What makes a good power cage?

What Makes a Good Power Cage? – Dynamo Fitness Australia

Power cages, up until recently, were something that was not used very often in the fitness equipment industry including in gyms.

Thanks to CrossFit, functional training, and other powerlifting trends. Power cages are now an essential part of any complete gym.

So what makes a good power cage? There are a few different ways to determine whether a power cage will suit your needs. We will touch on those in the following article.

What is a Power Cage?

A power cage is a sturdy, adjustable frame used for weightlifting workouts, including squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. It offers stability and support for many different exercises that allow you to lift heavier weights safely and effectively.

Let’s talk about some of the best features a good power cage should have.

Durability and Sturdiness

Durability is crucial for a safe and effective lifter experience. A good power cage is made from high-quality materials, such as steel or aluminum, to ensure it can withstand the wear and tear of weightlifting.

Thick, Heavy-Duty Frame

A quality, thick frame is critical to making sure the power cage will handle the weight you throw on them. We recommend a minimum of 2mm thick steel with 60mm x 60mm tubing.

Good-Quality Weld

Tack welds are no good, as far as power cages are concerned. You will need to look for an even, clean finished weld, well-formed all around the edges and especially your jay hooks.

This will ensure longevity and allows for a greater weight rating.

Quality power Coating

A good powder coating is essential if you want your cage to last past the first year of use. To make sure the power coating is done well, you should inspect the inside of the frame and look for any signs of rust.

Badly coated power cages tend to scratch easily and will not be powder coated thoroughly on the inside of the frame.

Add on attachments:

For home use, power cages, and light commercial units, you will find a ton of attachments that you can use with your power cages.

• Lat pulldown attachment
• Bicep and row attachments, this is and is not limited to the following
• Cable crossover attachment
• Dip attachments

Functionality:

Having a power cage that has all the above qualities is good, but what it always comes down to is functionality. The things to look out for are not limited to the following

• How easy is it to adjust the jay hooks?
• Are there numbers to determine where the jay hooks sit?
• How good are your spotters and can they adjust to suit every size?
• How far apart are your jay hooks? Are you able to bench comfortably on the inside of the frame?
• If you were to place a bench inside and attempt to do a barbell shoulder press, will you have any space in the back for your bench to go or will it be obstructed by a back support beam?

Power Racks (Squat Rack) vs Power Cages: The Difference

The power cage should also have a solid frame to support heavy weights so that you can focus on your workout instead of worrying about the safety of the gym equipment.

Power Racks and Power Cages are two important pieces of fitness equipment for strength training and weightlifting. They might seem similar to you, but there are some key differences between them.

If you’re looking to build muscle, improve your strength, or simply get a great workout, Power Racks, and Power Cages provide a huge range of exercises and training options.

Understanding the difference between Power Racks and Power Cages will help you determine which one is suitable for your gym, garage, home gym, or workout routine.

Power Racks

A Power Rack is also known as a Squat Rack. This one piece of equipment is multi-functional and allows you to perform squats, bench press exercises, and other barbell exercises safely and efficiently through adjustable barbell height, either by adjusting the J-hooks or bar catchers to the desired position or by having gun racks securely bolted to the upright.

You can also add attachments, such as dip handles, chin-up bars, or a bench, to increase the functionality of many Power Racks (See our Power Rack Packages).

You might also have heard of Half Rack, which is a smaller, more compact version of a gym rack. It has the same basic features, but typically includes fewer vertical posts and less overall space.

Power Cages

Unlike a power rack, a power Cage is a more complete and versatile piece of gym equipment. It typically includes a Power Rack and additional features, such as spotter arms, peg boards, and dip bars.

The commercial power cage all-in-one piece of equipment provides a range of exercises, from bench presses, and rack pulls, to pull-ups, without the need for additional attachments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although power cages can look simple and similar, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing one. Power cages provide a safe and versatile way to perform classic strength training exercises such as barbell squats, deadlifts, and shoulder presses.

They are a great investment to help you build muscle and improve your overall fitness level.

Buy a Power Cage or Power Rack From Dynamo Fitness – Australia

Interested in buying one? Explore our range of power racks and power cages for sale to perform multiple exercises at your home gym set. Invest in your fitness today and use a power cage to enjoy the benefits of versatile, functional, and safe gym equipment.

Order online or visit our stores in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. Feel free to call us and have a look at our range of power cages in the store or online on https://dynamofitness.com.au/power-cages