Combo Rack in a Garage Gym: Worth the Investment?
Combo Rack in a Garage Gym: Worth the Investment?
Tanner chats with Big Nathan inside the Build Fast Formula HQ garage gym to break down the real-world pros and cons of a Texas Strength Systems combo rack after several years of ownership.
Context
Owner: Big Nathan (powerlifter, multiple meets)
Rack: Texas Strength Systems combo rack, OD/dark green
Time owned: about three years (since 2021)
Setting: home garage gym that hosts friends and small group sessions
Why he chose TSS
Competition carryover: it’s what many meets use, so practicing on the same style builds familiarity.
Value at purchase: in 2021 he was roughly all-in around the high-$2k range with face savers, which undercut some alternatives at the time.
What it costs now (from our convo)
Rack base price around the mid-$2k range, face savers sold separately (~$400), and shipping to South Dakota was quoted at about ~$650.
All-in today lands north of ~$3.6k delivered. Prices have risen since 2021, but so has much gym gear in general.
Build and features we noticed
Finish and look: powder coat still looks great; overall the rack “reads” like a proper comp setup.
Spotter platforms: sized and positioned well. Close enough for a confident lift-off without forcing spotters to lean way over.
Adjustments: 1-inch holes on uprights and face savers; fast lever-arm height changes for different lifters.
Rollers: vinyl on both the high rollers and bench rollers. They spin freely and are easy to replace. Bonus: they won’t chew up bar knurling like metal rollers can.
Bench: comp-style 12-inch pad with firm feel and just enough give to dig your upper back in.
Bench removal: loosen each side and lift out. Not wheeled like some designs (e.g., Ghost), but manageable.
Footprint and mobility: compact, easy to re-position. Not bolted down here; heavy dumbbells keep it put. On stall mats it barely creeps.
Daily use notes from Nathan
Squatting: prefers it, but when alone he often uses a power rack for safeties.
Group sessions: the quick lever adjustments are the game-changer. No juggling J-cups and plates between lifters.
Face savers: leave them installed for benching; they’re not squat safeties. Treat them as “save your face” for bench, not as a full fail-catch system.
Finish durability: still looks basically new after years of use.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
Competition standard feel and height changes
Small footprint, easy to move in a garage
Vinyl rollers protect bar knurling
Clean, durable finish after years
True combo versatility: bench and squat without two big stations
Cons
Less fail-safe than a power rack when you’re training solo
Bench isn’t on wheels; removal takes a minute
Prices and freight costs have climbed since 2021
Who should consider a combo rack?
Powerlifters training for meets who want identical comp mechanics.
Small groups sharing a tight space who need rapid height changes.
Home gyms prioritizing a compact, movable station over maximum built-in safety.
If you’re mostly lifting solo and want bulletproof bail-outs on squat, a full power rack with safeties might still be the smarter first purchase.
Alternatives mentioned
ER Equipment: similar concept and price vicinity; details like roller type may differ.
Rogue Combo: significantly heavier and more overbuilt, which isn’t a plus when you need to move it.
Ghost (via Rogue): customizable and cool, but the price puts it out of range for most home gyms.
Titan / Bells of Steel / others: cheaper options exist; quality and long-term feel aren’t in the same ballpark as TSS based on our experience.
Verdict after ~3 years
Nathan’s rating: 4.5 out of 5. It does what it should, adjusts fast, holds up well, and looks the part. For powerlifters with a partner or crew, it’s a strong buy.