Fitness Reality 810XLT Power Rack (Rated & Reviewed)

Based on the thousands of positive reviews, the long list of features, and the good reputation of the Fitness Reality brand, I decided to buy the 810XLT to see if this power rack is all that it's cracked up to be. 

In this review, I'll be listing all the features of the 810XLT as well as giving you an in-depth, personal look into my experience with this home gym power horse. So let's get started!

Main Features of the Fitness Reality 810XLT

Frame & Construction

The fitness reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is constructed with a tubular frame from 2” x 2” sturdy steel, making it heavy-duty and durable. The chrome plating gives it extra toughness as well, and the 19 height adjustment levels along the frame make it extremely versatile.

The walk-in area is 50.5” in length, 46.5“ in width, and 83.5” in height. The total weight of the machine is 133.5 pounds when fully assembled. With the large size of the 810XLT, you'll need to confirm that you have enough space to use it. 

What's Included?

In terms of what's included, you've got options. You can get the Power Cage only, which comes with none of the additional bells and whistles. Or you can get the Cage + Bench combo, but the one I recommend is the Power Cage with Lat Pull Down. 

This option comes with all the bells and whistles, including a lat pull down with a pull bar and cable system. However, the Power Cage only is still a good option if you already have a lot of home gym equipment to use within the cage. 

Possible Exercises

Because of its size, there is an abundant amount of space for walking in so that you can maneuver through various side exercises. The 810XLT is ideal for any sort of workout, but mainly for heavy lifting to build and tone muscles.

The design of this power rack allows for squats, shrugs, chin ups/pull ups, and incline/decline bench presses as well as other strength training exercises

My Experience Using the 810XLT Power Rack

Let's start by discussing the assembly process for putting this power rack together. I found the steps to assemble the 810XLT fairly simple, even though there were no included directions.

There is, however, a helpful diagram that shows what the final product should look like, and using a wrench and socket, I was able to get it assembled in less than an hour. 

Right away, I was impressed with the 810XLT's durability. Everything about this power rack is solid, including the bars, hooks, and frame itself. This is especially impressive considering this isn't a commercial-grade machine. 

Next, I considered the safety features, which should always be at the top of your priority list when using any piece of home gym equipment, especially if it's used for heavy lifting.

I love that this rack comes with two dual-mounted 23” catch bars for safety, which are held in place by 3.25” safety pins. You can move the safety bars around to various holes, which are available on both sides of the upright bars. 

Another safety feature I have come to appreciate is the stability bar system. There are two stability bars stretching across the back of the rack to reduce shakiness. I never once felt the 810XLT wobble, so I think it's safe to say that these stability bars are doing their job! 

I opted to go with the 810XLT with the lat pull down included, and let me just say that my lats get an intense workout every time I use it. Pretty much every workout I've done using the 810XLT has been a good one, whether it's squats, pull ups, or bench presses. 

Lastly, let's talk about the price. Compared to other machines, this one has a reasonably low selling price. But that doesn’t mean that Fitness Reality has skimped out on quality; this power rack proves that you can still complete an excellent work out on a piece of sturdy equipment without having to pay top dollar.

Aside from the fact that this power rack requires a lot of space and all the attachments have to be purchased separately, I only came across one flaw. With the way the rack is designed in terms of plate storage, switching out weights can get annoying. I found an easy solution, though, by storing my plates in front of me. 

Another thing to note is that if you're over 6', you might find this power rack to be too short for you, in which case you might consider the commercial-grade X-Class rack from Fitness Reality instead. 

810XLT Pros & Cons List

Titan T-2 Series Vs. Fitness Reality 810XLT

Another power rack that I reviewed a while back was the Titan T-2 Series Power Rack. This unit is a bit more expensive for a squat cage, but it still comes with the 2” x 2” steel uprights for durability and stability. There are a variety of exercises that can be done with the T-2, like military presses, shrugs, curls, bench presses, and squats.

This power cage has a slightly lower weight capacity of 700 pounds, so if you think you can benefit from an extra 100 pounds, you'll definitely want to go with the 810XLT. 

Another brand worth checking out is the power rack by Body Solid PRO

Conclusion - The 810XLT Is an Amazing Addition to Any Home Gym!

I've used a lot of Power Racks over the years, mostly in commercial gym settings. Even though the 810XLT is not considered a commercial-grade rack, it is a valuable piece of equipment, especially for home gyms. 

The cage is nice and wide with plenty of adjustments available so that I can get a full body workout while using only one machine. I love that it's easy to put together, and the fact that it comes with a 1-year warranty is a nice bonus. I'm most impressed with the safety features, which are always essential to me considering I live alone and don't have a spotter. 

All in all, this is a great addition to any home gym, and although there are a few minor flaws, most of them have easy fixes. If you would prefer a commercial-grade power rack, then check out the Fitness Reality X-Class instead.