Keeping your strength levels up can be hard but one way to keep them at their peak is a power cage. Power cages can sometimes be called squat cages or squat racks but these are all the same workout system.
This is a straight to the point guide to the best power cages out there on the market today, with quick recommendations for each criteria so you can choose the power cage that best suits what you’re looking for.
They’re summed up in this table below. If you want to skip all the other talk and you just want to know which specific power cage are currently the best to go for, then they’re all right here in one place for you.
| Editor’s Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Power Cage | Fitness Reality X-class Olympic Power Cage |
| Best Alternative Power Cage | Power Rack Power Cage |
| Best Budget Power Cage | Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage |
| Best All Round Power Cage | Papababe Power Cage With Lat Pulldown |
Click to jump straight to each topic.
- Why You Need a Power Cage
- What to Look for in a Power Cage
- The Best Power Cages Reviewed
- Other Worthy Mentions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Need a Power Cage
Power cages are a great way for someone to keep their strength levels up in this world of ongoing lockdowns and limited access to public spaces. A power cage is an all in one solution for someone looking to get strong or stay strong.
What to Look for in a Power Cage
If you have never used a power cage before it can be hard to know what you want out of this piece of exercise equipment so we are going to give you a few pointers.
Safety Options
So when working out safety is important and due to the large sizes of power cages, it’s important to ensure the one you purchase is safe. The safety features you want to look for are.
- Ability to anchor the rack to the floor
- Thick gauge steel construction
- Strong secure safties
- Safety sling attachments
Exercise Range
Power cages come in many different sizes with additional workouts built in and out of them. Its important to check out this range of exercises before purchase and make sure all of them are suitable for you. Power cages are great for everything from squats to pull-ups.
Modular Vs Fixed Package
Power Cages tend to come in two different ways either modular which is where you buy the base rack and then have to buy each of the additional workouts. Or you can purchase a fixed package power cage which will come complete with a set of workouts already.
So, putting all of this together, let’s look at our recommendations for the best power cages out there right now.
The Best Power Cages Reviewed
Best Power Cage: Fitness Reality X-class Olympic Power Cage
Best Power Cage
Fitness Reality X-class Olympic Power Cage
With a huge 1500 pound weight capacity the Fitness reality X-class is something worthy of an Olympian and is a good pick for those serious about their strength training.
A huge range of 24 exercises can be performed through this steel goliath of a cage.
Why did we buy this Power Cage?
- Best power cage for the money!
- 44 inch Lat Bar/ 20 inch Low Row Bar
- Lat Pull Down and Low Row Cable
- Multi-Grip Pull up / Chin Up Bar, up to 600 lb weight capacity
- 2″ x 3″ Heavy Duty Steel construction
- Holds up to 1500 lbs of plates
This cage comes with the basics. But if you’re wanting to add on, there are lots of optional attachments such as J Hooks, Plate holders, Landmine, and dip bar. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on Rogue fitness branded rigs or racks to get a great quality home gym set up.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Alternative Power Cage: Power Rack Power Cage
Best Alternative Power Cage
With a solid steel frame the Power Rack Power Cage is a study unit coming with the standard accessories as shown in the image.
With 21 height adjustable positions for bar supports the Power Rack offers a huge range of workouts and is great for a beginner or intermediate strength trainer.
What We Like:
- 10 Extra Free Accessories such as a curl bar and 4 weight holder bars
- High and low pulleys offer a broad range of workouts.
- 330lbs pull up bar.
This one isn’t quite as heavy duty, and with it’s small footprint is a better suited for smaller spaces. Coming in under $500 for a full home gym power rack is reason for serious consideration. It covers everything from your bench press to squats, pull-ups and dips.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Budget Power Cage: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
Best Budget Power Cage
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
For a beginner looking for something a little cheaper to dip their toes into the power lifting world then the fitness reality 810Xt is a perfect choice for someone on a budget or beginner.
Packed with tons of great value for money features such as included LAT pulldown attachment.
Its important to note this cage is modular so can be upgraded as and when you want.
What We Like:
- Modular design allows you to upgrade as and when you want.
- High and Low Pulley system included.
- Leg Hold downs with foam rollers.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best All Round Power Cage: Papababe Power Cage With Lat Pulldown
Best All Round Power Cage
Papababe Power Cage With Lat Pulldown
For someone who is looking to build there own dream power cage I recommend the Papababe as your base. A good place between quality construction and budget the Papababe is the perfect place to being your strength training journey.
Can handle up to 1200lbs of weight and made from heavy duty steel.
What We Like:
- A Completely modular design allows you to add the workouts you want.
- 26 Adjustable height levels.
- Floor Bolts included.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Other Worthy Mentions
You don’t have to go all out on your home gym to have enough equipment to get the job done. Sometimes a pull up bar is plenty, if you’re willing to put in the work.
There are a number of reasons why a home pull up bar is almost as good as a full power rack. First, pull up bars are much less expensive than power racks. Second, pull up bars take up far less space than power racks, making them more convenient for use in small homes or apartments. Third, pull up bars can be used for a variety of exercises beyond just pull ups, making them more versatile than power racks. Finally, pull up bars are portable and can be taken with you on the go, whereas power racks are stationary and must be left in one place. Overall, home pull up bars offer many of the same benefits as power racks but at a fraction of the cost and with greater convenience.
CAP Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand
If you are not looking to buy a full power cage but are looking to train strength than a barbell power rack might be more suitable for you.
- Extremely budget friendly
- Maximum 500lbs weight
- Suitable for squat work
- small footprint, takes up very little space
The Milkolo power cage is another great modular option for someone looking to build their own perfect power cage.
- Great brand and aftersales support from Mikolo
- Good quality construction
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Power Cage Used For?
A power rack, also known as a power cage, is a piece of weightlifting equipment that provides a sturdy frame for lifting weights. It typically has four vertical posts with adjustable safety bars and hooks for attaching weight plates. A power rack is an essential piece of equipment for any serious weightlifter or bodybuilder, especially if you want to work out alone without a spotter!
A power rack can be used for a variety of exercises, including squats, presses, pull-ups and rows. It is a versatile piece of equipment that can be used to build strength and muscle mass. A power rack is an essential piece of equipment for any home gym.
What Should I Look for in a Power Rack?
For us, one of the key considerations was to see how many exercises we could realistically do with the rig we settled on. For most, the power cage is the central piece of equipment in the home gym. We wanted to make sure we had our bases covered with all the push pull leg lifts that we typically train on a daily basis. Our top pick, the Fitness Reality X-class Olympic Power Cage, came with all we thought we’d need to work out at home.
From a safety standpoint, the main thing to look for is being able to anchor the rack to the floor. This ensures your own safety when using the power cage.
Are Power Racks worth It?
If you are wanting to do some serious lifting then a Power Rack is the most important piece of equipment it will allow you to lift alone and vastly increase your strength. There are a few key reasons why you might want to consider adding a home power rack to your workout routine. First, power racks offer a great deal of versatility. You can use them for a variety of exercises, including squats, presses, and pull-ups. Second, power racks provide a high degree of safety when working out alone. They allow you to set up your weights in such a way that you can safely perform your exercises without the risk of injury. Finally, power racks are relatively inexpensive, making them a great option for those on a budget.
Do I Need to Bolt down My Power Rack?
Yes its important to make sure your power rack is secure to prevent any unexpected injuries.
We hope this list of the best power cages has been helpful.
If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.