The Best Power Racks Under $1000 – (2023 Review)

Fitness at large is a rewarding endeavor for those who choose to participate in this lifestyle. There are several aspects to it but sizing down to weight training, a lot more resistance exercises are incorporated into the regimen, and with that greater risk potency.

For this reason, the need to input safety precautions cannot be overlooked, least of all taken lightly.

When performing barbell exercises such as Squats, Bench press and Deadlift — so many things could wrong either from muscle failure or simply a loss of balance.

Typically, a Power Rack can be likened to a safety tool seeing as it protects lifters from injuries.

2023 Top Picks: Best Power Racks under $1000

Now that the fitness market is flooded with various options, we’ve selected some of the leading models you may want to consider when out on your best power rack hunt under $1000, which hopefully spare you from decision fatigue.

1. RML-390F Flat Foot Monster Lite Rack – (Best Overall)

With the RML-390F, you’ll feel like you have a commercial gym in your own home. This Power Rack will help take your training to the next level, and get the results that you want.

The RML-390F power rack comes from Rogue, who makes some of the best fitness equipment on the market.

With this rack, you get a compact, but heavy-duty rack which can fit into a majority of different spaces. It measures in at 92 inches high, and the footprint is only 49 inches by 48 inches.

What makes this rack an ideal choice is that it doesn’t need any special bolting to the ground like some other units do. The RML-390F features a self-stabilization base.

This is great for a few reasons: the first is that you won’t have to damage your floors to put it in, the second means you can move it around to wherever you need it. You’re not restricted to a one time setup, and the entire rack weighs under 300 pounds.

The rack is made of steel featuring 3×3 11 gauge uprights, and 11 gauge bases which means it can stand up to the most intense training.

If you do some serious powerlifting, this is the power rack to keep you covered. It also has some other great options including multiple pull-bars which turns this into a full body rack.

The Monster lite J-cups can be adjusted on the multiple holes to also use this rack for bench pressing. It also comes with a pin/pipe safety system which is critical if you train alone.

The RML-390F is the perfect power rack for your home gym whether you are using it in a basement, or garage. Anyone looking for a top-of-the-line power rack under $1000 range can consider this without a doubt.

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2. Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack – (Best for Small Space)

If you need a great power rack for your home gym, and budget needs to be considered — the RML-3W is a brilliant option.

This again comes from Rogue so you don’t have to worry about its quality. Even their budget options are extremely heavy-duty and can hold up to serious strength training.

This power rack differs from the traditional cage set up. The RML-3W is a wall mounting unit. This is the ideal choice if you are limited for space as the entire unit not only attaches to the wall, but it can be folded into it to give you all your space back.

You won’t be overwhelmed by a giant piece of equipment, and you can fold it out from the wall when you’re ready to train. The entire unit is developed with a hinge and pin system which makes it easy to install, and to be folded back in to save space.

The RML-3W features the same heavy-duty, steel 3×3 inch 11-gauge steel uprights featured in the RML-390F.

It is laser cut to precision giving you the perfect balance and support for your bar and weights. There is also 2-inch spacing between all the holes so you can find the ideal bar position no matter your height. It also comes with the Monster lite J-cups to hold your bar, and plastic caps to protect your floor.

Even at this price point, you still get a quick attach pull-up bar so you can train your back and arms whenever you feel like it .This is truly a unique power rack, and is stronger than many full cage power racks.

If you are either on a budget or limited for space — the RML-3W is the perfect solution to train as intensely as you want in the comfort of your own home.

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3. Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage – (Best Budget)

The 810 XLT is another power rack that wouldn’t look out-of-place in even the best gyms. This is a well-built power cage that also has optional attachments so you can add in things like a lat pull-down attachment.

This is a great space saving power rack and measures in at 83.5 inches high, 50.5 inches long, and 46.5 inches wide.

Despite this space saving size, the 810XLT is sturdy and incredibly safe. It has two chrome dual mounted safety bars, and two chrome lock-on safety attachments. At the back, this power rack has two rear stability bars which give it even more of a solid state support and performance. This power rack will allow you to train as heavy as you want without having to worry about safety.

Despite being very well built — and extremely affordable — the 810XLT still features a built-in pull-up bar that has a variety of different grip options. With most power racks, you just see a straight pull-up bar. The 810XLT has a pull-up bar that allows you to perform pull-ups, chin-ups, and neutral grip pull-ups.

This unit is for more than just squats though, and if you have your own bench, you can use this for bench presses and incline presses with the strong safety pins that comes with it.

For squats, you have 19 different pin hole placements and the entire rack can accommodate up to 800 pounds which, again, is amazing considering the price point.

The entire rack is light and airy with a lot of room to move in and out of. If you are building a home gym, and are on a budget – the 810XLT is the ideal option to give you a heavy-duty power rack for all your lifting needs, but not break the bank while doing so – costs around $300.

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4. HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack – (Best under $300)

This power rack wouldn’t look out of place in most gyms, and can make the ideal choice for your home gym power rack. This rack also doesn’t take up a lot of space, but has a strong base of support and can hold up to 1000 pounds.

The HulkFit will be perfect for heavy squats, but also features spotter arm attachments, which is like having a built in spotter with you.

Squatting is a full-out exercise that is extremely taxing on the body — but that’s what makes them the ultimate exercise. The problem is, there is a safety component to be aware of. The spotter arms take away the risk and allow you to squat safely and effectively. The heavy duty J-hooks also ensure safety when you rack the bar after a heavy set.

A significant feature with the HulkFit are the attached pull up bars. It’s nice to have a pull up bar as part of your power rack, but the HulkFit features two. This will accommodate different heights and they can be mounted at different increments. Also included are dip bars and this power rack will not only provide you to train your lower body, but the upper body through the pull ups, chin ups, and dips. You could own just this unit and always get a great full body workout.

Another outstanding feature with the HulkFit is that it comes with built-in weight plate holders. If you are using this in a home gym, it allows for less clutter as the weights can be stored on the power rack instead of spread around your space.

The HulkFit is 81 inches tall, 44 inches wide, and 46 inches deep. Despite its sturdy frame and base of support, the entire unit only weighs 110 pounds so it won’t be hard to move around and reposition as needed.

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5. Rogue SM-1 Monster Squat Stand 2.0

Rogue is one of the top brands when it comes to fitness equipment and the SM-1 Monster Squat Stand 2.0 is a great equipment for your strength training needs.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced lifter, this rack is strong enough to cover you. It can support upwards of 1000 pounds making it ideal for heavy squats.

This is also a space saving piece of equipment and can be set up in smaller areas. It doesn’t have a big foot print at only 50” x 54”. Height-wise, it is 73” tall so can accommodate a variety of different heights and sizes.

It has more than enough strength and stability for the heaviest of squats, but can also be used in conjunction with a bench for heavy bench presses, and incline bench presses.

The SM-1 features laser cut pin holes and pin position numbers so you can put the bar supports at the exact position you need. This is helpful because some commercial units have the pin holes spaced further apart. On the SM-1, they are only 2 inches apart so you can get a precise position for squats depending on your height.

This is the smallest offering in the Monster line-up, but is still a heavy duty piece of equipment. As mentioned, this is ideal if you have a home gym setup and are limited for space. It would work well in a basement, or garage, and can be the cornerstone of your apartment.

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6. Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack

The Merax fitness power rack is the ideal home gym power rack and an amazing value considering all the features it has. This is a true garage gym power rack that features the ability to squat, bench press, perform pull ups and chin-ups.

It also has a cable pulley system that will allow you to do rows, curls, kickbacks, high pulls, lat pull downs, and upright rows among many other exercises. It also features a dip bar. Basically, this one power rack will allow you to do 24 different exercises, making it a fitness club in your own home.

This is a larger power rack, but still has a compact frame. It measures in at 85 inches tall with an inside depth of only 45 inches. It is made of four solid steel chrome adjustable weight bar supports.

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Safety-wise, they cover you with the safety spotter bars and have 21 different positions for the bar supports so you don’t have to worry about struggling to get the bar back to the rack position. For your home gym needs, it has built-in weight plate holders which can accommodate hundreds of pounds of plates.

Despite its compact size, the Merax power rack can support up to 770 pounds in bar weight while still being sturdy and supportive. The frame is so solid that it has a lifetime warranty so you can train with peace of mind knowing this power rack will hold up to even the most intense workouts.

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7. Rogue SML-2C Squat Stand

Another great entry from Rogue. The SML-2C is a bit more basic than the SM-1, but is an ideal squat stand but still offers the strength and versatility that you would find in a power rack.

The best feature with the SML-2C is its compact frame. No matter how small a space you have to set up your home gym, this should fit.

The big problem with setting up a home gym is often the inability to perform heavy squats — which should be the cornerstone of any workout program. A squat stand like the SML-2C provides the perfect solution and is also very affordable — comes just under $500.

A great extra feature at this price point is the built-in pull-up bar. This allows you to perform chin-ups and pull-ups, which are also a key exercise in any good strength training program. Since it’s built into the rack, it saves you from having to buy a separate pull-up bar or pull up stand.

The SML-2C is 92 inches high, and the footprint is only 49 x 48 inches. Despite this small size, this stand can hold up to 1000 pounds, which is also very impressive at this price point. Since there is space on the floor around the stand, you will have room for deadlifts and even cleans. This can allow for a true powerlifting set up in your own garage gym.

Last but not least with the SML-2C are the multiple color combination options. This might seem like a minor feature, but it’s a nice option if you are looking to create a specific design and color scheme with your home gym set up.

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Power Rack vs Squat Stand: Which is better?

When looking at the differences between a power rack and a squat stand, there are a few things to consider. You will want to look at the type of training you are doing, your home gym needs, and your budget.

Squat Stand

A squat stand is your basic rack built around doing squats. They tend to be smaller and without many features or options. They are a standalone unit that may have an attachment such as a pull-up bar and bench presses, but those can still be an option.

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Since you have the room in front of the squat rack, this can easily be used for deadlifts and any form of barbell overhead presses. This is great if you are limited for space. They also need not be bolted to the ground. Since a squat stand is so basic, it doesn’t come with safety features such as spotter arms. You have to be extremely careful when squatting as you require your own strength to safely re-rack the bar.

Power Rack

A power rack gives you many more options. Not only can a power rack be used for squats, they offer many more exercises possibilities. The Power rack is a full cage, and this allows for attachment pins and spotter arms.

Not only do these things provide you safety, but they allow for other exercises like bench presses and incline presses. With a power rack, you can lift as heavy as you want without worrying about a spotter. This is one of the big draws that may make the power rack the better choice over the squat stands.

You have to consider your space limitations too as the power rack takes up more room. But with all the options it provides, it is worth the extra space it takes up as you don’t have to buy separate pieces of equipment.

If you are just wanting to do squats, and have limited room, a squat rack is the good choice. But if you want a full home gym experience, safety, and many more exercise possibilities — the power rack is the better choice.

How to Choose a Power Rack for Home Gym?

First you need to decide your requirements: do you need a squat stand or a power rack?

Once you have determined that, budget will probably be the most important thing to consider. With your budget in mind, you can start to look at the power racks that fall within it.

Keep in mind, if you are buying a power rack, you get many more exercise options with it. While this may be more expensive than just a squat rack, it saves you from having to buy extra equipment.

In either case, you are still going to need at least an Olympic bar and weights, so you have to factor that into everything as the racks don’t come with bars and weights. If you are trying to create a full home gym set up, you will be spending money on other pieces of equipment, so remember to factor that in too.

As has also been mentioned, what kind of space do you have available where you live?

A squat stand is the smaller option and will take up less room. They can even be placed in the corner of a room, basement, or garage. You are limited for exercises with pretty much squats and bench presses being the only options, but these are still superior exercises. The power rack will take up more room. Because of its cage shape, you will need a sufficient area — and height — to make sure it fits. You may have to measure the area that you will put it and then look at options that will work for your space.

The other thing to note in this buying guide is the type of training you are doing. If you are just focused on the cornerstone powerlifting movements such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, you can get away with a squat rack. But if you want more security and safety, you’ll want the power rack.

The power rack also will allow for heavier lifting because of the structural support that comes from the cage. If you are a serious powerlifter, and able to lift high amounts of weights, this needs to be considered.

Summary

If your training involves some powerlifting, but you also like bodybuilding, and all around strength training and fitness, the power rack will be the best option.

It allows you to not only train the larger muscles with the compound bar movements, but the smaller muscles for a more balanced physique. The ability to do exercises such as lat pulldowns, cable rows, and dips will not be an option with just a squat stand.

So, better see what your requirements are and proceed with them.