Rogue Monster Collegiate Power Rack Review

Step up from entry-level power racks to a solidly built, handsome beast of a rack

The Rogue Monster Collegiate Half Rack is a great step up from my previous, basic rack that I purchased on Amazon over three years ago. Rogue makes beefy equipment for everyday gym warriors as well as professional setups for commercials and collegiate athletic applications. This product is a mid-range price point among their selection of racks. I will share its features, performance, and some pros and cons in this article.

Features
The Rogue Monster Collegiate Power Rack is a heavy-duty power rack that can support up to 1,500 pounds of weight. This power rack is made with 4x3" 11-gauge steel tubing and features a unique 5-bolt top joint and gusseted base crossmembers for extra stability and durability. It is designed for collegiate, pro, and military training facilities, and comes with a Rogue nameplate, laser-cut numbering, pull-up bar, J-cups, safety straps, and 1 inch band pegs. The bar storage is also incredibly solid and adequate for a large number of weights.

According to the product page, the Rogue Collegiate Power Rack has the following dimensions:

• Length: 76"
• Width: 49"
• Height: 90", 100", or 108" (depending on the option chosen)
• Footprint: 80" x 53"
• Steel tubing: 4" x 3" 11-gauge steel

Performance
This power rack can be used for numerous exercises, such as squats, bench press, pull-ups, and band work. It feels incredibly stable and safe, despite not yet having the concrete anchors in place. Once you add weights to the rear storage, it is even more sturdy.

I also love how versatile the rack is. I added some J cups and sandwich cups to protect my Rogue Ohio Bar which I purchased from the Boneyard section of their website to save on cash. As an intermediate powerlifter, this rack meets my needs well and also allows me to teach my teenage kids the basics of lifting and fitness.

I specifically chose the half rack due to space. A full rack would have been way too big for my garage, and I also needed a taller rack and the possibility to add a double sided workout station in the future. With an extra set of J cups, this is easy to do, just remember to measure for adequate spacing before you anchor it to the floor permanently. I plan to anchor the rack once I finalize my rubber floor application and a solid wood platform for lifting.

Pros and Cons:
There are not a lot of drawbacks for me on this one. I was able to sell my previous rack and bar for $500 and use that toward this $1,600 rack. I am very happy with it so far and I don't see a future need to upgrade, especially since my large garage gym has just the right balance of equipment and floor space.

Pros:

• Solid construction
• Easy assembly (save time by asking a buddy for help and getting a large, deep socket to cinch everything up after hand tightening)
• Looks amazing with red brand plate on backside of rack
• Easy to customize with accessories
• Stable front

Cons:

• Does not include Westside hole spacing
• Fat bar for pull-ups was less user friendly than expected
• It's tall if you go with the 108" option. I am not a tall guy, so I probably would have shortened the height a bit
• Accessories and shipping are expensive
• Shipping takes several weeks and comes on a huge pallet
• Assembly was a little bit cumbersome. I did most of it myself but you definitely want a buddy for safety while securing the tall front supports
• No built-in bar storage (additional purchase required)

Final thoughts

I am overall very happy with this rack. I anticipate it will meet the needs of my family and clients for a long time. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. There are cheaper options out there through Rep Fitness and Titan, but Rogue had better accessories, in my view, and for my specific goals. If you have a Rogue Collegiate Half Rack or are interested in purchasing one, I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you have.