How To Choose A Squat Rack
In the world of weight training there are numerous machines, racks and other equipment. While many of them offer different styles, shapes and colors, there are a few characteristics that are universal to all equipment that one should consider. When choosing a squat rack keep in mind safety, material strength and size.
The first element of any free weight system is safety and when it comes to squats it is the most important thing to research. Consider that squat workouts can tend to involve some heavy weights. A quality squat rack will be made of high gauge steel and strong welds. Inspecting the welds on a squat rack, or any piece of equipment, can be done visually. Ensure there are no crack and that all welds on the rack are uniform in size and shape. Haphazard looking welds can suggest poor quality. The squat rack must have some sort of safety landing for the barbell should the weight lifter have an emergency and need to bail out. Things happen and even a good weight lifter may run into a problem.
Another characteristic of squat racks that should be considered is the rack’s footprint. It sounds painfully obvious, but there has been many a weight lifter who found a rack that had everything, paid for it and ordered delivery. Only to find that the rack took up entirely more floor space than anticipated. Perception can be deceiving. You may have sworn that the rack was five feet wide when it was actually six. It pays to measure the space you intend to place the rack prior to shopping for it. In addition to the size of the rack it is also important to remember that the bar and weights will extend beyond the width of the actual rack. Once more it seems obvious but also remember the carpenter’s mantra “measure twice, cut once.”
Finally, think about what you may need versus what you want. There are many racks that offer a slew of options. A good basic rack should include a safety measure and some weight plate storage racks. There are higher end multi-function racks that offer a great number of accessories to include things like shaft guided barbells with safety hooks. Your budget will govern much of your decision making process and it’s important to not get caught up in all the bells and whistles available. Think about what you are really going to use. Once again, there are so many styles and shapes in the market but the most important things to consider are safety, material strength and size.