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All you need to know.
A Power Rack – also known as a Power Cage or Squat Rack – is a robust steel strength station with four upright posts and an integrated hole grid system. It enables free barbell training with maximum safety thanks to safety catches and spotter arms that catch the barbell in case of an emergency. The Power Rack is the most versatile piece of equipment in strength training and is suitable for all major compound exercises: squats, bench press, overhead press, deadlifts, and pull-ups. It is used in both home gyms and professional fitness studios.
The choice between a power rack and a smith machine depends on your training goals. A power rack exclusively allows for free barbell training, which additionally activates stabilizing muscles – ideal for advanced athletes focusing on maximum strength development and functional training. The smith machine guides the bar on a fixed vertical path, offering maximum safety even without a training partner, as well as isolated, technically clean training – ideal for beginners and those training alone. Many of our ATX power racks can be expanded into a complete multi-station with optional attachments.
The Power Rack allows you to effectively train almost all major muscle groups. The most popular Power Rack exercises are: Squats (classic, front, Bulgarian split squats) for legs and glutes, Bench Press (flat, incline, decline) in combination with a Weight Bench for the chest, Shoulder Press standing or seated for the shoulders, Deadlifts and Rack Pulls for back and traps, and Pull-ups on the integrated pull-up bar for back and biceps. With an optional Cable Pulley, you expand the range of exercises to include lat pulldowns, rows, bicep curls, and tricep pushdowns.
Choosing the right ATX Power Rack depends on ceiling height, space requirements, and training intensity. For small home gyms, we recommend the ATX 500 series (H-certified, up to 500 kg load capacity) – compact and safe for home training. For ambitious home athletes with more space, the ATX 600 series is ideal, offering larger cage dimensions and higher load capacity. For professional use in a gym, we recommend the ATX 700 series or the ATX PRX-780 (S-certified, up to 1,000 kg) – the flagship among ATX Power Racks. Plan for at least 30–40 cm of ceiling height above the rack for pull-ups.
EN 20957 is the European standard for fitness equipment and provides information on the tested safety and load capacity of a Power Rack. All ATX Power Racks are certified according to this standard. The S-certification (Studio) confirms suitability for continuous professional use in gyms with the highest demands on load capacity and durability. The H-certification (Home) confirms suitability for home use and home gyms. When buying a Power Rack, you should always look for a valid EN 20957 certification – it is the most important quality feature for safety and durability.
The Power Rack Accessories from ATX represent the most comprehensive cross-series range on the market. Our top recommendations: a cable attachment for isolated exercises like lat pulldowns, bicep curls, and triceps pushdowns, ATX Jammer Arms for explosive pushing and rowing exercises, a Belt Squat Option for knee-friendly squats without spinal load, and various lat pulldown handles for diverse back training. A high-quality weight bench is also indispensable – whether variably adjustable or maximally loadable.
Depending on the model, a power rack requires a footprint of approx. 1.5 x 2 m for the rack itself, plus sufficient freedom of movement around it. For a complete setup with a weight bench, barbell, and training area, we recommend at least 6–12 m² of training space. The ceiling height is particularly important: Plan for at least 15–30 cm above the rack height so that pull-ups can be performed without restrictions. An Olympic barbell (220 cm) also requires a room width of at least 2.60–2.80 m. Our compact ATX 500 Series Power Racks are specially designed for smaller home gyms and require less floor space than the large studio models. A floor protection mat protects your floor and provides a non-slip, stable base.
When buying a power rack, there are five crucial criteria. 1. Load capacity: At least 500 kg for a home gym, from 700 kg for studio use – all ATX Power Racks significantly exceed these values. 2. Certification: Look for the EN 20957 standard (S for studio, H for home) as proof of quality and safety. 3. Hole spacing system: A center distance of 5 cm, as with ATX racks, allows for particularly precise height adjustment for J-hooks and safety spotters. 4. Expandability: A power rack that can be expanded with cable pull, jammer arms and other attachments offers more training variety in the long run. 5. Space requirements: Consider ceiling height, room width for the barbell, and sufficient freedom of movement around the rack.
A Power Rack – also known as a Power Cage or Squat Rack – is the most versatile and safest strength station for free weight training. Unlike guided machines, the Power Rack allows for completely free barbell training, which additionally activates stabilizing muscles and can set a maximum training stimulus. At the same time, the integrated safety systems – safety spotters, spotter arms, and J-hooks – offer maximum protection even when training without a spotter. At motion sports, you will find high-quality ATX Power Racks in studio quality, designed for both home gyms and professional fitness studio use.
A Power Rack consists of a sturdy steel frame with four vertical uprights connected by horizontal crossbars, forming an enclosed cage. Along the uprights, there are holes at regular intervals – the so-called hole spacing system – into which J-hooks, safety spotters, spotter arms, and other accessories can be precisely hooked. The ATX Power Racks feature a hole spacing system with a center-to-center distance of 5 cm, allowing for particularly fine and individual height adjustment. Most models are also equipped with an integrated pull-up bar, which significantly expands the range of exercises. Due to the enclosed cage construction, the barbell can be safely placed on the safety spotters at any time – even if strength gives out in the middle of an exercise.
One of the most common questions when buying a strength station is: Power Rack or Smith Machine – which is the better choice? The Power Rack exclusively allows for free barbell training, which additionally activates stabilizing muscles – ideal for advanced athletes focusing on maximum strength development. The Smith Machine, on the other hand, guides the bar on a fixed vertical path and offers maximum safety even without a spotter – ideal for beginners and those training alone. Many of our ATX Power Racks can be expanded into a complete multi-station with optional attachments.
The Power Rack is a true all-around device that allows you to effectively train almost all major muscle groups.
Squats in the Power Rack: The squat is the king of strength exercises and can be performed particularly safely in the Power Rack. The J-hooks hold the barbell in the ideal starting position, and the safety spotters safely catch the bar in case of an emergency. In addition to classic squats, front squats, Bulgarian split squats, and lunges can also be performed safely in the rack.
Bench Press in the Power Rack: In combination with an adjustable weight bench, the Power Rack becomes a complete bench press station. Flat, incline, and decline bench presses can be performed safely and without a spotter.
Overhead Press in the Power Rack: The overhead press with a barbell, standing or seated, is one of the most effective exercises for building strong shoulders. In the Power Rack, the bar can be hooked in at the ideal height and safely racked.
Deadlifts in the Power Rack: Deadlifts can be performed in various variations in the Power Rack – from classic deadlifts from the floor to rack pulls, where the bar starts on the safety spotters in an elevated position.
Pull-ups on the Power Rack: The integrated pull-up bar on most ATX Power Racks allows for varied pull-up training for the back and biceps with different grip widths.
Barbell Rows in the Power Rack: Barbell rows are one of the most effective exercises for the latissimus and the entire back. In the Power Rack, the bar can be hooked in at the ideal height.
The ATX Power Racks are available in different series, which vary in size, load capacity, and features.
ATX Power Rack 500 Series (H-certified): The most compact series in the ATX range – ideal for small home gyms with limited space. Load capacity up to 500 kg with integrated flip-down spotters for maximum safety. H-certification according to EN 20957 confirms suitability for home use.
ATX Power Rack 600 Series (H-certified): The 600 Series offers more space in the cage and higher load capacity for ambitious home athletes. With a larger cage dimension, it offers more freedom of movement for tall athletes and heavy compound movements.
ATX Power Rack 700 Series (S-certified): The professional series for commercial use in fitness studios. S-certification according to EN 20957 confirms suitability for professional studio operation with continuous maximum load.
ATX Power Rack PRX-780 (S-certified): The flagship among ATX Power Racks – load capacity up to 1,000 kg and designed for professional use in high-performance fitness studios and competitive sports. Sets standards in stability, functionality, and expandability.
The ultimate expansion for the Power Rack is the cable pulley. Upper and lower pulley points allow for lat pulldowns and rowing exercises, as well as guided bicep curls, tricep pushdowns, and shoulder and leg exercises. With various lat pulldown grips, muscle groups can be targeted and stimulated in new ways. Discover our Power Racks with cable pulleys directly in the collection.
When choosing the right Power Rack for your home gym, several criteria play a crucial role. Ceiling height is the most important factor: Plan for at least 30–40 cm above the rack height so that pull-ups can be performed without restrictions. The width must match the barbell – an Olympic bar (220 cm) requires at least 2.60–2.80 m of room width. The cage dimension determines freedom of movement. For a home gym, models with 500–700 kg load capacity are sufficient; for studio operation, 700 kg or more. Also consider expandability with cable pulleys, jammer arms, and other attachments.
No other manufacturer offers such an extensive series-spanning Power Rack accessories as ATX. The Jammer Arms are perfect for explosive pressing and rowing exercises. The Belt Squat Option allows for gentle squats without stressing the spine. The Supporting Pad assists the athlete in ideal exercise execution. Not to forget: A high-quality weight bench is essential accessory for every Power Rack.
The ATX Power Racks impress with an extremely stable construction featuring extra reinforced gusset plates and high-strength connection bolts. All ATX Power Racks are certified according to EN 20957 – S-certification for studio operation, H-certification for home use. Non-slip rubberized feet ensure a secure stand on any surface.
When buying a Power Rack, the following criteria are crucial: Load capacity (at least 500 kg for home gym, from 700 kg for studio), hole spacing system with 5 cm center-to-center distance, EN 20957 certification (S for studio, H for home), expandability with cable pulley and accessories, and sufficient space requirements considering ceiling height and room width.
Supplement your Power Rack with: Weight Bench for maximum exercise variety, Weight Plates, Lat Pulldown Grips, Power Rack Accessories as well as Floor Protection Mats. Also discover our Smith Machines and our complete range of Home Gym Equipment.
