While squat racks are traditionally used for standard barbell exercises, many companies now offer versatile racks with plenty of attachment options, turning them into all-in-one home gyms . These add-ons for your rack can be expensive, but this budget-friendly rack from Giant Lifting ships with a lat pulldown and low row attachment. All you need is your own weight plates and a barbell, and you’re ready to go.
For those short on space, this is a great way to expand the capabilities of your gym without sacrificing too much floor space. The Giant Lifting rack allows you to perform a variety of exercises, making it a versatile piece of home gym equipment.
In this Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Review, we’ll share everything you need to know about this budget-friendly squat rack. Our expert tester has used it for a variety of exercises, and we’ve got you covered with the pros, cons, and everything else you need to know to decide if this is the right choice for your home gym.
Our Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Review, Summarized
The Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row offers a lot of versatility for home gym owners, especially at this price point. However, it uses thinner steel tubing than most heavy-duty racks, and it’s not as durable as commercial-grade racks. We love the ability to perform lat pulldowns in your rack, but taller individuals may find it difficult to get into the correct position.
How We Test Squat Racks
One of the most important categories to test and score is the durability and construction of a given squat rack, as the materials used can impact the longevity of the rack. Ideally, we want to see durable steel construction and corrosion-resistant powder coating.
To get a 3 out of 5, the rack may use thinner gauges of steel, or scratch easily. The highest-scoring racks typically use 11-gauge steel and a scratch-resistance coating, with weight capacities of 1,000 pounds or higher.
Aside from durability, stability is one of the most important scoring categories when assessing a squat rack. If a rack feels wobbly or unsteady when racking or unracking a bar, it can become a safety issue if you’re not careful.
To get a 3 out of 5 for stability, the rack should feel steady under heavy loads, but may wobble a little when using various attachments or the pull-up bar, if one is included. High-scoring racks in this category may need to be bolted down, but once done, they don’t move at all.
Squat racks can cost as little as $300 for budget options on Amazon and easily reach upwards of $2,000 for premium racks. Rather than basing value solely on the price tag, we want to know if the price makes sense for the features you’re getting and the overall quality of the rack.
To earn 3 out of 5 stars for value, a rack should be a middle-of-the-road price or quality. It might not be quite as durable or accessory-friendly as higher-end options, but the pricing makes sense based on the features and comparable units.
Whenever we test squat racks, we take each one through a variety of workouts, from bodybuilding-style to general strength training. We load it up with a barbell, try out different attachments, and see how the overall workout experience goes.
After testing, we use our squat rack testing methodology to calculate a final score. We’ve tested over 40 squat racks and continually test as many as we can get our hands on, and the methodology we’ve created ensures we provide an unbiased review score for each rack.
The Garage Gym Reviews team is made up of certified personal trainers, strength coaches, Olympic lifters, CrossFit enthusiasts, gym owners, and more. Our testers have years of experience using a variety of equipment, including the best squat racks, and in 2025, we helped 6,494 athletes find their ideal rack. We’re here to help you, too.
The Giant Lifting Garage Gym Power Rack with Lat/Low Row is a durable, high-value rack that comes with a lat pulldown/low row attachment with a 1:1 ratio. It’s one of the best-value rigs for home gym owners.
What our tester says:
“It may not be worthwhile for competitive strength athletes because it’s constructed from 14-gauge steel and has a weight rating under 1,000 pounds, but for many folks, this is a solid option that won’t break the bank.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 uses 14-gauge steel, which is thinner than the 11-gauge steel we see in many high-end racks, but we think it should work well enough for most people.
- It’s durable enough for most home gym owners, but stronger individuals may notice a bit of wobbling at times, especially if you don’t store extra plates on the rack to stabilize it.
- While it includes a plate-loaded lat pulldown and low row attachment, you’ll need your own plates, and most users will have to sit on the ground to use the lat pulldown.
RELATED: Squat Rack Attachments Guide
Is the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Worth It?
This rack offers plenty of versatility at a price that should fit most budgets, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone. Here’s who we think is a good fit for this rack, as well as who should probably avoid it.
If you think this rack might be a good fit for your setup, keep reading to learn about the product specifications, key features, and see our detailed ratings for each testing category.
Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $749.98 |
| Dimensions | 54” D x 47” W x 85” H |
| Material | 14-gauge steel |
| Weight Capacity | 700 lbs |
| Upright Size | 2” x 2” uprights |
| Hole Size | 1” |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame warranty |
Experience Using the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row
For this Giant Lifting squat rack review, our product tester was Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1. Not only is Caine a former gym owner, but he’s an Olympic lifter who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Safe to say, Caine has tested plenty of racks over the years, and he understands what qualities to look for when using a squat rack.
Giant Lifting specializes in affordable equipment for home gym setups, including power racks, adjustable benches, barbells, cable machines, and more. Overall, Caine was impressed with the rack, especially at this price point. It’s not the most durable rack we’ve ever tested, but for the cost, Caine felt the value was still high.
Aside from some slight wobbling with heavier loads, which isn’t unusual for a rack made with lighter gauges of steel, Caine’s only real callout was the positioning of the included lat pulldown and low row. The pulley system felt fine, but the height felt a little awkward.
He said, “I had to sit down on the floor to use the lat pulldown and low row, just because of the lower height and position of the pulley for the low row.”
Aside from that, we think this is a pretty solid rack, especially for the versatility it offers at an affordable cost. You’ll need to factor in the cost of a barbell and weight plates if you don’t already own some, as there’s no weight stack with pin selections, but it’s still a good value choice.
For those tight on space, the ability to add a pulldown and row saves you from having to buy a separate lat tower, making this a great piece of equipment for smaller home gyms. The cable attachments don’t offer quite as much versatility as the best functional trainers, but it’s still a solid option, especially for those tight on space.
The 1:1 pulley ratio is also a good feature, as the lat pulldown/low-row attachment has a 450-pound weight limit. With a 1:1 pulley, you feel all of the weight you’re using, so 100 pounds feels like 100 pounds.
“For home gym owners shopping on a budget, the Giant Lifting rack is a great choice. I love that it includes a lat pulldown and low row attachment, which will save quite a bit of space in your home or garage gym.”
-Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC
Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Rating
Construction & Durability
The first category to look at is the construction and durability, and Giant Lifting earns 3 out of 5 stars for this category. We think it’s good enough for most people, even if it’s not quite as durable as some higher-end options.
Giant Lifting uses 14-gauge steel and 2-inch-by-2-inch uprights, while many popular high-end racks use 11-gauge steel and 3-inch-by3-inch uprights. The weight capacity is also 700 pounds due to the lower gauge steel, compared to the 1,000-pound capacity seen on higher-end racks, but most users aren’t lifting that much anyway.
The 1-inch holes are spaced 2 inches apart, with laser-cut numbers to help you find the right position.
It uses nylon pulleys, which are often smoother than aluminum pulleys, but they don’t have the same durability and may need to be replaced eventually.
Delivery & Setup
Building a squat rack can be a challenging, time-consuming process, but thankfully this one was easy, and Caine gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
With racks that feature attachments, getting all of your pulleys and cables setup can be tricky, but Caine didn’t have any issues with this one. He said, “There were no delivery or assembly issues, you just have to bolt uprights and crossbeams to the base.”
RELATED: Best Compact Exercise Equipment
Versatility
When it comes to versatility, the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is an interesting category for this specific rack, as it’s quite versatile, especially for the cost.
Research shows1 that including a variety of exercises in your training program can have a positive impact on strength and hypertrophy, so we appreciate gear that offers plenty of versatility.
The holes are spaced 2” apart, which gives you plenty of height options for the included j-cups. If you have your own attachments, you can also use the included carabiners on each pulley to perform exercises like tricep pushdowns or bicep curls.
Caine tested this rack with a variety of exercises, and didn’t have any major issues. It wobbled a little, but it never felt unsafe, so you can use this the way you’d use any other rack. In addition to being able to use this rack for countless barbell exercises, the included lat pull and rowing station are nice upgrades.
RELATED: Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldowns
Accessory Compatibility
Even though this rack is pretty versatile, it’s not the best when it comes to accessories, so Caine docked a point and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. While it can be used for lat pulldowns and rows, you won’t be able to add many popular third-party accessories.
“The uprights feature 1-inch holes with 2-inch spacing, which offers plenty of height options for your j-hooks,” he explains. “However, many third-party rack accessories are built for 3-inch-by3-inch uprights, which means they won’t fit on this rack.”
You may be able to find third-party accessories that are meant for 2-inch-by-2-inch uprights, but your options are probably going to be pretty limited. Giant Lifting sells a few compatible third-party attachments, but it’s still a pretty limited selection when it comes to power rack attachments.
Stability
For stability, we typically don’t expect to see the most durable racks with 14-gauge steel and a lower price tag, though this one is still pretty decent. Caine had a few minor issues, but overall, he gives it 4 out of 5 stars for stability.
“There are weight pegs on the base of the rack to help weigh down the rack,” Caine explains. “Without those, it can be a little shaky, but even a slight amount of weight made a huge difference. I had just 20 pounds on the back and it stopped shaking while I was testing it.”
Value
For the overall value, we give this a 4 out of 5. Caine feels it’s a great rack for the cost, and as long as you’re not expecting the most heavy-duty rack on the market, you won’t be disappointed.
It may feel a little wobbly without extra weights to hold it down, and the accessories are limited. However, if you only need a basic rack for your personal use and don’t need all the fancy attachments, this is a great choice that offers a lot for the cost.
Customer Experience
The customer experience rating considers company policies like warranties, returns, and financing, as well as the actual customer support offered. For this category, Giant Lifting earns a strong 5-out-of-5-star rating.
The company offers a limited lifetime warranty on the frame, and a 30-day return policy, although you can only return new, unopened items. We love that the rack is FSA/HSA eligible, and qualified buyers can also finance their order through Shop Pay. Plus, shipping is free.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, reviews are limited and there are only 13 reviews for the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 bundle with the lat pulldown and low row. However, the reviews are positive, with an average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Most users seem very happy with their purchase, especially at this price point, though a few mention that the instructions aren’t very clear, which makes assembling the rack difficult.
Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Vs
This is a great rack for the average home gym owner, as it’s priced to fit most budgets, and offers a lot of value for the cost. However, it’s far from the only rack on the market, and we know some gym owners are looking for more durable options.
If you’re looking to shop on an even tighter budget and don’t need the cable attachments, we recommend the Fringe Sport Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar. It’s a half-rack, so you don’t get the full cage, but it only costs $349 at the time of writing, making it more affordable for more people. Plus, it uses 12-gauge steel, which is slightly thicker than the uprights used by Giant Lifting.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to splurge and get the best rack on the market, you can’t go wrong with the REP PR-4000. It’s not cheap, but it’s a high-quality rack with a lifetime frame warranty, and the 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights are compatible with countless accessories, including some of REP’s excellent add-ons. It starts at $929, but the cost can quickly add up once you start bundling it with various upgrades.
If you want a rack that you’ll never need to upgrade in the future, and like the idea of adding attachments along the way, the REP PR-4000 is the way to go.
For more, be sure to read our full REP PR-4000 Power Rack review.
Overall, we still recommend the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 to those on a modest budget who don’t need a ton of attachments. The Fringe Sport rack is better for those who want to save money, and the REP PR-4000 is one of the best racks on the market, though the high price tag matches the quality.
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| GIANT Power Rack with Lat Bar | Fringe Squat Rack | REP PR-4000 Rack | |
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Rating
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| Type | Power rack | ||
| Footprint | 54″ L x 47″ W x 85″ H | ||
| Resistance | Weight stack (max 450 lbs) | (max ) | (max ) |
| Subscription? | — | — | — |
| Accessories | Lat pulldown/low row attachment | ||
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | 1 year | Limited lifetime |
Final Verdict of Our Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row Review
Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 bundle, as long as you know what you’re getting. It’s not going to be as durable or sturdy as racks you may have used in commercial gyms, but if you’re training at home and have extra plates to stabilize the rack, we don’t think you’ll have any issues.
At this price point, it offers a lot of value, and the 700-pound weight capacity is more than enough for most recreational lifters.
- The Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 uses 2” x 2” 14-gauge steel uprights, which are lighter than many of the more durable options on the market.
- It includes a lat pulldown and low row attachment, but it’s not compatible with many third-party accessories.
- Due to the positioning of the attachments, you’ll probably have to sit on the floor to get a full range of motion, which some people may not enjoy.
Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 With Lat/Low Row: FAQs
Is the Giant Lifting Garage Gym 2.0 rack good?
Yes, as long as you don’t need a heavy-duty rack with an extremely high weight capacity. It’s strong enough for most home gyms, but may wobble a little with heavy loads, and it’s not as durable as high-end options. For strength training enthusiasts, the Giant Lifting Garage Gym Power Rack offers plenty of versatility.
How heavy is the Giant Lifting Garage Gym rack?
The Giant Lifting Garage Gym rack weighs 165 pounds, making it easy to move if needed, and features a 700-pound total weight capacity (450 pounds on the lat/low-row attachment).
What’s the best squat rack for home gyms?
The best squat rack for home gym owners depends on your budget, needs, and preferences. There are great budget-friendly options from brands like Giant Lifting and Fringe Sport, and if you’re willing to spend more, we also recommend brands such as Bells of Steel, REP Fitness, Titan Fitness, and Rogue.
References
- Kassiano, W., Nunes, J. P., Costa, B., Ribeiro, A. S., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Cyrino, E. S. (2022). Does Varying Resistance Exercises Promote Superior Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gains? A Systematic Review. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 36(6), 1753–1762. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004258
