Home gym owners can avoid costly gym membership fees while still getting a good workout in. While you may not have the room or budget for every piece of gym equipment, like a cable machine or full power rack, a squat stand is one of the more affordable options for strength training at home. CNET experts curated this list to showcase the best heavy-duty rack, budget squat rack and more, based on brand reputation and customer satisfaction.
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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
Rogue is well-known for its weight-training equipment and is the go-to for CrossFit and big-box gyms. The SML-2 Rogue 90-inch Monster Lite Squat Stand is a hybrid between a squat rack and a power rack, which allows you to perform other exercises, such as bench presses or deadlifts. It also includes the choice of two pull-up bars: a thicker and thinner bar. This squat rack will fit in a garage gym as long as the ceiling clears over 7.5 feet. Â
Customers who purchased this squat rack say it was easy to put together and that it's heavy-duty and high quality. Many reviewers say they can do various lifts with this rack, and the pull-up bars are height-friendly for even the tallest people. Buyers agree it's worth buying the spotter arms for extra safety when lifting.
If you're limited on space but still want a squat rack, the PRX Performance Profile Pro Folding Squat Rack is a solid choice. This squat rack first gained attention when the creators appeared on the TV show Shark Tank to promote the space-saving device.
It's perfect for a garage because it doesn't take up a lot of room (it just needs 4 inches of wall space) and can be folded post workout. The only thing you need to be mindful of is that your garage ceiling is tall enough. You will need a ceiling that's at least 7.5 feet high.Â
Customers love this space-saving squat rack. One reviewer is a musician who uses the garage as a studio space and a gym and says the squat rack is easy to store when not in use. Other buyers say it's sturdy, worth the investment and has changed their workout routine for the better.
If you have a low-ceiling home gym, you'll love the Titan Fitness T-3 Series Short Squat Stand. At only 6 feet tall, this squat rack can fit into just about any room. Despite this squat rack's size, it is sturdy enough to hold up to 1,000 pounds and doesn't need to be drilled into the floor or a wall. That's a major plus if you ask us.
Customers say this squat rack exceeded their expectations for sturdiness and ease of assembly. One powerlifter said they've racked up to 600 pounds on the spotter's arms without any issues and found that it fit perfectly in their small space. This squat rack is even appropriate for commercial use; one gym owner said he bought several for his gym.
This no-frills squat rack is one of Amazon's most highly-rated pieces of exercise equipment. These squat stands can hold a little over 800 pounds and fit up to a 7-foot-long Olympic bar. The squat rack includes adjustable spotter arms, storage for Olympic plates and an angled pull-up bar. If you'd like to upgrade this squat rack, two other styles include a lat pulldown attachment and a weight bench. Make sure you have a ceiling that's over 7 feet tall if you opt for these squat racks.
Reviews are positive for the most part. One buyer said their family, including a teenager who is a football player, uses this squat rack for conditioning. Another user who uses the squat rack and the pull-up bars says it can even withstand the intensity of kipping pull-ups. She adds, "The squat rack itself is great, and I've used it to squat, bench and do rack pulls on."
A power rack helps you feel more confident in lifting heavier, even without a spotter. This Hulkfit squat rack includes a pull-up bar, dip bars and J-hooks to rack your barbells. It's on the larger side, so make sure you have a ceiling that's at least 7 feet high.
Buyers who purchased this multifunctional squat rack say they got their money's worth. According to Amazon, the manufacturer is transitioning from safety bars to safety straps, which means depending on when you order, you may receive either one. Some customers say they had issues with the way the squat rack was shipped and said some of the packaging was torn, but the parts themselves weren't damaged.
If your home gym is in your yard, you know that Mother Nature can rust your equipment. You'll want a squat rack that's protected from the weather. The Get RX'd Galvanized Backyard Builder RMU Rig is a great option if you want a squat rack specifically intended for outdoor use.Â
This squat rack uses hot-dip galvanization to prevent corrosion from the inside out. The process immerses steel in molten zinc to help create a multilayered weather-resistant coating to prevent rusting. Aside from being a sturdy squat rack, this rig can be used by multiple people at the same time. These squat racks even have plenty of room to set up gymnastics rings. There are three different pull-up bar options.Â
Reviewers say this squat rack is ideal for a backyard and lives up to its weather-resistant promises. One buyer said, "Living in Portland with monthly rain, this is perfect for the backyard! Even wet, it has plenty of grip and is definitely all-weather!" Another reviewer said they've owned these squat racks for over two and a half years, and they've used them consistently without any issues.
Best squat racks compared
| SML-2 Rogue 90-inch Monster Lite Squat Stand | PRX Performance Profile Pro Folding Squat Rack | Titan Fitness T-3 Series Short Squat Stand | Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Squat Stand | HulkFit 1,000-pound Capacity Multifunction Adjustable Power Cage | Get RX'd Galvanized Backyard Builder RMU Rig | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 92.25 inches | 73 inches | 72 inches | 87 inches | 85 inches | 9 or 12 feet |
| Dimensions | 49 x 48 inches | 52 x 73 x 26.75 inches | 47 x 48 x 72 inches | 38 x 53 x 87 inches | ‎47 x 44 x 85 inches | 6 x 4 x 12 or 9 feet |
| Weight capacity | 1,000 pounds | 1,000 pounds | 1,000 pounds | 805 pounds | 800 pounds | N/A |
| Add-ons for additional cost | Barbells, weight bench, weight plates | Profile topper bar | Titan Fitness T-3 Series Spotter Arms | CAP Barbell Olympic Bars | Hulkfit Elite Series Power Cage Adjustable Lever Jammer Arms Attachment Accessory | 3 x 3 foot builder accessories and 3 x 3 foot Galvanized Builder Rig accessories |
How we test squat racks
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.
Factors to consider when choosing a squat rack
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 plate sets and storage for these weights, all of which come at an extra cost. Usually, barbells can run you upward of $100 and vary depending on the bar length and style. Weight plates on squat racks usually consist of 5, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 pounds. Prices vary and are based on weight, brand and whether 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 each item one at a time or simultaneously. Additionally, if the squat rack you're eyeing doesn't have a rack for plate storage, you will need to buy one.
Best squat rack practices
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 use a squat rack
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.
