Power cages — also referred to as power racks — are a home gym staple. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a great home gym that doesn’t have a well-equipped power cage in it. At BarBend, we like to think about power cages in home gyms similar to dining room tables in dining rooms, they’re the focal point of the room and are certainly the most pertinent for the task at hand, a.k.a. a great workout.
In this round-up, we assessed multiple power cage, racks, and squat stands and reviewed which would benefit certain fitness enthusiasts best. Every power cage is created differently, so paying attention to each cage’s finer details can ensure you’re having your needs met, but also that it’s a good fit for your money and gym.
Editor’s Choice
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack
The HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack is made out of a durable steel and is designed to support up to 800 lbs. The j-hooks and spotter arms are also made out of a heavy steel to support even the heaviest squats.
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack Pros
- Durable steel construction.
- Easy to adjust for beginners.
- Two additional pull-up bars with varied height.
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack Cons
- Not ideal for serious athletes (800+ lb lifts)
The HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Rack is an awesome sturdy and functional rack that comes at a cost-efficient price.
Best Power Cage
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is made out of durable steel and can support roughly 800 lbs. Outside of having strong safeties and j-hooks, the power cage also offers a dynamic pull-up for additional back workouts.
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage Pros
- Durable steel construction.
- Versatile in nature and design.
- Cost efficient price.
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage Cons
- Walk in space may be limiting for serious athletes.
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is an amazing choice for the dedicated fitness enthusiast that wants a serious power cage feel in their home gym.
Best Beginner Cage
CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack
The CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack is a great pick for the transitional fitness enthusiast who’s going from beginner to intermediate. This cage supports up to 500 lbs and has all of the features you want from a serious power cage at a cost efficient price.
CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack Pros
- Great for intermediate athletes.
- Easy to install and cost efficient.
- Durable steel construction.
CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack Cons
- Limited to a 500 lb weight capacity.
The CAP Barbell Full Cage Power Rack is a great pick for the fitness enthusiast that is starting to get more serious with their strength training.
Best Serious Cage
Vanswe Power Rack Power Cage
The Vanswe Power Rack Power Cage is a great option for the fitness enthusiast that likes to train hard in their home gym. This power cage has strong steel construction and can support up to 1000 lbs with multiple versatile attachments. In addition, they offer a 10-year warranty.
Vanswe Power Rack Power Cage Pros
- Strong steel construction and versatile design.
- Can support up to 1000 lbs.
- 10-year warranty.
Vanswe Power Rack Power Cage Cons
- Might be more than a beginner needs or wants.
The Vanswe Power Rack Power Cage is a great option for the more serious fitness enthusiast that wants to build out their home gym.
Best Squat Stand
CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand
The CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand is a great pick for fitness enthusiasts that need a rack to support static strength movements. This rack has a strong steel construction and comes at a fairly cost-efficient price.
CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand Pros
- Simple design and easy to install.
- Durable construction.
- Can support up to 500 lbs.
CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand Cons
- Limiting for serious strength athletes.
- Not the best safety arms.
The CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand is a fantastic simple rack for the fitness enthusiast that trains squats, pull-ups, and presses often.
Also Consider
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage
If you’re on the quest for a serious power cage in your home, then the HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage is a good bet. This cage supports up to 1,000 lbs, had a durable steel construction, and multiple add-ons can be purchased to boost its versatility.
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage Pros
- Supports up to 1,000 lbs.
- Strong durable steel construction.
- Connects to multiple attachments.
HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage Cons
- May be more than a beginner needs.
- Not the most space conscious.
The HulkFit Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage is a great option for the fitness enthusiast that likes to train heavy at home.
How We Picked
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding your perfect power cage. In our assessments, we care about three main considerations to help consumers find their perfect cage. We look at: construction, best uses, and price.
Construction
The overall construction of a power cage is huge. This entails how the power cage is built and the material that it’s made out of. Generally, every power cage will be made out some form of steel, but not every steel is created equal.
As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to look for 11 or 12-gauge steel and higher, as this is an indicator of overall metal thickness, which translates to performance.
Another construction factor to consider is the hardware used on the cage. Hardware can play a major role in the longevity of a power cage, especially when it’s placed somewhere like a garage that can have its environment shift quickly.
Outside of a power cage’s base material and hardware, we assess each cage’s max weight capacity. In most cases, weight capacity relates to a rack’s overall durability. If a rack can hold more weight, then more than likely it’s constructed with strong and thicker materials for serious fitness enthusiasts.
The j-hooks and safety arms are also worth considering when it comes a power cage’s construction. Often times, these two factors will relate to the weight capacity that a cage can hold, so if you’re lifting towards the upwards limits, then you may want to play it safe and get a rack with a higher weight capacity.
Best Uses
Okay, so you’ve decided what construction you need to support your needs, now it’s time to look at a power cage’s best uses. For us, we rank cages on their versatility and what type of workouts they can best accommodate.
If you’re a more serious fitness enthusiast, then you may want to look for a bigger power cage with walk-in space. These types of power cages can support misses with heavy weight slightly easier and have safeties to accommodate for maximal lifts.
Simpler squat stands are great for home gym owners that need simplicity for squats, presses, and pull-ups.
Price
When it comes to price, there are multiple factors that should be taken into consideration. For example, the power cage’s material, warranty, and overall functionality can play into the justification for your investment.
This is where as a consumer you should rank how often you plan to use the power cage in addition to how heavy you’re lifting. If you’re a serious fitness enthusiast, then opt for a power cage that has a higher weight capacity and warranty to ensure your investment goes the distance.
BarBend Tips
- Steel Matters: In a perfect world, your power cage will have 12-gauge steel or higher. A steel of this thickness will be durable and able to withstand heavier weights if missed happen.
- Accessories Are Important: If you take training seriously, then consider the j-hooks, pull-up bars, and safeties that a power cage comes with. They’re small details, but can make a big different with supporting performance.
- Check Your Footprint: Power cages are not small pieces of equipment, so always check your space availability with the power cage’s footprint. Remember to add a couple feet in each direction of the power cage as well for a barbell’s length.
- Weight Capacity Matters: This tip is for the serious lifter. If you’re pushing the upward bounds of a power cage’s capacity, then it’s worth investing in a cage with a higher capacity and better materials.
- Budget Accordingly: Since a power cage is usually the focal point of a home gym — avoid cutting corners with price. Most power cages have great warranties, so invest in a better cage and take good care of it to have your money go the distance.
