7 Best Folding Squat Racks of 2024
GQ RecommendsTransform any wall into your own gym.By Lauren WingenrothNovember 22, 2024Ames LeeKingSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.The term "home gym" can feel somewhat aspirational. It conjures up the image of a decked-out basement or a spacious garage, when in reality, many of us are just trying to squeeze enough space for a workout into an empty corner of our living room. However, your gains don’t have to suffer just because you lack square footage. Enter: a folding squat rack, one of the most versatile pieces of gym equipment money can buy, designed specifically to save space."When we think of a traditional big-box gym, there’s a bunch of machines that isolate every single muscle group," says Dr. Andy Fata-Chan, a physical therapist and coach, and the founder of Moment PT & Performance in New York City. "But with a squat rack, you can do things like overhead presses, bench presses, squatting, deadlifting—it can house all those exercises."Dr. Fata-Chan says that as long as you invest in a high-quality folding squat rack, you won’t lose out on any of the safety or stability of a more traditional rack (though the weight capacity might be slightly lower). We rounded up some options that’ll fit the bill and then some, all of which were tested and hand-picked by our team of coaches, trainers and athletes.Our Favorite Folding Squat Rack OverallThe Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack comes in at the top of our list for a reason (a few, actually): Our testers love its small profile for tight home gym situations; its safe, reliable construction; and its huge customization potential. Given its competitive price, it’s also clear this is a squat rack for the people.Best Folding Squat Racks: At a GlanceWe did all the heavy lifting and rounded up the best folding squat racks we could get our hands on.Best Folding Squat Rack Overall: Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount RackBest Premium Folding Squat Rack: PRx Profile PRO Squat RackBest Value Folding Squat Rack: REP Fitness PR-4100 Folding Squat RackBest Folding Squat Rack for Small Spaces: Titan T-3 Series Folding Squat RackMost Customizable Folding Squat Rack: Force USA MyRack Folding Power RackWe Also Loved:Mikolo Folding Squat RackRitFit Multi-functional Folding Squat RackHow We Chose the Best Folding Squat RacksAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronOur testers pressed, pulled, curled, lifted, and yes, squatted their way through dozens of squat racks. These racks rose to the top, chosen for their safety, durability, value, versatility and more. Learn more about how our team—which includes certified personal trainers, USA Weightlifting coaches, and elite athletes—tests fitness equipment here.Looking for Something Specific?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronLet’s Compare the Costs of These Folding Squat RacksHow We Tested Folding Squat RacksBenefits of Folding Squat RacksWhat to Look for in the Best Folding Squat RacksFAQAbout the ExpertsBest Folding Squat Rack Overall: Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount RackBells of SteelBells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack$400 $350 Bells of SteelPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsGreat valueSmall footprintCustomizableBare steel pull up/chin up barCons600-pound weight capacityNot all mounting hardware includedThe Bells of Steel’s Folding Wall Mount Rack lets you check off all your non-negotiables at a hard-to-beat $400 price. It’s sturdy, safe, affordable, and you can customize it to your heart’s content.Product FeaturesDimensions (folded out): 22" D x 47" W x 91" HWeight capacity: 600 lbsMaterial: 2.3" x 2.3" 12-gauge steelOur Tester’s TakeBells of Steel’s Folding Wall Mount Rack more than earned its place at the top of our list for its safe, reliable construction, simple-yet-customizable space-saving design, and seriously impressive value.Safety comes first when you’re in the market for a hefty piece of gym equipment like a squat rack, and Bells of Steel offers a structural lifetime warranty, and a construction that our expert testers say is reliable and sturdy, even at its relatively inexpensive price point.It’s also one of the most compact folding squat racks we’ve tested, so if your home gym is sharing real estate with your car, you should still be able to comfortably squeeze in your reps. Our testers also love the bare steel pull-up bar, which offers better grip than bars with a powder-coated finish and reduces hand tears. The rack comes with one-inch Westside hole spacing throughout the bench zone, so you can choose-your-own-adventure in terms of accessories and customizations.One note: If you’re planning on lifting heavier than 600 pounds, this option isn’t for you (look for squat racks with higher weight capacities further down this list). The only other con we can think of? It doesn’t come with a stringer (a board used for mounting the rack on the wall), but those aren’t diffic
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The term "home gym" can feel somewhat aspirational. It conjures up the image of a decked-out basement or a spacious garage, when in reality, many of us are just trying to squeeze enough space for a workout into an empty corner of our living room. However, your gains don’t have to suffer just because you lack square footage. Enter: a folding squat rack, one of the most versatile pieces of gym equipment money can buy, designed specifically to save space.
"When we think of a traditional big-box gym, there’s a bunch of machines that isolate every single muscle group," says Dr. Andy Fata-Chan, a physical therapist and coach, and the founder of Moment PT & Performance in New York City. "But with a squat rack, you can do things like overhead presses, bench presses, squatting, deadlifting—it can house all those exercises."
Dr. Fata-Chan says that as long as you invest in a high-quality folding squat rack, you won’t lose out on any of the safety or stability of a more traditional rack (though the weight capacity might be slightly lower). We rounded up some options that’ll fit the bill and then some, all of which were tested and hand-picked by our team of coaches, trainers and athletes.
Our Favorite Folding Squat Rack Overall
The Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack comes in at the top of our list for a reason (a few, actually): Our testers love its small profile for tight home gym situations; its safe, reliable construction; and its huge customization potential. Given its competitive price, it’s also clear this is a squat rack for the people.
Best Folding Squat Racks: At a Glance
We did all the heavy lifting and rounded up the best folding squat racks we could get our hands on.
- Best Folding Squat Rack Overall: Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack
- Best Premium Folding Squat Rack: PRx Profile PRO Squat Rack
- Best Value Folding Squat Rack: REP Fitness PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack
- Best Folding Squat Rack for Small Spaces: Titan T-3 Series Folding Squat Rack
- Most Customizable Folding Squat Rack: Force USA MyRack Folding Power Rack
We Also Loved:
How We Chose the Best Folding Squat Racks
Our testers pressed, pulled, curled, lifted, and yes, squatted their way through dozens of squat racks. These racks rose to the top, chosen for their safety, durability, value, versatility and more. Learn more about how our team—which includes certified personal trainers, USA Weightlifting coaches, and elite athletes—tests fitness equipment here.
Best Folding Squat Rack Overall: Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack
The Bells of Steel’s Folding Wall Mount Rack lets you check off all your non-negotiables at a hard-to-beat $400 price. It’s sturdy, safe, affordable, and you can customize it to your heart’s content.
Bells of Steel’s Folding Wall Mount Rack more than earned its place at the top of our list for its safe, reliable construction, simple-yet-customizable space-saving design, and seriously impressive value.
Safety comes first when you’re in the market for a hefty piece of gym equipment like a squat rack, and Bells of Steel offers a structural lifetime warranty, and a construction that our expert testers say is reliable and sturdy, even at its relatively inexpensive price point.
It’s also one of the most compact folding squat racks we’ve tested, so if your home gym is sharing real estate with your car, you should still be able to comfortably squeeze in your reps. Our testers also love the bare steel pull-up bar, which offers better grip than bars with a powder-coated finish and reduces hand tears. The rack comes with one-inch Westside hole spacing throughout the bench zone, so you can choose-your-own-adventure in terms of accessories and customizations.
One note: If you’re planning on lifting heavier than 600 pounds, this option isn’t for you (look for squat racks with higher weight capacities further down this list). The only other con we can think of? It doesn’t come with a stringer (a board used for mounting the rack on the wall), but those aren’t difficult (or expensive) to come by.
Best Premium Folding Squat Rack: PRx Profile PRO Squat Rack
For a more premium folding squat rack option, our pick is the PRx Profile Pro, which impressed us with its quality construction and durability, as well as how little space it takes up in a garage.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a folding squat rack that can stand up to time, wear, and tear like the PrX Profile Pro, a premium option that our testers love for its durability and "incredibly stable" construction.
For such a sturdy piece of equipment, the PrX Profile Pro is actually one of the more compact on this list, which we love. It folds up (rather than in) and only requires about 9 inches of depth when folded.
As for the downsides, unlike many of the other racks on this list, which come with a pull-up bar, PRx sells its bar separately (along with any other accessories or attachments you may want). And while the rack’s fold-up design is great if it’s horizontal room you’re lacking, if your space is vertically challenged, you may not be able to fit this model.
Best Value Folding Squat Rack: REP Fitness PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack
For a folding squat rack option that packs lots of value punch, we’re fans of the REP Fitness PR-4100, which comes in two depth options and with plenty of versatility.
The REP Fitness RP-4100 Folding Squat Rack walks and talks like a premium piece of gym equipment. Case in point: It has a combination of two-inch Westside spacing higher-up for squats and overhead presses, plus one-inch spacing in the bench press area, which allowed our testers to dial in to the perfect liftoff height for those presses. Its price, though? Not so premium, clocking in at just $500—which makes the RP-4100 the best bang-for-your-buck option on our list.
On the con side, there’s not much to say, except that like many of the racks on this list, it will require a trip to the hardware store to get some of the required mounting hardware and may not work for low ceilings.
Best Folding Squat Rack for Small Spaces: Titan T-3 Series Folding Squat Rack
Folding squat racks are built to be compact in general, but the Titan T-3 Series Folding Squat Rack goes above and beyond in that category, making it our top choice for tight spaces, whether they’re lacking height, depth, width or all three.
If your home gym is more of a home corner-of-a-room-with-lots-of-other-stuff-in-it, you don’t just need a squat rack that folds up, you need a miracle. The next best thing is the Titan T-3 Series Folding Squat Rack, which is both exceptionally narrow and comes with two height and depth options. Its impact on the wallet is relatively small, too— it costs just $420, which includes a built-in pull-up bar.
On the other hand, in some ways you get what you pay for with this one. It only comes with a one-year warranty, and our testers found that because folding and unfolding the rack is rather involved, it’s not the most durable option. Also good to know: Because of the T-3’s 2-inch by 3-inch upright design with ⅝-inch holes, it’s not going to be compatible with all that many attachments.
Most Customizable Folding Squat Rack: Force USA MyRack Folding Power Rack
The more customizable your squat rack, the more bells and whistles you can play with. With the Force USA MyRack Folding Power Rack, you can go attachment-wild.
Think of your squat rack as the foundation upon which you can build a home gym set-up that works for you. ForceUSA’s MyRack Folding Power Rack is the best in the biz when it comes to maximizing your customization options—it has 54 adjustment points, 11 attachment options (like J-cups, dip stations, and spotter arms), and hundreds of possible configurations so you can tweak your setup to just how you like it.
Another major perk of this model: It’s freestanding, meaning no need to bolt it into the wall or the ground. On the con side, investing in all the attachments in addition to the rack itself can start to get expensive. And though you don’t necessarily need to buy Force USA’s attachments (though if you look elsewhere, make sure they’re compatible), our testers weren’t all that impressed by the quality of them, especially as compared to such a high-quality rack.
Other Folding Squat Racks We Like:
As its name implies, this Cheetah All-in-One Functional Trainer Folding Squat Rack from Mikolo is more than a squat rack—we love that it comes with five adjustable settings and transforms from a squat rack/power rack to a functional trainer to a cable crossover machine.
Our Take
The Mikolo Cheetah All-in-One Functional Trainer Folding Squat Rack is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on this list. Depending on your needs, it can function as a squat rack/power rack, a functional trainer, or a cable crossover machine. At $850, it’s also the priciest of our picks, but considering you’re essentially paying for three machines in one, it’s likely a worthwhile investment. (More evidence of that: Mikolo’s machine comes with a lifetime warranty.) Should you want any additional attachments, the machine’s 2-inch x 2-inch upright size and 1-inch hole diameter will mean finding something compatible will be a breeze.
The RitFit’s Multi-Functional Folding Squat Rack is another great budget-friendly option—it goes above-and-beyond with an included pull-up bar, landmine attachment, and j-hooks.
At under $400, you’d think that RitFit’s Multi-Functional Folding Squat Rack wouldn’t come with any bells or whistles. And yet, it comes fully stocked, with an included pull-up bar, landmine attachment, and J-hooks—meaning that’s three less additional purchases for you to worry about. It’s also one of the most compact models we found, especially when folded, so a good option for anyone who’s playing a game of life-size Tetris in their home gym space.
Let’s Compare the Costs of These Folding Squat Racks
Wondering how heavy a lift these folding squat racks will be? Compare their costs below—all prices are before any sales or discounts.
How We Tested Folding Squat Racks
We take testing fitness equipment like these folding squat racks very seriously. For starters, we recruited a team of experts, including certified personal trainers, USA Weightlifting coaches, and elite athletes, who know their stuff. They spent quality time with each squat rack on this list, taking notes on everything that matters to you—safety and sturdiness, durability and quality, weight capacity, versatility, size, and more.
Our crew also looked at factors like warranty, price point, materials, and safety features to get a better sense of just how much value each squat rack offers for the money. With that information and the results from our rigorous tests, we sifted out the best from the rest. For more on how we test fitness equipment, read our testing methodology here.
Benefits of Folding Squat Racks
Strength training is finally getting its long-deserved cred, and for good reason: It can help stave off the muscle loss and damage that happens as we age, improve bone health, and generally help us live longer, healthier lives.
The most efficient way to strength train, according to Dr. Fata-Chan? Compound exercises, which target multiple muscle groups at the same time. Unlike some of the machines you’ll find at the gym that are made to isolate one muscle group at a time, the squat rack excels at multitasking, supporting you in all the classic compound exercises, like deadlifts, overhead presses, and yes, squats.
Moreover, the squat rack helps you do those exercises safely. "With a squat rack, there’s pins, hooks and safeties where you can rack and unrack weights safely," Dr. Fata-Chan says. "There’s also catches, where if you’re unable to complete the lift, it’ll catch the barbell for you."
As for folding squat racks in particular, the benefit is the space they save you. Depending on the design, a folding squat rack can either fold in or up when not in use, allowing you to maximize the space you have and fit a serious piece of gym equipment into tight quarters.
What to Look for in the Best Folding Squat Racks
Consider these factors when shopping for a folding squat rack.
Size/Compactness
Your squat rack won’t do you much good if it won’t fit in your space. While folding squat racks are a space-saving option in general, there’s plenty of variation in terms of just how much real estate they’ll require, whether folded in and out of the way or folded out and ready to work. Take some measurements to make sure you choose one that’ll work for your space—and also keep in mind that you’ll likely need space to store weights, and any accessories and attachments you add on.
Price
For safety reasons, a squat rack isn’t the kind of thing you want to buy cheap. Expect to pay at least $300 for a quality rack, with more premium models typically offering more weight capacity, a better warranty, and more versatility and accessory options.
"This is one of the staples of your gym," says Dr. Fata-Chan. "So go for something that’s a bit higher-quality. I don’t recommend buying something off-brand on Amazon—go for a brand that’s known for making this kind of equipment."
Sturdiness
You don’t want to have to limit your workout because you’re scared your equipment can’t handle it. Investing in a high-quality squat rack—and ensuring that you install it correctly on a wall that’s sturdy enough to hold its weight—will be key to getting the most out of your home gym. Look for models that’ve been tested for their sturdiness, stability, and durability (like the ones on this list), and enlist a handy friend or a professional to help with the install if you need to.
Attachments
How much you can do with your squat rack is directly related to how much it can accommodate in the way of accessories and attachments. Most racks won’t come with many extras included, so you’ll want to look for one that’s versatile enough to be able to work with whatever attachments you foresee adding. While you don’t necessarily have to purchase attachments from the same brand where you purchased the rack, you do need to ensure that they’ll be compatible.
"There’s different brands that have different attachments, and they aren’t universal," says Dr. Fata-Chan. "So make sure you’re considering what accessories you want, and what workouts you’re trying to accomplish with the folding squat rack."
Weight Capacity
Folding squat racks often have a more limited weight capacity than their less-compact counterparts. Pay close attention to that number, and if it’s smaller than you lift (or would like to someday be able to lift!), opt for a model with more capacity.
FAQ
Are folding squat racks safe?
When installed correctly, folding squat racks of quality construction are safe. It’s worth investing in a model that you can count on for its safety and durability, like the ones we’ve chosen on this list. Be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully, and that the wall you’re using is strong enough to support the rack.
How much do folding squat racks cost?
Expect to pay at least $300 for a quality folding squat rack. More premium models may cost closer to $1000.
What is the best folding squat rack?
Our pick for the best folding squat rack overall is the Bells of Steel Folding Wall Mount Rack. We love it for its small footprint, safety and durability, customizable versatility, and excellent value.
Can you bench press on a folding squat rack?
Yes, you can bench press on a folding squat rack. You will likely need to invest in a bench and the weights separately. If you’re planning on using your folding squat rack to bench, you may want to opt for one with more depth, suggests Dr. Fata-Chan, so that there’s room for your bench and a spotter.
About the Experts
Dr. Andy Fata-Chan is a physical therapist, StrongFirst Certified Coach (SFG-1) and USA Powerlifting Club Coach (USAPL-CC), and is the founder of Moment PT & Performance in New York City.
Resources
- Coleman, C, et al. (2022). Dose–response association of aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity with mortality: a national cohort study of 416 420 US adults. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/21/1218
- Syed-Abdul, M. (2021). Benefits of resistance training in older adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33176670/
