Cages and racks for safe lifting

Two-post rack or four-post cage: the difference

The two-post rack, also known as a half rack, has the bar on adjustable supports and features safety arms in front: compact, it fits in a garage or a smaller room. The cage, or power rack, has four posts connected at the top and bottom; you train inside, between two safety bars that run from front to back and catch the load no matter when the failure happens. It provides maximum safety for heavy loads and supports various accessories: dip handles, plate holders, pulley.

Other equipment

Weight training also includes:

• Weight benches.
• Dumbbells.
• Strength machines.
• Bars and weights.
• Kettlebells.
• Medicine Balls.
• Weight training accessories.

All weight training equipment is gathered on the weight training page.

The VirtuFit Power for squats and bench press

The VirtuFit Power, designed by the Dutch brand VirtuFit, combines the essential stations of a strength gym into one structure. The adjustable-height supports hold the bar at shoulder height for the squat, or lower for the bench press, with a bench placed between the posts. The safety bars are positioned just below the lowest point of the movement. For a rugby player training alone, this is the condition to lift heavy loads safely without a safety spotter: a failure ends on the safety bars, not on the chest or neck. The same rack is also used for lunges, rows, and bar pulls.

Height, anchoring, and floor: preparing the space

Before installation, measure the ceiling height: you need the height of the rack, plus space for your head and arms if doing pull-ups on the top crossbar. Also, consider the length of the Olympic bar, two meters twenty, and space on each side for loading the plates. A lightweight rack is best fixed to the floor or weighted with plates on its storage supports, so it doesn’t tip over when the bar is returned. Thick rubber mats protect the floor, absorb shocks, and reduce noise transmitted to neighbours.

Great deals

Good deals can be found in the great deals, promotions, clearance sales, sales, Black Friday. The new products showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent out within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install a rack in an apartment?

Yes, if the ceiling height allows and if the floor can support the weight of the loaded structure. Thick mats limit noise, and it's best to avoid dropping the bar onto the safeties during quiet hours when neighbours are sleeping.

What bar should be used in a rack?

The standard is a twenty-kilogram Olympic bar, with fifty-millimeter sleeves. Ensure that the spacing between the posts allows enough length on each side for loading plates without obstruction.

Is a bench needed in addition to the rack?

For bench press and seated shoulder exercises, yes: the bench slides between the posts under the bar. For squats, lunges, or bar rows, the rack alone is enough as long as the supports are adjusted correctly.

How do you adjust the safety bars?

Position them a few centimetres below the lowest point of the movement: low enough not to interfere with a successful rep, high enough to recover the bar in case of failure. Test the setting empty before loading.

What accessories can be added to a rack?

Dip handles, a pulley for pulls, plate holders, and hooks for elastic bands expand the range of possible exercises. Check compatibility with the post section and the spacing of their holes before purchasing.