Fitting your home gym with a power rack is a great idea. With a cage setup, you'll be able to perform every barbell exercise you can at a commercial gym all in one station at home. However, not everyone can allocate the space for a full-on power rack in their home or garage gym.
Half Racks are a great alternative for smaller spaces. They have the same functionality but are instead much more compact. But even then, there are a variety of different features that make them better suited for different lifters. So what is the best half rack for a home gym? Below we'll go over some viable choices on the market today as well as several buying factors you should consider before locking in your purchases.
Product | Detail | Price | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CAP Half Rack | 
| $ | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Fitness Reality | 
| $$$ | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Rogue HR-2 |  | $$$ | 5 out of 5 | |
Rugged Half Rack |  | $$ | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Marcy MWM 7041 | 
| $$$ | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Rogue SML-1 Squat Stand |  | $S | 4.5 out of 5 | |
Powerline PPR500 |  | $$ | 4.out of 5 | |
Titan X3 Half Rack |  | $$ | 4 out of 5 | |
Weider PR7500 | $ | 4 out of 5 | ||
Hulk Fit | 
| $$ | 4 out of 5 |
Best Half Rack For Home Gyms in 2021
1. CAP Half Rack
Overview
Brand | CAP |
Model | FM-8000F |
Weight | 103 lbs |
Dimensions | 47" x 61" x 85" |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
This half rack by CAP is a solid, affordable choice for a home gym on a budget. In terms of functionality and base usage, this power rack allows a maximum load of 600 lbs. It has a rather limiting bar catch with a rating of 300 lbs total- something to be mindful of if you're planning on moving past this weight range.
This unit does come with some nice features though, like many other options on this list, a pull-up bar is included but unlike other options, this one comes with 3 band posts of each side (6 total). You also have access to two storage pegs for plates and two vertical barbell posts for storage. The overall build is compact with the spotter arms being approximately 15.5 inches long.
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2. Fitness Reality
Overview
Brand | Fitness Reality |
Model | - |
Weight | 105 lbs |
Dimensions | 50" L x 45.5 W x 80.5" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
This option by Fitness Reality is a moderately priced option. For base functionality, this power rack has an 800-pound weight capacity, the hole spacing on the uprights increments in 1-inch intervals with a total of 19 height adjustments to mount the spotter arm and J hooks onto.
For features, this rack has the standard pull up bar. Unlike other choices, this one does include a land mine attachment that is to be mounted on either side of the lower frame. One notable thing for the Fitness Reality is that the spotter arms are longer compared to the others (19.5 inches).
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3. Rogue HR-2
Overview
Brand | Rogue |
Model | HR-2 |
Weight | 225 lbs |
Dimensions | 49" L x 48" W x 92" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
The Rogue HR-2 is a high-end heavy-duty choice. Its design resembles more of a full cage system with its 4 11 gauge 3x3 vertical steel post unlike many other options on this list. Essentially, it looks like a power rack with a short depth of (17" deep workout area) when working out with the safeties. This design allows the user to lift either with the safeties within the enclosed workout area or do the lift outside of the unit. For features, the base model includes the pull-up bar. For upgrades, the user can choose to get the storage peg attachments.
Note: The pin pipe safeties as shown in the image are available as an add-on and do not come with the base purchase.
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4. Rugged Half Rack
Overview
Brand | Rugged |
Model | Y120 |
Weight | 180.9 lbs |
Dimensions | 50.2”L x 52.5”W x 89.4”H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
A solid half rack with the selling point being the construction and weight capacity rating. The Y120 is rated for 1000 lbs of weight which rivals the options from Rogue and they're able to do so at a more attractive price point. The base model does come with the spotter arms and j-cups.
This choice doesn't come with any fancy features but does include the option to upgrade addons including heavy-duty spotter arms, bar post, lat pulldown attachment, and more.
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5. Marcy MWM 7041
Overview
Brand | Marcy |
Model | MWM 7041 |
Weight | - |
Dimensions | 56"L x 61"W x 85"H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
Marcy is another brand that focuses heavily on designing highly versatile products. Their half cage squat system, MWM 7041, is their take on a versatile home gym all in one station. While the footprint is larger than most other items on our list, half the unit is dedicated to a half rack build. The bar catches on the frame is rated for a 300 lb weight capacity with a total of 16 positions for the bar catches. The trade-off for the limiting weight capacity is the included pulley system positioned at the rear of the unit (rated for 220 lbs), dip station, and angled pull up bar.
The unit does have a weighted plate storage system positioned near the rear of the unit and comes with Marcy's 2-year warranty.
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6. Rogue SML-1 Squat Stand
Overview
Brand | Rogue |
Model | SML-1 |
Weight | 122 lbs |
Dimensions | 48" L x 49" W x 72" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
This option is a squat stand but with the add on safety spotter arms, it essentially is a compact half-rack. This unit has a lower height clearance (stands at 72" tall) for those with a low ceiling or not quite interested in a pull-up bar included with the squat rack. The add-on spotter arms are 24 inches long. Includes the Westside Hole Spacing.
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7. Powerline PPR500
Overview
Brand | Powerline |
Model | PPR500 |
Weight | 112.6 lbs |
Dimensions | 50.2”L x 50.9”W x 83”H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
Another affordable option from a very reputable brand. For base usage, this rack has a weight capacity of 700 lbs. The hole spacing on the uprights is 2" apart. The base model is again, super affordable and we believe it rivals the CAP Half Rack.
Users can also customize their purchase by adding attachments like band post pegs, storage pegs, lat cable pulley system, and more. The PPR500 also includes a 10-year warranty on the frame and 1 year for all other parts.
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8. Titan X3 Half Rack
Overview
Brand | Titan |
Model | X3 |
Weight | 250 lbs |
Dimensions | 48" L x 49" W x 92" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
If you like the design and build of the Rogue Half Rack this option is an alternative to that at a more affordable price. The X3 is rated for over 1000 lbs, has the Westside hole spacing, and has customizable options including the pin pipe safety bar and plate pegs for storage.
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9. Weider PR7500
Overview
Brand | Weider |
Model | PR7500 |
Weight | 198 lbs |
Dimensions | 53" L x 69" W x 85.5" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
The more affordable alternative to the Rogue Half Rack was the Titan X3. Well, this pick is great for the money and is a cheaper alternative to the Titan X3. It's a pretty bare-bones option that simply does its job well. It has a pretty decent weight capacity for its price being rated for maximum resistance of 610 lbs. It includes 18 hole positions for the safety bar and bar catches.
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10. Hulk Fit
Overview
Brand | HulkFit |
Model | - |
Weight | 110 lbs |
Dimensions | 46" L x 44" W x 81" H |
Cell | Cell |
Summary:
The Hulk Fit is a pretty barebone, minimalistic pick for a half rack with an affordable price tag. For the price, you don't really have access to any fancy features but the trade-off is you do get a power rack with a pretty decent weight capacity rating (800 lbs).
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Buying Factors For Half Racks
Here are some of the most important buying factors you should consider:
Weight Capacity & Build Quality
Keep track of the weight capacity rating and steel gauge. Here, you'll want to make sure that the power rack, the bar catches and safety arms are all rated for the weight you'll be lifting. We find that the lower end lies around 300 lbs while the high end of the scale is around 1000 lbs. For power rack frames, thicker steel frames are represented by a lower gauge number. We find that most options suitable for a home gym environment will be in the 11-12 gauge range.
Spotter Arm & Bar Catches
Consider the different types of safety bars. Power rack (A) consists of only two vertical segments. The safety bars or spotter arms will then connect to each of these segments individually. The length of the spotter arms will vary depending on the rack (Usually 16-20 inches). On the other hand, half rack (B) consists of 4 vertical segments and the safety bars are threaded into the holes of the front and back segments.
Half Rack A
Half Rack B
Hole spacing
Be sure to take into account the hole spacing and hole positions on the rack. We find that most racks come with 1-inch hole spacing or 2-inch hole spacing. Generally, it's best to go for the lower interval to narrow down the rack position you'd like.
Some options like the Rogue or Titan Racks even have Westside Hole spacing.
Westside Hole Spacing: The hole spacing are more closely packed together for the middle portion(where the bar is usually racked) of the steel uprights.
Features
We've noticed that some half racks include additional features or add-ons that you might be interested in. Here are some common ones:
Storage Pegs: Not all power racks come with storage pegs. Some include pegs as an add-on feature.
Cable Pulley Machine & Dip Station: Some Power racks include the option to attach an upper & lower pulley system to the power rack frame or even a dip station. (Example: MWM 7041)
