FED Fitness SR2 Squat Rack Review: Is This the Best Budget Rack Under $700?

If you're building your first home gym, it doesn't take long for the price of a squat rack to get out of hand.

You can easily spend $1,000 or more on the rack itself before adding J-cups, safeties, storage, or specialty attachments.

The FED Fitness SR2 All-In-One Squat Rack takes a very different approach.

FED currently lists the SR2 at around $700, and instead of giving you a bare rack and making you buy everything else separately, you're getting J-cups, spotter arms, pull-up handles, plate storage, barbell storage, a hip thrust pad, preacher curl and back extension attachment, band pegs, and more.

I've spent a good amount of time training on the SR2 and testing pretty much everything that comes with it.

And my takeaway is pretty simple.

This is definitely a budget squat rack.

You can see and feel some of the compromises FED made to hit the price point.

But budget doesn't automatically mean bad.

For someone building their first home gym, I actually think there's a lot of value here.

[[BTN:Check Current Price at FED Fitness|https://www.fedfitness.com/products/all-in-one-squat-rack?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=mkol&utm_campaign=Miya-BARDSLEY]]

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[[NOTE:Use code BARDSLEY to save 10% at FED Fitness. Prices and promotions can change, so check the product page for current pricing.]]

## Quick Verdict: Is the FED Fitness SR2 Worth It?

[[VERDICT:8.0|A Very Good First Home Gym Rack|The FED Fitness SR2 gives beginners a ton of functionality for the money. The 13-gauge steel, budget powder coat, and a few attachment quirks keep it from feeling premium, but the 3x3 uprights, 1-inch front holes, solid stability, and included accessories make it a compelling rack around the $700 mark.]]

I think the FED Fitness SR2 makes the most sense for someone putting together their first home gym.

If your goals are to squat, bench, overhead press, do pull-ups, and add exercises like hip thrusts, preacher curls, back extensions, and band work, you can do a surprising amount with this one rack.

The biggest compromises are exactly where you'd expect.

You're getting 13-gauge steel rather than the thicker 11-gauge construction commonly found on premium racks.

The powder coat looks more budget level.

Some of the attachments could use refinement.

And my particular rack has one front stabilizer foot that doesn't completely contact the floor.

But during actual training, the SR2 feels solid.

That's an important distinction.

It doesn't feel like a premium rack.

It also doesn't feel like a flimsy rack.

[[TRAINER:I've spent a lot of time training myself and clients on heavier 11-gauge racks, so I can absolutely feel the difference in material and finish. But for the vast majority of normal home gym users, I don't think 13-gauge steel is going to limit what you can actually do with this rack.]]

## My FED Fitness SR2 Rating

[[RATING:Value=8.5;Build Quality=7.0;Stability=7.5;Attachments=8.5;Versatility=8.5;Overall=8.0]]

## FED Fitness SR2 Specs

[[SPECS:Price=Around $700;Uprights=3 x 3 inches;Steel=13-gauge;Front Hole Size=1 inch;Dimensions=50.3 in W x 58.5 in D x 86.4 in H;Product Weight=209 lbs;Listed Max Capacity=1,100 lbs;Stabilizing Points=6;Accessory Package=Included]]

## FED Fitness SR2 Pros and Cons

[[PROS:Excellent value for the included equipment;3x3 uprights with 1-inch front holes;Stable during normal training;Useful preacher curl and back extension attachment;Comfortable hip thrust pad;Approximately 2-foot spotter arms;UHMW protection on major bar contact areas;Multiple pull-up grip options;Plate and barbell storage included;Excellent option for a first home gym]]

[[CONS:13-gauge steel feels less substantial than premium 11-gauge racks;Budget-level powder coat;One front stabilizer foot on my unit does not fully contact the floor;J-cups are fairly small;Band pegs are too long for convenient deadlift setups;Front stabilizer interferes with pulling from the floor inside the rack;Hip thrust pad could sit lower;Hip thrust pad does not pivot during the movement;Preacher and back extension setup takes time to readjust;Limited plate storage]]

## Assembly and First Impressions

Assembly was actually pretty painless.

The SR2 arrived in three separate boxes, everything was packaged well, and I didn't have any noticeable dents or damage when I opened it.

The instructions were also good.

I put the rack together in a couple of hours while moving at a pretty leisurely pace.

Nothing about the assembly process stood out as particularly frustrating, which is always nice with larger home gym equipment because some manufacturers seem to treat the instruction manual like an optional accessory.

Once everything was together, though, the more important question became how the rack actually felt.

And there are a few things FED got right immediately.

## 3x3 Uprights With 1-Inch Holes Are a Big Advantage

One of my favorite things about the FED Fitness SR2 is the upright sizing.

You're getting 3x3 uprights with 1-inch holes on the front.

That may not sound like a big deal if you're buying your first squat rack.

It can become a very big deal later.

A lot of cheaper racks use smaller tubing, unusual hole diameters, or proprietary dimensions.

That can be fine until six months from now when you find an attachment you really want and discover that it doesn't fit your rack.

The 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes on the SR2 are much closer to the sizing used throughout the premium home gym market.

That potentially opens the door to attachments from other manufacturers.

I still would not assume that every 3x3 attachment with a 1-inch pin is automatically compatible.

Small differences in hole spacing, metric versus imperial measurements, and manufacturing tolerances can still create problems.

The sides of the SR2 uprights also don't use the same 1-inch holes as the front.

But this is still a much better starting point than many entry-level racks.

If you want significantly more functionality built directly into the rack, my [[LINK:Mikolo M4 2.0 review|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/MikoloM42-0]] covers a completely different approach. The Mikolo combines a rack, Smith machine, and functional trainer, but you give up some of the standard attachment compatibility you get with the FED's 3x3 front uprights.

## 13-Gauge Steel vs 11-Gauge Steel

This is where you start seeing some of the cost savings.

The FED Fitness SR2 uses 13-gauge steel.

A lot of higher-end racks use thicker 11-gauge steel.

I've spent a lot of time around premium 11-gauge racks, and yes, I can tell the difference.

The SR2 doesn't have that same heavy, overbuilt feeling when you're handling the uprights and attachments.

But I also think steel gauge can get blown a little out of proportion when we're talking about a normal home gym.

For most people, 13-gauge steel is plenty.

Squatting, benching, pressing, and doing pull-ups never made me feel like the rack was flimsy or unsafe.

For the average person, the biggest difference between this and an 11-gauge rack is going to be how substantial and premium it feels.

It's not that you're suddenly going to squat so much weight that the SR2 folds itself into a lawn chair.

If you specifically want the most overbuilt rack possible, though, you're probably shopping in a completely different price range.

## The Powder Coat Looks Budget Level

The powder coat is another area where the SR2 doesn't really hide its price.

It's relatively smooth, a little shiny, and doesn't have the deeper texture and more refined appearance you'll find on some higher-end racks.

I would also expect it to show normal wear over time.

Does that change how the rack performs?

No.

But if aesthetics and premium finishing are a major priority, you'll notice the difference.

That's really the theme of this rack.

There are areas where it clearly looks and feels budget-friendly.

Once you actually start training on it, though, it performs better than those finishes might suggest.

That's something I've noticed with other lower-priced equipment I've tested as well. My [[LINK:Lionscool Leg Press / Hack Squat review|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/lionscool-leg-press-hack-squat-review]] is a good example. Neither piece is trying to win an award for premium finishing, but both put a lot of functionality into a relatively affordable package.

## Stability and the Six-Point Base

FED makes a pretty big deal about the SR2's six-point contact system.

You have contact points toward the rear, another set around the middle, and then the long front stabilizer legs.

Overall, I think the idea is good.

Unfortunately, my particular unit has one strange issue.

The front left stabilizer sits roughly a finger's width off the ground.

The rear and middle feet on that same side contact the floor normally, and the opposite side sits correctly.

I'm not sure whether the front leg was slightly bent somewhere along the way or whether there is a small alignment issue with my particular unit.

I also can't tell you that every SR2 has this problem.

I can only tell you what happened with mine.

[[NOTE:My front left stabilizer foot sits slightly above the floor. I don't know whether this is shipping damage, a manufacturing tolerance issue, or something unique to my rack, so I would not assume every SR2 has the same problem.]]

Even with that foot slightly elevated, the rack has remained surprisingly stable.

I didn't experience significant rocking while squatting, doing pull-ups, or using the specialty attachments.

Still, if you're going to advertise six points of contact, I'd obviously prefer all six points to actually contact the floor.

## J-Cups and Spotter Arms

The J-cups and spotter arms are fairly basic budget-rack accessories, but they work.

The tolerances are actually quite tight.

There's very little slop when they're attached to the uprights.

If anything, my spotter arms are slightly too tight right now.

I'd still rather start there than have them rattling around on the rack.

The J-cups themselves are pretty small.

That means you'll want to have them set at the correct height and pay a little more attention when reracking so you're not constantly hitting the uprights.

FED did include UHMW protection around the major bar-contact surfaces, which I appreciate.

That protects both the rack and the knurling on your barbell.

The spotter arms are also around two feet long.

I've used some budget racks with really short spotter arms, and that makes bailing out of a squat much less forgiving.

These give you a reasonable landing area.

Nothing here feels especially premium.

It all works.

For a rack in this price category, that's what matters most.

## The Hip Thrust Attachment Is Actually Useful

Now we get into what makes the SR2 more interesting than a basic squat rack.

The included hip thrust pad mounts across the front and gives you a rounded padded surface instead of trying to hip thrust against the edge of an adjustable bench.

I already think traditional barbell hip thrust setups can be kind of annoying.

This definitely makes them better.

The pad is firm but comfortable, and you can adjust both the height and angle.

There are two things I'd change.

First, I wish the lowest setting went a little lower.

For a shorter lifter, the lowest position may still be slightly high.

Second, I'd really like an option that allowed the pad to unlock and pivot with your torso during the movement.

Right now, you choose an angle and lock it into that position.

Letting it move with you would make this attachment considerably better.

Still, for something included with the rack, I think it's useful.

## The Band Pegs Need Some Work

The SR2 includes three band peg positions on each side.

For banded squats, they work fine.

My problem is how far the pegs extend.

If you're trying to set up a loaded barbell for deadlifts inside the rack, the plates can hit the band pegs.

That means you either have to remove them or start positioning your bar around them.

The front stabilizer creates another limitation.

It sits high enough that you can't place a loaded barbell normally on the floor in that section of the rack.

So if your main goal is doing banded deadlifts from the floor, this isn't a setup I'd specifically recommend.

Personally, I'd probably leave the lower band pegs off most of the time and install them when I actually wanted to use them.

## Pull-Up Handles and Upper Band Anchor

Up top, you get several pull-up grip options.

The handles have some light knurling.

It's definitely not aggressive, but I'm happy it's there.

I've used plenty of inexpensive gym equipment with completely smooth pull-up handles, and once your hands get sweaty, those aren't exactly my favorite.

You have narrow, standard, and very wide grip options.

The rack moves slightly when I'm doing pull-ups, which is normal for this style of half rack, but it never feels like it's going anywhere.

There's also a U-shaped hook near the top that works as a convenient band anchor.

You could use it for assisted pull-ups, triceps work, or other band exercises.

It's a small feature, but when a rack is trying to give you as much versatility as possible, those small additions start to add up.

## Plate and Barbell Storage

Storage usually isn't the strong point of a two-post half rack.

The SR2 isn't going to replace a dedicated storage system, but FED at least gives you some.

There are two vertical barbell holders on the back along with plate storage posts.

If you're just building your home gym and don't have a warehouse worth of plates yet, it's probably enough to get you started.

The two barbell holders are especially useful.

Every bar or plate that can live on the rack is one less thing taking up another corner of your garage.

## The Preacher Curl Attachment Is Better Than I Expected

The specialty attachment I liked most may actually be the preacher pad.

It connects to the spotter arms and turns the rack into a legitimate preacher curl station.

You can change the height by repositioning the spotter arms and adjusting your setup until you find a comfortable position.

Once it's set correctly, it actually feels really good.

This is exactly the type of attachment that adds value for somebody building a first home gym.

Instead of buying another standalone machine that eats up floor space, you're getting another useful exercise from the rack you already own.

## It Also Works Surprisingly Well for Back Extensions

Flip the same attachment around and you can use it for back extensions.

This one surprised me.

I have a dedicated back extension machine in my gym, so I have a pretty good reference point for how this movement should feel.

Once I dialed in the FED attachment, it was genuinely comfortable.

I didn't feel unstable.

There wasn't any major bounce.

And even with the floating front foot I mentioned earlier, I felt completely comfortable loading the movement.

The downside is adjustment time.

If you get the position wrong, you may have to remove pins, move both spotter arms, reposition the attachment, and put everything back together.

If you're the only person using the rack, you'll figure out your preferred settings pretty quickly.

If two people with completely different heights are constantly switching back and forth, it could get annoying.

Still, combining preacher curls and back extensions into one attachment is a smart use of space.

If back extensions and Nordic curls are a much bigger priority for you, I also spent a lot of time with the [[LINK:NordBench Pro|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/nordbenchpro]]. That's a much more purpose-built option for those movements.

## How Much Space Does the FED Fitness SR2 Take Up?

The SR2 isn't the smallest half rack available.

The front stabilizer legs add some depth, and you also have additional space behind the uprights for the plate and barbell storage.

At the same time, you're getting significantly more exercise variety than you'd get from a bare-bones two-post rack.

For everything it can do, I think the footprint is reasonable.

Just remember that the dimensions of a squat rack aren't the entire space requirement.

You need room for a seven-foot barbell, enough clearance to load your plates, and enough floor space in front of the rack to actually train.

You'll also need an adjustable bench if you want to bench press or perform incline work.

For a more budget-conscious option, I've used the [[LINK:REP Fitness AB-3000 2.0|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/repab3000fidbench]] for years and still think it's one of the better values for a traditional FID bench.

If you want something much more premium with a large attachment ecosystem, my [[LINK:Apex Fitness Apex Bench review|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/apex-fitness-apex-bench-review]] covers a completely different level of bench.

## Who Should Buy the FED Fitness SR2?

[[WHO:Someone building their first home gym;Someone who wants to squat, bench, press, and do pull-ups at home;Someone who values versatility over premium finishes;Someone who wants several attachments included instead of buying everything separately;Someone trying to stay around the $700 rack price range;Someone who likes the expandability of 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes]]

This is really where I think the SR2 makes the most sense.

Maybe you're putting together your first home gym.

You want to squat.

Bench.

Overhead press.

Do some pull-ups.

Add hip thrusts.

Get some preacher curls and back extensions in.

But you're not ready to spend $1,500 or $2,000 on a rack and attachments before you even know whether training at home is something you'll stick with.

That's a completely reasonable place to be.

Home gyms aren't for everyone.

Some people love being able to walk into the garage and train whenever they want.

Other people find that they need the environment and routine of a commercial gym to stay consistent.

The FED gives you a relatively affordable way to test the waters without buying a stripped-down rack you'll immediately want to replace.

## Who Should Skip It?

[[SKIP:Experienced home gym owners who specifically want 11-gauge steel;Anyone who prioritizes premium powder coating and high-end finishing;Someone already committed to a specific premium rack ecosystem;Anyone who wants extensive integrated plate storage;People who specifically want to perform banded deadlifts inside the rack;Anyone who simply wants the most overbuilt rack possible regardless of cost]]

If you've already spent years building your home gym and know exactly what you like, some of the compromises here are probably going to bother you.

And that's fine.

This isn't really the rack I think FED is building for that person.

[[ALT:Mikolo M4 2.0|If you want significantly more functionality built into one footprint, the Mikolo M4 2.0 adds a Smith machine and functional trainer. It is a much different style of all-in-one rack, with its own tradeoffs.|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/MikoloM42-0]]

## Final Verdict: Is the FED Fitness SR2 Worth Buying?

Overall, I think the FED Fitness SR2 is a good budget squat rack with some clear compromises.

The 13-gauge steel and powder coat aren't going to fool anyone into thinking this is a premium rack.

Some of the accessories could use refinement.

And I obviously don't love having one front foot on my particular unit sitting slightly above the floor.

But those things don't change how the rack has actually performed for me.

It's solid during normal training.

The 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes give you a better foundation than a lot of cheaper racks.

The preacher curl and back extension attachment is genuinely useful.

The hip thrust pad is a nice addition.

You get pull-up options, band anchors, plate storage, and two barbell holders.

For someone starting a home gym, that's a lot of functionality from one relatively affordable piece.

If you're already deep into the home gym rabbit hole and you know you want 11-gauge steel, premium finishes, and a major attachment ecosystem, I'd spend more and get exactly what you want.

But if you're putting together your first home gym and want to get as much functionality as possible for around $700?

I think the FED Fitness SR2 is worth considering.

[[VERDICT:8.0|Good Value With Some Obvious Budget Compromises|The SR2 isn't a premium rack, but it doesn't need to be. For a beginner home gym owner who wants a solid rack, standard-sized front uprights, and a surprisingly useful collection of attachments without spending four figures, FED gives you a lot for the money.]]

[[BTN:Check the FED Fitness SR2|https://www.fedfitness.com/products/all-in-one-squat-rack?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=mkol&utm_campaign=Miya-BARDSLEY]]

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[[NOTE:Using my affiliate link helps support Lift Lab Reviews at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions in this review are based on my actual experience training with the equipment.]]

## 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.

That standard-style sizing is one of my favorite things about the rack because it potentially gives you more options for future attachments than many proprietary budget racks.

### What gauge steel does the FED Fitness SR2 use?

The SR2 uses 13-gauge steel.

That's thinner than the 11-gauge steel commonly used on more expensive home gym racks, but I found it plenty sturdy for normal squatting, benching, pressing, pull-ups, and accessory work.

### Is 13-gauge steel strong enough for a home gym squat rack?

For the vast majority of people, I think it is.

It doesn't have the same heavy, overbuilt feel as an 11-gauge rack, but I never felt like the 13-gauge construction limited normal home gym training.

### Will REP or Rogue attachments fit the FED Fitness SR2?

Some may, but I would verify each attachment before buying.

The 3x3 uprights and 1-inch front holes give the SR2 a better chance of cross-brand compatibility, but exact dimensions, hole spacing, and tolerances can differ between companies.

### Is the FED Fitness SR2 good for beginners?

That's exactly who I think should be looking at it.

You get the main functions of a squat rack plus several useful accessories without immediately spending premium-rack money.

### Can you do hip thrusts on the FED Fitness SR2?

Yes.

The SR2 includes a padded hip thrust attachment that I prefer to using the hard edge of a normal adjustable bench.

I would like the pad to go slightly lower and have the ability to pivot during the movement, but it's still a useful attachment.

### Can you do preacher curls on the FED Fitness SR2?

Yes.

The included pad attaches to the spotter arms and works surprisingly well as a preacher curl station.

### Can you do back extensions on the FED Fitness SR2?

Yes.

The same preacher curl attachment can be flipped around and configured for back extensions.

Once I had the position dialed in, it felt much better than I expected.

### Is the FED Fitness SR2 good for deadlifts?

I wouldn't specifically buy it for deadlifting inside the rack.

The lower band pegs and front stabilizer can interfere with getting a loaded barbell into a normal floor position.

You can obviously deadlift in front of the rack without any issue.

## More Home Gym Equipment Reviews

If you're building out your home gym, here are a few other reviews worth checking out:

[[ALT:Mikolo M4 2.0 All-In-One Rack Review|Another budget-friendly rack option with a Smith machine and functional trainer built in.|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/MikoloM42-0]]

[[ALT:Apex Fitness Apex Bench Review|A premium adjustable bench option if you're building out the rest of your rack setup.|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/apex-fitness-apex-bench-review]]

[[ALT:NordBench Pro Review|A compact option for back extensions, Nordic curls, and posterior-chain training.|https://liftlabreviews.com/post/nordbenchpro]]