REP fitness SR-4000 squat stand vs Rogue RML3 rack

This is a comparison between the Rep Fitness SR-4000 squat stand and the Rogue RML 3. Follow the links for more details.

RML 3 Rogue Monster lite

The Rogue RML3 Monster lite rack comes in at $755.50 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".

What else to consider from Rogue

Overview of the RML3

The Rogue RML3 is a half rack from Rogue that has been inspired by the classic Westside power cage. It comes in black and is made in Columbus, Ohio. This unit saves space and can fill a large establishment with many benches and squatting stations at an affordable price. If you need to buy a bunch of racks, this might be the option for you.

The RML3 is 49'' long and 30'' wide. It comes in at a height of 90.375''. The overall footprint comes to 53''x34''. The stell notes are made from 3x3'' Gauge steel. This rack is delivered with J CUps, Pin/Pipe safeties, and band pegs to get you going. As it derives from the Monster lite series it is compatible with the line and provides the Westside hole pattern for your training needs.

Pros of the RML3

A big pro is the price. This is one of the most affordable options out of the Monster lite series which still keeps you in the two upper product ranges of Rogue. If you go any lower in the budget you will have a hard time to get a rack which is either from The MOnster or MOnster Lite series. The Infinity and Echo series just do not get as much attention from Rogue's product development.

Cons of the RML3

The RML 3 is a half rack so you will have to look for plate storage. Otherwise, it will get very crammed to exercise in there. Compared to the Monster series you will also have to wait longer for product upgrades in the future.

Alternatives to the RML3

Alternatives to the RML3 are

The R3 is the Rogue version of the classic Westside Barbell Rack. You save another 100$ for about the same real estate of rack space. Maybe bring your wife out for some dinner instead of buying the bigger rack to appease her after taking up the floor space in the house.

If you want a full rack instead of a half rack for the same amount of money you can go for the RE4 rack. The RE4 is part of the Rogue Echo series which is the cheapest to make as it has the least amount of metal. It will do the trick. If you are all for saving money and getting the most of it this might be the rack for you.

The W4 Garage Gym is a classic from the Rogue portfolio. This will turn any garage into a functioning gym in no time. the of the steel notes have been removed to bolt the W4 system against one wall of your garage. With this, you make some additional savings which can put into equipment instead of rack space.

Overview and review of the REP fitness SR-4000 squat stand

This is an overview of the REP fitness SR-4000 squat stand including the pros, cons, and alternatives. This article was originally posted in which rack to buy from REP Fitness. Follow the links for more information.

Overview of the REP SR-4000 Squat stand $449

The REP SR-4000 is REP Fitness’s flagship squat stand. It comes in two height variations and with a stable base similar to a combo rack. Here are some of the specifications from the vendor:

Two height options to suit your needs ( 96" &103").
Sturdy 3x3” 11ga steel.
Compatibility with most REP 4000 series attachments.
1” spacing throughout the bench press area.
Base-mounted weight horns for weight storage and added stability.
Long base with pre-drilled feet for optional floor-mounting.
103” height option is great for taller athletes who want to perform kipping movements.
Includes Standard PR-4000 J-cups and 1.25” pull-up bar.
5/8” holes on the uprights, 5/8” holes at the rear of the base, 1” holes on the sides of the base.
Not compatible with: The REP Belt Squat, Lat/Low Row Attachment.
Base dimensions: 73" x 53"
Weight: 96": 230lbs, 103": 237lbs
Weight Capacity: This is based on the j-cup capacity which is <1500lbs.

If you are really into squat stands for the freedom they provide and the money they save then this is good for you. I am personally not a fan, but I will get into the details.

Pros of the REP SR-4000 Squat stand

The pros of the REP SR-4000 squat stand are:

Massive built
Sturdy uprights
Compatibility with some attachments

For a squat stand, the REP SR-4000 is massive. This means a lot of security and stability for anyone who is working in it. If you are concerned about the security with a squat stand, this is a good choice.

The uprights are sturdy and beefy compared to cheap squat stands and even allow for some of the light PR-4000 attachments to be used. This makes it a more versatile option compared to cheap Amazon squat stands.

Cons of the REP SR-4000 Squat stand

Cons of the REP SR-4000 squat stand are:

Footprint
Safety
Storage
Price

The biggest con for me is the footprint of this squat stand and other ones of a similar design. If you put two uprights on the footprint of a four-post rack you might as well get a four-post rack. This is nothing against the SR 4000 per se but the design of these particular squat stands with a big base provides more security. You can also get these from other vendors like Rogue and TITAN.

While this lulls you in a false sense of security whilst saving you the cost of a four-post rack with similar steel, I think in reality it’s suboptimal. If you are in need of added security as a beginner, spotter arms and a squat stand are a good way to get injured. Many set up their spotter arms wrong, miss them when they fail a rep and the base of this squat stand can actually get in the way when you want to bail a squat. If you don’t know what you are doing, get a proper power rack. If you exactly know what you are doing, this squat stand is overkill.

Compared to other, cheaper squat stands without a base, this squat stand can not be easily stored and transported. It is also quite costly if you look at it from a squat stand perspective as you can also get a decent rack for this price.

Alternatives to the REP PR-4000 Squat stand

REP PR-4100
Rogue SML 2C
TITAN X3 Squat stand

The REP PR-4100 is in the same price range as the squat stand. If you are torn between the two, definitely go for the PR-4100. It saves space, is more secure to squat in, and provides a better base for attachments, even though you need to remove them to fold the rack.

Rogue SML 2 is the closest in build-out of the Rogue portfolio to the SR 4000. If you wanted a very similar squat stand at a higher price thatching not imported thistles a good choice. Also, keep in mind which ecosystem you are entering as Rogue has been around for longer and therefore offers a few more options in their portfolio.

The TITAN X3 squat stand is the closest you can get to the SR-4000 in the TITAN Portfolio. If you want to get this show on the road with the lowest budget possible TITAN is a good bet.

Conclusion for the REP SR-4000 Squat stand

The SR-4000 is well built for its design. There are little to no production issues with it. That is if you buy into the concept of a squat stand with a big base which I just simply don’t. You either need the safety that a power rack provides or you don’t. If you are super advanced like Clarence Kennedy, you might as well get a squat stand that is two separate uprights for easy transportation, storage, and saving cost. Be aware that this necessitates that you are either super strong and won’t fail or know exactly what you are doing when you bail a lift. Spotter arms are in my opinion useless. This is the only piece of safety equipment I ever managed to break with rack pulls. You can get a decent rack for 400 dollars or very basic squat stands for a little more than a hundred. Get one of the two, but not a squat stand that eats up 400 bucks and considerable floor space.