Best Rogue Power Racks for 2022
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Creating the perfect home gym starts with the best power rack - and Rogue makes some pretty damn good power racks.
Otherwise called a squat rack, sometimes called a power cage, the power rack is one of the biggest, boldest, and best pieces of gym gear you could possibly invest in because it opens up a world of possibilities for your workouts.
Even though there are plenty of best power racks out there that can claim they're the king of the squat rack world, I'm focusing only on Rogues for this in-depth look.
If you're looking to build a home gym, improve your home gym, or you just want to know more about the best Rogue power racks, then you've come to the right place and here I'll show you my 10 top picks for power cages that will unlock your workout potential.
Don't have time to read? Here's my top pick!
Rogue R-4 Power Rack
The Rogue R-4 Power Rack is affordable, modest footprint (53" x 53"), 90" height (good for home gyms), skinny/fat grip pull-up bars, and pegs for resistance band training.
What is a Power Rack
It might seem a bit redundant to ask the question of, "what is a power rack" but if you're looking to buy a squat rack for your home gym, you need to know what it is.
In saying that, a squat rack is usually synonymous with the term power rack, neither but it's different than a squat stand.
A power rack is generally a larger rack that allows for multiple workouts like bench press, chin-up/pull-ups, dips, and other movements either from its original configuration or through adding attachments.
The best power racks come standard with all of those, are large (height and footprint), have strong support to prevent sway or movement, have plenty of holes/hole placement for adjustments, and can support plenty of weight too.
You'll often see a power rack referred to as a power cage, because it's more enclosed than an open squat stand. It's designed like a cage, with a square/rectangular upright structure where you can move around inside to perform your lifts.
Best Rogue Power Racks
Rogue R-4 Power Rack
A classic example of what makes a squat rack so good is the Rogue R-4 Power Rack.
Timeless design, excellent price-to-value, plenty of features, and a generous footprint and size all equal up to this being a truly excellent power cage for the best home gym possible.
Coming in at just over $1000, it might seem pricey, but it's going to last you as long as you need it too, and allows you more freedom with your workouts.
Pros
Cons
Don't like squatting? No worries, you have safety bars for bench press or rows.
Want to incorporate more bodyweight exercises into your workout routine? The fat and skinny grip pull-up bars can help that.
You get my point, the Rogue R-4 Power Rack includes everything you need (J-cups, Westside 1" hole patterns, resistance band training pegs) from the perfect squat rack for home gym use.
2. Rogue RM-6 Monster Rack 2.0
By every conceivable metric, the Rogue RM-6 Monster Rack 2.0 is as the name suggests - an absolute monster (in a good way).
This rack is geared towards higher-level experience lifters. You'd expect to see one of these in a college gym/athletic facility, powerlifting gym, etc.
Keeping that in mind, this is also a big bonus if you plan on maintaining a home gym for a long time.
The RM-6 Monster Rack 2.0 is durable, making it one of the power rack home gym choices out there.
Pros
Cons
This rack is probably beyond the reach of even the most dedicated lifters, based on overall price and all the bells and whistles both standard and available as options. Its likely home will be in high school, collegiate, or professional weight rooms. However, if money is no object, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this weightlifting rack.
3. Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack
If space is at a premium for you, the Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack might be the one for you.
Even though it isn't a traditional power cage, it offers plenty for people who can't justify buying a full-size power rack.
Two available depths, 21” or 41”, give the lifter flexibility in determining the inside usable area.
The 4.9 rating and lifetime warranty are a strong indication of the quality and durability of this rack.
When stowed away, it takes up only 5” of space off the wall, which makes it perfect for a garage application where you still need the car inside.
Pros
Cons
This rack is an excellent combination of design, functionality, and flexibility. For those lifters with space limitations, they can still have a good quality, basic weightlifting rack.
Additionally, you're not just saving space in your home gym, you're saving money because this wall-mount squat rack is budget friendly.
So again, it's not a true power cage/power rack, but if you're very conscious about space and need something that doesn't take up space, the Rogue RML-3W Wall Rack is a solid option.
4. Rogue R-3 Power Rack
This is the smallest of the R series racks, the Rogue R-3 Power Rack is very identical to the R4.
With a footprint of 53” x 34”. The rack can be purchased in a “shorty” version for low-ceiling areas such as a basement.
It has decent standard equipment, and there are several optional variations available as well.
It’s compatible with other R series racks, so much of their equipment could be added to this model.
Pros
Cons
What’s not to like about this unit? Solid, durable, great warranty.
Small footprint to increase the flexibility on where it can be used, including the “shorty” version, which is ideal for a smaller home gym setup.
The unit is expandable to give it almost the same functionality of other more expensive, larger R-Series squat racks.
For any weightlifter, this is a power rack that very much belongs in the best power rack argument because it does so much for such a reasonable price, and isn't too large for home use.
5. Rogue RM-4 Monster Rack 2.0
Similar to the RM-6, the rogue RM-4 Monster Rack 2.0 is from the Monster Series and has plenty to love.
First thing you'll notice is that it's slightly smaller than the other versions, which makes it more functional for a home gym.
Even though it has a smaller footprint (53" x 53"), it's a highly versatile power cage.
The best power rack doesn't need to be massive to be resilient and strong either, and thankfully that's not the case with the RM-4.
Pros
Cons
Like the RM-6, there is really not much to dislike about this unit.
It is definitely higher on the price threshold, but given the functionality and expandability that should not deter too many.
The real differentiator here from the RM-6 is the smaller footprint and interior dimensions. While the RM-4 is heavy duty, it's still a much more forgiving size for a power rack.
6. Rogue RML-490 Power Rack
From the Monster series of racks, this one is “Monster Lite," but don't be fooled, the Rogue RML-490 Power Rack is anything but lite.
With heavy-duty construction featuring 3” x 3” rails and 5/8” hardware, this is a solid unit, built for a long usable life.
It weighs in at 336 pounds, and has a 53” x 53” footprint. It has decent standard features and is easy to upgrade with other Monster equipment.
Features & Specifications:
Pros
Cons
This unit is kind of the middle child. Unless you need the extra stability for lifting heavier weights, the R-4 is probably enough rack for you. If you are lifting heavier weights, the RM-390 might be a better fit, as it has more upward potential.
Still, the Monster Series of power racks from Rogue are very well made and this one is just north of $1000, but comes packed with plenty of features to make it an impressive squat cage for home gym users.
7. Rogue RM-390F Flat Foot Monster Rack
Back to the true monsters here. The Rogue RM-390F Flat Foot Monster Rack is a true gem that can support even the heaviest of weights.
This rack is surprisingly beefy, without being oversized.
We edge into the pricier range with this rack, but it has standard features that would cost you extra in other models.
The satin black finish makes it attractive, as well as functional.
Pros
Cons
This is a solid unit, but starting to sneak up there in the price range. For an individual user, it’s a bit of a stretch.
You do get serious strength and stability, but pay a higher price for it as expected.
Bigger isn't always better, but the size of this unit in terms of weight and the flat foot stabilizers make's an excellent choice if you don't want to anchor it down. All in all, a squat rack worthy of a competition gym.
8. Rogue Bolt-Together R-3
The Rogue Bolt-Together R-3 is similar to both the R-3 and R-4, but it's optimized for shipping so it can be maneuvered through tight spaces.
Basically what that means is it's not assembled and takes up minimal space when you want to bring it into, say, an apartment or small home gym.
Aside from that, it's in essence, the same as the standard R-3 Power Rack, which isn't a bad thing.
Pros
Cons
The advantage of this rack is you can put it together yourself; the disadvantage of this rack is you have to put it together yourself. I guess it comes down to how comfortable you are using an allen key and various tools.
Personally, I like the idea given that it's the same unit as the very reliable R-3 base model.
Oddly, the price is slightly higher even though you have to assemble it yourself, but if you're used to building a home gym, this squat cage isn't going to give your handy skills that much of a run for their money.
9. Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0
One of the heavier duty, more imposing power racks is the Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0.
I'm conflicted on this unit for a few reasons.
The combination of a high-end $$$$ price and, by Rogue standards, a low 4.8 rating would make me urge you to consider another option.
An attractive rack, finished in a semi-gloss powder coat finish available in 11 colors, it has many of the same features as the RM6, but the price tag is high.
Pros
Cons
By no means is it a bad power rack, but it definitely doesn't inspire enough confidence in me to suggest it over the cheaper RM-6, which is pretty comparable.
Another thing to consider is that the unit is very heavy, 530lbs, which is great for stability, but also means it's not going anywhere once you set it up.
I wouldn't say the RML-690C Power Rack 3.0 is bad, but for cheaper prices, you can get something similar.
10. HR-2 Half Rack Conversion Kit
Finally we have the HR-2 Half Rack Conversion Kit.
Not a power rack in of itself, but it helps convert your S-Series squat stand into a power rack.
By doing so, you get more spotting (read as safety) options, and improved storage for you weight plates.
The uprights are made of 3” x 3” 11-gauge steel, and create a half-rack with a 1000-pound weight capacity.
Pros
Cons
If you have the right Rogue squat rack in your equipment (S-Series), and want to expand the functionality of it, then this conversion kit might be worth looking into.
Consider this after owning a squat stand until you feel the need to upgrade, because it's often better to buy the full-sized power rack right from the get-go, but if you're moving, or upgrading to a bigger home gym, then it becomes an excellent choice.
Product Comparison Table
Number | Product | Best Feature | Price Range | Rogue Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | A basic, beginner level rack, with many of the same features as more expensive racks | $ | 5/5 | |
2 | An absolute behemoth of a rack, featuring heavy-duty hardware and steel beam construction | $$$$ | 5/5 | |
3 | Not a floor rack, but a space-saving wall mount with many of the same features of a floor rack, without the space loss. | $ | 4.9/5 | |
4 | Available in a standard or short version to accommodate ceiling heights. Fairly small footprint; customization available. | $$ | 4.9/5 | |
5 | A larger version of the R-3 rack, it has a larger footprint with greater inside depth. | $$ | 4.9/5 | |
6 | Reasonably compact footprint, well-suited for added customization. Nice safety features available. | $$ | 4.9/5 | |
7 | Another in the Monster series, many standard safety features, heavy duty steel and hardware. | $$ | 4.7/5 | |
8 | Assembly required, but allows for easy maneuvering in small spaces. Good standard features and customizable. | $$ | 4.8/5 | |
9 | Another Monster, fully compatible with the others. Large footprint for lots of lifting versatility. | $$$$ | 4.8/5 | |
10 | Not a stand-alone rack, but a conversion kit for use with Rogue squat stands, expanding the versatility of the squat rack. | $$ | 4.6/5 |
Product-Buying Guide
A weight rack, like I said, can be one of the most important pieces of gym equipment you buy. It can enhance safety, allow for plate storage, provide the ability to perform multiple workouts (barbell rows, chin-up/pull-ups, bench press, barbell overhead press, etc.)
Given that, let’s examine some of the key features and specifications for weightlifting power racks:
Capacity
The maximum capacity of weights that can be safely loaded on a rack is not normally listed in the product specifications, however, the user can get an indication of the capacity based on two factors:
- Overall construction of the rack – Size of the uprights and crossmembers. Lighter capacity racks will have smaller uprights, and lighter-weight hardware.
- Plate and Bar Combinations - When shopping, you can see what bar and plate combos are offered as additional purchases which often indicate how much weight can be supported.
The weights of the plates offered is a strong indicator of the overall rack capacity; anything sold as an option is definitely compatible with the rack strength.
Upright Size
This is the overall height of the rack.
This could have significance based on the ceiling height of your home gym. It can also have an impact based on your personal height; a pull-up bar at 6ft the floor, when you are over 6ft tall, will impact range of motion/comfortability.
Footprint
There are two overall important elements when examining the footprint of a weightlifting rack:
- Space available in the area where you will be assembling and using the rack.
- Inside dimension of the rack (the distance between the two upright posts). The inside dimension needs to be wide enough where you can work comfortably and safely inside the rack.
Stability
The weight of the rack and other factors, may require the rack to be bolted to the floor (anchored) in the location where it will be used. This will be clearly defined in the specifications of the unit you are considering.
Bolting down the unit, will obviously limit your flexibility in moving it between locations, such as outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter.
Hole Spacing
You will also see this referred to as Westside hole spacing/Westside hole pattern.
In Westside hole spacing, the area where you will perform bench presses has the holes spaced 1" apart for greater flexibility and comfort in performing the lift. The distance between the bench and the bar can be adjusted based on your individual measurements.
Below and above this area, the holes are typically spaced at 2" apart. On upper end racks, you will see numbers assigned to these holes to help you make sure the pegs and bars are set at the same height inside the cage.
Hardware
Hardware (parts) will give you a good indication of the overall stability, strength, and capacity of the rack.
Some weightlifting racks will use 1/2" bolts for assembly; top-end, heavy duty models may use 1" hardware.
Bar Containment
Every rack needs some type of peg system where various shaped holders will be placed to rest the bar. Lower end racks may use an L-shaped bracket, where the bar rests on a 90-degree angle, like the letter “L”.
The disadvantage here is containment; it is easy to move the bar off the peg. Better racks will use a cup like the letter “J”. Here, the bar can’t roll out on its own; a slight lift is needed to clear the curvature of the peg.
Customization Options
Depending on the rack, the features will vary.
A top-priced rack may have all the bells and whistles, with very few options, while a lower-priced rack may require the purchase of additional options to get all the features you need.
Some common features or options include:
- pull-up bars (Different diameters to improve grip strength)
- dip bars
- Resistance Band Pegs/Posts
- safety strap/safety bar system
- Weight Storage pegs/bars
Price
Like just about anything you buy, price is an important consideration.
Price can be affected by the extras you want or need – special features, upgrades, improved specifications, and options to the basic unit.
Bigger the power cage, more features, and better build-quality - more expensive it will be and vice versa.
Final Thoughts
In the course of this article, we’ve looked at the history of the sport of weightlifting, its origins, and the types of competition within this sport – strongest man competitions, the Olympics, and so on.
The detailed review undertaken on these ten racks looked at both common and unique features and specification.
Knowing what we expect as performance criteria from these racks, we looked at both the pros and cons of their ability to deliver these expectations. An overall impression of the value and placement of each rack was also assessed.
This selection was a cross-section of ten Rogue weightlifting power racks. Most of them were standard, floor model racks, but, within that range, there were super heavy-duty racks for the elite athlete and racks for the average guy. We threw in a couple specialty racks, including a conversion kit and a wall mounted rack.
So, from this list, let’s get started choosing the west weightlifting rack choices. First, let’s identify the customers for these racks. We’ll look at this from two perspectives.
Customer A has been weight training for some time, and is getting ready to move up from his department store equipment into something a little further up the quality scale.
He feels a rack will help him meet his overall strength goals, and provide him safety considerations, as he typically works out alone.
Customer B is a novice lifter, just getting started in the sport, and looking for a good value investment in a weight rack to help him meet his goals. The major decision points for each will be the cost of the rack, and the overall value provided by the rack.
The “best of” racks should be suitable for personal use, not just designed for the commercial gym or professional athlete.
We will not, however, automatically exclude those higher end racks; if they provide the right mix of cost and value, they will be selected. So, to summarize, my selection of “best of” will be driven by the pros and cons of the equipment, and the mix of price and value.
Let’s get started.
Let’s begin this exercise by looking at the #10 rack on the list, the HR2 conversion kit. Rogue has two models of squat rack which can be modified by installing this conversion kit, turning it into a half rack set-up.
This unit would probably have a very limited market, and, for that reason, it will be dropped from out “best of” list.
Number 9 on the list is the RML 690. This is a very heavy-duty machine, probably geared more to the commercial or professional market than the personal one.
As we discussed above, this one falls in between the absolute top end model and a couple other very good models in different price points. So, based on the high price scale for this model, and the availability of similar models at lower prices, we drop the 690 from the list next.
The next model, #8, is another specialty model, the Bolt-together R3. This one is pretty much the same machine as the R3 Power Rack, but it comes unassembled, purportedly to allow for maneuvering it up tight stairways or in rooms with narrow doors or low ceilings.
Okay, an interesting concept, but is it really worth paying more than the standard R3 model, and then having to take the time to assemble it? Off the list it goes.
The next three models, the RM390, the RML490, and the R4 Power, numbers 5, 6, and 7, are all similarly rated and priced. All have good functionality, durability, and strength.
All three have the same 4.9 rating, and, although the 390 has a $$$ price, the difference is fairly small. Any of these three machines would be a worthy step up rack for our experienced lifter, and would also suffice for a novice lifter, but have more capability than really needed for that level of expertise.
Bottom line for these three racks – all recommended, but not the “best of” “or best value” that we are looking for,
Let’s drop down to #3 on the list, the RML 3W wall mount rack. This is unique, in that it is a wall-mounted, fold up version of a full-size rack. It would be perfect for a garage application, or a multi-use room where you could not leave a full rack set up all the time.
It has to be securely mounted, for obvious reasons, so portability is out of the question. It is also, again, geared to a niche market. I’d say this is probably not a great step-up choice for our experienced lifter, but could be a good starter rack given its $ price and 4.9 rating. For those reasons, while recommended, I’m going to throw this one off the list.
To take a quick recap, we have three racks left for consideration as “best of the best”; #4, the R3 Power Rack; #2, the RM6 Monster Rack, and #1 the RE4 Echo.
Let’s start out looking at the RM6 rack. This is a huge, heavy duty, fully versatile weightlifting rack. You get everything with this rack, even a choice of almost a dozen colors. But let’s be realistic here.
Unless you are a professional or competition level lifter, or an elite athlete, the $$$$$ price of this rack is going to chase away most individuals. This is a rack you would most likely find in a top end gym, or in a professional or collegiate weight or training room.
It blows away almost every other rack on the list with a 5.0 rating, but it is way too much rack for a novice, and even a move-up rack for an experienced lifter. There are too many highly functional racks on this list that would suffice for those fictional people. So goodbye to the RM6.
This leaves two racks – the RE4 and the R3 Power Rack.
Both have the same $$ price point and are almost identically priced within that range. The RE4 has a 5.0 rating, but qualified; the R3 has a solid 4.9 rating.
The qualification on the RE4 is that it only has two reviews in total; the R3 has almost 100.
So, when we put these two remaining racks side by side, here’s what I see:
Drumroll, please.
When you stack up these two racks side by side, for me, it’s no-contest; the R3 Power Rack is the clear winner. It has the required capabilities for the experienced lifter (although some of the other models might be better move-ups for a very experienced lifter), and is a perfect rack for the new lifter.
If you’re looking for a wall-mount rack, I would have to recommend the Rogue RML-3W Fold Back Rack. It is solid all around, as appears to be the most popular wall-mount rack.
Realistically, you could not go wrong buying any of these racks, and it was a very tough task trying to identify enough differences between them to pick the best of the best. Hopefully this article has given you some knowledge and guidance for your first or next weightlifting rack purchase.
