The Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldown for Small Spaces, Beginners, Bodybuilders, and More

Power racks are known for their versatility, allowing athletes to train for a wide range of sports, strength disciplines, and general fitness. Power racks with lat pulldowns up the ante with even more utility and exercises you can perform. All you really need to add is a barbell and some weight plates, and you have the foundations of a home gym. You can add to that versatility with the back training potential of a lat pulldown to create an effective all-in-one training setup. 

Power racks with lat pulldowns span the gamut in price from simpler, cheaper options for more budget-conscious buyers to extravagant custom builds for equipment enthusiasts, with variations of the two scattered between. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best power racks with lat pulldown on the market for a range of needs and restrictions.

Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldown

• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown Overall: Force USA X20 Pro
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown (Runner Up): Rogue RML-690C Power Rack
• Best Plate-Loaded Power Rack with Lat Pulldown: REP PR-5000
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Attachments: Force USA X20 Pro
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Small Spaces: REP PR-4000
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for the Money: Fitness Reality 810XLT
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Bodybuilders: Force USA G6
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Beginners: Fitness Reality 810XLT
• Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Low Ceilings: REP PR-1100

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown Overall

Some power racks come with lat pulldowns, but they’re not all the same. The best one has to have the resilience to stand up to daily use while providing enough resistance for a wide range of lifters. The Force USA X20 Pro checks those boxes and stands out thanks to unmatched versatility from dual cable pulleys and tons of included attachments (for an additional price).

Force USA X20 Pro

If you’re in the market for a power rack that can do it all, the X20 Pro is worth checking out. Not only is it a solid power rack made from three-inch, 11-gauge stainless steel, but it incorporates dual cable pulleys too. Each stack weighs 289 pounds on a 2:1 ratio for around 145 pounds of resistance from either stack. You don’t have to purchase the upgrade kit, but it does come with a lat pulldown seat that attaches right to the rack, as well as jammer arms and dip handles.

A variety of cable attachments come with the base package, like a lat pulldown bar, close-grip triangle, straight bar, triceps rope, and more — 17 in total before adding the upgrade package. For a complete back workout, the X20 Pro features a low-row plate too. We should note that the size may deter some people as it measures 70 inches wide, 86.5 inches deep, and 91 inches tall. The base X20 Pro costs around $4,250, and the upgrade kit adds about $800 to the cost. If that’s too steep for you upfront, you can finance your purchase pending credit approval.

Pros

• It is a high-quality power rack that is built for versatility with dual pulley racks and 17 standard attachments.
• The X20 Pro is a modular rack that can be expanded when needed for more training options. There are over 20 attachments available for this rack with the upgrade package.
• The rack provides a variety of ways to train their back with the lat pulldown and low-row options in addition to the power rack.

Cons

• If you’re on a budget and don’t want to finance your purchase, this rack is pricey.
• The X20 Pro has a larger footprint, and people with limited space may want to look at other options on this list.
• Particularly strong lifters may find the resistance to be insufficient, topping out around 150 pounds because of the 2:1 cable ratio.

Force USA designed this rack with versatility in mind. The dual weights stacks and smooth pulley system that include a range of attachments coupled with a rugged power rack frame make for a winning combo. The price and footprint might be too much for some, but if you can make it work, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option.

Read our full review of the Force USA X20 Pro.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown (Runner Up)

It’s very difficult to pick the best power rack with lat pulldown because there are so many great options on the market, so we had to do a runner-up option. The Rogue RML-690C satisfies a different set of needs from the top pick while still providing top-notch quality.

Rogue RML-690C Power Rack

This rack has all the iconic Rogue Rack DNA that makes their equipment so desirable — 3×3-inch 11-gauge steel, Westside spacing through the bench area, high-quality finish, and compatibility with the full line of Rouge Monster Lite attachments. It comes in 11 colors and has a modest footprint of 76 inches long, 49 inches wide, and just over 90 inches tall.

The RML-690C has holes in the top and bottom of the cross-members for you to add a Rogue Slinger with a one-to-one pulley ratio. The slinger doubles as a cable pulley and lat pulldown that is efficient in space, only adding seven inches in height and depth to the front of your rack. Select from plate-loaded, band resistance, or a 300-pound weight stack to give you a solid back workout. The cheapest configuration for the rack and slinger starts at around $1,600, which is pretty decent for a rack and pulley system, though the price can soar with upgrades.

Pros

• The RML-690C is a highly customizable rack and works with the Rogue Monster Lite family of attachments and upgrades.
• It has a pulley that can accommodate heavy lifting. The one-to-one ratio allows you to lift exactly what you load.
• The Slinger allows you to choose the type of resistance offered by their lat pulldown and cable system. You can select either band, plate, or weight stack resistance.

Cons

• The Slinger doesn’t have dual cables for bilateral training. You can technically purchase two slingers, but there might be better options on this list.
• Customers who have a more limited budget may find the price too steep. This is cheaper than some other options but still more expensive than budget combos.
• Athletes who want a pre-packaged lat pulldown and rack combination rather than having to customize their own options may appreciate the simplicity of other racks on this list.

The Rogue RML-690C is meant to serve as the focal point of your gym and has a wide range of attachments you can use to build upon it to best serve your needs. With the simple addition of a Slinger, you can have a lat pulldown and power rack combo that can grow with you as you progress.

Best Plate-Loaded Power Rack with Lat Pulldown

Power racks can be heavy and bulky to move, but few things make them more difficult to move around than a giant weight stack integrated into the system. Weight stacks can also be pricey, whereas plate-loaded systems are generally cheaper and make use of the weights you already have. The REP PR-5000 allows you to add a plate-loaded lat pulldown for a reasonable price, making it our go-to option.

REP PR-5000

REP’s interactive rack builder allows you to customize the PR-5000 to suit your needs. Select from different heights, rack depths, cross-members, six colors, pull-up bar configurations, and J-cups to hold your barbell. After that, you can add your optional attachments like a belt squat, jammer arms, dip station, and of course, lat pulldown. The lat-pulldown has a loadable capacity of 550 pounds, which is insanely high compared to other systems. A cable ratio of one-to-one means the resistance is true to the loaded weight.

It also doubles as a low row for back training in both vertical and horizontal pulling directions. In the most cost-effective configuration, the rack and lat pulldown come out to around $1,350 with free shipping — a huge potential saving — and REP even offers assembly services through a third party for an additional cost. The footprint can vary depending on how you configure the rack, but at its smallest, the PR-5000 with lat pulldown measures 16 inches deep, almost 51 inches wide, and 80.3 inches tall. That’s smaller than many other options out there, even those without lat pulldowns.

Pros

• The interactive rack builder shows you what the rack will look like with attachments.
• REP sells all of the add-ons separately, so you can add them over time instead of purchasing them upfront.
• Consumers who have less room to work with will appreciate the smaller footprint here.

Cons

• The PR-5000 doesn’t include attachments with their rack and pulldown.
• Lifters interested in a wide range of color options to match their aesthetic may be disappointed with only six choices.
• Athletes who are on a tight budget can find even more cost-effective options despite this rack’s low price.

Not everyone has the room or budget for a weight stack in their lat pulldown. This one makes use of what you already have to load up weight plates for the resistance. You can make the resistance about as heavy as you want with its heavy capacity, and you can train your back in multiple planes using the low-row option.

Read our full review of the REP PR-5000.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Attachments

Some lifters ascribe to the belief that variety is the spice of life. For those that do, attachments may provide what they’re looking for and offer a way to add variety to their workouts. The Force USA X20 Pro comes with 17 attachments standard and excels in versatility thanks to the dual cable pulleys and capability to replace up to nine machines.

Force USA X20 Pro

Some lat pulldown and power rack combos may come with one or two attachments, forcing you to fork over extra dough to increase your collection. Force USA takes the “more is more” approach and included 17 of them right off the bat. The upgrade kit brings the total to 21 attachments, including a lat pulldown bar, triceps rope, straight bar, close grip triangle, ankle cuff, triceps v-bar, and more. The rack itself is heavy-duty, with a 992-pound weight capacity and pulley cables that are aircraft-grade tested to 2,000 pounds. 

The pulley ratio is 2:1, meaning that every two pounds of loaded weight is one pound of resistance in your hand. The upgrade kit, which costs around $800, also adds a lat pulldown seat, jammer arms, and dip handles, among other attachments like a multi-grip lat pulldown handle and storage shelves. The X20 Pro is a monster of a rack and measures 70 inches wide, 86.5 inches deep, and 91 inches tall. For all of this functionality, you do have to pay a hefty price of around $4,250. You can finance the purchase, pending credit approval, to make it a bit easier to pay for.

Pros

• Customers who want a one-stop shop for all their attachment needs will appreciate that this comes with 17 standard attachments and over 20 with the upgrade kit.
• You can maximize the utility of your space with the X20 Pro since it can replace up to nine machines. There are few exercises you can’t perform with its versatility.
• The high weight capacity means that anyone except world-class powerlifters can lift on this without the worry of maxing the components out.

Cons

• Buyers who have lower ceilings may find this 91-inch tall rack to be too high. You may not be able to perform full range of motion pull-ups with your head over the bar if you have low ceilings.
• Athletes who keep their workouts fairly simple or basic and don’t need a ton of attachments may find many of the features superfluous.
• Folks with a smaller budget can find options on the market that are cheaper, though you may have to piecemeal them together to achieve the same versatility. 

The Force USA X20 Pro comes with attachments aplenty whether you spring for the optional upgrade kit or not. It may be pricey, but the convenience of having just about everything you need in one purchase is nice, especially since all of Force USA’s products are high-quality.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Small Spaces

Not everyone has unlimited space to dedicate to their essential gym equipment. If you’re in need of a high-quality power rack and lat pulldown to fit in your small space, then the REP PR-4000 might do the trick.

REP PR-4000

The size of this rack is fully customizable with depth and height options. You can have it be as short as 83.3 inches (including the lat pulldown attachment) with as little depth as 16 inches, effectively making the footprint of the entire rack 22 inches deep, 83.3 inches tall, and 50.8 inches wide. That’s much smaller than many other racks without lat pulldowns. If you really want to maximize the utility of this rack, you can add a belt squat, jammer arms, a landmine, or other attachments — all of which can be removed for storage to keep the space requirements to a minimum. 

The rack itself is beefy, with 3×3-inch uprights and a rackable capacity of 1,000 pounds. Precision laser cutting coupled with robotic painting and welding makes the finish crisp and attractive. If you’re on a budget, this rack isn’t the cheapest, but it definitely isn’t the most expensive, with the cheapest configuration coming out to around $1,250, including the lat pulldown.

Pros

• Lifters who need a rack that can accommodate heavy lifting will appreciate the high 1,000-pound weight capacity.
• Trainees who want to add on to their rack without it taking up the whole room will like the modular nature of the attachments, which can be removed for storage (except for the lat pulldown).
• Customers who are working with limited floor space will like this rack since, generally, only foldable racks will take up less room than this full power rack.

Cons

• The PR-4000 doesn’t have plate storage integrated into the rack. You can add on plate storage, but it will dramatically increase the size.
• Lifters who don’t have to worry about space might be better served by a larger rack which allows more room to lift in.
• If you’re looking to ball on a budget, there are cheaper options out there.

The PR-4000 has the capability to pack a ton of utility into a compact package. Few other racks can boast the space-saving footprint that this one has while still including a full-fledged lat pulldown and four-post power rack. If you don’t need to have a bunch of space but still need functionality, this is the way to go.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for the Money

So you want to build a home gym but don’t have a ton of money to spend. It’s a common problem that most of us have dealt with, and it can be difficult to find pieces of equipment that are both high-quality and affordable. Thankfully, the Fitness Reality 810XLT meets both of those requirements and has a ton of great features to boot.

Fitness Reality 810XLT

This may sound like the newest pick-up truck on the market, but it’s actually a power rack and lat pulldown combo. Looks can be deceiving as the 810XLT may not look as beefy as some of the other options, but it still can handle up to 800 pounds. The 2×2-inch square steel frames offer rugged support at a budget-friendly price of around $500, which is less than the cost of some lat pulldown attachments. Fitness Reality stuffed a variety of features into this rack, too, with integrated leg hold-downs that secure to the safety bars, a multi-grip pull-up bar, and a low-row attachment. 

You will need to purchase J-hooks separately, which usually come with a power rack, so that’s something to consider, though you can pick up a decent pair for under $50. If you like to accessorize your rack, the standardized one-inch attachment holes make it compatible with many manufacturers’ equipment, so you’re not tied to one company. The footprint isn’t terribly large either at around 46 inches wide, 50 inches deep, and nearly 84 inches high. If you’re a taller athlete, you may find the rack too short for full pull-ups and standing presses inside the rack, though.

Pros

• This is much cheaper than many other options without sacrificing much weight capacity, so it can accommodate people who need to stick to a budget but still want a high-quality rack and lat pulldown.
• You aren’t stuck with just one ecosystem of attachments. There are a variety of companies that offer upgrades and additions, so you can select the ones you want without being tied down.
• The variety of features offered here, especially for the price, is impressive.

Cons

• Taller people may find this rack too short to accommodate their needs comfortably.
• Customers interested in customization options or color choices will want to look at other racks on this list.
• You may want to get a more basic rack if you already have a lot of attachments and equipment for your home gym.

Though the 810XLT may not be able to boast about its super-thick steel or massive uprights, it can still hold its own in weight capacity. The price is also very reasonable and lowers the entry barrier for a lot of folks who otherwise wouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of a home gym.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Bodybuilders

Bodybuilders have to ensure that their workout equipment is as versatile as possible so they can train every muscle at a variety of angles to potentially maximize muscle growth and symmetry. To accommodate this, the Force USA G6 combines an entire gym’s worth of equipment into one machine.

Force USA G6 

Force USA should’ve probably called this the G11, as it can combine up to 11 machines into one. The G6 is a half power rack, functional trainer, lat pulldown, low row, leg press, smith machine, pull-up station, and more. Dual 220-pound weight stacks allow you to get your pump on with ease, though the 2:1 ratio means the max weight in hand is 110 pounds. That should be fine for bodybuilders who usually focus on higher reps for hypertrophy instead of strength. 

Force USA didn’t skimp on the attachments: The base G6 comes with 17 of them — including a v-bar, lat pulldown bar, triceps rope, close grip handle, and more — to train in various ways. The G6 is smaller than other all-in-ones, but it’s still quite large, with an exterior footprint of 72 inches wide, 64 inches deep, and 91 inches tall. The price is right around $4,000 before the optional $400 upgrade kit, though you can finance your purchase pending credit approval.

Pros

• Anyone who needs a ton of versatility will find it here. This rack can do the work of 11 different machines if you include the upgrade kit. 
• You can purchase everything from one place and be done with it. Couple this machine with a barbell and some plates, and you’re set.
• Bodybuilders that need to train their muscles from many angles and don’t want to worry about stabilizing a bar will appreciate the cable pulleys and Smith machine.

Cons

• The G6 is a budget-buster, so you may want to check out other options if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a power rack and lat pulldown. 
• This is only a half rack with the Smith machine inside the other two posts, so it doesn’t come with a full, four-post power rack. 
• This rack is pretty big. Anyone who is limited on space might consider other options that are more space-saving.

Throwing it way back, we’d like to go for the low-hanging fruit and say that this rack is fly like a G6. The versatility is through the roof, with the ability to replace up to 11 machines, while the dual cable stacks allow you to train essentially all of your muscles at a variety of angles. 

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Beginners

Beginning a fitness journey or creating your own home gym can be downright daunting, and complicated machines make it even more challenging. The Fitness Reality 810XLT keeps things simple and provides a high-quality product for a budget price.

Fitness Reality 810XLT

Chances are, if you’re new to working out or putting together a home gym for the first time, you don’t need thousands of dollars worth of heavy-duty equipment. The 810XLT has an 800-pound weight capacity that should be able to accommodate most people, especially beginners. It also comes with a lat pulldown/low-row machine built into it, so you can complete a full-body workout without racking your brain trying to learn how to use tons of new equipment. Beginners will also like the included safety bars that you can use if you need to bail on a lift. Though there is no replacement for a spotter, these may help ease your mind or give you the confidence to push a bit harder. 

The rack is moderately sized and a bit on the short side, with dimensions of 46 inches wide, 50 inches deep, and just under 84 inches tall. A price tag of around $500 makes this a great choice for beginners, too, since you don’t have to invest a lot upfront. We should note that you’ll need to purchase J-hooks which hold the bar on the rack separately, though you can usually snag a quality pair for under $50.

Pros

• The lack of complexity with the 810XLT makes it a great option for anyone who wants to try out a home gym to see if it fits their needs. 
• Consumers who want to stretch their dollar will appreciate that this combo comes at a price cheaper than some other lat pulldown attachments alone.
• Despite not having the most heavy-duty materials, the solid construction can still support up to 800 pounds.

Cons

• You can’t change up any of the colors or sizes, so anyone who is into customizing their gear will want to look at other options on this list.
• The 810XLT is a straightforward rack with lat pulldown. Advanced lifters who are interested in highly versatile pieces of equipment that can do the job of multiple machines may find it lacking.
• Anyone who is taller may find this rack too short for them to complete overhead presses or pull-ups.

The 810XLT is ideal for beginners in search of a power rack and lat pulldown thanks to the modest price and included safety features. It’s simple to use, so you won’t be spending half your workout making adjustments or trying to figure out a complicated mechanism.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Low Ceilings

People whose home gym space is relegated to a room with low ceilings often have trouble finding a power rack to fit their requirements. There are some solid options, however, and we think the PR-1100 is the best of them.

REP PR-1100

While power racks are often over 90 inches tall, that doesn’t leave much room for pull-ups or chin-ups before your head hits the ceiling. The PR-1100 stands 85 inches tall (86 inches, including the lat pulldown) with a functional working height of 79 inches. This rack can still do what other larger racks can do since it has a 700-pound rackable capacity. The 2×2-inch, 14-gauge steel is sturdy, though not overly cumbersome at 188 pounds, making the rack easier to move around should you need to relocate it.

Adding the lat pulldown into the mix, which has a one-to-one cable ratio and a 450-pound loadable capacity, only adds a single inch of height to the rack. Some taller people may not be able to fully stretch their legs during pull-ups, so you may want a rack with more height if you’re the towering type. You can pick the PR-1100 and lat pulldown attachment up for a steal of around $640 combined, though it does only come in four colors with no size customization available. The full dimensions with the lat pulldown are 86 inches tall, 55.5 inches deep, and a hair over 58 inches wide. 

Pros

• Anyone whose workout space has a low ceiling will appreciate that this rack is low enough to allow full range of motion pull-ups without bonking your noggin on the ceiling.
• The PR-1100 is a solid rack and lat pulldown that isn’t going to break the bank but still has color options and a host of accessories available.
• At under 200 pounds, this rack is on the lighter side, making it a good choice for people who like to rearrange their space often.

Cons

• You can’t customize the depth or height of their rack to fit different larger exercise area requirements.
• Though the rackable capacity is still pretty high, there are other racks that can support even more weight. Lifters who need more rackable weight capacity than 700 pounds may want a rack that’s made from more heavy-duty material like 11-gauge steel. 
• People who are tall may find the height of this rack a bit limiting, though it does fit well in low-ceiling areas.

The PR-1100 might not be the flashiest rack or the beefiest, but it does serve its niche well as a budget option and a great choice for those with lower ceilings. You can add on the lat pulldown attachment as well as some others if you wish and still end up paying far less than some other base racks.

Benefits of Power Racks with Lat Pulldowns

Power racks and lat pulldowns are present in nearly every gym, and there are good reasons why you’ll find them there. Lat pulldowns specifically are great at helping with back muscle development. Combining them together with a power rack adds to the convenience factor and can provide a full-body workout all in one piece of equipment.

Back Development

If you’re trying to look like a king cobra spreading its hood, then the muscles you’ll likely want to work are your lats. The aptly named lat pulldown machine is a staple in back workouts for people who want a well-developed back. They can also be great for other movements like triceps pushdowns, face pulls, and kneeling crunches. Your imagination is the only limiting factor.

Convenience

Power racks with lat pulldowns have a high convenience factor that allows you to quickly and seamlessly switch between exercises, saving you time. It may also aid in reducing the frustration of trying to squeeze multiple large pieces of equipment into smaller spaces. Purchasing a power rack with a lat pulldown attachment or one built-in can also be more convenient than shopping for them separately, saving you time and often money.

Full-Body Workouts

Power racks, along with a barbell and some weight plates, can provide the tools needed for a full-body workout. Adding the additional element of a lat pulldown into the mix can potentially be a game-changer for a more thorough full-body burn. 

It can be challenging to find good ways to perform pull workouts without cables, and you can only perform so many barbell rows before you crave variety. The cable systems in machines on this list make it easy to mix things up — even more so with racks that include dual attachments similar to functional trainers.

How We Chose the Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldowns

We go to great lengths to test and review each product to the best of our ability so that we can select the best options for each category. It’s important to take a variety of factors into account when making these selections, so we considered price, the pulley ratio, and the product’s overall durability.

Price

The price of a piece of equipment is often one of the biggest factors in determining whether you’ll purchase it or not. It can be the best rack and lat pulldown in the world, but if the price is unrealistic or too high for what it provides, then people are less likely to purchase it. That’s why we put a premium on equipment that’s priced fairly and affordably. There are some picks that are quite pricey, but the versatility or quality they offer justifies the cost, but there are also ones that can be a fit for people with tighter budgets.

Pulley Ratio

The ratio of the weight that is loaded to the resistance you feel when performing the exercise is the pulley ratio, usually expressed as the loaded weight and resistance separated by a colon. Common pulley ratios for exercise equipment are 2:1 and 1:1. Pulleys that use a 1:1 ratio are often more desirable than 2:1 because they make more efficient use of the resistance. This is especially important in plate-loaded cable systems. We gave precedent to pulleys that use a 1:1 ratio rather than 2:1 unless the product was exemplary in other ways.

Durability

When you drop a chunk of change on a piece of gym equipment, you want to ensure that it can stand up to the stresses of daily use. We only included products and brands that have a reputation for durability or ones that provide long warranties. In addition to the monetary concern, there are safety issues with equipment that won’t stand the test of time. The last thing you need is for a cable or pulley to fail when you’re mid-exercise or for a J-hook to fail when you rerack a heavy back squat. Durability is of paramount importance to us in our rankings.

How Much Do Power Racks with Lat Pulldowns Cost?

Power racks are often expensive, and adding an intricate machine like a lat pulldown to them only drives the price up more. That said, there is an ocean of variability in the cost of power racks with lat pulldowns, with specialty and all-in-one machines at the higher end and simpler equipment at the lower end of the price curve.

Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown Overall	Force USA X20 Pro	Starting at $4,249.99
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown (Runner Up)	Rogue RML-690C	Starting at $1,599
Best Plate-Loaded Power Rack with Lat Pulldown	REP PR-5000	Starting at $1,349
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Attachments	Force USA X20 Pro	Starting at $4,249.99
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Small Spaces	REP PR-4000	Starting at $1,249
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for the Money	Fitness Reality 810XLT	$499.99
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Bodybuilders	Force USA G6	Starting at $3,999.99
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Beginners	Fitness Reality 810XLT	$499.99
Best Power Rack with Lat Pulldown for Low Ceilings	REP PR-1100	Starting at $640

As you can see from the price chart, the cost of a power rack with lat pulldown ranges from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, with some pit stops in between. The truth is that the sky is essentially the limit when you start adding on accessories and upgrades, whereas the floor is about $500.

What to Consider Before Buying a Power Rack with Lat Pulldown

It can be a large investment to purchase a power rack with lat pulldown. Not only do you need to invest your money in your fitness, but your space, time, and energy. Making the right choice can be challenging, but we’ve broken down what we think are the most important things to consider before finalizing your purchase.

Your Training Needs

How you train will inform your purchasing decisions just as much as the other factors, so before you take the plunge, it’s a good idea to reflect on what exercise you like to perform and see yourself doing in the future. If you train for bodybuilding, for example, you may want to consider a product that has a high level of versatility to train all of your muscles individually and from a variety of angles. Powerlifters or general fitness enthusiasts might need a more basic rack and lat pulldown combo. 

Your Budget

You can spend over $5,000 on a high-end power rack with lat pulldown, tons of attachments, custom color schemes, and more. You can also spend around $500 for a simple power rack with a lat pulldown integrated into it. It’s usually a good idea to set your budget before you start looking so you don’t have your heart set on the “perfect rack” for you and find out it’s triple what you were initially looking to spend. With so many options on the market now, there will almost always be an option that satisfies your needs within your budget, though you may have to compromise on a few wants.

Available Space

Just as you budget your money, it’s also important to budget the amount of space you’re allotting to this piece of equipment. A lot of people take the length and width of their space into account only to realize they didn’t check the height after they get their rack delivered. Be sure to check all three dimensions (extra-dimensional beings, check as many as you have, up to 12) to be certain that your new piece of equipment will fit when it arrives.

Optional Attachments or Extensions

There are countless attachments that you can add to your power rack aside from a lat pulldown. There are leg rollers, belt squats, plate storage, speed bags, and even TV mounts. It can be helpful to take extra care to note the compatibility of each piece of equipment with your rack before making the purchase.

Weight Stack or Plate-Loaded

There are two common types of resistance for lat pulldowns and cable machines in general, with a third less common option. Weight stacks and plate-loaded lat pulldowns are the most common though you may occasionally find a machine that utilizes band resistance, but they are few and far between. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Weight stacks are more convenient since all you have to do is move a pin instead of loading up plates and doing math (gasps) to figure out how much you’re lifting. On the other hand, plate-loaded pulleys are usually cheaper because you’re not paying for a ton of extra weights, and you can make use of the plates you already have.

Ease of Assembly 

Most rack and lat pulldowns you buy will require assembly upon delivery. Some companies do offer assembly services, though they are almost always an extra cost. Assembling these large pieces of equipment can be difficult, especially if you’re doing it alone, so it might be a good idea to enlist the help of another poor schmuck (friend or family member) if you don’t intend to pay for assembly.

Final Word

A purchase like a power rack with lat pulldown represents a substantial investment in your health and fitness. These products are intended to last for a long time — often decades if treated and cared for properly — so keep in mind that you will likely be using this product for the long haul. One of the more important variables to consider before even starting to consider a purchase is what type of lifting you are currently doing and envision yourself performing in the future.

Once you have that nailed down, it’s time to set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend and how much space you can dedicate to this product. After you have those considerations firmly figured out, you can use this list as a guide, and the right choice should come to you much more easily. When you’ve finally received your product and assembled it, all that’s left to do is put in the work and reap the rewards. People will be asking you if you can fly with those lat wings in no time.

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