Need help choosing a power cage

christianteach
christianteach Posts: 595 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hubby bought me a power cage last Friday and then I had second thoughts since we bought the first one we found, so we backed out of the purchase before it was delivered. I have been looking on Craigslist and at Play It Again Sports for a few days but can't find anything. I have it down to two (3 really, but hubby eliminated my favorite because of price), which should I get and why?

I don't know how to post pics so I will just provide links.

I'm leaning toward this one. It's only only $260 plus $99 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Squat-Deadlift-Bench-Racks/dp/B004UMM4QC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363793324&sr=8-2&keywords=power+rack

My second choice is this one. It's $386 with free shipping since I'm Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PPR200X-PowerLine-Power-Rack/dp/B000VLRVSC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374088307&sr=8-2&keywords=power+cage

This is the my first choice but hubby wants me to find something cheaper. It's on sale for $579 and has free shipping.

http://www.bestbuyfitness.com/product_detail_3083.aspx

I would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations! I don't want to keep waiting around for something used to show up around here because I have to work around hubby's busy work schedule so he can spot me.
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Replies

  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I think I learned how to post the pictures...

    This is the first one, $260 + $99 shipping

    Amazonpowerrack_zps820a426e.jpg[/URL]

    This is the 2nd, $386 (free shipping)

    AmazonPowercage_zpsa5fa9f10.jpg[/URL]

    The expensive one (according to hubby)

    BestBuyFitness_zpsbd60178d.jpg[/URL]
  • Shawshankcan
    Shawshankcan Posts: 900 Member
    Third one.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    Third one.

    That's the one my husband says is too expensive...
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    for all intents and purposes, they are the same rack. get the cheaper one. the cheaper one that has a 5 star reviews
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    Get one of the cheaper ones. If the last one came with the bar and weights it would be worth it, but it doesn't.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    I'd say get the second one if it comes with the hot dude.
  • rdzilla
    rdzilla Posts: 113 Member
    All of these will work just fine for home use. The rest is up to you.
  • ttippie2000
    ttippie2000 Posts: 412 Member
    If either you or your husband plan on doing either squats or deadlifts in sumo style I would ask: Which one is the widest?
  • suemcmurry
    suemcmurry Posts: 188 Member
    Get the 3rd one.
  • fullofquirks
    fullofquirks Posts: 182 Member
    Just purchased the 2nd choice you posted, works well for my father and I. Easy to switch pins for both of us during routines and such. Just couldn't spring for the 3rd.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    for all intents and purposes, they are the same rack. get the cheaper one. the cheaper one that has a 5 star reviews

    Yeah, I'm leaning toward this one since it has such great reviews. However, the 2nd one is just a little more once you add the delivery to the 1st and the reviews on it are pretty good too. I have definitely decided against the 3rd, it's just too expensive on top of everything else I have bought (a bench and BB set) and the other things I still want to buy.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I'd say get the second one if it comes with the hot dude.

    Wouldn't that be nice! :bigsmile:
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    2nd one is the one I'll be getting as well. Gets good reviews from a lot of folks I've talked to.
  • mdizzle99
    mdizzle99 Posts: 169 Member
    I would definitely go with the Powertec. If the Powerline was $299 like it sometimes is on Amazon I would consider it, but not at the current price. The Powertec is generally considered one of the best value entry high quality racks with the Powerline considered the budget rack but still functional.

    If you want to knock a few bucks off the Powertec I recommend going to fitnessfactoryoutlet and adding the Powertec to your cart, then use the code "save5" to cut off 5%. Then, with that quote, you go back to bestbuyfitness and have them 110% price match the fitnessfactoryoutlet price. That should bring the price down closer to $500. Maybe that will be easier for the husband to accept?

    Also I should mention that after doing a ton of research I decided to go with the Powertec. My wife and I really like it and for under $1000 I wouldn't go with anything else. Now if you're willing to spend more...I would next look at the Sorinex Dark Horse. That's a beautiful rack.

    ...by far the best deals are on CL though if you are patient.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I would definitely go with the Powertec. If the Powerline was $299 like it sometimes is on Amazon I would consider it, but not at the current price. The Powertec is generally considered one of the best value entry high quality racks with the Powerline considered the budget rack but still functional.

    If you want to knock a few bucks off the Powertec I recommend going to fitnessfactoryoutlet and adding the Powertec to your cart, then use the code "save5" to cut off 5%. Then, with that quote, you go back to bestbuyfitness and have them 110% price match the fitnessfactoryoutlet price. That should bring the price down closer to $500. Maybe that will be easier for the husband to accept?

    Also I should mention that after doing a ton of research I decided to go with the Powertec. My wife and I really like it and for under $1000 I wouldn't go with anything else. Now if you're willing to spend more...I would next look at the Sorinex Dark Horse. That's a beautiful rack.

    ...by far the best deals are on CL though if you are patient.

    I did what you said and it got the price down to $526, down apx $53...not much considering how expensive it is. I talked to hubby and he wants to know what's so much better about this one besides the 1000 lb capacity but I will never be able to lift anywhere near that much.
  • jdallas69
    jdallas69 Posts: 30 Member
    Super easy
  • gwhizeh
    gwhizeh Posts: 269 Member
    First or second one gets my vote. Third one is blingy and nice but unless your going to be hitting high pounds soon, its probably overkill. Seems you ruled it out anyway. Save some money, use it on extra's elsewhere. One thing to consider is height. I actually built mine based on the first two or similar ones and its about 2" too short for my liking. Its no biggie, but one of those things if I were to do again next time...

    Good luck with your purchase and lifts. Life is so much better with a nice rack! :P

    Cheers
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I don't think I need a heavy duty one, so I just ordered the cheapest one along with a few other little things.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I would honestly go with the third one. I've squatted in a rack that looks extremely similar to the first picture and I swear to God I felt claustrophobic in it, was uncomfortable. The third one allows you to put a bench in there for benching, just looks better overall. Are you ordering a separate weight plate tree too? Didn't notice one on any of the racks.The parallel dip bars on the side and the chin-up bar is a great addition that would normally be a separate purchase from the rack and take up additional space.

    Make sure you're getting a decent bar and plates too, stay away from hex plates, stick to round.
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    I would honestly go with the third one. I've squatted in a rack that looks extremely similar to the first picture and I swear to God I felt claustrophobic in it, was uncomfortable. The third one allows you to put a bench in there for benching, just looks better overall. Are you ordering a separate weight plate tree too? Didn't notice one on any of the racks.The parallel dip bars on the side and the chin-up bar is a great addition that would normally be a separate purchase from the rack and take up additional space.

    Make sure you're getting a decent bar and plates too, stay away from hex plates, stick to round.

    You can definitely put a bench in the 2nd one (PowerlIne) and I can't imagine it wouldn't fit in the first ... but, in general, it should be easy to verify whether a bench would fit just by checking the dimensions. They're probably at least roughly similar.

    The PowerLine does have a chinning bar as well, by the way, but no dip station.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I would honestly go with the third one. I've squatted in a rack that looks extremely similar to the first picture and I swear to God I felt claustrophobic in it, was uncomfortable. The third one allows you to put a bench in there for benching, just looks better overall. Are you ordering a separate weight plate tree too? Didn't notice one on any of the racks.The parallel dip bars on the side and the chin-up bar is a great addition that would normally be a separate purchase from the rack and take up additional space.

    Make sure you're getting a decent bar and plates too, stay away from hex plates, stick to round.

    You can definitely put a bench in the 2nd one (PowerlIne) and I can't imagine it wouldn't fit in the first ... but, in general, it should be easy to verify whether a bench would fit just by checking the dimensions. They're probably at least roughly similar.

    The PowerLine does have a chinning bar as well, by the way, but no dip station.

    Oh that's cool, didn't notice the dip station. Not sure how big her husband is but I swear that first one just felt too confined for me. I felt like if I backed-up too far I'd hit the back of the cage but if I didn't that I would hit the hooks on the concentric portion. Just my opinion, any option will definitely work if money is an issue.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I would honestly go with the third one. I've squatted in a rack that looks extremely similar to the first picture and I swear to God I felt claustrophobic in it, was uncomfortable. The third one allows you to put a bench in there for benching, just looks better overall. Are you ordering a separate weight plate tree too? Didn't notice one on any of the racks.The parallel dip bars on the side and the chin-up bar is a great addition that would normally be a separate purchase from the rack and take up additional space.

    Make sure you're getting a decent bar and plates too, stay away from hex plates, stick to round.

    You can definitely put a bench in the 2nd one (PowerlIne) and I can't imagine it wouldn't fit in the first ... but, in general, it should be easy to verify whether a bench would fit just by checking the dimensions. They're probably at least roughly similar.

    The PowerLine does have a chinning bar as well, by the way, but no dip station.

    This one has a chin up bar too. According to the online reviews (which had higher ratings than the Powerline), a bench fits in it. The width is the same on the first two.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    I would honestly go with the third one. I've squatted in a rack that looks extremely similar to the first picture and I swear to God I felt claustrophobic in it, was uncomfortable. The third one allows you to put a bench in there for benching, just looks better overall. Are you ordering a separate weight plate tree too? Didn't notice one on any of the racks.The parallel dip bars on the side and the chin-up bar is a great addition that would normally be a separate purchase from the rack and take up additional space.

    Make sure you're getting a decent bar and plates too, stay away from hex plates, stick to round.

    You can definitely put a bench in the 2nd one (PowerlIne) and I can't imagine it wouldn't fit in the first ... but, in general, it should be easy to verify whether a bench would fit just by checking the dimensions. They're probably at least roughly similar.

    The PowerLine does have a chinning bar as well, by the way, but no dip station.

    Oh that's cool, didn't notice the dip station. Not sure how big her husband is but I swear that first one just felt too confined for me. I felt like if I backed-up too far I'd hit the back of the cage but if I didn't that I would hit the hooks on the concentric portion. Just my opinion, any option will definitely work if money is an issue.

    My husband doesn't lift and hasn't expressed any interest in doing so. Our son does but he prefers the gym because he likes using other equipment such as the treadmill and some machines such as the leg press. This is primarily for me.
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    This is primarily for me.

    Pretty sure you're going to be just fine with the one you picked... If you get to the point of squatting 1000 lbs. you can reward yourself with a bigger power rack. ;-)
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    This is primarily for me.

    Pretty sure you're going to be just fine with the one you picked... If you get to the point of squatting 1000 lbs. you can reward yourself with a bigger power rack. ;-)

    Yeah agree. Although I think it would be a lot sooner than 1000. It shook like hell when I re-racked 325.
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    This is primarily for me.

    Pretty sure you're going to be just fine with the one you picked... If you get to the point of squatting 1000 lbs. you can reward yourself with a bigger power rack. ;-)

    Yep, about this time next year. :bigsmile: I even asked my son if he thought he could ever squat over 700 lb (the limit) and he just laughed.
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    Yeah agree. Although I think it would be a lot sooner than 1000. It shook like hell when I re-racked 325.

    I'm pretty sure I'd snap like a twig if I tried to lift even 325. :-)
  • christianteach
    christianteach Posts: 595 Member
    Yeah agree. Although I think it would be a lot sooner than 1000. It shook like hell when I re-racked 325.

    I'm pretty sure I'd snap like a twig if I tried to lift even 325. :-)

    I can't even lift 125! :embarassed:
  • jasonheyd
    jasonheyd Posts: 524 Member
    I can't even lift 125! :embarassed:

    I thought this was interesting, from the All Pro's Simple Beginner's Routine FAQ...
    A beginner is, generally speaking, anyone who cannot squat twice his body weight, and bench press 1,5 times his body weight, for one repetition. So if you weigh 200 lbs for example, you should be able to squat once for close to 400 lbs. and bench press once for close to 300 lbs, in order to be considered to have moved beyond the "beginner" stage. It has nothing to do with how long you have been lifting weights - there are many people who have been going to the gym for a few years and who are still considered beginners. As long as your lifts are noticeably below the threshold described above, you are still a beginner and you'll benefit greatly from this routine.

    I've got a ways to go before I'm a non-beginner. =/
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    I have the pretty yellow one in my garage.

    LOVE IT

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