Full Cage vs. Open Rack

B3rserk3R said:
Really? They seem much more elablorate than a basic "no frills" cage. Besides smith machines exist and they're really expensive.
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Yea but Smith Machines serve a different purpose than squat rack/power cages.

Squat racks and power cages allow you to do movements such as a freeweight squat while smith machines allow you to easily identify a dumbass.
 
Saith said:
wow, looks like I'm alone.

I'm pretty tall, and prefer the squat racks. I always feel claustrophobic inside a power rack. Plus it's easier to get the bar out for deadlifts/rows and I don't think I could do OHP in a power rack without slamming the bar into the top.
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Yeah. It's really hard to move a 20kg bar in and out of a rack when you are a fat pussy.
 
Chaos Mitten said:
Yeah. It's really hard to move a 20kg bar in and out of a rack when you are a fat pussy.
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lol no but it's a bit awkward to flip it up and then maneuver around the rack posts.
 
Just like most everyone stated....a cage is the way to go. It's way more versatile. The work that needs to be done out of the cage is simple to do. Just put your pegs on the outside of the cage and you're ready to go.

The awkwardness of moving the bar out of the cage is nothing. Consider it part of your rest period between sets. And it doesn't seem awkward after awhile.
 
Jim J said:
Is there any advantage to having a full cage as opposed to an open squat rack? I'm thinking about buying something. If you have the full cage, do you clean and snatch inside the cage? I've never done snatches but, at the gym I like doing cleans in the open. Never tried them in a cage. I don't really have a preference for squatting.
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I would recommend against doing clean and snatches inside a cage. In particular, I don't see the point. I actually prefer squat stands for squats.
 
There's no way I could OHP inside a cage, but then again there's no need to. OHPs and power cleans can be done right outside of it.
 
I would just like to add that you should make sure the cage is big enough and versatile enough for you and what you want to do.

I got a cheap Weider cage from Sears and it is really hard to bench in it because it has a pull down attachment built in. The hooks are built in so they can be moved up and down, but not from one side of the rack to another so I have to bench with the hooks in front of me or I can spin around and bench with the hooks in the right place, but the pull down assembly between my legs and my ass hanging off the bench. Not good either way. It is also pretty small so I can't box squat in it and squatting in general is pretty tight and again I have to face away from the hooks so re-racking is iffy.

Your cage should be big enough so that you feel comfortable with it and versatile enough that you can move the supports sufficiently and move the hooks around. For example it is nice to be able to move the hooks to the outside for OHP or whatever.

My 2 cents.
 
ciscokid1024 said:
I would just like to add that you should make sure the cage is big enough and versatile enough for you and what you want to do.

I got a cheap Weider cage from Sears and it is really hard to bench in it because it has a pull down attachment built in. The hooks are built in so they can be moved up and down, but not from one side of the rack to another so I have to bench with the hooks in front of me or I can spin around and bench with the hooks in the right place, but the pull down assembly between my legs and my ass hanging off the bench. Not good either way. It is also pretty small so I can't box squat in it and squatting in general is pretty tight and again I have to face away from the hooks so re-racking is iffy.

Your cage should be big enough so that you feel comfortable with it and versatile enough that you can move the supports sufficiently and move the hooks around. For example it is nice to be able to move the hooks to the outside for OHP or whatever.

My 2 cents.
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So where can I get a nice cage? Can you get a pretty solid rack at a sporting goods store, or do I need to go to some kind of specialty store? I'm not opposed to buying online if someone can recommend a particular model. I just don't want something that is going to be wobbly and look all home gymish.
 
takeahnase said:
I would recommend against doing clean and snatches inside a cage. In particular, I don't see the point. I actually prefer squat stands for squats.
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I'm with you here ... squat stands FTW. I don't like the claustrophobic feeling of squatting inside a cage. Unless I'm doing near limit sets, I usually set the hooks on the outside and squat out of the cage without the safety bars. I wish I could train in a weightlifting gym.
 
Cages are alot more versatile. But when it comes to squatting, I'm partial to open rack. No real advantage, but why not eh?
 
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