Squat Racks, Commercial Gym Squat Rack - Gym Gear (2024)

FAQs

Why did Planet Fitness remove squat racks? ›

Planet Fitness does not have squat racks. Their assumption is that doing squats is not a functional exercise and will have no useful benefit for their members. However, we know now that everyone who is attempting to improve their fitness should do a squat movement as part of any well designed strength training program.

Most home gyms use a squat rack as their centrepiece since it's so versatile and is likely to take up the most space. Not only will it improve your squats, but people also utilise squat racks for bench press and deadlifts. This is your three big lifts ticked off, though the benefits of a squat rack don't stop there.

A power rack (also known as a power cage, squat cage or squat rack) is a piece of weight training equipment that functions as a mechanical spotter for free weight barbell exercises without the movement restrictions imposed by equipment such as the Smith machine.

A squat rack takes up less space than a power rack and is therefore more suitable for smaller gyms. They're especially popular in garage gyms where space is at a premium. They're also the cheaper option due to fewer materials being used. Power racks, on the other hand, are more versatile.

If you are facing away from the rack, you will have to step forward to clear the J-pegs. This can be more challenging than simply sliding backward. People who squat facing away from the rack are less likely to have a view of their form in the mirror.

But do not only plan based on how much you lift now, plan based on how much you want to lift three, five, and even 10 years from now. A squat rack, due to the nature of the build quality, is designed to last for many decades. This isn't a cell phone, it's a frame of steel.

Power racks: Power racks, also known as power cages, are the most versatile and secure option for heavy lifting (and probably the most common type of squat rack). They typically consist of four vertical posts with adjustable horizontal safety bars to catch the weight if you fail on a lift.

A squat rack can be anywhere from $200 to $10,000 depending on its features and quality. Usually, the average cost is around $1000. It's important to note that the base price of a rack has a lot in common with how many barbells it holds, how much weight equipment it includes, and what size framework it has.

You won't be able to do much inside the uprights, but it will give you what you need to squat, press, and chase those PRs. Most home gym heroes use a 24" or 30" rack depth.

What is a sissy squat rack? ›

Sissy Squat Benches consist of a platform that you stand on, with a vertical pad for your calves to rest against and a bar that locks your feet in place. They allow you to perform supported squats which means you can push your weight right back without losing your balance.

Form is Everything: Keep your chest up, back straight, and core engaged. Your knees should track over your toes as you descend. Hinge Your Hips: Focus on hingeing your hips backward before bending your knees as though you're sitting down on a chair.

Using a squat rack for squats and lifts can improve your strength, muscle mass, and overall fitness more effectively than a Smith machine. On the other hand, a Smith machine is also designed for lifting weights but has a more compact design that restricts your movements to one plane.

By 1998, when the brothers opened their third location, in Concord, New Hampshire, it called itself a “Judgment-Free Zone®,” employed a “Lunk Alarm” for people who grunt too loud or drop their weights, and sold memberships for as low as $10 a month.

The Smith machine is a generally safer version that allows for better quad isolation, while the squat rack is better at developing functional strength and allowing for free natural movement.

Whether it's a squat rack, a half rack, or a power rack, this device allows you to confidently lift maximum weight safely, even when you're training solo. But a rack is only as good as your ability to use it properly. When not correctly set up and utilized, a squat rack can actually make an exercise more dangerous.

The Smith machine can be used for almost any weightlifting exercise, such as the simple squat. If you've found yourself shying away from the seemingly complex contraption known as the Smith machine — you're not the only one!