The History of the Power Rack

Introduction

@VintageWeightsPGH discusses the history of the power rack, which Bob Peoples invented in the early 1900s.

The episode can be listened to on Spotify, Apple, Garage Gym Radio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episode Outline

(1:44) Bob Peoples Invented the Power Rack: This home gym staple was built out of necessity as Bob was training in Tennessee on the farm (in the basement).

(3:44) Bob Peoples’ Training: He relied on magazines that helped him form his training methodology. Based on this, he started to create his own equipment and invent items like the “power rack.”

(5:49) Other Weightlifting “Apparatuses:” For example, with his deadlift bar (pictured above), he used a bar with barrels attached that he could fill with rocks. When younger, he also made a contraption that looked like a safety squat bar pictured below.

(8:11) The Pit: His “basement gym” was a literal pit. He dug down it out of his dirt basement. It includes a wood rack, the deadlift setup we mentioned above, a few more bars, and a dirt floor. Why not outside? That’s likely because it was freezing in the Tennessee winters.

(10:54) Deadlifting: Peoples was a world-class deadlifter and held a world record for quite some time. For example, in 1946, he deadlifted 651 at a bodyweight of 175 for a world record. 1 year later, he pulled 700 lbs, an unimaginable number at the time.

Also discussed within this section were some of the recent best deadlifts.

(17:49) Power Racks Before Rogue: Several companies created power racks before Rogue began in 2007, but Rogue took this to the next level by bringing it to the home gym scene.

(23:35) Changes in the Power Rack: Power racks are more than just something to lift off and keep lifters safe. They are now a versatile option where you can ultimately make an all-in-one gym.

Sources

A special thank you to Harrison Jones for his inspiration and guidance with this episode!

Christopher, Logan. “Strongman Profile: Bob Peoples Schools Us on the Deadlift.” Fitness, Breaking Muscle, 28 October 2013, https://breakingmuscle.com/strongman-profile-bob-peoples-schools-us-on-the-deadlift/

Even-Esh, Zach. “Power Rack Training with Bill Peanuts West.” Iron Roots Podcast, Episode 15, Zach Even-Esh YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9jdmM4Z8Vc

Peoples, Bob. “The Training Methods of Bob Peoples.” Iron Man Magazine, Iron Man Magazine, April/May 1952

“The Peoples Champion.” Don’t Weaken, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, 15 January 2010, https://starkcenter.org/2010/01/the-peoples-champion/

Thomas, Al. “Bob Peoples: Deadlift Champion, Strength Theorist, Civic Leader.” Iron Game History, Volume 2, Issue 4, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, November 1992, https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v2/igh-v2-n4/igh0204c.pdf
Todd, Terry. “Passings.” Iron Game History, Volume 2, Issue 3, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, July 1992, https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v2/igh-v2-n3/igh0203a.pdf