Squat stands are the smaller brother of the full power rack. But how tall are they, which height do you need and what are the differences between fixed and adjustable squat stands regarding height? That’s what we’ll dive into in this article.
On average, squat racks are 79” (200 cm) tall. There is a big difference between fixed and adjustable stands. Fixed stands are on average 87″ tall while adjustable ones average only 64″. For proper use, a squat stand should at least be as tall as your shoulder height.
Below you can find the lists of squat stands where we got these numbers from. You’ll also find a comparison between fixed and adjustable stands, especially regarding height.
Contents
Squat Stand Heights
Note: This post is about Squat stands. If you’re looking for power rack/Squat cage heights, click here.
Squat stands are available in a diverse range of heights, offering plenty of options to suit various preferences and needs. A quick glance at the chart below illustrates the extensive variety of squat stand heights.
Brand | Model | Type | Height (Max) | Load limit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Titan | X-3 Short | Fixed | 72 | 1000+ |
Titan | T-3 V2 | Fixed | 92.5 | 1000+ |
Titan | X-3 | Fixed | 92 | 1000+ |
Rogue | ES1 2.0 | Fixed | 70.375 | 500+ |
Rogue | S4 | Fixed | 72 | 500+ |
Rogue | S2 2.0 | Fixed | 92 | 1000+ |
Rogue | SM-3 | Fixed | 111 | 1000+ |
Rogue | SML-3 | Fixed | 110 | 1000 |
CAP | Squat stand | Fixed | 85 | 500 |
Hulkfit | Squat stand | Fixed | 81 | 500 |
Hulkfit | Pro | Fixed | 81 | 800 |
Hulkfit | Pro + | Fixed | 85 | 1000 |
Doeplex | 2020 multi | Adjustable | 70.1 | 550 |
Ollieroo | Barbell stand | Adjustable | 64.2 | 550 |
UBOWAY | Squat stand | Adjustable | 55.1 | 550 |
Soozier | 2-piece | Adjustable | 64 | 330 |
Vanswe | Squat stand | Adjustable | 63 | 550 |
Merax | Squat stand | Adjustable | 67.5 | 550 |
Average | 79.32 |
On average, squat stands tend to measure slightly over 79 inches in height. However, relying solely on averages can be deceiving, as squat stands span a considerable height spectrum. You can find stands as tall as 111 inches or as short as 55.1 inches.
There are actually two different types of squat stand. One has fixed length uprights while the other type is adjustable. Let’s take a closer look at both types.
Fixed vs. Adjustable Height Squat Stands
When it comes to squat stands, they can generally be categorized into two main types:
1. Fixed Height Squat Stands:
Fixed doesn’t mean you can’t adjust the height of the barbell. Instead of adjusting the height of the barbell by changing the height of the uprights, you change the height the J-cups are mounted at. So you can still adjust the height of the barbell to your needs.
Fixed-height squat stands are generally sturdier because the uprights are made from a single piece of metal. They feel more solid when placing a heavy bar on them and this is reflected in the much higher weight limits this type often has.
2. Adjustable Height Squat Stands:
Adjustable squat stands are usually more compact but a bit less sturdy. They feel wobbly when placing a heavy weight on them. The trade-off for that is that they’re smaller and cheaper.
Now, let’s break down the heights for each of these two types and see how they stack up:
Fixed squat stand heights
Brand | Model | Height (Max) | Load limit |
---|---|---|---|
Titan | X-3 Short | 72 | 1000+ |
Titan | T-3 V2 | 92.5 | 1000+ |
Titan | X-3 | 92 | 1000+ |
Rogue | ES1 2.0 | 70.375 | 500+ |
Rogue | S4 | 72 | 500+ |
Rogue | S2 2.0 | 92 | 1000+ |
Rogue | SM-3 | 111 | 1000+ |
Rogue | SML-3 | 110 | 1000 |
CAP | Squat stand | 85 | 500 |
Hulkfit | Squat stand | 81 | 500 |
Hulkfit | Pro | 81 | 800 |
Hulkfit | Pro + | 85 | 1000 |
Average | 86.99 |
As you can see, the average height for fixed squat stands is almost 87″. That’s a lot taller than even the maximum height of adjustable stands. So if you’re looking for something tall, fixed is the way to go.
There is still a lot of variation between models with heights ranging from 72″ to 110″.
Adjustable squat stand heights
Brand | Model | Height (min) | Height (Max) | Load limit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Doeplex | 2020 multi | 46.8 | 70.1 | 550 |
Ollieroo | Barbell stand | 40.6 | 64.2 | 550 |
UBOWAY | Squat stand | 36.2 | 55.1 | 550 |
Soozier | 2-piece | 40 | 64 | 330 |
Vanswe | Squat stand | 43 | 63 | 550 |
Merax | Squat stand | 43.5 | 67.5 | 550 |
Average | 41.68 | 63.98 |
The average height for adjustable stands is 64”. That average for the adjustable stands isn’t at the lowest setting either, it’s the highest. On the lowest setting, adjustable stands are only 41.6” tall.
That means that adjustable squat racks are a lot more compact and thus better for storage.
The adjustable stands range from 55.1” to 70.1”. 55” is an outlier since most of the racks are 63” or up.
How Tall Should Squat Stands Be?
Does the height of your squat rack actually matter? It does but with squat stands it’s a lot less important than with a power rack.
The most important factor is that the barbell should be held at the right height for you to get under it for squatting. That means the rack should be tall enough to hold the bar just below your shoulders. That way you can easily unrack and rerack it without bending too much.
In practice that means the stand should be at least your height minus 14″. If you’re 6′ tall, you need a barbell rack that can hold the barbell at about 58″ high.
Of course, the stands should also fit under your ceiling but if you can’t fit stands that are shorter than your own height, you’ve got bigger issues.
Suggested post: How tall should a home gym ceiling be?
Pull-up Bar
If you want a rack with a pull-up bar, things become a little different. In that case, the stands should be at least as tall as you are. That way you can do pull-ups with bent knees. To do proper pull-ups, you’ll need a rack that’s about 1.2X as tall as you are.
At the same time, you’ll need at least 12″ of headroom above the pull-up bar so you don’t hit your head on the ceiling.
Suggested post: 13 tips for working out under low ceilings
How To Choose The Right Squat Stands
Fixed vs Adjustable Squat Stands
When considering the right squat stands for your home gym, one of the first decisions you’ll encounter is whether to go with fixed or adjustable stands. Each type has its own advantages and limitations.
Type of squat stand | Fixed | Adjustable | |
Load Limit (pounds) | 500-1000+ | 350-500 | |
Size | Larger | Smaller | |
Price | Higher | Lower | |
Stability | Feels solid under heavy loads | Can feel wobbly under heavy loads | |
Features | Adjustable J-cups, Pull-up bar, Spotter arms | Small spotter arms |
Load Limit
Another crucial factor in your squat stand selection is the load limit, and this consideration varies between fixed and adjustable stands. Typically, adjustable stands are designed to handle loads of up to 500 lbs. or even less, while fixed stands boast higher load limits, often ranging from 500 lbs. to 1000 lbs. or more.
It’s important to note that you don’t necessarily need to fully utilize the maximum load limit for your squat stand, as this limit often indicates the point at which stability might become an issue.
To ensure safety, aim for a squat stand that can comfortably accommodate more weight than you intend to lift. Additionally, the brand reputation can influence how a stand performs near its load limit. A well-known brand with a 500 lbs. rating is likely to handle the weight more securely than an obscure, unnamed stand with the same rating.
Height Considerations
Pick a suitable height for you. We already covered this above.
Features
While squat stands offer fewer features compared to full power racks, they still come with important attributes.
For many home gym enthusiasts, the inclusion of a pull-up bar is a key feature. It’s worth noting that pull-up bars are typically available on fixed squat stands, so if this feature is essential for your workouts, focus your attention on those models.
Spotter arms are another great feature to have. They can catch the barbell when you fail a lift. Longer spotter arms are better since they can catch the bar in more situations but these are usually reserved for the very sturdy fixed stands.
Braced or Not
Some squat stands come with additional bracing for added stability and strength. These braces reinforce the upright posts, enhancing the stand’s overall durability. Braced squat stands often offer the option to store weight plates on the stand, maximizing your space efficiency.
When choosing between braced and non-braced squat stands, consider your specific workout needs and available space in your home gym. Braced stands can offer enhanced stability but may require slightly more room, so weigh your priorities accordingly.
FAQ
Can you use a short barbell in a squat rack?
Most squat stands are just as wide as power racks (at most 49”). That means some 6’ barbell will fit but not all. There are a few squat stands that are adjustable in width. These can be used with 6’ or even 5’ barbells.
Do you need a squat stand in a home gym?
If the home gym is intended to use free weights, it either needs a squat stand or power rack to allow the user to do all the basic free weight lifts. A squat rack will do this although a power rack is safer and stronger but is more expensive and takes up more space.