Looking for a power rack but don’t feel like emptying your wallet? You’re not alone. A lot of people get caught between the monster high-end racks that cost as much as a used car and the cheap junk that feels like it might fold in half if you breathe on it.
Here’s the good news. There’s a middle ground. A rack that’s built solid, looks the part, and won’t have you living on instant noodles for the next three months.
I’m talking about the Light Commercial Power Rack from Bells of Steel. I picked one up for my garage gym a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been putting it through the wringer, and now I’m ready to give you the real story, no marketing fluff, just how it actually holds up.
Our Power Rack Testing
Our extensive experience with power racks, including the Bells of Steel brand, has equipped us with valuable insights. In particular, our founder and expert tester, Ryan, thoroughly assessed the Light Commercial Power Rack in his personal garage when it was initially released. Every aspect was meticulously examined, leaving no stone unturned.
With a team comprising certified trainers, weightlifting coaches, and competitive athletes, we possess a diverse range of expertise in the fitness industry. This allows us to provide you with the most reliable information about home gym equipment. Through our collective knowledge and rigorous testing, we aim to offer you detailed and comprehensive insights that will enhance your understanding and facilitate an informed purchase decision.
Light Commercial Power Rack from Bells of Steel Review
Let’s take a deep dive into this power rack and see if it’s the right choice for you.
What is the Light Commercial Power Rack 5.1?
The Light Commercial Power Rack, or Power Rack 5.1 if you want to get technical, hits that sweet spot a lot of lifters are chasing. It’s built for people who want a real rack, one that can take serious weight, without swallowing half the garage.
It’s not some flimsy setup that wobbles when you rack a heavy squat, and it’s not a towering monstrosity meant for a commercial gym with ceilings you could park a crane under. It’s right in the middle. Solid. Stable. The kind of rack you trust without needing to bolt it to the floor, although you’ve got that option if you want to go overkill.
This is the size and build that makes you think, yeah… this is going to handle whatever I throw at it.
Who is Bells of Steel?
Bells of Steel is a Canadian company that makes high-quality, durable fitness equipment. They have been in business since 2009 and have an excellent reputation for producing quality products that will last a long time. They ship worldwide, and shipping on the Light Commercial Rack was free to the USA, which is fantastic.
Assembling the Rack
The rack shows up in two boxes. One has the main frame, the other’s packed with the accessories and cross-members.
Putting the frame together is pretty straightforward. The instructions aren’t a full-blown novel, but they tell you enough to get the job done without standing there scratching your head.
I knocked it out solo in just under two hours, which you can see in the time-lapse below. If you’ve got a buddy, definitely rope them in. It’ll save you some awkward balancing acts. That said, it’s not impossible alone. Clearly.
They do have a full assembly video on their site, but I didn’t bother with it. I went straight off the paper instructions and still had zero drama getting it up.
First Impressions of the Light Commercial Rack
The first thing that hit me with this rack was the size and how solid it feels. This thing has presence. It’s not some flimsy piece you worry about tipping if you rack a heavy squat.
Sure, you can bolt it down if you want, but honestly, I’m not going to bother. You’d have to do something ridiculous to make this thing budge.
What really got me though, was the amount of gear that comes standard. You get j-cups, roller cups, safety straps, and a multi-grip pull-up bar right out of the box. A lot of racks nickel-and-dime you for that stuff. Some will make you pay extra just for an extra set of j-cups. Others? They won’t even toss in a pull-up bar unless you cough up more cash, and if they do, it’s usually the most basic bar possible.
Here, you’re getting a legit multi-grip bar, safety straps, and the extras that other brands upcharge for. The value is hard to beat.
Key Features for the Light Commercial Power Rack 5.1
Flat Feet
One of the best features of this power rack is the flat feet. The rack is big and stable on its own, and the feet just add extra stability making it nearly impossible to know over.
I weigh 220lbs and tried to do some kipping pull-ups to see if I could knock it over, and I didn’t even come close. Granted, my kipping pull-ups are pretty sorry since I had never done them. The flat feet add more stability to an already stable rack.
Fat/Skinny Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
One of my personal favorites is the multi-grip pull-up bar. This bad boy features a fat and skinny bar as well an angled grip and a neutral grip option. I absolutely love the angled grip. It allows me to perform pull-ups much more comfortably than a straight bar with a lot less stress on my joints.
I do wish the neutral grips were closer together. They are so wide they are not as usable as I would like. The fat and skinny bars are nice, I am not really a fat bar fan, but if you are you will be happy.
Safety Straps
The safety straps on this rack are no joke. They’re rated for 4,400 pounds and actually come from a real tow strap factory. So yeah, if your car ever dies on the side of the road, you could probably drag it home with one of these. Not that I’m telling you to try… but also, maybe.
On a serious note, these straps are the kind of thing that make you feel a lot better when you’re training solo. I know, I know, you’re “not supposed” to lift alone. But let’s be real, plenty of us do it. If you hit a wall on a heavy squat, these will catch the bar before it catches you. And staying upright instead of getting flattened is always the better option.
Pair of Nylon Roller J-Cups & Sandwich J-Cups
This power rack also comes with both Nylon Roller J-cups and Sandwich J-cups. Other power racks will only give you one set of j-cups, and some will charge you extra for that, so getting two sets is pretty awesome.
Of the two sets,I would say the sandwich j-cups are a little better than the roller cups simply because they are better at protecting your barbell. There is an area on the roller cups that can scuff your barbell. My barbell is already beaten up, so I don’t really care, but some of you out there with nice barbells might.
Laser-cut Numbers and Holes
All of the holes on the Bells of Steel Light Commercial Power Rack are laser cut, and they even have the holes really close together in the “bench phase” area so you can find the perfect height for benching. The holes are numbered but not every hole. They have every fifth hole numbered in the upper portion, and every tenth hole numbered in the bench portion.
This can make it a little challenging to get both sides lined up. Of course, if you are the only person using it you won’t move the j-cups around that much, and you can put a mark by the holes you usually use with a silver sharpie.
Band Pegs
The Light Commercial Power Rack also comes with band pegs which would be an extra charge with other power racks. I never really use the band pegs, but if I do decide to, it is nice that they are there, and if you use them, it’s nice that they are included.
Add-ons and Attachments
This power rack also has several industry-leading upgrades that’ll make this rack even better.
That is a lot of attachments. I don’t have any of those…yet. I am eyeing up the landmine attachment and the landmine attachment. monolift system and a couple of others for future purchases, though.
Below is a picture of what it could look like fully decked out with most of the attachments. Who wouldn’t like that setup for their home gym?
Shorter Version is Available for Low Ceilings
The standard power rack they sell is 84.5′ tall, which is a pretty normal power rack height. However, they do sell a shorter rack for those with lower ceilings. They offer a 72″ rack which will basically fit anywhere you would want it to go height-wise. The shorter version still works just fine with all the attachments and upgrades except for the cable crossover.
Light Commercial Rack Value
As far as value, this rack is fantastic. It is a nice-sized rack that comes with two sets of j-cups, the multi-grip chin-up bar, the safety straps, the band pegs, and it’s just about impossible to tip over.
On top of that, you get free shipping which is nice because shipping on a good-sized power rack is not cheap.
Every rack has its quirks, and as much as I like this one, it’s not flawless. Still, the trade-offs are pretty minor.
The roller cups can scuff your bar. Doesn’t bother me; my bar looks like it’s survived a bar fight anyway, but if you’re the type who babies their equipment, you might want to swap to the sandwich cups instead.
The hole numbering could use some work too. At the top and bottom, you get numbers every fifth hole. In the bench zone, it jumps to every tenth. That means sometimes you’re eyeballing it to make sure your j-cups aren’t set lopsided. Not a dealbreaker, just a small annoyance.
And then there’s the pull-up bar. I’m a fan of neutral grip pull-ups, but here the neutral grips are spaced a little too far apart to feel natural. Luckily, the angled grips are awesome, so I end up using those instead. Honestly, the multi-grip bar as a whole is still one of my favorite parts of the rack.
Pros and Cons
I’ve given you all the pros and cons above, but here is a quick summary if you don’t feel like reading the whole thing.
Pros
Very Stable
Free Shipping
2 sets of j-cups, safety straps, band pegs included
Multi-grip pull-up bar included
Close holes in the bench zone
14 upgrades and attachments available
Lifetime warranty on welds and frame
Concrete anchors included
Cons
Largish footprint may be too big for some
Not enough numbers on the posts
Doesn’t use 3×3″ uprights
Conclusion
So here’s where I land on the Light Commercial Power Rack 5.1. If you’re stuck between overpriced tanks and flimsy budget racks, this one sits right in that sweet middle ground. It’s sturdy, has legit features you usually have to pay extra for, and it feels like it’ll take years of abuse without blinking.
The quirks? Yeah, they’re there. The roller cups can scuff your bar, the hole numbering could be better, and the neutral grips are spaced wider than I’d like. But none of that even comes close to being a dealbreaker.
If you want a rack that delivers serious stability, comes loaded with value, and doesn’t require selling a kidney to afford, this is it. And if you really want to go nuts, the attachment options are there to turn it into a full-blown home gym centerpiece.
Bottom line? For the price, the build, and the features, this rack punches way above its weight.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic with over 25 years in the industry. He’s run half marathons, tackled mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, and coached everything from wrestling to girls’ soccer.
Along the way, he’s tested hundreds of supplements and built a deep well of supplement knowledge. His work has appeared in Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review, and more. Today, he’s the editor-in-chief of this site, still training hard and helping others reach their goals. Connect with him on LinkedIn below.
