Hulkfit Squat Rack Review | Get It Or Forget It? | 2023
Around the end of 2020, amid the COVID-19 chaos, I bought the Hulkfit Squat Rack from Amazon. I’ve had it for two years and put it through pretty intense use, so I thought now would be a good time to review the cage and tell you my thoughts.
I will talk about its overall value compared to its quality, durability, and use capabilities.
First, let’s talk about why I purchased the solid steel squat rack from Amazon instead of one of the other available power cages.
HULKFIT Pro Series 2.35″ x 2.35″ Power Cage Squat Rack
With a 1,000 lb weight capacity and a solid steel frame, this multi function squat rack is the perfect value option for those looking to add something extra to their home gym setup.
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Why I Chose The Hulkfit Power Cage
There were a few reasons that we were looking for a power cage to begin with.
We already had a few others pieces of equipment, like a weight bench and free weights, but we wanted options to do back squats, bench presses, and pull-ups for a full body workout to achieve our fitness goals. We wanted to build muscle, lose weight, and perform gym quality exercises at home.
So we wanted a unit that could get those for us and certainly were willing to entertain other features depending on the pricing.
1. Price
I’m going to be honest; whenever I am shopping on Amazon and comparing products, I would be lying if I said that the pricing wasn’t one of the first things I look at on any item, including the Hulk Fit power cages.
This multi-function Hulkfit cage caught my eye because of its price compared to many other available cages.
It wasn’t the cheapest on the list, but it was far from the most expensive. But based on its features, we felt the Amazon price was more than fair and a good value for what we were getting.
It also didn’t hurt that Amazon Prime has free shipping with quick delivery.
2. Reviews
We also look at reviews that other users have left to have purchased and used the machine.
Not that an item needs a lot of reviews, but it certainly impacts our decision.
The Hulkfit Pro Series Power Rack has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon, more than almost all other available power racks on there, so we know that this was a trusted brand that had been well reviewed.
Reading the reviews, we noted that they were generally positive and spoke highly of the multi-function Hulkfit cage.
3. Features
The first thing we checked off our list was that this power cage had all the features needed to cover our basic requirements. It had adjustable J-hooks that allowed us to do back squats and bench presses with a barbell and a multi-grip pull-up bar.
We also saw the Hulkfit Pro Series had a 1,000-pound weight capacity, more than enough for what we needed to do.
So from there, we looked at the other features of the Hulkfit. We knew Hulkfit products are well-known, but we wanted to know more.
The Hulk Fit had another accessory that caught our eyes: the pair of dip bars. We hadn’t considered the ability to do dips but welcomed the opportunity to add those to our home workouts and exercise.
The multi-function Hulkfit also came with safety bars (also called spotter arms), a nice addition that helped us feel that this was a power rack we could feel safe using. Each safety bar has a j hook on end, giving you two extra j hooks for the whole unit.
We liked all of the mounting holes on the cage, which appears to give a wide array of options regarding where to place the barbell or dip bars when working out.
We also liked that the Hulk Fit was expandable; a Hulkfit Cable Crossover attachment is available from Amazon for those interested, as well as a Hulkfit lat pull-down attachment.
With all that information, were sold. We made the final selection and chose the Hulkfit. Thanks to Amazon Prime, the Hulk Fit came with free shipping and arrived in a couple of days.
My On-Hand Review of the Hulk Fit Power Cage
Assembling The Hulkfit Squat Cage
The item came in one big box, which made it very easy to drag it down my stairs and get it into the room it was going to be housed in. All of the continents were neatly organized and in good condition.
As I began to take each piece out and unwrap them from their plastic coverings, I noticed that the instructions with the unit were a bit vague. In fact, so vague that I assembled the first 25% of the Hulkfit power cage backward and had to undo the work I had done to correct my mistake.
After reversing the course, the total assembly time with one person was around 2 hours.
Some online reviews mentioned that others had problems assembling the unit, whereas the holes in the steel frame didn’t align. I had the same problem assembling until I realized I was doing it backward. After that, no similar issues.
The Stability of the Assembled Hulkfit
Regarding power cages, stability is very important during any exercise, considering that it needs to be able to hold barbells and weights properly and safely.
When I first assembled the unit, I noticed a slight unevenness to the power rack, which I had sitting on a concrete floor.
After some examination, I felt some unevenness on the concrete might cause this, so I moved the power rack position, and the issue was gone (I now sit the Hulkfit on garage gym mats to ensure extra stability).
The Usability of the Hulkfit Squat Rack
Once the unit was stabilized in my home gym, I started testing the various accessories and barbells I had at my house. The Hulkfit power rack, with its high weight capacity and safety bars, provides a safe environment for strength training exercises.
As expected, the weight balance with a weighted barbell was just as I had hoped with the adjustable J-hooks. There were no issues with the power rack tipping or feeling off-balance, and it was easily able to support my body weight.
Because there are so many adjustment options on this unit, I moved the adjustable J-hooks to different positions on the power rack to ensure that there were no other issues with balance that might be position related. The stability of the cage held up well during these tests.
There were not any.
After doing some bench presses and squats as an initial test, I moved to the multi-grip pull-up bar. This was probably my first disappointment with the unit, as the pull-up bar had a couple of plastic coverings on the ends to assist with grip. However, I found those coverings were a bit loose, and they were moving as I tried to do a pull-up. Luckily, they are removable, so I removed them and have not needed them since. I did my pull-up test to ensure stability, and the exercise went fine.
Lastly, I tried the dip bars. Because these were a weight training bonus to us, they were the last to be tested; the dip bars secure safely onto the Hulkfit cage bars, making installation and removal easy when needed. Using the dip bars, I successfully did several sets of dips on the Hulkfit but noticed something unusual.
After several reps of each set, I noticed that the unit began to sway slightly with my motion. I am 6 foot 3 and 235 pounds, so I thought perhaps the force of my movement and weight was causing this. However, after further investigation, I realized that I might have placed the dip bars too high on the power rack and moved them to a lower center of gravity. Once I did that, I have no further issues with the swaying of the power cage.
I will say this from a negative standpoint, specifically regarding using dip bars: The space of the power cage is not wide (Assembled dimensions: 81″ x 44″ x 47″), even though it is still a decent size power cage. As I stand between the bars to do the dips, it is a bit of a tighter squeeze than I would probably prefer, but that’s also because of my overall size. My wife, much smaller than I am, does not have the same issue with the machine.
Overall, the Hulkfit power rack is a great buy for most types of trainers looking to improve their strength training regimen.
HULKFIT Pro Series 2.35″ x 2.35″ Power Cage Squat Rack
With a 1,000 lb weight capacity and a solid steel frame, this multi-function squat rack is the perfect value option for those looking to add something extra to their home gym setup.
After 2 Years, My Updated Review
So as I write this review, we have had the Hulkfit for nearly two years and put it through the wringer during that time.
So the question is, how has it held up? I am glad to report that the multi-function Hulkfit Pro Series Power Cage is just as great today as it was when we originally bought it.
Despite heavy training and usage, the only wear and tear is on my sore muscles.
The balance and stability of the Hulkfit power rack have been maintained beautifully.
We have even learned to incorporate other machine workouts and weight training, including the pull-up bar as an anchor for resistance band workouts and exercise.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Who Is The Hulkfit Power Rack Good For?
Many options exist if you consider adding a power rack to your home gym workout and exercise routine. The Hulkfit power rack, specifically the Hulk Fit Co’s adjustable power cage, is a fantastic weight training option for beginner-level or intermediate-level athletes looking to enhance their strength training sessions.
Thanks to its affordable price, high quality, and great features such as the j hooks, safety bars, and pull up bars, it’s a great way to add a little extra oomph to your home gym without breaking the bank. With a weight capacity of over 800 pounds, the Hulkfit power rack ensures a safe environment for performing various exercises, like squats and bench presses.
The Hulkfit power rack also has an optional lat pull down attachment, offering additional versatility for your workouts. The adjustable design allows users to customize the power cage to their specific needs, accommodating a wide range of exercises.
For those looking for a more serious power rack for your weight training and exercise, you might consider the HULKFIT Elite Series 3″ x 3″ Power Cage Rack Attachments and Accessories.
HULKFIT Elite Series 3″ x 3″ Power Cage Rack Attachments and Accessories
The next level version of the Hulkfit Power Cage, the heavy-duty Elite series features a 3″ x 3″ solid steel frame, a 1,200 capacity, and weight plate storage holders.
Few Things I Would Change About The Hulkfit
As much as we love to use this power rack, there are a few things that I would change to make the experience a little bit better. First, the instructions should be clearer and easier to understand, but that’s common with these types of workout equipment.
Next, I would consider changing the grips on the pull-up bars. Either make them more secure or get rid of them completely. I felt like they were a waste.
I would also provide an opportunity for weight plate storage. Other racks can store weight plates directly on the rack through attachments. A couple of included attachments for weight plate storage would have been great. I would also love to do this on the power cage by adding a peg to one of the steel frame bars.
The last thing I would like to change is the texture of the dip bars. I want a little padding for comfort on these bars when I am weight training, as they are slightly thin, which can cause some palm discomfort after some time. I avoid this by adding a small towel or foam to the dip bar, but it would be great if the adjustable rack came like that.
I love that the lat pull-down attachment is available, but I wish the Hulkfit came with it already and maybe bump the price up a bit.
The Hulkfit has also started to include safety straps on its cages instead of safety bars. Some might consider this a downgrade, preferring the bars over the safety straps.
HulkFit FAQ
Final Thoughts On The Hulkfit Pro Series Power Rack From Amazon
We have been incredibly happy with this purchase and addition to our home gym setup. The Hulkfit Pro Series Power Cage has been a valuable addition to my home gym over the past two years. With an impressive weight capacity, adjustable J-hooks, solid steel safety bars, additional features like dip bars, and the option to expand with a lat pull-down attachment, this power rack exceeded my expectations.
Although the assembly instructions could have been clearer, and there were some minor issues with the pull-up bar grips and the narrow dip bars, the overall performance, durability, and versatility of the Hulkfit rack have made it a worthwhile investment.
For a reasonable price, I have been able to achieve my fitness goals and perform gym-quality exercises in the comfort of my own home. The Hulkfit’s adjustable design and multiple mounting holes provide a customizable workout experience, catering to a wide range of users, from beginner to intermediate-level athletes.
I appreciate the safety features, like the safety bars and straps, and the potential for additional upgrades, such as a cable crossover machine or the Hulkfit Elite Series 3″ x 3″ Power Cage Rack Attachments and Accessories for those seeking a more advanced setup.
While there is always room for improvement, such as adding weight plate storage and refining the grip on the pull-up bars, the Hulkfit power cage has proven to be a reliable and effective piece of equipment for my home gym.
In summary, the Hulkfit Pro Series Power Rack from Amazon offers an excellent balance of quality, durability, and value, making it a great choice for anyone looking to enhance their home workout experience.
For the amount of money we paid on Amazon, we have gotten more than our fair share of usage from the heavy-duty Hulkfit Pro Series Power Cage.
I have not bought the additional cable crossover or lat pulldown attachments, so hoping to add those to the home gym repertoire soon.
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Rob is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. For the past 10 years, Rob has been navigating the health and fitness landscape in a quest to better himself and those around him focusing on tools such as calorie and macro counting, intermittent fasting, and HIIT training techniques.