The Fitness Reality 2809 Squat Rack (squat rack and bench combo) is made from durable, heavy-duty 2 inches by 2 inches tubular steel frame construction and 800 lbs (363 kg) weight capacity. In addition, it comes with two dual-mounted safety bars and two lock-on safety bars, both with rubber pads to protect your barbells.
Each pair of bars can handle a weight capacity of 800 lbs (363 kg) and are adjustable to 19 height levels to give you a total range of workout positions. In addition, the Fitness Reality 2809 Squat Rack combined with the Fitness Reality 1000 Super Max Weight Bench extends your training routines to over 35+ exercises. So, train hard and get the ultimate results you want.
The Fitness Reality 2809 Squat Rack features include an adjustable pull-up bar, a landmine, a sit-up bar, and front safety bars. This power rack is great for those just learning how to front squat, power clean, and deadlift. In addition, the adjustable pull-up bar makes this an excellent equipment purchase for multiple people if they vary in height.
Learn more in my complete review below!
Product: Fitness Reality 2809 Squat Rack (squat rack and bench combo)
Price: For a great deal on this home gym, merely go here on Amazon
Warranty: 1 year limited
My rating: 9.5/10
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure
Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 50.4L x 50W x 81.3H (128L x 127W x 206H cm)
- Assembled weight: 90.7 lbs (41 kg)
- Weight capacity: 800 lbs (363 kg)
- Frame: Steel
- Possible exercises: 35+
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Please note that the barbell and weight plates do not come with the rack.
2809 Frame construction
The Fitness Reality 2809 Squat Rack features a sturdy 2 x 2 inches square steel tubing frame. All the steel parts and accessories included with the rack have a durable, corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used for the two upright bars is gray, while the base bars, j-hooks, spotter arms, etc., have a black paint finish.
The 2809 squat rack is not overly bulky and uses barbells with at least 46″ (~116 cm) collar-to-collar grip width. It is approx. 50.4″ (128 cm) long and 50″ (127 cm) wide, so it offers plenty of inner space for all kinds of exercises.
It is advisable to leave at least two feet of clearance on each side of the rack and at least a few clearance feet at its front for the correct execution of all exercises.
The top bar of the frame is also the pull-up/chin-up bar. Although it does not have extra grips, it does have two height adjustment positions; you can have it at 78″ (198 cm) or 81.3″ (206 cm). Therefore, the rack fits in a room with a seven-foot (213 cm) ceiling with the remaining clearance for pull-ups’ correct execution.
The squat rack itself is not extremely heavy. Its net weight is 90.7 lbs (41 kg). It comes in several boxes, and one person can carry and assemble the rack without a problem.
The rack’s upright bars feature 19 adjustment holes for the j-hooks and spotter bars. The unit’s base bars have several adjustment holes for the included resistance band post. Also, the rack has a reinforcement bar connecting the base bars’ two back parts. This reinforcement bar is also for push-ups.
Bench construction
The Fitness Reality 2809 squat rack comes with the Fitness Reality 2804 adjustable bench. The bench is built on a steel frame with an impressive weight capacity of 800 lbs (363 kg). In addition, all its steel tubes come coated with a gray paint finish.
The bench’s rear leg has five adjustment positions plus the rear stopper, which offers a decline position for the backrest. Its front leg offers two adjustment positions, doubling the bench’s total adjustment positions. Thus, the FR 2804 bench offers 12 adjustment positions, and the backrest provides -a 20° decline and up to 80° incline.
A foot-stopper accessory comes with the bench. In addition, there are four attachment positions on the bench’s front leg, which is helpful for exercises involving heavy weights or ab crunches and sit-ups.
The seat pad dimensions are 15.3″W x 14.5″L (38.8 x 36.8 cm). The backrest is relatively large; it is approx. 10″ (25.4 cm) wide and 33.5″ (85 cm) long. Both pads integrate approximately 1.5″ (2 cm) foam padding for extra comfort. Also, they have durable, sweatproof vinyl covers that are easy to maintain.
The bench’s legs can fold and store vertically to save space. Also, its rear stabilizer has a set of small wheels that facilitate its relocation. Nonetheless, the bench is not too heavy; it is only 35 lbs (~16 kg).
2809 Other parts and accessories
Unfortunately, the Fitness Reality 2809 squat rack has no barbell or weight plates. Therefore, you must purchase separately or use those you already have.
Regarding accessories, the FR 2809 squat rack has a resistance band attachment featuring two standard D-handles and a small post inserted into the base bars’ holes or the holes of the spotter bars. This accessory allows various exercises, such as resistance band curls, presses, extensions, etc.
Like any other power rack, the FR 2809 includes two spotter bars and a set of two j-hooks. They have a maximum weight capacity of 800 lbs (363 kg), and users have reported holding at least 500 lbs (226 kg) with no problem.
The spotter bars are 19.5″ (49.5 cm) long. As mentioned, they have attachment holes for the resistance band post. Also, the spotter bars and the j-hooks have a high-density rubber layer on top to prevent paint chipping and reduce noise.
A Landmine Swivel attachment comes included with this Fitness Reality squat rack. This element attaches to the side base bars of the frame, and it works with both 2″ Olympic bars and 1″ Standard bars. It offers the possibility to perform various Landmine exercises such as twists, pulls, presses, lunges, etc.
Lastly, the rack also includes two weight plate storage holders. They can be attached to the holes of the upright bars. In addition, they are slightly slanted to hold the plates better and are 1″ in diameter so that they can load with either Standard or Olympic plates.
Possible Exercises
- Pull-ups
- Wide grip pull-ups
- Muscle pull-ups
- Behind head pull-ups
- Around the world, pull-ups
- One-arm pull-ups
- Cliffhangers
- Weighted pull-ups
- Chin-ups
- Close grip chin-ups
- Wide grip chin-ups
- One hand chin-ups
- Weighted chin-ups
- Hanging knee raises
- Hanging leg raises
- Chest presses (requires bench)
- Single-arm chest presses (requires bench)
- Wide grip chest presses (requires bench)
- Close grip chest presses (requires bench)
- Military presses (requires bench)
- Deadlifts
- Stand-up leg curls
- Calf raises
- Squats
- Single-leg squats
- Wide squats
- Twisting squats
- One-handed landmine shoulder presses
- Two-handed landmine shoulder presses
- Landmine front squats
- One-arm bent-over landmine rows
- Landmine lunges
- Landmine sumo squats
- Supine one-arm landmine presses
- Supine two-arm landmine presses
- Landmine trunk twists
- Pivot presses
- Truck drivers
- Push-ups
- Ab crunches
- and more
2809 Assembly and Maintenance
The Fitness Reality 2809 is a straightforward, standard squat rack without too many parts to assemble, like a Smith or weight stack pulley machine. Therefore, its assembly is not too complicated and should not take more than two hours, including the bench.
You must assemble the rack base, add the upright bars, close it with the top pull-up bar, and attach the rest of the accessories. The manual provides clear assembly instructions, and a set of essential tools also comes with the squat rack.
Once assembled, their maintenance doesn’t require much. However, it’s advisable to periodically check the joints, anchor points, and bolts and retighten them if necessary. Also, if the swivel landmine element begins to squeak, some light oil should solve the problem.
Please note that the barbell and weights plates do not come with the rack.
Pros
- The sturdy steel frame has an 800 lbs weight capacity.
- Pull-up bar with two attachment positions;
- 800 lbs rated J-hooks and safety bars;
- The j-hooks and spotter bars are rubberized to prevent paint chipping and reduce noise;
- 19 adjustment holes for the J-hooks and safety bars;
- Two weight plate storage holders included;
- Resistance bands with D-handles included;
- Landmine Swivel elements included;
- 12-position bench included;
- Leg stopper accessories for the bench included;
- Four adjustment positions for the bench leg stopper;
- The bench is foldable for easy storage;
- Transport wheels on the bench for easy relocation;
- Over 35+ exercises available;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance is required.
Cons
- Barbell and weight plates do not come with the squat rack;
- No extra grips on the top bar of the frame;
- Free-standing frame with the option to bolt down to the floor (concrete bolts not included).
Fitness Reality Squat Rack 2809 Summary
The Fitness Reality 2809 is a standard squat rack offering 800 lbs of weight capacity and 19 adjustment holes for the spotter bars and j-hooks. In addition, it includes a landmine swivel element, a 12-position adjustable bench, and a set of resistance bands for various extra exercises. It’s an affordable squat rack, easy to assemble, offering to execute more than 35+ exercises.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.
Please remember to consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.
Great informative article. Home gyms have really improved over the years. I removed it when having a weight bench in the garage was considered standard. The products you have in your article should definitely be on the Christmas list of your visitors. Every listing looks like quality. I love the content. Good luck going forward.
Hi Darius, thanks for stopping by. Would you please let me know if I can ever be of assistance with home exercise equipment? I’m glad to be of help.
Kind regards, Robert
The Fitness Reality 2809 seems to be an all-in-one gym except for buying the weight plates separately. Even without the plates, you can still do other exercises that will help tone until you purchase the plates. There are times when you will want to start getting fit before you introduce weights into the mix. Build up to the weights and continue working to build the necessary muscle to handle the weights.
All the best,
Jerry
Hi Jerry, thanks for stopping by. Would you please let me know if I can ever assist you with exercise equipment? I’m always happy to help.
Kind regards, Robert
I’ve been looking to buy a rack, so this review has given me food for thought. Do you know if I could assemble this myself, or is it a two-person job? I’m quite petite, so my only other question is if the bench easily adjustable – I will contact the brand to check before I purchase.
Hi Rivi, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us. The FR 2809 squat rack is easy to assemble. However, I advise that you have someone help you. Two people can build the frame safely and in no time. The bench adjusts easily, and you won’t have any trouble making the adjustments yourself.
Would you please let me know if I can further assist you with the FR 2809 squat rack or any other exercise equipment? I’m always happy to help.
Kind regards, Robert
Thank you for giving such a detailed description of the Fitness Reality 2809 Squat rack. If you’re seriously into strength training, this would be an excellent piece of equipment. It is sturdy and has a robust construction, enough to cope with a weight of 363kg or 800lbs. Performing many different training moves is the key to wanting to have a piece of equipment like this. In addition, it provides a good level of training methods to use.
Hi Ruth, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us. Would you please let me know if I may further assist you with exercise equipment? I’m always happy to help.
Kind regards, Robert