Last Updated on March 17, 2022 by MarcyPro
Power cages look simple, but power cages are versatile and efficient for strength training. Power cages only have a couple of consistent features: a pull up bar and the ability to do squats. Marcy cages have an additional unique feature, they include a pulley system. The pulley system and weight storage capabilities on the Marcy Cage Home Gym | MWM-7041 and the Marcy Cage System | SM-3551 set them apart from competing power cages.
Use the upper portion of the pulley system on either power rack along with the included bar for lat pulldowns, triceps pulldowns and more. The lower pulley can be used for curls, seated rows, and more. For newbies, the pulley system is especially important as you can use them to build up toward body weight exercises.
Power cages often have a form of pull-up bar for pull-ups and chin-ups, as the Marcy Cage Home Gym MWM-7041 does. The Marcy Cage System SM-3551, however, has a multi-grip pull-up bar. The multi-grip pull-up bar gives you the option to change the grip used during pull-ups which allows you to target different muscle groups.
The Marcy MWM-7041 Power Cage is a bit more comprehensive than the Marcy SM-3551 Cage System as it includes safety bars and dip bars. The safety bars stick out of the front of the MWM-7041 to act as an extra set of bar catches (so you can set aside or sell your old squat stands.)
Power cage features vary heavily depending on the model, but all power cages have one key feature – they pair very well with a good old fashioned weight bench. By pairing a workout bench with a power tower, you can have a solid foundation for your garage gym.
Most utility benches would go well with most power towers (if “the shoe fits,” then the two units can be paired together.) The most popular pair to date is the Marcy MWM-7041 Cage and the Marcy Deluxe Utility Weight Bench SB-350.
The Marcy SB-350 Multi-Functioning Utility Bench can be positioned at several different degrees: -27, 0, 21, 38, 54, and 76. In addition to the multiple back pad positions, this convenient piece of equipment includes a leg developer.
By combining both the MWM-7041 Cage and the SB-350 Adjustable Weight Bench, you essentially create a more economical alternative to one of our smith machines (even though it is a bit bare bones in comparison.) This combo will allow you to do a wide amount of presses at different angles (with the angles shown above.) The wide variety of angles allow you to target different muscles during your workout.
With both units combined, you can add the following to your workout:
- Squats / front squats
- Incline, decline, and flat presses
- Pull-ups / chin-ups
- Pulley exercises
- Dips (on the MWM-7041)
- And much, much more!
With a power cage and weight bench combo, you satisfy the need that usually requires more expensive home gym equipment. Simply add weight plates / bumper plates and a bar to your combo set up and you will bring the variety of a gym to the convenience of your home.
A few notes:
- Both units have heavy duty steel frames, but they are not stainless steel. The Marcy Power Racks have powder coated steel to increase their lifetime.
- Both units use Olympic sleeves. As a result, you can use the Olympic plates or the standard plates you may already own
- Both units are backed by a 2-year limited warranty!
What is the difference between a power cage and a power rack?
After researching for a consensus, it seems there is not a clear definition of the difference between a power cage and a power rack. We’d say the main difference is whether you can step into your rack set up or not.
Even if a full rack (also called a power rack,) has a pull up bar and the ability to do squats, you cannot step into it per se (you start your squats at the front of the unit and cannot use the inside of the unit for anything.)
Combining a power rack with a utility bench will yield very similar results to combining a bench with a power cage. The key difference is the features offered, on both units. For example, many believe their utility bench needs a leg developer, which is why we suggest the Marcy SB-350 Utility Bench. However, if you don’t find leg curls / leg extensions crucial to your workout, there are a number of utility benches without the extension.
As for choosing a power rack or a power cage, that again goes to the features wanted. For example, most power racks do not have a pulley system (as a matter of fact, many cages do not include a pulley system, but Marcy has a couple that do include a pulley system.) In addition, a power rack usually does not have storage for your weight plates like a power cage does
Some people are concerned about saving space. If our idea combo of the SB-350 bench and MWM-7041 cage does not work for you, Steelbody has a convenient power rack and foldable bench combo.
The Marcy Pro Deluxe Cage System with Bench | PM-5108 combines the convenience of a power tower / power cage and a foldable bench into one unit. The PM-5108 is worth mentioning because it acts much like a power rack and bench combo. The PM-5108 allows you to do pull-ups, lat pull downs, squats, and presses.
Looking for a more economic option to turn your power cage into a bench press? Adding a cost efficient flat bench will allow you to bench press with your power cage without increasing your cost too much.
Build your garage home gym and ditch the gym club membership. No matter which combination you feel is fit for your needs, you can get power cages, power towers, weight benches, and more at Marcypro.com