If you’re new to strength training or new to the gym in general, the squat rack can be an extremely intimidating piece of equipment. The last thing anyone wants is to feel lost at the gym, so I’m here with a full breakdown!

In this quick video, I talk all about how to adjust the squat rack for your own body and my top safety and etiquette tips.

Top tips:

  • Adjust the bar below shoulder height anytime you put the bar on your back. That is the safest placement for starting your lift – you always want your feet to be flat on the ground
  • Utilize the safety bars, especially if you don’t have a spotter.
  • After adding weight to the bar, always secure it in place using a clamp. *Always make sure you have the exact same weight on both sides!
  • Get a barbell pad and use it as often as possible.
  • For pull-ups: invest in a variety of bands to support you from light-medium resistance

If you’re looking for more fitness content check out my fitness blogs. I love breaking down all your popular questions and the latest fitness myths.

If you’re interested in strength training but not sure where to start, I designed 16 weeks of gym-based workouts to make it super easy to navigate the gym. The gym is not just for the guys! So many women have found success using GOOD // SWEAT Strength 1.0 and 2.0 to get stronger than ever.

Read more about the guides here, and make sure to check out some of the reviews!


Welcome! I’m Rachael.

I enjoy sharing my love for food and fitness. I'm a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and a New York Times Bestselling author. Here you'll find all kinds of recipes and kitchen hacks, as well as workouts and fitness motivation. Enjoy! — xx Rachael

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