When to get a squat rack?

G

gigstar1

Cathlete
So what would be the most weight to have on your barbell before you have to get a squat rack? 50 60 lbs? How many of you have squat racks? Aren't they huge?

Lisa
 
I got mine last fall, at the suggestion of NancyAZ here on the forums; she located the Valor BD3 (or some such title) through a couple of different vendors, and I wound up getting mine through Overstock.com for about $150.00 (with GREAT shipping rates I might add). It is two free-standing posts that are not affixed to each other; each piece of the stand weighs about 25 pounds and is very portable. Just what I needed.

I got mine when I was at the point of hiking a 60-lb barbell from floor over shoulders in a modified snatch and clean; I got very concerned about low back safety at that point. However, the weight load to be concerned is specific to each person, depending on her height, leg strength, low back and core stability, etc.

I say, if you're thinking about it, start saving your sheckles and get one sooner rather than later.

A-Jock
 
gigstar1 said:
So what would be the most weight to have on your barbell before you have to get a squat rack? 50 60 lbs? How many of you have squat racks? Aren't they huge?
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It depends on what you feel safe lifting in a clean and press onto your shoulders from the floor.

I'd say if you can't do the move smoothly, with no struggle whatsoever, you should use a rack.

I just started using my racks (the same Valor set AJock has) yesterday, with 60#, and my lower back and shoulders appreciated it!
 
And the squat stands can double as a barbell rack for bench presses if you have enough risers for your bench to make it tall enough. I'm really happy I have them.
 
NancyAZ said:
And the squat stands can double as a barbell rack for bench presses if you have enough risers for your bench to make it tall enough. I'm really happy I have them.
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Nancy-

I bought a weight bench that inclines/declines so I could use these squat stands for bench press but I'm finding it is still difficult due to the black handles that stick out in front. They get in the way on the downward phase and make it impossible to do any on an incline.

Am I doing something wrong? I thought about placing the bb on the black handles instead of the rack handles but I'm concerned about safety. Any ideas?

Judi
 
NinjaMom said:
Nancy-

I bought a weight bench that inclines/declines so I could use these squat stands for bench press but I'm finding it is still difficult due to the black handles that stick out in front. They get in the way on the downward phase and make it impossible to do any on an incline.

Am I doing something wrong? I thought about placing the bb on the black handles instead of the rack handles but I'm concerned about safety. Any ideas?

Judi
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Judi, you can take the section with the black arms off. It slides off and then you put the silver pole back into the stand. I haven't actually used it in a workout, but it seemed to work fine when I was just experimenting with it to see whether it would work.
 
Powerline Squat Rack PSS60X

Hello,

I just purchased the above squat rack (see title section above). It will arrive in a week or so and the shipping was free. It cost $167 all in from Total Trainer http://www.total-trainer.com/Search.bok

What I liked about it is the ability to change the height from 30" to 60" so I can use if for presses as well as squats. There is no tax and shipping is free. I ordered it yesterday and it shipped today and will likely take 5-9 business days.

I'll give you more info when I get it set up.

Best,
Michele:)
 
Thanks so much everyone for all the links to ordering squat racks. But I live in Canada and I might have to pay more. Does anyone know of any online Canadian fitness equipment companies where I could order a squat rack?

Lisa
 
Oh I like that one! Does it adjust down? B/c if I could keep it in my closet when i dont need it that would be great.
 
Ok I caved, I finally bought one, and got the very last one at overstock.com I wish now I did not buy the vest as well, I won't use it for cardio, so it really was just for the heavy leg weight exercises, oh well, it might still be handy, even with the racks, I'm not completely comfortable putting that much weight on my shoulders.

I really wanted this as much if not more for heavier bench presses later in meso 3. I had really wanted the Cathe tower, but now that i have this, the vest, AND the lebert equilizer bars, looks like the tower is out.
 
I'm glad you were able to get one ordered. Unfortunately, I have the Troy Lite bar that only holds up to 80 pounds. When I bought it I never dreamed I would need anything more than that because I didn't have the squat stands at the time, didn't know about them, and wouldn't have thought I needed them. So for me the vest will be a good thing. I suspect, though, I'll be buying a new bar soon or else I'll be breaking down and using the longer iron bar we already have that I was trying to avoid using. Fortunately, we have plenty of weight plates.
 
Hi Nancy,

I have the Troy Lite bar as well and am not lifting very heavy yet, but was wondering about how long it took you to work up to the weight you currently lift?

Thanks!
 
NancyAZ said:
I'm glad you were able to get one ordered. Unfortunately, I have the Troy Lite bar that only holds up to 80 pounds. When I bought it I never dreamed I would need anything more than that because I didn't have the squat stands at the time, didn't know about them, and wouldn't have thought I needed them. So for me the vest will be a good thing. I suspect, though, I'll be buying a new bar soon or else I'll be breaking down and using the longer iron bar we already have that I was trying to avoid using. Fortunately, we have plenty of weight plates.
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Thanks! I believe the bar I have can hold about 110. It was sold as a 55, but they use the exact same bar in the 110 set. But I've been thinking, it might be better to still use the vest anyway, and not go quite as heavy on the bar, I'm a little worried even with the rack, putting that much on my shoulders.
 
LucyH said:
Hi Nancy,

I have the Troy Lite bar as well and am not lifting very heavy yet, but was wondering about how long it took you to work up to the weight you currently lift?

Thanks!
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I'm not sure how to answer that question. I've always had strong legs and could probably have lifted heavier weights for a long time. It's really only since Cathe came out with 4DS, though, that I started realizing that I can squat more than I can lift up over my head. And now with STS and having done the 1RM testing, I know I'll be needing more than, at minimum, what I can lift over my head to be able to do those workouts. Certainly I could have subbed the plyo workouts, and do intend to use them at some point, as well, but I enjoy doing heavy work once I get into it and wanted to do the squat work in Mesocycle 3.

I'm sure that didn't really answer your question at all. But what it basically comes down to is that since I've only been doing Cathe workouts for a few years now and until now she never had us doing the heavier weights that exceed lifting over my head I haven't needed to supplement the Troy Lite barbell.
 
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