About to buy a squat cage

jacksonpt
jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Yes, this thread is probably unnecessary, but after some really crappy threads this morning, let's talk gear!

I'm going to be buying a squat cage and bench this weekend. I've looked around a bit and it seems like there is a HUGE range in quality, but that even the cheap stuff is reasonably solid. Is there any reason to pay big dollars for something heavier duty? I'm lucky enough to have a pretty good shop in town that I'd like to support if possible. I'm looking at the basic model Body Solid Power Rack (http://www.bodysolid.com/home/GPR378/Body-Solid_Pro_Power_Rack).

GPR378_Hero02.png

It lacks a few "niceities" that I was hoping for, but that I can't seem to find in a cage for under $1000. Still, with a bench it should be more than sufficient for the major compound lifts and a little accessory work, right?
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Replies

  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    nicer than the one I use at the gym. I'm sure itll be fine. and yea you should be able to do all your compounds in it.

    might want to consider a bench for presses also. If you don't have one already. Also did you check craigslist. This is a good time of year to find this stuff.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yep, a bench, bar and plates are also on the list.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    If the lowest peg is low enough that you can do rack pulls (the bar should hit mid shin), and the cage can hold the weight you'll be using for the foreseeable future, it's fine. I don't know the quality of that manufacturer, but in terms of setup that's got everything you should need, I'm not even sure what missing niceties you'd want with it.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I bought a cheaper one from New York Barbells. Free shipping and it cost around 300 bucks. Holds over 700lbs and I've had that much in there. I've had it for probably 10 years now and it's gone thru my son lifting heavy all thru high school, me prepping for many powerlifting meets and has handled everything we've thrown at it.

    I'd say if you have a commercial gym, where a rack is getting used all day long, then you get the good ones. For home use where they'll get 2-3 days a week of use and usually not even close to the weight limit of the hardware, the cheaper ones are just fine.
  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    The biggest difference I've ever seen between cages is that some of the cheaper ones will develop a flex at the joints which will allow the whole rack to sway side-to-side a little. Check one out in a store and as long as that's not an issue with the model you're looking at you should be fine. The pic above looks like an awesome setup that I'd be proud to have.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Looks good to me. Since it's just going to be you and perhaps an occasional guest, it's not going to need to withstand the wear and tear of a commercial gym rack.

    Is there a model that has a chin up bar or some such accessory?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Looks good to me. Since it's just going to be you and perhaps an occasional guest, it's not going to need to withstand the wear and tear of a commercial gym rack.

    Is there a model that has a chin up bar or some such accessory?

    This one does... not a fancy one with multiple grips, but it'll suffice. I have a pull-up/dip tower already that I'm keeping, at least for the time being.

    My biggest complaints are

    1) 7' tall, not tall enough for standing OHP inside the rack. Not sure how big of a deal this is though... currently dealing with an injured shoulder, so I haven't OHPed in several months.

    2) no plate storage. Not a big deal, just inconvenient.

    3) because of the design, bench can't go back far enough to use rear uprights for benching. Again, not sure how big of a deal this is.
  • MacInCali
    MacInCali Posts: 1,012 Member
    Can I ask what the measurements are on the one you have there? I'm in desperate need of a squat/power rack/cage (I'm doing Zercher squats now because I lack the rack), but all I keep getting is a "no" from my husband, claiming we don't have the space. :explode:
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Can I ask what the measurements are on the one you have there? I'm in desperate need of a squat/power rack/cage (I'm doing Zercher squats now because I lack the rack), but all I keep getting is a "no" from my husband, claiming we don't have the space. :explode:

    Specs are 82"H x 49"L x 46"W
  • MacInCali
    MacInCali Posts: 1,012 Member
    Can I ask what the measurements are on the one you have there? I'm in desperate need of a squat/power rack/cage (I'm doing Zercher squats now because I lack the rack), but all I keep getting is a "no" from my husband, claiming we don't have the space. :explode:

    Specs are 82"H x 49"L x 46"W

    Thanks!!
  • Spokez70
    Spokez70 Posts: 548 Member
    Looks like a nice setup. If money is not a big deal and you want to support the local shop that's cool but there are a lot of these around used. Between Craigslist and Play-it-Again Sports I picked up a nice rack with a bench, Olympic bar, 245 lbs in plates and weight tree for a few hundred bucks plus trading in some old gear I didn't use anymore.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Be patient, keep an eye out for used. They sometimes come around for about 300 for the rack, barbell, and weight set. I paid significantly more for mine, because I had to have it NOW.

    Main things to look for are height (relative your ceiling), and I would suggest getting one with a pullup bar.

    No reason to buy new for something like this.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I want one with pull-up bars. And a house big enough to fit it in.
  • coolraul07
    coolraul07 Posts: 1,606 Member
    I'm just gonna quietly sit in the corner and envy those that have a garage or enough space inside their house to have one of these. :frown: <Le Sigh>
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I'd like one of these, with a pull up bar. This thread is useful. Any tips/pointers on buying one, especially if buying 2nd hand (as I'll probably end up doing if I can get a good 2nd hand one).
  • sigpros
    sigpros Posts: 13
    I'm looking also right now. I want to be able to use the rack for standing OHP too. I am spoiled by the Maxrack we have at work. I can't justify one though when craigslist has a bunch of used cages for $400-$700. I got a great deal on 490 lbs of plates and a bar and plate rack for $100 last week. So I will keep looking and snag one when the price is right
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I'm looking also right now. I want to be able to use the rack for standing OHP too. I am spoiled by the Maxrack we have at work. I can't justify one though when craigslist has a bunch of used cages for $400-$700. I got a great deal on 490 lbs of plates and a bar and plate rack for $100 last week. So I will keep looking and snag one when the price is right

    good point with OHP... make sure the rack is either tall enough to accommodate OHP inside, or that it has hooks on the outside.

    another minor grip with my rack - i can only do the OHP outside, and the highest outer hook setting is somewhat low, so i have to do a small front squat to unrack the weight. it's a non-issue now that i'm used to it, but it used to bug me quite a lot.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I just clean the weight up for presses. My problem is lining myself up so I don't bang the plates on the joists. I guess I could use all little ones.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Can't you set the bar up on the outside of the rack? It looks like it. Then you stand outside of it with the pegs around waist high and clean your first rep of OHP. I seems like a bench should fit in there but maybe I'm looking at it wrong.

    Either way, solid purchase. Once you get a cage you can do so many exercises safely without a spotter. Good move
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Can't you set the bar up on the outside of the rack? It looks like it. Then you stand outside of it with the pegs around waist high and clean your first rep of OHP.

    Yeah, I definitely can... just not sure how big of a deal that is. Considering OHP is a relatively light and slow progressing lift, I doubt it'll be an issue... just one of the less than ideal points about this particular cage.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Just because it's so easy on the eyes, this is the cage I really want...

    CS_HSBenchRack_PowerRack-enlarge.jpg
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    To be honest, I like the one you're getting better. Less frills, all business.

    Regarding OHP, I do mine in a squat rack but never use the high pins. I put 135 on the safety catch and clean the first rep of each set. I don't think you'll find doing them outside the cage a problem at all.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    Just because it's so easy on the eyes, this is the cage I really want...

    CS_HSBenchRack_PowerRack-enlarge.jpg

    If you bench inside that cage, those weight storage things would be useless, you'd bang the plates. I store all my big plates on the ground, leaning against the outside of the cage. Smaller ones, I have 2 racks, one on each side of the cage so I have a ready supply of 25's, 10's, and 5's for each side of the bar. Those are not very expensive especially if you find them used- probably less than the difference in price between a basic rack and this one.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    To be honest, I like the one you're getting better. Less frills, all business.
    Those frills will help me do curls in the rack like the cool kids at my gym!

    Regarding OHP, I do mine in a squat rack but never use the high pins. I put 135 on the safety catch and clean the first rep of each set. I don't think you'll find doing them outside the cage a problem at all.
    Nice, thanks.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Just because it's so easy on the eyes, this is the cage I really want...

    CS_HSBenchRack_PowerRack-enlarge.jpg

    If you bench inside that cage, those weight storage things would be useless, you'd bang the plates. I store all my big plates on the ground, leaning against the outside of the cage. Smaller ones, I have 2 racks, one on each side of the cage so I have a ready supply of 25's, 10's, and 5's for each side of the bar. Those are not very expensive especially if you find them used- probably less than the difference in price between a basic rack and this one.

    Interesting. It's not a problem on any of the cages at my gym or on the smith I have now. The plates are further back, on a separate upright.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    Ah, I see that now. The picture doesn't give real good depth perception.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Cleaning your ohp's will potentially limit your presses somewhat since getting the weight up can be tiring, but overall it'll make you stronger (in my opinion). You can also always do seated pressing to really focus on your shoulders anyway. The restriction on benching could be a big deal. Make sure you can bench and incline in the cage, if you can't I'd suggest getting something else.
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    Just because it's so easy on the eyes, this is the cage I really want...

    CS_HSBenchRack_PowerRack-enlarge.jpg

    Drool.

    I've got an open squat cage/suspension trainer combo that works OK. But I would trade it in a second for this one.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Drool.

    I've got an open squat cage/suspension trainer combo that works OK. But I would trade it in a second for this one.

    My gym has one like that (not sure if it's the exact same one but it looks similar). My biggest problem with it is that the lowest pin is still too high for me to do rack pulls.
  • Spokez70
    Spokez70 Posts: 548 Member
    3) because of the design, bench can't go back far enough to use rear uprights for benching. Again, not sure how big of a deal this is.

    I agree that does seem like kind of a big deal. Maybe a different bench would work better? I don't have a spotter so being able to bench press in the cage is very important- if I go to failure I can pull the bar back off my chest and it catches on the rails over my neck so I can get out from under it.

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