Anyone here bought a cheap power rack that they were happy with?

[Guinness5.0]

I'm planning on putting together a home gym and I'm really having a tough time w/ power rack choice. I saw this cheap rack and thought I'd get it, but part of me says I should get this bad boy and be done with it for life.

But it's a monstrous price difference, and if the cheap one didn't break, then really it'd be fine. I'm also worried that it'd be a littel flimsy (I tend to hurl the bar forward when I'm done squatting, so the things gotta be solid). I tend to think that I'd end up spending more if I bought the cheap one b/c I'd always want the nicer one and I'd cave and get it eventually.

So my question is, has anybody here been impressed with an inexpensive rack?

 

[redguru]

I'm planning on putting together a home gym and I'm really having a tough time w/ power rack choice. I saw this cheap rack and thought I'd get it, but part of me says I should get this bad boy and be done with it for life.

But it's a monstrous price difference, and if the cheap one didn't break, then really it'd be fine. I'm also worried that it'd be a littel flimsy (I tend to hurl the bar forward when I'm done squatting, so the things gotta be solid). I tend to think that I'd end up spending more if I bought the cheap one b/c I'd always want the nicer one and I'd cave and get it eventually.

So my question is, has anybody here been impressed with an inexpensive rack?

Know anyone who has access to 3" square iron tubing and is a competent welder? Make your own.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Know anyone who has access to 3" square iron tubing and is a competent welder? Make your own.

I'd love to but I don't know how to weld, nor do I know anyone who does. perhaps I can find a shop to do it though...

I do plan on making my own sled - I can't phathom dropping 150 bones for a piece of sheetmetal with a tow strap attached to it: http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=181&pid=8

 

[bignate73]

ok. We have that specific power rack at my gym. (the midwest barbell one) I like it, it serves its purpose. only problem is if you are a wide squatter, you'll have trouble with it. i squat pretty wide and am usually by the outside bars. I find that the hole spacing is just fine for my purposes.

the one you put up there looks good. has catches at the bottom for floor presses (i assume), a wide base and a weight tree. costs a pretty penny though. i can't see needing that many holes though. hehe. thats alot! its up to you.

i bought a Sarden Strength sled thats tough as nails. The metal is at least 1/4 in thick and I'll have it for life. I like it. I could have gotten away with anything really but I like my sled.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Wow. I wasn't counting on first-hand experience.

So the thing's tough? I expect to be squatting 600+ in the forseeable future, and who knows - maybe rack pulls, etc. so I really wanna just buy one rack and be done. The toughness/stability is paramount for me.

And I do like the versatilty of the pricey one - I've been doing box squats at my gym lately and I kinda wish the base of the rack was wider. At least I've got time to plan this 'cause it will be a tough decision

 

[Jim Ouini]

Sounds like you have your heart set on the one from Elite - I say go for it. They often have free ground shipping - you just missed one that ended this week but I'm sure another will come up.

I mean as serious a lifter as you are and the weights you're hoisting up you need the cream of the crop

And I see it has a buncha stuff for bands and pullups and dips and what not. Nice.

 

[Madcow2]

Save up and get this one: http://www.power-lift.com/IMAGES/9powerrack8.JPG

I'm sure my wife would object but really how totally cool would that setup be - and does the wife really offset that...

More seriously, there are a few sides. One, you want to think long-term if possible. The nice stuff about equipment is that as long as you have room for it, it will last forever and serve you well. Two, right now you are back in school and have limited funds. What else can that extra cash do for you? Is it the best move to go big now or get something very servicable that you know will do the job. Third, sometimes you have to treat yourself and be really happy with your stuff. Is this one of those times and will you get lasting enjoyment out of owning it (plus, it's a whole lot better for you and will serve you longer than a big night of boozing and strippers).

That's how I weigh the decision.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

Save up and get this one: http://www.power-lift.com/IMAGES/9powerrack8.JPG

I'm sure my wife would object but really how totally cool would that setup be - and does the wife really offset that...

More seriously, there are a few sides. One, you want to think long-term if possible. The nice stuff about equipment is that as long as you have room for it, it will last forever and serve you well. Two, right now you are back in school and have limited funds. What else can that extra cash do for you? Is it the best move to go big now or get something very servicable that you know will do the job. Third, sometimes you have to treat yourself and be really happy with your stuff. Is this one of those times and will you get lasting enjoyment out of owning it (plus, it's a whole lot better for you and will serve you longer than a big night of boozing and strippers).

That's how I weigh the decision.

How much is that? I just splooged myself. Really.

 

[Madcow2]

How much is that? I just splooged myself. Really.

It generally goes, "if you have to ask...."

I honestly don't know. You tend to see Power-Lift setups at large facilities for atheltics. I'd imagine they are quite expensive since the company used to carry and may still carry Uesaka bumpers and dumbells and those tend to be very pricey.

Here's a few shots of FSU's weightroom, I'm guessing they paid Power-Lift a substantial fee for that setup. Still, it's just too freaking cool and someday I'm going to have it.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/fsu/nonsport/facilities/fsu-weight-room-500x375.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/fsu/nonsport/facilities/fsu-weight-room2-500x375.jpg

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

It generally goes, "if you have to ask...."

I honestly don't know. You tend to see Power-Lift setups at large facilities for atheltics. I'd imagine they are quite expensive since the company used to carry and may still carry Uesaka bumpers and dumbells and those tend to be very pricey.

Here's a few shots of FSU's weightroom, I'm guessing they paid Power-Lift a substantial fee for that setup. Still, it's just too freaking cool and someday I'm going to have it.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/fsu/nonsport/facilities/fsu-weight-room-500x375.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/fsu/nonsport/facilities/fsu-weight-room2-500x375.jpg

Tell you what...you ever get a setup like that, you invite me over to train.

 

[perp69]

I think I saw some of those setups like MC is talking about and they were a few thousand but man they are nice. Elite stuff looks nice also. That seems to always happen to me about getting the cheap one and then it lasting a few months before I break it and then just ending up having to get the good one anyway. I vote for the Elite rack.

Perp

 

[Guinness5.0]

Two, right now you are back in school and have limited funds. What else can that extra cash do for you? Is it the best move to go big now or get something very servicable that you know will do the job. Third, sometimes you have to treat yourself and be really happy with your stuff.

That's how I weigh the decision.

I was thinking that if I don't get a home setup I'll be paying $50/month that I'll never see again to a gym, so as long as I don't get raped on the interest rate I could put it on a card and i'd still end up on top in the long run. But at the same time it's still foolish to spend money that doesn't need to be spent, especially seeing as I'm trying to get my investments going. Thankfully I've got a few months to decide.

 

[steig]

THe Powetec power rack get good reviews from people and is affordable. I'm also looking in to setting up a home gym and I've been researching everything I would need/want. THe Powertec rack has the option of a high low pulley but without that option the rack is $400. You can google it and find several places that will ship one for free. I was going to have a slep made by the welder at my job but he is now disabled with heart problems so I probably will end up buying one.

 

[needtogetaas]

i got one once it sucked.

 

[Guinness5.0]

THe Powetec power rack get good reviews from people and is affordable. I'm also looking in to setting up a home gym and I've been researching everything I would need/want.

Yeah that one is a screaming deal. I guess I'm thinking that I wouldn't keep it forever - part of me really just wants to buy one that I'll give to my grandkids and be done with it. I'm leaning toward the EliteFTS one that I linked - if I get really serious about PL I'm gonna want the wide base, the band pegs, etc. plus the weight rack adds stability for when I crash the bar back into the j-hooks when finishing a set of squats .

Save up and get this one: http://www.power-lift.com/IMAGES/9powerrack8.JPG

This is my 'wet dream' rack:
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=921

When I optioned it out the total came to $4,397 plus shipping

 

[Cynical Simian]

I have the basic Powertec rack and, to answer the question in the title, I'm happy with it for now. But for your purposes, I'm not sure that's really relevant.

Like madcow said, the issue is opportunity cost. A basic rack that's well made will handle the weight but might not be a great deal if, a year from now, you have to sell it for half of what you paid to get a wider one with a more options anyway. Financially and functionally, unless you can't spare the money or have some productive/profitable use for it lined up, I'd say go with the Elite one. For 2-3x the $350-400 of a basic rack, you'd be getting something that, if you're never able to get the 'wet dream' rack, you could still probably use for the rest of your lifting career without worrying about being limited by your equipment.