TL;DR

Westside hole spacing means a power rack has holes drilled every 25mm (1 inch) through the bench press zone and every 50mm (2 inches) elsewhere. This gives you twice the adjustment precision where it matters most — setting your J-hooks at the exact right height for bench press. Every VERVE rack uses Westside hole spacing with laser-cut numbering on the uprights as standard.

The Concept Explained

The term "Westside hole spacing" comes from Westside Barbell, the legendary powerlifting gym in Columbus, Ohio, founded by Louie Simmons. The concept is simple: the bench press zone on a power rack — roughly from mid-chest height to just above lockout — needs finer height adjustments than the rest of the upright.

Here's why:

• When you bench press, the barbell needs to start at a height where you can comfortably unrack it without losing tightness in your upper back and shoulders
• Too high: you overextend your shoulders to reach the bar, losing arch and tension before the first rep
• Too low: you have to press the bar up before you can even clear the J-hooks, wasting energy
• The difference between "perfect" and "not quite right" can be as little as 10-20mm

With standard 50mm hole spacing, you have two options in the bench zone — and neither might be right. With Westside 25mm spacing, you have double the options, making it far more likely you'll find the exact height that works for your body, your bench setup, and your grip width.

How Westside Spacing Is Laid Out

A typical Westside-spaced upright has three zones:

1. Bottom section (floor to bench zone): Holes every 50mm. This area is used for safety bars/straps at squat depth, and 50mm precision is adequate.
2. Bench zone (roughly 600-1200mm from floor): Holes every 25mm. This is where J-hooks sit for bench press, and where you need fine-tuned positioning.
3. Top section (above bench zone): Holes every 50mm. Used for J-hooks during squats and overhead press, where 50mm spacing is sufficient.

The bench zone height varies slightly between manufacturers, but a good Westside layout covers the full range where a bench press setup would need J-hooks — accounting for different bench heights, different lifter sizes, and different bar positions (flat bench, close-grip, floor press variations).

Why Standard 50mm Spacing Falls Short

Imagine you're setting up for bench press. With 50mm spacing, hole #12 puts the J-hooks too low (you have to press up to clear them) and hole #13 puts them too high (you lose shoulder tension during unrack). You're stuck choosing the lesser of two compromises.

With 25mm spacing, there's a hole between #12 and #13 that's likely the sweet spot. Multiply this across dozens of members of different heights and bench setups in a commercial gym, and the value of Westside spacing becomes obvious.

Beyond Bench Press: Other Benefits

While the bench zone is the primary beneficiary, Westside spacing helps with other movements too:

• Safety bar/strap positioning: Finer adjustment means you can set safeties at the exact right height to catch a failed bench press without the bar crushing you, while still being low enough to not interfere with your range of motion.
• Rack pulls and pin presses: Exercises performed at specific heights benefit from more precise barbell positioning.
• Board press alternatives: Instead of using boards to change the range of motion, you can adjust J-hook height in smaller increments.

Laser-Cut Numbering: The Companion Feature

Westside hole spacing is most useful when combined with numbered holes. If every hole is labelled with a number, you can record your exact setup (e.g., "J-hooks on hole 22, safeties on hole 16") and replicate it perfectly every session.

All VERVE racks feature laser-cut numbering on the uprights as standard. The numbers are cut into the steel, not printed or stickered, so they don't wear off over time.

Which VERVE Racks Use Westside Spacing?

All of them. Every VERVE rack and rig shares the same 75x75mm upright system with Westside hole spacing:

• Satori Power Rack
• Zen Power Rack
• Commercial Half Rack
• Wall Mounted Folding Squat Rack
• Tori Functional Trainer Rack (standard and short)
• Ozeki Rack
• IPF Combo Rack
• All VERVE rig uprights (2.3m, 2.75m, 3.5m)

This universal upright system also means every VERVE attachment — J-hooks, safety straps, dip handles, plate storage, band pegs — works across every rack in the range. Buy any rack now, upgrade later, and your attachments carry over.

What About Hole Diameter?

In addition to hole spacing, hole diameter matters for attachment compatibility. VERVE racks use 18mm holes (confirmed on the Zen). This is a common commercial standard that provides a snug fit for J-hooks and accessories while allowing smooth adjustment.

If you're comparing racks from different brands, check that the hole diameter matches the attachments you plan to use. Non-standard hole sizes can leave you locked into a single brand's (often limited) accessory range.

How to Use Westside Spacing for Your Bench Setup

1. Set your bench position: Place your bench inside the rack where you'll press.
2. Lie down in your pressing position: Full arch, shoulder blades retracted, feet planted.
3. Extend your arms: With empty hands, reach up to where the barbell would be at arm's length (lockout position).
4. Set J-hooks just below lockout: You want to unrack by extending your arms with minimal lift-off. The bar should clear the J-hooks with only slight arm extension.
5. Test with an empty bar: Unrack and re-rack a few times. If it feels like you're reaching or pressing up to clear the hooks, adjust down one hole (25mm). If you're banging the hooks on re-rack, adjust up one hole.
6. Record the number: Once you find your spot, note the laser-cut hole number for future sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Westside hole spacing mean?

Westside hole spacing means a power rack has holes every 25mm (1 inch) in the bench press zone and every 50mm (2 inches) in the squat/overhead zone. This gives you finer J-hook and safety bar adjustment where precision matters most — during bench press.

Do all power racks have Westside spacing?

No. Budget racks often have uniform 50mm spacing throughout, or even wider spacing. Westside spacing is a feature of quality commercial-grade racks. All VERVE racks include it as standard.

Does Westside spacing matter for squats?

Less than for bench press. Most squat setups have more tolerance for J-hook height (you can quarter-squat the bar out of the hooks if needed). However, the finer spacing is still useful for finding the most comfortable unrack height, especially for lifters with mobility limitations.

Can I add Westside spacing to an existing rack?

Not practically. Drilling additional holes into an existing rack compromises the structural integrity of the uprights and voids any warranty. If your current rack doesn't have Westside spacing, upgrading to a rack that does is the only safe option.