5 Best Short Power Racks for Low Ceiling in 2024

So you want a new power rack, but you have one problem, you don’t have the vertical space for a full-height rack. Then you will want the best short power rack available, but there is one small problem, there’s lots of overpriced poor quality equipment on the market right now. This guide fixes all of that by focusing on the best power racks, making your buying decision simple!

Our team of professional athletes, powerlifters, and Olympic lifters has thoroughly tested 12 different short power racks and rated each of the twelve tested in 5 different ranking categories: stability, versatility, quality, space, and value for money. 50+ hours were invested into the study. This way we were able to identify 5 of the best short power racks that one can currently buy. We aim to keep our data fresh, so expect updates as new challengers appear on the market.

Top 5 Best Short Power Racks Reviewed

1. Titan Fitness T-2 Series – Top Pick
2. REP Fitness PR-1050 – Runner Up
3. REP Fitness PR-4000 – Premium Pick
4. Rogue SML-1 70”
5. CAP Cage 72”

Product	Total	Stability	Versatility	Quality	Space	Value For Money
Titan Fitness T-2	48.5	10	10	9.5	9.5	9.5
REP Fitness PR-1050	48	9.5	9.5	9.5	10	9.5
REP Fitness PR-4000	46.5	10	9.5	9.5	9.5	8
Rogue SML-1	45	8	10	10	9	8
CAP Cage 72”	44.5	8.5	8.5	9	9	9.5

1. Top Pick: Titan Fitness T-2 Series

This Titan Fitness T-2 Rack is our top pick short squat rack, it features built-in plate horns for added stability and a pull-up bar included as standard. It has a smaller footprint than the PR-1050 so if space really is the main issue for you then this rack could be a good choice.

One of the stand out features of this rack, and what makes it our top pick is the number of attachments that can work with it, coupled with the quality of build. At this price their simply isnt a better power rack out there!

• Height: 71”
• Width: 46”
• Depth: 30”
• Working Area: 42” W x 26” D
• Footprint: 46” x 30”
• Rackable Capacity: 850lb
• Product Weight: 133lb
• Material: 12-Gauge Steel
• Finish: Powder coated – Black
• Number of Racks: 2 x J-Hooks and 2 x safety bars
• Hole Spacing: 2”

Stability

Constructed from 12-Guage steel and featuring weight horns at the back of the unit this rack is really stable. It has a frankly insane whole rack capacity of 2200lbs which just goes to show the strength of this rack.

Versatility

Included with this rack from Titan Fitness you get a 1.25” pull-up bar, 2xJ-Hooks, and two safety bars. If you want to add some extra accessories then you can add a lat tower power rack, Y dip station, Landmine, monolift attachments, and even more. There is an impressive selection of accessories that work with this rack.

Titan has a truly epic range of attachments that work with this rack and allow you, over time, to turn this into a one-stop full gym experience.

One of these attachments is the stealth leg press. This attaches to your rack and then works as a plate-loaded leg press, arm press, kickback, or even a dip station. It can also be taken off the rack entirely and used as a sled!

Quality

Titan fitness is one of the biggest names in gym equipment, so you know this rack is going to be high quality, and the reviews back that up.

This rack is also made from 12-Gauge steel which is one of the thickest steels out of all the racks reviewed here.

Space

The T-2 has one of the smallest footprints you will find, it really is one of the most compact power racks out there with a footprint of just 46” x 30”.

Value for money

This rack from Titan provides great value for money and if you are looking to get set up on a budget then this rack fits the bill.

2. Runner Up: REP Fitness PR-1050

The Pr-1050 from REP fitness is a high-quality rack purposefully designed to be perfect for small spaces. The small footprint of this power rack makes it perfect for a garage, basement, or even spare room gym.

Being from REP you also know that this rack is going to be high quality and that it will be a piece of equipment you can rely on for decades to come!

• Height: 72”
• Width: 58”
• Depth: 48”
• Working Area: 44.1” W 26” D
• Footprint: 58” x 48”
• Rackable Capacity: 700lbs
• Product Weight: 123lbs
• Material: 14-Gauge Steel
• Number of Racks: 2 Extended Safety Bars, 2 x J-cups
• Hole Spacing: 2”

Stability

This rack is solid as a rock, thanks to a solid construction from 2x2” 14-Gauge steel. This is pushed even further by the rear weight horns which add extra storage and even more stability to the rack.

The 1000 series of racks also come with optional weight storage bars. The vertical bars attach to the rear of the rack, adding even more stability as well as a whole heap of plate storage.

Versatility

With the rack, you get dual pull-up bars, one 2” and one 1.25” thick which allows for multiple grips and differing exercises. This is the only rack in the list that offers dual pull-TP50067 TP50067 bars; most racks have one pull-up bar at the front and then just a cross member at the back. The fact that this rack has two pull-up bars is a really nice bonus.

Then you also get extended safety bars that come out from the front of the rack and can hold an extra barbell, this is on top of the two J-Cups that are included with the rack.

But it doesn't stop there, you can add dip stations, a landmine attachment, cannonball grips as well as extra weight horns.

Quality

Although this is a compact rack the quality of the build and the materials used make it incredibly sturdy.

It features really nice little details like the laser-engraved numbered uprights which help with quick height adjustments.

Space

This rack is only 6’ tall and 4’ wide, making it much more compact than a regular squat rack. If you have a space budget then this is the perfect rack for you.

The short height of this rack, only 72” or 6ft, means that it is perfect for home gyms with low ceilings. If your gym is in your basement and you have been put off from other racks because they just wouldn't fit then you should seriously consider this power rack.

Value for money

This rack is an amazing value, add a barbell and some weights to it and the amount of exercises you can do is almost unlimited. A power rack should be the focus of a home gym and this one provides real quality at an affordable price.

3. Premium Pick: REP Fitness PR-4000

The PR-4000 from REP Fitness is our premium pick. This rack is fully customizable even down to the color of the support bars!

• Height: 80”
• Width: 50.8”
• Depth: Custom - 16”, 24”, 30” or 41”
• Rackable Capacity: 1000lbs
• Material: 11-Gauge Steel
• Finish: Powder coated - Range of colors
• Number of Racks: 2 x J-Hooks and 2 x safety bars
• Hole Spacing: 2” and 1” throughout the benching zone

Stability

This is a high-quality rack that is incredibly stable as is but it can be bolted into the ground for even more stability. On top of that, you can set it up with 6 uprights for extreme stability and added plate storage.

Versatility

The rack comes with a 1,25” pull-up bar as standard but this can be swapped for a range of bars such as multi-grip bars and even globe grip bars. The range of attachments you can get for this rack is amazing, you can even fit a cable pulley system to it!

This rack has the versatility to grow with you and your needs. If you want to be able to do some cable workouts then you can add selectorized lat pull down and low row cable stack to the rack.

Or you could add a monolift attachment meaning you no longer have to walk your squats out and can start them from a really stable position.

And if that isn't enough you can even add on plate-loaded iso arms transforming this rack into a real all-in-one gym.

Quality

As with all REP Fitness racks, this is a high-quality piece of equipment. The rack is made from 3x3” 11-Gauge steel and has a huge rackable capacity of 1000lbs.

Space

With its adjustable depth options, this rack can take up as much or as little room as you want. It can be configured with a depth of just 16” all the way up to 41”!

Value for money

This rack isn't for the faint of heart but you must remember you are buying into an ecosystem. You could start small with just the rack and then expand it out and add accessories over time.

4. Rogue SML-1 70”

The Rogue SML-1 is a great rack for those who are really limited in available height. Coming in at only 70” tall this rack is perfect for basements and small rooms. This is a great squat rack for low ceilings and if height is a problem for your gym then it is definitely one you should consider.

• Height: 70”
• Width: 49”
• Depth: 48”
• Footprint: 49” x 48”
• Rackable Capacity: 1000lbs+
• Product Weight: 122lb
• Material: 11-Gauge Steel
• Finish: Powder coated - Black
• Number of Racks: 2 x J-Hooks
• Hole Spacing: 1” through bench and clean pull zone, 2” spacing above and below

Stability

The uprights on this bar are placed in the center of the frame which adds tonnes of stability even with only two uprights, just look at the rackable capacity of 1000lbs+ and you know this is a stable rack!

Versatility

Rogue has one of the widest range of rack accessories going, there is so much you can add to this rack to extend its functionality.

One of the most interesting accessories for the SML-1 is the LT-1 50 CAL trolley and lever arm kit. The LT-1 can do everything from bench presses (including incline)to pulls, squats, deadlifts, shrugs, and more.

This rack can also have the monster lite spotter arms added to increase the safety and versatility of the rack.

Quality

Rogue is known for its American-made quality. The SML-1 is made in Ohio using US steel, this is one of the best quality racks you can buy.

Space

This is a very short rack, perfect for places like basements where headroom can be a real issue.

Value for money

You won't find many Rogue racks for less than this, so if you want a quality American-made rack at a great price then this could be the one for you.

5. CAP Cage 72”

If you are looking for a budget-short power rack then you can't go far wrong with the CAP 72” power cage. This short power cage is only 72” high making it a great power rack for low ceilings.

• Height: 72”
• Width: 43.62”
• Depth: 47.5”
• Footprint: 43.62” x 47.5”
• Rackable Capacity: 500lbs
• Product Weight: 117lb
• Material: 12 & 14-Gauge Steel
• Finish: Powder coated - Black, Red, or Green
• Number of Racks: 2 x catches, 2 x safety bars

Stability

For the price point, this is a really stable power rack and is made from high-quality steel. While the 500lbs rackable weight is not as high as some of the other racks on this list it is more than enough for almost all users.

Versatility

This rack is suitable for a wide range of exercises including squats, bench presses, rows, curls, and more, and with the built-in pull-up bar, you can even work on your calisthenics too!

Quality

For this price point you won't find a better-made rack, CAP really knows what they are doing and it is no surprise with over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry.

Space

A nice compact power rack, perfect for those for whom space is at a premium.

Value for money

The most affordable rack on our list and a great way to get your first power rack.

How To Measure Your Gym Space Correctly?

When measuring up your gym space it is important that you get your measurements right. One important thing to think about when measuring up for your rack is not just the space that the rack will take up but also the barbell. This is one thing a lot of people can forget when measuring up for their basement squat rack.

Most barbells are 6ft wide and then you need extra space to load weight plates onto your bar, so make sure you remember this when measuring your space. You also want to ensure you leave space around the rack so you can get around it easily, you don't want it crammed right up against a wall where you have to slide yourself in every time you want to use it or add or remove weight.

Another important thing to remember is that you have enough room to step out of your rack if required, for instance, if you want to do weighted lunges or other such exercises.

To measure your gym space you just need a tape measure and a notepad. Take some measurements and jot them down as you go.

If you measure every wall in your gym area then you can easily plot this on some paper and get a bird's-eye view of your gym with measurements. This will then allow you to plot out the positioning of your new rack.

If you struggle with a tape measure or just don't have one then there are plenty of measuring apps available on smartphones that can help you out by using your phone to measure. The measure app on iPhone is particularly good.

What To Look For In A Short Rack?

When looking for a short power rack there are a few things you need to pay particular attention to, let me talk through them below and help you make the right purchasing decision and get the right low profile squat rack for you.

1. Type of Rack

The first thing to think about is what type of rack you require, do you need a full power rack or could a squat rack or stand work for you?

The answer to this depends on what exercises you want to do, your budget, and your plans for further expansion of your home gym.

If you have the budget then go for a power rack, this is the best option of the three, but if your budget is more limited then you could save some money and get a squat rack or squat stand.

When it comes to future expansion the only rack that is suitable for being extended and having accessories added to it is a power rack. You can keep on adding accessories to your power rack over the years and eventually turn it into a truly multi-use piece of gym equipment.

2. Available Space

When buying a rack it is important to measure up your space and to make sure that you will have the room for it.

You need to think of the overall footprint of the rack as well as the height. Beyond that, you also need to make sure you have enough room on either side to fit a barbell. Barbells are available at 5ft, 6ft, and 7ft long but 6ft is the standard size.

So even if your rack is only 40” wide you need a lot more width than that to be able to use a barbell, and if you can use a barbell then what is the point of having a rack?

3. Metal Quality

When looking at buying any power rack then the quality of the metal used for the frame is an important consideration. You need to look at the size of the metal tubing used as well as the quality of the steel.

Steel quality can be approximated by the gauge of the metal, while this is not everything that defines steel quality it is one of the visible ways you can approximate it.

The gauge of steel is its thickness, with thicker steel obviously being stronger than thinner with all other things being equal.

What confuses a lot of people when it comes to metal gauge though is that a lower number actually means thicker metal, i.e. 12 gauge is actually thicker than 14 gauge steel.

4. Adjustability

One of the main factors that will affect the adjustability of your rack is the hole spacing for your hooks and support bars. A 2” spacing is the standard gap between holes but some of the more premium racks offer a 1” spacing around the benching zone.

This allows you more precise positioning of your barbell and allows you to get the weight just where you want it.

5. Additional Features

You also want to have a look at what comes included with your rack as an added freebie. Most racks usually come with 2 x J Hooks and two safety bars as standard, most also included a single pull-up bar. So if the one you are looking at offers more than this then that is all added value that should impact your buying decision.

6. Warranty

Whatever power rack you buy should be a piece of equipment that lasts you a very long time, so a long warranty would be a real plus.

Lots of the better companies I have listed above offer really long warranties, take rogue for example who offers a lifetime warranty on the frames of their racks.

Open or Closed Rack?

This is a question that pops up a lot: should I buy an open rack, like the rogue SML-1, or a fully closed rack like all of the others?

The answer is a personal preference. A fully closed rack is safer than an open one as you cannot fall out of it while squatting with a barbell. But a lot of people like open racks because you get much more freedom of movement with them.

So the final say is yours, would you prefer the added safety of a closed rack or do you prefer the freedom of an open rack?

Another important factor to consider here is that an open rack will usually have a smaller footprint than a closed one, making it better for really compact spaces.

FAQ

How High Should A Ceiling Be For A Power Rack?

This depends on your height and also what exercises you want to do in your rack. Let's take a 6ft person, if all they want to do is squat in their power rack then the ceiling only needs to be slightly higher than their height, so a few inches taller than 6ft would be enough.

If they want to do other exercises such as an overhead press in their power rack then they will obviously need a lot more room so they can fully extend their arms without hitting the ceiling.

What Is The Minimum Height For A Gym?

For a home gym, there is no minimum height, it is just whatever you are comfortable in. As long as you have enough room to do all the exercises you want then you are good.

If you want to do exercises like an overhead press then you want at least a couple of extra feet of headroom over your height so you can press without touching the ceiling.

How Far Should A Pull-Up Bar Be From The Ceiling?

This depends on what kind of pull-ups you want to do. If you just want to do regular pull-ups then you only need a gap of around 2 feet so you can get your head over the bar. If you want to do a full muscle up though (where your body is above the bar) then you will need more like 4-5ft of clearance above the bar.

What Exercises Can I Do In A Power Rack?

A power rack is more of a platform rather than a dedicated piece of equipment for one exercise, there is so much you can do in one. Squats, bench presses, overhead presses, rows, and shrugs are just some of the possibilities. Check out this workout program for more inspiration.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best short squat rack then look for one with lots of stability as well as a wide range of optional extras to add at a later date.

We really like the REP Fitness PR-1050 because it ticks every box, it is short but strong, can have a tonne of accessories added, and is great value for money too!

If you want any more help picking out one of these short racks then please leave a comment down below!

Also read:

• Best Power Rack With Cable Crossover
• Best Power Racks With Lat Pulldown
• Full Rack vs Half Rack
• Power Rack vs Squat Rack
• Smith Machine vs Squat Rack
• Squat Rack in Apartment
• Squat Rack Types
• Best Power Rack

Referenses:

1. GET THE MOST OUT OF THE POWER RACK // Muscle and Fitness: https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/get-most-out-power-rack