Sure, you could use a smith machine to squat in your gym, but if you want to get the most out of this classic exercise, you need to use a squat stand. Unlike the smith machine, which locks your body into one specific path of movement, a squat stand allows you to move more freely and recruit more muscle fibers. Plus, it is very versatile to support other exercises like bench presses, shoulder raises, and a whole lot more. As a result, you’ll see better results in less time. So what are the best squat stands?
Among all the squat stands we’ve seen, the HulkFit Pro 1000LB Power Rack takes the number one spot on our review. This squat stand is definitely the best because it’s constructed with 11-gauge steel and includes two safety bars with J-hooks, a multi-grip pull-up bar, and two dip bars. It also comes with rubber feet to ensure stability when working out.
In this review, we did the “heavy-lifting” in your search for the right squat stand to maximize your at-home training.
Best Squat Stands at a Glance
This decently-priced rack is a solid piece made of 11-gauge steel construction, furnished with an angled pull-up bar, fully upgradable, and supports a respectable 1,000-lbs of heavy weight.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack is more affordable than most squat stands yet is packed with different features. It comes with J-hooks and a pull-up bar and is compatible with various accessories.
Thanks to its adjustable design, the Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack with Weight Bench can also accommodate decline, incline, and flat chest press exercises. This is all you’ll need to develop your upper and lower body muscles.
HulkFit Pro 1000LB Power Rack – Best Overall
What we like
- Sturdy steel construction
- Supports up to 1000 pounds
- Includes dip and spotter arms attachments
- Great price
What we don’t like
- Tends to wobble when in use.
- Paint tends to chip easily
Among all the squat stands available today, the HulkFit Pro 1000LB Power Rack stands out. For one, it’s constructed with 11-gauge steel and comes in a 2.5” x 2.5” steel frame to ensure stability when doing bench presses and other exercises. It also has a maximum weight capacity of 1000 pounds ﹘ this is an impressive feature that most squat stands can’t beat!
This power rack includes two steel safety bars with safety straps or J-hooks and rubber feet to protect the floors. Because it’s very easy to adjust, this equipment is also ideal for beginners and those who would want to work out in various heights. You can also use resistance bands with this squat stand, as it features band pegs.
Because of its dimensions (85” x 49” x 49”), the HulkFit Pro 1000LB Power Rack is ideal for every home gym because it has a small footprint. These measurements offer a large walk-in space, giving you a full range of motion.
Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack – Best Budget
What we like
- Comes with spotter arms
- Reversible pull-up bars, allowing short people to grab the bar easily
- Well-built and well-equipped
- Supports 800 pounds
What we don’t like
- 3” interval on west-side hole spacing
- Holes for accessories are small making it difficult to find matching or compatible attachments
If you’re building your home gym on a tight budget, the Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack is the answer. This squat rack is made with 11-gauge steel with a powder-coating finish to prevent rusting. It only measures 38” x 53” x 87” and has a weight limit of 800 pounds.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack is also excellent for pull-ups because its pull-up bar is angled for a narrow and wide grip. It offers eight grip positions and can be reserved, so you can remain comfortable when doing pull-ups. This power rack also comes with a pair of safety spotter arms, a pair of J-hooks, and a weight plate storage post.
Other built-in features you can enjoy with the Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack are weight storage pegs (one on each side), six resistance band pins (three on each side), and 18 heigh adjustment holes with 3” spacing in between.
The holes of the power cage of the Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack are smaller than the standard size. If you’re only going to use the equipment for bench presses, push-ups, and squats, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack with Weight Bench – Best Versatility
What we like
- Supports 600 pounds
- Adjustable design
- Tough construction and materials
- Can accommodate mid-sized and Olympic-sized barbells
What we don’t like
- The flat position of the bench feels unstable at times
- Hard-to-follow assembly instructions
Do you constantly crave versatility in your workout? If yes, then the Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack with Weight Bench is the perfect option for you. This squat stand comes with an adjustable arm curl pad and back pad to accommodate various exercises, like decline, incline, and flat chest presses. You can also adjust the height of its barbell clutches for more convenient access.
Unlike other squat stands, the Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack with Weight Bench has a separate squat rack, which you can use to perform lunge exercises and walk-in squats. This will bring more flexibility to your workout regimen.
The Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack with Weight Bench is made with a 14-gauge tubular steel frame and is powder-coated to withstand water damage and rust. This equipment measures 65.75” x 65.5” x 64.5” and supports 600 pounds.
If only the flat position of the bench of the Marcy MD-879 Squat Rack offers more stability, then this equipment will rank higher on our review.
CAP Barbell FM-905Q – Best Beginner-Friendly
What we like
- Affordable
- Wide base guarantees sturdiness
- Compact and comes in a variety of colors to choose from
- Anchor holes provide extra stability
What we don’t like
- Low weight capacity
- Doesn’t include safety bars and weight plate holders
This squat stand is perfect for beginners who don’t want to spend too much money but still get the most out of their squat stand. It has a built-in bar and weight storage, so you can do your workout without having any issues with equipment! The double gussets make this one tough piece (more than) sturdy enough to provide extra stability and security.
Although the design of the CAP Barbell FM-905Q looks simple, it doesn’t lack quality. It’s made from 11- and 12-gauge steel tubbing and can hold up to 500 pounds. This squat stand is also ideal for a small home gym because it only measures 47” x 12” x 5.5”.
The low weight capacity of the CAP Barbell FM-905Q isn’t a deal-breaker, especially if you’re lightweight and don’t plan on using too many weight plates.
BangTong&Li Squat Rack – Best Sturdy
What we like
- Sturdy and durable
- Has six-level height adjustment
- Supports 500 pounds
- Has rubber padded end caps
What we don’t like
- Fixed safety arms
- The yellow bar support gets in the way
The BangTong&Li Squat Rack makes it to our list for being the sturdiest. Unlike other independent squat stands, this comes with an enhanced frame for extra stability and an H-shaped base that doesn’t easily turn over. The mainframe of this squat stand is made with 2” thick square tubes and powder-coated to prevent rust.
One feature we love about the BangTong&Li Squat Rack is its adjustable height, from 50” to 57”. It’s also equipped with two barbell storage racks that support different exercises, including shoulder presses, bench presses, and dips. It can support up to 500 pounds and measure 39” x 12.8” x 5.2”.
Using the BangTong&Li Squat Rack will give you peace of mind because it comes with several safety features. It has a safety locking system and safety spotter arms.
Even if the BangTong&Li Squat Rack doesn’t come with a bench, we still believe that this squat stand is tough to beat because of its sturdiness and features!
Yes4All Adjustable Squat Stand – Best Adjustable
What we like
- Durable and sturdy
- Supports 550 pounds
- Adjustable height bracket and width
- Comes with several safety features
What we don’t like
- Bar at the bottom wobbles when doing dips
- Time-consuming and difficult assembly
Thanks to its adjustable features, the Yes4All Adjustable Squat Stand is perfect if you’re looking for a squat stand that can support full-body workouts. You can adjust the bracket height of this squat to stand up to 62” and its width from 28” to 46”. These features enable you to find the right angle suitable to your height and workout requirements.
The Yes4All Adjustable Squat Stand also has a design that’s built to last — it’s made from solid steel material and is capable of handling up to 550 pounds of weight. It also has several safety features, such as a smart safety locking system, sturdy non-slip pads, and safety spotter arms on each side. With its anti-slip pad, you won’t have to worry about the Yes4All Adjustable Squat Stand damaging your floors or slipping on surfaces as you’re working out.
The only problem we’ve noticed with the Yes4All Adjustable Squat Stand is that its bar at the bottom (which connects both sides of the stand) tends to wobble, especially when doing dips.
Fitness Reality 810-XLT Squat Rack – Best For Tall Users
What we like
- Supports up to 800 pounds
- Small enough to fit regular-sized home gyms
- Includes safety bars and lock-on safety
- Sturdy and durable build
What we don’t like
- Attachments must be purchased separately
- Requires a lot of space
The Fitness Reality 810-XLT Squat Rack is ideal for tall users it stands 83.25” tall (68” in depth and 46” wide) and includes high and low row pulley systems. This squat stand uses high tensile strength nylon coated cable for smooth and easy operation. It also has one 39” bar and a 20” low row bar with foam grips for added comfort and flexibility in your workouts.
Another feature we love about the Fitness Reality 810-XLT Squat Rack is its weight capacity. It can hold up to 800 pounds of weight, making it an ideal option for both new and experienced lifters. This squat stand already comes with a safety bar and is compatible with standard-sized attachments, such as J-hooks, dip bars, and weight storage bars.
While some customers weren’t happy that the Fitness Reality 810-XLT Squat Rack doesn’t come with J-hooks and band pegs, they were happy that the set-up was easy.
Synergee Folding Wall-Mounted Squat Rack – Best For Small Spaces
What we like
- Wall-mounted and easy to fold
- Supports 750 pounds
- Come with secure locking mechanisms
- Can fit any home gym
What we don’t like
- Frames don’t have rubber feet
- Not ideal for tall people fond of bench pressing
The Synergee Folding Wall-Mounted Squat Rack is proof that you can still own one of the best squat stands even if you have a small home gym. This squat stand can be wall-mounted, which means that it won’t take any floor space once set up. All you need is a sturdy wall for support, and you can perform pull-ups, presses, and squats with it.
The Synergee Folding Wall-Mounted Squat Rack might be compact, but it doesn’t lack the essential features of an effective squat stand. For one, it comes with a 42”-long and 1.3” diameter pull-up bar, perfect for pull-ups and muscle-ups. This squat stand also comes with secure locking mechanisms, so it stays in place during use.
With measurements of only 81” x 14” x 8” and a weight of 85 pounds, you won’t have problems moving the Synergee Folding Wall-Mounted Squat Rack around. It has a maximum weight capacity of 750 pounds and is made with industrial-grade steel.
The frame of this squat stand doesn’t have rubber feet but shouldn’t be a problem if you have rubber mats in your home gym!
Body Champ Power Rack System – Best Stability
What we like
- Stable base frame with 4 floor anchors and rubberized feet
- High-quality materials
- Supports 300 pounds
- Adjustable weight bars and knurled top bar
What we don’t like
- Doesn’t support 1”-diameter weight plates
- Welds and finish need more refinement
You should definitely get the Body Champ Power Rack System if you’re concerned about the stability of your fitness equipment. Unlike other squat stands, the Body Champ Power Rack System warrants stability because it has four floor anchors and four rubberized feet. This will keep the squat stand secure regardless if you’re hanging from the pull-up bar or resting after high reps of bench presses.
This squat stand also offers secure storage where you can easily store your weights, bars, and plates. You can also pair the Body Champ Power Rack System with different equipment, such as resistance bands, weight sets, and a bench.
When it comes to durability, the Body Champ Power Rack System will not disappoint. It’s made with heavy-duty steel, measures 42” x 82” x 62”, and can hold up to 300 pounds.
Although durable and versatile, the Body Champ Power Rack System only holds 2”-diameter weights. Fortunately, you can still maximize this squat stand as long as you have the right-sized weight plates or workout with other accessories.
Nisorpa Adjustable Squat Rack – Best Short Squat Rack
What we like
- Supports 500 pounds
- High-quality construction and materials
- Rubber feet
- Perfect for workout space with limited overhead space
What we don’t like
- Not ideal for tall users
- Doesn’t support heavy lifting
While some fitness enthusiasts own a home gym that can accommodate tall squat stands, others don’t. If you belong to the latter, the Nisorpa Adjustable Squat Rack is a must-buy for you because it’s short but offers similar features with the best squat stands available today. This squat stand is only 66.4” tall (including the base) and can be adjusted to meet your height requirements. This feature supports bench presses, squats, dips, and shoulder presses.
The Nisorpa Adjustable Squat Rack also has anti-skid and anti-scratch rubber feet, as well as a thick steel tube for its base. All of these guarantee more stability and less risk of accidents. This squat stand is equipped with two barbell storage racks and can support up to 500 pounds.
With its high-quality thick steel frame and powder-coating finish, you can guarantee that the Nisorpa Adjustable Squat Rack will stand the test of time. Its mainframe uses thick steel square tubes and can support different accessories as you work out.
Even with the height adjustments, the Nisorpa Adjustable Squat Rack may be short for users over 6’2″.
Our Verdict
The HulkFit Pro 1000LB Power Rack tops our list because it meets all of the things we’re looking for in a squat stand: high weight capacity, durability, safety, and comfort. This squat stand also comes with several inclusions, such as a multi-grip pull-up bar and two dip bars, to add more versatility and complexity to your workouts.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Power Rack deserves the second spot on our review because it’s affordable but doesn’t lack the essential features a squat stand should have. This gym equipment comes with spotter arms, impressive weight capacity, and is made of heavy-duty steel. It’s also easy to assemble and comes with several accessories.
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Squat Stand
As they come in a wide array of styles, including cages, racks, stands, and wall-mounted, different squat stands suit a range of fitness goals, available workout spaces, and budget.
Here are what must be taken into account when choosing the right squat rack for your improving home gym.
Safety Catches
Safety is essential when using a squat stand, so make sure to buy one that comes with safety catches. This feature will catch the bar if you fail a lift, lessening your risk of injuries and accidents.
Adjustability and Hole Spacing
The best squat stands allow you to adjust its height up to 84”. They will also offer uniform hole spacing, so you can easily adjust your J-hooks and safety pins up and down the uprights. Most squat stands have holes spaced every 2”, while others use a numbering system for easy reference.
Strength-oriented squat stands use westside hole spacing, which is closer together near the bottom of the rack and farther apart in the top and middle of the rack. Westside hole spacing allows precise safety catch and J-hooks positioning.
Available Space
Choose a squat stand suitable to the available space in your home gym. Since some squat stands go up to 84”, you need to make sure that your home gym can accommodate this height. You should also allocate space around the gym equipment to ensure that you can still move around and perform other exercises.
Versatility
The best squat stands have good versatility, which means that they usually come with at least one chin bar, and dip handles. The best squat stands are also designed to support a wide array of exercises, namely various types of squats and stands.
Price
Always work within your budget when buying a squat stand. This will require you to comb through several options to find a squat stand that offers the most features and is priced reasonably.
