Titan Fitness Blog

If you’re trying to increase strength and muscle mass in your workouts, chances are you already know about power racks — and you might even use one in your fitness regimen. While power racks are standard equipment in most gyms, you might be wondering: Can they really boost your exercise routine on a daily basis, and is it worth getting one for your home gym? This guide will explain all about power racks, including what they do, why they’re beneficial, and how to choose the best power rack for your fitness needs.

What is a Power Rack?

A power rack is an all-in-one system made of four vertical posts and a minimum of two horizontal bars. This creates a frame-like “power cage” structure that can support numerous strength training routines. A power rack typically includes these features:

• Pull-up bars
• Band pegs
• Holders for plate storage
• Safety straps
• J-hooks to support various exercises
• Extra attachments and add-on accessories (including benches, a detachable dip bar, pulley attachments, cable crossover attachments, and various bar holder attachments)

The purpose of a power rack is to provide stable, safe support for various strength training exercises, including many that utilize free weight barbells. Due to its construction, a power rack actually facilitates many of these exercises so they can be performed to maximum effect.

How To Use a Power Rack in Your Fitness Routine

A power rack can be likened to a playground with every conceivable piece of equipment on it, including a few things you’ve never heard of. This versatile, all-in-one structure is the ideal strength training machine for home gyms or garage gyms because it allows you to do many things.

You can use power racks for a wide range of exercises, including:

• Barbell and dumbbell powerlifting
• Squats
• Chin-ups
• Bench presses
• Military presses
• Shoulder presses
• Heavy rows
• Pull-ups
• Deadlifts
• Bicep curls
• Calf raises
• Lunges
• Pulley system routines

Benefits of Power Racks

Are power racks beneficial to your weight training regimen? Absolutely — and here are some examples of their benefits:

Weight Lifting

A power rack is specially designed to have safety spotter arms that can be added to either the inside or outside of the rack. They can help support barbells securely in place at strategic points, so you can safely lift and replace them. This construction enables the power rack to act as a mechanical spotter for all types of barbell exercises. For example, the popular Titan Fitness X-3 Series Bolt-Down Power Rack offers both Westside hole spacing and 2-in hole spacing along the entire length of the uprights for more secure support, as well as more versatility. 

Bench Presses

Power racks allow you to place the barbell right above your chest during bench presses, mitigating risks if you lose control of the weight.

Pulley and Cable Exercises

Power racks are designed to accommodate detachable hooks, pulleys, and cables so that you can perform a wide range of muscle-strengthening exercises.

Squats

Power racks can accommodate a variety of heights for you to place your barbells on during squats, which you can adjust at a comfortable level for all types of squat routines. And speaking of squats… 

Is There a Difference Between Power Racks and Squat Stands?

While the two terms can sometimes get confused for one another, power racks and squat stands are constructed differently. One main difference is that a squat stand is designed mainly for squats and bench presses. A power rack is far more versatile because its construction enables you to do a wider range of exercises and weight training routines.

Another prime difference concerns safety. With a power rack, if you have to release the barbell, you can drop it onto safety spotter arms. With a squat stand, you oftentimes have to dump the barbell onto the floor, creating a higher risk of injury. Likewise, a power rack is built to be substantially heavier and more stable than a squat stand, making it safe to accommodate heavier lifting routines. NOTE: Some Titan Fitness squat stands due offer more stable base footings that allow for safety spotter arms, however, caution should still be used.

In addition, a power rack is built to be supportive in other ways, as we’ll discuss below.

Are Power Racks Safe?

A power rack can look pretty forbidding if you’re new to gym equipment. To be honest, a top-notch power rack with all the bells and whistles somewhat resembles an off-limits construction site where hard hats are required. But in fact, power racks are designed to provide extra safety and ensure peace of mind during weight training.

Whether made for home gyms or commercial gym use, power racks are enhanced with numerous safety features that enable you to lift heavy weights with more confidence. If you ever have to bail on a lift, you can simply replace the weight on one of the attached safety spotter arms. This mitigates the risk of dropping the weight to the floor and potentially injuring yourself. If you’re working out by yourself in your home gym, this safety feature alone is one of a power rack’s prime benefits. In fact, without these essential safety features, some bench presses and lifts would be impossible to safely do by yourself without a spotter.

Toward this end, Titan Fitness power racks have heavy-duty 11-gauge and 12-gauge steel construction, so they’re built to sustain heavy weights and accommodate all types of barbells, even when they’re loaded with weight plates. With a high-quality, heavy-duty power rack from Titan Fitness, you can perform your weight training regimen with the assurance that your power rack has got you covered in support and safety.

Types of Power Racks

Here are some of the different types of power racks built for commercial and home gym use:

Full Power Rack

Go to any gym, and one of the first things you’ll see is a full power rack. This is the classic type with four upright bars and two safety bars in a cage-like construction. Full power racks can also be upgraded with a wide range of add-on attachments and accessories. The prime advantage of a full power rack is its versatility because it enables you to do a full roster of weight training exercises.

Half Rack

A half rack is basically a smaller version of a full power rack. While it doesn’t have the same versatility, it can be a good option for a home gym with limited floor space. Also, it’s a good choice if working out in a full power rack makes you feel too closed-in while you’re lifting weights.

Squat Stand

A squat stand is an open version of a power rack. It looks somewhat similar to a high jump bar because it only has two vertical posts on each side (fitted with rails to hold the barbell), with one horizontal bar in between. However, a squat stand can’t really be considered a power rack because it lacks the same level of safety and support features as a power rack. Plus, it’s essentially designed only for squats and bench presses.

There are also different variations on these basic types, including tall squat stands, short squat stands, and independent squat stands.

How to Choose the Right Power Rack?

If you’re ready to add some serious weight training equipment to your home gym, buying a power rack is a great way to start. However, power racks can differ significantly in weight capacity and construction. Also, some power racks may offer a wider variety of extra features and accessories to optimize your weight training exercises. Here’s what to look for:

Weight Capacity

Power racks typically have a weight capacity of 500 pounds to 1,200 pounds, with average home models ranging around 800 pounds, depending on the model. Essentially, the larger the weight capacity, the more expensive the power rack. However, Titan Fitness power racks are all built tough, including their more-affordable models, with heavy 11-gauge and 12-gauge steel forged and designed to withstand heavy weight capacities. That’s why Titan Fitness power racks have quickly become a favorite brand for home gyms across the country.

Whether you’re performing heavy lifts or doing standard weight-strengthening routines, you’ll need a power rack with endurance and durability. Before you buy, it’s important to talk to a fitness expert so you can choose a model that has the safest weight capacity for your strength training needs.

Size and Dimensions

Full power racks can vary significantly in size and length. For example, Titan Fitness offers a series of power racks, including the  T-3 Series Folding Power Rack, in both short (82”) and tall ((91”) models that are specially designed to fit a variety of home gyms. When choosing a power rack, consider factors such as overall size, length, and ceiling clearance before you buy.

Safety Features

A quality power rack will have a number of safety features, including J-hooks, safety bars, pin and pipe safeties, and safety catches or straps (pictured below). These features, designed to hold barbells more securely, are standard for any power rack. You’ll also want to look for thick gauge construction, strong weld joins, and a heavy base that anchors firmly and securely to the floor.   

Attachments and Accessories

Typically, you have to purchase additional power rack attachments and accessories separately. These add-ons may include a bench (for bench presses), rack extensions, pulley attachments, and dip bar attachments.  

Cost and Warranties

Thanks to Titan Fitness, you can own a top-quality power rack for less than $375. That’s because Titan is committed to providing premium-quality equipment without the premium price tags. Toward that end, Titan Fitness keeps its costs down and its pricing affordable, even on its most professional equipment models. In addition, Titan Fitness power racks come with a convenient one-year warranty, so you can buy with extra confidence. 

Are Power Racks Worth It?

Should you buy a power rack for your home gym? Only you can answer this question because it depends on your type of exercise regimen, your training goals, and how much you focus on weight and strength training. If you’re trying to increase strength and muscle mass, then you might want to consider adding a power rack to your home gym equipment arsenal, especially if you enjoy classic strength training and bodybuilding routines such as bench presses, squats, and deadlifts.  

If you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of your own power rack at home, be sure to visit Titan Fitness, where you’ll find a wide range of power racks and home gym equipment to suit your fitness routine, as well as your budget.  

So, you like to lift heavy. And, you want to do it from the comfort of your own home. 

There are tons of reasons people choose to work out at home these days. From health concerns about the pandemic to more remote work opportunities, home workouts just make sense—they’re convenient, give you a break from work, and help you save money on gas and gym memberships. 

However, if you’re going to do a real workout at home, you need all of the proper equipment—including a power rack, if you’re serious about lifting.  

As you do assemble a home gym for yourself, you might be wondering. Is it even possible for me to fit a power rack at my house? The reality is, yes: there are plenty of small power rack options that will fit into a cramped workout space, or that will fold up to be tucked away if you’re working out in a room you use for multiple activities. 

To find the best options for small power racks and stands, you just have to make sure you are browsing the right options, like several of the power racks from Titan Fitness.  

Here are the best power rack options for small spaces or temporary workout areas, and tips for deciding which power rack is the right piece of equipment for you.

Things to Consider When Buying a Power Rack for a Small Space

When you are deciding what kind of power rack to buy for your small space, you should keep the following considerations in mind. Getting clear about each of these will ensure that you pick a rack that fits in your space and that also allows you to do your regular workout.

• How much room you have: The first and most obvious consideration is to decide how much room you have in your home gym or workout space for the power rack. Measure the length of the space, the height of the ceiling, and the depth you’ll need to place the power rack in the room and be able to use it safely. Know that some of Titan Fitness’ power racks fold up. You can unfold and use them when you are working out, then fold them and tuck them away when they’re not in use. Folding power racks are a good choice if you exercise in a space that you use for multiple purposes, like a garage that you actually park in, a playroom, or a home office.
• What exercises you will use it for: How do you typically use a power rack? Do you use it for lifting heavy weights that you’ll need to re-rack? Or, do you use the power rack as a pull-up bar to do pull-ups or chin-ups on? Hone in on the exercises you’ll be using the power rack for, then determine what size you need. A power rack you get inside of for wide grip pullups or lift in will need to be wider, deeper, and taller than one you use simply use to hold the weights you’re lifting.
• Your budget: A final factor that can help you decide which power rack to use is your budget. How much money do you have to spend on a power rack for your home gym? Set your budget, then search within Titan Fitness’ selection of power racks for one that is within those limits.

Types of Small Space Racks

If you know that you need a space-saving rack for your space, consider the different types of small space racks you can choose from.

• Folding racks: Folding racks can fold in or be extended so that they save space when they are not in use.
• Wall-mounted racks: Wall-mounted racks (which can also be foldable racks) help save space because they use the wall for sturdiness and stability, instead of needing 4 legs firmly on the ground.
• Especially small power racks: One option for small spaces is the typical power rack—but one of our smaller footprint power racks, which has been created specifically to have a small footprint but provide structure for workouts.

Titan Recommendations

Titan has a slew of power racks that you can use in any small space. We endorse all of the products we sell, but there are some power racks we think are the absolute best choices for a home gym you set up yourself. Here are our recommendations:

• T-3 Series Space Saving Racks
• X-3 Series Space Saving Racks
• T-3 Series Folding Power Rack

Buyers Guide

When you are ready to purchase a power rack, here are the specifications you need to take a look at to make sure you’re buying a piece of equipment that’s going to help improve your home workouts. 

Weight capacity: How much weight can your power rack hold? Pick a power rack that can hold the weights you’re going to lift (e.g., barbells) and ones that can sustain your weight if you use a power rack for bodyweight exercises. Also, make sure to pick a rack that will grow with your progressions.

Stability: Stability is key when it comes to power packs. They’re large pieces of equipment that hold a lot of weight. Consider the kind of workouts you use the power rack for and ensure it offers enough stability to support those workouts. Also, consider who will be around the power rack—like little ones—and make sure you choose a rack that is sturdy and stable enough that it won’t fall over if it’s pulled and climbed on by a child. 

Safety mechanisms: Power racks can be risky when you use them to lift heavy weights or to lift your own body weight, especially when you are alone. Consider what safety mechanisms the power rack you want has, such as safety bars and pins, to ensure that weights stay where you want them when you’re not exercising. 

Materials: Decide what material you want your power rack to be made of. Some power racks are made of heavy gauge steel for the most intense of workouts, while others are made of wood or carbon. While wood or carbon racks are available in the world, Titan Fitness does not offer any racks but steel racks. Titan Racks are made out of heavy gauge steel to support the most intense workouts, providing you premium quality racks without the premium cost.

Ready To Shop for Your Own Power Rack?

Clearly, finding a power rack for a small space is an excellent option for any serious lifter who wants to transition to working out at a home gym. Check out the small and folding power rack options from Titan Fitness. They’re designed to handle any workout, but they’ll fit in a home—you don’t need commercial space to use them. Let our power racks get you to the next level of fitness. Got any questions? Contact us today to talk about the products that are just right for your home gym.

We all know that resistance training can be the key to a great workout regimen, and one of the best ways to reach your strength training goals is by using weight plates. No matter what level of strength training you do, barbells and weights are going to be your most valuable tools for an effective workout.

Barbells are only as effective as the weight plates that are attached to them, so the type and weight of your plates can determine how far you progress in your training. In this guide, we’ll talk about how weight plates can impact and benefit your workout, as well as how to choose the best weight plates for your home gym.

What is a Weight Plate?

In case you’re a newbie to the gym, weight plates are the heavy, plate-shaped discs that are attached to the ends of barbells. In strength training, weight plates enable you to achieve your desired lifting weight in a wide range of resistance training and muscle isolation exercises.

And, as you’ll find out below, you can also use weight plates without bars to do a variety of total-body and muscle-isolating exercises during your workout routines.

Sizes of Weight Plates

Typically, standard weight plates weigh from 2.75 pounds to 55 pounds, although you might also occasionally find plates weighing in at 100 pounds.

In most gyms, you’ll find barbells loaded with weight plates at a standard 45 pounds each. Figuring in the weight of the barbell, which is usually around 45 pounds, means that, with one 45-pound plate on each side, you’re lifting a total of 135 pounds. Here’s a calculation of your total lifts with 45-pound weight plates and a 45-pound barbell:

• One plate on each side: 135 pounds
• Two plates on each side: 225 pounds
• Three plates on each side: 315 pounds
• Four plates on each side: 405 pounds

If someone says they lifted a “one-plate bench,” this means that they lifted a bar with one 45-pound plate on each side, for a total lift of 135 pounds. Likewise, a “two-plate” lift would mean two 45-pound plates on each side, for a total lift of 225 pounds, and so on.

In case you’re wondering why standard plates aren’t just configured at 50 pounds instead of 45, it’s because they’re made according to the metric system, using kilograms rather than pounds.

Types of Weight Plates

Titan Fitness offers 2 basic types of weight plates, all of which differ primarily in construction:

Standard Weight Plates

These are popular in home gyms and are made of steel or cast iron. Many times, the plates are interchangeable with different types of bars, including adjustable dumbbell handles and aerobic bars. Standard weight plates are typically smaller than bumper plates or Olympic plates.

Bumper Plates

Bumper plates vary from 10 to 55 pounds and are made with a metal interior and thick rubber-coated exterior so you can drop them from overhead without worrying about breaking the weight plate or damaging the floor. Bumper plates are usually all made with the same diameter, no matter what their weight. 

Bumper plates are primarily used with Olympic lifts, as well as floor-based barbell routines. Also, bumper plates often come in a range of colors to differentiate their different weights, as you can see from this set of affordable, top-quality KG Elite Color Olympic Bumper Plates from Titan Fitness.

Benefits of Weight Plates

What’s not to like about weight plates? Whether they’re standard plates or bumper plates, fitness experts agree: Weight plates are an essential piece of home gym equipment. They enable you to perform a wide range of exercises at a variety of weights to suit your fitness goals and provide maximum benefits for weight-resistance training and muscle isolation.

Here’s how weight plates can benefit your workout:

• They provide a wide range of muscle-building exercises impacting shoulders, chest, abs, arms, upper back, deltoids, biceps, triceps, leg strength, and more.
• You can use them for all kinds of lifts, including squats, deadlifts, power lifts, and virtually every other type of lift.
• You can use them alone, without bars, for muscle-building and isolation exercises.
• You can use them to build a stronger grip and engage more muscles than you typically use in other routines.
• You can use them to build resistance and stamina.
• They’re easy to take care of, require no maintenance, and are easy to store.

Barbells With Weight Plates vs. Dumbbells

Barbells and dumbbells each provide specific advantages, but both are valuable additions to any home gym. Ideally, a great strength-training regimen should include a combination of barbell and dumbbell exercises.

Here’s how they differ:

Barbells

Barbells with weight plates are primarily used for overall muscular strength and weight resistance training. As we mentioned above, a standard bar typically weighs around 45 pounds (although you can get varying sizes and weights) and can accommodate multiple weight plates to reach your desired lifting weight.

When working with a barbell, you’ll lift and hold it with both hands, in a way that stabilizes the weight. Barbells allow you to load mass amounts of weight, yet still, hold the bar securely.

Dumbbells

When we think of dumbbells, we usually picture the kind with the weights permanently attached, but dumbbells can also come with adjustable weight plates.

Fixed-weight dumbbells can weigh (in pairs) from five pounds up to 100+ pounds. When working with dumbbells, you‘ll lift one in each arm (or one at a time), primarily for muscle isolation and toning exercises such as dumbbell rows and concentration curls.

Workouts With Weight Plates

Did you know that you can do workouts with just weight plates alone, without a bar? Weight plates are great for all kinds of total-body muscle exercises, including these below:

Front Shoulder Raise

Hold the weight plate upright in front of you, and raise it back and forth from the top of your legs to your shoulders.

Truck Driver

Hold the weight plate upright in front, like a steering wheel, and using a steering wheel motion, rotate it back and forth.

Floor Press

Lie on your back, with your legs straight, and hold the plate flat, raising it above your chest. Press it toward the ceiling, and then return it to your chest. To improve your abs, you can simultaneously lift your legs an inch or so off the ground.

Plate Push-Ups

Position yourself for a push-up, with a plate under each hand (make sure the plates are touching). As you lower your chest to the floor, slide the weight plates apart as you move — and try to touch your nose to the ground. When you raise yourself back up, slide the plates back so they’re touching again.

The High Cost of Weight Plates: Materials and Construction

Why do weight plates cost so much? The answer primarily has to do with materials and construction, as well as shipping costs. Here are four reasons for the high cost of weight plates.

Materials

Weight plates are made from solid metals, then bound in rubber and urethane casings (except for all-metal plates). It takes a lot of raw material — in the form of iron or steel — to make one weight plate. Added to that, the plates have to be shipped from the manufacturer to the dealer; and with today’s shipping rates, the cost for shipping these bulky, heavy plates can be astronomical. 

Construction

Weight plates are made of cast metals that have to be carefully crafted so there aren’t any fault lines. If there are, then the plates could easily crack and be ruined.

Shipping Costs

Weight plates aren’t something that the average person buys all the time. Usually, a good set of weight plates can last for an unlimited length of time. This means that weight plates can sit in manufacturers’ or dealers’ warehouses for years before they’re sold — and storage costs money.

Unlike many other fitness retailers, Titan Fitness offers free shipping on all its products. That enables you to save a substantial amount of money on your orders, especially given today’s high shipping costs. 

Bought in Pairs

Finally, when you buy weight plates, you oftentimes have to buy them in pairs. Likewise, you’ll want several sets of different weights if you’re equipping a home gym — and cost-wise, this can add up.

The Benefits of Saving Money at Titan Fitness

Thanks to Titan Fitness, you can get a set of premium quality weight plates or bumper plates without the premium cost. This means that with every piece of equipment you buy from Titan Fitness, you’ll be enjoying substantial savings, plus free shipping. Whether you’re in the market for weight plates, bars, specialty bars, kettlebells, dumbbells, power racks, or anything else, you’ll be getting top-quality, at a price you can afford.

What To Consider When Buying Weight Plates 

There are several things you should consider when choosing weight plates.

Training Priorities

Are you a powerlifter, bodybuilder, or recreational lifter? Are your goals focused on strength training or overall total-body fitness? The types and weights of the weight plates you buy will depend upon these factors. If you still can’t decide, be sure to ask a personal trainer or instructor at your local gym for help.

Budget

Standard weight plates can cost less than $25 for a pair of 2.5-pound plates or around $145 for a single 55-pound plate. Even if you’re on a budget, you’ll still want to choose several different weights so you can change up your workout.

Titan Fitness offers premium quality without the premium costs, which is why so many fitness fans come to us for their home gym equipment. Here are some examples of Titan Fitness’s high-quality color-coded bumper plates (follow the links for our economy prices):

• 260-pound set of five pairs (from 10 to 45 pounds) 
• 25-pound pair of bumper plates
• 45-pound single bumper plate
• 10-pound pair of bumper plates

Durability

It’s crucial to get weight plates with the durability and toughness to stand up to regular workouts. At Titan Fitness, we only sell the best-quality weight plates, made of dense, top-of-the-line rubber and steel.

Warranty

At Titan Fitness, our weight plates come with our one-year warranty, so you can buy with confidence.

Features and Construction

Do you want standard weight plates, color-coded bumper plates covered with rubber, or all-metal plates? Your choice should depend upon your training regimen. If you use a power cage or squat cage, you can safely use metal weight plates. But if you prefer floor-based barbell routines, you’ll probably want to choose bumper plates instead.

Whichever type of weight plates you choose, you’ll be amazed at how much you can do with them, and how much they’ll enhance your workout regimen. And if you’re looking for top-notch weight plates that will help you take your training to the next level, be sure to check out our wide selection at Titan Fitness, where you’ll find everything you need to outfit your dream home gym.