When building out your dream home gym, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the “fun” pieces of equipment. Squat racks, benches, dumbbells, and pretty much everything else is more exciting than plate storage racks, yet they’re a crucial piece of equipment for great home gyms.
In this round-up, we dove into the nitty gritty details that make up great plate storage racks. We broke each section into specific needs that home gym owners should consider when outfitting their space. A great plate storage rack can mean an organized space, which is key for any home gym.
Editor’s Pick
CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Plate Rack
The CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Plate Rack is a great, simplistic plate storage rack for the avid enthusiast. This rack is designed for 2″ plates and has seven places for plates. The rack is constructed with steel and can support up to 500 lbs.
CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Plate Rack Pros
- 500 lb max weight capacity.
- Firm steel construction.
- Supports multiple sized plates.
CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Plate Rack Cons
- Limited by weight capacity.
The CAP Barbell Olympic 2-Inch Plate Rack is our favorite pick for plate storage. It's simple, strong, and is cost efficient.
Best All-Purpose
Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack
The Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack is a three-level rack that allows users to store plates, dumbbells, and kettlebells. The construction is made out of a strong steel and it has a maximum weight capacity of 1,000 lbs.
Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack Pros
- 1,000 lb weight capacity.
- Rubber anchors to prevent floor scratching.
- Heavy-duty steel construction.
Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack Cons
- Limited plate storage capabilities.
The Marcy Combo Weights Storage Rack is a great option for the home gym owner that wants one rack for all of their equipment.
Best Value
CAP Barbell Tree Storage Rack
The CAP Barbell Tree Storage Rack is a great cost efficient option with seven areas to place plates. This tree can support most plate diameters with its strong steel construction and has a maximum weight capacity of 500 lbs.
CAP Barbell Tree Storage Rack Pros
- 500 lb weight capacity.
- Supports most plates.
- Rubber boots to prevent floor scratching.
CAP Barbell Tree Storage Rack Cons
- Not the best for Olympic/bumper plates.
The CAP Barbell Tree Storage Rack is a great option for the recreational home gym owner that wants versatility at a cost efficient price.
Best for Small Plates
Marcy Plate Tree
The Marcy Plate Tree is a great option for every home gym owner. The tree is designed to support smaller plates and a barbell, but it can work for 2″ Olympic plates as well. It has a solid steel construction and can support up to 300 lbs.
Marcy Plate Tree Pros
- Solid steel construction.
- Great option for every sized plate.
- Can support a barbell.
Marcy Plate Tree Cons
- Limited to 300 lb weight capacity.
The Marcy Plate Tree is a good option for home gym owners that have plates with smaller diameters — not the tradition 2" diameter.
Best Non-Rack Storage
Fitness Reality Extended 9
The Fitness Reality Extended 9″ Olympic Weight Plate Holders are good option for fitness enthusiasts that want plate storage, but don’t want to buy a rack. These plate holders can adapt to most power racks and can fit most plate diameters.
Fitness Reality Extended 9″ Olympic Weight Plate Holder Pros
- Fit most power racks.
- Strong steel construction.
- 9″ is slightly longer than most power rack’s plate storages.
Fitness Reality Extended 9″ Olympic Weight Plate Holder Cons
- Must have power rack.
The Fitness Reality Extended 9" Olympic Weight Plate Holder is a good option for home gym owners that want to adapt their squat rack into a place for plate storage.
Also Consider
Marcy Olympic Weight Plate Tree
The Marcy Olympic Weight Plate Tree is an awesome option for someone wants to save a little bit on space in their home gym and needs a rack to store traditional Olympic plates (2″ diameter). This stand has a strong steel construction and can support up to 500 lbs.
Marcy Olympic Weight Plate Tree Pros
- 500 lb weight capacity.
- 6-plate storage areas.
- Rubber boots to prevent floor scratching.
Marcy Olympic Weight Plate Tree Cons
- Not the best for bumper plate storage.
The Marcy Olympic Weight Plate Tree is a great 6-choice rack option that can support up to 500 lbs of weight.
How We Picked
When assessing each plate storage rack and tree we looking for two important characteristics: construction and max weight capacity.
Construction
Plate storage racks and trees are fundamental pieces for every home gym. Their construction is incredibly important because this characteristic will dictate their best uses and how long they will last. For example, if you buy a rack with a lower weight capacity and max it out, then more than likely it will be begin to lean and breakdown quicker than you’d like.
The first construction aspect to check when buying a plate storage rack and tree is the material it’s made out of. If the rack is made out of anything other than steel, then steer clear. Plates need a material that is as strong or stronger than them, so opting for steel is always a good bet.
The second subtle, but important construction aspect is the rubber boots that are on the bottom of most plate racks and trees. These are important because it prevents floor scratching and that’s a big deal for fitness enthusiasts working out indoors or in their garage where they want to preserve their floors.
The final construction aspect we also keep an eye on is the diameter of the rack’s holders. Olympic plates will need a 2” diameter, while smaller plates will usually have a 1” diameter. This is where, as a home gym owner, you have to be cognizant of the types of plates and barbells you train with.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of a plate storage rack and tree is incredibly important because this ensures longevity, but also its usefulness in your home gym. There really isn’t a perfect equation for this aspect other than knowing your plate requirements.
Generally speaking, higher weight capacities relate to stronger and better built racks and trees. If you’re pushing the upward limits of a weight capacity for a rack/tree, then we’d advise going up to avoid any early breakdown.
BarBend Tips
- Trees vs Racks: Trees and racks are essentially the same thing, however, their appearance is slightly different. Trees resemble a tree often having three sides for plates, while racks often have two sides for plates.
- Weight Capacity: If you see a rack with a 300 lb weight capacity and you have 300 lbs of weights, then scale up. Give yourself wiggle room in case you buy more plates and to avoid rack breakdown.
- Consider the Floor: Think about where you’re placing the storage rack and then find options with rubber boots on them.
- Bumpers or Metal: Assess the dimensions of the stand and tree and compare how long the holders are based on the type of plates you have. Metal plates are a bit easier to scale, but if you have bumper plates, then look for 7” holders or longer.