Powertec Power Rack:
Powertec P-PR Review

Thinking of buying a Powertec power rack? Before you make a decision, be sure to read the following Powertec P-PR review.

On this page, I'll discuss my experience in training with the Powertec P-PR power rack. I'll give my overall opinion, then list and explain its pros and cons.

By the time you finish reading my review, you should be able to make a better judgement on whether or not this is the right piece of equipment for you.

If you're not familiar with what power racks are and how they're used, then you might want to check out power rack training before proceeding with this review.

Powertec P-PR

Overall Opinion:

I've had this Powertec power rack (see picture below, right) for a little more than 3 years (I bought it in 2008). I have been more than satisfied with my purchase, and can confidently say that I would buy it again if I had to. It allows me to do all the exercises that I need it for, and it keeps me safe while doing them. With the exception of a couple small critiques, everything I have to say is positive about this piece of equipment. Read below for the specifics.

Pros:

• Built to Last. This rack is solid, made from thick steel and welded together very well. It's rated at a 1500 lb. capacity. So unless you plan on squatting or bench pressing in the quadruple digits worth of lbs. anytime soon, you can rest assured that this bad-boy can handle any and all abuse you throw at it. Other than the expected scrapes, nicks and dings, mine hasn't endured any real damage. No bending, cracking, or warping of the metal. Nothing.
• Best Bang for Your Buck. When I bought my Powertec power rack back in 2008, the price was about $400, if I remember correctly. That's about $150 less than it currently goes for. An increase in the price of steel and general inflation are the most likely culprits for the now-higher price tag. However, since all other power rack manufacturers out there experienced similar price increases, the Powertec P-PR is still one of the best (if not the best) deals on the market.

• Standard Attachements. Dip bars and a pull up bar come standard on this Powertec power rack. I especially like the pull up bar because its texture is great for grip during pull ups, but also because it's split into two handles, which give you the ability to do hammer-grip chin ups. The dip bars are nice, too, because of their versatility. They insert right into the rack slots. So you can move them up or down; put them on the inside or outside; and because of how they're angled, you can use a closer grip or wider grip. There is, however, a minor issue that occurs for me during dips, which is more of a problem with my floor than with the rack itself. I'll explain in the "cons" section.
• Expandability. It's possible to increase the number and variety of exercises you can do with the Powertec P-PR, since you have the option to buy a lat tower/pulley system add-on. I have not personally opted to do this. But just the fact that I can, makes me that much more comfortable with my purchase. I am considering buying this sometime in the future when I have enough spare ca$h stacked.
• It Fits in My Basement. This rack is purposefully made to be shorter than a rack you'd find in a typical commercial gym. It is tailored for the average home gym owner, who probably doesn't have 9 foot ceilings. My basement ceiling is relatively low (~7.5 feet), but the rack makes the clearance with a little room to spare.
• Easy to Move. My basement is pretty crowded with other stuff, and I have to keep all my equipment confined to a spot against the wall when its not in use. That means I have to pull the rack away from the wall before each workout, and push it right back after I'm done. But this isn't a problem because it's light enough to slide over my (cement) floor, even with a weighted barbell still on it.

Cons:

• Slight Wobble During Dips & Pull Ups. When I'm doing dips with any significant amount of weight attached or pull ups, the rack will tremor slightly when I struggle through a sticking point or accelerate quickly. This is not a big issue by any means; more annoying than anything. Plus, it can be fixed since it is mostly due to the fact that my rack is on an uneven cement floor. Being the modern Einstein that I am, I came up with an ingenious workaround solution – I plunk down some 45 lb. plates on the opposite side of base of the rack (or have a workout partner stand there)... And voila: Problem solved. But more than half the time, I don't even bother with this because the wobbling isn't that bothersome.
• Can't Do Standing Presses. As I mentioned in the "pros" section, this power rack is shorter than commercial ones. While this is a big plus for those with shorter ceilings, it also prevents you from doing standing press exercises (i.e. overhead press, push press) or even overhead squats, inside the rack. That said, you can still do these kinds of exercises on the outside of the rack. The ability to do the pressing movements inside the rack would come in handy for heavy work, especially partials. But I have personally never had the need, and can live without the extra clearance.

Conclusion

This Powertec power rack is a high quality piece of weight training equipment that won't break the bank, and will last you years. So if you're looking for a great power rack for your home gym, and you can deal with its minor shortfalls, then I'd strongly recommend this rack for you, especially if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg.

If you're interested, you can buy the Powertec power rack here – The rack in this link is the latest version of the model I own. And so, it has some slight differences, including color (black, yellow), bar catches (easier adjustment, more secure) and j-hooks (different shape).

For the sake of maintaining a transparent and trust-based relationship with you, my reader, I want to disclose that I do recieve a commission on sales made through the above product link.

That said, my true opinion of the power rack is exactly as stated in this review. Also, note that the price is the same whether you buy through the link or go directly to the sales page URL. Anything I earn goes towards making the site better, and to special causes like feeding the hungry (aka me)!

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