Power racks are a real asset in any gym, but you might be reluctant to invest in such an oversized item. Is it going to take up too much space and stop you from getting other equipment? Is your ceiling even high enough?
It’s worth understanding the average dimensions for power racks so you can make an informed decision. In this guide, we’ll explain how tall power racks are and what type of space you’ll have to devote to them.
How Tall Are Power Racks? (Average Power Rack Dimensions)
There’s a wide variety of power racks available, and the make, model, and style you choose will impact how tall it is. Some power racks are specifically designed to be larger to accommodate bigger equipment, while others are smaller to help you save space. As a general rule, the larger the power rack, the more durable it will be and the higher the weight capacity it will have.
The average power rack will be 80-84 inches tall, 45-50 inches deep, and 45-52 inches wide. They are designed to be large enough to accommodate a standard 7-foot barbell and a bench underneath them. The average power rack should be able to accommodate most users. The tallest power racks are 92-96 inches. These are designed for taller users performing lifts that need to be done standing up or users over 6’ 3” who want to use the power rack for pull ups.
The shortest power racks are 68-72 inches tall. These are specifically designed for those under 6 feet who might otherwise struggle to fit a power rack in their home. You may be unable to perform some movements (like an overhead press), and you may need smaller barbells to use on it. This rack size isn’t great for tall people, but if you're below 5' 9", you should be fine with it.
Even though the height of your power rack can vary a lot, the width should remain pretty constant. The average power rack is 46-49 inches wide. This allows you enough room for a standard barbell and space to perform exercises in the power rack comfortably. You can get some larger or smaller power racks, but there are not that many on the market.
Similarly, the depth of power racks stays fairly constant, and the average power rack will be 47-53 inches deep. You can get some very large rigs over 80 inches deep, but these tend to be the largest power racks designed for commercial use.
Despite the name, half power racks aren’t actually very much smaller than a full rack. The key difference is that they only have 4 legs instead of 6, so they’re much less deep. An average half rack will be 30-36 inches deep, but it should be just as wide as a full power rack.
Half racks come in a variety of heights, but you’ll find there are more short half power racks available because they are specifically designed for those with limited space.
As a general rule, the larger the power rack, the more expensive it is. This is primarily because there’s more material used in the construction process, but they’re also often designed to be more durable and accommodate more weight. The brand, quality, and features will all heavily influence the price, but if you’re looking for a budget power rack, you’ll normally have to choose a smaller one.
Type | Average Height | Average Width | Average Depth | Example Power Rack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Small Power Rack | 70-72 inches | 44-48 inches | 47-50 inches | |
Average Power Rack | 80-82 inches | 47-53 inches | 48-52 inches | Best Fitness Power Rack |
Large Power Rack | 85-92 inches | 48-54 inches | 50-60 inches | Marcy PM-3800 Power Rack |
Half Power Rack | 78-83 inches | 44-53 inches | 34-44 inches |
How Much Space Do I Need For A Power Rack? (Ceiling & Floor)
To determine which power rack you need, you must consider your ceiling height and floor area. To use your power rack fully, you need 18-24 inches of space above the top of the rack.
This will allow you to perform pull ups, overhead presses, and chin ups without hitting your head against the ceiling. An average power rack itself is already about 82 inches, so ideally, you would have a ceiling 100-110 inches tall, which is roughly 8-9 feet.
Most modern homes are built with ceilings that are 8 feet tall or even higher, but there are still some older homes that are smaller. Many home gyms are located in the garage, and they’re often built with smaller ceilings too.
You'll need to accurately measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling, taking into account any gym matting or flooring which may eat into an inch of two or height. Once you know the measurements, you can select the right type of power rack.
If you have around 6' of ceiling height, you are going to struggle. You're going to have to search for the smallest power racks, which are under 72 inches. These should fit in the space, but you may be limited to squats and bench presses because you’ll have very little room above the rack.
If your ceiling is around 7', you have a few more options. You’ll be able to physically fit a power rack of up to 84 inches into the space, but you won’t have much space above it. With a 7-foot ceiling, you'll be able to get almost any average-sized power rack, but we would recommend getting a smaller power rack so it’s easier to actually use it fully.
You also need to consider the space around your power rack. You need to allow 12-18 inches on either side of the power rack so that you can fit either end of the barbell in the space. The average power rack is 46-50 inches wide, so you need about 62-70 inches of floor space, which is just under 6 feet. Make sure you measure the space accurately before you choose your power rack.
The workouts you’re doing will also impact how much space you need. Attachments, like lat pulldowns, can add a few extra inches to the height, and other equipment can add to the width. Read through our guide to the best power racks with lat pulldown for home gyms.
In contrast, if you know that you're only going to use the rack for benching and squatting, you may decide you don't need as much height. Make sure you take all of this into account so you can understand the true dimensions needed.
You can save a little space in your home by choosing a half rack, but you’ll generally need 6 feet of floor space and an 8-foot-high ceiling to fit an average power rack.
Related Article - Power Rack Vs Squat Rack
Short Vs Tall Power Racks – Which Is Better For Your Home Gym?
Both tall and short power racks have their pros and cons.
Tall power racks give you a bigger workout space that you can use fully. They can fit all your weights and equipment in one space and can be safer because there's less risk of the bar catching on anything. They can generally accommodate more weight too, so they're better for advanced lifters. The downside of tall power racks is their size because they take up much more room, and they just won't fit in every gym. They can also be a more expensive option.
Short power racks help you save space in your home. They are designed to be compact and allow those with small home gyms to perform a full range of workouts. They also tend to be cheaper and can be easier to maintain. Of course, the disadvantage is their size, and a tall person won’t be able to use a short power rack effectively.
Your choice of power rack should be influenced by the space you have available and your height. If you have a smaller gym area and a low ceiling, you have no choice but to choose a smaller rack. If you do have enough space, then you should choose a power rack that matches your size.
An average power rack will work well for those up to 6"3'. If you're any taller, you should consider a larger power rack because you won't be able to get the full range of movement. If you are on the shorter side, you should consider a smaller power rack and save some space in your home.
Can You Adjust The Height Of A Power Rack? (How-To Guide)
For most power racks, the overall height is not adjustable, so you can’t change how tall it is. However, you can normally alter the spotter arms and the pull up bar. This lets you shift between different exercises and allows people of different heights to use the same power rack.
Spotter arms are designed to give you a safety net if you fail on an exercise. They’re typically used in squats and should be set 1 inch lower than your fail height.
If the lift becomes too hard and your body fails, then you can just drop the bar, and the spotter arms will catch the barbell. Spotter arms are usually just attachments that will slot into the legs of the power rack. Make sure it’s set securely before starting your workout.
Some power racks will have an adjustable pull up bar. This won't go any higher than the rack itself but can be moved lower for shorter users. Twist the hooks on the pull up bar to remove it and then insert it into a lower slot. Twist the hooks again to secure them in place. Bear in mind that not every model allows you to customize the height of the pull up bar, so you will need to check the user manual.
Frequently Asked Power Rack Questions
Should power racks be placed in the front or back of a home gym?
Power racks shouldn't be placed in areas where you'll constantly be walking by. You should aim to put it against a far wall but with enough space on either side so you can still access it easily enough. Make sure you don’t put other equipment in front of the rack, or you'll block access to it.
Does your height matter when choosing a power rack?
Yes, though the majority of users will be fine with an average-sized power rack. If you're very tall (over 6'3"), you will benefit from a larger power rack that allows you a full range of movement.
How tall are Rogue racks?
There’s a wide variety of Rogue power racks on the market, but they all tend to be on the larger side. The tallest Rogue RM-6 power rack is up to 108 inches, the average is around 84 inches, and the shortest is about 70 inches tall.
How much distance should be between the power rack and the wall?
Your power rack should be roughly 2 feet from your wall so that you have ample space to load and unload.
What should you do if you're still short on space?
If you have very limited space, then you may need to go for a half rack. These are less deep than full racks and will take up much less floor space. However, you’ll still need to find a short model if you have a low ceiling.
Conclusion
Power racks come in all shapes and sizes. Your average power rack will be about 8 feet tall, but there are many compact options available, so no matter what the dimensions are of your home gym, you can get a rack that helps you work out effectively.
Last Updated on January 23, 2023
