Hardcastle Bodybuilding Adjustable Squat Rack with Spotters

I should start by saying I've been using this for a few months now and it's holding up really well. The build quality is very good, though I feel like some extra welds here and there would make it rock solid. Regardless it is sturdy and strong, with a quality powder coated finish.Delivery was excellent. I ordered on Sunday night with standard delivery and it arrived early Tuesday morning via UKMail. The packaging was intact and the contents were in excellent condition. There were a few minor paint chips on a couple of the welds but it's not a problem.Assembly is simple, with only 6 bolts to secure the centre bar. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the uprights are secured with index plungers with large plastic knobs. To adjust the height, simply unscrew a couple of turns (no need to unscrew all the way every time), pull the knob outwards, slide to the desired height and the spring loaded plunger will lock into the hole. Hand tighten to secure.The width and height adjustment is flexible enough to accomodate practically anyone, within reason. I am 6'4" but the uprights extend high enough. The maximum height of the uprights is 151cm to the bar, while the minimum is around 91cm high.The absolute maximum width between the uprights is around 111cm but that would only allow for 1 bolt to secure the centre section, see the product images to see what I mean. The maximum width between the uprights when secured with 2 bolts is around 106.5cm. The minimum width between the uprights is around 67.5cm. For anybody concerned that the rack doesn't extend wide enough, as I was, don't be. With proper form you should be able to bench press with plenty of room for your elbows. I don't have it on the widest setting and I have very long arms.The spotter bars are certainly a necessity for anybody working out alone. They have saved me once so far on a failed bench press and I was able to slide out without being crushed. Just make sure you adjust them correctly. The maximum height of the spotters is around 92cm, while the minimum height is around 60cm. What really sets this rack apart from others on Amazon is the length of the spotters; at 50cm you can always be confident that they will catch the bar if you fail a rep.As for the overall strength, it's rated upto 250kg however I've only loaded it up to 70kg so far as I'm just starting out. It feels strong enough to cope with much heavier weight. I have a minor concern about the rack tipping over when I have a lot of weight and the uprights at their max height but it hasn't been an issue yet. Once I go a lot heavier I'll probably put some weights on the base just to be safe.All in all an excellent product that I'd highly recommend to anybody who doesn't have the room or the budget for a full power rack. Combined with the Hardcastle Flat Weight Lifting/Press Bench, you'll have the perfect setup (except for the bar and weights of course) to safely perform all the compound lifts for a little over a hundred quid.

My review is based on ~ 2 weeks use of the item. The rack arrived within 2 days which was ahead of schedule. Although a large bulky item it was well packaged and free of any damage or scuffing on arrival.Easy to assemble for two, took my son and I less than 10 minutes. You will however need 2 x 17mm spanners. The lock nuts allow for a sturdy stable end product. Point for improvement: Include spanners in future as they are essential to the assembly.The rack is pretty stable however , I've only loaded to 60kg though.The safety bars are a real plus and the main reason for this purchase., loads of adjustment positions too. Point for Improvement: provide rubber covers for the top surface. These scuff quickly with contact to barbell. I have used some off cut foam flooring to remedy this.Works well with a 7ft bar although I imagine it would be fine with a 6 ft bar too.Great product. heard the price jumped during lock down? I've not verified though.

Stability: This bench is very solid and feels very stable, I have done squats in it up to 95kg and it felt fine even with the Barbell holder at maximum height. The screws for adjusting the height are very unlikely to come out. However for some reason on the screws they've opted for a spring loaded inner pin (the part which fits inside the holes) and it can unscrew and come loose. Not sure why they opted for this strange contraption and didn't just weld the parts together.Spotter Bars: The spotter bars are good, but I do wish they had slightly smaller increments, however I can understand from a structural integrity perspective they probably couldn't. The spotter bars themselves are stable and you can rest weights on the far end of them without fear of the bar 'hopping' out or the bench tipping (I have only tried this part with up to 70kg). The maximum height of the spotter bar is still quite low, I could see someone who is 6'2"+ struggling to have the correct safety if they started to tip backwards.Dip Handles: They're way too far apart to comfortably dip. I am quite broad and it is possible to dip, but most of the weight will go on your shoulders and not hit your tris/ chest. Also makes it considerably harder to. Like I said, is possible, but difficult.Assembly: There is 6 bolts total, and they are all there for attaching the stabilizing middle portion. If you need to take bench apart multiple times. Buy some wingnuts as the nuts provided are locknuts (have a portion of plastic after the thread to hold the nut still, not for repeated assembling/ disassembling).I would also recommend to anyone with a 5ft barbell to upgrade to a 6ft one. I have a 5ft barbell which means I had to have the width set quite low, giving me a small margin of error for weights hitting the spotter bars and my forearms were very close to the sides during bench press. It's workable, but awkward and a 6FT barbell would save a lot of headache.

Having unpacked it and assembled in a bout 10mins some fine adjustment. Then and all in use superb it solid in use bench squats I use also to hold the bar on the lower catch bars for shrugs and pull ups with an Olympic barWeight I have had 180kg on the bar stand and sturdy in use fully trust the item, also when bench pressing the safety spotter bars are perfect and adjustable just where you want them.Overall buy it if I had more space I would have another so one is set up permanently for squats and the other for bench press and other work.I have also bought other hardcastle items as well solid gym equipment.Super b product and service arrived several days earlier than advised.