A squat rack is a tool that every serious fitness buff has to build muscle but is also a tool that is mostly found in gyms. You can have a power cage at home if you have decided that you are ready to take fitness to the next level and want to begin an intensive routine to build muscle or even if you want to take the time to tone your body but don’t have access to a gym.
How it Works
A squat rack may not be an item that you think of as having at home for working out but it is one that is very versatile. You can install a rack anywhere there is enough space. A garage or home gym is ideal for the machine but a larger living space can also be used. The machine is about the size of any power rack, or about six feet tall by six feet wide. The size of your machine may vary somewhat, but does need to be large enough to hold the barbells that you are working with. There are several main types of racks available including a smith rack, an angled rack and combination racks just to name a few.
The inclined rack, or angled rack, is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment that you can purchase for your home gym. This machine is a good choice if you want to work on building muscle in many areas of your body since it can be set up for curls, presses and squats equally well. The machine may come with weights or you may need to buy your own depending on the rack you are interested in. If you are purchasing just the frame of the squat rack make sure that it can hold at least 200 pounds since you will quickly begin to build muscle when working with this machine.
In a traditional squat rack the barbell is lifted by placing it over your shoulders and onto your back. This is also one of the safest ways to lift large amounts of weight. You can also lift the weights with your legs or shoulders if you are using an inclined rack. Finding the type of rack that is right for your personal needs is important since each type of rack performs differently.
Choosing Your Rack
A squat rack is a frame that is made to hold your barbells. The weight that the rack can hold will vary based on the make, model and name brand that you choose for your rack. In most cases, however, racks are made to hold very high amounts of weight. The typical amounts include 255, 500 and 700 pounds. The type of rack that you choose will also determine the amount of weight that you can use. For instance, standing racks without foot rests are often made to hold more weight than those racks with footrests.
A squat rack with an inclined seat and footrests is often a more flexible tool for working out than other types of power racks. The inclined rack can be used for squats, shoulder, arm and leg presses, chin ups and dozens of other workouts. Each type of rack should have safety bars included in the design of the machine to increase the safety of working out alone. The bars are made to catch any weights that are dropped just in case you slip while exercising. This is an especially important feature if you plan on using the machine at home to exercise.
Safety
When using a squat rack for building muscle you will want to work with caution until you have become accustomed to the machine. The machine will be able to hold a lot of weight but you will want to start out small and work your way into lifting heavier weights as you become stronger. If you are just beginning to use the machine for working out then you will want to take your time to avoid pulled muscles and strains. Lifting too much weight at once can easily cause injuries, and can really slow down your exercise routine until you heal completely.
It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the squat rack. You should use only the recommended amount of weight for the machine, for example, to ensure the frame can support the barbell. If you do add too much weight the safety mechanism might fail and cause injuries that can be severe, as well. Most machines can support a lot of weight, however, so this may not be a concern. If you do find that you need more weights to progress in your fitness then you should upgrade your rack as needed.
Pricing and Assembly
A squat rack is a mid-priced piece of equipment. Most varieties cost between four and six hundred dollars without weights, while those that are sold with barbells and weights may cost up to two-thousand dollars. There are many price variations, however, so don’t give up on finding the perfect rack if you think that they are out of your price range. You may also be able to fit a rack into your budget by purchasing the rack and weights separately if you can find a discounted set of barbells and weights.
Your squat rack will come to you unassembled in most cases. The assembly of the power rack is an important process to ensure the rack is safe enough to use when working out at home. Take the time to read through the instructions and make sure that all the bolts are properly tightened. You will want to set your rack up in a larger space to ensure there is plenty of room for movement while working out.
The assembly of your squat rack will take a few hours time but is well worth it when you have a piece of equipment that you can use to build your muscles quickly and easily from the comfort of home.
