With so many squat racks available to buy which one is best? In this article that’s exactly what I’ll be going through, along with my recommendation and the reasons I picked it. By the end you’ll know exactly which is the best squat rack for a home gym.
What is a squat rack?
Ok so exactly what is a squat rack?
A squat rack is a piece of equipment that allows you to squat safely with a barbell. It allows you to get the barbell on your back safely, do your squats then get the barbell back on the rack safely. Some squat racks come with spotter arms which I prefer as the spotters can catch the barbell if you fail one of your reps (you manage to squat down but you can’t get back up). You can buy one on Amazon here
Squat rack Vs Squat cage
A squat rack is a great alternative to a squat cage. If you don’t have a lot of room for your home gym squat racks are better, squat cages are bigger and more expensive. Most squat racks can be adjusted to fit the size needed for your home gym.
If you do have the space you can buy a squat cage on Amazon here
Why do I need a squat rack for my home gym?
If you’re serious about lifting weights and building muscle you need to lift heavy so you 100% need a squat rack to be able to squat safely. There’s so much that can potentially go wrong with a squat (especially as the weight gets heavier), you could do yourself some serious damage if you don’t squat safely. Especially in your home gym as you might be weight lifting on your own.
Without a squat rack how would you get the barbell on and off your back?
Different types of squat racks
There are two main types of squat rack. You can buy either below on Amazon:
Squat racks with spotters
I prefer the squat racks that come with spotters because they will catch the barbell if you fail a rep. Trust me, you need this safety when you’re squatting heavy weights. I’ve failed a few times but I don’t worry about it as I know the spotters will catch the barbell keeping me safe. This gives me the confidence to lift heavier weights.
What is adjustable on a squat rack?
The height of the rack itself is adjustable so whatever height you are (I’m 5’3″ so pretty short) you’ll be able to adjust it to the right height for you.
The spotters are also adjustable to you can have them as high or low as you need. I have mine adjusted so the barbell almost touches them when I squat, if you have them too high you can’t get low enough on your squat.
I want to be honest with you guys so just so you know this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure here. You will not pay more for any items purchased through these links (it just helps to support me so I can continue to write great content)
Best squat rack for a home gym
This is the squat rack I have, click on the picture to buy on Amazon, or it buy here
K-Sport adjustable squat rack with spotters
I chose this one based on a few things
- It looked sturdy – I liked the fact the two sides of the squat rack were connected instead of being two individual stands
- Adjustable – Both the rack itself and the spotters are adjustable
- Size – It’s small enough to fit in my garage so perfect for a home gym
- Big spotters – At the time I was researching this was the rack that had the biggest spotters. The bigger the spotters the safer you are as the spotters will be able to catch the barbell if you fail a rep
- Price – This one was the same price as a lot of others that didn’t even come with spotters
- Can also be used for bench press – The spotters can also be used for safely performing your bench presses. Read the article on the best adjustable weight bench here
Assembly
It was pretty easy to put together. I just needed a couple of spanners, the instructions were fairly easy to read as well. I think I put it together over two evenings, could have done it in one but on the first night it got dark and the light in my garage isn’t great!
You can buy it on Amazon here
This is my set up in my garage along with my bench, barbell, and flooring (and sunglasses mirror of course, all the essentials!)
You can buy them on Amazon/Ebay here:
The reason I chose this flooring is because it’s almost twice as thick as the other flooring I looked at. It’s a bit more pricey but I think worth it to protect your floor and your weights and it’s nicer on my back when I do my ab work and sit ups. Read more on my recommendation for the best home gym floor here.
Whilst I haven’t tried these ones out they look quite similar to the one I have, fully adjustable and with large spotters. You can buy them on Amazon below:
Best value squat rack…
DFANCE fully adjustable height and width squat rack. Very similar to the one I have
If you don’t mind paying a bit more…
Hardcastle Squat rack – More expensive but comes with dip bars and weight plate holders
RIP X Squat rack – Similar price to the Hardcastle squat rack and comes with dip bars and weight plate holders. Just depends what colour you’d rather have in your home gym.
If you’re in the US
Ollieroo squat rack – This adjustable squat rack comes with spotters and a built in dip stand as well.
So, which squat rack did you choose for your home gym?
Whichever squat rack you go for having one is essential if you’re serious about strength training in your own home gym.
You’ll probably need some other equipment as well to complete your home gym set up. Read my articles on the best home gym floor and best adjustable weight bench.
I hope you found the article useful. Do you already have a squat rack? Is it helping you squat heavier? Let me know by commenting below.
Thanks
Katie
JJ
I was a regular gym person until earlier this year lots of things changed and there was no more gym for me. Since then I have found ways to do my cardio, dancing and fast walking and i am now looking for ways to get my muscles up and strong again. Until I read this article i did not know what a squat rack was. Now I know, I think I will need one. I need all the help I can get and I would go for the DFance. Thanks for the review and the details
Katie
Hi JJ great to hear that you’ve been cracking on with your cardio. A squat rack (and barbell) will most definitely help to build your muscles back up.
The DFance rack does look really good, the only reason I didn’t pick it was because it was a bit more expensive (£26 more) than the K Sport squat rack.
Good luck with your muscle building journey.
All the best
Katie
Justin
Hello Katie, I have always wanted to be careful when getting any equipment for my gym at home and so I have been going round to see various equipments and your two suggestions are really nice which I’ll love to bookmark this article won’t can come back and bookmarks this article for future reference. Cheers
Katie
Hi Justin glad to see you found the article. If you need any further info on squat racks just let me know.
All the best
Katie
Abel
I need a squat rack and I think I have made up my mind to buy the Hardcastle Squat rack. I just can’t keep on without it. Many of the exercises in my routine have been cut off in my attempt to train at home. I am excited about this purchase.
I checked the Hardcastle’s price and it’s OK for me.
Katie
Hi Abel that’s great, with a squat rack you’ll be able to get much more out of your weight lifting and be nice and safe too.
Good luck with your strength training
Katie
Josephine Crawford
Thanks for sharing. Safety when exercising is important. I hurt a tendon years ago and I am still paying the price for being a bit careless. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the squat racks are affordable too. I love that they are adjustable. I forwarded your site to 2 exercise enthusiasts. Continued success.
Katie
Hi Josephine thank you so much for forwarding my site, really appreciate it. And you’re right, you have to be carful when weight lifting, that’s why I like the squat racks with the spotters as they give you that extra bit of safety.
All the best
Katie
Alison
I just feel better working out at home right now and most of the gyms around here are still closed anyway. It’s exciting to be setting up a home gym and I just need to make a decision on a squat rack. I think the one you recommended is good for me because I do not have a lot of space to set up.
Katie
Hi Alison great that you’re setting up your home gym. Good luck with everything.
Katie
DashDNations
I’m guessing these are assembled at home, I had one piece of equipment that was such a pain to take down and reassembled and it wouldn’t fit through the door frame. Are these easy to move, or something that can be fit through hallways without damaging the walls? I’ll never buy another home gym that doesn’t disassemble easily. The last one I spent so much money on and I was tempted to leave it behind when I moved because I just didn’t want to deal with it.
Katie
Hi Dash
These are assembly at home although with mine you can disconnect the two sides of the squat rack so you’d be able to move it around without damaging the walls. It’s also pretty light so you’d be fine moving it around. I’m not sure on the other ones I mentioned, they may or may not disconnect.
Good luck with your fitness.
Katie
Rick Lim
Nice article on “WHICH IS THE BEST SQUAT RACK FOR A HOME GYM“。
Thank you so much for sharing, Katie, my dear.
I enjoy reading your article so very much. Such an in-depth and complete information is really invaluable to the internet community as a whole.
What you said is definitely right. We wish you every success and please write more articles. We are yearning to learn from you.
Katie
Hi Rick
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the article.
Katie
Willow
With the gyms being closed right now I have been doing my best to keep my workouts going from home. I walk a lot, but with it heading into the cold months where I live it’ll keep me indoors more.
Squats are great to keep my legs strong when I can’t get out and walk. I’m not sure if I would need the spotters, but I appreciate the suggestions.
Katie
Hi Willow
Any squats are great for your legs (and for burning calories too), whether it’s body weight squats, dumbbell squats or barbell squats. Your legs will get more toned with the added weight of the dumbbells or barbell so if you have some weights lying around you could try squatting with them. But you’re right, you don’t need a squat rack with the spotters unless you have a barbell.
Good luck with your squatting.
Katie