Power rack without bolting

The best options for power racks without bolting are flat foot, combo and fold racks. Flat foot racks can be installed anywhere without attaching them to the wall or floor. Combo racks can easily be put together and also do not need to be bolted, but are more recommended for advanced lifters. Fold racks need to be bolted to the wall but not to the ground and are a very good solution for garage gyms. In this article, you will find an example of each product.

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Flat foot racks

Flat foot racks have rubber feet that enable them to stand firm on the ground without having to be bolted down.

Rogue RML 390f flat foot

The Rogue RML 390F rack comes in at $795 and is one of the mid-range options for under $1000 from Rogue. Learn more in this review which was originally published in the Article "Which Rack to buy from Rogue for under $1000".

Overview of RML 390F

The Rogue RML 390F is an option from Rogue that does not need to be bolted to the floor. You will get a half rack for a reasonable price which can be placed anywhere from your garage, to one of the spare bedrooms or in the corner of an already established gym. It comes in black is manufactured in Columbus, Ohio.

The 390F weighs in at 295LB with a length of 48'', a width of 49'' and a height of 92.375''. Note that because of the extra beams at the bottom it is slightly higher than the average 90.375'' from Rogue. It comes with Westside Hole spacing and ships with a Single Skinny or a Fat/Skinny pull up bar, band pegs, and J Cups. The stell notes come in 3x3'' for the uprights and 2x3'' for the bases. With this rack, you are entering the Monster lite series of Rogue and the accessories available in there.

Pros of the RML 390F

This rack is easy to install and light. With this, it can be added to any kind of floor that you do not want to drill into. This can be especially beneficial when a gym already has been outfitted or your landlord does not allow for these alterations to be made. With this, you are set up and ready to go in no time, while it will also take up little space.

Cons of the RML 390F

As this is a small rack and it won't be bolted down to the floor it is not ideal for any extreme exercises. If you kip like a beserker or regularly throw 400 pounds or more around you might want to get a rack that is either bigger if you don't bolt it down or a smaller rack that can be bolted down to the floor. You will also have to think about where to store your plates as on the rack itself might not leave you with the best experience due to lack of space.

Alternatives to the RML 390F

The RML 390C would be an alternative to add color to your life. It has roughly the same dimensions as the flat foot and can be bolted to the ground. The price is higher, but you will get a good rack in your choice of color.

If you don't want to increase the budget and prefer to have a rack that can be bolted to the ground for extra stability the RML3 might be the right choice for you. It comes in at roughly the same price and has also less height. This might also be a better solution if you have a low ceiling.

The RM 390F is the big brother of the RML 390F. This is the monster version of this rack. If you want to build on your investment and upgrade your rack over time, this is the option for you. There will be more upgrades available for the Monster series than for the Monster Lite is Rogue focuses on the higher price tag items first to push the portfolio forward.

Fold racks

Fold racks are an option that will be bolted to the wall, but not to the ground. Their biggest advantage is that they are very cost- and space-efficient. Their biggest disadvantage is that many attachments will not fit on the rack if you still want to be able to fold it.

Rogue RML 3WC Fold back Wall Mount stand

The Rogue RML 3WC rack comes in at $590 and is one of the low-range options for under $1000 from Rogue. Learn more in this review which was originally published in the Article "Which Rack to buy from Rogue for under $1000".

Overview of the RML3WC

The RML3WC is one of the best sellers of Rogue. It has some of the most Reviews of all racks on the entire website and with good reason. This rack is affordable and practical. It has been designed to be easily mounted to a standard wood stud wall. This is the quick solution for home warrior dads who want a quick solution that they do not have to negotiate a lot with their wives with. Plus this version of it comes in color.

The 3WC comes with a length of 25'' or 44'' depending on which depth you choose. The width comes to 56'' on the wall, 49'' outside the uprights, and 43'' inside the uprights. It is 90'' high and weighs 190LB. You can choose between an inside depth of 21.5'' or 41.4''. In most scenarios, the rack space for 21.5'' will be sufficient according to Rogue. The Steel notes are made from 3x3'' 11 Gauge Steel. As the 3WC is part of the Monster lite series it is compatible with the accessories and beams from the Monster lite product line.

The delivery list includes:

J Cups
Mounting Brackets
Detent pins
Pull up bar
Hitchpins
Plastic caps to protect the floor
Stringer Pair

Rogue highly recommends using the included stringer pair to attach the rack to the wall. This is based on security and stability. If you want to mount the 3WC to a different wall as a standard wood stud wall, you are responsible to provide the necessary hardware. The colors you can choose from are:

Bright blue
Bright Green
Burnt Orange
Dark BLue
Dark Red
Gun Metal
Desert Tan
Light Gray
Rogue Red
Satin Black
Satin Clear

This is a great rack that puts you at the heart of Rogue's innovative product lines. It also has a lot of positive reviews which is a good sign that you can not go wrong. If you are in the market for a home gym and do not want to alter your house much, this is the option to go for a reasonable budget.

Pros of the RML3WC

The two big pros of this rack are that it is foldable and still a sturdy rack. More often than that convertible options are poorly executed either in the folding mechanism or the steel itself. With this rack, you buy the highest quality build that has been adapted to make it fit snug against a wall.

Cons of the RML3WC

As this unit does not weigh a lot and cannot be bolted to the floor you will experience more movement than with other rack options from Rogue. Especially if you want to kip a lot or when you are a huge lifter moving a lot of weight, you might want to look for something more rigid. Apart from this, you will also have to think about where to store your barbell and plates as you can not store them on the rack in this setup.

Alternatives to the RML3WC

Here some alternatives to the 3WC rack:

The RML 3W rack is the same rack as the 3WC without a color option. If you like black and want to save some money this is the one to go for. Apart from this, all other options are the same as described above.

The W4 Garage Gym is a lower cost option compared to the 3WC and does the same thing. You will get a rack that is bolted to the wall and stays there. If your garage is mostly not used because you or your wife do not like to drive the car in, you might as well go for this option to save money and hassle.

The R3 W is an option from the Echo series from Rogue. It has the same mechanics and logic as the RML 3The W. Biggest difference is that it is made from 2x3'' 11 Gauge steel instead of 3x3'' 11 Gauge steel.

Overview and review of the T-3 Folding rack

The TITAN T3 folding rack will put you back about $300 - $450. TITAN is well known for their very good prices compared to their competition and will get you started on your home gym. This review was originally posted in “which Titan rack to buy for under $500”

Overview of the T3 folding rack

The T3 folding rack is an option from TITAN which uses the 2x3 steel tubes from the T3 series to form a foldable rack. Foldable racks are very popular with garage gym owners as they give you the option to either still park your car in the garage or provide more space if you want to to do conditioning in your limited space. The features and specifics of the T3 are:

Rack details

2" x 3" 11 Gauge steel.
Rackable Capacity: 1,100 LB
Height: 91"
Width: 50"
Depth: 41.5"
Weight: 175 LB

This is the optimal option for dads who have to compromise with their wives to get a man cave in the garage.

Pros of the T3 folding rack

The T3 folding rack comes at an excellent price compared to the competition of TITAN. You will get a functional rack that folds to the wall in case you need to get it out of the way. This saves space and money on your purchase.

Cons of the T3 folding rack

A folding rack will not be as stable as a full rack which you bolt to the ground. Depending on how much abuse you throw at the rack you might want to reconsider a moveable installation. If you want to use an accessory with your rack, you will also have to deinstall it every time you would the rack. Apart from this TITAN has been reported to struggle more with mi or quality issues and inconsistencies. This doesn’t impact the functionality of the equipment, but it’s appearance and longevity.

Alternatives to the T3 folding rack

41 folding rack
X2 power rack
X2 and incline combo

The 41 folding rack is a folding rack with 3x3 Instead of 2x3 steel tubes. If you want more metal for roughly the same price this is the one for you.

The X2 is the one of the cheapest series in the TITAN line up. With its 2x2 steel tubes, it uses the least material to build a rack. If you want to downsize on all ends to fit a bench and rack into $500 budget comfortably, this is for you.

Summary for the T3 fold rack

A good option for Dads who have to compromise with Mom for garage space on a budget.

Combo racks

Combo racks are the go-to option for many modern powerlifting meets as they function as a squat stand and heavy bench setup in one while still being portable. The big advantage of combo racks is that they are sturdy and portable. The biggest disadvantage is that the design assumes that you will have spotters present or now very well how to fail a lift in a safe way.

Overview and review of the Rogue combo rack

The rogue combo rack comes in at a price of $2500 and is the ultimate rack for your powerlifting meet. This overview was first published in "which rack to buy from Rogue". See for yourself whether this rack is the right choice for you or you might want to steer to other options from Rogue.

Overview of the combo rack

The Rogue combo rack is the gold standard from Rogue for powerlifting meets. It has been designed for the environment of a powerlifting meet where you have professional athletes of different sizes stepping up to the platform. The Rogue Combo rack is IPF certified and manufactured in Columbus Ohio. Special features are the lever arm jack, telescoping uprights which can be angled and the removable bench.

The rogue combo rack comes in black and weighs 505lb. It is 77.25'' long when the bench is attached. The total width is 80.25'' and the inside width comes to 43.5''. When it is fully extended the maximum height is 78'' for the squat and 17.5'' for the bench press. The Notes are cut from 3x3 Gauge steel as with all products from the Rogue Monster series. The overall footprint of the combo rack is 77.25'' x 80.25''.

This is the flagship rack of Rogue that has been built for showing off the best national and international athletes. That the IPF put its stamp of approval on it shows that Rogue means business. If you want to organize one big meet or multiple meets throughout a year this rack is for you. If you are serious about competing on an international level you might want to get this for your home or local gym, so that you can simulate competition as close as possible.

Pros of the combo rack

This rack is sturdy and can be easily adjusted. It also does not need to be bolted down to the ground as Rogue is making use of their flat foot design. This is handy if you are putting up a competition in a local hotel or on any stage where you are not allowed to bolt a rack into the ground. Another advantage is that the uprights can be angled. This is great when you have very big athletes competing who want to grip the bar outside of the J Cups as they are so massive. The removable bench will safe time for your meet is you do not have to haul off one piece of equipment of the stage and replace it with another. You will also get a westside Monster bench and squat stand in one purchase. This saves money if you are serious about power and strength and know what you are doing.

Cons of the combo rack

The first con is the price. For 2.500$ you can also get an RM6 from Rogue or two midrange RM4 or R4 racks. This rack is also not user-friendly. It has been designed with a powerlifting meet in mind. To operate it most effectively you need 2 - 4 spotters who get everything ready for the athlete. Great in a powerlifting meet. Suboptimal when you are training by yourself or have a gym where beginners will just wreck themselves with the setup. There are also no safeties for the squat as a spotter crew is assumed. This is the right piece of equipment for someone who wants to get a powerlifting meet organized and done with as little waiting time for the crowd and athletes between lifts as possible. The home gym or commercial gym owner will make their lives unnecessarily hard.

Alternatives to the combo rack

For 2.500$ you can get the following other options from Rogue

If you are looking at the Combo rack I am quite sure that you are serious about lifting and probably already own a gym or seriously consider to build a massive home gym. If you are not planning to become the local powerlifting meet go to point or you do not have a serious team of powerlifters around to work the combo rack while someone lifts, consider getting something else.

The Rogue RM6 rack is a great option for anyone starting a home gym who wants storage and rack space combined in one rack. You can also upgrade this rack with the Monster Lat pull down and Rhino belt Squat Drop in. Innovation at Rogue also always comes first for the Monster line and trickles down from there. If you have the budget and want the best for your home gym, this can be an excellent choice instead of the combo rack.

The Rogue Rhino monster Belt Squat saves you money compared to the combo rack and is a great option for someone who has space and already owns a rack to squat and bench press in. If you own a gym think about what your clients need. If your clients are mainly powerlifters who compete often, you might want to get the combo rack. If your gym has a more mixed clientele and many older powerlifters with lower back problems, you definitely want to get the belt squat.

If you are opening your first gym or a new gym you will probably be better of investing the money in a Monster or Monster lite rig. For 2.500$ you will get one of the shorter ones. This will give you more options to create revenue streams, as the rig can be used for more different styles of training. A rig sets you up for powerlifting, CrossFit, Weightlifting and Tabata classes. The combo rack is for powerlifters only.

The Prone leg curl can be an option for a commercial gym or home gym owners who want to present more options for leg development. If you have a lot of bodybuilders or footballers in your gym this might be the better option than the combo rack.