You live, work and play at home, so why not add working out to the list? Home gyms needn’t be expensive and let you avoid costly gym membership fees. But those looking to make space for exercise will need the right equipment, and strength training might be a good place to start.
Squat racks are ideal for those who prioritize building strength, providing opportunities to build muscle and stamina. They can be used for squats, as well as bench and overhead presses and other compound movements. This list includes top picks in every style and budget based on brand reputation and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option.
What is the best squat rack overall?
Based on top customer reviews and features, the SML-2 Rogue 90-inch Monster Lite Squat Stand is the best overall squat rack. If you’re familiar with Rogue then you know it’s one of the top fitness equipment manufacturers that is appropriate for both home and commercial gym use. This squat rack design is simple and ideal for those who just want a straightforward rack to support their training. It’s ideal if you’re setting up your home gym in a garage. This power rack allows you to do strength training exercises like squats, bench presses, pull-ups, clean pulls and more. If you prefer a squat rack with more features or a different style, our best list has various ones to pick from.
Best squat racks of 2025
In this case, we curated this list based on trusted customer reviews and well-respected brands. We took into consideration the different types of squat racks that exist and the appropriate users for each one. Most importantly, we made sure that they were fitting for home use.
If you’re in the market to buy a squat rack, chances are you have used one before in the gym. Before purchasing one for your home, there are a few things you should think about ahead of time.
Measure the space: Determine if you’re placing the squat rack in your garage, basement, outside or another room in your home. Look up the dimensions of the squat rack to make sure it will fit well. If you’re using your garage to also store your car, tools or other pieces of equipment, make sure the squat rack clears enough space for these items.
Versatility: Although a standard squat rack usually has racks to place a barbell, some styles come with a pull-up bar, dip bars or other accessories. Decide if you will only use the rack for leg day or if you’d also like it to have the versatility to do bench presses, pull-ups or other exercises.
Safety: Make sure the squat rack you purchase offers safety features like safety or “spotter arms.” This is important if you plan on lifting heavy weight alone and if you have to bail out of a lift.
Adjustability: Squat racks are meant to be height adjusted, so you’ll want to make sure it’s easy to adjust if multiple people of different heights plan on using it.
Additions you will need: Squat racks require a barbell, weight plates and storage for said weights, which come at an extra cost. Usually, barbells can run you upwards of $100 and will vary depending on the bar length and style. Weight plates for squat racks usually consist of five, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 pounds — even 55 pounds in some cases. Prices for these vary and are based on weight, brand and if it’s sold individually or as a set. These can quickly add up, so it can be helpful to decide if your budget allows you to purchase a set at a time or all at once. Additionally, if the squat rack you’re eyeing doesn’t have a rack for plate storage, you will need to buy one as well.
Choose a squat rack that fits your needs: “Focus your time and energy researching those racks that fit perfectly into your space and for the height of the people who will be using the rack,” said Steve Stonehouse, VP of education and programming at Body Fit Training. You’ll also want to check the quality of the machine. “There is a different quality and standard for commercial racks as opposed to personal racks,” he explains. When deciding on the quality of the rack, something to consider is the type and thickness of the steel that was used in manufacturing. You should also consider the amount of weight and frequency of use that the squat rack will see.
Decide if you will use it for other exercises: You’ll notice some squat racks are sold as just squat racks with two steel beams intended to hold a barbell and its bare bones. On the other hand, a lot of power cages function as a squat rack, a bench rack, a spotter and more, all of which are more versatile compared to a basic squat rack. Depending on what you’re using it for, you may want to consider a power cage if you want a rack that can be used for squatting, bench pressing or other exercises.
Use the safety bars: Squat racks come with “safety arms” which are supposed to assist you if you fail a lift. Stonehouse also recommends choosing a squat rack with a wide base or platform that prevents the rack from moving around when in use. Additionally, he advises to make sure the thickness or “gauge” of the steel is enough.
“The gauge can often be an important indicator of price and quality,” he explains. He points out that usually commercial gyms use racks that use 7-gauge steel, whereas home-friendly racks use 11-gauge steel. “This is strong enough for almost any home gym scenario and will probably last you a lifetime,” he said.
Bolt down the squat rack: Whenever possible, to add to safety measures, you should aim to have the rack bolted down. If you’re unable to bolt the rack down, then you’ll want to make sure the footprint is wide enough to provide the appropriate stability, even when using heavy weight.
Make sure it can hold a lot of weight: Making sure the squat rack you select can hold a lot of weight is important, especially if multiple people in your home plan on using it. Stonehouse says most standard home gym squat racks have weight capacities that can handle loads ranging from 300 to 1,000 pounds.
How to set up before using your squat rack: Before you even use your squat rack you’ll want to set up the barbell on the rack appropriately for your height. You’ll want to set it up so the J-hooks are shoulder height.
Check your foot positioning: If you’re using the squat rack to squat, you’ll want to take a few steps back from the J-hooks so there’s clearance for you and the barbell to move. “But make sure you’re staying over the safety “spotter” arms. “The safety arms don’t do you any good if you step far enough back to where they can’t help you,” said Stonehouse.
Choose the right barbell: To use a squat rack, you’ll need a barbell, which you will have to purchase separately. Generally speaking, most squat racks are designed to hold a 7-foot barbell. “This will provide around 52 inches of grippable barbell shaft between the sleeves [arms of the barbell], so it will fit on a 48-inch wide squat or bench press rack with the sleeves sitting just outside both sides of the rack.” Some 6-foot bars are made to the same dimensions but with the sleeved ends cut short, so they also fit in a 48-inch wide rack. Make sure to do your research first so you choose the right barbell for your needs.
Is a squat rack necessary?
A squat rack is helpful if part of your fitness goals is to get stronger and you are already familiar with using barbells. This is not a piece of equipment recommended for beginners who are learning the basics of exercising. It’s also not necessary if you’re more comfortable doing exercises with dumbbells or kettlebells or if you are recovering from an injury. If you’re looking to learn how to use a squat rack, it’s important to get guidance from a personal trainer or similar expert who is familiar with the proper technique and can teach you how to set up the barbell on the rack and how to use it safely.
How much weight can a squat rack hold?
This depends on the squat rack, but most heavy-duty ones have the capability to hold a lot of weight. Some of the ones mentioned on this list can hold up to 1,000 pounds.
Can you bench press in a squat rack?
Usually you can bench press in a squat stand, but it’s important to make sure that the stand you buy allows you to safely do this function first. If you plan on using it for bench pressing, you will also need a weight bench to perform the exercise.
What safety features does a squat rack have?
Usually, squat racks have safety bars, spotters arms and other options like straps to keep you safe if you are lifting without a workout buddy. As always, it’s important to read through the manual if you have any questions regarding safety features.
“:”Is 14-gauge steel enough for a squat rack?”,”answer”:”
12-gauge steel and above is considered safe for a squat rack. For most users, 14-gauge steel-based squat racks will be more than sufficient unless you are regularly lifting over 700lbs.
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The primary difference between a Smith machine and a squat rack is that squat racks do not have guide rods, allowing for greater freedom of movement during exercises. This design makes squat racks more versatile for functional training. They also consume less space compared to Smith machines, making them easier to set up in home gyms. Additionally, squat racks are typically more affordable, making them a budget-friendly option for fitness enthusiasts.
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Our Experts
Written by
Giselle Castro-Sloboda
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Make sure your squat rack has safety features like the spotter’s arms. You also want it to have the option to adjust the height of the rack for multiple users of different heights.