Best Power Racks With Lat Pull-Downs (2024)

REP Fitness constructed the Ares Cable Attachment to be a complete pulley system and functional trainer compatible with the REP PR-4000 and PR-5000. There are 36 pulleys on this attachment—that’s a lot of pulleys—and six attachment points, allowing for lat pull-downs, low rows, cable crossovers, and adjustable heights for the pulleys on the front of the rack.

“There is a lot going on here, but that’s the magic of this system,” says Coop.

The aluminum pulleys are rated for 450 pounds, but the weight stacks don’t go that high. That means you can add band tension or a weight plate for more resistance. However, using the pulleys closer to the max weight range may wear the cables a little faster.

In Coop’s testing of the REP Ares System, the pulleys and cables moved smoothly through every exercise he tested. “Because REP is using a 2:1 ratio on all the pulleys and stacks, you can get enough cable travel length to do just about any movement you want to. It also makes for a super smooth pull,” says Coop.

Because this is set on a power rack, the cables are not as wide as those on the best functional trainers, so some exercises like chest flyes felt a little awkward because of the narrower width. Also, the low row seemed a little lower than it could have been.

The weight stacks will take up a lot of space in the center of the rack. In his testing, the rack could still support most exercises except for adjustable bench work, like an incline bench. The rack can be customizable on the REP website, creating a 4- or 6-post power rack with a multitude of height and depth options. The rack also has colorway options, which is always a nice touch.

Although you can build an entire rack out of the website, either a PR-4000 or 5000, you can also buy the cable attachment by itself, for a starting price of about $2900. Obviously, adding the power rack is only going to ramp the price up, so buying the cable attachment for your rack is a great option, BUT make sure that your squat rack is compatible first. If you don’t have a PR-4000 or 5000, I’d recommend talking to a REP Fitness representative to see if your rack is compatible with the Ares.

The price is a lot, and it has quite a footprint, but if the price is of no concern, this is a great power rack that doubles as a functional trainer.

For more details, read our in-depth REP Ares Cable Attachment review.

If you’re looking to cut down on costs, the REP Athena is a similar modular power rack, but features a plate-loaded pulley system, which reduces materials and shipping weight.

When building out a home gym from a power rack, it’s good to have some options as far as attachments go. The Force USA MyRack provides just that; in addition to a lat pull-down and low row, the modular MyRack has a whopping 19 other attachments to choose from. Also, you start with the rack and add the attachments and equipment you want—only paying for exactly what you need.

Made with a slightly thinner 12-gauge steel, the Force USA MyRack is a budget-friendly power rack. The rack is bolted instead of welded, but it is reinforced with backer plates, to strengthen its joints. In our experience, the rack was very sturdy. The uprights are not industry standard at 2.4 inches squared, so you will have to purchase Force USA attachments specifically for this piece of equipment.

While there are a multitude of attachments, in our review of the MyRack, a few of the attachments were a little subpar, particularly with the variety of pull-up bars. The multi-grip pull-up bar had a nice knurling, but the other pull-up bar attachments had a surprisingly slick powder coat that wasn’t great for grip.

RELATED: Lat Pulldown Vs Pull-Up

While there is a lat pull-down and low row attachment available for the MyRack, there is also the option of a cable crossover. Additionally, you can purchase a seat attachment for the cable crossover. If you are looking to have both attachments, just purchasing the seat might be a way to save a bit of money, as the price of attachments start to add up. 

To learn more, check out our in-depth Force USA MyRack Review.

This Force USA modular rack will come with a bit of decision-making as you pick and choose your add-on items. If you want your purchase made easy, we suggest the Major Fitness All-In-One Home Gym Power Rack F22.

Rogue is one of our favorite manufacturers when it comes to squat racks. The brand always makes a quality product, and the Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3 Rack is no different. Providing a strong frame made from 11-gauge steel, the RML-3 also has a smaller footprint than most competitors, with a total depth of 30 inches. I use this rack at the gym I train out of, and with it rated for a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, it can handle almost any barbell workout, although the rack needs to be bolted down.

Coop says the R-3 is a incredibly stable rack. “Although it doesn’t have a big footprint, it’s wide with the crossmembers measuring 49 inches hole to hole,” says Coop. “The width gives the R-3 a super sturdy base.”

For the lat pull-down, Rogue offers a cable attachment for the Monster Lite series called the Monster Lite Slinger. Starting at $360, it can be customized for a plate-loaded machine, a weight stack, or even resistance bands. Additionally, a lat pull-down seat and low row can be added, too, if you do not already have a weight bench with leg rollers.

All pieces attach onto one of the uprights, maintaining the compact power rack’s small footprint. Additionally, Rogue’s lat pull-down bar has a very strong knurling on it, a touch that I like.

The Monster Lite Rack has a thick and thin pull-up bar along the top of the rack, as well as 4 band pegs that can be used for banded squats or bench press. Although the rack has a small footprint, the height is 90 inches, which may be high for some garage gyms. If you can not bolt down the rack or it is too tall, it might be wise to consider a half rack or short rack to save space.

RELATED: The Rogue R-3 Power Rack: A Great Option for Your Home Gym

If the Rogue RML-3 dimensions don’t cut it for your home gym, consider the Rogue R-3W Fold Back Wall Mount Rack which can completely fold out of the way when not in use.

At GGR, we realize that some home gym owners craft their set-ups in an outdoor shed or their backyards, so they need equipment that can stand up to the elements. We chose the Giant Lifting Garage Gym Power Rack 2.0 because it presents quality construction, durability, and stability, all at a lower price than many competitors—and reviewers with outdoor gyms approve. The plate-loaded cable attachment has a 450-pound weight capacity, so you can really load it up, and operates at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 10 pounds will feel like 10 pounds.

Plus, you get a multi-grip pull-up bar, padded J-cups, and free shipping with your order. For under $700, that’s a 5 out of 5 value.

As for the squat rack, the build of this rack is solid. The rack is constructed with 2-inch-by-2-inch 14-gauge steel tubing, which gives the rack a weight capacity of 700 pounds. While that’s not the heaviest, it’s certainly enough for most home gym athletes and quite impressive given the price point. I score this rack 4 out of 5 stars for durability.

It’s nothing fancy, but it should hold up for most home gym owners with a 700-pound weight capacity. But from my experience, don’t expect a perfect locked-to-the-ground feel. There was a bit of wobbling when I had 315 pounds on the bar for squats. However, with weight plates on the horns, the wobbling significantly reduced.

Another GGR expert product tester loaded the barbell for 135-pound squats and noticed less wobbling on the GIANT Lifting rack. “It may not be worthwhile for competitive strength athletes because it’s constructed from 14-gauge steel and has a weight rating under 1,000 pounds, but for many folks this is solid option that won’t break the bank,” says our tester.

The numbers are laser cut throughout the uprights, a smooth powder coat finish ensures a tight grip on the pull-up bar, and the 1-inch holes are compatible with multiple power rack attachments. Giant uses extended pipe safeties and gussets on each upright to add stability, so you shouldn’t have to bolt this rack with a lat pull-down to the ground.

This rack is rated for 700 pounds. If you’re looking for a heavier weight capacity without spending more money, we suggest the Titan T-3 Series Power Rack.

There are very few power racks we recommend around the $500, simply because the quality tends to drop along with the price, but the Titan Fitness T-3 Series Power Rack is an exception. Coop Mitchell, GGR’s founder and home gym equipment expert, says this is the rack that made Titan a household name among home gym fanatics because it looks and feels like a rack you’d find at a commercial gym for a fraction of the cost.

“When the T-3 came originally on the on the market it was essentially an imported version of the Rogue R-3 Power Rack that was cheaper and not nearly as good,” says Coop. “However, it’s gone through some iterations and now has laser-cut holes and better quality welding.”

The rack has two pull-up bars at the top with two different widths, for the option of working the grip more or less. The rack has an abundance of holes along the uprights’ front, back, and sides, allowing for numerous attachments to be on the rack at once; and also customization on where they can be. The Westside spacing allows for accurate placement of the J-cups and safety bars during bench press and similar exercises. Plus, it has an 1,100-pound weight capacity and customizable height and depth options.

TItan Fitness has been able to address many construction and quality issues that we first noticed in our comparison between the T-3 and Rogue R-3 Power Rack a few years back. Since then, Titan has brought consistency and a cleaner look to its power racks. 

For an additional $350 ($390 for the tall rack), you can get a lat tower and low row attachment to the back of the rack. The 70-pound attachment is plate-loaded, and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. With the squat cage already starting at $519, this rack and lat pull-down combo presents some great value.

Although many of the quality issues have been addressed since Titan started using robotic welders, some reviewers still claim inconsistency when it comes to quality of the rack. Additionally, the power rack probably should be bolted down since it lacks a real base; Titan recommends it to ensure stability. If you are able to bolt down the Titan T-3 in your garage gym, it’s a great choice for value.

You can learn more about the T-3 Series and the other racks Titan has to offer in our Titan Squat Racks Review.

If you prefer a rack with 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights, the Titan X-3 Power Rack fits the bill and is priced under $800.

So technically, these are all power racks we are recommending for your garage gym, but PRx was built on providing garage-friendly home gym equipment to people who want to make the most of their space. With the PRx Build Limitless Full Cage, you can customize the height (81 or 95 inches), design it in one of 9 colors, and attach a cable machine to increase its versatility.

Let’s talk about the pulley system for a quick second. Yes, it’s an extra cost but by attaching it to your power rack’s pull-up bar you’re taking up less space and still spending less money than buying a standalone cable machine. The plate-loaded pulley attachment has a 600-pound weight capacity with a 1:1 pulley ratio (so 20 pounds really feels like 20) and a 75-inch cable travel length. You can also pick between a high or low pulley, or both.

While we haven’t used the full cage, we have tested and reviewed other racks that are part of PRx’s Build Limitless line. They all have a gritty powder coat, Westside hole spacing through the bench area, great stability, and 5/8-inch holes that should fit other companies’ attachments.

RELATED: PRx Build Limitless Rack Review

The 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel and 1,000-pound weight capacity is enough for it to earn a 5 out of 5 on durability. If you’re a taller person and have the ceiling space, we recommend going with the 95-inch tall uprights so you can get a full range of motion on pull-ups and chin-ups.

If you’re thinking about foregoing the lat pulldown feature, we like the PRx Build Limitless Squat Stand for nearly half the price.

The Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym is our pick for providing the best bang for your buck. It is not the strongest power rack, nor is it constructed with the strongest steel, as it is built with 14-gauge steel. But for under $1,000 with free shipping, you’re getting a power rack with a 1,000-pound weight capacity, plate-loaded independent cable pulley system, band pegs, a multi-grip pull-up bar, and a landmine attachment.

As GGR founder and home gym equipment expert Coop Mitchell would say, that’s a steal. Plus, it comes in three colorway options (black, red, and white).

The cable system consists of two independent pulleys, meaning two people can use both sides at the same time and still have enough space for someone to squat in the rack. It’s loaded with Olympic weight plates, either iron or bumper, and has a 2:1 ratio, meaning 50 pounds will actually feel like 25. Each side also has 17 adjustable positions, so you can hit just about every angle and muscle group you can think of.

The only major downside is that it only comes with a 1-year warranty, though you do get a 35-day money back guarantee.

This all-in-one home gym might be everything you need in one package. However, if you have a bigger budget, we really like the Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 rack with a seamless counter balanced Smith machine bar and a super smooth 2:1 pulley ratio.

While we have not had our hands on the Bells of Steel Hydra Rack yet, we are a big fan of the company and in our experience, they have made quality products, like the brand’s 2-in-1 machine we tested and loved: the Reverse Hammer. In terms of squat racks, the Hydra Series provides some of the best customization options on the market.

When I go on the website to customize a power rack, there are 10 steps—ten. With multiple options for rack height and depth, pull-up bars (including a multi-grip pull-up bar or globe grips), and tons of storage and attachment options, this is a rack that is fully adjustable to your needs. With some premade options, you can also build your rack, literally piece by piece.

The rack is high-quality, made of heavy-duty steel, and the uprights are 3 inches by 3 inches with 5/8-inch holes and westside spacing. Rated for 1,000 pounds, the rack is sturdy and durable, although a more shallow rack should probably be bolted down to add stability.

The lat pull-down attachment for the Hydra Rack is $349, and can support both 1-inch standard plates and 2-inch Olympic plates for a max weight of 285 pounds. The Hydra Rack supports tons of other attachments, including a cable crossover and dip station. However, the customization and attachments are sure to make the price tag creep up on you.

If you prefer to buy gym equipment made in the USA, we suggest going for the Rogue RML-3 Monster Lite R-3 rack.