Squat Rack - looking for opinions

bioklutz

I am currently using a lot of random things at home to set weights on (for example: milk cartons for RDL, chairs for zercher squats)

I got a little amazon money for Christmas and was thinking of getting a squat/bench rack. I don't have room in my house for a cage. This is what I am thinking of getting: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JQKSPHK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1TMHH3ASGFJIE&coliid=I1SMYJ9KFEE2HC

Has anyone used that style of rack for squatting? What do you think of it? Is it a waste of money or do you like it?

(I am aware that it is listed as a bench rack but I am short so I should also be able to use it for squatting. When I stand and place the bar in the low bar position it is 50.5 inches from the ground.)

ew_david

I'm not sure of the benefit of independent stands, but it seems okay. My rack was a basic one from Amazon and it worked very well for me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KIOPGE8/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1451146019&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=squat+rack&dpPl=1&dpID=41QPsTb5yvL&ref=plSrch

bioklutz

_dracarys_ wrote: »

I'm not sure of the benefit of independent stands, but it seems okay. My rack was a basic one from Amazon and it worked very well for me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KIOPGE8/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1451146019&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=squat+rack&dpPl=1&dpID=41QPsTb5yvL&ref=plSrch

The benefit would be storage. I work out in my living room. Everything is stored in a corner of the living room and comes out when I work out.

ninerbuff

The main issue I see with independent stands is if you go to rerack and one tips out of position. While the legs look good, it's a different story if you've got weight on your back and are fatigued trying to rerack a good amount of weight.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

bioklutz

Well that is disappointing.

I tend to lift what I would consider medium weight for me but higher reps. I can think of a few times where I have felt fatigued - but it has always been leg fatigue where I was worried about being able to stand back up. Once I stand back up I don't have that oh crap feeling anymore.

Do you feel that there might be a a tipping danger at medium weight?

Our second bedroom is currently used as an office and there has been talk of using it as a workout room instead - eventually there might be a little more room.

ninerbuff

bioklutz wrote: »

Well that is disappointing.

I tend to lift what I would consider medium weight for me but higher reps. I can think of a few times where I have felt fatigued - but it has always been leg fatigue where I was worried about being able to stand back up. Once I stand back up I don't have that oh crap feeling anymore.

Do you feel that there might be a a tipping danger at medium weight?

Our second bedroom is currently used as an office and there has been talk of using it as a workout room instead - eventually there might be a little more room.

It would depend on the racks really. If they are made of a light weight steel, there may not be enough weight on the legs to keep them from tipping depending on how you re rack.
There are options to squatting without a rack. You can learn one legged squats (pistols) or even learn how to clean to your shoulders and do front squats. And there's always barbell overhead squats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NvOuty_Fnc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyDbagKS7Rg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-38lxEAAI

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

bioklutz

Thanks Ninerbuff! I am going to wait until we have more space and get something more stable.

I am currently doing zercher squats and when I am done with my set I rest the bar between 2 chairs.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Whatever rack solution you go with, I recommended spending a little more for rubber bumper plates if you are going to workout in the living spaces of your house.

Also, what you could to with those stands is sandbag them down to add a little extra stability.

bioklutz

I keep going back and forth in my head about getting a rack that might be temporary...I measured my current storage space and it is 90 x 36 inches. If I reorganize I should be able to fit a more stable rack.

The one that DracarysI linked is just a touch to tall to also do bench presses. I am getting tired of dumbbell presses and anxious to do barbell ones.

Both of these should work for squats and presses: http://www.amazon.com/Squat-Rack-H-D-Adjustable-Racks/dp/B004GFK1YU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 & http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PSS60X-PowerLine-Squat-Rack/dp/B000VLKOB8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 and are cheap enough that I don't think I will regret getting.

They both say they are made of 2-by-2-inch steel frame. One of them has pegs for weight which I assume would help with added stability.

Nakedraygun - I wish I had rubber bumper plates! I have a mix of cast iron and the cheap cement filled. Maybe next time I will treat myself to a few plates

I going to think about those 2 racks for a week before pulling the trigger. Does anyone think they are bad choices?

wilsoncl6

I can see how they'd fulfill a dual role for bench and squats. Like someone mentioned before, you can sandbag the stands to add more stability for squats. Your first option looks the most stable of your choices. If you're not lifting really heavy then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

ew_david

bioklutz wrote: »

I keep going back and forth in my head about getting a rack that might be temporary...I measured my current storage space and it is 90 x 36 inches. If I reorganize I should be able to fit a more stable rack.

The one that DracarysI linked is just a touch to tall to also do bench presses. I am getting tired of dumbbell presses and anxious to do barbell ones.

Both of these should work for squats and presses: http://www.amazon.com/Squat-Rack-H-D-Adjustable-Racks/dp/B004GFK1YU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 & http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PSS60X-PowerLine-Squat-Rack/dp/B000VLKOB8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 and are cheap enough that I don't think I will regret getting.

They both say they are made of 2-by-2-inch steel frame. One of them has pegs for weight which I assume would help with added stability.

Nakedraygun - I wish I had rubber bumper plates! I have a mix of cast iron and the cheap cement filled. Maybe next time I will treat myself to a few plates

I going to think about those 2 racks for a week before pulling the trigger. Does anyone think they are bad choices?

I used the one I linked to bench and never had an issue. I just took the pins out and put the arms all the way down.

bioklutz

DracarysI - I am kinda short.

Hubby measured and it is 37 inches to the floor if I am holding the bar with straight arms with my back on the bench in the flat position.

ew_david

bioklutz wrote: »

DracarysI - I am kinda short.

Hubby measured and it is 37 inches to the floor if I am holding the bar with straight arms with my back on the bench in the flat position.

I'm a shorty too - 5'3"

Whatever your decision is you won't regret it. I miss my home gym so much, but we moved and couldn't take it with us.

jemhh

I have stands instead of a rack. We built a platform because they were a tad tall. It sits over the base of the stands and gives them more stability. They definitely cannot topple over with the platform in place.

amyk0202

What about this: http://www.amazon.com/TDS-C-92565-SPL-Sumo-Rack-Special/dp/B004TMMA26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451233253&sr=8-1&keywords=sumo+rack . It's bigger at 52.5" x 48.5" x 66"h & more expensive, but not as big as a full rack. It looks more stable & has the spotter bars for working out alone which would be a big concern for me.

Packerjohn

ninerbuff wrote: »

bioklutz wrote: »

Well that is disappointing.

I tend to lift what I would consider medium weight for me but higher reps. I can think of a few times where I have felt fatigued - but it has always been leg fatigue where I was worried about being able to stand back up. Once I stand back up I don't have that oh crap feeling anymore.

Do you feel that there might be a a tipping danger at medium weight?

Our second bedroom is currently used as an office and there has been talk of using it as a workout room instead - eventually there might be a little more room.

It would depend on the racks really. If they are made of a light weight steel, there may not be enough weight on the legs to keep them from tipping depending on how you re rack.
There are options to squatting without a rack. You can learn one legged squats (pistols) or even learn how to clean to your shoulders and do front squats. And there's always barbell overhead squats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NvOuty_Fnc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyDbagKS7Rg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-38lxEAAI

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Nice suggestions, don't forget goblet squats: http://bretcontreras.com/a-set-of-goblet-squats-per-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/

bioklutz

Amyk0202 - that rack is beautiful! It is too big for the current storage space I have (90 x 36 inches). If we ever convert the office into a workout room that would be a nice fit!

Walter__

I own this rack:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361447851085

It's pretty good. You're not going to find anything better in that price range, unless you somehow manage to find a great deal for a used one on Craigslist.

The seller is currently out of stock, but I talked to him a few days ago and I think he'll be having a new batch soon. It's a better and cheaper version of the rack you were looking at.