Setting up a home gym is a big investment—both in money and in your long-term fitness journey. Two of the most popular centerpiece options for serious lifters are the power rack and the Smith machine.

While they may look similar at first glance, they cater to very different training styles and priorities. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, advantages, and drawbacks of both to help you decide which one suits your home gym best.

A mikolo fitness power rack (also known as a squat rack or power cage) is a freestanding structure with adjustable safety bars and J-hooks to support free barbell lifting. It’s designed for compound movements like squats, bench press, overhead press, and deadlifts. Most models come with pull-up bars, band pegs, and compatibility with attachments like dip bars, lat pulldown systems, and cable crossovers.

Full range of motion: You lift with a natural bar path, engaging stabilizer muscles.

Versatile training: Ideal for powerlifting, bodybuilding, and functional fitness.

Customizability: Easily expand with accessories (e.g., landmines, lever arms, monolift attachments).

True strength development: No machine-assist—your muscles do all the work.