Rogue SM-2.5 Monster Squat Stand 2.0

Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand

The Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand is a high-quality squat stand that features 3×3 11-gauge steel, 1″ hardware, and 2″ hole spacing.

This stand is built exactly the same as the other SM squat stands, but it serves as a hybrid between the SM-2 (93″ tall) and the SM-3 (111″ tall). Standing 103″ high, the SM-2.5 is capable of handling virtually anything you can throw at it.

This squat stand is available with your choice of pull-up bar and it includes several notable features, including laser-cut numbers and more.

Read more below.

Features & Highlights

• Steel Size – The SM-2.5 Squat Stand from Rogue is a part of their Monster lineup. It’s constructed with 3×3 11-gauge steel and it’s assembled with a bolt-together design. 3×3 steel is popular for its strength, attachment compatibility, and its overall aesthetic.
• Flat Foot Design – One of the biggest benefits of a squat stand is that you don’t have to bolt it down because of the flat foot design. This U-shaped base keeps the rack secure to the floor. During heavy sets when re-racking your bar, you may find the rack will shift slightly. This is normal for a squat stand – the overall stability of the stand is very strong and safe.
• Rubber End Caps – The base of the SM-2.5 includes thick rubber end caps, which help to provide traction to the ground. During heavy sets when re-racking your bar on other squat stands, you may find the rack will shift slightly. While this is normal, and the stability/structure is still very safe, having these rubber end caps is a great feature to limit that movement.
• Hole/Hardware Sizing – This rack uses 1″ hardware, which is also increasing in popularity. 1″ hardware racks tend to get the best, most refined attachments. The rack will accommodate most of Rogue’s Monster Attachments/Accessories as well as some from other companies (read more in the compatibility section below).
• Hole Spacing – The SM-2.5 offers 2″ spacing throughout the uprights, which differs from the Monster Lite line, which includes Westside spacing through the bench zone. Also unlike on the Monster Lite line, the SM-2.5 includes just as many side holes as front/back holes. These side holes have a keyhole shape, which allows for greater versatility and attachment options.
• Exterior Rack Dimensions – This rack has a total width of 54″ and a total depth of 50″, which makes it larger than the S-Series and SML-Series. In terms of the actual uprights, they have an outside width of 49″, which is fairly common for 3×3 racks. One of the downsides, however, 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. This rack measures 103″ tall, which puts it in between the 93″ SM-2 and the 111″ SM-3.
• Laser Cut Hole Numbers – The Monster line includes laser cut numbers on every hole, which is a great feature for easy adjustments on J-cups, safeties, etc… It’s also much more aesthetic than non-numbered uprights, in my opinion.
• Pull-Up Bar – The SM-2.5 can be purchased with a single 1.25″ pull-up bar or with a fat/skinny bar directly on the product page. From there, you can upgrade to the socket pull-up bar, which includes different colors, finishes, and options for knurling.
• Safety Options – This stand does not come with any safety options as standard. It is highly recommended that you purchase the safety spotter arms so that you can confidently lift on the rack. These spotter arms can also allow for rack pulls and other movements.
• No Color Options – The Rogue SM-2.5 is only available in Rogue’s black powder coat.
• Made in America – The SM-2.5 is made in Ohio.

What’s Included in the Box

The Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand includes several pieces as standard:

• (2) Monster Cups with UHMW Lining
• (1) 43″ Single 1.25″ Pull-Up Bar OR (1) 43″ Fat/Single Skinny Pull-Up Bar
• (1) Flat Foot Base
• (2) 100″ Uprights with Side Holes (total height of 103″)

Optionally, you can purchase a barbell, a bench, and some plates directly on the product page to create a complete package.

Attachment Compatibility

The Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand is constructed with 3×3 steel and 1″ hardware, which is compatible with Rogue’s Monster Attachments.

Here you can add additional accessories to your rack or you can upgrade the ones that come standard with the SM-2.5. In general, the Monster accessories are the best that Rogue offers.

Some attachments that I think are worthy of consideration include the Adjustable Monolift, the Sandwich J-Cups, the Socket Pull-Up Bar, and the Spotter Arms.

The monolift eliminates the squat walk-out and makes bench setup much easier, the sandwich cups are a big improvement over the standard J-cups, the socket pull-up bar is an enhancement, and the spotter arms are essential for safety.

As for attachment compatibility outside of Rogue Fitness, notable places to look are REP Fitness, Sorinex, Titan Fitness, Fray Fitness, Griffin Fitness, and Fringe Sport. Each of these companies offers attachments that will fit 3×3 and 1″ hardware (REP PR-5000, Various Sorinex, Titan Series, Fray Savage, Griffin GR3, Fringe 3×3). One thing to keep in mind is that imported racks use the metric system vs. the imperial system on USA-made racks (Rogue and Sorinex). 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 SM-2.5 Squat Stand 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 went back and forth on whether to get this squat stand or the 108” Monster Lite (which I would have needed to have cut down to do pull-ups in a room with a 9’ ceiling). I had been holding out for the Monster Lite version out of fear that the SM-2.5 would have been too heavy-duty for a home gym. It turns out that the SM-2.5 is perfect. Not only did I not need to have the uprights cut down (it is the perfect height to do pull-ups on the highest bar setting with a 9’ ceiling without any real risk of bumping your head), but it is also incredibly sturdy without being too heavy/bulky for a home gym. I actually think the overall sturdiness is ideal, and I have no regrets whatsoever. I look forward to many years of great workouts on a piece of equipment built to last a lifetime.”
• “Was extremely easy to assemble, and feels extremely sturdy, use it to squat and bench. I like that it’s mobile to move around, and even got the wheels for it, which work great, although they should go on the front of the rig, and not the back. Great for pullups too, and if you want to do muscle ups, just throwing 45# plate on the corners is enough.”
• “Very pleased with my decision to buy this squat stand! It’s extremely sturdy, was very easy to assemble, and fits perfectly in my home garage space.”
• “Like everyone else COVID closed my gym and pushed me into starting a home gym earlier than planned. I debated between this and an RM-6 but with somewhat limited space I went for the squat stand option with the spotter arms. Quality is way better than any commercial gym equipment I’ve ever used. Assembly was easy and took me about thirty minutes. I’ve been using it for a couple weeks now. The spotter arms are great for solo bench press and pin squats and the rack is totally stable when I do pull-ups, etc. I highly recommend this for any raw powerlifter or weightlifter. With a little imagination you can do just about anything you can with a full rack and it takes up a smaller footprint.”
• “I bought this for my home gym to do all the squats, benching and pull-ups/toes to bar. I have plates mounted on either side with the rack pins and a 100# sandbag stored on one side and this thing does not budge. It did not budge prior to have all that weight on their either. If you need a standalone rack for CrossFit and/or powerlifting, this has wonderful stability and not a huge foot print.”
• “Easy to build. You will need two extra large cresent wrenches. This could easily be used in a professional gym. I love the safety arms. Allows me to do heavy lifts alone. I use it more for bench press (standard, inclined, declined) and military press then squats. Dips bar addition is wonderful. Holes are numbered and makes height changes easy and fast. Finally, no wiggle when racking weights, doing dips, or pull ups. I feel very secure with this design.”

Critical

• “Love it. However, a little tricky to decide on plate storage given a single beam setup. Going to have to do some testing to see what is best for me.”

Garage Gym Lab Review

Garage Gym Lab has not yet reviewed the Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand.

Other Options

The below racks were picked as alternatives to the Rogue SM-2.5 Squat Stand.