Top 8 Best Budget Squat Racks – Buyer’s Guide and Review

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A squat rack is the centerpiece of any home or commercial gym, which helps us avoid hurting ourselves when lifting heavyweight to develop muscle thanks to its functionality, versatility, and safety. And choosing to buy an affordable squat rack for your home gym and replaces both the local gym’s monthly payment and the help received is a good idea.

But the problem is that a squat rack might be the biggest investment for your home gym, and you don’t want it to be useless. You want it to well meet your requirements, and no matter is the price, quality, or safety.

I created a list of the best budget squat racks, considering safety, quality, and, most importantly, the price. And if you are looking for an affordable squat rack of good quality, I hope this buying guide will help you.

In a hurry? Here are the top 8 best inexpensive budget power racks for your home gym:

See the overview, pros & cons below.

Women Squating on a Budget Squat Racks

Why Choose a Budget Power Rack for Your Home Gym?

One of the first reasons to consider investing in a power rack is because it offers safety to the user when lifting heavyweight.

This equipment is designed so that when you want to lift weights, avoid accidents that can be serious if you train alone and that can be avoided if you have a power rack at home.

The best budget power rack will make your training easier, and even if it comes at a low price, the security is still top-notch.

And here we can mention the second reason to buy one of these incredibly affordable power racks, and it is because the benefits of this power rack provide the same functions as any other power rack at high prices.

On the other hand, if you lift heavy weights like the professionals, you may need a more expensive power rack to support such weight.

However, if you only train with moderate weight, you will not need to spend as much, and you can get an affordable power rack to have it at home and train comfortably.

Another reason to invest in these power racks is to allow you to perform compound exercises, such as squats, bench presses, chin-ups, and many more, all with a bar’s use in a safe way.

Also, it allows you to adopt an infinite number of accessories for various exercises, which are not expensive since there are at low prices.

To exercise the whole body, you only need a squat rack, a bench, and an Olympic weight set to train in the comfort of your home.

Budget Power Rack Buying Guide – What You Should Consider

When buying a budget-friendly power rack, keep in mind that there are different brands, models, and types, which allow you to perform different exercises, and some come equipped with different accessories.

Therefore we recommend you take into account the following points when buying a cheap power rack:

#1. Weight Capacity

For obvious safety reasons, it is essential to scrupulously respect the maximum load indicated by the manufacturer of your power cage since they all have a specific capacity.

You can find power racks that support up to 500 pounds, but there are also racks up to 1000 pounds as well. Choosing one or the other will depend on your goals but above all, your training level.

Therefore, if you are starting to lift weights, you should start with low weights, but if you already have the experience, a power rack that supports a high weight is what you need. Always check this detail to avoid future accidents.

#2. Space Consideration

You must bear in mind the size of the power rack when choosing an economical power rack for your small space or low ceiling apartment.

Although these power racks are affordable, they are not synonymous with small. In other words, they tend to need considerable space, so before choosing your power rack, analyze the space you have and choose accordingly.

To not make mistakes, you should first know the size of the power rack. Height is another detail to consider as there are high power racks and low ceilings. If the ceiling of your home gym is low, you can choose a low-profile power rack.

#3. Design

Those looking to buy a budget power rack for the home gym want it resistant and works perfectly, providing security, although they also want it to fit perfectly in small spaces.

Power racks come in different designs such as folding squat rack, wall-mounted squat rack, free-standing squat rack, etc., although for many of these details, the only thing you need to pay attention to is size; the rest is not a priority as long as it is stable and safe.

#4. Adjustment Hole Spacing Height

Now, it’s time to look at the adjustment hole spacing height of your inexpensive power rack. This detail is important since when the holes are close to each other, the possibilities of customizing the safety bars’ height are wider.

On the other hand, if these holes are widely spaced from each other, adjusting the height when placing the bars will be very uncomfortable, apart from the fact that you will not customize your movements.

#5. Training Purpose

Although this seems very obvious, you should evaluate your objectives.  You should decide before buying the power rack so that you do not regret it because if you plan to develop chest muscles, you will need an adjustable bench press, but if you want to exercise standing up, lifting free weights, you will not need the bench.

Also, you must evaluate if what you are looking for is to lift heavy weight since, if so, the power rack must be able to support a maximum of weight depending on that need.

On the other hand, some movements may also be restricted, so it is recommended that you evaluate the types of exercises you plan to do to find the one that best suits your needs.

#6. Accessories

Some understand a power rack as mere safety support for squats. But it’s much more than that. A well-equipped squat rack allows you to customize it to perform the best exercises to develop your muscles. Even the power racks at affordable prices allow you to do so.

Some of the accessories that you can take advantage of the most, apart from performing weight bench and squat, are chin-up/pull-up bars for the development of back muscles, dipping bars, lat pulldown pulley attachments, landmine attachments, even for those who do not have a lot of space can have an accessory like the lat pull attachment with which you can train the back and triceps.

#7. Weight Plate Storage

A good option is to have a power rack that has the capacity to store the weight plates.

This can count as one more accessory since not all power racks bring it, but it is beneficial since it prevents you from leaning towards the ground to lift plates that can be heavy and avoid damaging your back when trying to hold a heavy plate.

Generally, power racks built with this accessory can be more stable as they help create additional weight while allowing for rack stability.

Apart from this, loading your barbell with weight is made much easier and allows your gym to look more orderly without leaving your weight plates on the floor, something really not recommended since they can be damaged.

On the other hand, this accessory is usually found at the back of the power rack, so it won’t bother you when exercising.

Top 8 Best Budget Squat Racks for Home Gym

So that you can see that it is true that there are power racks at very affordable prices, here we select the 8 best budget squat racks for you to consider when setting up your home gym.

Rogue SML-2C Monster Lite Squat Stand

Rogue Fitness SML-2C Squat Stand

This SML-2C is the colored version of the SML-2—a versatile and compact-design squat rack, which is also one of the best-selling Rogue squat racks. The uprights are made of 3” x 3” 11 gauge steel, compatible with other Rogue Monster Lite accessories.

The rack is 92” in height, 49” in deep, and 48” in length. It also offers a lifetime warranty.

Highlights include 0.625″ holes in the Westside spacing pattern (1” hole spacing in the bench press part and 2” in the rest), an adjustable fat/skinny pull-up bar that is coated in textured black powder-coat (sits at 80.5 inches), a high weight capacity of 1000 lbs., and a bolt-together, triangle-plate base designed for maximum stability.

You don’t need to bolt down this squat rack. And the Westside spacing pattern offers you the possibility to do benches press at the optimal height for your range of motion. You can even do kipping pullups on this Rogue SML-2C squat rack as the base of the frame is deep enough.

Pros

  • Its frame is made of high-quality 3” x 3” 11 gauge steel and supports a maximum weight of 1000 lbs.
  • Available in various colors.
  • You don’t need to bolt down this rack for maximum stability.
  • You can add various Rogue Monster Lite accessories to it.

Cons

  • The height is 92”, not ideal for low ceilings room.
  • No plate storage.

Rogue Echo Squat Stand 2.0

Rogue Echo Squat Stand 2.0

Echo Squat Stand 2.0 is one of the best-value squat stands in the industry and the best economically-priced rack in Rogue Fitness, best suited for those who have a limited budget. It is made of resistant 2×3″ 11-gauge steel with a black powder coat finish.

This squat stand is designed for squats, push-ups, and bench press, and other basic but necessary exercises to develop your muscle.

The minimalist design of this Rogue squat stand doesn’t mean it will compromise with its sturdiness and durability. With a 1000+ lbs weight capacity, you can do squats with ease without worrying about the wobble.

This compact squat rack has a dimension of 70.375″ in height, 49” in length, and 48” in width. And the assembly of this low-profile squat stand is straightforward, you can put it together within 20 minutes. You will also get a lifetime warranty.

As for the hole spacings, the uprights have 0.625″ holes spaced every 2″ to the other, so it is easy for users to find the right lifting or bench pressing height.

Pros

  • Excellent quality and price.
  • Lifetime warranty.
  • 11-gauge steel construction.
  • Its weight capacity is 1000 lbs.

Cons

  • No pull-up bar included.

Fitness Reality Multi-Function Squat Rack

Fitness Reality Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack Squat Stand with The

Fitness Reality squat rack with weight benches is one of the most cost-effective racks on this list. Due to its design and the functions it offers, its price is a little higher than the previous model but not much since it is for those with a limited budget.

This compact squat rack is durable, robust, and stable and offers a wide variety of exercises with safety,  being one of the chosen racks in gyms.

Aside from lifting weights, it offers many other extra training options that other squat racks don’t. You can do pull-ups and chin-ups on this multifunctional power rack, thanks to the pull-up bar included.

For greater safety when lifting heavyweight, this rack comes with spotter’s arms, so don’t worry; your safety is the most important thing when training at home.

Another exercise you can do is dips. The set of dip handles can be adjusted according to your needs to train comfortably.

Big brands like Rogue offer squat rack with this accessory at very high prices, but here you can get the same at a lower price.

The height of this low-priced squat rack is about 81 inches. If you think it will not fit in your home gym because of its height, then you can choose another low-profile squat rack here.

Regarding its quality, it is made with steel tubes with a gauge of 11 and has a distance between holes of 2 inches, an excellent measure for better comfort.

Without a doubt, this squat rack is a great option if you have a limited budget.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money.
  • Rugged 11 gauge steel construction.
  • Includes many accessories.
  • Offers a maximum weight capacity of 1000 lbs.

Cons

  • It’s tall and not ideal for low ceilings rooms.

Cap Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand

CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand
The CAP’s barbell power rack (or should we call it half rack) is an entry-level power rack that comes with a pull-up bar that allows you to build your back muscle.

It is a lightweight power rack, with a weight of around 61 pounds. But this doesn’t mean it will compromise with its durability and quality. The maximum weight it supports is 500 lbs and for those who are just starting, it is sturdy enough and perfect. However, for someone who wants to train hard, it is not recommended.

It is indeed more limited than the previous ones, but the value for money offers us a lot if we do not want to make a large investment since it is affordable for most and very compact in terms of space since it only measures 85″ in height and with a 46″ x 50″ base.

Pros

  • Its maximum weight capacity is 500 lbs.
  • The steel gauge of the tubes is 1 and 14, making it very strong
  • Quick and easy to assemble.
  • Does not take up much space.

Cons

  • It does not offer many features.

Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack

Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack

Fringe Sport is a minimalist squat rack with a pull-up bar and is an ideal half squat rack model for those who plan to start building their own gym at home. It has dimensions of 84.5″ tall x 49.5″ wide x 46.5″ deep, making it a great choice for those who have a limited budget and don’t have a ton of space.

Other highlights include 2″ x 3″ uprights and 5/8″ hole diameter. And you are allowed to add other power rack attachments such as spotter arms, a dip station, j cups, etc.

And it should be noted that this squat rack has Westside hole spacing, which is an outstanding advantage since safety must always be considered when training at home and alone.

Apart from this, this model offers you different features to get the most out of it, such as the providing of a weight plate storage, which also works as a stabilizer.

Pros

  • Good price-quality.
  • Minimalist and compact design.
  • Westside hole spacing available.

Cons

  • It can be an uncomfortable design for tall people over 6’2”

HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Squat Stand

HULKFIT Weightlifting Cable Pulley System for Squat Stand and Power

Looking for a high-end power rack at an affordable price? Then the HulkFit brand squat stand is for you. This squat stand model offers a different aesthetic to many other budget squat racks.

This adjustable squat rack measures 81” high and has a base of 44” x 46” and offers a maximum capacity of 500 lbs/800 lbs/1000 lbs (depending on the version).

This budget power rack is great for beginner and those don’t want or don’t have enough space for a full rack. The tube sizing of this HulkFit squat stand is 2.5″ x 2.5″, which is a bit awkward to find accessories that compatible with it.

The hole spacing is 4”, which means you have more options in placing the safety bars at different heights. It also comes with steel rubber-coated J-hooks, spotter arms, and two pull-up bars.

Pros

  • Good price for its quality.
  • Constructed of 12 gauge steel.
  • Offers two spotter arms, dip bars, weight plate holders, and J-Hooks.
  • The assembly is easy.

Cons

  • The safety bars could be longer.
  • No holes for securing the rack to the floor.

Titan Fitness X-3 Short Squat Stand

The X-3 short squat rack is compact in design. It only has a 48” x 49” base and two rack heights: 72” and 94”. However, it can support a maximum weight of 1000 lbs., which is more than enough for many users. And this low-profile squat stand is short enough to fit most people’s home gym area.

This inexpensive squat stand is more cost-effective compared to Rogue’s short squat racks since Titan gym racks are made in China (produces on a large scale, at excellent quality, and at a lower price) but Rogue power racks are made in America.

This squat stand is built with 11 gauge steel tubes with 3” x 3” uprights. The biggest drawback of the Titan X3 short squat stand is that it doesn’t come with a pull-up bar and spotter arms.

Pros

  • Supports a maximum weight of 1000 lbs.
  • Compact and low height design
  • 2″ hole spacing above and below

Cons

  • Compared with other brands, its quality may be lower.

Fringe Sport Independent Squat Rack

Fringe Sport Independent Squat Rack

Fringe Sport Independent squat rack comes separately. It is built in two pieces for ease of storage and movement, meaning that there is no bar in the middle of both stands: they are independent stands, with a simple and minimalist style, ideal for your home.

But you don’t need to worry about the safety and the durability of this squat rack as it is made of heavy-gauge powder-coated steel that can take any weight you throw at it.

Highlights include 2″ hole spacing through the squat and press positions, 1″ hole spacing in the bench positions, and 1000 lbs high weight capacity. Also, you can adjust the height of the spotter’s arms up to 71.5 inches.

Another advantage of this budget squat stand is that it can move easily with its caster wheels wherever you want without problems and you can even store them in a different place after using them.

Pros

  • Excellent price for the quality offered.
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Supports weight of 1000 lbs.

Cons

  • Limited features.

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