before you buy one.
Summary of Recommendations
- Best Overall: BangTong&Li Squat Rack Stand
- Runner-Up: Yes4All Squat Rack for Home Gym
- Best Budget Choice: Squat Rack, Barbell Rack
What is a Squat Rack?
A squat rack is an exercise machine used in weight training. It enables you to work out with different weights when you squat. You can start from lower weight and increase as you progress.
The equipment is an excellent invention for those who want weight training. It’s efficient, and you don’t have to spend much time changing the weights.
Is a Squat Rack Worth It?
Squat racks have become popular with all exercise enthusiasts. They’re now a regular feature in most gyms. But are they beneficial? Are they worth it?
By looking at the popularity of the equipment, it seems that a squat rack is probably worth it. The equipment is useful not only for squat weight training but it can help in different ways.
You can perform several exercises with a squat rack. These are:
- Back squats
- Overhead press
- Dead lift
- Barbell lunges
- Back press
- Shoulder press
Benefits of a Squat Rack
Earlier, we learned that you could use squat racks for various routines. The equipment will come in handy if you plan to create a home gym. You can do a lot of exercises using just one piece of equipment. The rack also offers several benefits mentioned below.
It is Efficient
One of the best things about squat racks is that you can perform many exercises conveniently. The equipment is stable and doesn’t take up much space. You can set it up in a suitable area of your gym and use it whenever you like.
It Helps Build Core Strength
Your core is involved the whole time you use the squat rack, no matter what routine you perform. So, it allows you to build your core and make it stronger.
Having a strong core means you’ll have superb posture and a powerful back, enabling you to do exercises with even heavier weights.
It Boosts Mental Strength
Squats aren’t easy routines, and they put a lot of stress on you physically and mentally. You can have plenty of problems when performing the exercises. Sometimes, you may want to stop doing the workouts out of sheer exhaustion.
But when you use a squat rack, it’s more convenient, and you can easily change the weights. You can increase your weight quickly without wasting much time or risking injuries.
When you use the rack regularly, it will get easier for you to perform your exercises, and you’ll feel more motivated. It will make you less stressed and more confident.
It’s User Friendly
Squat racks also have simple features, unlike many other machines, which are pretty complicated. They come with user manuals, so you can easily set them up and employ them with ease.
However, you should also seek advice from an experienced and qualified fitness instructor if you have any doubts at first.
Using a squat rack will enable you to build muscle, bulk, strength, posture, and overall health.
Benefits of Squats
Squats are exercise routines that offer several benefits. When you perform them regularly, you can improve in multiple ways. Squats:
- Target various muscle groups in your body
- Activate your calves and glutes
- Enhance core strength
- Lower risks of injuries
- Improve athletic strength and abilities
How to Choose the Right Squat Rack?
Now that you know about the efficiency and usefulness of squat racks, you must be wondering whether to buy one and what to look for. With the popularity of squat racks increasing daily, many brands have started making the equipment.
But of course, it doesn’t mean that all the designs you find on the market are exceptional. Choosing the wrong machine can be risky and can lead to injuries. But the good news is while you can find plenty of average equipment, there are some excellent designs too.
But if you don’t know much about the features, you might buy the wrong product. So, it’s best to know a few facts before choosing any product. A good squat rack:
- Should have a complete cage design
- Must have two-three uprights made of high-quality heavy gauge steel
- It must also have a capacity of at least 600 pounds or 272.155 kilos
- It must also have straps or safety pins so that you can train safely at home
- Must be easy to load and unload
- Must also be versatile, allowing you to perform various exercises
Super Max 810 XLT Squat and Bench Rack Combos – Fitness Reality
The market has many products. The Squat Rack Power Cage with Optional Lat Pull down and Leg Hold down from Fitness Reality is one of the best squat racks according to fitness instructors and athletes. It has many features and receives four and a half stars from customers.
Main Features of Super Max 810XLT Squat and Bench Rack Combos
- The squat rack combo has an 800 pounds weight capacity.
- The safety arms are solid rods and made of high-quality steel.
- It has a big workout area allowing you to move freely.
- It has multi-grip and reversible pull up bars.
- It has two support braces which make the cage stable and strong.
- It can be a complete home gym equipment if combined with weight benches or full suite attachments.
While the squat rack from Fitness Reality is a piece of special equipment, you can also check out more reviews.
A squat rack can, however, be a total home gym equipment since it targets multiple body parts.
You can obtain some tips from expert fitness instructors if you have doubts. That way, you can perform your exercises safely.