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When it comes to assembling a home or garage gym, a squat rack is one of the first things most people will want to purchase. Many fitness enthusiasts love training with a barbell, and while you can use a barbell without some type of rack, it’s not ideal.
The best squat racks will provide nearly unlimited ways to get a good workout in, especially as many include built-in pull-up bars and the ability to add attachments. However, squat racks aren’t always cheap, and not everyone is ready to spend thousands of dollars on a single piece of equipment.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home gym without draining your bank account, you’re in luck. In this Fringe Sport Squat Rack with Pull-up Bar review, I’ll share everything you need to know about this durable, versatile, budget-friendly squat rack, and help you decide if this is the right choice for your gym.
Tested by Squat Rack Experts
GGR has been reviewing fitness equipment since 2014, and our testers have spent years using as many squat racks as we can get our hands on. Our testers include certified personal trainers, gym owners, CrossFit enthusiasts, and even an Olympic weightlifter. It’s safe to say we know the ins and outs of gym equipment.
Over the years, we’ve developed our own equipment testing methodology to provide an unbiased rating for each product based on a variety of categories. Our methodology looks at the most important aspects of equipment, such as:
- Durability and construction
- Delivery and assembly
- Versatility
- Stability
- Customer support
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
Product Highlights
- $499
- 2×3″ 11-gauge steel construction
- Multiple attachments available from Fringe Sport
- Should be secured to the ground for maximum stability
Pros & Cons
Pros
- $499 price with free shipping
- 11-gauge steel and 1,000-pound weight capacity
- Easy to assemble
- Portable
Cons
- Not very stable when not secured
- 2×3" uprights instead of 3×3"
Bottom Line
The Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack is a light, yet durable squat stand designed for the home gym. It's easy to assemble and can support up to 1,000 pounds of weight, but it needs to be bolted into the ground for maximum stability.
A Quick Look at the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
The Fringe Sport Unlimited Garage Series Squat rack is a sturdy, lightweight squat rack with a small enough footprint to fit in most garage gyms. Unlike full power cage racks, which often have 4 to 6 posts and take up significant floor space, this is a squat stand that has a wide base, two uprights, and a pull-up bar.
With a smaller, minimal design, you won’t have quite as many options for power rack attachments. Not everyone is looking for that, anyway. While a larger rack can be used to install things like adjustable cable systems with weight stacks, this squat rack is primarily designed for barbell work (and pull-ups). It costs significantly less than most of the larger racks out there.
The rack features 11-gauge steel and a 1,000-pound weight capacity, so this will be durable enough for most home gym owners. The 2-inch-by-3-inch uprights with 5/8″ holes are compatible with plenty of accessories if you want to add things like a dip bar or safety spotter arms.
Before You Buy
- At $499 with free shipping to the contiguous United States, this rack is very affordable, especially for the quality and weight capacity you’re getting.
- Our tester noted that this rack was noticeably unstable and wobbled, but we didn’t test the included floor mounting brackets, which should make the rack feel very secure.
- The most common upright size is 3-inch-by-3-inch, and this uses 2-inch-by-3-inch. While you can certainly use accessories from other companies, your choices may be a bit limited.
Is the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack Worth It?
For a durable squat rack, $499 is a fantastic deal. But before you order this, you’ll want to make sure it can handle all of the training demands you’ll place on it.
Great for:
- Anyone who primarily trains with a barbell
- Home gym owners who want something that’s easy to move if needed
- Those looking to outfit a garage gym on a budget
Not recommended for:
- Those looking for a rack they can eventually upgrade with cables and/or weight stacks
- People who can’t bolt this into the floor for added stability
- Anyone who prefers to train inside of a full 4-post squat rack
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack Specs
| Price | $499 |
| Footprint | 90.5” H x 47.25” W x 53.5” D |
| Construction | 2×3” 11-gauge steel |
| Hole Diameter | 5/8” |
| Pull-up Bar Diameter | 1.25” (no knurling) |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 1,000 lbs |
Workout Experience with the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
For this review, our tester performed both squats and pull-ups, testing the adjustability, stability, and overall experience with the squat rack and pull-up bar.
Overall, she was impressed, especially for a squat rack that has such an affordable price. In her testing, she found that it felt slightly unstable, but it was also sitting on turf in our testing center. She said it felt the most unstable while she was using the pull-up bar. Those who regularly do kipping pull-ups will probably need to stay away from this one.
The squat rack includes floor mounting brackets that should significantly improve the stability, but we didn’t use the brackets.
RELATED: The Ultimate Squat Rack Guide
The rack is made from 2-inch-by-3-inch steel with 5/8” holes. You’ll be able to find plenty of accessories if you want to add attachments, including accessories from Fringe Sport. However, squat stands aren’t as stable as half-racks or power racks. You’ll want to make sure you secure the unit to the floor before using any attachments that could impact the stability.
Delivery and Assembly
We didn’t measure how long it took to assemble the rack, but multiple users mentioned how easy and painless the assembly was. One customer said he assembled the entire squat rack alone in about 35 minutes.
The product page also has complete instructions for assembly, which appears to be very quick and easy without requiring two people.
The delivery and assembly process earned a 5 out of 5 based on our testing methodology.
Durability and Construction
For durability and construction, the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack earns a 5-out-of-5 rating.
The squat rack is very sturdy and uses 11-gauge steel tubing, which we love to see at this price point. Many budget racks use thinner 12-gauge or 14-gauge steel. They are still durable enough for most home gyms but have a lower weight capacity than 11-gauge steel.
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Fringe Sport says this rack has a 1,000-pound weight capacity, which is more than most people will ever need. In our testing, we’ve found that 11-gauge steel often supports even heavier loads.
The rack uses Westside hole spacing, meaning the holes are only 1 inch apart in the middle of the rack, where most users would set up their J-cups for bench pressing. This allows users to dial in the bench press height to their exact demands.
The rack also has a black powder coat finish to protect the steel. We consider this the gold standard for indoor squat racks. Fringe Sport says that this rack is designed to be upgraded. You can purchase additional uprights to convert this into a four or six-post rack, but we haven’t tried this ourselves, and can’t comment on the upgrade process.
Footprint and Portability
This one is interesting, as the squat rack is meant to be portable. But in many cases, it won’t be. The footprint is small at 90.5” H x 47.25” W x 53.5” D. With a total unit weight of only 145 pounds, it shouldn’t be too heavy to move around between uses.
In fact, some user reviews specifically mention how easy it is to move this rack when not in use, which is exactly what we want to see in a product meant for home and garage gyms. After all, as you add more equipment, you may need to move things around to free up space.
The only problem was that our tester felt the rack wasn’t very stable when not bolted into the ground. If you do use the mounting kit to secure this to your floor, moving the rack between uses will be a lot more of a headache.
The footprint and portability are fantastic when the floor mounting brackets aren’t installed. However, since most people should use the brackets for safety, portability won’t be quite as simple. Overall, I give this a 4-out-of-5 star rating for footprint and portability.
Versatility
For versatility, this squat rack earns a 4-out-of-5 star rating. The included pull-up bar is a nice feature, and Fringe has plenty of attachments you can purchase to add to your rack.
You can set the J-hooks wherever you’d like, allowing you to find the perfect height for any of the best barbell exercises that require starting from a rack. You can also purchase safety spotter arms if you’re going to perform an exercise like the bench press without a spotter.
The adjustable pull-up bar is a straight bar, rather than a multi-grip bar like you might find on a full squat cage. It can be set to any height in the rack.
Fringe Sport sells the essential attachments that are compatible with this rack, like a dip station, safety arms, landmine attachments, and plate storage.
Accessory Compatibility
For accessory compatibility, we want to know if you can use attachments from other brands, or if you have to stick to the brand ecosystem.
With this Fringe Sport rack, you can certainly use attachments from other companies, but they must be designed to work with the 2-inch-by-3-inch frame and 5/8″ hole diameter. It’s not quite as versatile as a rack that uses the standard 3-inch-by-3-inch sizing, but you’ll still be able to find numerous options from both Fringe Sport and other companies.
Fringe Sport sells a variety of compatible accessories that will work with this rack, including weight horns for your bumper plates, dip bars, safety spotter arms, and more.
For accessory compatibility, we give this rack a 3-out-of-5 star rating.
Stability
For stability, the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack earns a 3.5-out-of-5 rating.
Our tester noted that the rack didn’t feel very stable, and felt the most unsteady while she was using the pull-up bars. She set up the rack on a turf surface, so the stability may improve on cement, but we can’t say for sure.
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She performed squats with 200 pounds, and while she felt safe, she thought it would feel significantly less stable with heavier loads.
Of course, the rack should feel more stable if you use the included floor mounting brackets. However, we didn’t install our test unit with the brackets to comment on how that feels. Plus, for something small and portable, having to install brackets when you want to move it around isn’t very convenient.
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack vs REP SR-4000 Squat Rack
REP SR-4000 Squat Rack
REP SR-4000 Squat Rack
Product Highlights
- 3″ x 3″ 11-gauge steel
- Compatible with most REP 4000 attachments
- No need to bolt down
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 1,000-lb weight capacity
- Doesn’t need to be bolted
- J-cups and pull-up bar included
- 1-inch hole spacing through bench area
Cons
- No height option shorter than 96″
- Not the most compact squat stand
- Moves a little bit during kipping pull-ups
Bottom Line
For a little more than $500, this squat stand has a lot to offer: A 1,000-pound weight capacity, one-inch Westside hole spacing through the bench area, and included J-cups and pull-up bar.
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty squat stand with a bit more durability, the REP SR-4000 is a solid choice. GGR founder Cooper “Coop” Mitchell called it “the most stable squat stand we’ve ever reviewed.”
The main features are very similar to Fringe Sport’s rack. REP’s rock-solid squat rack with two uprights, a built-in pull-up bar, and a variety of available attachments. However, the base is significantly wider, and the uprights use 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel. This results in a heavier frame compared to the Fringe Sport 2-inch-by-3-inch steel.
If you have a way to bolt your squat rack into the ground and prefer a lighter, smaller rack, the Fringe Sport rack is a better choice. However, if you don’t want to mess with floor brackets and prefer something that’s sturdier on its own, the REP SR-4000 will be the better choice.
To learn more, you can read Coop’s full REP SR-4000 Squat Rack Review.
| Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack | REP SR-4000 | |
| Price | $499 | Starts at $554.99 |
| Footprint | 90.5” H x 47.25” W x 53.5” D | 96” H x 52.4” W x 71.4” D (also available in 103” height) |
| Construction | 2×3” 11-gauge steel | 3×3″ 11-gauge steel |
| Hole Diameter | 5/8” | 5/8” |
| Pull-up Bar Diameter | 1.25” | 1.5” to 2” |
| Weight | 145 lbs | 230 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
Value
For the overall value, the Fringe Sport squat rack earns a 4 out of 5.
The regular price of $499 is a great deal for a high-quality squat rack, especially one made with 11-gauge steel that’s compatible with multiple attachments.
Our tester said that for someone looking for a functional great rack without any fancy bells and whistles, this is certainly worth the price. It does a fine job on nearly any barbell exercise.
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The only things holding this back from a full 5-out-of-5 rating are the slightly limiting 2-inch-by-3-inch upright size, and the stability issues when it’s not secured to the ground.
Customer Experience
For the overall customer experience, Fringe Sport earns a 3-out-of-5 star rating.
The company offers a 30-day return policy on all items and a full 365-day return policy on items still in the original packaging. You can’t use this squat rack and then return it a year later, but if you purchase an accessory and never use it, you have a full year to return it.
Customer support is also very responsive. I reached out to them via chat to ask a question while writing this review. An agent answered my question within five minutes, which was quite impressive.
The only downside is that you need to pay for return shipping, and the warranty on this squat rack is only 1 year. Customer support can be reached via email, phone, or chat.
Ordering and Assembling the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
When you order from Fringe Sport, you’ll receive free shipping to the contiguous United States. You can finance your order through Shop Pay. If you want to purchase accessories at the same time, like safety spotter arms or a dip station, you’ll receive a 20% discount on those accessories.
Assembly is quick, instructions are provided on the website, and you shouldn’t need more than one person to assemble your squat rack.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack has 100 reviews on the Fringe Sport website, with an average rating of 4.7.
Customers love the easy assembly and durability. Most of the negative reviews mentioned missing parts or shipping issues, which the company addressed.
Final Verdict of Our Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack Review
Overall, the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack is a great choice for those looking for a durable, versatile squat rack with a built-in pullup bar. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you might find on a high-end power rack, but it should fit most budgets. For basic barbell work, this will get the job done very nicely.
The only real callout we had was the lack of stability. However, we didn’t test the included floor mounting brackets, so if you do use those, you should have no issues.
After spending time with the Fringe Unlimited Squat Rack, here’s who we think this rack is best for:
- Anyone looking for a versatile squat rack at a great price
- Those who need something lightweight, relatively portable, and easy to assemble alone
- Fitness enthusiasts who primarily train with a barbell, and don’t plan on adding many other attachments
Full Rating
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack
This is an affordably priced power cage that comes with a pull-up bar.
Product Brand: Fringe Sport
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 499
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.94
Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack: FAQs
Is the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack good?
Yes. The rack features durable 11-gauge steel, multiple attachments, and adjustable J-cups that can be used for nearly any barbell exercise. It’s not as large as a full power rack, but it’s a great rack for the price.
What’s the difference between a squat rack and a squat stand?
Technically, all sorts of things can be called a squat rack. A squat stand normally has two uprights and some sort of base, and you can add safety spotter arms. A full power rack usually has four to six posts, and you can either stand inside or outside the rack to train.
How durable is the Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat rack?
The Fringe Sport Unlimited Squat Rack uses 11-gauge steel, the same grade of steel found in most high-end racks. The rack has a 1,000-pound maximum weight capacity, which is more than enough for most lifters.
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