As usual, you all come through with some solid additional tips! Another great folding rack option is the Phoenix rack by Bridge Built. Really awesome piece and def higher end and beefier than the Force USA piece I mention in this podcast. The Titan T2 is a great option in addition to the Rep PR1100. Both are great budget options. I 100% agree with the person who posted this idea that you don't really want to go any cheaper than this either.
Small spaces - often times you don't have the width needed for the rack - solution - Inspire FT2. It is common for exercise stores sell it a lot cheaper than the Inspire list price. Also, Costco has the scaled down version (SF3) for a lower price and they run sales so you get a Costco gift card, etc. Now, it is a smith and you have to start movements at the bottom - but they are super compact and another bonus is you don't need a barbell or weight plates since it uses the weight stacks from the functional trainer!
@@steverapos3904 The Inspire FT2 is nice, I've seen it a few times. For a functional trainer, though, I like the newly redesigned Rep Fitness, the Arcadia. It's half the price of the the Inspire and better built imo.
The Barbell wall is Fantastic, I really Love it's look aesthetically. Especially like how you spaced it so the Trap bar fits perfectly right under the barbells. IMO, the wall really Completes your gym. I am a fan of storing barbells horizontally. Vertical storage for bars is okay but horizontal storage really says, Now this a Classy gym!!!!!! Fabulous Wall
That wall looks amazing! Depending on the rack size, a half rack might take up slightly less space and cost less because you don't have to also buy weight horns. A decent half rack can be a sturdy one whereas a cheap one can be questionable at best and the same can be said about racks. Half racks are safer than squat stands but not as safe as a decent rack. If you have limited space get a lat tower low row unit and adjustable dumbbells and a fid bench. The bench can be moved out of the way when necessary. Some of the nicer benches can sit upright to save even more space.
Thanks! I just finished up the lighting. 2 vids coming soon. One on how I built it and another on the bars I chose to put on it. Half racks are a great solution and I just saw today a mod that allows you to use straps on safety arms. Straps are one of my biggest must haves and they weren't really possible with a half rack. Now that they are, I'm considering one again.
Great advice, another rack for people with minimal space is from Bridgebuilt. They make a Tremendously sturdy rack that is 2 uprights and it folds out into a configuration like a squat stand. You add their Super sturdy spotter arms which are plenty long enough to do bench and squats on safely and you have a safe rack. Bridgebuilt makes Very Nice equipment, they are a top tier company and if I had this problem I would go with the Bridgebuilt one or your suggestion. After you finish you can fold it up or leave it fixed. Trust me, it's probably the safest solution along with your suggestion. Hope that helps someone
Yeah, I completely forgot about that rack, thanks for mentioning it, I'll put it in the pinned comment. I think it's called a Phoenix rack if I remember right. Really cool piece!
Also as far as safety's concerned. I do not use them anymore. I actually bought chains from home depot with caribbeaners. I loop them over the top of my rack to the length of the bottom of my squat or bench so when I can't do it or I fail, I simply just let the chains take the weight. It's good if you want to try it. Also , the sound of the bar rubbing against the chain is pretty damn cool
@JimR-hg4dm The chains have a 4000 pound rate. It will stop anything I can lift from crushing me. I learned it from watching elitefts and west side barbell. One on each side. I would bet it's way safer than spotter arms or Safety straps
I have owned a lot of racks in my life. If you are looking for a cheap rack. I would go any cheaper than the rep 1100 rack or the titan T2 rack. Both have a ton of attachments, and their attachments can go between the two companies.
How about bolting the rack back to the wall? Most rack manufacturers with sell you the wall stringer plate for their folding rack, and have all sorts and lengths of compatible 'erector set' segments and connectors. Flat-foot rack lagged to the wall studs.
As usual, you all come through with some solid additional tips!
Another great folding rack option is the Phoenix rack by Bridge Built. Really awesome piece and def higher end and beefier than the Force USA piece I mention in this podcast.
The Titan T2 is a great option in addition to the Rep PR1100. Both are great budget options. I 100% agree with the person who posted this idea that you don't really want to go any cheaper than this either.
Small spaces - often times you don't have the width needed for the rack - solution - Inspire FT2. It is common for exercise stores sell it a lot cheaper than the Inspire list price. Also, Costco has the scaled down version (SF3) for a lower price and they run sales so you get a Costco gift card, etc. Now, it is a smith and you have to start movements at the bottom - but they are super compact and another bonus is you don't need a barbell or weight plates since it uses the weight stacks from the functional trainer!
@@steverapos3904 The Inspire FT2 is nice, I've seen it a few times. For a functional trainer, though, I like the newly redesigned Rep Fitness, the Arcadia. It's half the price of the the Inspire and better built imo.
The Barbell wall is Fantastic, I really Love it's look aesthetically. Especially like how you spaced it so the Trap bar fits perfectly right under the barbells.
IMO, the wall really Completes your gym. I am a fan of storing barbells horizontally. Vertical storage for bars is okay but horizontal storage really says, Now this a Classy gym!!!!!!
Fabulous Wall
Thanks! Just finished the lighting tonight. 2 videos coming soon!
That wall looks amazing! Depending on the rack size, a half rack might take up slightly less space and cost less because you don't have to also buy weight horns. A decent half rack can be a sturdy one whereas a cheap one can be questionable at best and the same can be said about racks. Half racks are safer than squat stands but not as safe as a decent rack. If you have limited space get a lat tower low row unit and adjustable dumbbells and a fid bench. The bench can be moved out of the way when necessary. Some of the nicer benches can sit upright to save even more space.
Thanks! I just finished up the lighting. 2 vids coming soon. One on how I built it and another on the bars I chose to put on it. Half racks are a great solution and I just saw today a mod that allows you to use straps on safety arms. Straps are one of my biggest must haves and they weren't really possible with a half rack. Now that they are, I'm considering one again.
Great advice, another rack for people with minimal space is from Bridgebuilt.
They make a Tremendously sturdy rack that is 2 uprights and it folds out into a configuration like a squat stand.
You add their Super sturdy spotter arms which are plenty long enough to do bench and squats on safely and you have a safe rack.
Bridgebuilt makes Very Nice equipment, they are a top tier company and if I had this problem I would go with the Bridgebuilt one or your suggestion.
After you finish you can fold it up or leave it fixed.
Trust me, it's probably the safest solution along with your suggestion.
Hope that helps someone
Yeah, I completely forgot about that rack, thanks for mentioning it, I'll put it in the pinned comment. I think it's called a Phoenix rack if I remember right. Really cool piece!
Another set of good insights
Also as far as safety's concerned. I do not use them anymore. I actually bought chains from home depot with caribbeaners. I loop them over the top of my rack to the length of the bottom of my squat or bench so when I can't do it or I fail, I simply just let the chains take the weight.
It's good if you want to try it. Also , the sound of the bar rubbing against the chain is pretty damn cool
Rich - you ARE using safeties, just unusual, non-standard safeties. If it works for you, go for it.
@JimR-hg4dm The chains have a 4000 pound rate. It will stop anything I can lift from crushing me.
I learned it from watching elitefts and west side barbell. One on each side. I would bet it's way safer than spotter arms or Safety straps
Sounds interesting and I bet it looks pretty cool too.
I have owned a lot of racks in my life. If you are looking for a cheap rack. I would go any cheaper than the rep 1100 rack or the titan T2 rack. Both have a ton of attachments, and their attachments can go between the two companies.
Great point! the T2 is a solid budget choice! I'll add that to the pinned comment, thank you!
IMO the titan space saving rack is a better option than a folding rack, unless you actually need the folding feature.
Agree. The folding thing is a for sure a solution piece for folks who don't have another option.
How about bolting the rack back to the wall? Most rack manufacturers with sell you the wall stringer plate for their folding rack, and have all sorts and lengths of compatible 'erector set' segments and connectors. Flat-foot rack lagged to the wall studs.
I bet you could definitely do that. Anything to secure the rack is better than nothing!