This article reviews a classic piece of equipment for CrossFit: The Rogue S-2 Squat Rack and Pull Up Bar. Remember to also check out our other reviews of equipment for CrossFit!
Why a Squat Rack
Last summer I decided that I wanted to start putting together a garage gym. Aside from bumpers and a barbell I needed a solid squat rack. I figured if I was going to buy a rack it may as well have a pull up bar. After a lot of searching and research, I settled on the Rogue Fitness S2 rack.
Click here or on the picture to check out the S2 on Rogue’s website!
The S2 makes a fantastic pullup bar, in addition to a killer squat rack.
The S2 comes with a dual pull up bar. There is one fat bar and one skinny bar. The S2 has the ability to set the pull up bar at different heights based on your needs. I personally decided to just use one of the pullup bars (I removed the second one) and put it at the highest position available. With the pull up bar set all the way up to the top I was able to do kipping pull ups without my feet hitting the ground. Perfect!
The S2 protects your bar from wear and tear
The Rogue Fitness S2 Pull Up Bar comes with 2 J-hooks that are coated with high density plastic to protect your bar from being eaten up by metal on metal contact. Without this plastic buffer the knurling where your bar sits on the rack will be ground down and you would have minimal grip at these points. There are holes spaced at various intervals along the vertical supports so that you can set the J cups to whatever height you need for different lifts and different height athletes. The holes are spaced out 1” through bench and clean pull zones and then 2” spacing above and below these zones. The various hole settings, referred to as Westside hole spacing, allow the bar to be set up for exercises such as squats, bench, pull-ups, clean pulls, floor press, overhead press and any other CrossFit lift you can think of.
Click here or on the picture above to purchase!
Plate storage posts are well worth the additional spend, particularly for stability
In addition to the S3, I also purchased some plate storage posts to store my weight plates. These posts mount to the rear corners of the rack. It will assist in holding the rack in place as well as function as a simple storage. I did not want to bolt my rack to the ground in case I needed to move it later. In addition, also wanted to avoid drilling holes in my floor. The weight storage posts do a very good job of keeping the rack stable when doing kipping pull ups. I will typically also put a 45lb plate on each of the two front corners for extra stabilization. With the rack weighted down like this I can do kipping pull ups, toes to bar, knees to elbows, and even bar muscle ups without the base moving at all!
Click here or on the picture above to check on the storage pins on Rogue’s website
I also purchased a horizontal plate storage pin that I use to keep my change plates on rather than having them sit on the floor where I would trip over them. In fact, I have four 10’s, two 5’s, and two 2.5’s that fit on there with plenty of room to spare. I keep this storage pin up on the top right side of my rig to keep it out of the way. In addition, I do keep a canvas wrist wrap on there to keep the weights on but there has never been an issue with the weights working themselves off when I do any kipping exercises.
Click here or on the picture above to check them out on Rogue’s website
There are more accessories that you can get for the Rogue Fitness S2 Pull Up Bar such as a “matador”. This is a dip bar that attaches to one of the vertical supports. I do not have the matador but I have hung rings from my pull up bar. This rings allow me to perform ring dips-weighted or body weight-as well as ring rows or ring push ups. You can also buy long spotter arms that would be useful when performing exercises such as squats by yourself. I also even purchased a kids pull up bar for my daughter to use and she loves it! I am able to adjust the height of the bar to fit her height.
Conclusion
All in all this is an incredibly solid and versatile piece of equipment for CrossFit. I can use it for many different Crossfit exercises with its small foot print of 48” x 48”. In addition, it can easily fit on one side of my garage and still allow me to park my car in the garage when I am not working out. I see zero issues of durability as it is solid as a rock. Ideally bolting it down would be best; however for me I have no problems with just weighing it down with my bumpers.