10 Best Folding Squat Racks

A foldable or folding squat rack is a useful addition to a home gym with limited space. The problem is that numerous companies sell various models of them, and it can be tricky to find the best one for you.

So which is the best folding squat rack? The best folding squat rack is the Monster Lite RML-390FULLW Fold Back Wall Mount Power Rack by Rogue Fitness. It provides more than enough space away from the wall to perform bodyweight movements like kipping pull-ups and provides safety straps for escaping from heavy squats and bench presses.

Even if you only have space for a barbell, some weight plates, a foldable squat rack, and a bench, you can still create a solid home gym.

In this article, I’ll review the best folding squat racks and discuss what you need to consider when buying one. By the end, you’ll be able to determine which one is best for you.

How We Chose the Best Folding Squat Rack

Our team comprises powerlifters and coaches who have experience training with different squat racks. Many of us train in home gyms, so we understand the necessity of finding an appropriate foldable squat rack.

To compile this list, we considered the opinions of other lifters and coaches we work with who have firsthand experiences with the products. We then combined that feedback with our own knowledge of squat racks and what makes a good one stand out.

Additionally, we reviewed the specs on each collapsible squat rack and scoured through forum discussions to cover any benefits or drawbacks we may have missed due to our own biases.

Featured Products

1. Monster Lite RML-390FULLW Fold Back Wall Mount Power Rack – Best Overall
2. Rogue RML-90SLIM Rack – Best Budget Pick
3. Rep Fitness PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack – Most Customizable

10 Best Folding Squat Racks

1. Monster Lite RML-390FULLW Fold Back Wall Mount Power Rack – Best for Heavier Squatters

Rating: 4.8/5

Pros

• Sturdier structure with four uprights
• Can provide options for safety straps
• Plenty of space to perform calisthenics
• Can place a bench press inside

Cons

• Requires a large footprint
• Very expensive

The Monster Lite RML-390FULLW Fold Back Wall Mount Power Rack is made by Rogue Fitness, a brand world-renowned for its quality construction. This foldable power rack is one of Rogue’s premium and most heavy-duty racks, and it’s my top pick for the best folding squat rack.

Unsurprisingly, this product is also priced accordingly, as it is one of our list’s more expensive squat racks.

The unique feature of this foldable squat rack is that it can fold out to form a full power rack with four uprights rather than two. You can use safety racks or safety straps to rest the barbell on if you need to perform a safe escape, whether it’s for squats or bench presses.

With the additional safety straps feature, this folding power rack is more suitable for stronger athletes who squat or bench press very heavy weights. It’s also best for people who train alone and do not have someone around to spot them. However, it is important to ensure the safety straps are high enough for you.

The inside depth between the two pairs of uprights is 30 inches, which is more than enough to walk out a barbell for squats or perform bodyweight exercises when using the pull-up bar. Rogue Fitness also offers the option of purchasing a stringer for a more secure installation and stronger structure. 

Out of all the folding squat racks in this list, this model has the highest footprint requirement.

2. Rogue RML-90SLIM Rack – Best Budget Pick

Rating: 4.4/5

Pros

• Very affordable
• Requires a very small footprint
• Very lightweight
• Requires a low ceiling height

Cons

• Very close to the wall
• Lower pull-up bar height

The RML-90SLIM Rack is one of the lower-priced folding squat racks made by Rogue Fitness. It is one of the cheapest foldable racks in our reviewed shortlist. 

This folding squat rack is also ideal for anyone with limited space in their exercise area. It is one of the smallest squat racks compared to the rest, coming out about 14 inches from the wall. It comes with a standard pair of J cups for the barbell and is made from 3×3″ 11-gauge steel uprights. 

It has three optional features, including a bracket mount or cross-member mount, a pull-up bar, and a stringer pair for mounting to the wall. The bracket mount is not as sturdy as the cross-member mount, which costs slightly more.

You should not choose this squat rack if you want to lift a high load or potentially engage in calisthenic-type movements like muscle ups, as there may not be enough space from the wall.

3. Rogue RML-90SLIM Door Mount Fold Back Rack – Best Door-Mounted Folding Squat Rack

Rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Doorway behind the squat rack gives options for activities
• Requires a very small footprint
• Requires a low ceiling height

Cons

• Only suitable for standard door widths
• Not suitable for doors by the corner of the room

The Rogue RML-90 SLIM Door Mount Fold Back Rack is a moderately priced foldaway squat rack by Rogue Fitness. The unique feature of this particular model among all foldable squat racks is that it is designed to fit around a door frame. 

It is suitable for standard door widths of 28”, 30”, 32”, and 36”. The presence of an open doorway can benefit people like CrossFitters when performing kipping pull-ups because they don’t have to worry about making contact with the wall.

The open doorway behind the squat rack also allows people to fit an incline bench inside the rack and even have space for a spotter behind you if you need it. If you need to escape from a barbell behind you and leap forward for whatever reason, you will not smack yourself against the wall.

It is best for people who want the benefit of a foldable gym rack that comes out from the wall but do not have the luxury of space.

Looking for traditional squat racks that can fit into small home gyms or apartments? Check out our list of the best squat racks for small spaces.

4. Rogue R-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack – Best for Shorter Athletes

Rating: 4.2/5

Pros

• Adjustable quick-attach pull up bar
• Options for plenty of space inside the rack
• Can be folded outwards or inwards

Cons

• Requires a larger footprint 
• Does not have strap safeties

The R-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack is another moderately priced folding squat rack from Rogue Fitness. The product is slightly larger than the squat racks discussed above and also gives you the option for two different rack depths: 20.5” and 40.5”.

As this squat rack has a larger depth, you can easily perform various exercises without worrying about making contact with the wall. These may include bodyweight exercises like kipping pull-ups or reverse rows. You can also move a bench closer in to perform incline bench presses with space for a spotter behind you.

The quick attach pull-up bar can be adjusted to different heights from top to bottom, so it is very suitable for shorter or younger athletes. It is also suitable for performing other exercises with the pull-up bar at a lower position.

This folding weight rack is unsuitable for you if you do not have a large amount of space or are looking for something that can handle heavier weights.

5. PRx Performance Profile Squat Rack – Best for Pull-Up Variations

Rating: 4.7/5

Pros

• Requires no disassembly to fold away
• Provides different bars for pull-up variations
• Can accommodate athletes with heights up to 6 foot 2 inches

Cons

• Requires more ceiling height to fold away
• Requires a large footprint

The PRx Performance Profile Squat Rack is a mid-range foldable squat rack. PRx Performance is a company made famous from its appearance on the TV show, Shark Tank.

The design of this foldable rack is fully patented. The unique feature of this foldable squat rack is that it is more practical to set up than most other racks. It requires no disassembly to put away and folds upward toward the ceiling instead of sideways like the other racks. 

It is made from 2×3” 11-gauge steel uprights. The whole squat rack has a weight capacity of over 1,000 lbs, which is more than enough for most athletes.

This squat rack is suitable for advanced athletes who also need a lot of variety in their training, especially when it comes to pull-up variations. The height limit for use is for athletes 6 foot 2 inches and under, so it may not be suitable for very tall people.

6. T-3 Series Short Folding Power Rack – Best for Lower Ceilings

Rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Low footprint requirement
• Low ceiling height requirement
• May be better for people who want to do muscle ups
• High weight tolerance

Cons

• May not be suitable for very tall athletes
• Wall mounting hardware and stringers not included

The T-3 Series Short Folding Power Rack is one of the folding squat racks made by Titan Fitness. It is an affordable squat rack with options for a rack depth of 21 or 41 inches. The 21” version gives this squat rack a relatively low footprint requirement compared to other racks.

It has a weight tolerance of 1,100 lbs, which is very high compared to some of the other squat racks on this list. This makes it suitable for most athletes, including strength athletes such as powerlifters or strongman/strongwoman competitors. There are also dedicated spotter arms for this folding squat rack, with a weight tolerance of 800 lbs. 

One of the defining features of this model is the 82” rack height, which makes it very suitable for rooms with lower ceilings. Alternatively, you may want to choose this rack height if you do calisthenics exercises such as muscle ups and want to get your head and torso above the bar. 

Wondering what the difference is between a squat rack and a power rack? Check out my article Squat Rack vs. Power Rack: Differences, Pros, Cons.

7. T-3 Series Tall Folding Power Rack – Best for Powerlifters

Rating: 4.7/5

Pros

• Westside hole spacing through the whole front of the uprights
• Can choose between a 21” or 41” rack depth
• Optional matching safety arms for spotting up to 800 lbs of weight

Cons

• Rack stringers for the walls are not included
• Hardware for wall mounting is not included

The T-3 Series Tall Folding Power Rack is another folding squat rack made by Titan Fitness. For the dimensions of this squat rack, it is relatively lower in price. Like the short folding power rack above, the T-3 tall folding power rack has a rack depth of either 21 or 41 inches. 

This model also has a weight tolerance of 1,100 lbs, which is considered very high for most squat racks and makes it suitable for most strength athletes. This folding squat rack has matching spotter arms, with a weight tolerance of 800 lbs. 

The 91” height of this collapsible weight rack is comparable to the height of most other squat racks on the market, which is anywhere between 90” to 92”. 

It has Westside hole spacing throughout the entire front side of the two uprights. This gives you the advantage of making incremental changes in rack height to find your perfect barbell placement. This is particularly useful for powerlifters, especially when performing the bench press. 

8. Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack – Best for Novice to Intermediate Lifters

Rating: 4/5

Pros

• Lower footprint requirement when assembled
• Westside hole spacing suitable for powerlifters
• Stow away by folding inward instead of upward

Cons

• No options for the rack to be extended further 
• Cannot adjust pull-up bar position below 70” off the floor
• Not suitable for kipping pull-ups

The Fringe Sport Retractable Power Rack is priced in the low to medium range. It comes with Westside hole spacing in the bench press range, so powerlifters can benefit from having smaller rack height adjustments.

There is an adjustable pull-up bar that you can alter to four different heights from 70” to 88” off the floor. This should be suitable for most athletes looking to do pull-ups. However, this folding squat stand does not offer more holes further down, which would give more options for other types of exercises.

The weight tolerance of this folding squat rack is 800 lbs. It’s relatively lower than other racks but sufficient for most athletes. For this reason, this rack is best suited for novice to intermediate-strength athletes. Any strength athlete who has a very high or elite squat strength should consider getting a different model. 

9. Rep Fitness PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack – Best for Modular Attachments

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros

• Has an optional set of spotter arms compatible with this model at an extra cost
• Provides modular add-ons for other exercises like dips
• Smaller hole spacing for bench press region

Cons

• Rack does not come with a stringer, and Rep Fitness does not offer a matching one
• You need to buy your own hardware to mount the equipment yourself

The PR-4100 Folding Squat Rack is a folding squat rack made by Rep Fitness. This model offers two versions with different depths from the wall: 21.5” and 41”. The company recommends choosing the 41” version if you want to perform kipping pull-ups.

When this rack is mounted as instructed, the weight tolerance is 1,000 lbs, which is good for most athletes. There are also optional modular add-ons for this fold-up squat rack, including equipment such as a dipping station, spotter arms, and landmine attachments. 

It does not come with a purpose-built stringer for a more secure installation, so you will need to find an appropriate one from your local hardware store. You will also need to find your own hardware to mount the equipment yourself.

A benefit that this squat rack has is its placement of various holes. It has smaller hole placements on the front for finding an appropriate rack height for the bench press. It also has various holes along the inner side of the uprights, making it useful for setting up a fixed bar for exercises such as reverse rows.

This squat rack is suitable for bodybuilders, CrossFitters, powerlifters, or all-around fitness enthusiasts who want to perform multiple exercises in their squat rack.

10. PRx Performance Profile PRO Squat Rack with Kipping Bar – Best for CrossFitters

Rating: 4.7/5

Pros

• Kipping pull-up bar far enough from the wall without needing a larger footprint
• Weight tolerance is over 1,000 lbs
• Folds away vertically without needing to disassemble the rack 

Cons

• May require a higher ceiling height for stowing away and using
• More expensive than most other foldable racks

The PRx Performance Profile Pro Squat Rack with Kipping Bar is a mid-range foldable squat rack available in two versions with different heights: 90” and 96”.

This squat rack model is fully patented and comes with the unique feature of requiring no disassembly to put away. It folds vertically to the ceiling as opposed to horizontally like some other folding squat racks. 

It is made from 3×3” 11-gauge steel uprights, bigger than the other folding squat racks from the same company. The weight tolerance of this rack is over 1,000 lbs, which is more than enough for most athletes. It also has numbered rack holes along the front so you can easily tell where you want to put your J cups.

The unique feature of this rack is the extended kipping bar for athletes like CrossFitters who want to perform kipping pull-ups. The bar extends far away from the wall for you to perform kipping pull-ups without the uprights needing further out.

The 96” version makes it even more suitable for taller athletes too, but it requires a higher ceiling height.

Benefits of a Folding Squat Rack

If you’re trying to decide whether a folding squat rack or another type of squat rack is right for your gym, consider the benefits of collapsible weight racks:

Train Full Body

A folding squat rack can allow you to train your upper body, lower body, and core, especially if you choose a folding squat rack with a pull-up bar.

Folding squat racks will open up the possibility of performing squats and overhead pressing-type movements. The pull-up bar will allow the opportunity to perform pull-ups and hanging leg raise-type movements.

Space Saving and Flexibility

The unique feature of a folding squat rack is its ability to save a ton of space when you stow it away. If you were considering a regular squat rack but discovered that it would limit the space you would have for other things, a folding squat rack will solve this.

Safer Alternative to Free-Standing Squat Stands

In the pursuit of saving space, people often go for free-standing squat stands. Free-standing squat stands can be stowed away, but they are not very sturdy or stable.

A folding squat rack offers the benefit of being easily stowed away to save space with the stability of a fixed squat rack.

Learn more about all the different types of squat racks in my article 18 Types of Squat Racks Explained.

What To Consider When Buying a Folding Squat Rack

A folding wall rack for your gym is a serious investment. It is worth doing your due diligence to determine which is best for your situation, not just the best one overall.

Here are some key points to consider when buying a folding squat rack.

Footprint

The footprint is important to consider, as you need to figure out how much room you have to assemble the squat rack and stow it away. You also need to consider how much room you have around the squat rack to easily put on and take off weight plates.

Budget

Your budget is another major consideration, as it will determine whether you can afford it. A rack is rendered impossible if it is out of your budget, even if it is best for your training needs. 

Stringers

Stringers are not mandatory, but they are recommended. They offer a more secure installation and make your entire structure stronger.

Sometimes, even the best foldable squat rack won’t come with stringers. If it does, you may have to pay extra for it. Be sure to check for this as you narrow down your list of foldable squat racks.

Weight Tolerance

Weight tolerance is important but only for some people. Folding squat racks can tolerate weights from 800 to 1,100 lbs and beyond. If you are not lifting weights anywhere near that level, weight tolerance is probably not that important. 

Warranties

If your rack becomes faulty during the early days of your purchase, it can be extremely frustrating. This gives you a good reason to consider the product’s warranty. Many brands will offer a one-year warranty, but some may offer more.

It is worth looking into it to ensure you won’t have to spend a lot of extra money if your squat rack becomes defective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Attachments Do I Need With My Folding Squat Rack?

The attachments you need with your folding squat rack are J hooks for resting the barbell and safety racks, which are important for squatting and bench pressing. You may want to consider other attachments, like a dipping station, if it is the only way to perform certain movements at home.

Are Folding Squat Racks Worth It?

Folding squat racks are worth it if you are very short on space and can afford the one most suited for you. If you are debating between a traditional squat stand, power cage, or squat rack but have limited space, you may want to consider a folding squat rack.

Can You Turn a Bench Press Into a Squat Rack?

You cannot turn a bench press into a squat rack unless it is a specific type of rack called a combo rack. A combo rack is a station where the bench can be removed to form a squat rack.

How Do I Know Which Folding Squat Rack To Get?

To figure out the best folding power rack for you, consider your specific dimensional needs, budget, and training needs. This will help you narrow down a short list of folding squat racks. From there, you can consider the non-essential but potentially useful features, such as a pull-up bar or safety arms.

What Is a Stringer on a Squat Rack?

A stringer on a squat rack is a horizontal board bolted or screwed into studs to which the squat rack is then mounted. It can be made from wood or some form of metal. They exist to keep the installation of the squat rack more secure and strengthen the complete structure.

How Much Space Do I Need For a Folding Squat Rack?

You will need at least 2 feet of free space on either side to load plates onto the barbell easily. If you plan to do muscle-ups, you’ll need 2-3 feet above the highest point of the squat rack. It is also ideal to have at least 3 feet of space in front of the squat rack once set out.

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About The Author: Norman Cheung ASCC, British Powerlifting Team Coach

Norman Cheung is a powerlifting, and accredited strength and conditioning coach under the UKSCA. He has been coaching powerlifting since 2012 and has been an IPF Team GB coach since 2016. He has experience coaching various lifters, from novices to international medallists and international university teams. Alongside coaching, he takes interest in helping powerlifters take their first step into coaching. He currently runs his coaching services at strongambitionscoaching.com