FED Fitness SR2 Squat Rack Review: Is This the Best Budget Rack Under $700?
FED Fitness SR2 Squat Rack Review: Is This the Best Budget Rack Under $700?
→FED Fitness SR2 All-In-One Squat Rack:
https://www.fedfitness.com/products/all-in-one-squat-rack?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=mkol&utm_campaign=Miya-BARDSLEY
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If you're building your first home gym, it is surprisingly easy to spend well over $1,000 on a squat rack before adding J-cups, safeties, storage or any specialty attachments.
The FED Fitness SR2 All-In-One Squat Rack takes a different approach.
At around $650 at the time of my review, the SR2 gives you the rack, J-cups, spotter arms, pull-up handles, plate and barbell storage, a hip thrust pad, preacher curl attachment, band pegs and several other accessories right out of the box.
I've spent a good amount of time training on the SR2 and testing everything it comes with. My overall takeaway is pretty simple: this is a legitimately useful budget squat rack, especially for someone building their first home gym, but there are some obvious compromises compared with a more premium rack.
Here is everything I think you should know before buying one.
FED Fitness SR2 Quick Specs
According to FED Fitness, the SR2 uses 3x3-inch, 13-gauge steel uprights, weighs 209 pounds and has a six-point base. The front of the uprights uses 1-inch holes, which is one of the biggest things that separates it from many cheaper racks in this price range.
Some of the major included accessories are:
J-cups
Spotter arms
Multi-grip pull-up handles
Preacher curl attachment
Hip thrust pad
Plate storage
Two barbell storage holders
Band pegs
Upper U-shaped band hooks
Extended front stabilizers
That is a pretty substantial package for a rack at this price.
Assembly and First Impressions
Assembly was actually one of the easier parts of this review.
The SR2 arrived in three separate boxes and everything was packaged well. I did not have any noticeable scratches, dents or cosmetic damage when I opened it.
The directions were also surprisingly good.
I put the rack together by myself in a couple of hours while working at a pretty leisurely pace. Everything lined up well and there were no major headaches during assembly.
Once it was together, the first thing that stood out to me was the upright design.
3x3 Uprights With 1-Inch Holes Are a Big Plus
A lot of budget racks save money by using smaller tubing, smaller hardware and unusual hole sizing.
That is not necessarily bad, but it can become frustrating later when you want to add accessories and find out you are locked into one company's ecosystem.
The FED SR2 uses 3x3 uprights with 1-inch holes on the front, which is much closer to what you see on higher-end home gym racks.
That potentially opens the door to attachments from other companies.
I would not assume every 3x3 attachment with a 1-inch pin is automatically going to fit. Hole spacing, metric versus imperial measurements and manufacturing tolerances can still create compatibility problems.
The sides of the SR2 uprights also do not have the same 1-inch holes as the front.
Still, this is a much better starting point than many budget racks that use completely different dimensions.
If attachment compatibility and long-term expandability are priorities, this is one of the SR2's biggest advantages.
For comparison, the Mikolo M4 2.0 I reviewed packs in substantially more functionality with a Smith machine and functional trainer, but its 2x2 upright design limits third-party attachment compatibility much more than the SR2.
13-Gauge Steel vs 11-Gauge Steel
This is where you start to see some of the cost savings.
The FED Fitness SR2 uses 13-gauge steel.
Many higher-end home gym racks use thicker 11-gauge steel. I spend a lot of time training around 11-gauge racks, and I can definitely tell the difference when I handle the SR2.
It does not have that same heavy, overbuilt feeling.
But I also think this difference gets overblown sometimes.
For the overwhelming majority of people training in a normal home gym, 13-gauge steel is plenty strong for squats, bench presses, overhead presses and pull-ups.
The rack never felt flimsy while I was using it.
You are mostly giving up some of that premium feel rather than suddenly getting a rack that feels unsafe under normal use.
If you are an advanced home gym enthusiast who specifically wants thick 11-gauge steel, immaculate welds and an extremely premium finish, this probably is not the rack you are shopping for anyway.
The Powder Coat Definitely Looks Budget
The powder coating is another area where you can see the difference between the SR2 and a more expensive rack.
It is relatively smooth and a little shiny, without much of the texture or depth you get from some premium finishes.
I would also expect it to show scratches and wear more easily over time.
That does not affect the functionality of the rack at all, but visually it is definitely one of the areas where the lower price shows.
There is a difference between saying something looks budget-friendly and saying it feels poorly built.
The SR2 looks budget-friendly.
In actual training, however, it feels pretty solid.
Stability and the Six-Point Base
FED puts a lot of emphasis on the SR2's six-point contact system.
You have contact points at the rear, around the middle of the rack and on the long stabilizer legs extending toward the front.
In theory, I like the design.
Unfortunately, my particular rack has one strange issue.
The front left foot sits roughly a finger's width off the floor even though the middle and rear contact points on that same side are touching.
The opposite side sits normally.
I cannot say whether something was slightly bent during shipping, whether there is an alignment issue with my particular rack or whether this is something other owners will experience.
I can only tell you what happened with mine.
Even with that front foot floating slightly off the floor, the rack still feels surprisingly stable during normal exercises. I did not experience any major rocking while squatting, doing pull-ups or using the attachments.
Still, on a rack marketed around six points of contact, I would obviously prefer all six points to actually make contact.
J-Cups and Spotter Arms
The J-cups and spotter arms are fairly basic, but they work.
One thing I actually like is how tight the tolerances are.
There is very little slop when the accessories are attached to the uprights. If anything, my spotter arms are a little too tight right now, but I would rather start slightly tight than have them rattling around on the rack.
The J-cups themselves are on the smaller side.
That means you want to take a little more care when reracking a barbell so you are not constantly hitting the upright.
FED did include UHMW protection around the major contact areas, though, which helps protect both the rack and your barbell.
The spotter arms are also a decent length at roughly two feet.
I have used some budget racks with extremely short spotter arms, and that makes bailing out of a squat much less forgiving. These give you a more usable landing area.
For the price, both accessories do their job.
The Hip Thrust Attachment
The hip thrust pad is one of the more interesting accessories included with the SR2.
It attaches across the front of the rack and gives you a rounded padded surface to brace against rather than trying to perform hip thrusts against the edge of an adjustable bench.
As someone who already thinks traditional barbell hip thrust setups can be annoying, I definitely prefer this.
The pad is firm but comfortable, and you can adjust both its height and angle.
There are two changes I would like to see.
First, I wish the lowest setting went a little lower. Shorter users may find the current minimum height slightly high.
Second, I would love to see a setting where the pad could unlock and pivot with your torso throughout the movement rather than being fixed into one position.
That would make the attachment substantially better.
Still, as an included rack attachment, it is useful.
If hip thrusts are a major part of your program and you are considering a dedicated machine instead, you can also read my HVO Hip Thrust Machine review, where I break down the advantages and limitations of going with a standalone setup.
Band Pegs Are Useful, But Too Long
The SR2 includes three band peg positions on each side of the rack.
They work fine for exercises like banded squats.
My issue is that the pegs stick out too far.
If you try to set up a barbell for deadlifts inside the rack, the plates can hit the band pegs before the bar reaches the floor.
That means you either need to remove the pegs or position the bar in front of or behind them.
I would much rather see FED shorten these slightly.
The front stabilizer also sits high enough that a loaded barbell cannot sit completely flat on the floor inside the rack. You would essentially be starting from a slightly elevated position.
Because of those two things, this is not a rack I would specifically buy for banded deadlifts.
I would probably leave the lower pegs off most of the time and install them when I actually wanted to use bands.
Pull-Up Handles and Upper Band Anchor
At the top of the SR2 you get multiple pull-up grip options.
The handles have light knurling.
It is not aggressive at all, but I am glad FED included some texture because completely smooth pull-up handles are one of my least favorite features on cheaper equipment.
You can use narrower grips, a normal-width pull-up or go extremely wide if that is something you enjoy.
The rack does move slightly during pull-ups, which is normal for this style of half rack, but it never feels like it is going anywhere.
There is also a small U-shaped hook at the top that works as a convenient band anchor.
You can use it for assisted pull-ups, triceps work or other band exercises.
It is a small addition, but those little features start adding up when you are trying to build a versatile home gym on a limited budget.
Plate and Barbell Storage
Storage is usually one of the limitations of a half rack.
The SR2 is no exception, but FED at least gives you some.
You get two vertical barbell storage holders on the back along with plate storage posts on both sides.
It is not enough plate storage for someone with a massive collection of iron or bumper plates, but for a beginner home gym it is useful.
The two barbell holders are an especially nice touch.
Every separate storage piece you do not need to buy is another thing that saves money and floor space.
The Preacher Curl Attachment Is Better Than I Expected
This was probably my favorite specialty attachment.
The pad connects to the spotter arms and can be configured as a preacher curl station.
As a preacher curl pad, it works really well.
You can change the height by repositioning the spotter arms and adjusting the attached seat, which gives you enough flexibility to find a comfortable position.
The pad itself feels good and the setup is stable.
For somebody building a first home gym, getting a usable preacher curl station without buying another machine is a legitimate benefit.
It Also Works Surprisingly Well for Back Extensions
Flip the preacher attachment around and it becomes a back extension setup.
I was skeptical about this one.
I have used plenty of dedicated back extension machines, and improvised rack attachments do not always feel great.
This one actually does.
Once I found the right height and position, the pad felt comfortable and the rack stayed extremely stable during the movement.
The downside is setup time.
To significantly change the height, you may need to remove the attachment, move both spotter arms, reposition everything and reinstall the pins.
If you are the only person using the rack, that is manageable because you can remember your settings.
If two people with very different heights are constantly switching back and forth, it could become annoying.
But the fact that the same attachment gives you both preacher curls and good back extensions is smart.
If back extensions and Nordic curls are major priorities and you want something more purpose-built, I have also reviewed the NordBench Pro, which focuses much more heavily on those movements.
How Much Space Does the FED SR2 Take Up?
The SR2 is not the smallest half rack on the market.
The front stabilizer arms extend fairly far out from the uprights and the rear storage adds some additional depth.
That said, you are also getting much more exercise variety than you would from a bare-bones two-upright rack.
For what the SR2 can do, I think the footprint is reasonable.
If you are building a small garage gym, just remember to account for the front stabilizers and the space required to actually load and use a barbell.
You will also need a solid adjustable bench if you plan to use the rack for bench pressing and incline work. If you are still shopping for one, my REP Fitness AB-3000 2.0 review covers one of the better-value adjustable benches I have spent significant time using.
Who Is the FED Fitness SR2 Best For?
This is the most important part of the review.
I donotthink the SR2 is aimed at the home gym enthusiast who has spent five years obsessing over every piece of equipment, wants 11-gauge steel, premium powder coating and already has a specific attachment ecosystem in mind.
There are better racks for that buyer.
I think the SR2 makes much more sense for someone putting together theirfirst home gym.
Maybe you want to squat, bench, press and do pull-ups at home.
You would also like to add preacher curls, hip thrusts, back extensions and band work.
But you are not ready to spend $1,500 or $2,000 just to find out whether you actually enjoy training at home.
That is where this rack makes sense.
For roughly $650, you can perform the core barbell movements and get several useful accessory exercises without immediately filling your gym with separate machines.
Home gyms are not for everyone.
Some people love the convenience. Other people find that they need the environment of a commercial gym to stay motivated.
If you are still figuring out which camp you fall into, spending less upfront while still getting a capable setup is not a bad strategy.
Who Should Skip It?
I would look elsewhere if:
You specifically want 11-gauge steel.
Premium powder coating and fit and finish are major priorities.
You are building around a specific premium attachment ecosystem.
You want extensive integrated plate storage.
You need a rack specifically optimized for banded deadlifts.
You simply want the most overbuilt rack possible regardless of price.
For those buyers, the compromises that make the SR2 affordable are probably going to bother you.
FED Fitness SR2 Pros and Cons
Pros
Good value for the amount of equipment included
3x3 uprights with 1-inch front holes
Stable during normal training
Useful preacher curl and back extension attachment
Hip thrust pad is better than using a standard bench
Decent-length spotter arms
UHMW protection on major bar contact points
Multiple pull-up grips with light knurling
Plate and barbell storage included
Good option for a first home gym
Cons
13-gauge steel feels less substantial than premium 11-gauge racks
Powder coat looks budget level
One front stabilizer foot on my unit does not contact the floor
J-cups are relatively small
Band pegs are too long for convenient deadlift setups
Front stabilizer interferes with pulling directly from the floor inside the rack
Hip thrust pad could sit lower and would be better if it pivoted
Preacher/back extension setup takes time to adjust between users
Limited plate storage
Final Verdict: Is the FED Fitness SR2 Worth It?
Overall, I think theFED Fitness SR2 is a good budget squat rack with some clear compromises.
The 13-gauge steel and powder coat do not feel premium.
Some of the attachments could use further refinement.
And the floating front foot on my particular rack is something I cannot ignore.
But none of that changes the fact that the rack feels solid during normal training and gives you a surprising amount of functionality for around $650.
The 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes are probably my favorite part of the design because they give you a better foundation to build on than many entry-level racks.
The preacher curl and back extension attachment is genuinely useful, the hip thrust setup is a nice addition, and the included storage and pull-up options make this feel much more complete out of the box.
If you are building your first home gym and want to squat, bench, press and do pull-ups while adding several accessory movements without spending premium-rack money, the FED SR2 is worth considering.
If you are already deep into the home gym rabbit hole and know you want premium materials and finishes, I would spend more and get exactly what you want.
For the beginner trying to get a lot of functionality for the money, though, there is a lot of value here.
→Check out the FED Fitness SR2 All-In-One Squat Rack:
https://www.fedfitness.com/products/all-in-one-squat-rack?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=mkol&utm_campaign=Miya-BARDSLEY
Save 10% with code: BARDSLEY
You can also browse all of my home gym equipment reviews here.
FED Fitness SR2 FAQ
Is the FED Fitness SR2 a 3x3 rack?
Yes. The SR2 uses 3x3 uprights with 1-inch holes on the front of the uprights.
What gauge steel does the FED Fitness SR2 use?
The SR2 uses 13-gauge steel. That is thinner than the 11-gauge steel commonly used on higher-end home gym racks, but I found it plenty sturdy for normal home gym training.
Will REP or Rogue attachments fit the FED SR2?
Possibly, but I would verify each attachment individually before buying. The SR2's 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes give it a better chance of cross-brand compatibility, but exact hole spacing, measurements and tolerances can differ between manufacturers.
Is the FED Fitness SR2 good for beginners?
That is the person I think it makes the most sense for. You get the core functions of a squat rack plus several useful attachments without immediately spending premium-rack money.
Can you do back extensions on the FED SR2?
Yes. The included preacher curl attachment can be flipped and configured as a back extension pad. It worked better than I expected once I had the position dialed in.
Can you do hip thrusts on the FED SR2?
Yes. It includes an adjustable padded hip thrust attachment. I prefer it to bracing against the edge of a standard bench, although I wish the pad could sit lower and pivot during the movement.
Is the FED SR2 good for deadlifts?
You can deadlift around the rack, but I do not love the setup for deadlifting inside the frame. The lower band pegs and front stabilizer can interfere with placing a loaded bar directly on the floor.
