The 10 Best Dip Stations
This wiki has been updated 36 times since it was first published in July of 2015. Fitness equipment doesn't have to be complicated, bulky or expensive to provide you with an effective workout. A sturdy frame with a pair of comfortable grips can work wonders when it comes to muscle growth and maintenance. Not only will most of these dip stands endure vigorous daily use, but they can be installed just about anywhere, which means you'll have no excuse for skipping a workout. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. ProsourceFit Pro
2. Body-Solid GDIP59
3. XMark XM-4443
Editor's Notes
May 20, 2021:
We found that most of our previous picks for this list were still doing a good job holding their own, but we did notice that the Wacces Functional Fitness was experiencing some availability issues, and we weren’t sure about this model’s stability, so we went ahead and removed it from our rankings, for the time being.
In its place, we added the Slsy Wall Mounted, which comes with two sets of brackets, so you can hang it from different heights, which makes this model just as effective as a chin-up bar. It’s also equipped with convenient anchor points for resistance bands or a punching bag, and it can purportedly handle an impressive 600 pounds — although the company turns around in the same breath and says that it’s recommended for athletes who weigh half of that, which seems overly cautious, to say the least. For the right location, this option could be a fantastic piece of multifunctional equipment, but it should be installed in a brick or concrete wall, and not hung from drywall or plaster.
We also replaced the ProsourceFit Lite with an upgraded option from the company: the ProsourceFit Pro. We chose to make the switch because, while the Pro model doesn’t cost all that much more than the Lite, it does feature a much higher maximum height (its lowest level still bests the Lite model’s top setting), and its design makes it much easier to adjust. Plus, it has a pair of cushioned push-up handles attached to its base.
There’s no doubt that you can use a dip station to give your triceps a killer workout, but if you’ve got enough room in your budget and you think you’d be better served by a multifunctional solution with a similar footprint that can offer you a full upper-body workout, then you might want to give some thought to investing in a power tower, instead.
March 03, 2020:
For this update, we kept the Body-Solid Commercial as our top pick, though we changed the purchase link to the most current model. It’s still pretty pricey,, but as far as dip stations go, you'll have a hard time finding a more rock-solid piece of equipment. If you’ve got the money, we would highly recommend purchasing this unit.
We replaced the Valor Fitness EB-28 with the Prosource Fit, a similar two-piece station, but with the addition of an adjoining bar that connects them into one cohesive unit. It’s also a bit more affordable.
We also removed the Sunny Health SF-BH6507. In addition to having some quality control issues, we just had several superior options of the same type. We replaced it with the Balance Multi Stand, a heavy-duty option that can handle 500 pounds, the most weight of any on our list. This would be great for anyone ready to add some more resistance to their workout by using a dip belt.
If you're unsure about what type of dip station to purchase, consider these factors:
Heavy-duty style stations, like the XMark Uprights, Yaheetech Stand, or Body-Solid Commercial are really only good at one thing - performing dips. They tend to weigh more, but this adds to their stability, allowing them to be taller, and giving you more freedom of movement. Their lack of versatility makes them best suited as an addition to a home gym that already has a selection of other equipment.
Tubular bar-style options, on the other hand, like the Ultimate Body Press, Lebert Fitness Equalizer, or Wacces Functional Fitness, might not be as stable, but their open frames make them useful for a greater variety of exercises. They can be used to perform bodyweight rows, or for attaching Olympic rings to use for push up variations. They also tend to be more affordable than heavy-duty models. These would be ideal for someone who wants to use their station for more of a well-rounded routine.
For those looking for even more versatility, and want to add pull-ups to your program, a Workout Power Tower might be more of what you're looking for.
Special Honors
Fitness Giant This company offers a wide range of exercise equipment, including an assortment of a dozen dip stations. Their options look to be high quality, but some are on the pricey side, so this may not be the route to go on a budget. fitnessgiant.com
Iron Company This women-owned small business offers a variety of dip solutions, including designated stations, power towers, and even an adapter for squat racks. The website also features a podcast an a fairly expansive blog full of fitness-relate articles that some users may find interesting or helpful. ironcompany.com
4. Ultimate Body Press Fitness Station
5. Yaheetech Stand
6. Trademark Innovations Fitness
7. Lebert Fitness Equalizer
8. Slsy Wall Mounted
9. Fuel Performance Deluxe
10. Balance Multi Stand
What To Look For In A Dip Station
In addition, if multiple people of varying sizes will be using the station, it would be wise to invest in a model with adjustable height and adaptable grip widths.
Whether you’re looking to add the next component to your existing home gym, or you simply need that first piece of equipment to ignite a new fitness routine, you won’t regret going with a dip station. It’s functional, versatile, economical, and easy to install — all you need is a little bit of space and the motivation to continually reap its benefits.
While it’s true that power towers offer you the opportunity to perform a more diverse array of exercises, dip stations are simple and affordable. They’re also lighter, easier to move around, and give you the ability to work on more parts of your body than you likely realize.
When you choose a model, the most important consideration is size. There’s no industry standard size for dip stations; one station could work wonderfully for you, but that same piece of equipment may be useless to someone of a significantly different height and weight. Look for bars with a width between them that more or less matches your shoulder span — bars that are too wide or too narrow will impede your range of motion and limit the effectiveness of the exercise.
In addition, if multiple people of varying sizes will be using the station, it would be wise to invest in a model with adjustable height and adaptable grip widths. With these, you can rotate the handles outwards for a wider grip or inwards for a narrower grip.
You’ll want to ensure the station’s overall load capacity will be able to support the weight of all potential users. A solid base of support is crucial, as well, as it’s essential that you remain steady as you perform dips to get the most out of your workout and prevent injuries.
It may not matter if it’s in the garage, but if you’re setting up your station on a nice surface, a model covered in rubber or neoprene will help prevent damage to the floor. It also helps with practicality and comfort if the bars are designed with these materials, as they’ll provide you with a firmer hold and ensure a softer feel on your palms.
A Powerful Upper Body Workout
Many educated workout enthusiasts consider dips one of the best upper body exercises out there. Think about dips as pushups on steroids — whereas pushups target a ton of muscles while you lift a portion of your body weight, dips engage similar areas as you lift your full body weight.
Adjust your tempo by doing them slowly — or even pause in the middle of a rep — to challenge your muscles more.
A compound push motion that puts the most emphasis on your triceps, the dip also engages your shoulders, forearms, and lower chest. From balancing and stabilizing yourself on the handles to lowering and raising your body, all of these muscles face resistance and contract for the duration of the movement.
Consider this often overlooked benefit of incorporating dips into your regimen: you can’t outgrow it. Using a dip belt, you can add unlimited weight to an already challenging exercise, which is instrumental in helping you gain strength and build muscle mass over time.
Standard dips are great (especially with added weight), but you can easily modify them to target different areas or make them even more difficult. Adjust your tempo by doing them slowly — or even pause in the middle of a rep — to challenge your muscles more. You can control the impact on your chest by leaning forward (more chest) or leaning backward (less chest). By using a narrow hand grip, you’ll put more emphasis on your triceps.
If your solitary fitness goal is a sculpted body with bulging muscles, we’re not here to judge you. But even if you already resemble Adonis, you stand to benefit from increasing your flexibility — something dips are great for. They also help strengthen your joints and stabilize your muscles, making you less susceptible to injuries.
The Importance Of Proper Technique
When performing dips, using the correct form is a key part of avoiding pain and potential injury. Before you get started, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind. You should position your shoulders back and down; don’t shrug them or let them roll forward. Use a strong, full grip when squeezing the bars. Keep your head in line with your torso, and don’t overarch your lower back.
Finally, finish by balancing yourself with your shoulders above your hands and locking your elbows again.
When you’re ready to start, the process is pretty simple. First, position yourself on the bars with locked elbows, then lower your body with your torso leaning slightly forward by bending your arms. Next, keep lowering yourself until your shoulders are just below your elbows, before lifting your body back up by straightening your arms. Finally, finish by balancing yourself with your shoulders above your hands and locking your elbows again.
Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can begin focusing on some more specialized techniques for maximizing the efficacy of your workouts. In terms of grip, push the heels of your palms into the bars and keep your wrists and forearms straight to increase strength and prevent wrist pain. You should also keep your forearms vertical at all times for the same reason.
Try to lock your elbows at the beginning and end of each rep. By failing to straighten your arms and lock your elbows, you’re not completing the rep — and you're significantly reducing the rewards of your efforts in the process.
Newcomers to the world of dipping are often confused about what to do with their legs. The easy answer: whatever’s most comfortable for you. Performing dips with straight legs helps keep your lower back neutral, but this is difficult if your dip station features bars that are rather low. In this situation, it’s totally fine to bend your legs, just make sure to neutralize your lower back by squeezing your glutes and abs during the exercise.
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.