8 Best Portable Dip Bars & Dip Stations for Home Gym

When most people think of gear for their home gyms, they think of things like dumbbells or ab rollers. There are plenty of other great pieces of equipment, though, including dip bars that you can use for a full-body workout.

Described below are some of the best portable dip bars & dip stations for home workouts. You’ll also learn about the benefits dip bars have to offer and how you can start using them.

1. XMark Fitness Dip Station

This dip station from XMark Fitness is one of the strongest and sturdiest options on this list (and available on the market today). These bars can support up to 500 pounds of weight and are made of heavy-duty steel. They’re very sturdy and don’t wobble or slide around, making them a good fit for home gyms with almost any type of floor.

The XMark dip bars have 2″ cushioned grips to comfortably accommodate a variety of hand sizes while also preventing slipping. They are heavier than some other options, weighing in at 57 pounds, so they might be a bit trickier to move, and they’re less portable. What they lack in transportability, though, they make up for in their stability.

2. ProSourceFit Dip Stand Station

This set of adjustable dip bars from ProSourceFit works well for people of various heights. The easy adjustability makes this a good station for doing different types of exercises beyond dips, too.

These bars are very lightweight, weighing in at just 23.5 pounds. They’re powder-coated and made of iron, though, so you won’t have to worry about them wobbling, tipping over, or rusting. They’re extra durable and can support up to 400 pounds easily.

With extended rubber feet, there’s little risk for slipping, and these bars will hold steady on many different floor types. The dip station comes with an additional stability feature, too, in the form of an extendable safety connector.

3. Lebert Fitness Equalizer

The Lebert Fitness Equalizer is a smaller-than-average dip station, making it a perfect fit for those who don’t want a piece of equipment that takes up a lot of space. It comes in six different colors and is very lightweight, so it’s easy to move around and store. It’s also one of the best portable dip stations that you can take with you on the go for travel workouts.

These dip bars come with padded grips to help you stabilize yourself and avoid slipping while working on dips or other exercises. The set has a high weight capacity (it supports up to 400 pounds) but is only available in one height, so it may be difficult for very tall people to use comfortably.

4. Ultimate Body Press Dip Bar Fitness Station

This home dip bar station from Ultimate Body Press is a portable, simple, straightforward option that will fit into almost any home gym. It doesn’t take up much room and even folds up for easy storage.

The Ultimate Body Press dip station is three feet tall and can be used by exercisers who are up to 6’6” in height and weigh up to 350 pounds. It’s accessible to a wide range of people and can be adjusted to fit many different body types.

There are some potential drawbacks to this station. Even though it can support heavier weights, it’s not as sturdy as some other options on the list. It has a higher-than-average price, too.

5. Fuel Performance Deluxe Dip Station

This dip station from Fuel Performance is a great minimalist piece of equipment that takes up very little space. It can easily be incorporated into almost any home gym.

Fuel Performance’s dip bars are made of 14-gauge steel and have a powder-coated finish to prevent rusting. The bars themselves are highly durable, although their plastic-coated feet have been known to crack slightly over time.

These bars are a little less than three feet in height (35 inches). They’re good for those who are of average height or shorter, but some tall people find them to be difficult to use. They can also be tricky to put together, and many people report that their assembly instructions are confusing.

6. Body-Solid Dip Station

At 53 inches in height, this free-standing dip station from Body-Solid is a great option for those who want a taller set of dip bars. It’s made of heavy-gauge steel and features slip-proof rubber handles around the one-inch bars. It weighs 44 pounds and features textured feet, too, making it a sturdy, stable choice.

A potential downside to this station is that it takes up more room than some of the other options on this list. If you’re working with a small space, this set of dip bars might feel too big. Some have complained that the assembly instructions are confusing as well.

7. Fringe Sport OneFitWonder Wall-Mount Dip Bars

This set of wall-mounted dip bars is the perfect solution for those looking to take up as little space in their home gym as possible. They’re relatively small and can be folded up or down after use to minimize their footprint even further.

These bars are made of 14-gauge steel. They’re made to last and can support up to 600 pounds. They also feature a tapered design and allow users to adjust the width of their grip for increased comfort and better target various muscle groups.

Despite being able to support a lot of weight, Fringe Sport’s wall-mounted dips only weigh 25 pounds, so you can feel confident that they’ll stay mounted to the wall once they’ve been attached. Because they’re wall-mounted, they’re a bit more complicated to assemble than some other bars. However, most users find that the extra effort is well worth the end result.

8. AmazonBasics Dip Bar

This dip bar from AmazonBasics is one of the simplest, most straightforward options on this list. Despite its basic and lightweight design, it’s still a heavy-duty dip station that can support up to 661 pounds.

These bars are made of steel and are extra durable. They feature foam grips on the handles for extra support and to prevent slipping as well. They’re very affordable, and their minimalist design makes them extra versatile.

Some users complain that the assembly for these bars is a bit tricky. They’ve found that the bolt holes are not as well-aligned as they would like. They’re also not adjustable or collapsible, so they take up more space than some other popular home dip bar setups.

Home Dip Bar Buying Guide

There are tons of different dip bars and dip stand options from which you can choose. When deciding which set will work best for your home gym, there are a few factors to keep in mind, including the following:

Dip Bar Height

One of the most important things to consider when buying a set of dip bars is their height. This is especially important for folks who are very tall.

In general, most dip bars aren’t designed for people who are over 6’6” tall. If you fall into this category or are close to the 6’6” mark, you may have to experiment with a few different dip bar setups to find one that works for you.

Adjustable dip stands can be helpful when it comes to overcoming the height obstacle. The same is also true for wall-mounted options. With a wall-mounted set, you can decide on the optimal height for you and set it up so that it works perfectly for your body type.

Dip Bar Weight Limit

Consider the weight limit of your dip bars, too, before you make a purchase. The best and sturdiest dip bars will be able to accommodate quite a bit of weight without you having to worry about them tipping over or bending.

Pay attention to each set’s weight limit before making a decision. If you’re technically under the weight limit but are close to it (e.g., the bars can support up to 300 pounds and you weigh 290), you might want to look for a set with a higher limit.

If you do this, you can rest easy and get your workout on while knowing you’re well supported. You also won’t have to worry as much about any wobbling, sliding, or other stability issues.

Width Between Bars

The width between the dip bars matters as well. You should be able to fit comfortably between the bars so you can perform dips and other exercises with ease. If the space between the bars is too narrow, you’ll have a hard time using them properly.

For those who have concerns about width, look for a set of dip bars that is adjustable. One that features a tapered design can be useful as well, so you can change your grip accordingly.

Dip Bar Stability

Nobody wants to worry about their dip stand tipping over or sliding around on the floor while they’re using it. Lightweight dip bars are portable and great for travel, but they can also be a bit less stable than those that are heavier. A heavier set will be less prone to movement and may last longer than a lighter option.

Consider the assembly process for your dip bars, too. That can have a significant effect on their stability.

Does everything line up properly when you’re putting the bars together? Do they screw together tightly and feel secure? If this isn’t the case, you might be setting yourself up for a wobbly feeling when you start trying to practice dips and other exercises. 

You may also want to look for bars that have some kind of rubber or textured gripping agent on the bottom. That can help to minimize the risk of sliding, especially if you’re setting them up on a wood floor or another slick surface.

Dip Bar Materials

The best dip bars are often made of heavy-duty material like steel or iron. Be wary of plastic bars, as they’re often less durable and won’t hold as much weight. They might be more prone to cracking and bending as well.

If you’re purchasing a set of metal bars, you may want to check that they’re powder coated. Powder-coated bars are less likely to rust, which is a nice bonus if you’re going to be using them outdoors or in your garage. This is especially beneficial if you live a humid climate. 

Grip Quality

Many dip bar sets feature foam or rubber grips that you can hold onto while using them. These grips should be fairly thick so that they provide adequate support. At the same time, though, if they’re too thick, they may be difficult to hold, especially for those who have smaller hands.

Consider how the grips feel when using your bars before you commit to a specific set long-term. If they’re too thick or don’t have enough texture to them, they might end up having a negative impact on your workouts.

Portability and Storage

If you have a small home gym space, you might be worried that your dip bars will take up too much room. It’s true that some dip bar sets are rather large, but there are also plenty of portable and easy-to-store solutions.

If you have concerns about space, look for a collapsible set that can be folded up and set against the wall or stored in a closet until you’re ready to use them. You might want to look into a wall-mounted option as well.

Wall-mounted bars are extremely convenient and take up very little space. This is especially true when you’re able to fold them up against the wall when you’re finished.

FAQs About Using Dip Bars

You might still have some questions about dip bars before you move forward with purchasing a set for your home gym. Below are answers to some of the dip bar questions we receive most often to help you decide if they’re right for you:

What Is a Dip Station Used For?

A set of dip bars is the perfect piece of equipment that you can use for a full-body workout. It’s highly versatile and helps you target a wide range of large and small muscle groups.

The most obvious dip bar exercise you can do is, of course, a bodyweight dip. They’re great for plenty of other strength exercises, though, including the following: 

• Inverted rows
• Modified push-ups
• Modified plank holds
• Leg raises
• Biceps curls
• Kneeling tricep extensions
• Tricep dips
• Knee raises
• Hip extensions

The more you practice with your dip bars, the more prepared you’ll be to do more advanced exercises, too. Lots of people use them to practice gymnastics-style movements, including things like handstands.

What Muscles Does a Dip Bar Work?

Dip bars are primarily used to target the muscles of the upper body. Some of the primary muscles you’ll strengthen when performing a bodyweight dip include the triceps, the pectoralis major, the anterior deltoid (front part of the shoulder), and the anconeus muscle (a muscle located at your elbow that helps you extend the forearm).

You can use dip bars to strengthen other muscles as well. For example, when doing inverted rows on a set of dip bars, you can strengthen your back muscles, including the latissimus dorsi and rhomboids, and the biceps. Dips bars can help you strengthen your core muscles, too, when you use them for exercises like L-sits and modified planks.

Are Dip Bars Good for Beginners?

Some people might shy away from dip bars at first, assuming that they’re only meant for more advanced exercisers. Indeed, you can do a lot of advanced exercises using a set of dip bars, but they’re also good for beginners. Just about everyone can benefit from adding a set of dip bars to their home gym.

Beginners who can’t yet do exercises like pull-ups and push-ups on their own can use dip bars to perform modified versions, for example. An inverted row helps you to strengthen your back muscles and prepare for a pull-up, and placing your hands on the bars instead of the floor when doing a push-up is much easier than trying to do one from the floor.

Are Dip Bars Worth It?

For most people, the answer to this question is a resounding yes! Dip bars are highly versatile and can be used for all kinds of exercises. They come in lots of different styles, too, so it’s easy to find a set that works for your specific needs, preferences, and budget.

If you have limited space in your home gym and want to work on a variety of bodyweight exercises, a set of dip bars would make a great investment. They’re more cost-effective than a lot of other pieces of exercise equipment, and they’re good for beginners as well as advanced exercisers.

Sample Dip Bar Workout Plan

Here’s how you can program a quick and effective workout plan using your dip bar.

All exercises will be done in supersets. For each exercise, do as many reps as you can do minus two. So if you can do 10 dips, do 8.

The L-sit is done for time. Do five seconds less than your best hold time. If you find the version with both legs extended too hard, just extend one or bend them at the knees.

The workout will look like this:

• Dips x 1 set
• Bodyweight rows x 1 set
• L-sit x 1 set

Repeat for five rounds with 1-minute rest between. If you want to add some lower body work like squats, feel free to do so. I know it looks simple, but after five rounds, you’ll be down to just a few reps on each exercise.

Don’t forget to keep the proper form for all the exercises to get the most out of your training.

Dip Bar Workout for Men

Dip Bar Workout for Women

 

Get the Best Dip Station for Your Home Gym Today

Are you ready to buy a home dip station? If you keep the information listed above in mind, you’ll have no trouble choosing a great one.

Of all these options, we’ve decided that the XMark Fitness Dip Station is the best set of dip bars for home workouts. It’s very sturdy, works well for people of all heights, and can easily support a lot of weight (up to 500 pounds).

For those who need a more budget-friendly option, consider the ProSourceFit Dip Stand instead. It’s lightweight but also quite sturdy and can support up to 400 pounds.

Last update on 2024-10-29 UTC -5 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API - Details