Short Power Rack Review: Landmark TC EXT3 for Home Gyms
If you’ve ever tried building a home gym in a basement or garage with low ceilings, you already know the problem. Most power rack setups are just too tall. Whether you’re looking at a full power rack, a squat rack, or even a folding rack, height becomes the limiting factor fast.
That’s where a short power rack actually becomes a real solution instead of a compromise.
The Landmark TC EXT3 is designed as a space saving power rack that still gives you the functionality of a full setup. After a few weeks of training on it, this is a full breakdown of how it performs, what stands out, and whether it actually makes sense for your home gym.
If you’re interested in this rack, you can save $50 by using code LUKEGG at checkout!
What makes a short power rack different?
A short power rack or short squat rack isn’t just a smaller version of a traditional setup. It’s built specifically for spaces where a full power rack won’t fit, like basements, garages, or rooms where you’re working with just a few inches of clearance.
Most racks, including many squat racks and half rack options, sit around 90 inches or taller. That instantly eliminates a lot of setups, especially if you want to include a pull up bar or do full pull ups without hitting the ceiling.
This is where a short rack like the TC EXT3 stands out. It gives you the functionality of a full power rack while staying compact enough to fit tighter spaces.
Key specs and build quality
Before getting into how it feels to train on, it’s worth understanding what you’re actually getting from a build and spec standpoint. On paper, this is where the TC EXT3 starts to separate itself from a typical squat stand or folding rack.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the core specs:
Height: 83.75 inches
Footprint (Depth): ~60–63 inches
Recommended Width Clearance: ~85 inches
Steel: 11-gauge and 12-gauge steel
Weight Stacks: 200 lbs per side
Pulley Ratios: 2:1 and 1:1 options
Smith Machine Capacity: 500 lbs
Included Attachments: J hooks, safety bars, cable handles, jammer arms
That 83.75-inch height is what puts this firmly in the short power rack category. It’s one of the few racks that can realistically fit in a basement while still giving you room to move.
The footprint is also worth paying attention to. Even though it saves vertical space, you still need enough width to load plates and move freely. This is where a lot of compact racks fall short.
From a build standpoint, the use of 11- and 12-gauge steel gives it a more durable feel than a typical squat stand or entry-level rack. For most home gym users, this is more than enough to feel stable during heavier lifts like squats and presses.
The pulley system is a major advantage
One of the most overlooked features on this rack is the ability to switch between a 2:1 and a 1:1 pulley ratio.
Most all-in-one systems stick with a 2:1 ratio. That’s great for smoothness and lighter movements, but it cuts your effective weight in half. For smaller muscle groups, that’s fine. For back training, it becomes limiting pretty quickly.
The TC EXT3 lets you connect the stacks and run a true 1:1 ratio. That means you’re actually pulling the full weight of the stack. For exercises like lat pulldowns and rows, this makes a big difference. You’re not stuck trying to “hack” the system with extra pins or workarounds just to get enough resistance.
This is one of the areas where the rack feels more complete compared to a lot of competitors.
The Smith machine is better than expected
Where this rack really separates itself from a traditional squat rack, half rack, or squat stand is the Smith machine design.
The bar travels down to about 11 inches from the ground, which is lower than most racks in this category. That matters more than people think.
For movements like:
Squats
Hip thrusts
Romanian deadlifts
You’re not forced to stack plates just to get proper range of motion. On many racks, you lose that depth because the bar sits too high.
This is one of the reasons this feels closer to a full power rack experience, even though it’s a short rack.
Pull-up bar and upper body training
One of the biggest concerns with a short power rack is whether you can still train upper body movements effectively, especially pull ups.
This rack does include a pull up bar, and depending on your height and ceiling clearance, you can still get a usable range of motion. If you’re taller, you may need to slightly bend your knees or adjust positioning, which is common with any short rack.
For most users, you’ll still be able to perform:
Standard pull ups
Controlled or motion pull ups
Hanging core work
It’s not the same as a full power rack with unlimited overhead clearance, but for a space saving power rack, it holds up better than expected.
Attachments and overall value
This is where the rack starts to justify its price point.
Instead of buying a basic squat rack and adding pieces over time, this system comes loaded with features that you’d typically need to purchase separately.
You’re getting:
J hooks with added security
Safety bars for safer lifting when training alone
Cable attachments for full-body training
Jammer arms for pressing and rowing variations
Plate storage and bar storage built into the rack
The inclusion of safety bars and properly secured j hooks is especially important for home gym users. When you’re training alone, having that added safety layer makes a big difference.
Attachments that actually matter
Not everything included is essential, and there are a couple of add-ons that are worth calling out separately.
The lat pulldown attachment is one of them. This doesn’t come standard, but it should be considered a necessary upgrade for most users.
Because the rack is shorter, the standard cable setup can limit your range of motion on lat pulldowns. Adding the dedicated attachment fixes that problem and allows for a full stretch and proper movement pattern.
There are also optional add-ons like a leg extension/curl attachment and a belt squat system. These are more situational. If space is extremely limited and you want everything tied into one machine, they can be useful. If you have room for standalone machines, those will generally feel better to use.
How it actually performs in workouts
A lot of racks look good on paper but fall apart when you start using them. This one holds up pretty well in real training.
There’s enough space inside the rack to set up a bench for incline or flat pressing without feeling cramped. That’s not always the case with all-in-one systems, where everything can feel too tight or overbuilt.
The cable system feels smooth, even with the standard nylon pulleys. If you wanted to upgrade to aluminum pulleys, you could, but it’s not necessary for most users.
The biggest performance highlight is still the pulley versatility combined with the Smith machine. You can move through push, pull, and leg exercises without constantly reworking your setup or feeling like you’re fighting the machine.
It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t feel like a compromise either, which is the key difference.
Who this rack is actually for
This rack makes the most sense for a specific type of home gym setup.
If you’re working with limited ceiling height and don’t want to piece together multiple machines, this fits that need well. It’s built for someone who wants a single system that can handle a wide range of training without taking over the entire space.
It’s also a good fit for people who value versatility. You can train your entire body on this without needing to constantly add new equipment.
Who should probably skip it
If you have the space for a full-height rack and separate machines, you may not need something like this.
Lifters who prefer a traditional 3x3 rack with maximum attachment compatibility might also find this limiting. This system is more self-contained, which is great for simplicity, but not ideal if you like customizing your setup piece by piece.
Is this the best short squat rack option?
If you’re comparing this to a standard squat stand, folding rack, or even a half rack, the biggest difference is how much you get in one system.
A lot of people start by looking for the best short squat rack, but quickly realize that:
A squat stand lacks versatility
A folding rack saves space but limits functionality
A half rack still may not fit low ceilings
This sits somewhere in between. It gives you the versatility of a full power rack while still being compact enough for smaller spaces.
Final thoughts
The biggest strength of this rack is that it solves a real problem without forcing you into a stripped-down setup.
A lot of short racks feel like compromises. This one doesn’t.
If you’re working with limited space and need a short power rack that still performs like a full power rack, this is one of the more complete options available right now. It’s especially strong for anyone trying to build a gym in a basement or garage where every few inches matter.
