Power racks versus Squat Racks: which is the best for you?

If you are looking to build size, strength and power in the gym, then it is likely that your workout programme will include barbell exercises. Among them will be back squats, front squats, bench presses, shoulder presses and more, all using an Olympic bar and plates. 

Other than the bar and plates, an essential piece of kit is a barbell rack, a common sight in both commercial and home gym setups. 

 

What is a barbell rack?

A barbell rack is a static frame used to support a loaded or unloaded bar during an exercise. 

They are where you load the weight onto the bar, where you lift the bar from and where you return it to after a set of reps. Racks have different height settings to accommodate the different types of lifts and positions. 

Without a rack, the gym-goer would have to manually manoeuvre the barbell from the floor to the appropriate start position for the exercise. 

For some exercises such as a bench press, or for lifts with very heavy weights like a back squat, doing them without a rack is dangerous and could cause serious injury. 

Learning to use a rack correctly is important for safety, as is making sure that the right rack is used for the right lift. 

There are two main types of barbell rack: the squat rack and the power rack. But what differentiates the two and why do you need them?

 

What is a squat rack?

The squat rack originated as a rudimentary way of getting a barbell onto the shoulders of a lifter for a back squat. First seen in print in The Strong Man magazine in 1932, in a design by Frank Gibson and Wayne Harold. 

It was a simple frame with two uprights joined at the floor level by a brace. It proved popular, and the squat rack became a mainstay of gym equipment companies in the United States. 

Today, it is more adjustable and made of more robust materials, but the design has not changed much in almost 100 years. 

 

What is a power rack?

Invented in the 1940’s by US weightlifter Bob Peoples, the first power rack was made of wood. Peoples originally designed the rack so he could spice up his deadlift routine by starting at different heights, although he then used it for squats and other exercises. 

The first design was two uprights with peg holes every four inches to change the height, and two perpendicular safety bars which stretched from the uprights to a triangular frame in front of the lifter. 

The modern power rack was built on Bob Peoples' homemade design and gained popularity in the 1960s after Iron Man magazine described it in an article. It allowed weightlifters the ability to isolate and develop sections of the lifts with less injury risk.

Wood was eventually replaced with a metal frame, and pegs were replaced with rubber-protected J-cups, but the peg holes and the idea behind the power rack remain the same. 

 

What is the difference between power racks and squat racks?

Although both types serve the same purpose, to support the weight of a loaded barbell, they have differences.

The most obvious difference between a squat rack and a power rack is the size and shape of the rack. A power rack is a large cage-like structure designed to support a 6ft Olympic barbell. 

It has at least four upright supports and horizontal cross supports above the head that can double as pullup bars. Safety bars can be added to allow the lifter to rest the bar at the bottom of a squat, or start the lift at a different height for deadlifts. 

A squat rack is usually much smaller and has one pair of uprights resting on an H-shaped base. The width and height of the rack are adjustable, and the barbell rests on C-shaped fixings at the top of the uprights. 

 

What are the advantages of a squat rack?

Squat racks or squat rests do not have to be used only for squats; they can be used for other exercises such as a bench press. 

 

Adjustable height and width

Squat racks use telescopic supports and pins to adjust the height for the bar rests. If needed, the width between the uprights can be adjusted for shorter or longer length bars.

 

Portable

Squat racks are not secured to the floor and can be moved and taken apart if needed. Their compactness means that they are useful in home gym settings where space is at a premium. 

 

Lower price point

At a cheaper price point than a power rack cage, the squat rack is a great option for building a home gym on a budget, especially if you don’t know how much use it will get. 

 

What are the advantages of a power rack?

Although designed for power lifting moves, these racks can be used in a multitude of ways in combination with bars, resistance bands, benches and other accessories. 

 

Stability

Power racks are often secured to the floor, and combined with their shape, it gives them far more stability. 

 

Robust design

Strong metal framework with sturdy feet and hardwearing coatings mean a power rack can handle the hard work and wear and tear of regular use. It also means you can lift far heavier weights than with a standard squat rack. 

 

Safety

Power racks were designed for safety. The stability inherent in the cage shape and the ability to add safety bars between the uprights means lifting alone is safer, and a spotter is not always necessary. 

 

Versatility

With add-ons of cable pulleys, pull-up bars and more, the power rack can be an incredibly versatile piece of gym equipment. Some versions also have posts on the side where you can store your weight plates.

Even the more basic power rack cages have accessories that can be added, such as rotating collars for landmine twists. 

How do you choose between racks?

Your choice of power rack or squat rack will be determined by the type of lifting you do, how much space you have available and how heavy you lift. 

For intermediate and experienced lifters, a cage power rack is recommended, allowing you to add more weight as you get stronger and perfect your technique. You will require more space for a power rack, particularly overhead.

A squat rack is perfect for smaller spaces and for those who lift lighter, less regularly or who are just beginning on their weight training journey.