The folding squat rack stands out as a must-have for any home gym, offering versatility for squats, bench presses, pull-ups, and curls. Its ability to fold away makes it an invaluable space-saver, allowing for flexibility in your home gym layout without needing a dedicated area.
However, with the surge in popularity, it’s crucial to be wary of varying quality. That’s why we’ve sifted through numerous options to present you with the best folding squat racks available, catering to both budget-friendly and premium preferences.
Our selection ensures you find the ideal fit for your workout needs, avoiding the clutter of inferior models.
We Know Squat Racks
Having gained certifications as personal trainers, excelled in competitive weightlifting, and being proud owners of home gyms, we possess extensive knowledge when it comes to squat racks. We understand the challenges of finding compact exercise equipment, and that’s why we’re here to help.
This comprehensive guide represents a fusion of our personal experiences in small home gyms and our dedicated research and testing of various squat racks. Our aim is to provide you with the finest recommendations tailored to your specific home gym needs.
Unlike other websites, our goal is not simply to suggest the most popular or “best” products. We strive to offer recommendations that cater to diverse home gym owners and fitness enthusiasts. By doing so, we hope to inspire more individuals to embrace the splendor of having a home gym.
Starting with one of the best options out there for anyone looking for a full-body transformation, the Rep Fitness’ PR-4100 folding squat rack is more than capable of being a one-stop shop for just about anyone that uses it. Not only is it incredibly affordable, but it is also just as effective in handling most heavy weights.
Features
Coming in using 11-gauge steel, the PR-4100 can handle just about anything you throw at it in terms of weight without so much as a wobble or a shake. It has a 41-inch depth from the wall and can be used to do kipping pull-ups as well as muscle-ups.
In terms of locking and moving, the PR-4100 uses a locking pin system which is fair enough in most situations and still pretty easy and accessible to use for the majority of people interested.
The PR-4100 comes with 1-inch Westside spacing holes for its bench and pressing areas, giving you a ton of customization on where you want the weight set.
All in all, for the vast majority of people, this is a great squat rack at a competitive and easy-to-access price point. That is what makes it our favorite folding squat rack.
Pros
Has 1-Inch Westside Spacing For Perfect Spotter Placements
Uses 3×3″ 11-Gauge Steel Tubing To Carry An Insane Amount Of Weight
Priced Very Well Considering Its Tubing & Depth Option
Its 41-Inch Depth Makes It Great For Most Pull-Up Varieties
Cons
Does Use A Locking Pin System, Which Some May Find Frustrating
Doesn’t Come With Stringers If You Want To Wall-Mount It
Made by one of the best companies in the fitness world, the Force USA Myrack Folding Squat Rack is definitely in a tier of its own, working extremely well even without needing to be bolted to a wall or door. When you consider how much weight is often put on these machines, the fact that it works as well as it does as a stand-alone squat rack is beyond amazing. Not only does this mean you’re getting a rack that is easy on the level of a wall or door-mounted rack but with the ability to be folded and stored whenever you’re not using it.
Features
This customizable folding squat rack doesn’t require much to set up due to its use of pop-pin technology. Simply put, once it’s fully established, the MyRack can be put in place using its different pinned points. It’s also because of this technology that the squat rack can be customized with upwards of 10 different attachments.
The foldable rack uses 12-gauge steel, allowing it to support heavier loads at a max weight of around 2,000 lbs. Its square steel sits at 2.4 inches each with over 54 different vertical adjustment hole spaces, all of which are Westside. This makes it so that you can set your pins just about anywhere for the ideal height for your squats and presses.
While it doesn’t have quite as many attachments already included, the MyRack does already come with a pull-up bar, which can be used for multiple different pull-up grips. The rack also comes with a lifetime warranty, meaning that, as usual, the people at ForceUSA know what they’re doing.
Pros
Comes With Multi-Grip Pull Up Bars
Has Over 10 Different Attachments Available For Purchase
Westside Hole Spacing Has 54 Different Height Options
At 12 Gauge Steel & With A Carrying Capacity Of 2,000 Lbs
Cons
Spotter Arms & Other Essential Add-Ons Are Sold Separately
For those looking to get a great squat rack on a budget, look no further than Bells of Steel’s Folding Power Rack. Offered at under $500, this budget-friendly rack is super safe and reliable while working well for just about anyone looking to get a full-body workout in.
Features
Not only is it priced extremely competitively, but this rack also comes with 12-gauge steel tubing and over 600 lbs. of weight it can handle, more than enough for the vast majority of exercise enthusiasts. It is also backed by a lifetime warranty, meaning that if there are any problems ever you can take it in for a complete repair or replacement.
This rack has a 1″ Westside hole spacing throughout its bench zone, ensuring a strong variety of options for presses and squats. The only downside here is that it doesn’t come with a stringer, meaning you’ll have to buy it separately if you want to mount it to your wall.
Titan Fitness has always been the right option for those looking for good value for their money, often offering impressive products at reasonable prices. Here, the Titan T-3 Folding Rack follows that sentiment in all the right ways.
Features
The first thing you’ll notice is that, despite its affordability, the rack uses 2×3″ 11-gauge steel, offering a weight capacity of 1,100 lbs. Dimension-wise, the T-3 rack is either 82″ or 91″ in height as well as 21″ and 41″ in depth. This is entirely based on which of the two options works best for you, with both being great additions.
For either option, you’ll get access to all of the different attachments available to the rack while it also comes with free shipping, making the budgetary option even better for most people getting started with their garage gym.
Pros
Very Affordably Priced
Perfect For Those Starting Out
Great For Lifters Who Want To Add A Lot Of Weight
Takes Up Very Little Wall Space When Not In Use
Cons
Doesn’t Come With A Warranty Longer Than A Year
Isn’t A Full-Rack, Instead Only Working As A Two-Post Rack
#5. Monster RM-3W Fold Back Wall Mounted Rack – Rogue
Best Premium Pick Folding Squat Rack
Easily one of the best squat racks out there, regardless of classification or comparison, the Rogue RM-3W does have it all. Not only did they make it affordably attainable, but the RM-3W comes with the option of hanging on the wall using stringers, helping give it a classier look compared to most folding squat racks on this list.
Features
Right off the bat, the RM-3W comes with two separate rack depths to choose from: a 20.5-inch option as well as a 40.5-inch option. As such, this rack comes with the ability to perform a myriad of exercises without worrying about hitting the wall or causing an issue. These can range from exercises like kipping pull-ups or reverse rows. If you want, you can also move the bench closer in for an incline bench press.
The squat rack comes with a pull-up bar that is easily attachable and can be adjusted based on your height, working well with just about any athlete, be they short or tall
The only drawback here is that it does require a larger area to do its job, not being particularly effective in smaller spaces. Still, if you do have that available, there aren’t a lot of other racks that can compete.
Pros
Super Adjustable
Can Be Folded Inwards As Well As Outwards
Its High Depth Makes It Great For A Ton Of Exercises
Perfect, both for individuals getting started as well as for those with smaller gym situations, the Retractable Power Rack is the perfect option without costing a ton of money.
Features
Usable with an adjustable pull-up bar, the power rack has four different height settings, ranging from 70 inches up to 88 inches. It also can work with over 800 lbs of weight, and while that’s somewhat lower than others, its adjustable features and easy settings make it ideal for those that are just getting started.
Pros
Very Low Footprint Requirement
Westside Hole Spacing Great For Powerlifters
Perfect Weight Options For Beginners
Cons
Pull-Up Bar Can’t Go Below 70 Inches
Rack Can’t Be Extended Beyond Its Current Settings
While there are a lot of great picks on this list, few are quite as compelling a choice as the Performance Fold-In-One squat rack by PRX. Here, this rack almost perfectly tows the line between super-cheap and incredible quality. Not only does it come with an incredible amount of carrying capacity weight, but it offers an assortment of different attachments for those interested.
Features
Starting at the top, the Fold-In-One squat rack is able to hold upwards of 1,000 lbs., making it a perfect starting option for most lifters, whether they be strictly beginning or looking to progressively improve their strength.
While the use of 14-gauge steel may seem like an issue for heavy lifters, if you’re just starting and need a useful option on Amazon, this is more than enough to handle pretty much all of your lifts.
Meant to be wall-mounted, the PRX Fold-In-One rack comes with an adjustable pull-up bar as well as 2 available J-hooks. Overall, while there are indeed better options available, few of them can match up to what this offers in terms of features, price point, and accessibility.
Previously listed, the PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack is such an impressive option that we had to give it its section. Not only is it a great option overall, but it’s especially impressive for those interested in lifting weights.
Features
Here, the PR-4100 is great for its affordable price while using 3×3″ 11-gauge steel. This effectively allows it to be used by bodybuilders and weightlifters that really want to push as much weight on as possible during their workout. One can pile about 1,000 lbs. onto it without causing it to so much as a wobble.
In addition to that, its wide variety of Westside spacings makes for a high number of barbell options, regardless of your height concerns. It also comes with numerous attachments, including spotter arms, dip attachments, and REP landmines.
Pros
Its 3×3″ 11-Gauge Steel Makes It Great For Heavy Lifters
It Works Well In Tight & Small Spaces
Can Be Used With A Variety Of Attachments
Westside Spacing Offers A Ton Of Options For Bench Pressing & Squats
Cons
It Doesn’t Come With Certain Attachments Like Spotter Arms (Which May Be A Problem)
Last on our list is HULKFIT’s Folding Wall Mount Power Cage Rack. Not only is this priced extremely affordably for most people, but it has capabilities that put it on par with some of the best racks out there. This makes it a perfect starting option for any athlete interested in learning about folding squat racks.
Features
Able to hold a carrying capacity of 1,000 lbs., the Folding Wall Mount is ideal for most homes and gyms, regardless of space. It has a height of 87″ and a width of 38″. Its depth is 24″ and it has a 2-year warranty, ensuring that they stand by this product’s value.
In addition to its impressive weight-bearing nature, the power rack comes with an adjustable pull-up bar as well as a pair of stringers and J Hooks, meaning it can easily be placed on your wall without too much hassle.
As the name implies, a folding squat rack is a squat rack that can be folded in place and stored. This allows you to save space in both smaller as well as moderate-sized home gyms. They also offer some of the best aspects of a rigid station while also being easy to pack up and either cart around with you or throw in a storage area.
Folding squat racks are great as they are available in a multitude of different sizes and shape structures, with many coming with several structural additions to offer even more workout opportunities and options.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Folding Squat Rack
Interestingly enough, folding squat racks are one of the best pieces of equipment one can get for their home gym setup. Not only does it offer a plethora of different exercise options (based on the additions used) but it’s reasonably priced and can be stored just about anywhere.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of these different benefits and why they make the folding squat rack worth seriously considering.
#1. Space Saving
Starting with the most obvious benefit, wall-mounted folding racks are one of the few full-body workout machines that let you put it away when you’re done, this makes folding squat racks worth every penny for those short on space. This means you can set it up, get a complete workout in, and fold it together to completely empty the home gym. This is something very few full-body workout machines can even attempt to do, with even most squat racks only able to save a bit of space by comparison, let alone the space a full power rack can take up.
#2. Cost Effectiveness
Simply put, folding racks can perform as much as any other full-body workout while doing so at a fraction of the price. As an example, while most other home gym equipment can be in the thousands of dollars, the folding squat rack can start at around a few hundred, with the best of the best barely scratching $2,000.
#3. Functionality
Another impressive benefit of folding squat racks is their inherent functionality. These full-body squat racks allow you to add other additional pieces of equipment to them, ranging from pull-up and dip bars while also working well to hold barbells for bench presses and squats. This all speaks to the range of versatility offered by a durable folding squat rack, often at a level comparable to much larger, heavier, and more expensive rack machines.
#4. Safety
In terms of safety, the folding squat rack is great for use even when alone. As an example, if you’re doing a PR squat, you can use the spotter arms (either already included or available as an additional purchase) or safety pins to act as an otherwise intermediate spotter. This helps prevent you from suffering any injuries when lifting some especially heavy weights.
#5. Convenience
Whether it’s wall-mounted or stored away in a corner, the foldable squat rack is an incredibly convenient system that alone can make it increasingly difficult to advocate for going all the way to the gym or investing in expensive alternative garage gym equipment. And when you consider the fact that it’s much more affordable compared to other pieces of equipment, it really is one of the most convenient options out there.
Types Of Folding Squat Racks Available
Interestingly, there is more than just one type of folding squat rack, each having some of its specific strengths and weaknesses going for them. Below, we’ll touch on each of them so that you’ll know what the best type is for you and what you’re looking for in a workout.
#1. Stand-Alone Squat Rack
First on our list is the stand-alone squat rack. This is the type of folding squat rack that most people think of, as it offers users complete freedom on where to put it. Unlike the wall-mounted and door-mounted squat racks, the stand-alone squat rack isn’t held to anything and thus can be folded and stored when finished.
The downside to this is that this squat rack has the least amount of strength, stability, and rigidity compared to the others. This means that it can be more difficult to perform tasks that require heavier weights or effectively “pull” on the machine more. That said, it’s also true that the majority of the highest-quality and strongest racks available are part of the stand-alone section, combining strength with efficiency and value.
#2. Wall-Mounted Squat Rack
Wall-mounted folding racks are similar to stand-alone squat racks with one major exception. Unlike stand-alone racks, wall-mounted racks are bolted to the wall using several bolts and a drill machine. This loses out on the folding aspect of the squat rack while also giving it a great sense of strength and rigidity when performing your exercises. These are meant for individuals with larger at-home gyms, with a designated area to place your squat rack.
The challenge ultimately comes down to the fact that wall-mounted squat racks require a great amount of complexity in the setup process compared to their stand-alone alternatives. If you are someone that enjoys putting something together and have a large home gym space, it would be.
#3. Door-Mounted Squat Rack
The door-mounted squat rack is one of the least talked about of the three. This option somewhat acts as a compromise between the two earlier options. Here, the rack uses the beams on either side of a doorway. This makes it the ideal platform for doing incline bench presses.
The drawback here is that they share the same permanent placement as wall-mounted racks. Still, this is made up for by being set to the door, completely eliminating how much space was being wasted in your gym space. This method is ideal for those in smaller homes or apartments.
Considering the number of different options out there, we had to use several different methods to determine the best options to include:
Sturdiness: What was the weight capacity & how strong was the steel?
Pricing: How much did it cost for what it offered?
Installation: How easy was it to put together?
Customization: Could its spacing holes be distanced in a way for easy options?
Compactness: How much space was required and used for the rack?
What To Consider When Getting A Folding Squat Rack
If you plan to get a durable folding squat rack, there are a few things you want to keep in mind as you’re making this larger purchase. From how much you plan to spend to how much space you’re willing to commit, it isn’t quite as simple as picking the first one you see.
#1. Pricing
The first thing you want to do is establish a proper budget range for how much you plan on spending. By starting off with a price range in mind, you allow yourself breathing room to seriously take the time to look a folding squat rack over. As an example, if your budget doesn’t go over $1,000 or under $400, you can immediately filter out some of the different options available.
As a general rule, while many folding squat racks aren’t the most expensive piece of home gym equipment out there, they can still set you back if you aren’t careful. Make sure you have your budget in mind as well as what number you’re most interested in hitting.
#2. Build Quality
After pricing, you want to spend a bit of time deciding on what is going to be the best overall build quality for your squat rack. Since you hopefully want to only get one squat rack for your workout lifetime (maybe two tops), that means you should definitley look for a high-quality squat rack. For most people, that means opting for 11-gauge steel and their uprights should be 2×3 or 3×3. Even at the lower end of things, you want your rack to be able to easily and comfortably lift and carry over 1,000 lbs. In addition to the rack’s build and density, you should also be on the lookout for a rack with hole spacings.
You also want to make sure that the hole spacings are considered “Westside” with sizes of 25mm and 50mm.
#3. Size & Floor Space
After-build quality is how size you want this rack to be as well as how much floor space you’d like to dedicate to it when it’s fully put together. For one, you’ll need to ensure that your height is properly accounted for. Not only the height but the length and depth as well. You don’t want to be hitting your head on the ceiling as you’re doing pull-ups, so take the height measurements for your room and make sure you have more than enough space.
You also want to make sure that you’ve got the wall’s width measured in case you plan to have it wall-mounted. While it won’t be ideal for everyone (since you’re giving up the folding feature) but if you’ve got a designated space, and your home gym is big enough, having it wall-mounted has a lot of upsides that you shouldn’t necessarily ignore. Just make sure you can safely install the rack without it falling out while you are in the middle of an exercise!
#4. Assembly & Installation
It’s important that you also pay attention to how easy the assembly and installation process is. Quite frankly, while a bit of hardware is to be expected, the more you can do with just the tools supplied the better. Still, if you plan to bolt it to the wall for a permanent location, you’ll need to make sure you have some drilling tools too.
#5. Folding & Storage Abilities
You should also make note of how easy it is to fold and store your squat rack. You should look for options that come with folding mechanics that are easy and not too overly complicated. Not only will this make the aforementioned assembly and disassembly easier, but it’ll also make sure you have more than enough room in your gym for other exercises when you’re done. Overall, while virtually all folding squat racks will have a folding feature, it’s always best to pick the ones that use a hinge & pin system, as these are easier to fold up or fold down.
#6. Available Attachments
The attachments are another important factor to keep in mind. You want to make sure the rack has at least a few different attachments available. For example, in addition to the base frame, a rack should come with attachments like the spotter arms or J hooks.
It’s important that, before you buy anything, you know exactly what is and isn’t included in the final purchase and what may be an additional charge. For example, if you see an attachment on the box, you want to make sure you know whether it’s actually included or if it’s sold separately. Otherwise, you may end up calling the company upset that you’re missing something that may just not be coming.
#7. Online Ratings & Reviews
Last on the list are ratings & reviews. While this shouldn’t be the main thing you focus on when deciding on the type of squat rack you want, you want to make sure you’re using a product that already has a proven track record with real people. The truth is that, while everything can certainly be great on paper, it’s only when looking over the reviews or watching their ratings that can you better understand how the finished product operates in real life.
At the same time, don’t be suckered in by 5-star ratings on their own merit. You want to read over these ratings to see what worked and what didn’t. It’s only by doing this that you’ll have a complete understanding of whether the rack is for you or not.
FAQs
#1. How Can I Know I Have A Good Folding Squat Rack?
As with most pieces of gym equipment, there is no one set answer you can use to determine if what you have is good or not good. The truth of the matter is that there are a lot of different factors you need to seriously consider. These can range from product cost, overall build quality, or how versatile the rack is.
In general, you want to make sure your folding squat rack uses high-grade steel with universal hole sizes and spacings. You also want to make sure you’re paying a reasonable price that isn’t too much or too little. Ideally, the product should have some type of extended warranty with quality customer service.
#2. How Much Should I Pay For A Folding Squat Rack?
Folding squat racks can vary greatly in terms of pricing. The good news is that they will rarely go over $1,000, though it’s also true that they’ll seldom cost less than $350. Keep in mind that these are base prices, with additional accessories and upgrades likely costing more. If you’re looking to fully deck out your squat rack, the prices can rise to between $500 and $1,500 depending on the initial quality as well as the quality of the additions.
#3. Does My Folding Squat Rack Need A Lot Of Attachments?
The reality is that you don’t need more than the base rack to perform a lot of exercises, with many people able to get a great workout just with that. For most people, however, it can get a bit stale and boring if you don’t mix things up a bit. Exercises like the one-arm press are very unique and can’t be performed without the necessary attachments included.
#4. How Good Are Foldable Squat Racks Really?
Folding squat racks are one of the better home gym pieces of equipment out there. Not only are they great in terms of space availability, but they can perform a huge list of exercises without the need for any additional pieces of equipment. There are many at-home weightlifters and bodybuilders that use a folding squat rack as their only method of exercise.
#5. Are You Able To Bench With A Foldable Squat Rack?
Not only is benching with a folding squat rack possible, but it’s one of the more commonly used exercises. If you don’t have a lot of accessories added to the squat rack, combining a bench with it is a great way to handle heavier barbell loads without a designated setup.
#6. What Is The Best Bar Size To Do A Squat?
Generally, your bar should be between 7 and 8 feet long as this gives you enough space to sit comfortably on the rack while also not being too long for balancing issues. You want to ideally use a barbell that works best with the exercise you’re planning for.
#7. Are Folding Squat Racks Safe?
Folding squat racks are incredibly safe, if properly mounted (if they’re a mounted rack). They may even be safer than freestanding racks since children can’t access them when closed
Conclusion
As you can see, folding squat racks are not only great ways to save space in your home but are also incredibly accessible while also being one of the more affordable all-in-one home gym setups.
What it ultimately comes down to, however, is what you’re looking for. If you are just starting out and don’t want to invest a ton of money, our top choice is a great option.
On the other hand, if you’ve already got a good routine going on and want to add to your current gains, PR-4100 is easily a top seller with just about everything going for it. Not only does it offer 11-inch gauge steel with westside hole spacing, but it’s managed to be an impressively affordable option for those that are serious but don’t want to drop premium cash.
Overall, if you’re serious about getting in shape this year but don’t know what to get for your home gym, a folding squat rack is the ideal place to start.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
Rogue fitness is the only way to go if you ask me, more expensive but all of the stuff I have gotten from them has been high quality.
Ian
May 22, 2023 12:11 pm
You guys weren’t kidding on that Rep Fitness Power rack. I bought it last month and I couldn’t believe how sturdy it was for a folding power rack. It’s just as strdy as the traditional non folding power racks. When I tested it out and did some kipping pull ups on it didn’t even budge and I weigh over 200 lbs.
Rogue fitness is the only way to go if you ask me, more expensive but all of the stuff I have gotten from them has been high quality.
You guys weren’t kidding on that Rep Fitness Power rack. I bought it last month and I couldn’t believe how sturdy it was for a folding power rack. It’s just as strdy as the traditional non folding power racks. When I tested it out and did some kipping pull ups on it didn’t even budge and I weigh over 200 lbs.