Do you guys know of any good places that have deals on power racks for the college setting?
Tamfb
None of this probably new to you, but here it goes:
I believe Power-lift to be the best. As for a deal, well, they’re not cheap…
Others that we have in our facility include Samson and Sorinex. They are much more reasonably priced, and will custom make anything.
I have also seen/used Williams Strength stuff - they make the racks for Elitefts, and I find their stuff to be well made.
Good luck!
are you familar with hammer strength racks?
Cost/featurewise I find the Elitefts stuff to be the best.
We have a hammer strength (whom also makes power lift) at the gym I work at and the pin spacings are too far apart and do not go low enough for low rack pulls. Also they do not come with band pegs. I also find the “pins” on elite to be much better than the plastic coated “safety bars” on the Hammer Strength racks.
this is the hammer strength rack im talking about, my bro is looking into getting 7. http://us.commercial.lifefitness.com/content.cfm/olympicheavydutycomborack
Thats the one we have. Its a solid rack but again the pin spacing is far apart and the pins don’t go all the way to the ground. I prefer the collegaite rack from elitefts. The elitefts rack is also cheaper.
the problem we have with this rack is the platform in only on side where the hammer has he double platform - on both sides so athletes can do ol’s on both sides. http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=2586
tamfb
we have 2 racks - 1 multi, 1 half rack from hammer. I would NOT recommend them for a college settting. Their designers just “don’t get it”, in my opinion.
Why not?
- The bench is poorly made/designed. It’s not stable enough, and there’s too big of a gap between the pads.
- Large (over 6’1) guys need the bench further away from the docking station than the settings allow.
- There’s other little things like quick mentioned above. If you have a platform under the racks, the bottom two bar catch slots are unusuable…
Hammer and Power-lift used to be owned by the same company, but they split about 2 years ago…the equipment is different now.
We have a hammer 1/2 rack next to a power-lift 1/2 rack, and it’s painfully obvious which one is better.
As quick mentioned, along with me 
, elitefts /williams may be the most cost effective way to go, but I do have a soft spot for the Samson guys as well. They’ve done some great work over the years for me…
they decided to go with power-lift.
Good choice,
Best in the business http://www.power-lift.com/product_details.php?product_id=10
Which rack did they decide to go with?
Go with the tallest racks you can afford. It will allow taller athletes to do standing presses in the rack. Power lift should have a 9 foot rack.
Good point
those basketball guys need some room!!!