Squat stands w/ spotter arms vs power rack

[Mike Hollister]

Any reason to go w/ a rack over an S1 w/ spotter arms (for bench mostly).

I don't need a pull up bar. I guess additional weight storage would be useful but I think I'd be more interested in saving the space.

Is there something I'm missing about the utility of a power rack?

[Andy Kauth]

Been wondering the same thing lately actually ... no bands is my only thought so far ... anyone use bands with the S series ... assuming it won't work/that it's not recommended.

[Mike Moris]

The safety factor. With spotter arms your not guarenteed to land on them with a forward drop/fall.

[Dana Rice]

Originally Posted by Mike Hollister

Any reason to go w/ a rack over an S1 w/ spotter arms (for bench mostly).

I don't need a pull up bar. I guess additional weight storage would be useful but I think I'd be more interested in saving the space.

Is there something I'm missing about the utility of a power rack?

The R3 actually takes up less space then the S1. Other than than, the R3 offers a little more versatility - band begs and the option to use safety straps as opposed to bars/arms if you want to.

I am currently trying to make the same decision, and think I am going to go with the R3, but I need the pullup bar and plate storage as well. Also, I just like the feeling of being inside a power rack as opposed to squat stands.

That being said, my brother has the S1 - and it is an awesome product. Increadibly stable - probably the sturdiest squat stand I have ever used.

[James Orr]

I realized the utility of a rack when I was learning box squats. Without the pins, there's no way to bail if you need to without destroying the box.

Band work is another issue. They say that you can do band work using heavy dumbbells, but I don't really know. I actually had a bunch of bands come last night, but I haven't had the chance to use them yet. Regardless, the band peg is obviously a lot easier than grabbing a pair of 90 lb. dumbbells every time you want to use accommodating resistance. Chains might be the better solution in this case.

[Mike Hollister]

yeah I'm not too worried about band work. I think that's more for fine tuning a bench and creating lockout strength for geared lifters. My max bench is around 300 so that's not really in my future.

@James, you'd need a big rack to do box squats, right?

[David Shamah]

big issue with squat stands versus spotter arms for me would be that you wouldn't be able to do rack pulls on the spotter arms.
obviously the cage has more functionality too with the band pegs, pullup bar and the ability to go wide on your squats or deads.
im saving up my money for an R3.
i have squat stands now and im hate going heavy on my squats even with bumpers and stall mats.

[Bryan Weingart]

Originally Posted by David Shamah

big issue with squat stands versus spotter arms for me would be that you wouldn't be able to do rack pulls on the spotter arms.
obviously the cage has more functionality too with the band pegs, pullup bar and the ability to go wide on your squats or deads.
im saving up my money for an R3.
i have squat stands now and im hate going heavy on my squats even with bumpers and stall mats.

For the rack pulls thing, build some boxes, they are cheap and easy, and with the weights on the boxes versus on the pins of a rack, it helps feel like regular pull, whereas rack pulls have the different feeling due to different bar flex.

I was worried about not squatting in a rack, but now I love it. Assuming you have bumpers, just learn to bail. If you are into benching though, then I would save up for a rack.

[Mike Hollister]

From Rogue:

the S-1 will not work with the spotter arms, you need to close it in like the S-2. If you are want to do rack work like bands, pin pulls etc then making the investment into the R-3 would be the way. The R-3 is the work horse of many garages

Yeah I've never squatted in a rack and don't feel the need. I feel like I'd always be able to bail. Plus I'd worry about bending my bar doing rack pulls. But I do like to bench and I hate not being able to go heavy.

I thought I saw someone in here w/ spotter arms on an S1. I wonder why you need to go S2 for the arms to work?

[Donald Rice]

I have spotter arms on my S-1 and it works like a charm. But mine is bolted to my platform with the mounting feet.