Power Cage Vs. Squat Stands

[Rick Walker]

So I am building my new gym. It will go in the basement of my new house which I should close on by the end of June. I have a ton of space, but unfortunetly the width of the basment door is only about 28-29".

I am kicking around the option of a nice power cage vs. squat stands and spotter rails.

I cant think of anything I can do in the cage that I cant do with the squat stands and spotter rails, and I know that the squats stands will fit without an issue.

The power rack?? Who knows. I dont want to get it there and have it not fit, that would be very bad.

So what do you think?

[climber511]

Many racks come apart and are then bolted together so they should go in the doorway easily enough if that's what you choose. I do a lot with my rack I couldn't do with my squat stands (I have both).

[3Crusher]

So I am building my new gym. It will go in the basement of my new house which I should close on by the end of June. I have a ton of space, but unfortunetly the width of the basment door is only about 28-29".

I am kicking around the option of a nice power cage vs. squat stands and spotter rails.

I cant think of anything I can do in the cage that I cant do with the squat stands and spotter rails, and I know that the squats stands will fit without an issue.

The power rack?? Who knows. I dont want to get it there and have it not fit, that would be very bad.

So what do you think?

Rick,

I had a similar situation as you and in addition, my ceiling clearance was only 76", so I had Atomic Athletic build me a 72" high custom rack that comes apart into about a dozen pieces and bolts together. I have dropped over half a ton on this thing on numerous occasions with nary a wobble-it will stand the test of time! It was a bit pricey, but bomb-proof, and it has saved my azz a few times.

Steve

[Rick Walker]

Thanks for the quick reply fellas!

My ceiling clearance is about 10' so I am good there. My concern is getting it through the side door of the house, then getting the long pieces of the cage turned into the "L" that is the hallway into the basement door.

If I go through the front door, it would be a turn into the hallway and an immediate turn into the basement door.

I think it will fit, but I would hate to have to squat in the shed if it doesnt...

Good suggestion Steve...might be worth looking into.

[Bigdeze]

I have a power rack.  I use it for squats, bench, rack lockouts, etc..., it has a pull up bar and a dip bars.  You can also strap bands over the top.  I think your only issue in your basement would be height.

[OldGuy]

Have the door opening made much wider if possible.

[AP]

Power rack all the way. No contest

[chop163]

Power rack, especially if you're training by yourself.

[corbon]

Can anyone recommend a power rack that is space efficient? Thanks. Sorry, Rick, didn't mean to hijack your post.

[AP]

Can anyone recommend a power rack that is space efficient? Thanks. Sorry, Rick, didn't mean to hijack your post.

Some of the old ones were more shallow and would screw into the wall/or ceiling joists. You might need to have a custom one made or modify a rack if you are handy.

[RiotGrip]

Power rack for sure. Most of them come in pieces anyway. Sorinex probably would do a custom size if you needed, but it will cost $$.

[rico300zx]

Rick

Cut the wall up and then just fix it after you get it in. it will be worth it. there is no possible way you can have the same level of saftey without a power rack compared to a squat stand, especially since you want to have you children working out in years to come.

rico

[Rick Walker]

Cut the wall up and then just fix it after you get it in. it will be worth it. there is no possible way you can have the same level of saftey without a power rack compared to a squat stand, especially since you want to have you children working out in years to come.

rico

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Sorry...just the thought of me cutting a wall out of my new house and fixing it made me laugh considering I dont have a single ounce of building skills in my body.

I am so bad at it I am actually hiring professionals to install my new deck and paying about $1500 more because of it.

I think the cage will fit due to my ceilings being high. If I can swing it into the "L" and pik the back end up as it goes down the steps, I should be ok.

If not, I will get fined by the gated community I am moving into for having a squat cage in my yard...

[Guest Bullitt]

Cut the wall up and then just fix it after you get it in. it will be worth it. there is no possible way you can have the same level of saftey without a power rack compared to a squat stand, especially since you want to have you children working out in years to come.

rico

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Sorry...just the thought of me cutting a wall out of my new house and fixing it made me laugh considering I dont have a single ounce of building skills in my body.

I am so bad at it I am actually hiring professionals to install my new deck and paying about $1500 more because of it.

I think the cage will fit due to my ceilings being high. If I can swing it into the "L" and pik the back end up as it goes down the steps, I should be ok.

If not, I will get fined by the gated community I am moving into for having a squat cage in my yard...

We'll get in there somehow when Melissa and I come up.

[Martin Gaisser]

Hey Rick I got an idea just hook yourself up to a cage like you would a sled and then start at the front door and take it to the basement!!!

[mobsterone]

Rack.