Squat Cage for Home - JP Fitness Forums

AFI82 · 03-04-2008, 01:30 PM

I know there are lots of threads about this already, I've searched through and read most of them. But a lot of the links are broken, as sites have gone down and descriptions have changed. Plus, I had a couple other questions.

I'm looking at getting a power cage for when we move in to our house in a couple months. I'll have a room that's about 10' x 14', which should work well for me.

The best deal I've found on a cage so far is at sam's club for $190. Probably have to pay shipping from the site, but I might be able to get it shipped to the local store and not have to pay shipping.
Sam's Club - Powerline PPR200X Power Rack It doesn't have any weight limits listed. I've only got 400 lbs of weights currently, and that is more than enough for everything that I've done so far. Any thoughts on how to determine the capacity before I get it?

I've seen this one listed elsewhere for a higher price. So I think it's a good deal. What are you thoughts on the distance from the front supports to the back supports? This one is 24", I've seen other ones that are 36" or more. How about the width at 46"? My main concern is that its going to feel kind of tight in there when squatting.

It's got the pull-up bar and the adjustable positions for squat/bench. I also like that I could order the seperate pulley attachment at a later point.

I've looked around at a lot of websites, but most other places start at the 300-400 range for something similar. I'd prefer to not go that high, as I want to get a more heavy duty bench and the pulley attachment some time soon.

Edit: I've been checking Craigslist daily for any used equipment. Most of it in the nashville area seems to be treadmills and ellipticals though. Anyone know of any store in nashville that specializes in this stuff? Dicks, Academy sports, and Play it again sports don't have anything like this.

Cynic · 03-04-2008, 03:05 PM

I don't think you'll be able to do lunges inside it, but it looks like a more than capable cage.

Powerline is Body-Solid is it not? Body-Solid is good.

What's the cost to ship it to you?

kmfisher · 03-04-2008, 03:09 PM

$188 is cheap for a cage. What a deal. I think the regular powerline rack has been rated to 1000 lbs in the past. The bodysolid version is either 1500 or 2000 lbs.

MuscleMom23 · 03-04-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFI82

I

The best deal I've found on a cage so far is at sam's club for $190. Probably have to pay shipping from the site, but I might be able to get it shipped to the local store and not have to pay shipping.
Sam's Club - Powerline PPR200X Power Rack It doesn't have any weight limits listed. I've only got 400 lbs of weights currently, and that is more than enough for everything that I've done so far. Any thoughts on how to determine the capacity before I get it?

I JUST found this today! They also have a lat att available and the bench. But I have been really looking. I don't know if it is the good one or if there is a difference. It is pretty cheap and as far as I can tell shipping is included making this a steal of a deal.

My heart is still towards a Power Tec rack. Lifetime guarantee. This Powerline is only 10 year at home. It would be nice to see them in person. I have been searching all over for a place I could see them.

Cynic · 03-04-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuscleMom23

My heart is still towards a Power Tec rack. Lifetime guarantee. This Powerline is only 10 year at home. It would be nice to see them in person. I have been searching all over for a place I could see them.

The powertec also has the high/low pulley and dip bars.

I want one.

AFI82 · 03-04-2008, 03:31 PM

The website is estimating $70 for shipping. Says its only available online. I'm wondering if I could order it and have it shipped to the store for free though. There is a sam's about 15 minutes from me, so it would be sweet if I could pick it up there and not pay shipping.

This same model, offered through other websites, has some more options available, namely, more pegs/pins. Are these something that don't have to be specific to a certain brand of cage? Will a metal bar of the right diameter work just as well?

Cynic · 03-04-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFI82

The website is estimating $70 for shipping. Says its only available online. I'm wondering if I could order it and have it shipped to the store for free though. There is a sam's about 15 minutes from me, so it would be sweet if I could pick it up there and not pay shipping.

You can call and ask, but it's not likely. Most retailers run shelf and online as completely seperate business units and they don't work together.

Phaedrus49er · 03-04-2008, 04:34 PM

So, including S&H, you're looking at a $260 power rack with a ten-year warranty. Get it, and at nine years, sell it off on Craig's List and use the money (and other saved) to get a better rack. If you do get this, keep us posted. I have my mouse hovering on the "purchase" button

AFI82 · 03-04-2008, 04:59 PM

If I do get it, it won't be for at least a couple months. So I'm still going to be checking craigslist and any sales that I might come across.

Aside from feeling like it might seemed cramped while inside it, I do like that it will take up much less floor space than some other models.

What type of warranty issues do you think this could suffer? I can't really think of anything that could happen to it that wouldn't show it's head in the first couple of months.

Cynic · 03-04-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFI82

Aside from feeling like it might seemed cramped while inside it, I do like that it will take up much less floor space than some other models.

Also look at ceiling height.

Phaedrus49er · 03-04-2008, 05:55 PM

You could always build your own

Cynic · 03-04-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

You could always build your own

You could also hire nutbar's welder hubby.

Mahler · 03-05-2008, 09:48 AM

Have had a Body Solid for 5 years now. I highly recommend it.

AFI82 · 03-05-2008, 11:03 AM

Mahler,
That looks like the same model that I linked. Are the dimensions the same?

Do you have any complaints about the one that you have? Anything that you'd change about it or add to it?

Fitwit · 03-05-2008, 11:39 AM

I bought a Powertec power cage with lat tower
FitnessZone: Powertec Power Rack
FREE SHIPPING at The Fitness Zone. If you are in Nashville, The Fitness Zone is just a couple of hours south of you in Huntsville. We have bought other pieces of equipment from them and have dealt with Greg. They even offered to order it and set it up so we could see it before we bought it. Btw, my husband is 6'3" and this one has not given him any problems. Buying the power cage was the best fitness $$ we ever spent!

AFI82 · 03-05-2008, 12:42 PM

Fitwit,
I really like the looks of that one. Particularly the pull-up bar on the front. It's about twice as much as the one that I posted though. And the pulley attachment for it is $350.

I know this isn't something that I want to be cheap about. But this is getting towards $1k once you count in the cage, the pulley, and a bench.

Mahler · 03-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFI82

Mahler,
That looks like the same model that I linked. Are the dimensions the same?

Do you have any complaints about the one that you have? Anything that you'd change about it or add to it?

No compliants. I would have to see your original post and measure mine.

It's very well made. Not cheesy. All structural members are heavy gauge and bolts and nuts are substantial. The paint job, even though it's white is multi-coat and holds up to the collisions with weight plates and bars. It has an add on cable station, but I did not get that because I have another piece of equipment with multiple cable locations.

I got it through Fitness Factory. If you check them out, occasionally they have a sale which includes free shipping. That's when I got mine. Paid just the cost of the rack and got the shipping tossed in for free.

Fitwit · 03-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFI82

Fitwit,
I really like the looks of that one. Particularly the pull-up bar on the front. It's about twice as much as the one that I posted though. And the pulley attachment for it is $350.

I know this isn't something that I want to be cheap about. But this is getting towards $1k once you count in the cage, the pulley, and a bench.

I know! Good luck in your search. I am so excited for you!