Research-based buying guide · Specifications checked October 9, 2026.
Measure the lowest obstacle, not the tallest ceiling
Record the underside of the garage door, tracks, opener, beam and lights through the door’s entire travel. Measure from the finished training floor: new mats or a platform reduce clearance. Tape the outside footprint including stabilizers, plate pegs and the bench in its working position. Crossmember depth is not the total footprint.
| Current manufacturer figure | What it means |
|---|---|
| PR-4000 / PR-5000 upright options | 80 or 93 in; consult configured drawing for the highest point |
| Rack nominal outside width | 50.8 in before storage or attachments |
| Ares 2.0 on an 80-in rack | 82.1 in total system height |
| Ares 2.0 on a 93-in rack | 93.9 in total system height |
| Ares 2.0 listed total width | 57.6 in; verify your selected configuration and moving parts |
Garage-fit worksheet
Use inches. Set installed height from the current drawing, including attachments. For an 80-inch rack with Ares 2.0, start with 82.1 inches.
A rack fit is not a pull-up fit
The worksheet compares static dimensions. Your head must rise above the pull-up bar; kipping adds movement, and overhead presses have a separate bar path. Mark the intended movement height using your own reach and controlled motion without a loaded bar. If headroom is inadequate, use floor-based work or another suitable pull-up location. The worksheet cannot certify anchoring, structure, slope, dynamic clearance or safe lifting.
Short bars trade width for usable loading
The Colorado Short Bar is 72 inches overall with a 51.5-inch rackable shaft and 8.9-inch sleeves. An 18-inch planning allowance on each side requires 108 inches of width, or 9 feet. A standard 86.6-inch bar needs 122.6 inches, about 10.2 feet, for the same allowance. These are chosen working allowances, not universal minimums. A tighter aisle may make plate handling awkward even when the metal fits.
For sleeve capacity, measure collar width and total plate thickness per side: usable plate length = 8.9 in − collar width − your handling margin. Do not substitute a bar’s static load rating for the number of bumper plates that physically fit.
Check REP Colorado Short BarFinish the layout before ordering
- Tape the complete configuration and test garage-door travel.
- Position the bench for unracking, incline work and cable exercises.
- Check safeties, storage pegs, plate handling and another person’s walk path.
- Match the installation manual to your rack, attachments and floor.
- Recheck the final builder drawing and delivery access.
Continue with short-bar rack fit, rack depth or the home-gym planner.
Primary sources: PR-4000; PR-5000; Ares 2.0 dimensions; Colorado Short Bar.
Research and purchase checks
We compared current US manufacturer specifications and product builders, not hands-on testing. Dimensions are manufacturer figures and may include stated manufacturing tolerances. Check the current drawing, manual, configured price, delivery charges and return terms before ordering. Prices and configurations can change.