I wanted to upgrade my older power rack that I’ve had for over ten years.
The two main ones I was interested in replacing it with were the Rep Fitness PR-4000 or PR-5000.
I eventually decided on the PR-4000 as it worked best in the training space for myself and my clients as well.
So today here is my Rep Fitness
The REP PR-4000 Power Rack is one of the highest quality power racks on the market. It features laser-cut numbering every fifth hole, 3×3" 11 gauge steel, and 5/8" diameter hardware. The 1" “Westside” spacing through the bench zone and 2" spacing throughout the rest make this rack extremely versatile. A wide range of attachments are available as well, such as a lat/low row attachment, lever arms, functional trainers, dip bars, and more!
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
| Takeaways | Quick Answer |
| Is The PR-4000 Worth The Money? | Offers great value with a balance between quality and cost, and is highly customizable. |
| Ideal Users | Best for dedicated home gym users; may not be ideal for beginners or those with limited space. |
| Construction and Specs | Built with 3×3″ 11 gauge steel, 1,000 lbs capacity, and versatile hole spacing for attachments. |
| Uprights and Crossmembers | Options for different heights and depths, allowing customization to fit training needs and space. |
| Customization and Color Options | Offers a 6-post configuration for versatility and multiple color options for personalization. |
| Accessories | Wide range of accessories including pull-up bars, safeties, J-cups, lever arms, belt squat platforms, and more! |
| Comparative Analysis | Stands out for its balance of price, quality, and customization compared to the PR-5000, Rogue Monster Lite Series, and the Titan X3. |
| Areas for Improvement | Suggested improvements include numbered uprights, better finish quality, and broader attachment compatibility. |
In-Depth Analysis
Let’s check out what makes the
Construction and Specs
The
This kind of construction is what gives it the strength to handle a weight capacity of up to 1,000 lbs.
It’s this feature that makes the PR-4000 a versatile rack, suitable for a wide range of users.
In terms of hole spacing, the PR-4000 incorporates 1″ Westside hole spacing in the bench zone.
This detail is particularly important for those focused on bench pressing and other precision exercises, as it allows for fine-tuned adjustments.
Elsewhere on the rack, the 5/8″ holes provide great versatility for attachment placement, ensuring that you can customize the rack to suit a variety of workouts and training styles.
This combination of sturdy construction and thoughtful design details is what sets the PR-4000 apart as a top choice for a home gym power rack.
Uprights and Crossmembers
When it comes to the
With the uprights, you have two height options: 80″ and 93″. This choice is great because it lets you pick a size that fits your ceiling height and training style.
In my garage gym, for instance, the 80″ uprights are perfect. They offer enough room overhead, so the space doesn’t feel cramped, yet they’re tall enough for most exercises.
Then there’s the crossmember variability, which is all about the depth of the rack. You can choose from 24″, 30″, and 41″ options.
I went with the 41″ crossmembers because they provide ample space for a full range of movements, whether I’m benching or squatting.
It’s spacious enough to move around comfortably inside the rack. However, if you’re working with a smaller area, the 24″ crossmembers are a smart pick.
Pair them with spotter arms outside the rack, and you’ve got a setup that’s efficient in terms of space yet doesn’t compromise on functionality.
This flexibility in choosing the dimensions of your rack is one of the key reasons the PR-4000 is such a versatile and popular choice for home gyms.
Customization and Color Options
The customization options of the
In my home gym, I’ve set up a 6-post rack. This configuration, combined with 41″ crossmembers and 80″ uprights, creates a training space that’s both spacious and versatile.
It’s perfect for accommodating multiple lifters or a wide range of exercises, from squats and bench presses to pull-ups and more.
The extra posts also mean more stability and storage options, which is a huge plus.
As for the color options, the PR-4000 offers a variety to suit different tastes and gym aesthetics.
I personally chose the red uprights for my setup. They bring a vibrant and professional look to the gym, making the space not just functional but also visually appealing.
These color choices are a nice touch because they allow you to add a personal flair to your gym, making your workout environment not just about function but also about style.
Attachments and Add-Ons
When outfitting the
Mandatory Attachments
While you’re going through the rack builder, there are a couple of attachments you have to get as they’re necessary for safe training in a power rack.
The pull-up bar is a little different as it acts as the front crossmember for stability.
Here are the options they have available.
J-Cups
These are non-negotiable for your rack. They hold the barbell securely for exercises like squats, bench presses, and overhead presses.
The PR-4000 offers options such as flat, sandwich, or round sandwich J-cups, each designed to protect your barbell’s knurling and provide secure support.
Safety Bars or Straps
Essential for safe lifting, especially when you’re training alone. They catch the barbell if you fail a lift.
The PR-4000 offers choices like pin and pipe safeties, flip-down safeties, or safety straps, each with its own benefits in terms of barbell protection and ease of use.
Pull-Up Bar
A staple for upper body training. I went with the Multi-Grip Bar as it allows for the most variety in training.
The PR-4000 comes with several options, however, including a standard straight bar, multi-grip bar for various grip positions, and even a globe grip bar for enhanced grip strength training.
Optional Add-Ons
This is where the fun begins. The PR-4000 can be decked out with a variety of add-ons, depending on your training needs.
These are all incredible ways to further increase the versatility of your training with a
Weight Storage
The weight storage solution for the PR-4000 is solid and something I’m very glad I invested in from the start.
They give you six of the 6″ and six of the 12″ weight horns and are super easy to install on your rack.
This is one of those things that are nice to have if you don’t have weight storage and even if you do, it saves space, is more convenient, and even helps stabilize the rack further.
Ares/Athena Pulley System
These systems transform your rack into a cable machine, offering a wide range of exercises like cable curls, tricep pushdowns, and cable flyes.
Considering how it barely adds to your footprint this is the best option if you need to maximize your gym space.
Lat Pulldown/Cable Row Attachment
This attachment, while not as great as a full pulley system, is still going to be more than enough for most people.
It allows for classic gym exercises like lat pulldowns and seated cable rows, providing more options in a small footprint.
Leg Roller
This attachment is particularly useful for exercises that require extra stability, such as Bulgarian split squats or lunges.
It’s adjustable and padded for comfort, plus, I and many others use it as a pad while doing pulldowns.
Dip Attachment
I love this dip attachment from REP as it attaches directly onto a upright and when not in use you can fold it up as well.
I also use it as a place to hold my phone so I can see my training notes right in the action.
Utility Seat
This utility seat further increases the uses of your power rack.
The main use cases are as a seat for box squats, raised spotter platform, seal row station with the add-on pad for comfort, and my personal favorite, a foot plate for leg press variations!
I’ll explain that one a little later.
But regardless, if you want a nice and stable platform for multiple uses, the Utility seat is something I personally love and recommend if you have a use for it.
Each of these attachments brings its own unique benefits to the PR-4000, allowing you to tailor your power rack to your specific training goals.
Beyond this, they also have a Belt Squat platform, lever arms, landmine attachments, spotter arms, and more!
They’re constantly adding more attachments each year and have been killing it with the value they’re bringing to the market.
Pricing, Warranty & More
This section will help fill you in on how much you can expect to pay, how solid REP’s warranty is, and more about the overall buying price.
Price
The base price of the
As you add customizations and attachments, the price can increase significantly.
With just the basic customizations you’re looking at over $2,000.
For a fully decked-out version with every attachment available in their rack builder, you’re looking at over $3500.
This doesn’t include things like the lat pulldown/low row, pulley systems, and other more expensive add-ons.
From there, the price with a fully loaded Ares, which is the most expensive variant available, is going to add another $2800.
It’s a modular system, so the final cost really depends on how you choose to build it.
Warranty/Returns
REP Fitness backs the PR-4000 with a strong warranty. The frame itself comes with a lifetime warranty, which speaks volumes about its durability and build quality.
For other parts and attachments, the warranty period can vary, so it’s worth checking the specifics for each item.
If you need to return the rack, REP generally offers a 30-day return policy, but it’s always wise to confirm the current terms directly with them, as policies can change.
Customer Experience
In my interactions and from what I’ve gathered, REP Fitness is known for good customer service.
They’re responsive and helpful, whether you’re dealing with inquiries before purchase or support after. This level of customer care adds value to your purchase.
Financing Options
For those looking to spread out the cost, REP offers financing options. This can be a great way to get your rack set up right away while managing your budget over time.
The terms and approval will vary, so it’s best to check directly with REP for the most current financing offers.
Rack Builder
One of the coolest features is the online Rack Builder. This tool on their website allows you to customize the PR-4000 to your exact specifications and needs.
You can select the height, depth, color, and add various attachments and accessories.
It gives you a visual and price breakdown of your custom rack, making the buying process transparent and tailored to your needs.
So, when considering the PR-4000, it’s not just about the initial price tag. It’s about the value you get from the customization options, the warranty, and the overall customer experience.
My Personal Experience
Reflecting on my evolving journey with the
Lat Pulldown Attachment
This addition has allowed me to add a ton of variety to my training.
Having a lat pulldown and low row station built into the rack saves so much space and is super efficient while training.
I mainly use it for pulldown variations, rows, extensions, and curls. But you’re definitely not limited to these at all.
Utility Seat
The utility seat has been a great complement to my entire setup.
You can use it in the bottom crossmembers and stand on it when spotting, as a step up platform, and anything else you might need.
I personally got it to use as a footplate for my leg press setup which I’ll go over in a second.
Bells of Steel Lever Arms
I know, these aren’t REPs lever arms but for the price and number of adjustments available I find them superior.
They do fit a little loose because of the PR-4000s 2.95”x2.95” uprights which aren’t TRUE 3×3”.
However, I bought some thin UHMW plastic sheets, cut them down to size and made it much snugger.
Overall, it’s been a great addition to my gym as the pressing, rowing, leg pressing, and calf pressing is much more stable than any other setup in my gym.
Spotter Arms For Leg Press
I also got spotter arms from Bells of Steel to add to the lever arms. This allows you to get a much better resistance curve than traditional lever arm pressing and pulling.
Plus, by flipping them upside down facing the rack, I can take REPs utility seat and use it as a foot plate for leg and calf presses.
This is the single best gym hack I’ve ever used and am impressed with how well it actually works.
These new additions have not only expanded the range of exercises I can perform but have also brought a fresh dynamic to my workouts.
The ability to continuously upgrade and adapt the PR-4000 to my evolving training needs is one of the reasons I value this rack so highly.
It’s more than just a piece of equipment; it’s the home base of my garage gym.
PR-4000 VS Other Popular Options
In the world of power racks, the
REP PR-4000 vs PR-5000
The REP PR-5000 V2 Power Rack is a robust, versatile training equipment built from 3x3" 11 gauge steel and 1" diameter hardware. Rated for 1,000 lbs, it's designed for high-intensity workouts. It features 2" hole spacing and supports a growing range of 1" hole attachments for enhanced safety and workout variety. Quality is evident in its precision laser cuts, welding, and powder coating, making it a durable and essential addition to your fitness regimen.
- Build and Customization – Both racks are solidly built with 11-gauge steel. The PR-5000 steps up with 1-inch hole spacing compared to the 5/8-inch on the PR-4000, offering slightly more attachment versatility.
- Size Options – The PR-5000 is generally larger, catering to those with more space and a need for a bigger rack.
- Price Point – The PR-4000 is more budget-friendly, making it a great choice for those who want quality without the higher price tag of the PR-5000.
REP PR-4000 vs Rogue Monster Lite Racks
This is the 3x3" version of the classic Westside power cage. The Monster Lite R-3 Power Rack combines the 3x3" 11-Gauge Steel tubing of Rogue’s standard Monster Series with the 5/8” bolts and fasteners of our Infinity Rigs and Racks.
- Construction – Both the PR-4000 and Rogue Monster Lite racks use 11-gauge steel, but the Rogue racks have a slightly larger footprint, which might be a factor if space is limited.
- Customization and Attachments – The PR-4000 offers a wide range of attachments, similar to the Rogue racks. However, the PR-4000’s customization at a lower price point is a significant advantage.
- Brand Reputation – Rogue is well-known for its high-quality equipment, but REP’s PR-4000 matches up well in terms of build quality and customer satisfaction.
REP PR-4000 vs Titan X-3
Elevate your home gym with the Titan X-3 Power Rack. This sturdy rack, with 3"x3" uprights and a 1500 lb capacity, is perfect for intense training. It offers a range of accessories for various workout styles and features flat feet for stability without bolting it down. The X-3's walkthrough design fits various spaces, and its compatibility with competitor accessories adds versatility. Ideal for budget-conscious garage gym owners, the Titan X-3 is a durable and versatile choice.
- Build Quality – The Titan X3 and PR-4000 are comparable in build quality. Both are sturdy and designed for heavy use.
- Price – Titan X3 tends to be more budget-friendly, but with that comes fewer customization options compared to the PR-4000.
- Attachment Compatibility – The PR-4000 edges out with more diverse and easily accessible attachments, offering a more tailored workout experience.
The
It holds its own against the PR-5000 by offering a more budget-conscious option without significant compromises.
Against the Rogue Monster Lite series, it competes well in quality and exceeds in value for money.
Compared to the Titan X3, the PR-4000 offers more in terms of customization and versatility, making it a great choice for those looking to build a more personalized home gym.
Ideal Users
When considering the
Who Should Buy The PR-4000
Let’s start with who should definitely consider buying it.
If you’re setting up a home gym and looking for a power rack that’s more than just a basic setup, the PR-4000 is right up your alley.
It’s perfect for those who are planning to train regularly and need something that can handle a variety of exercises. The customization options are a big plus here.
Whether you’re into powerlifting, bodybuilding, or just general strength training, if you want a rack that can adapt to your evolving training needs, the PR-4000 is a solid choice.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The PR-4000
Now, who might want to skip the PR-4000? If you’re just starting out and aren’t sure about committing to a full-fledged home gym, this might be more rack than you need.
It’s also not the best fit if you’re tight on space.
Despite its customization options, it does have a footprint that requires a decent amount of room.
And, if you’re on a tight budget, there are more affordable, albeit less versatile, options out there that might suit your immediate needs better.
In short, the PR-4000 is a great investment for dedicated home gym users looking for a durable, adaptable, and comprehensive training solution.
But for those just dipping their toes into home workouts or working with limited space or budget, there might be more suitable options.
Which Configuration Should I Get?
Choosing the right configuration for the
First, consider the space you have. The PR-4000 offers various height and depth options.
Got a low ceiling or a compact space? Go for the shorter height. If you’ve got more room, the taller option might be better, especially for overhead exercises.
Depth-wise, a deeper rack is great for stability and inside-the-rack work, but if space is a premium, a shallower depth works fine.
Next, think about your training style.
Are you focusing on heavy lifting like squats and bench presses? Make sure to include sturdy J-cups and safeties.
If you’re into varied workouts, consider attachments like dip bars or pull-up options.
The beauty of the PR-4000 is its modularity – you can start basic and add on as your training evolves.
Lastly, don’t forget about storage. If you have a lot of plates, integrated storage can be a huge space-saver. It keeps weights handy and your workout area tidy.
The best configuration for the PR-4000 is the one that fits your space, supports your training, and grows with you.
Start with the essentials and build from there – the PR-4000 is flexible enough to adapt to your changing needs.
Areas for Improvement
The
- Numbered Uprights – It would be much more convenient if the uprights were numbered on both sides. This small change would make adjusting the rack a lot easier.
- Finish Quality – The coating on the PR-4000 is decent, but making it smoother could improve both its look and longevity.
- Assembly Instructions – The setup process can be a bit tricky. Clear instructions or better assembly support would be helpful.
- Using TRUE 3×3” Uprights & Crossmembers – Using true 3×3” construction could improve the rack’s compatibility with a wider range of attachments. I’ve bought attachments from other competitors and have had to make slight modifications to ensure they aren’t too loose on my rack.
Overall, these improvements could make the PR-4000 an even better choice for home gym owners.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, the
While there are areas for improvement, like the numbering on the uprights and the finish quality, these are relatively minor compared to the overall value and versatility this rack offers.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your home setup, the PR-4000 is a rack that can grow with you, adapting to your changing training needs.
It’s a reliable, sturdy piece of equipment that’s well worth considering for your home gym.
Until next time,
-Dante
Great, thorough review. It help me to decide to buy.
Thanks.
I’m happy to help Michael! Enjoy the rack it’s awesome!