Best French Fitness Squat Racks: Review and Comparison

French Fitness Squat Racks

If you're committed to weight training, a squat rack is an absolute must-have. While it's essential for squats—providing the safety and stability to help you push your limits—it also unlocks a wide range of other fundamental exercises like pull-ups, bench presses, and overhead presses. Investing in a high-quality squat rack can transform your entire workout, making it more effective and versatile.

In this guide, we'll explore the best squat racks from French Fitness to help you find the ideal match for your fitness goals.

French Fitness DHR80 Double Half Rack/Cage New

At the top of the list is the French Fitness DHR80 Double Half Rack/Cage New, which is designed to provide a comprehensive training environment. Made with 11-gauge steel, it is a commercial-grade rack that can handle heavy use. It is designed with two lifting stations for multiple athletes to use simultaneously.

In terms of storage, this rack has twelve premium weight-storage horns, helping you maintain a clutter-free workout area. The French Fitness DHR80 has multi-grip pull-up bars that can be adjusted to different angles, allowing you to choose your grip position. The rack comes with dip horns, landmine, jammer arms, power-band holders, band pegs, and racks for different equipment, so users can customize their training setup however they want.

Pros

Accommodates two athletes at the same time with multiple workout options.
Offers a variety of add-ons and attachments for extensive training.
Protected from wear and tear with quick-adjust UHMW-lined sandwich j-cups.
Adjustable spotter arms prolong the safe zone for athlete safety.

Cons

The dimensions of the rack might not be suitable for smaller training spaces.

French Fitness SHR80 Single Half Rack/Cage New

Next is the French Fitness SHR80 Single Half Rack/Cage New, a heavy-duty, commercial-grade 11-gauge steel half rack. You can extend the use of this squat rack as it comes with a wide range of attachment and storage solutions—all of which can be used to build a diverse training space. The spotter arms and the UHMW inner liners are also adjustable, for added safety and convenience.

The French Fitness SHR80 is versatile enough for personal trainers, coaches, and athletes. It has an open-front design for easy entry, exit, and convenient movement. With its twelve premium weight-storage horns, keeping all your accessories organized and reducing clutter is easy. This machine is the same as the French Fitness DHR80, except that the SHR80 has only one station.

Pros

Durable construction with heavy-duty gauge steel for long-lasting use.
Has adjustable features like the quick-adjust j-cups and spotter arms for convenience.
The multi-grip pull-up bars allow varied grip positions for different muscle groups.
Offers multiple lifting stations and accessories to match different kinds of exercises.

Cons

Limited to one station to accommodate a single athlete at a time.

French Fitness R30 Monster Power Rack New

Another great option is the French Fitness R30 Monster Power Rack New, constructed with 11-gauge steel. This squat rack has a specific hole spacing, making it sturdy and versatile for different strength-training needs. Plus, you can attach various accessories with laser-cut holes for a custom workout experience.

These accessories include a dip horn, power-band holder, jammer arms, dumbbell rack, ball rack, step-up platform, band pegs, bumper-plate rack, and kettlebell rack. It also comes with bar catches to support your free-weight workout. The j-hooks can be positioned at various levels, according to your preference. For long-lasting use, the squat rack is designed with a powder-coated finish. If you want a rack extension, consider the French Fitness R30-RE, which is next on our list.

Pros

Supports different workouts, including upper-body exercises with straight pull-up bars.
Highly durable with 11-gauge steel and powder-coated finish.
Comes with bar catches, reducing danger during exercise.
Customizable setup with laser-cut holes that can accommodate different accessories.

Cons

Large dimensions may require significant space.

French Fitness R30-RE Monster Power Rack New

For something more advanced than the French Fitness R30, consider the French Fitness R30-RE Monster Power Rack New. It builds upon the strengths of the standard model and incorporates a rear extension for stability and accessibility. The sturdy framework can accommodate intense workouts, and the rear extension provides stability during heavy lifts and easy access to spotters.

With laser-cut holes spaced 2″ center-to-center, the rack is flexible enough for accessories such as spotter arms, landmine attachments, and dip bars. Eight weight-storage horns allow you to organize weight plates and other equipment. It also has two straight pull-up bars for upper-body workouts. Adjustable j-hooks can be positioned inside or outside at various heights.

Pros

The rear extension promotes safer lifting and rack stability.
Made with heavy-duty steel and a powder-coated finish for longevity.
Adjustable j-hooks can be mounted at different heights for exercise flexibility.
Includes eight weight horns for accessible and organized plate storage.

Cons

The rear extension increases the rack’s overall footprint.

French Fitness R20 Full Squat Rack Power Cage New

Finally is the French Fitness R20 Full Squat Rack Power Cage New, another high-quality rack made with a heavy-duty steel frame reinforced by a durable powder-coated finish. With its small footprint and height of 89″, it can fit easily in home gyms, garages, and other spaces with limited room.

It features spotter arms that adjust to multiple heights for safety—protecting you if you drop the barbell while lifting. The various height adjustments also increase stability while working out. You can mount the j-hooks at different levels to create a bench-press or squat setup.

Pros

Small footprint fits well in tighter spaces.
Includes adjustable j-hooks and spotter arms for convenience and safety.
Accommodates versatile workouts, including a straight pull-up bar.
Sturdy 11-gauge-steel construction.

Cons

The 89″ height may not suit users who prefer higher clearance.

Criteria to Consider When Choosing the Best Squat Rack

When choosing the best French Fitness squat rack, consider size, weight capacity, storage space, safety features, available accessories, and overall user-friendliness. All five racks share the same steel tubing, hole sizes, and hole spacing, so they accept the same rig attachments.

Size & Dimensions

The French Fitness DHR80 is more suitable for larger spaces and dual-athlete use. The French Fitness R30 also has a sizable footprint, while the R30-RE requires even more space because of its rear extension. For limited areas, the French Fitness R20’s compact design or the single-station SHR80 may be preferable.

Storage Space

The DHR80 and SHR80 each offer twelve premium weight-storage horns, eliminating the need for separate weight trees. The R30 and R30-RE provide ample storage for accessories, whereas the compact R20 has less built-in storage.

Weight Capacity

The DHR80, R30, and R30-RE are built from heavy-duty 11-gauge steel to accommodate high loads. The SHR80 is robust but intended for lighter use, and the compact R20 supports less weight overall.

Safety

The DHR80, SHR80, and R30 include adjustable spotter arms, while the R30-RE’s rear extension offers improved spotter access. The R20 includes spotter arms and bar catches in a smaller frame.

Accessories & Attachments

The DHR80 features landmine attachments, dip horns, power-band holders, and various racks. The R30 and R30-RE support numerous add-ons, including the rear extension. The SHR80 offers a solid set of attachments but fewer than the larger models, while the R20 sticks to essentials such as pull-up bars and adjustable hooks.

Final Take on the Best Squat Racks

To take your workout to the next level, investing in a top-quality squat rack from French Fitness is a game-changer. These racks aren't just for squats; with the right accessories, they transform into versatile all-in-one machines, allowing you to perform a wide range of exercises while maximizing space and efficiency. Explore the model that best fits your goals, available space, and budget—and experience the difference in your training regimen.