Anybody who has ever worked out with free weights knows the importance of the power rack. And it is an established fact that having a power rack in your home gym improves its functionality and makes it viable to perform a range of free weight and bodyweight exercises safely.
Having a power rack installed at the garage gym enables you to performs heavy lifts without the need for a spotting partner.
You have all the good reasons to buy a power cage but these things need too much space. Most of the time the only reason preventing you from buying is the lack of space availability.
If you are someone who wants a squat rack but doesn’t have enough space to spare, then there are some awesome folding wall mounted power racks that are made for you. And if you wish to learn more about them before buying, then you have come to the right place.
In this buying guide, we have compiled everything you need to know before buying a wall-mounted folding rack for your home gym.
We have picked and described the best available folding power racks on basis of performance, durability, functionality, and other parameters to help you choose the right one.
Best Folding Power Racks
Here are the top five wall-mounted folding squat racks that would serve you as a full power cage and would consume minimal storage space. These racks need lesser space than the half rack for storage and are secured with the wall, they are as stable and sturdy as the full power rack.
Each of these racks has some unique features. Go through the description, features, pros, and cons of all these before selecting one to buy.
Monster Lite RML-390FULLW Fold Back Wall Mount Power Rack
It is a fully functional power cage that can fold back in a small area to save floor space. The Monster lite RML-390 rogue folding rack has four 90 inches long uprights, you will be standing in between these four when you will be working out.
The depth of the total set up while unfolded is about 49 inches. There are safety catcher straps that cover the whole inside depth of this foldable cage. These straps are strong enough to catch the heavily loaded barbell in case of a failed rep.
The power cage remains stable even under the intense movement of heavy free weights or while performing pull-ups as it is secured to the wall with bolts. The structure is made of heavy-duty 11 gauge steel for performance and durability.
Depending on the space availability in your basement gym you can choose to fold inward and outward. When folded inwards, it takes less wall space and extends about 6.5 inches from the wall. When folded outward it takes more wall space but extends only 5 inches in front of the wall. It has detent pins to secure the swing arms in a folded or extended position.
The uprights are 3x3inches in size and have the holes numbered for ease of placing the safety strap and J-hooks correctly. The assembly and installation of this squat rack are easy and can be carried out by a single person.
Features & Specs |
|
Unique Features |
Optional stringer, easy install pull-up bar |
Material |
Steel, UHMW plastic |
Steel Gauge |
11 gauge |
Upright Tubing Size |
3×3 inches |
Product Dimension |
45x59x90 (LxWxH) inches |
Product Weight |
330 pounds |
Pros:
- Strong and durable construction
- Very easy to assemble
- Takes up very little floor space
- Safety straps can catch the barbell without any noise
- Easy to install pull-up bar
- Available in many colors
Cons:
- The installation instruction manual needs some work
This foldable power cage is so easy to install that you won’t even feel the need for an instruction manual. Get one and install it with or without stringers within minutes.
Monster RM-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack
The Monster RM-3W fold back wall mount rack is made using heavy-duty 11 gauge steel uprights measuring 3×3 inches in cross-section. It is a fully retractable power rack that when folded takes less than 4 inches of floor space from the wall it is mounted on.
This rogue folding rack has two uprights mounted on the swing arms. The assembly comes with J-hooks and there is a provision for mounting the extended spotter arms on the uprights.
By design, this foldable power rack qualifies as a half rack, but as it is bolted to the wall it provides a more stable platform to rack the loaded barbell.
The position of the J-hooks can be adjusted to a comfortable height suitable to the exercise you are performing by installing those on different holes on the uprights. Similarly, the position of the pull-up bar can be changed by moving it and its detent pin to different holes on swinging arms or uprights. The holes are 1-inch in diameter and spaced 2 inches apart throughout the structure.
There are two different length options for swinging arms. You can choose between 21.25inches or 42.5 inches long arms, which defines the depth of the power rack.
Features & Specs |
|
Unique Features |
Optional custom stringer, fully retractable design, depth choice |
Material (List Materials Used) |
Steel, UHMW plastic |
Steel Gauge |
11 gauge |
Upright Tubing Size |
3×3 inches |
Product Dimension |
44x56x90 or 25x56x90 (LxWxH) inches |
Product Weight |
165/190 pounds |
Pros:
- Heavy gauge steel used in construction
- Offers a safe platform to perform heavy exercises
- Takes up negligible space when not in use
- Can choose the depth according to space availability and use
- Aesthetic MG black finish
- Can attach and remove the pull-up bar easily
Cons:
- Package doesn’t include spotter arms
The rack uprights are of standard size, you can easily get the suitable spotter arms of your choice anywhere. It would take very little effort to buy spotter arms for this foldable squat rack and adding these spotters would make your workout much safer.
Rogue RML-3WC Fold Back Wall Mount Rack
The simple and compact design of the RML-3WC foldable squat rack will catch the eye of everyone who looks at it. This beautiful rack is fully retractable, takes negligible floor space. The package includes the stringers to provide a base for mounting and for optimal support and stability of the structure.
The rack has three options for swinging arm lengths. You can choose among 9 inches, 21.5 inches, and 41.5 inches long arms as per your space availability and exercise needs.
The uprights would rest on the floor for support but won’t damage it as they are covered with UHMW plastic caps. The whole structure is made using heavy 11 gauge steel. It is strong, durable, and can be secured firmly on the wall to handle your intense workouts.
Features & Specs |
|
Unique Features |
Stringers included, fully retractable, depth choice |
Material (List Materials Used) |
Steel, UHMW plastic |
Steel Gauge |
11 gauge |
Upright Tubing Size |
3×3 inches |
Product Dimension |
44x59x90 or 25x59x90 or 13x59x90 (LxWxH) inches |
Product Weight |
143/163/190 pounds |
Pros:
- Three choices for the depth of the rack
- Takes very small space
- Mounting stringers are included in the package
- Heavy-duty and durable structure
- Easy to install on the garage gym wall
- Available in custom colors
Cons:
- No spotter arms in the package
- Lower weight capacity than a full power rack
This rogue folding rack is meant to be fixed in smaller spaces and can support a moderately heavy load. This is a good fit for intermediate lifters who wish to exercise with moderately heavy free weights.
Rogue RML-90SLIM Door Mount Fold Back Rack
Even if you don’t have a space to spare for any gym equipment, you don’t have a basement, garage, or even a free wall long enough to install the foldable power rack you can still have a power rack. Yes, the RML-90 SLIM door mount rack makes it possible.
This rack can be installed on the sides of your door. It just needs 19.5 inches of wall space on each side of the door to install the 4 stringers. The structure is made with 11 gauge steel and if installed correctly it is strong and stable enough to support your high-intensity workouts.
The structure extends 13 inches from the wall when in use and just 5 inches when folded. This doorway mounted power rack provides you with all the functionality of a half rack and practically consumes no usable space of your home.
Features & Specs |
|
Unique Features |
Split Stringers, door mount |
Material (List Materials Used) |
Steel, UHMW plastic |
Steel Gauge |
11 gauge |
Upright Tubing Size |
3×3 inches |
Product Dimension |
13x49x90 (LxWxH) inches (not considering stringers) |
Product Weight |
170 pounds |
Pros:
- Doesn’t need a dedicated space to install
- Can be mounted on any door width between 28 to 36 inches
- Heavy-duty uprights with protective foot caps
- Aesthetic
- Durable
Cons:
- Can’t be installed on the main entrance door
- Need some expertise to install the split stringers in a line
This is the rack that can be installed at places where no other gym rack can be fitted. Once installed you won’t have to worry about it for a long time.
Rogue R-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack
This comparatively lightweight rack is made using 2×3 inches uprights. If you have spare J-hooks or spotter arms for 2×3 inch uprights, you can opt for this foldable rack.
The swing arms can be either 20.5 inches or 40.5 inches long. The rack is made of heavy gauge steel and high strength fasteners are used.
Features & Specs |
|
Unique Features |
2×3 inches uprights, length options |
Material (List Materials Used) |
Steel, UHMW plastic |
Steel Gauge |
11 gauge |
Upright Tubing Size |
2×3 inches |
Product Dimension |
24x55x90 or44x55x90 (LxWxH) inches |
Product Weight |
140/160 pounds |
Pros:
- Strong and durable constructions
- Precision finish
- Can be used with 2×3 inch hooks and spotters
- Very easy to install
- Pull-up bar can be attached
- Folds to forms thin 5 inches wall
Cons:
- Not as sturdy as the counterparts
- Need two people to assemble
- Needs a high ceiling to install
Almost every power rack needs a high ceiling to install, this one does too. You can utilize your spare 2×3 inches hooks and spotters with this rack only.
Don’t miss:
11 Best J-Hooks to Upgrade Your Rack
11 Best Half Racks for Home Gym
7 Best Power Racks With Lat Pulldown
Smith Machine vs. Squat Rack vs. Power Rack
Folding Wall Mounted Power Racks Buyer’s Guide
Lack of space availability would force you to opt for solutions like wall-mounted foldable power racks instead of the regular floor-mounted power cages.
As the floor-mounted power cages are more common in the commercial gyms and home gyms as well, there is a lot of information available and you can also consult your gym buddies or trainers about those if you are planning to buy one for your basement gym.
But when it comes to unusual fitness equipment like foldable squat racks you might be left in the dark as not many people know about what to look for while buying them.
Here are a few important factors on which you must test the folding power cage under consideration before finalizing one to buy.
- The wall type needed: Not all walls can take the weight of the power rack and loaded barbell kept on the rack. You first need to check whether your wall is strong enough to hold and support the rack. And you should check whether the rack can be installed on the size of your wall.
- Space needed: Though the wall-mounted racks are the most space-efficient type of power racks, you should know the overall length, depth, and width of the structure in both folded and an extended position to understand whether you can fit in your garage gym or not.
- Weight capacity: Like any power rack, you need to check the weight capacity of the foldable power rack too. The capacity should be higher than the weight you are planning to exercise with.
- Installation and tools: Unlike the floor-mounted racks, you don’t just assemble the foldable wall mount racks on the floor. You need to install it on the wall. You might need some tools and hardware to do that. Make sure you have the tools and the package includes the necessary hardware.
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