If you work out at home, one of the best purchases you can make is a power rack.
You might think you’ll have to spend a lot for a good rack, but we can help you find the best budget power racks!
No matter what else you put in your home gym, the best gyms start off with a rack. Once you’ve used one, you’ll never train without one again.
Let’s dive right in and start looking.
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Quick Answer – The Best Budget Power Racks 2023
- Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System PBC5380 – Best Overall
- TDS Power Rack / Squat Cage
- Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack Olympic Squat Cage
- Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Body-Solid Powerline PPR200X Power Rack
- TITAN FITNESS T-3 Series Power Rack
- TITAN FITNESS Short Power Rack T-2 Series
- HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage
- REP FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack
Reviews – Top 9 Best Budget Power Racks
1. Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System PBC5380 – Best Overall
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PROS
- Well Designed Power Rack Includes Dip Bars, Resistance Band Pegs & Multi-Grip Chin-Up Bars
- Wide Workout Space
- Bolt To The Floor Option For Extra Stability
- Good All-Around Power Rack For Fitness Training
CONS
- Only Holds 500lbs. Rackable Weight, Making It Impractical For Stronger Lifters
The Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System stands alone when it comes to some of the features you’ll find on this power rack.
With a weight capacity of 800lbs (that’s 500lbs. rackable weight and 300lbs. on the chin bars), this is not a power rack for serious strength training. It is a good power rack for anyone that is training for fitness or general conditioning where strength matters but is not the priority.
Powerlifters, Olympic lifters and bodybuilders that use power-building routines pursue strength goals and should not consider a power rack like this.
This power rack features bottom pegs that hold resistance bands, a multi-grip chin-up/pullup bar, and dip attachments. It provides sturdy J hooks and safety bars, plus gives you the option to bolt it to the floor.
Despite all these extra features, it’s reasonably priced, making this our top pick in a general fitness budget power rack.
2. TDS Power Rack / Squat Cage
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PROS
- Holds A Huge 1,050lbs
- Economically Priced
- 31 Adjustment Levels Every 2”
- Locking J Hooks
- Solid safety bars
- Wide 48” Workout Space
CONS
- Not A Lot Of Attachments Available
The TDS Power Rack is one of the strongest power racks you can buy at any price. It has a massive 1,050lb. rating so it can handle even the heaviest weights.
It’s made using 2” steel tube construction and it has locking handles on the J hooks as well as solid safety bars to support monster-sized weights. It also has 31 adjustment holes set 2” apart and a wide 48” of workout space between the front pillars.
Like many power racks, the TDS includes a knurled chin up bar across the top front. It’s designed for several attachments, such as a lat attachment.
Compared to other power racks, however, the TDS does not offer a lot of attachments.
Still, if pure strength training is your goal, this power rack is the best choice and our best overall pick.
You can’t beat a rack that can handle this kind of weight. Talk about security!
3. Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack Olympic Squat Cage
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PROS
- Comes With A Lat Attachment With Low Row
- Includes 2 Extra J Hooks Attached To The Safety Bars
- Features 2 Security Bars For Added Stability
CONS
- Not A Good Choice For Strength Training
The Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack brings quite a bit to the table.
This power rack includes a lat pull and bar, low row cable, a knurled chin-up bar across the top and extra security bars for additional stability.
The power rack includes 4 J hooks, with two attached to the safety bars for use outside the cage.
The Merax does all this and holds a total of 800lbs, with a 650lb. rackable weight inside the cage, and 500lb rackable weight if you’re using the J hooks outside the cage.
The Merax has 21 adjustment levels and features a heavy duty 2” x 2” steel frame.
Another great benefit is that the frame has a lifetime warranty. The “parts” which would probably be the attachments, J hooks and safety rods, have a 2-year warranty.
This power rack is not the best choice for the strongest lifters. Yet, the features this power rack comes with make it the best all-around rack for general bodybuilding training in this price range.
4. Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
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PROS
- Well-Designed Multi-Grip Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar
- Holds Up To 800lbs
- Several Extra Cost Attachments Available
CONS
- Questionable Steel Frame Design
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is a good choice in a beginner power rack. It’s rated to handle 800lbs, so it will work well for most average lifters.
This rack has a unique design in that it’s held together at the top by the multi-grip dual chin-up bar and a smaller security bar across the back.
This compares to many power racks that have a steel frame that includes a beam across the back at the top and bottom, and a chin-up bar across the front top.
The 810XLT’s dual chin bar is about midway back. This unit allows for different types of grips, including a close hammer-style grip.
The 810XLT is made using a 2”x 2” steel frame and features 19-hole adjustments. It will accommodate a variety of attachments, such as a lat machine, extended plate holders, landmine attachment and a bench.
The bench is important because you want a bench that lines up well with the lift off points and potential failure points of the exercises you’re going to do.
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is a good overall choice for intermediate lifters but it’s not a good choice for serious strength training.
5. Body-Solid Powerline PPR200X Power Rack
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PROS
- Features A 2″X2″ 14 Gauge Steel Frame
- 18 Adjustment Levels Set Every 3”
- 41″ Wide Knurled Chinning Bar Across The Top
- Holds Up To 600lbs
- Several Attachments Available
CONS
- Not Strong Enough For Very Heavy Workouts
The PPR200X Powerline Power Rack by Body Solid is a basic power rack that features a 2”x 2” 14-gauge steel frame and has a weight capacity of 600lbs.
That makes it best suited to average lifters that are not training for pure strength.
The PPR200X has 42” of workout space between the front pillars. It also has 18 adjustment holes spaced every 3”, short lift-off rods and long saber-style safety rods for optimal safety.
There’s a straight knurled bar across the top front that’s great for chins and pullups.
This rack has a number of available extra cost attachments that include a bench with leg extension/curl, lat attachment and dip attachment.
All of these are useful attachments especially if space is limited. While not a good choice for strength training, this is a good choice for general fitness training.
6. TITAN FITNESS T-3 Series Power Rack
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PROS
- Holds A Rackable 1100lbs
- Max Capacity Of 4400lbs
- Strong 2”x 3” Steel Frame
- Side Holes To Hold Extra Plates
CONS
- Designed To Be Bolted To The Floor, Making It Impractical For Some
Let’s face it, when it comes to home gym equipment, it doesn’t get much simpler than a power rack.
They’re designed to hold a lot of weight, thereby letting you train in safety. To that end, the key requirements of a good rack is how well it’s built and how much weight it can hold.
The Titan Fitness T-3 Series Power Rack does the job exceptionally well.
This is a serious rack meant for serious workouts. It features a 2″ x 3″, 11-gauge steel frame with a weight capacity of 1,100 lbs.
That’s rackable weight, the total weight this power rack can hold is 4,400lbs.
Now that’s serious!
The T-3 utilizes 21 adjustment levels and features 1.25″ J hooks and 2″ safety bars. It also has side holes every 6” to store your plates, a feature not found on many power racks in this price range.
As with most power racks, there are extra cost attachments available. They can make this a complete self-contained home gym, or it can be the heart of a well-equipped, more spacious home gym.
If there’s a downside to this power rack, it’s that it’s designed to be bolted to the floor. While that’s not a big deal and will definitely increase the T-3’s stability, not everyone that buys this power rack may be willing or able to do that.
This power rack is a top contender but the bolt down requirement keeps it from being a best choice.
7. TITAN FITNESS Short Power Rack T-2 Series
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PROS
- Only 6’ Tall
- 2”x 2” Steel Frame
- Wide 44’ Workout Space
CONS
- Not Strong Enough For Some Lifters
- Not Many Available Attachments
It’s worth noting that most power racks are 7’ tall. Can your home gym handle that kind of height?
Even a ½” can make all the difference. In a case like that, the Titan Fitness T-2 Series Short Power Rack is the answer.
The T-2 Short is only 6’ tall, ensuring it will fit in virtually any room. It’s made using 2” x 2” steel tubing. Also, this is a wide power rack, 44” wide to be exact, which creates a lot of workout space.
This rack only holds 700lbs, which is more than enough for the average lifter.
Yet, this indicates it’s not as strong as many of the other power racks on this list, including the T-3 Series reviewed above.
Still, the T-2 Short Rack does a good job meeting a specific need.
8. HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage
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PROS
- Holds Up To 1,000lbs
- Wide 44” Workout Space
- Includes Dip Bars
CONS
- Does Not Detail The Gauge/Size Of The Steel Frame
- Does Not Detail J Hook/Safety Bar Diameter
- Does Not Define Rackable Weight Capacity
With a 1,000lb. capacity, the HulkFit Power Cage is meant for serious workouts.
This power rack is reasonably priced and includes uniquely designed dip bars as well as a multi grip chin-up bar across the top.
The HulkFit features heavy duty steel construction and uses an H-style frame for stability. It also features good workout space (44” between the front pillars). It includes 4 J hooks (two of the J hooks are attached to the end of the safety bars) as well as solid steel safety bars.
This is a tall power rack at over 7’, so you’ll want to bear that in mind if you consider buying this power rack.
If there’s a downside, there’s no breakdown of what gauge the steel frame is made of. Also, it doesn’t mention the diameter of the safety bars and J hooks.
Finally, there’s no mention if the 1,000lb capacity is rackable weight.
These are all important considerations if you’re training for strength or are simply interested in the build quality.
9. REP FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack
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PROS
- 1,000lb. Weight Capacity
- Wide 44” Workout Space
- Excellent Multi Grip Chin-Up Bar Across The Top
CONS
- Rackable Weight Capacity Is Only 700lbs
- 14 Gauge Steel Is Lower Quality – 11 Gauge Is Stronger
The REP Fitness PR-1100 Power Rack is a good choice in a serious power rack and on the surface a contender to the TDS for serious strength training.
This power rack has a 1,000lb weight capacity but has a rackable weight capacity of 700lbs, considerably less than the TDS.
The PR-1100 is made using 14-gauge steel. It features a wide 44” workout space and comes with a well-designed multi-grip pull-up bar across the top. This lets you do pull ups with a pronated, supinated, or neutral grip, and has a thicker bar on the back so you can work on your grip strength.
The PR-1100 is priced at the high end of this range and if you want extras, you’ll have to pay even more.
Sure, you can get a lat attachment, dip handles, landmine attachment for T-bar rows, and plate holders, but many of the other power racks include most of these features at a better price point.
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Power Rack?
What To Look For In A Power Rack
Size
The size of a power rack is an important consideration, after all you have to be able to fit it in your gym space.
A power rack can be big, and they are for the most part at least 7’ tall.
Another consideration is width, you need a 7’ bar if you plan to do your core lifts inside the power rack.
That’s the whole point, they allow you to hit those top lifts in complete safety.
A power rack is ultimately a must-have for any serious home gym, however you’ll want to make sure it will fit before you make an investment in one.
Frame
The gauge of the steel used to build your power rack is critical, you’ll want it to be strong enough for years of use.
Of course, strength is a relative term, still, your power rack needs to be built tough enough to handle whatever you throw at it.
The point you want to remember here is, the lower the gauge, the stronger the steel. Most power racks are 11 gauge, but some are as high as 14 gauge.
Build Quality
The gauge of the steel frame leads to the overall build quality of the power rack.
Poor quality includes the gauge but also includes welding, and if there’s attachments, how well those attachments work.
While the fundamental concept of a power rack is simple, there’s nothing worse than standing inside a cheap power rack with a big weight on your shoulders and uncertainty about the rack’s ability to hold that weight.
The bottom line is that a good power rack should be built strong enough to live with you through years of tough workouts.
I personally have owned my power rack for over 15 years and as far as I’m concerned, it’ll easily last another 15 years. It has stood side by side with me through my toughest workouts and it has never let me down, no matter what I have subjected it to.
Weight Capacity
As stated above, strength is a relative term, despite those lifters that scoff at anyone that can’t handle 800-1,000lb. deadlifts or squats.
The guys that train specifically for pure strength will probably have a commercial-level rack bolted to the floor, if they even train at home.
Still, a power rack like the TDS is built for big weights.
The bottom line is that you want a rack that can easily hold more weight than you think you can ever lift. Aim high because who knows how strong you’ll be a few years down the road.
A good point here is that one of the great things you can do in a power rack is train the weak links in the range of motion on your big lifts.
All you have to do is set the long safety rods at the point where you have trouble and use that as your lift-off point in the lift.
As an example, if the mid-range of a bench press is a problem, set the rods at that point and work the mid-range specifically.
Hole Spacing
You might not think there’d be much difference from power rack to power rack, but some power racks give you 2” spacing between holes and other racks give you 3”.
You have to make sure you can line up your safety pins at the right height for your big lifts like bench presses and squats.
Trust me, nothing is worse than pins that are too low when you fail on a max bench press.
Part of this is getting a bench that works well with the power rack.
Also, part of it is taking the time to make sure your pins line up well with your potential fail points. You also need your lift-off points set at the proper height.
A power rack with more holes provides better line up options and helps to ensure your safety as well as a good workout experience.
Add-On Options
The options you can add to your power rack is really dependent on how you plan to set up your home gym.
As an example, I’ve had a large garage filled with 8-12 precisely chosen pieces to what I have now, which is a power rack, a bench with a couple of attachments, and a lat machine.
The point is that it all depends on your available space.
You can get a power rack that is designed to hold a number of attachments, this makes it ideal for a limited training space. Or, you can just buy a power rack and build a complete gym around it.
With that said, things like plate holders and dip bars are great examples of good, useable attachments. Lat attachments or landmine attachments are more specific to your space limitations.
The good news is, you can buy power racks that come with a number of attachments or you can buy a power rack that lets you choose your attachments at will.
To Wrap Up
A well-chosen power rack is going to be there over the years as you get bigger and stronger.
You want a power rack that fits your goals and will help achieve the physique you see in your mind.
Our review has provided several good options for the best budget power rack.
The Best Budget Power Rack for Serious Strength Training: the TDS Power Rack.
This is a power rack that can handle a monster 1,050lbs. of weight and this is the rack you’ll want if you are serious about pure strength.
The strength of this power rack also makes it the best overall choice because there’s simply no substitute for a well-built, can-handle-anything rack.
The Best Budget Power Rack for Bodybuilding: the Merax Athletics Power Racks.
If you’re just starting out and are training more for bodybuilding, the Merax Athletics Power Racks is our best choice. A point here is that strength is always important but also relative.
You can be strong and not be training for Powerlifting or Olympic lifting where all that matters is strength.
The techniques for these sports are different than for, say, bodybuilding. In that case, you want to be strong but your rep performance by nature will demand less weight than the same exercise done in Powerlifting.
The Merax Rack includes a lat attachment which makes it a good choice for limited space.
The Best Budget Power Rack Overall: The Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System is our pick for all-around fitness training.
This power rack holds less weight than most of the racks in this guide but does not hide the fact it’s designed more for general fitness training.
Hey, you can fail on a set even if the weight might not seem heavy. Safety is always important no matter how you exercise.
This power rack includes pegs on the bottom for resistance bands, dip handles and a well thought out chin up bar. It’s these features that make it our best choice for overall conditioning.
If you’re setting up a home gym, all you need to do is pick the budget power rack that fits your training style.
We’ve done the leg work; the choice is yours!
