Comprehensive Guide on Power Racks / Rigs

If you're in the market for a new power rack but you're not too sure where to start, then you've come to the right place! A power rack is a set of metal bars that surround and support you during an exercise. Power racks are most often used for barbell exercises. Unlike traditional machines in the gym, the power rack is extremely versatile. You can use it for back squats, front squats, shoulder presses, deadlifts, bench presses and heavy rows. It's like a playground for lifters. Many power racks come with accessory attachments, such as a chin-up bar, pulldown cable attachment, or pegs for storing weight plates which can assist athletes during their training. A power rack will not only make your workouts more productive and safer, but they can also increase the number of exercises you are able to do in a relatively compact space. Gym plus offers varieties of power racks/rigs, depending on your budget, usage, and activity. Most of our racks include v-cuffs or J-cups, pull up bars and different attachments however gym plus also offers a variety of extra attachments that can improve your racks functionality. 

Differences between a power Rack / power Rig?

There are different versions of racks, but the general design of a rack is two adjustable bar supports on each side in a 60 x 60 x 3mm box section. Of course, they vary from this sizing, but that is the typical one on the market, whereas a Rig is essentially a bigger version of a rack, with more stations and options to choose from. In rigs you can find built-in storage compartments, add box jump platforms, monkey bars, and much more.

What (muscles) does the rack /rig work?

Many bodybuilders, Olympic lifters and powerlifters consider their squat rack as the centrepiece of their home gym for countless reasons. Foremost of which is the variety of muscles it activates during a workout session. So, what (muscles) does the rack/rig work? Back and front squats, bench pressing, barbell lunges, box squats, dips, and knee raises are some of the exercises you can perform with your rack. You can also add a bench to your squat racks to be able to add to your other exercises. With these routines, you can tone the following sections of your body:

• Buttocks, as well as the back and front part of the thigh
• Groin and hip flexors
• Calves and leg muscles
• Core Muscles, including the erector spinae, obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis
• Arms and shoulders
• Chest and back

Things to consider when buying a power rack

SIZE AND SPACE

Considering the size and space, the power rack is going to be an important matter. There are power racks that are bigger in size that can store more barbells and have additional features like dip bars, bigger spotter bars and other exercise equipment, and multiple slots for weight plates. However, if your goal is day to day training then the smaller racks are recommended as you are not sacrificing space and money.

QUALITY AND SAFETY

Another important thing to consider while buying a power rack is the quality and the safety. Gym plus offers power rigs and racks that have great quality and safety ratings. When it comes to our products, our customer’s safety and satisfaction is most important to us. Gym plus also provides additional information on the load capacity, pull up capacity, etc. to ensure the athletes needs and safety.

PRICE

Going for a power rack / rig with a high price point is the recommended buy if you have the cash flow. In general, the more expensive the power rack, the more different features and better quality it has. Does that mean that a lower-priced power rack that gym plus offers is not worth it? Absolutely Not. Gym plus offers moderately priced power racks / rigs that can offer similar benefits of the higher-priced ones, but they may only be lacking when it comes to the weight capacity.

How long does a power rack/rig last? 

Power racks with high build quality are designed to last for many decades. You should never buy a rack that you must worry about replacing in a few years. Gym plus racks are durable enough to last a very long time.

Half Racks / Rigs 

Unlike a full power rack, all the lifts you do will be outside of the rack (in the front). They come with j-cups and spotter arms that attach at varying heights to the outside of the rack’s front vertical posts. The top of a half rack is also connected by beams and a bar to provide stability just like a power rack (as well as pull up/chin up functionality). Half racks are pretty much just as versatile as a full power rack. Down below are the half racks that gym plus offers.

L2 Half Power Rack with Lat Pulldown System Option

The L2 Half Power Rack with Lat Pulldown System Option is an excellent piece of equipment for a variety of exercises, ensuring full safety for heavy weight training. This power rack is as durable as a full cage power rack. This half rack can stay with you for a while with your strength training journey as it’s got an impressive 300KG max weight capacity. ATTIVO L2 solid Half Power Cage will help you work out safely and efficiently while performing squats, military press, bench press, curls, shrugs, dips and more.The wide walk-in design offers plenty of side-to-side movement for a variety of total body exercises. In addition, the rack offers multi-position, helping it accommodate different heights and exercises. Gym plus also offers this rack with the cable system L2 Half Power Rack with Lat Pulldown System Option for a complete home gym set.

Specifications:

• Steel upright: 50mmx50mm; Steel thickness: 1.5mm
• Upright length (Front): 152cm; Upright length (Rear): 215cm
• Overall height including lat pulldown attachment: 220cm
• Overall depth including lat pull down attachment: 158cm
• Overall width: 119cm
• Product weight: 70kg

Barbell & Weights max load: 200kg; Pull up max Load: 200kg; Pull down system max load: 125KG

FULL POWER RACKS/RIGS

A full rack, sometimes also known as a power rack is a large cage that sits inside of a home gym. It consists of a solid metal base that is usually square or rectangular in shape with four bars rising from the base and connecting bars across the top for added stability. These racks are also known as cages because they resemble a cage. The full rack acts as a spotter for heavy lifting and has better stability. Down below are some options that gym plus offers:

Essential Power Rack

Gym Plus Essential Power Rack is designed for functional fitness users, lifters, and bodybuilders equally well with a small footprint (149cm wide x 123cm deep), therefore this power rack will work well in compact spaces and best used for home gyms. This rack comes with 17 adjustable levels, strong steel frame, J Hooks, solid steel spotter bars and multi grip pull up bar. This will be a great centrepiece for your garage/home gym as it can be used to perform a variety of exercises in a safe manner! 

Specifications:

• Overall, Height: 213cm (204cm with pull up bar installed in reverse)
• Overall Width: 149cm (122cm from outside of uprights)
• Overall Depth: 123cm
• Internal Depth: 61cm
• Frame: 50mm*50mm steel frame, 1.5mm thickness steel.
• Net weight: 52kg
• Max load: 220kg

Accessories and extra attachments

J-cup hanger:

A J-cup hanger or a storage hook allows you to store your barbell on the rack safely. Here are the J-cup hangers’ gym plus offers J-Cups for Essential Power Rack

Dip Attachment:

As its name suggests, the dip attachment allows you to perform dips to activate the chest and triceps and  perform ab exercises like leg raises and L sits. The dip attachments offered by gym plus are Dip Bars for Essential Power Rack and  Dip Bars 50x75mm (2"x3")

Landmine Attachment:

Connect your barbell to the landmine to do exercises that will build your core and shoulder strength. The Landmine Attachment gym plus offers is  Landmine Attachment for Essential Power Rack

Storage pegs:

It’s an extra accessory for the racks that offers more storage for the weight plates. We offer Olympic Plate Weight Storage Pegs.

Safety spotter arms:

For the racks that do not include safety bars or as an extra accessory. It functions as a spotter when lifting heavier and providing safety. Gym plus offers Safety Spotter Arms (60x60mm)