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This is my review of the 8 best power racks with lat pulldown.
I have tremendous admiration and respect for the power rack. I consider it to be the centerpiece of any gym – commercial and home – so I took my time reviewing and analysing every power rack on the market.
I can finally share what I’ve learned with you. My ranking may come as a surprise but I assure you that my choices were made in an open-minded way.
I found the best power rack with lat pulldown to be the X-Class Light Commercial High Capacity Olympic Power Cage by Fitness Reality.
Like the name implies, this commercial quality unit is one of the strongest power racks available. It can take everything you dish at it. But it’ll cost ya.
Having said that, the decision was not easy to make. Keep reading to see why I think Fitness Reality edged out this list, and see where other well-known products stand amongst the 8 Best Power Racks With Lat Pulldown.
#1 Best Quality [Power Rack with Lat Pulldown]
My choice for the best qaulity power rack with lat pulldown is the Fitness Reality X-Class.
Fitness Reality X-Class Light Commercial High Capacity Olympic Power Cage
Power cages are no joke, they are the bread and butter of any strength training workout. As such, I found it fitting to place this beast of a power cage at the top of the list for its high quality construction.
When you’re building a home gym, you want to replicate what you get from a membership to something more manageable and condensed.
With Fitness Reality’s power cage, you certainly get the replication aspect.
This thing is one of the strongest power cages available, capable of handling 1500 lbs of weight. It will not shake.
It’s built with a 2”x3” matt black and chrome 300 lbs steel frame, and at 86.5” length x 52” width x 86” height, it’s the longest rack on our list. And one of the widest. You can perform your squats or standing lunges as wide as you want.
There are 25 height levels for ample customization, two straight J-Hooks with rubber padding, and dual mounted safety bars for Olympic bar racking and squat safety.
The X-Class Light Commercial High Capacity Olympic Power Cage is one of the few on our list with dip bars, an awesome added bonus. The 20” high density rubber gripped bars hook onto the safety bar. They adjust to 13 different positions and can support up to 600 lbs. So it’s extremely heavy duty.
There are two height adjustable multi grip chin up bars that also support up to 600 lbs, so you can perform every kind of chin up imaginable and feel safe while doing so.
Another overdone element to this power cage is the stability bar, which means zero wobbling when you’re doing dips or pull ups. It’s a bit high off the ground but because the rack is so large and the bar is U shaped you’ll have no trouble placing your bench exactly where you want it.
And no commercial grade power rack would be complete without pre drilled holes at the base for anchoring capabilities.
The lat pulldown/low row attachment features a chrome plated rail for smooth motion and a 44” lat bar gives you extra wide grip advantage. Like the rest of the unit, the weight cap for the lat pulldown is higher than most at 360 lbs.
The ten year warranty, with three years on parts and two years on wearable parts, is also one of the most comprehensive. And assembly is surprisingly easy.
But the price is steep at 1100 US, so it’s meant for serious weight training enthusiasts.
I also wish the height increments were numbered for efficiency, but I can let that slide.
#2 Best Value For Money [Power Rack with Lat Pulldown]
HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage
The HulkFit power cage is a good quality, decently well-rated piece of equipment. It’s not perfect, and, despite the color, it’s the best bang for your buck on this list.
It has a 1000 lbs weight capacity (which is plenty). A 2.5” x 2.5” 11 gauge steel yellow and black frame provides great stability. Like the name implies, it has lots of features.
The HulkFit comes with two steel safety bars that double as J-Hooks, plus two additional J-Hooks for added versatility. The J-hooks in this case are actual hooks. Unlike the nice straight bar J-Hooks with our first rack, you have to be more careful when you rerack onto these.
This power rack has adjustable triangular dip bars that hook into the height increments, a neat twist on the traditional straight bar or V bar design for better hand and wrist angling.
The pullup bar is multi grip (with two separate bars) and has good foam handles on the ends for optimal hold. The space inbetween is a little inconvenient, but not super bothersome.
It is a hefty power rack, holding its own at 165 lbs with 44″ length, 47″ width, and 81″ height.
There’s a lat pulldown/low row option with diamond steps so you can sit on the floor and do some mean close grip rows. This rack even has a cable crossover add-on for way more exercise versatility (you’ll need a lot of space).
The H shaped base has rubber feet for added sturdiness and the stability bar is flush to the ground so you can pop your bench’s legs right over and against the back rail if you need to.
The best part about the HulkFit rack is the price – it’s only 400 US. But there are drawbacks:
- There are only 17 height adjustments and each hole is 3 inches apart (and they aren’t numbered). Not ideal.
- Unlike most of the power racks on this list, it doesn’t come with plate holders or a floor bolting option.
- The paint chips easily and the shipping can be much slower than normal.
#3 Budget-Friendly [Power Rack with Lat Pulldown]
REP PR-1100 HOME GYM POWER RACK
I’ve dubbed the REP’s PR-1100 Home Gym Power Rack the “people’s champ”. This super affordable but durable, compact yet versatile power rack is almost too good to pass up.
The steel frame is 14 gauge and can only support 700 lbs, but it comes in five different colors – gloss black, matte black, red, blue, and silver – to match the add-on bench color options.
At 48” length, 47.5” width, and 84” height, REP’s power rack has a fairly standard footprint. But the base is flat footed for better stability.
The pullup bar is arched for angled multiple grip options and is reversible for space constraints. It features one standard and one fat grip bar, as well as band attachment points for progression support. There’s a straight bar option available as well.
Super cool.
What’s even better is the laser engraved numbering every 5 holes for the J-Hooks and chrome safety bars. This is rarely seen on a power rack this cheap.
REP’s power rack has a lat pulldown/low row attachment with a lat bar and straight bar for all your back workout needs. It holds a max of 250 lbs and features a chrome rail, but extends a whopping 17” from the rear and a few inches from the top so make sure you’ve got the space.
The J-Hooks are included and padded for noise and scratch reduction. REP has lots of additional pieces for this rack – including weight horns, straight dip bars, and a landmine attachment.
And the shipping is totally free on REP’s website.
Of course, it has its downsides:
- The weight capacity is only 700 lbs (I mentioned that already but it’s a huge bummer – its the weakest power rack on our list)
- The extended chrome safety bars will bend if weight is dropped on them.
- The power rack itself is very low priced, but tack on the lat pulldown/low row, and you’re looking at 450 US which is a competitive price point.
- Assembly should be done by someone with some sort of affinity with tools. It’s tedious and requires lots of bolting.
- The warranty is only two years
Alright, that’s the top three down.
Those were my favorites from best quality, to bang-for-buck, to budget friendliest.
Now let’s take a look at the 5 other racks (that are absolutely worth mentioning). Each has its features and drawbacks, so we’ve listed them for ease of comparison.
At the end of the day, look for something that best fits your needs within your price range and you’ll have a good shot at making the right choice.
T-3 SERIES SHORT POWER RACK AND PULLEY TOWER COMBO
Titan’s slick black creation is worthy of your soul crushing training, but it comes at a premium.
Overall, the power rack does not disappoint. It is made with the same quality you’d expect to find with Titan equipment – you should expect no issues with it.
Features:
- It’s sturdy & safe
- The steel is heavy duty and high quality
- The 1100 lbs weight capacity is more than acceptable
- The unit is slick matte black
- It’s built with 2” x 3” steel tube frame which is thicker than average
- There are two straight pullup bar options in 2” or 1.25” diameters
- Included are two matching safety bars
- The 21 height positions allow for good customization with side holes for J-Hook reinforcement
- The plate holders are included and easily installed
- Assembly is easy and it’s decently portable
- There are four footprint options:
- 24” L x 53 ¼” W x 82 ¼” H
- 24” L x 53 ¼” W x 91 ⅛” H
- 36” L x 53 ¼” W x 82 ¼” H
- 36” L x 53 ¼” W x 91 ⅛” H
Drawbacks:
- The warranty is only one year
- The price ranges from 680 to 720 US, so it’s a bit more expensive
Valor Fitness BD-7 Power Rack with LAT Pull Attachment
Check it out – Valor’s power rack is esthetically one of the most pleasing. It’s sleek and modern looking.
And it’s pretty good quality material. Working out on this rack will feel good and provide you with an efficient workout in a compact space.
But don’t get it if you’re the squat king.
Features:
- This is a solid power rack. No wobbling.
- It’s made with 2” x 2” 12-gauge steel with rubber base caps
- There’s metallic pewter finish with PVC coating (so it’s totally rustproof)
- The pull up bar is solid steel chrome with knurled grip
- It comes with heavy duty steel chrome safety bars
- The lat pulldown attachment comes with a lap bar and the cable is 60”
- There are 27 numbered height increments for extremely accurate adjustments
- There are four 8” plate holder pegs
- At 130 lbs, with 23.63” length, 43.25” width, and 80” height, it’s the most compact and portable rack on this list
- It’s easy to assemble and the warranty is decent at three years for the frame, two years for the cable, and one year for the hardware
- It’s only 450 US
Drawbacks:
- There’s only a 750 lbs weight capacity with 500 lbs on the J-Hooks
- The interior dimensions are a bit small
- The pulleys are big and encumbersome
- The 200 lbs weight cap on the lat pulldown/low row is not ideal
Merax Athletics Fitness Power Rack
Merax’s power cage looks very similar to Valor’s with some key differences. It’s bigger, it’s a tad stronger, and it’s pricier. If you’re just looking for something a little roomier and money is not an issue, go for this rack over Valor’s.
The extra you spend will be compensated through the warranty.
Features:
- Merax’s rack is sturdy and long-lasting
- It has a steel silver frame with a large 47” walk-in design
- There’s no wobbling and the H shaped platform is secure
- It comes with chrome safety bars that have built in J-Hooks
- It includes a foam padded lap bar for the lat pulldown/row row that locks onto the safety bars
- The chrome pull up bar has knurled grips
- Despite being tall at 85”, it’s only 44” in length and, at 132 lbs, it’s decently portable
- There are four plate holder bars
- The assembly is easy and the power rack is good quality
- There are 21 height increments which isn’t terrible
- The lifetime warranty on the frame is superb, with two years for the parts
Drawbacks:
- It’s 600 US and only has an 800 lbs weight capacity with the safety bars (500 for the J-Hooks)
- The 2” by 2” frame is on the thin side
- The cable system is not optimal so doing heavy pulldowns or rows can be frustrating
- It’s a tad hard to bench from the inside of the rack with the pulley system
Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
This Fitness Reality rack is our winner’s baby brother. It looks cool and has the bells and whistles that make it intriguing, but it lacks the kind of quality that would make you jump for it. It isn’t overly strong or durable, but it does the job.
At the end of the day, unless you squat 800 lbs, you’ll get the workouts you want.
Features:
- This power rack is sleek and full of add-ons
- It’s made from chrome plated steel
- The footprint is an adequate 50.5” in length, 46.5 in width, and 83.5 in height so it’s compact yet spacious
- The power rack is only 133.5 lbs but the two stability bars, one up top and one down low, make it sturdy
- The pull up bars are arched with monkey bars
- Included are thick chrome safety bars and chrome J-Hooks
- The lat pulldown/low row pulley system is a dream and has:
- High strength nylon cables
- A chrome guide rail so its smooth
- A 270 lbs weight capacity which is better than average
- A 39” lat bar and 20” row bar with foam grips
Drawbacks:
- For the price of 590 US, the 800 lbs weight capability is low
- The 2×2” frame holes aren’t numbered and there are no pre-drilled holes for anchoring
- There are only 19 height increments
- The bottom stability bar is almost a foot off the ground, making bench placement trickier
- You couldn’t do better than a one year warranty Fitness Reality?
Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Strength Rack Power Cage
I absolutely had to include this cage into the list. Sunny Health & Fitness makes an awesome power rack and it’s super affordable – as long as you don’t need the lat pulldown.
It was built with versatility and quality in mind. The black and red color scheme is a little boyish, but otherwise, it’s a solid choice.
- It may not not look it but this is a good quality, strong power rack
- The 1000 lbs weight capacity means it’s for serious strength training
- The arched pull up bar is reversible and has monkey bars, and it’s textured for optimal wide and narrow grip
- Sunny includes safety bars, built-in plate holders, and safety clips
- The J-Hooks are plastic covered to prevent scratching
- With 50.4” in length, 65.1” in width, and 82.9 in height, it is a very spacious unit
- There are three resistance band pins which require the rack to be bolted to the floor
- There are only 18 height increments but because they are ¾” apart, you can set the bar at just the right height
- For 665 US you can get an adjustable weight bench with the power rack
- Sunny Health & Fitness sells the power rack alone at a reduced price of 400 US
Drawbacks:
- It doesn’t come with a lat pulldown/low row, which is the reason it’s last on our list (but very much worth the mention despite this)
- Unlike the pictures, the holes aren’t numbered, which is misleading
- The warranty is only one year
The Power Rack with Lat Pull Down Buying Guide
Weight Capacity
A power rack’s weight capacity goes hand in hand with its quality and size. This typically ranges from 500 lbs to 1500 lbs. The higher the weight capacity, the pricier the rack (usually).
You’ll want to consider the strength and weight training style of anyone that might use the power rack. Pick a rack with a suitable weight capacity for the strongest person in your circle.
For most people, 1000 lbs is plenty. In the end, you’ll want to overestimate for some wiggle room. A 600 lbs rack should be the absolute bare minimum.
Incremental Height Positions
Good hole placement is important for accurate height positioning. Smaller increments are better. Aim for 1/2 inch to an 1 1/2 inch apart. This way, you can customize any exercise to your body’s dimensions – avoiding injuries while you strive to hit your goals.
Having the holes numbered may seem insignificant, but it helps with height adjustment. Trying to eyeball the correct hole wastes time and effort better spent exhausting your muscles. When you know which number to use for each exercise, your workouts are more efficient.
Size & Height
It goes without saying that the size and height of your power rack will be limited by the space that you’ve dedicated to it. A good power rack may not fit in your basement (especially if it’s finished).
For power racks, the bigger the better. A wider base means more stability, thus weight capacity. And it means more room for squats and ample space to attach various add-ons, so you can truly hit every muscle when you train.
A good power rack is the best all-in-one home gym.
FYI – There’s no bigger de-motivator for squats than a poor quality power rack or an undersized rack with a low pullup bar. So go as big as your space and budget will allow.
Quality
Aim for an 11 gauge 2” x 3” chrome steel structure. Different color options are always welcomed.
A good power rack should have lasered numbering and the spacing should be within an inch for optimal height accuracy.
You want padded safety bars and J-Hooks for noise reduction. And high density rubber grips on the pullup and lat bars feel so good.
Pre-drilled anchor holes, in my opinion, should be standard across the board.
Space Needed
You already know to measure the space before you purchase the power rack. But don’t forget to include the additional space it will take for the safety bars and plate holders.
Power racks are highly modular pieces of equipment. With every additional piece, you can train the different angles of every muscle. So do some research and account for the power rack attachment space when you choose one.
Stability Features
When constructing your home gym, remember that when in doubt simply do what the big gyms do. For power rack stability, this means anchoring to the ground. The only thing that would make it sturdier than being bolted to the ground is an arm bolting it to the wall.
If floor anchoring isn’t possible, which it often isn’t, the next best thing is to add a stability bar across the bottom back of the unit. This keeps the power rack well spaced and solid.
You want a safe power rack, but the stabilizer bar can be a barrier to your bench positioning, which is frustrating. Getting one that is removable or as flush to the ground as possible helps alleviate this issue.
Attachments
A good power rack with all the bells and whistles is a complete home workout tool for any weight lifting style. Look for a power rack with attachments that suit your goals and you’ll have everything you need within one home workout unit.
Here’s a list of power rack attachments to consider:
- Lat pulldown and low row
- Lat & curl bars
- Chin up bars with monkey bars
- Cable crossover system
- Knee holder for lats
- Dip bars
- Landmine attachment
- Various handles
- Ropes
- J-Hooks
- Monolift system
- Band pegs
- Core trainers
- Plate holders
- Safety bars
- Bench
- Lat pull down seat
Frequently Asked Questions
How much room do I need for a power rack?
The most compact power racks are about 24 inches deep and 42” wide. Factor in the standard Olympic bar and space to comfortably move around the rack and you should have at least 6 feet of depth and 11 feet of width.
How tall should my power rack be?
Most racks are 81” to 86” tall. The average height is 84” but some racks go as high as 91. Personally, I think the taller the better, but this depends on your height and space limitations and is totally up to you.
Many power racks have adjustable or reversible pull up bars to alleviate space restrictions. Remember that your head will rise above the bar with a properly executed pullup, so give yourself enough room.
What is the difference between a power rack and a squat rack?
Either one should be the centerpiece to your home gym, but the power rack wins. They both allow you to do various barbell exercises, including squats, shoulder press, standing curls, bench press, rows, shrugs etc. These compound movements are the backbone of any weight training regimen.
The main difference is the squat rack is essentially two solid posts to rack your barbell onto whereas the power rack is a cage. The cage is more versatile – it comes with a pullup bar and typically add-on options like a lat pulldown/low row, and sometimes a dip bar.
The squat rack isn’t as safe as the power rack. There are no safety bars. If something happens, the barbell will come crashing to the ground. Due to the difference in design, the power rack is a lot sturdier and can hold more weight.
But the squat rack is more compact – it needs less depth and height space. Which means it costs less. So if your space is limited and so is your wallet, opt for the squat rack.
Power Cage with Lat Pulldown – Final Verdict
Building a home gym is a tedious and expensive endeavour, but it’s also intensely rewarding. With an exercise system within the comfort of your own home you have total control. You can workout whenever you want at a moment’s notice, and you don’t have to share!
The power cage with lat pulldown is the quintessential part of any home gym. It really is, in my opinion, the machine that provides the most muscle building within a feasible amount of space. Add a cable crossover into the mix if you can make it work and you’re all set for a thorough full body workout.
With that in mind, go for the biggest and strongest power rack you can afford. It is, after all, a lifelong investment into your good health. If the power rack needs to be compact, so be it. But get all the bells and whistles, and get to work.