A squat rack or power rack costs between about $330 and $2,320 at Bells of Steel, depending on the steel, the footprint, and how much you bolt onto it. Squat stands start at $329.99 and the Residential Power Rack, our best budget power rack, is $399.99. Mid-range racks with roller j-cups, strap safeties and folding designs land between $715 and $895. Modular 3" x 3" Hydra and Manticore racks start at about $1,050 and run to $2,320 before attachments. A complete starter home gym (rack, bar, bench and plates) comes in around $1,300.
Rack shopping has a funny habit: the price tag is the first thing you check and the last thing that explains anything. Two cages can look identical in photos and sit $1,000 apart. This guide breaks down what a squat rack costs by type, what a power rack costs at every tier, which budget racks are worth it, and what the rest of the home gym costs once the rack is home.
Squat rack and power rack prices at a glance
All prices in this article are in USD, before tax and shipping, and are subject to change. Check the product page for the current price. Rack prices are starting prices for each rack's standard prebuilt configuration, taken from its product page. Customizing a rack through the Hydra, Manticore or Home Gym builders (height, depth, pull-up bar, safeties, attachments) will change the price.
| Tier | Price range | What you get | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $330 - $470 | 2.3" x 2.3" uprights, 5/8" holes, j-cups and safeties included | Squat Stands, Residential Power Rack, Folding Rack |
| Mid-range | $715 - $895 | More included accessories, 3" x 3" stands, folding cages | Light Commercial Power Rack, Hydra Squat Stand, Roc Foldable 2 Post Cage, Manticore Squat Stand, Manticore Folding Half Rack |
| Modular | $1,050 - $2,085 | True 3" x 3" uprights, 5/8" holes, expandable by component | Hydra Half Rack, Four Post, Flat Foot, Collegiate, Six Post |
| Premium | $1,400 - $2,320 | True 3" x 3" uprights, 1" holes, heaviest attachment ecosystem | Manticore Four Post, Folding, Flat Foot, Half, Collegiate, Six Post |
What makes one rack cost more than another?
The price gap between racks almost always comes down to four things.
- Tubing size. 2.3" x 2.3" uprights are lighter, cheaper to ship, and plenty for most home lifters. True 3" x 3" uprights add weight, stiffness and a much bigger attachment catalog.
- Hole size and spacing. 5/8" holes are the home gym standard. 1" holes (Manticore) take beefier pins and attachments. Tight 1" spacing through the bench and pull zone (standard on the B.o.S. 2.3" racks) gives you far more precise j-cup and safety heights.
- What's in the box. Some racks ship bare. Others include roller j-cups, strap safeties, band pegs and a multi-grip pull-up bar, which add up quickly when bought one at a time.
- Modularity. Hydra and Manticore racks are built from components, so a half rack can become a four post, and a six post can be split into two racks later. You pay for that flexibility up front, and save when you upgrade instead of replacing.
How much does a squat rack cost?
"Squat rack" covers everything from a pair of stands to a full cage, so the answer depends on which one you mean. Here's what each type costs at B.o.S. today.
| Squat rack type | Starting at | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Squat stands (2.3" x 2.3") | $329.99 | Smallest footprint and price; no built-in pull-up bar |
| Hydra squat stand (3" x 3") | $716.95 | Heavier tubing, full Hydra attachment range |
| Manticore squat stand (3" x 3") | $892.95 | 1" holes and Manticore attachments |
| Half rack (Hydra) | $1,052.92 | Open front, rear storage, room to add a lat pulldown |
| Full power rack / cage | $399.99 | Four posts and safeties on both sides, bigger footprint |
The takeaway: a full four post cage doesn't have to cost more than stands. The Residential Power Rack is only $70 more than 2.3" squat stands and adds a pull-up bar and pin pipe safeties.
Entry-level power racks: $330 to $470
The 2.3" x 2.3" racks are the lighter, more affordable side of the lineup. They aren't as beefy as Hydra or Manticore, and they don't need to be. For a lifter with basic needs who trains squats, bench and pull-ups at home, they're a rack you won't outgrow.
| Rack | Starting at | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Squat Stands (2.3" x 2.3") | $329.99 | Tight garages, lifters who want to roll their setup out of the way. Includes a pair of j-cups. |
| Residential Power Rack | $399.99 | The best-selling first rack. Includes triple-padded j-cups, pin pipe safeties, a pull-up bar and concrete anchors. |
| Folding Rack (2.3" x 2.3") | $465.99 | Garages that still need to fit a car. Folds flat against the wall; rated to a 600 LB static capacity. Needs a 2" x 10" stringer tied into at least four studs. |
If you're stuck between squat stands and a full cage, our power rack vs squat rack vs Smith machine guide breaks down which one fits your training and your ceiling.
The best budget power rack (and what "cheap" really means)
"Cheap power rack" is subjective. A $400 rack is a bargain for one lifter and a bottleneck for another. The right question isn't how much a rack costs; it's whether it fits how you train. A more affordable rack is the smart buy if:
- You train at home for general strength, not heavy competition lifts.
- Your needs are the basics: squat, bench, press and pull-ups with safeties.
- You don't plan to hang a lat pulldown, cable stack or a wall of attachments off it.
If that's you, a 2.3" B.o.S. rack gives you the same things that matter on a bigger rack: tight hole spacing through the bench zone, safeties in the box, warranty coverage, and a support team you can reach when you need a part.
- Best budget power rack overall: Residential Power Rack, $399.99. J-cups, pin pipe safeties, a pull-up bar and concrete anchors are included, and it takes the full range of 2.3" attachments when you want to add more.
- Best for tight spaces: Squat Stands, $329.99. Wheels on the back let you roll them out of the way. Add spotter arms or safety straps if you train alone.
- Best budget rack with extras: Light Commercial Power Rack, starting at $799.99. Roller j-cups, strap safeties, band pegs and a multi-grip pull-up bar come in the box.
An affordable rack isn't the problem. A rack with no brand behind it is.
Where "cheap" goes wrong is the fly-by-night online brand that undercuts everyone. The listing looks great, the price looks unbeatable, and then you find the gaps: no real warranty, no replacement parts, attachments that don't fit anything else, and a seller that has changed names by the time a weld or j-cup fails. Before you buy any budget rack, check three things:
- Warranty. Is there written warranty coverage, and a company that will still be around to honor it?
- Parts and attachments. Can you buy replacement j-cups, safeties and hardware, and add attachments later?
- Specs. Are tubing size, hole size and weight capacity listed clearly, or just "heavy duty"?
Mid-range power racks: $715 to $895
This is where racks stop being a frame and start being a system. You get more included gear, or you step up to 3" x 3" tubing in a smaller footprint.
| Rack | Starting at | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Light Commercial Power Rack | $799.99 (84.5" standard) / $849.99 (72" short) | Maximum included value. Ships with sandwich j-cups, roller j-cups, strap safeties, four band pegs and a multi-grip pull-up bar. |
| Hydra Squat Stand | $716.95 | Entry into the 3" x 3" Hydra ecosystem without the full cage footprint. |
| Roc Foldable 2 Post Cage | $723.95 | A 3" x 3" wall-folding rack for garages that need the floor back. |
| Manticore Squat Stand | $892.95 | A compact way into Manticore's 1" hole attachment lineup. |
| Manticore Folding Half Rack | $876.95 | Premium steel that still folds away. |
The Light Commercial is the value play here: roller j-cups, strap safeties and band pegs are already in the box instead of in your next cart.
Modular Hydra racks: starting at $1,050
Hydra racks use true 3" x 3" uprights (76.2mm, not the 75mm many imports use) with 5/8" holes, so they take Hydra attachments plus attachments from other brands built to the same spec. The Hydra Four Post was named Garage Gym Reviews' Best Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar in 2024.
| Hydra rack | Starting at |
|---|---|
| Hydra Half Rack | $1,052.92 |
| Roc Foldable 4 Post Cage | $1,263.90 |
| Hydra Four Post Power Rack | $1,280.89 |
| Hydra Flat Foot Power Rack | $1,295.89 |
| Hydra Collegiate Power Rack | $1,361.88 |
| Hydra Six Post Power Rack | $2,082.82 |
New to the system? Hydra Power Rack 101 covers every configuration.
Premium Manticore racks: starting at $1,400
Manticore is the top of the B.o.S. rack lineup: true 3" x 3" uprights with 1" holes and the widest range of heavy-duty attachments. Side keyhole slots also let you mount compatible 5/8" attachments, so Hydra accessories you already own don't go to waste.
| Manticore rack | Starting at |
|---|---|
| Manticore Folding Power Rack | $1,403.92 |
| Manticore Four Post Power Rack | $1,417.90 |
| Manticore Flat Foot Power Rack | $1,546.89 |
| Manticore Collegiate Power Rack | $1,615.87 |
| Manticore Half Rack | $1,764.87 |
| Manticore Six Post Power Rack | $2,315.82 |
Want the full ceiling? A 6-post Manticore Smith machine rack with the Kraken attachment starts at $4,723.99. That's the "I sold the car, the garage is mine now" tier. For help choosing a base, see how to choose the right Manticore power rack or Manticore vs Hydra.
Residential Power Rack
The budget pick. J-cups, pin pipe safeties and a pull-up bar in the box.
Starting at $399.99
Shop Residential
Hydra Four Post
True 3" x 3" modular rack that grows with you.
Starting at $1,280.89
Shop Hydra Four Post
Manticore Four Post
1" holes and the heaviest attachment lineup B.o.S. makes.
Starting at $1,417.90
Shop Manticore Four PostHow much does a home gym cost? Three real builds
The rack is the centerpiece, but it's rarely the biggest line on the receipt. Home gym cost depends on how much weight you need and how much of the floor you're protecting. Here's what it costs to build a home gym at three budgets, priced with current B.o.S. gear (USD, subject to change).
Starter build: about $1,295
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Residential Power Rack | $399.99 |
| The Utility Bar (45 LB) | $261.99 |
| Flat Utility Bench | $173.99 |
| Mighty Grip iron plates: pairs of 45, 25, 10 and 5 LB (170 LB) | $432.96 |
| Barbell Zip Clips | $25.99 |
| Total (215 LB loaded with the bar) | $1,294.92 |
Serious lifter build: about $2,425
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Light Commercial Power Rack (84.5" standard) | $799.99 |
| Powerlifting Bar (bare steel) | $267.99 |
| Adjustable Utility Bench | $299.99 |
| Crumb bumper plates: pairs of 45, 25 and 10 LB | $450.97 |
| Mighty Grip iron plates: 45 LB pair | $204.99 |
| Rubber flooring mats 39" x 39" (x4) | $375.96 |
| Barbell Zip Clips | $25.99 |
| Total (295 LB loaded with the bar) | $2,425.88 |
Premium build: about $4,945
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Manticore Four Post Power Rack (prebuilt) | $1,417.90 |
| Lat Pulldown & Low Row Rack Attachment (Manticore, plate loaded) | starting at $753.99 |
| Buzz-Saw Heavy-Duty Adjustable Bench | starting at $516.99 |
| Powerlifting Bar (black Cerakote) | $307.99 |
| LB Competition Bumper Plate Set (320 LB) | $1,102.99 |
| Rubber flooring mats 39" x 39" (x6) | $563.94 |
| Residential Bumper Plate Tree | $252.99 |
| Barbell Zip Clips | $25.99 |
| Total (365 LB loaded with the bar) | $4,942.78 |
Rather click than add? The Home Gym Builder prices a full setup as you go. For more ways to stretch the budget, see how to build your dream home gym on a budget.
The rack price isn't the final number. Budget for shipping on heavy freight, concrete anchors or a stringer if you're bolting down or wall-mounting, flooring to protect your slab and your plates, and storage so 300 LB of iron doesn't live on the floor. Four flooring mats alone are $375.96.
Rack attachments: where budgets quietly double
A power rack is the frame your gym grows on. Attachments are how it grows, and they add up fast. Current starting prices for the most popular add-ons:
| Attachment | Starting price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Safety straps (2.3" racks) | $35.99 | Quieter, bar-friendly safeties for pin pulls and missed reps |
| Standard J-Cups | $69.99 | A second pair for bench and squat heights without re-setting |
| Landmine | $88.99 | Rotational work, presses and rows |
| Y Dip Bar | $119.99 | Dips for chest and triceps (add a dip belt for load) |
| Spotter arms | $142.99 | Extra spotting coverage for stands and half racks |
| Seal row pad | $183.99 | Chest-supported rows with zero lower-back cheating |
| Monolift | $376.99 | Walk-out-free heavy squats |
| Lat Pulldown & Low Row (Hydra/Manticore) | $699.99 | A cable station without a second machine |
Browse the full rack attachment lineup, and check tubing size before you add anything to cart. 2.3" racks take 60mm attachments, Hydra takes 3" x 3" with 5/8" holes, and Manticore takes 3" x 3" with 1" holes.
How to choose the right budget
- Measure first. Ceiling height, floor depth and whether a car still has to fit decide your rack before your wallet does. Low ceiling? Look at the 72" Light Commercial, squat stands, or a folding rack.
- Buy for the lifter you'll be in two years. Basic needs and general strength? A 2.3" rack will serve you for the long haul. Already squatting heavy, planning to compete, or eyeing a lat pulldown? Start at 3" x 3", because upgrading racks later costs more than starting there.
- Count the included gear. Compare racks with safeties, j-cups and a pull-up bar included, not bare frames.
- Don't skip safeties. Pin pipes or straps let you train alone. They're cheaper than a spotter and they never skip leg day.
Light Commercial Power Rack
Roller j-cups, strap safeties, band pegs and a multi-grip pull-up bar included. The mid-range value pick.
Starting at $799.99
Shop Light Commercial
Squat Stands
The lowest-cost way to squat and bench heavy at home, on wheels for small spaces.
Starting at $329.99
Shop Squat StandsSquat rack and power rack cost FAQ
How much does a power rack cost?
At B.o.S., home power racks start at $330 and run to $2,320 for a standard configuration. Entry racks like the Residential Power Rack start at $399.99, mid-range racks start between $715 and $895, and modular 3" x 3" Hydra and Manticore racks start between $1,050 and $2,320 before attachments or builder customization.
How much is a squat rack?
Squat stands start at $329.99 for the 2.3" x 2.3" version. 3" x 3" squat stands start at $716.95 (Hydra) and $892.95 (Manticore). A full four post power rack starts at $399.99.
What is the average price of a squat rack?
At B.o.S., most squat racks cost $330 to $900. That range covers 2.3" squat stands and power racks, plus 3" x 3" squat stands. Half racks and full 3" x 3" cages start at about $1,050 to $2,320.
Is it worth buying a squat rack for home?
If you squat, bench or press with a barbell, yes. A rack with safeties lets you train heavy without a spotter, and a rack is a one-time cost, not a monthly one.
What is the best budget power rack?
For most home lifters, the Residential Power Rack at $399.99 is the best budget pick because j-cups, pin pipe safeties, a pull-up bar and anchors are all included. If you need included roller j-cups and strap safeties, the Light Commercial Power Rack is the next step up.
How much does it cost to build a home gym?
A starter setup with a rack, barbell, flat bench and 170 LB of iron plates costs about $1,295. A mid-range build with bumper plates, an adjustable bench and flooring runs about $2,425. A premium Manticore build with a lat pulldown and competition bumpers costs about $4,945.
Is a cheap power rack worth it?
An affordable power rack from an established brand is worth it for lifters with basic needs who won't outgrow it. The risk is unknown online brands that undercut everyone on price but offer no real warranty, no replacement parts and unclear specs.
Why are Hydra and Manticore racks more expensive?
They use heavier true 3" x 3" uprights and modular components, so you can expand a half rack into a four post or split a six post into two racks later. Manticore adds 1" holes for its heavy-duty attachment line.
Still not sure which rack fits your space and your budget? The B.o.S. support team answers that question every day, and would rather help you pick right than watch you buy twice.
