Although having previously used a full size power rack, I bought this rack to maximize my limited space.
Whilst this rack takes up the same amount of floor space in terms of width and depth (from back to front), it lacks the front supports of the power rack and therefore gives more open space at the front end .
There is only a little assembly to do, but the instruction are quite confusing and contain instruction sheets for assembling parts that have already been preassembled at the factory.
Persevere with the instructions and you will get there,but make sure you sort out the bolt sizes as it's easy to put the wrong size in a hole while assembling.
Once the limited assembly is complete, the rack feels (and looks) bomb proof.
I purchased the safety spot bars which are way longer than any spot bars seen on other type half racks, and to experiment I loaded them up with 400kg on a bar to see if the rack would move or tip in anyway.
It never flinched or felt in any way that it would do so, and I would be very happy to load it up with more weight.
The bars also give confidence whilst bench pressing because of the length of the safety spots and certainly I have not once been worried in that respect.
(My bench pressing is rubbish anyway )

The rack is nicely finished with what appears to be a very hard oven baked enamel, and despite my few months of regular use and dropping plates against it, I can't see any chips or damage to the finish.
The Safety Spot Bars and bar holders are lined with a hard carbon fibre like lining of about 8mm thick which allow protection to the spots and holders.
These are easily adjusted with a two pin system which appears to be extremely robust .
You will not get the same amount of "micro" adjustment as you would with a super close holed spacing on some power racks, but there is ample adjustment facility.

All in all a quality product and worthwhile purchase .

Thanks to Matt for his help .

In terms of built quality I would have to say that it feels bombproof in use.
I bought it with the safety spot bars

I have just received this pack, and am very impressed the bar is extremely solid and the ends rotate easily, and the weights are very smart, and very easy to load, i know this as my wife jumped in and loaded it to do some deadlifts!!
Definetly a good buy, it looks like it will last forever even with extremely heavy use.

We've recently had a shop customer buy one of these benches who doesn't have internet access but when asked to give an "out of 10" rating for the bench he gave it 8 so 8 stars it is.

One of a number of products I've bought from Gymratz over the years. Always top quality and rocket fast service, even when I messed up my on-line order. A quick phone call and the problem was instantly solved with no drama and good humour. If you want proper equipment, you need to go too a proper outlet...and this is the one. Proper solid equipment and knowledgable service for people who are serious about their equipment. Top marks always.

See my previous entry for the 5kgs I bought at the same time. :)

great power rack well built solid and heavy great service from mat helping me choose the best rack for my needs recommend gymratz

Perfect service and a quality product! I was previously using power house fitness for my equipment. Both provide an excellent service, however GymRatZ were able to provide heavier weights at a reasonable price.
Will happily continue to use and recommend

Perfect service and good price! Will use again

Needed a pair of 20 kg hex dumbbells to replace the damaged pair in my gym.
My first port of call, "Gymratz". I purchased the York hex dumbbells, ordered on Wednesday evening, they arrived on Friday morning, ready for my Saturday chest and shoulders workout. As usual absolutely fantastic service.

On taking the dumbbells out of the box, I noticed that the handle width felt a little narrow, when compared to my old dumbbells. However, upon using them, they felt perfectly comfortable.
Very happy, thank's to everyone at Gymratz.

Having decided to set up our own gym at home using the the York STS range of equipment adding this dip handle option to be used with the STS Half rack was a no-brainer. What was surprising was just how robust these handles are.
In keeping with the whole STS range to say they're heavy is a bit of an understatement.
This handle locks into place on the upright and has tough nylon pads to ensure a snug fit to the frame without scratching or sticking.
For an attachment I can honestly say it easily matches the GymRatZ fully fabricated commercial dip station in terms of function and ability.

I have been using a 5ft bar in my gym for many years, my old York bar was looking a bit sick. Onto the Gymratz, website, where Matt recommended this bar.
It is very well made and looks great, more importantly it feels good when in use.
The thing I love about Gymratz is that you always get an honest opinion, when they describe the products that they sell.
As usual, fast delivery, well package and exactly as described on the Gymratz site. Highly recommended, very happy.
Thank you once again for the great service.

Excellent bar. High quality chrome plate. Chrome doesn't chip off as with cheaper quality bars. Looks good too. Very pleased.

High quality plates, well finished.

High quality plates, well finished.

High quality plates, well finished.

High quality plates, well finished. I also really like the design of the 10kg and 20kg plates from York.

High quality plates, well finished.

I was looking for an olympic triceps bar. My first port of call the Gymratz website.
This bar came highly recommended, but I thought it looked a bit unwieldy, however as it is manufactured by Watson* and a recommendation from Gymratz has never been wrong, I placed my order.
The bar is strongly crafted, as soon as you pick up the bar you can feel that it is well balanced. The bar remains balanced, no matter how much weight is added.
I have used the bar for skull crushers, neutral grip bicep curls, shrugs and upright rows, it works equally well with all of the above movements.
Superbly built, balanced and extremely versatile, I was so impressed I went straight back to the Gymratz site and ordered the international curl bar, same build quality, balance and functionality as the triceps bar, two highly recommended bars for anyone interested in making their gym time that bit more enjoyable.
As usual great service and lightning fast delivery from the Gymratz team.
Thank you Gymratz, I am very happy.

*GymRatZ Note: The International Olympic Tricep/ Trap Bar is manufactured by York Barbell; however, Watson Gym Equipment make a similar barbell designed by Tom Balchin called the Professional Tricep/ Trap Bar by Dr. Tom.

Weights are easy to handle, bar is solid.

Normally I write personal reviews in the product details on this site however I feel the York STS Half Rack needs a special review as a long-term "user" rather than an engineers overview so here's what I've found:

Myself and Deb equipped our new home gym with York STS half rack, optional safety Spotter arms, dip handles and the essential York STS Multi-Functional Bench.
To say this combination is superb is an understatement. Removing the (optional) safety spot arms frees up a huge slice of gym floor which you can't do with a regular power-cage. The bench locks into the stringer rail at the rear of the rack and is the perfect compliment to the rack.
One thing that nearly caught me out was the height. Having had the old garage floor raised by 8" with insulation and screed left me about 6" clearance at the top of the rack so be aware and make sure you have enough clearance!
Benching and squatting are perfectly suited to a half rack unlike many power cages. The chin-bar is also just right and even at 6'2" I can dangle outstretched without touching the floor.
Bar and plate holders on the rear of the rack are extremely handy and can be set up in several positions depending on your weight plate size.

Down-side: As is so often the case with racks and cages there is an absence of numbering to facilitate positioning of the safety rails and lift-off hooks but 10 minutes with the Dymo label gun and the problem no longer exists, but it would have been nicer to have the numbers etched/engraved into the ladder racks.
This is a heavy beast and more than capable of living up to it's full commercial rating; oh and the optional dip horns are also very sturdy and an essential add-on to make an excellent rack for home of commercial use.

Bought a set of four of these 4/8/12/16 kg. All same poor finish. Though at first these were second hand. Finish flaking and chipped esp at the handle body junction. The grip area was ok: smooth so functional and did not reject though was tempted. Not buying any more of these!

Good dumbbells, quickly delivred, great customer service

Good quality bench very sturdy, set at a good angle for curls.

Great service as always. Order turned up next day, no dramas...apart from the fact that I ordered one dumb-bell when I needed two !!! Spotted by Gymratz who e-mailed me and a quick phone call sorted this out. Simple common sense and great service, attention to detail. Have ordered a number of bits from Gymratz over the years, always first-class service and fast delivery. If you're serious about your kit, go to the pros, Gymratz :)

Really like the dumbbells. Fit well into each hand, the rubber makes them quiet when putting down and they don't roll - just what I wanted!