Whether you’re browsing to kit out your first home gym or you’ve already bookmarked the power rack you want, you want to be sure you’re getting the best power rack for your budget.
This guide shares insight into what UK gym owners should be looking for when buying a power rack, like how to find the best fit, what’s secure, and whether it will still perform in years to come.
What type of power rack do you need?
Before comparing power rack models, it helps to know which type of rack suits your training style. There are three main types to choose from, each with a different profile and use case.
Power rack
A power rack, also called a cage, has four uprights connected by cross-members, with safety bars or spotter arms that catch a failed lift. It takes up more floor space but gives you complete freedom to train safely on your own, at any weight.
Half rack
A half rack has two uprights at the front and a smaller rear foot, cutting the depth. It’s good for space and still safe with proper spotters or safety arms, though the footprint reduction comes with less rigidity under heavier loads.
Squat stands
Squat stands are two independent, portable uprights that are ideal for compact spaces. Without any structural connection between them, they’re suited to lifters who are confident in their technique, always have a spotter, or keep weights well within their ability.
Most people using a home gym are likely to train solo, so it’s essential to consider the safety elements of each rack to find the ideal one for you.
The six things home gym owners get wrong when choosing a power rack
Home gym buyers in the UK typically underestimate ceiling clearance or overlook rack depth when in a narrow space. Bolting down anxiety, figuring out if attachments will fit, choosing uprights that are too thin for heavy use, or misjudging the total cost of accessories are some of the other common mistakes that throw off an otherwise good-looking rack.
1 - Forgetting about ceiling height
Many home gym owners forget about ceiling clearance. As one of the biggest issues picked up in UK home gym forums it’s vital that you not only account for the size of the rack, but the space needed to use it too. A rack listed as 2.2m tall still needs clearance for the pull-up bar and the person on it. Budget 30-40cm on top of the rack’s stated height for a comfortable overhead pull. In a 2.4m-tall garage, that leaves almost nothing. Or a sore head.
2 - Measuring for the rack without the bar
If your home gym is in your garage or a spare bedroom, the squat rack might fit perfectly into a compact space, but can a barbell comfortably slot on the rack and the space you need to complete a full set? Not accounting for this turns your rack into a display piece.
3 - Choosing thick uprights
Finding a thicker steel gauge might come with a slightly higher price tag, but the difference is felt from the first rep. Most budget racks use 50mm (2-inch) uprights in 14-gauge steel, whereas commercial-grade racks use 75mm (3-inch) box sections. Thinner uprights wobble and creak, increasing heavy-rep anxiety.
4 - Not checking the floor before bolting
Renters, laminate-floor owners or anyone in a converted space that won’t allow you to drill into the floor should check that the rack they’re buying can be free-standing. A well-engineered rack with a rear stabiliser bar or plate-loaded storage spigots at the base gives you the stability you need without needing to touch the floor.
5 - Ignoring the attachment ecosystem
When buying a rack for your home gym, you probably want it to be as multi-functional as possible. That means considering dip handles, pulldown attachments, safety straps, weight storage, or multi-grip handles to add over time. If your rack’s uprights are a non-standard size, that means scouring for expensive attachments or simply giving up if they’re not available for your rack model.
6 - Not calculating the total cost
You have the price of the rack itself, on top of any shipping charges and attachment upgrades, and it soon hikes up the price. Even more so when you buy from multiple suppliers if they don’t stock everything you would like. Buy with a total cost in mind, or chat to your suppliers who can suggest the best home gym rack setup.
Not every rack fits every home gym space. The best one is the rack that works in your space, holds the weight you lift and leaves room to grow.
What are the best Wolverson power racks for your home gym setup?
Wolverson Fitness offers racks across four tiers: Foundation Series for home gym buyers wanting a commercial-grade build at an accessible price, ATLAS and Bison Series for modular, multi-use setups, the TITAN Series for premium home installations, and the Shorty Rack for a commercial-grade quality in a garage. All are UK-designed, built with 75mm box-section steel and have lifetime frame warranties.
Foundation Series
The Foundation racks cover the home gym buyer who wants quality, gym-level standards without the commercial price. Choose from the Foundation Compact Rack, Foundation Half Rack, and the Foundation Full Rack, all with solid uprights and a lifetime frame warranty with no attachment ecosystem to worry about later.
ATLAS and Bison Series
ATLAS and Bison Series are ideal for modularity and customisation. The Bison Folding Rack and Bison Wall-Mounted Rig suit flats and multi-use spaces where the rack needs to get out of the way. The ATLAS Compact, Half, and Full Racks step up in steel weight and customisation options to give your home gym a professional feel.
TITAN Series
The TITAN Series racks are built for home gym owners designing a permanent, aspirational home gym or a light commercial setup for PTs that can handle multiple people training every day. These are engineered with hardcore fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes in mind and are suitable for colour customisation to suit your aesthetic. Choose from the TITAN Compact Rack and Standard TITAN Rack through to the Double TITAN Rack, depending on your space.
The Shorty Rack
The Wolverson Garage Shorty Rack is a 2m-tall power rack built specifically for UK garages with ceiling heights of 2.4m or below. It’s made from 3mm, 75mm box-section steel with 25 J-hook positions, and offers full commercial-grade build quality in a compact form.
Most UK home gym owners don’t need a full-height squat rack, but they do want the structural integrity of one. The Shorty Rack was designed around this exact problem. It works in a standard single garage without forcing any awkward twists and turns.
Not sure where to start?
We’ve got just the trick. We offer a free 3D Gym Builder so you can see exactly how your dream workout space could look in your home. If you have more questions about dimensions or what other pieces of equipment would complement your home gym, speak to a member of the pack today.