Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0

Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0

The Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0 is Rogue’s flagship Monster Lite rack. This 6-post rack is constructed with 3×3 11-gauge steel with 5/8″ holes and Westside spacing. It’s compatible with Rogue’s Monster Lite attachments as well as some attachments from other companies.

The benefit of the RML-690C version compared to the RML-690 version is that this one offers multiple color options, Slinger compatibility, optional laser-cut holes, and a Rogue nameplate.

In general, the Monster Lite racks from Rogue are extremely popular and they continue to evolve/improve as more accessories are introduced. This is a future-proof rack.

If you want the most future-proof rack in Rogue’s lineup, the next level up is the RM-6 Monster Rack.

Read more below.

Features & Highlights

• Steel Size – The RML-690C rack from Rogue is a part of their Monster Lite lineup. It’s constructed with 3×3 11-gauge steel and it’s easily assembled with a bolt-together design. 3×3 steel is becoming increasingly popular for its strength, attachment compatibility, and its overall aesthetic.
• 6-Post Design – The primary benefits of a 6-post rack are the on-rack plate storage and the fact you don’t have to bolt it down (although you still can).
• Hole/Hardware Sizing – This rack uses 5/8″ hardware, which is one of the most common hardware sizes used on power racks. The rack will accommodate all of Rogue’s Monster Lite Attachments/Accessories as well as some from other companies (read more in the compatibility section below).
• Hole Spacing – The RML-690C 3.0 offers Westside hole spacing, which is common on 5/8″ racks. Through the bench zone, the holes will be spaced 1″ apart. This allows for finer adjustments on your J-cups and safeties, which can be useful for people who are “in-between” sizes. Above and below the Westside section are holes with standard 2″ spacing between them. Another consideration is that the Monster Lite series does not offer as many side holes as the front/back of the uprights. This will limit you compared to the Monster series which offers a 1:1 hole ratio.
• Exterior Rack Dimensions – This rack is the largest in the Monster Lite family with a total length of 80″ and a total width of 53″ (includes footplates). In terms of the uprights themselves, the dimensions are 76″ deep and 49″ wide. A 49″ width is fairly common for 3×3 racks, but one of the downsides is you have less room between the uprights and the plates. This requires a more efficient walk-out/re-rack since there’s a greater risk of hitting the uprights with your plates. Some racks from REP and Sorinex, for example, have 47″ wide racks which provide more space to work with. The uprights stand 90″ tall, but with the footplates, the total height is slightly higher at 90 3/8.”
• Interior Rack Dimensions – The interior lifting area measures 43″ deep, which is more than enough room to lift comfortably. It’s also 43″ wide inside-to-inside. The RML-690C does include the storage section, which has an interior depth of 24″. This creates enough space to store plates without them getting in the way when lifting from the middle uprights.
• Safety Options – This rack includes pin & pipe safeties as standard, which are common. This safety system is the most cumbersome to set up and it has a powder-coated exterior. I prefer something with more protection (i.e. UHMW lining), but these serve their purpose of providing safety. Rogue does not offer full interior safeties with UHMW lining for their Monster Lite racks, but they do offer safety straps. Safety straps work extremely well and they’re much more protective of your bar. They also offer safety spotter arms with UHMW for the front of your rack, which I also really like since some people (like myself) enjoy lifting outside of their racks.
• Optional Hole Numbers – For an upcharge of $150, you can elect to have laser-cut numbers added to your uprights. Through the Westside zone, you will have even-numbered cutouts, and above, you will have all holes numbered. Numbers aren’t a necessary feature for some users, but they are convenient, especially in the Westside zone. I personally recommend numbers.
• Multiple Color Options – A great benefit of the RML-690C is that it comes in a variety of colors. There are currently 11 color choices to choose from including Rogue Red, Bright Blue, Bright Green, etc… The rack also comes with black zinc hardware, which looks great.
• Made in America – The RML-690C 3.0 is made in Ohio.

What’s Included in the Box

The Rogue RML-690C Power Rack includes several notable attachments as standard:

• (2) Monster Lite J-Cups with UHMW Lining
• (2) Pin & Pip Safeties
• (8) Plate Storage Pins
• (4) Band Pegs
• (1) 43″ Single Skinny Pull-Up Bar
• (1) Stabilizing Rogue Nameplate
• (4) 43″ Crossmembers with Side Holes and Top/Bottom holes for Slinger Compatibility
• (4) 24″ Crossmembers with Side Holes and Top/Bottom holes for Slinger Compatibility
• (6) 90″ Uprights with Side Holes

Optionally, you can add a concrete anchor kit (bolting not required), 43″ strap safeties, or safety spotter arms directly on the product page.

Attachment Compatibility

The RML-690C Power Rack 3.0 is constructed with 3×3 steel and 5/8″ hardware, which is compatible with Rogue’s Monster Lite Attachments.

Here you can add additional accessories to your rack or you can upgrade the ones that come standard with the RML-690C. In general, the Monster and Monster Lite accessories are much more comprehensive than the Infinity/R-Series line.

Some attachments that I think are worthy of considering include the Rogue Matador, the Rogue Landmine, the Adjustable Monolift, the Sandwich J-Cups, the X-43M Multi Grip Crossmember, and the Safety Straps.

The Matador allows for a portable dip station, the monolift eliminates the squat walk-out and makes bench setup MUCH easier, and the landmines open up a ton of barbell movement versatility. The sandwich cups are a big improvement over the standard J-cups, the X-43 provides additional pull-up variety, and the safety straps are a big improvement over the pin & pipes.

As for attachment compatibility outside of Rogue Fitness, notable places to look are REP Fitness and Titan Fitness. Each of these companies offers attachments that will fit 3×3 and 5/8″ hardware (REP PR-4000 and Titan X-3). One thing to keep in mind is that imported racks use the metric system vs. the imperial system on USA-made racks. This means that hole spacing will be slightly shorter. If you find an attachment that has two pins (or a single pin with a second hitch pin) then it may not fit properly. Single-pin attachments tend to work fine.

What They’re Saying at Rogue Fitness

The Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0 receives very positive feedback from users. With an average rating of 4.9/5, here are some of the things people have said at roguefitness.com.

Positive

• “I had a vision for my garage gym several years ago, as a way to get back into shape and do the activity I love, weight lifting. After 4 years of deciding (and some saving!) I decided to pull the trigger at the start of this year. I immediately felt skeptical that I made the right decision, but after I put this together with my sons and got my gym organized (I am a neat freak) I felt very happy with my purchase! Very well built, and looks great. I have gotten several work outs in and have had no troubles at all.”
• “I love this rack. I’ve been wanting a good home gym for years. I bought this in October and it had inspired intense quality workouts. It’s extremely sturdy as well as a piece of art to look at.”
• “Purchased this rig to update our home gym; it’s even better than expected. Very well built and robust. Chose not to bolt it to the concrete floor, and it’s still unmoving and rigid. Arrived in perfect condition, with no flaws or missing parts. So pleased with Rogue quality that we ordered plates and other add-ons the next week. It’s a great product. We had a few questions about the add-ons, and the Customer Service techs were very helpful. We did feel compelled to tip the UPS guy–this beast arrived in LOTS of heavy packages!”
  
• “Has to be the top rack in the game. Built like a tank, easy to put together, and rogue customer service can’t be beat. I foresee this being the last rack I’ll ever need to buy.”
• “Except for the COVID-19 delay in shipping, this rig is everything I could ask for and more. First and last rig I will ever have to buy. More functionality than my wife and I could ever imagine. Easy to set up and maintain. Recommend 100 times over.”
• “I was going to go with one of the smaller racks but glad I spent the little extra money and got this one. SUPER EASY TO PUT TOGETHER!!!!”

Critical

• “The only negative I have is the upper cross members don’t go all the way to the top of the rack like the monsters do so I can’t over head press in the rack, it would be cool if rouge had an option to add the monster style upper cross members.”

Garage Gym Lab Review

Garage Gym Lab has not yet reviewed the RML-690C Power Rack 3.0.

Other Options

The below racks were picked as alternatives to the Rogue RML-690C Power Rack 3.0.