Power Rack & Squat Stand Buying Guide
Buying Guide
How To Choose A Power Rack Or Squat Stand
The rack is the centre of most gyms. Here's how to pick the right type for your space and training, and how our REIGN, Evolution and Competition ranges compare.
Which Type Of Rack Do You Need?
Start with how you train and how much room you have. Everything else follows from that.
What To Check Before You Buy
Space and ceiling height
An Olympic barbell is about 2.2m long, so allow at least 2.6m of width for a loaded bar. Check the rack's height against your ceiling, and leave room above the pull-up bar for your head. Each product page lists the full dimensions.
Fixing and floors
Folding and wall-mounted racks must be fixed to a solid wall, and some racks and cable towers must be bolted to the floor. Check the product page before you order, and use gym flooring at least 20mm thick under the rack (see our flooring guide).
Series and accessories
Each series has its own upright size and hole pattern, so accessories only fit the series they're made for. REIGN is 60 x 60mm with 17mm holes, Evolution 50 x 50mm with 27mm holes, and Competition 80 x 80mm with 25mm holes. Plan the spotter arms, dip station or landmine you'll want later.
Home or commercial use
Competition rack frames carry 10 years' warranty for home and commercial use. REIGN and Evolution frames carry 5 years for home use and 2 years in a commercial setting. See warranty information.
Our Rack Series At A Glance
Each series has its own upright size and hole pattern. Accessories only fit the series they're made for, so pick the series first, then the rack.
| Series | Uprights | Steel | Hole size | Hole spacing | Rated load | Best for | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REIGN | 60 x 60mm | 11-gauge (3mm) | 17mm | 1-inch through the bench zone, 2-inch elsewhere on most models | 200–450kg, by model | Home and garage gyms, PT studios | REIGN accessories |
| Competition | 80 x 80mm | 11-gauge (3mm), 10mm endplates | 25mm | See product page | 540kg frame (Standard, Deluxe, Elite); 600kg (Half Rack) | Commercial gyms, heavy home training | Competition accessories |
| Evolution | 50 x 50mm | 14-gauge (2mm) uprights, brackets and base plates up to 6mm | 27mm | 75mm centre to centre | 315kg | Home gyms, low ceilings (Short version 183cm tall) | Evolution accessories |
Rack accessories from other brands aren't designed for our uprights or holes. Many use 75mm (3-inch) or 50 x 75mm tubing with different hole sizes, so we can't guarantee they'll fit. On Competition racks, J-cups and safety arms are rated to 450kg and the pull-up bar to 200kg.
Compare The Range
Load ratings and fixing requirements are taken from each product page. Where a figure isn't listed here, check the product page or ask us.
| Rack | Type | Frame | Rated load | Pull-up bar | Fixing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REIGN Series · 60 x 60mm, 17mm holes · home, garage and studio | |||||
| REIGN Squat Stands | Pair of independent stands | 60 x 60mm | 200kg | No | Freestanding |
| REIGN Squat Stand Rack | Squat stand | 60 x 60mm | 200kg | No | Freestanding |
| REIGN Squat Stand Pull Up Rack | Squat stand | 60 x 60mm | See product page | Yes | Freestanding |
| REIGN Folding Power Rack | Wall-mounted, folds flat | 60 x 60mm | See product page | Yes | Wall-mounted |
| REIGN Half Power Rack | Half rack | 60 x 60mm | 250kg | Yes | Optional bolt-down |
| REIGN Power Rack | Full power rack | 60 x 60mm | 300kg | Multi-grip | Bolt-down design |
| REIGN Functional Trainer Power Rack | Power rack + 2 x 90kg stacks | 60 x 60mm | 450kg | Yes | See product page |
| REIGN Rear Functional Trainer Rack | 6-post rack + rear 2 x 90kg stacks | 60 x 60mm | 250kg frame | Yes | Must be floor-bolted |
| Evolution series · 50 x 50mm, 27mm holes · home gyms on a budget | |||||
| Evolution Power Rack Standard Short | Full power rack, 183cm tall | 50 x 50mm | 315kg | Dual-thickness | See product page |
| Evolution Power Rack Plus | Full power rack, 214cm tall | 50 x 50mm | 315kg | Multi-grip | See product page |
| Competition series · 80 x 80mm, 11-gauge, 1-inch hardware · commercial and serious home gyms | |||||
| Competition Power Rack Standard | Full power rack, compact | 80 x 80mm | 540kg frame | Yes | See product page |
| Competition Power Rack Deluxe | Full power rack, front pull-up bar | 80 x 80mm | 540kg frame | Yes | See product page |
| Competition Power Rack Elite | Full rack + 2 storage uprights | 80 x 80mm | 540kg frame | Yes | See product page |
| Competition Half Power Rack | Half rack, extended base | 80 x 80mm | 600kg frame | Yes | Optional floor bolting |
| Competition Double Power Rack | Two racks, shared storage | 80 x 80mm | See product page | Yes | See product page |
Clear coat versions of the Competition Standard, Deluxe and Elite racks have the same frame with a clear-coated finish.
REIGN Series
Our 60 x 60mm, 11-gauge steel range for home gyms, garages and PT studios. Built to be modular, with its own REIGN accessories.
Least floor space
REIGN Squat Stands
- Two independent stands you can move and store
- 200kg rating, 17mm holes
- Squats, bench and overhead press
Squat stand + pull-ups
REIGN Squat Stand Pull Up Rack
- Integrated pull-up bar
- 1-inch hole spacing through the bench zone
- UHMW-lined J-cups included
Garages and shared rooms
REIGN Folding Power Rack
- Folds flat to the wall when you're not training
- Pull-up bar and J-cups included
- Must be fixed to a solid wall
Half rack
REIGN Half Power Rack
- 250kg rating, plate storage peg
- Westside hole spacing for precise spotter heights
- Optional bolt-down
Full rack · pre-order
REIGN Power Rack
- 300kg rating, 11-gauge 60 x 60mm frame
- Safety straps and lined J-cups included
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
Rack + cables
REIGN Functional Trainer Power Rack
- Power rack with 2 x 90kg weight stacks
- 450kg rack rating
- Cable, isolation and rehab work in one footprint
Evolution Series
Our 50 x 50mm full power racks for home gyms, with their own Evolution accessories. The Short version suits garages and rooms with low ceilings.
Low ceilings
Evolution Power Rack Standard Short
- 183cm (72in) tall full power rack
- 315kg rating, dual-thickness pull-up bar
- Lined J-cups and plate storage
Full rack on a budget
Evolution Power Rack Plus
- 214cm tall, 315kg rating
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- Lined J-cups and rear plate storage
Competition Series
Laser-cut, robot-welded 80 x 80mm racks for commercial gyms and lifters who want the heaviest-duty option. Customise with Competition accessories.
Entry Competition rack
Competition Power Rack Standard
- 11-gauge 80 x 80mm uprights, 1-inch hardware
- Laser-cut with numbered holes
- Also in clear coat
Classic power rack
Competition Power Rack Deluxe
- Pull-up bar across the front
- Takes the full Competition accessory range
- Also in clear coat
Most stable
Competition Power Rack Elite
- Two extra uprights store up to 680kg of plates
- Our top-of-the-range rack
- Also in clear coat
Commercial half rack
Competition Half Power Rack
- 600kg-rated frame on an extended base
- Spotter arms and J-cups included
- Optional floor bolting
Two lifters, one unit
Competition Double Power Rack
- Two racks joined, with storage between
- Built for busy gyms and teams
- Full Competition accessory range
Add cables to a rack
Cable Weight Stack Tower
- 205cm tall, fits racks 213cm and taller
- Hundreds of cable exercises
- Must be bolted down
FAQs
Do I need a full power rack, or will squat stands do?
If you train heavy on your own, a full or half rack with spotter arms or safety straps is the safer choice, because it catches the bar if you fail a rep. Squat stands suit lighter training, training with a partner, or very tight spaces.
Do I need to bolt my rack down?
It depends on the rack. Folding and wall-mounted racks must be fixed to a solid wall, and the REIGN Rear Functional Trainer Rack and the Cable Weight Stack Tower must be bolted to the floor. Other racks have optional bolt-down points. Each product page says what's needed and whether fixings are included.
Will accessories from another brand fit my rack?
We can't guarantee it. Our accessories are made for each series' upright size and hole pattern, so we recommend Again Faster accessories for the series you own. Our FAQs list the upright and hole sizes for every series.
Can I use a rack in a commercial gym or PT studio?
Yes. For heavy daily use we recommend the Competition series, which keeps its 10-year frame warranty in commercial use. REIGN racks are popular with PT studios and smaller facilities, with 2 years' frame cover in commercial use. For a full fit-out, email [email protected] or use our gym design service.
How is a rack delivered?
Racks come flat-packed by pallet or courier, depending on size, at our fixed delivery rate. See delivery and returns.
More Buying Guides
Planning the rest of your gym? Start here.
Not Sure Which To Choose?
Tell us about your space, your training and your budget, and we'll point you to the right kit. We're here Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm (UK time). Kitting out a gym or studio? Our design team can plan it with you, or you can try our free 3D gym planner.