Best Power Racks With Lat Pull-Downs (2024)

The centerpiece of any garage gym is often the power rack: a squat rack for your barbell workout, and a home for any attachments you’d like to use. Some of the most common attachments are a lat pull-down and low row add-on. Adding these two elements together can take your home gym to the next level, adding versatility to your gym and variety to your full-body workout program.

If you are looking for your next power rack with access to cable attachments, look no further. We’ve assembled our favorites for the best power racks with lat pulldowns, ranging from solid budget options to the sturdiest power racks and pulley systems money can buy. Read on to find the rack and lat pull-down combo that’s right for you.

We Know Lots About Racks and Lats

We have had vast experience with the best squat racks over the years, as well as providing you, the consumer, with quality information. Through testing the equipment we review, our testers provide you with firsthand knowledge of the products to help inform your choice in gym equipment. Our team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit-L1 trainers, weightlifting coaches, and athletes know what to look for in home gym equipment, because fitness and gym equipment is already part of our lives.

The 8 Best Power Racks with Lat Pull-Downs  

• Best Overall Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP PR-4000
• Best Space-Saving Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3
• Best Customizable Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Bells of Steel Hydra Rack
• Best Versatile Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Force USA MyRack
• Best Budget Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
• Best Garage Gym Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Titan T-3 Series
• Best Value Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP PR-1100
• Best High-End Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP Ares Builder

Best Overall Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP PR-4000

Good for: People wanting a heavy-duty power rack at an affordable price

Best Overall

REP PR-4000 Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.38

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Product Highlights

• Heavy duty 11-gauge steel
• 3" x 3" uprights
• Rated for 1,000 lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable, high-quality rack
• Several color options available
• Laser-cut holes and logos
• Uprights are numbered every 5 holes
• Westside hole spacing
• Can be built out to include weight storage, pull-up bar, strap safeties, etc.
• 3x3-inch 11-gauge steel

Cons

• Accessories for the PR-4000 and PR-5000 racks aren’t as good as the competition
• Some of the welds and powder coating aren’t up to par

Bottom Line

The Rep Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack is honestly one of the best value power racks on the market. This rack has garnered excellent reviews from us and others and it's largely due to how great it's features are for the price point. This is still a pretty expensive rack for those on a tight budget and trying to build a home gym, but this is the type of rack you never have to upgrade. Is it better than the Rogue Monster Lite? No, but it is cheaper and very similar quality, although it is imported. We are big fans of the PR-4000 and recommend it.

The REP Fitness PR-4000 presents quality construction, durability, and stability, all at a lower price than many competitors, making it our pick for the best power rack overall with a lat pull-down attachment. There are two options for cable attachments, one plate-loaded and one selectorized with a 200-pound weight stack. Both cables operate at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 10 pounds will feel like 10 pounds.

The plate-loaded lat pull-down attachment is the less expensive option at $450, whereas the selectorized pull-down begins at $1,299. If you want to load the cables up, the plate-loaded option might be your best choice too, as the weight horns can hold up to 600 pounds of iron plates.

As for the squat rack, the build of this rack is solid. The rack is constructed with 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel tubing, which gives the rack a massive weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. This rack is capable of holding the heaviest of loads on a barbell. Plus, the westside spacing allows for accurate positioning of J-cups and safeties during bench press, as well as rack pulls.

You can customize the height and depth (and color!) of the PR-4000 to accommodate the space available in your home gym. Additionally, there are an array of rack attachments, including plate storage, dip bars, and a landmine attachment. However, unless you order the PR-4000 with 6 posts for weight storage, it’s recommended to bolt down the rack, to add stability. Heavy weights racked on the outside might tip the rack otherwise.

For more information on this rack, check out our REP PR-4000 In-depth Review.

Best Space-Saving Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3

Good for: Those needing a compact but solid power rack for their home gym

Best Space-Saving Power Rack

Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3

GGR Score: 4

Community Score: 4.4

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Product Highlights

• 3x3" 11-gauge steel
• 5/8" bolts and fasteners
• Westside spacing
• Pin/pipe safeties
• Rogue Monster Lite compatible

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 11-gauge steel
• Westside spacing
• Compact rack design

Cons

• Some reviews claim the product was damaged during shipping
• Holes are not numbered
• Must be bolted to floor

Bottom Line

The Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3 is a compact and sturdy rack from Rogue Fitness. Compatible with the entire Rogue Monster Lite series, this durable power rack can offer a good amount of versatility

Rogue is one of our favorite manufacturers when it comes to squat racks. The brand always makes a quality product, and the Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3 Rack is no different. Providing a strong frame made from 11-gauge steel, the RML-3 also has a smaller footprint than most competitors, with a total depth of 30 inches. I use this rack at the gym I train out of, and with it rated for a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, it can handle most any barbell workout, although the rack needs to be bolted down.

For the lat pull-down, Rogue offers a cable attachment for the Monster Lite series called the Monster Lite Slinger. Starting at $360, it can be customized for a plate-loaded machine, a weight stack, or even resistance bands. Additionally, a lat pull-down seat and low row can be added, too, if you do not already have a weight bench with leg rollers.

All pieces attach onto one of the uprights, maintaining the compact power rack’s small footprint. Additionally, Rogue’s lat pull-down bar has a very strong knurling on it, a touch that I like.

The Monster Lite Rack has a fat and skinny bar along the top of the rack, as well as 4 band pegs that can be used for banded squats or bench press. Although the rack has a small footprint, the height is 90 inches, which may be high for some garage gyms. If you can not bolt down the rack or it is too tall, it might be wise to consider a half rack or short rack to save space.

RELATED: The Rogue R-3 Power Rack: A Great Option for Your Home Gym

Best Customizable Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Bells of Steel Hydra Rack

Good for: Strength training enthusiasts wanting a power rack that fits their specific needs

Best Customizable Power Rack

Bells of Steel Hydra 4-Post Power Rack

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Fully customizable
• Free shipping and 30-day money back guarantee
• 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Limited lifetime warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fully customizable
• 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel
• Choose your own height and depth
• 5/8" holes with 1" and 2" spacing
• Compatible with a number of attachments
• Free shipping
• 30-day money back guarantee

Cons

• Add-ons quickly increase price
• Only attachments made precisely for 76.2mm x 76.2mm uprights will fit
• Assembly may be challenging to do alone

Bottom Line

The Hydra Rack is a great option for home gym owners looking for a fully customizable rack from a trusted brand.

While we have not had our hands on the Bells of Steel Hydra Rack yet, we are a big fan of the company and in our experience, they have made quality products, like the brand’s 2-in-1 machine we tested and loved: the Reverse Hammer. In terms of squat racks, the Hydra Series provides some of the best customization options on the market. 

When I go on the website to customize a power rack, there are 10 steps—ten. With multiple options for rack height and depth, pull-up bars (including a multi-grip pull-up bar or globe grips), and tons of storage and attachment options, this is a rack that is fully adjustable to your needs. With some premade options, you can also build your rack, literally piece by piece.

The rack is high-quality, made of heavy-duty steel, and the uprights are 3 inches by 3 inches with 5/8-inch holes and westside spacing. Rated for 1,000 pounds, the rack is sturdy and durable, although a more shallow rack should probably be bolted down to add stability.

The lat pull-down attachment for the Hydra Rack is $349, and can support both 1-inch standard plates and 2-inch Olympic plates for a max weight of 285 pounds. The Hydra Rack supports tons of other attachments, including a cable crossover and dip station. However, the customization and attachments are sure to make the price tag creep up on you.

Best Versatile Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Force USA MyRack

Good for: Anyone looking for a power rack to build a versatile home gym

Best Versatile Power Rack

Force USA MyRack Modular Power Rack

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Extremely versatile
• Use freestanding or bolted
• 100% customizable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Modular and extremely versatile
• Performs well after yeas or use
• Easy online buying process
• Price point on the rack is pretty competitive
• Westside hole spacing
• Features a cable crossover attachment.
• Bar storage built-in
• Numbered uprights

Cons

• Thinner uprights with 12-gauge steel
• Attachments use inferior materials
• Powder coat leaves much to be desired
• Numbers on uprights may fade

Bottom Line

The Force USA MyRack is a modular power rack that features every attachment you can think of in a compact rack designed for a home gym. After using and reviewing the rack over the past two years, we stand behind our initial assessment that it's a good option for those that want a rack with a lot of attachments for not a lot of money. It's not the best rack on the market by any means, but it is a novel solution at an affordable price.

When building out a home gym from a power rack, it’s good to have some options as far as attachments go. The Force USA MyRack provides just that; in addition to a lat pull-down and low row, the modular MyRack has a whopping 19 other attachments to choose from. Also, you start with the rack and add the attachments and equipment you want—only paying for exactly what you need.

Made with a slightly thinner 12-gauge steel, the Force USA MyRack is a budget-friendly power rack. The rack is bolted instead of welded, but it is reinforced with backer plates, to strengthen its joints. In our experience, the rack was very sturdy. The uprights are not industry standard at 2.4 inches squared, so you will have to purchase Force USA attachments specific for this piece of equipment.

While there are a multitude of attachments, in our review of the MyRack, a few of the attachments were a little subpar, particularly with the variety of pull-up bars. The multi-grip pull-up bar had a nice knurling, but the other pull-up bar attachments had a surprisingly slick powder coat that wasn’t great for grip.

RELATED: Lat Pulldown Vs Pull-Up

While there is a lat pull-down and low row attachment available for the MyRack, there is also the option of a cable crossover. Additionally, you can purchase a seat attachment for the cable crossover. If you are looking to have both attachments, just purchasing the seat might be a way to save a bit of money, as the price of attachments start to add up. 

To learn more, check out our in-depth Force USA MyRack Review.

Best Budget Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage

Good for: Someone looking for a solid budget-friendly power rack

Best Budget Power Rack

Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage

GGR Score: 4

Community Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• 800 lbs weight capacity
• 2" x 2" 14-gauge steel frame
• Comes with chrome plated safety hooks and bars
• 2" hole spacing
• Multi-grip pull-up bar
• Optional attachments for J-hooks, dip bars, weight plate holders, landmine, and cable attachments

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Multi-grip pull-up bar
• Comes with safety bars

Cons

• 14-gauge steel not the strongest
• Chrome safety bars and hooks can be damaging to barbells

Bottom Line

The Fitness Reality 810XLT is a power rack with good value. Although not the sturdiest power cage on the market, it has a weight capacity and build that will satisfy the overwhelming majority of home gym owners.

Buying a power rack and lat pull-down attachment is going to cost several hundred dollars at the very least; the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage can help relieve some of that financial burden with a solid budget rack and lat pull-down attachment. The cage itself is $299 on Amazon, and with the lat pull-down, the cost is under $550, making this one of the least expensive rack and pull-down combinations I’ve seen.

The cage’s steel frame is constructed from 14-gauge steel, which is a thinner steel than most, but it still has a weight capacity of 800 pounds, and should hold any load for most people. The spacing of the holes is 2 inches, which is spaced out a little bit more than westside spacing, but at most will only be a problem finding the right height for a bench press.

The 810XLT comes with chrome steel safety bars, for exercises like rack deadlifts, or to use if you don’t have a spotter during your workout. These are not the strongest, though, and the metal on metal of the barbell and safety bars can end up damaging both.

Adding the lat pull-down gives you access to both a high and low row pulley system with nylon cables. The attachment goes to the back of the cage, and a leg hold-down, which can be combined with a weight bench for a proper seat for your pull-down. It also comes with a 39-inch lat bar and a straight low row bar, both with foam grips.

Because this is not the strongest power rack, it is probably not ideal for a stronger athlete. However, this is a great starting point for beginners and home gym owners alike.

Check out our in-depth Fitness Reality 810XLT Review to learn more about the Fitness Reality power cage and squat rack.

Best Garage Gym Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: Titan T-3 Series Power Rack

Good for: Garage gym users needing a durable squat rack at an affordable price

Best Garage Gym Power Rack

Titan T-3 Series Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.8

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Product Highlights

• 2x3" 11-gauge steel tubing
• Weight capacity of 1,000 lbs
• Westside spacing
• Bolt-together construction
• Includes J-hooks and weight holders

Pros & Cons

Pros

• More affordable than competitors
• Stable when bolted down
• Bolted panels easier to adjust on uneven surface
• V2 of the T-3 comes in a variety of colors
• V2 of the T-3 has laser-cut holes on the side and front of uprights
• Westside spacing
• Pin/pipe safeties
• 2x3" tubing allows for Titan and other competitors' attachments and add-ons

Cons

• Known for delays and mixing up orders
• Imported materials
• Not the best welds
• J-cups are average at best
• Bolted panels makes for a weaker joint
• Cheaper bolts used

Bottom Line

The Titan T-3 is a good, budget-friendly power rack. It's very similar to one of our favorite racks, the Rogue R-3, but at a much cheaper price thanks to it's imported nature. If you have the ability to bolt down your rack to a platform or concrete foundation and want a rack that won't break the bank, this is a good option.

So technically, these are all power racks we are recommending for your garage gym, but the Titan T-3 Series Power Rack can be a great fit for many home gyms over the past few years. TItan Fitness has been able to address many construction and quality issues that we first noticed in our comparison between the T-3 and Rogue R-3 Power Rack a few years back. Since then, Titan has brought consistency and a cleaner look to its power racks. 

The rack has two pull-up bars at the top with two different widths, for the option of working the grip more or less. The rack has an abundance of holes along the uprights’ front, back, and sides, allowing for numerous attachments to be on the rack at once; and also customization on where they can be. The westside spacing allows for accurate placement of the J-cups and safety bars during bench press and similar exercises.

For an additional $350 ($390 for the tall rack), you can get a lat tower and low row attachment to the back of the rack. The 70-pound attachment is plate-loaded, and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. With the squat cage already starting at $519, this rack and lat pull-down combo presents some great value.

Although many of the quality issues have been addressed since Titan started using robotic welders, some reviewers still claim inconsistency when it comes to quality of the rack. Additionally, the power rack probably should be bolted down since it lacks a real base; Titan recommends it to ensure stability. If you are able to bolt down the Titan T-3 in your garage gym, it’s a great choice for value.

You can learn more about the T-3 Series and the other racks Titan has to offer in our Titan Squat Racks Review.

Best Value Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP PR-1100

Good for: Anyone looking for a starter power rack with tremendous value for a home gym

Best Value Power Rack

REP PR-1100 Home Gym Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• Rated at 700 lbs
• Designed for home and garage gym owners 
• Has professional features 
• Compact and versatile 
• Multi-grip pull-up arch

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good balance between value and versatility
• Shown to exceed durability and weight capacity expectations
• Budget-friendly
• Has different color options
• Multi-grip pull-up bar
• Flat-footed rack base
• Laser-cut numbers every five holes on uprights
• Plastic-lined J-cups
• Included chrome-plated safeties
• Ability to add attachments

Cons

• Competitors at this price range or less
• Assembly can take some time as it is largely bolted together
• 14-gauge steel
• 700-lb weight capacity

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness PR-1100 is, in our opinion, one of the best value squat racks on the market for those just starting a home gym or squat/bench less than 700 LB. In our review, we've found that this is a stable power rack with many features taken from racks twice its price. This includes upright color options, a multi-grip pull-up bar, UHMW j-cups, and numbered uprights. If you're trying to build a budget home gym, this is an excellent option, just be aware that you may want to upgrade in the future.

The REP PR-1100 is our pick for providing the best bang for your buck. It is not the strongest power rack, nor is it constructed with the strongest steel, as it is built with 14-gauge steel. However, as GGR founder Coop said after trying it out, this rack “will be more than enough for most people.” And at $379 with free shipping, that’s kind of a steal. Plus, it has some neat colorway options that most power racks do not offer.

The PR-1100 can’t be bolted down, but it has a broad base that accounts for better stability. With that said, you shouldn’t do any dynamic movements on this cage like kipping pull-ups. While a 700-pound weight capacity is not the most impressive, this will be an issue only for strong powerlifters.

The lat and low row attachment for the 1000 Series is sold separately for $259, which makes the combined price under $700, which is massive. The lat pull-down is loaded with Olympic weight plates, either iron or bumper; the weight horns are capable of holding 450 pounds. The cables are at a 1:1 ratio and are attached to the back of the power rack, keeping the footprint small, although the attachment will stick out from the back about 19 inches.

For a budget-friendly rack, REP offers quite a few attachments and add-ons to this rack, making it a great rack to begin a garage gym with. However, if you are looking to squat a ton or do muscle-ups out of this rack, it may not be the best choice for you.

Check out our in-depth REP PR-1100 review.

Best High-End Power Rack with Lat Pull-Down: REP Ares Cable Attachment Builder

Good for: People who want a smartly-integrated pulley system in their power rack

Best High-End Power Rack

REP Fitness Ares Cable Attachment

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Can be built and customized
• 4- and 6- post series options
• Trolleys
• 30 aluminum pulleys and cables
• Two weight stacks with 260 pounds each
• Lat pulldown bar
• D handles
• Footplate
• Connector banana
• Micro-adjustment plates of 2.5 pounds each

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available for 4- or 6-post
• Fits REP PR-4000 or REP PR-5000
• 2 height and 4 depth options to customize to your rack
• Dual weight stacks each at 260 lbs
• Comes with four micro-adjustment plates
• 180-degree swivel
• 6 attachment points for handles and bars

Cons

• Expensive, but a high-quality functional trainer option
• Likely only works with REP racks

Bottom Line

The Ares Cable Attachment from REP Fitness is a high-quality functional trainer from a brand we know and trust.

REP Fitness constructed the Ares Cable Attachment to be a complete pulley system and functional trainer compatible with the REP PR-4000 and PR-5000. There are 36 pulleys on this attachment—that’s a lot of pulleys—and six attachment points, allowing for lat pull-downs, low rows, cable crossovers, and adjustable heights for the pulleys on the front of the rack.

The aluminum pulleys will last and hold up to 450 pounds, although they may wear the cables a little faster. In Coop’s testing of the REP Ares System, the pulleys and cables moved smoothly through every exercise he tested. Because this is set on a power rack, the cables are not as wide as those on the best functional trainers, so some exercises like chest flyes felt a little awkward because of the narrower width. Also, the low row seemed a little lower than it could have been.

The weight stacks will take up a lot of space in the center of the rack. In his testing, the rack could still support most exercises except for adjustable bench work, like an incline bench. The rack can be customizable on the REP website, creating a 4- or 6-post power rack with a multitude of height and depth options. The rack also has colorway options, which is always a nice touch.

Although you can build an entire rack out of the website, either a PR-4000 or 5000, you can also buy the cable attachment by itself, for a starting price of about $2900. Obviously, adding the power rack is only going to ramp the price up, so buying the cable attachment for your rack is a great option, BUT make sure that your squat rack is compatible first. If you don’t have a PR-4000 or 5000, I’d recommend talking to a REP Fitness representative to see if your rack is compatible with the Ares.

The price is a lot, and it has quite a footprint, but if the price is of no concern, this is a great power rack that doubles as a functional trainer.

For more details, read our in-depth REP Ares Cable Attachment review.

Other Power Racks with Lat Pull-Downs We Researched

There are a lot of great power racks with lat pull-down attachments on the market, which made narrowing down our list pretty difficult to say the least. Here are a few others contenders for best power racks with lat pull-downs that didn’t quite make the cut:

Prime Fitness Prodigy Power Rack: In our review of the Prime Fitness Prodigy Power Rack, one of the things that stood out was the immense versatility of the power rack in a compact space. The pulley system and attachments were constructed well, which are typically a second thought when it comes to power racks. However, the J-hooks did not have plastic lining that are typical, and would damage the bar and hooks while using them. It appears Prime FItness has re-designed these hooks to include UHMW lining.

Sorinex XL Series Single Rack: Sorinex makes quality products and their XL Series are no different. The rack is durable and customizable, and in our in-depth review of the XL Rack, Coop says it is one of the best available. However, the rack is more pricey than its competitors; if price is a concern, there are some more affordable options that still provide a quality product.

Rogue RM-3 Monster Rack 2.0: When it comes to racks, Rogue Fitness provides a quality product. The RM-3 is a fantastic rack, but we chose a Rogue rack from their Monster Lite series, as it is less expensive; the main difference between them is the hole and attachment sizing.

How We Picked and Tested

We have looked at and tested many different squat racks, power racks, and cages from a diverse set of brands. So from our experience, we looked at and researched power racks and their attachments, noting the quality and construction of both the power racks and the cable attachments. From there, we tested several machines, both in their ability as a power rack, as well as being a functional full trainer with a lat pull-down.

We did barbell squats (obviously), and also swung around on the pull-up bars for a bit to note the stability of the racks, and their weight capacity. For lat pull-downs we tested, we ran them through a full-body workout, tested out the low row attachment if it had one, and noted the quality and durability of it and other attachments.

FInally, power racks can be expensive. They can be more expensive when you add a lat pull-down attachment. With this in mind, we made sure that each product we recommended provided value for the user, in that it provided a quality product at a reasonable price.

Benefits of Power Racks with Lat Pull-Downs

There are many reasons for power racks, both as a squat cage, and as a home gym. The main thing is that the power rack can fit attachments and add versatility to your garage gym. Here are a couple other benefits for investing in a power rack with a lat pull-down:

Full-Body Workout

Power racks are already a piece of fitness equipment where you can workout your entire body with barbell squats, deadlifts, and presses. However, adding a lat pull-down to your rack can add some versatility to your workout, giving you a different stimulus. Going from squats with free weights to a triceps push-down with cable resistance adds variety to your exercise routine.

Adding multifunctional elements to your power rack will help you workout the entire body in your home gym, which helps you in your training by being efficient in your workout, and saving time in your workout.

A Home Gym Starter

Power racks are considered the centerpiece of home and garage gyms because they are a great way to begin a home gym. Power racks often have a load of attachments that can be added, and due to their connected four uprights, they often have the weight capacity and stability for these attachments. Most attachments are sold separately as well, so you can start with a power rack, and add the lat pull-down and other attachments down the road.

Space-Saver

Because the attachments are all on one piece of equipment, power racks are a great space saver as well. Keeping a majority of your attachments and workout stations in about a 4-foot-by-4-foot square is helpful in saving room in your home gym. Additionally, some attachments are made for additional storage, such as weight horns or storage pegs.

What to Look for in Power Racks with Lat Pull-Downs

There are lots of things to consider when purchasing a power rack, especially if you’re wanting to add a lat pull-down or other attachments. Here are a few main points.

Materials

Looking at a power rack, the main thing we want to consider is the gauge of the steel; remember a lower number is stronger in this case. Most of the strongest power racks and squat stands are built with 11-gauge steel, and have a high weight capacity. Budget-friendly racks are usually constructed with 12- or 14-gauge steel instead. This thinner steel will make the rack less stable at heavier loads, but it will also be less expensive.

What to get will depend on your needs. If you are going to be using a rack for heavy loads, it’d be good to consider a stronger steel frame. If you’re looking to save, 14-gauge steel will work and still be strong enough for most people. These thinner steel frames are typically bolted and have backer plates at the joints to help strengthen the frame.

Pulleys are made of nylon or aluminum; aluminum will wear out cables faster, while nylon will wear out the pulleys more. If there are a lot of pulleys, you may want them to last longer, so aluminum might be a good option. The cables should also be covered in a nylon coating, and generally thicker is better.

Weight Capacity

This is a follow-up on materials. Most budget racks will have a weight capacity of 700 to 800 pounds, give or take. This should be more than enough for most people; generally you want a capacity of twice your max weight to account for dumping or bailing on a lift. If you’re strong enough, however, a budget power rack just may not work. A stronger gauge will get you a better weight capacity, but it will also increase the price more.

Footprint

With power racks, it’s important to not only consider the width and depth of the rack, but also the height. Some racks will simply not fit in a garage with a low ceiling; in this case, it may be wise to look into short racks or half racks, to save on the footprint of the rack.

Adding a lat pull-down to a power rack will take up some space as well. Most attach to the center of the rack, or off of an upright, which will only add a few square inches of floor space here and there. However, some lat pull-downs come as a side extension, such as Force USA’s MyRack cable crossover attachment. This can be nice to have a second workout station for a gym partner, but it will take up a lot more floor space.

FAQs About Power Racks with Lat Pull-Downs

Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1

Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

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