portable dip bars

The 9 Best Portable Dip Bars of 2021

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If you’re looking for a muscular chest, shoulders, and triceps, dips are the answer. This relatively simple piece of equipment will be a welcome addition to your home gym. To do dips, you’ll need a portable dip machine to develop all your muscle groups. Working out on this kind of equipment from home, you’re going to want something lightweight and sturdy enough to last under your weight. 

In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the top 9 dip bars that I feel fit that criteria. For many people, choosing the right dip bars can be a bit of a daunting task. By the time you finish reading this article, you should have all the details you need to make an informed decision.

The Best Dip Bars of 2021

Ultimate Body Press Fitness Station

Ultimate Body Press Fitness Station

This is an adjustable height station that allows two different width positions. Because the frame is compact, it is ideal for storage in small spaces. With the fast color-coded spring-tab assembly, you can put this equipment together quickly without using any tools. To keep the station level, you can use the quick-adjust leveling feet. 


To properly support your bodyweight rows, the dip bars' grips come angled. It ergonomically supports the chest, shoulders, arms, and core. With additional accessories sold separately, you can increase your resistance with trainers, or a weighted dip belt. Also available are online guides to make sure that you get the most out of this equipment. Strengthen your lower back with weighted dips, L-sits, and knee raises. 


Product Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 24 x 36 x 36
  • Weight: 17.8 lbs

PROS

  • Fast and easily assembled
  • No need for screws or screwdrivers
  • Portable with a one piece design

CONS

  • Some have experienced slight shakiness
  • The paint can be scraped off when bumped into walls or other items

Fuel Pureformance Deluxe Dip Station

Fuel Pureformance Deluxe Dip Station

Built with 12 and 14-gauge steel construction, this model promises durability with gussets and a powder-coated finish. With an open, pass-through design, you can engage in a versatile number of exercises. Strengthen your triceps by performing chest dips. Build up your forearms, back and biceps doing pull-ups, holding the bars.


With the Olympic rings on the Deluxe Dip Station, you can do chest flyes, targeting the chest muscles. There are three different models of these dip bars, so if you want the one with Olympic Rings, go for the more expensive option.

 

Product Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 29.92 x 24.8 x 38.58
  • Item Weight: 30.5 pounds

PROS

  • Light enough to move around your home, but stable enough to support your max weight
  • Wider hand grips as not to bruise your palms

CONS

  • The plastic feet can crack and require replacement early in the life cycle
  • Rough edges on the dip bars might need to be sanded down to avoid injury

GOPLUS Dip Bars 

GOPLUS Dip Bars

Built out of premium powder-coated steel construction, this weighted dip station can hold up for a long time under rigorous workouts. With a compact size, you can move it to wherever you wish without much effort.

 

When not in use, store it effortlessly under your bed or in your closet. Perform dips and other body weight exercises with ease using the foam-padded handgrips. The non-slip rubber coat keeps the station from sliding around on the floor during use.


This exercise equipment is easily assembled, connecting the parts by tightening the screws with nuts and bolts. These dip bars also include a pair of slings, providing you with an opportunity to do a range of exercises, including push-ups, back rows, leg swings, and knee raises.


Product Specifications 

  • Item Dimensions: 32.5 x 27 x 37.5
  • Product Weight: 22 lbs
  • Weight Capacity 264 lbs

PROS

  • One of the best bars on the market.
  • Easy assembly
  • Supports several different exercises

CONS

  • Not the sturdiest
  • Can be wobbly or noisy during use

F2C 440lbs Heavy Duty Bicep Tricep Exercise Training Dipping Station

F2C 440lbs Heavy Duty Bicep Tricep Exercise Training Dipping Station

This dip station was forged out of heavy-duty iron to provide durability and sturdiness. This model has an unusually high user weight support of 440 pounds. So, if you’re a heavier trainer, this is the dip station for you.


The one piece body of this equipment is lightweight, which makes it easy to move from one place to the next. The compact size also allows for easy storage without taking up too much space in your home gym. The rubber feet keep your gear in place, so it doesn’t slide and ruin your floors. This item has a pass-through design so you can achieve a variety of workouts. It’s also easy to build, constructed out of powder-coated steel.


Product Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 39.37 x 25.59 x 53.34
  • Product Weight: 31 lbs

PROS

  • Affordable Dip Bars
  • Easy Assembly
  • Good paint and finish

CONS

  • The dip bars may flex as you push up
  • Some have complained of wobbly and unstable design

Wacces Functional Fitness Station Stabilizer Dip Stands

Wacces Functional Fitness Station Stabilizer Dip Stands

This set of dip bars comes with a 16-inch long safety connector, rubber feet, and padded grip handles, this dip station provides safety and stability. As a lightweight, portable model, it is easy to stack and store. You can use this equipment for multiple purposes, including dips, pushups, pullups, L-sits, and bench presses.


These stands were created out of heavy-duty tubing capable of supporting as much as 400 lbs. This model allows you to adjust the width and take full control of your bodyweight exercises for greater muscle strength and endurance. You can adjust the bar height in case you require it to be a little higher off the ground. It also has molded rubber feet to prevent scratches to your floors.

PROS

  • Appealing aesthetic
  • Sturdy build
  • Decent dip bars for taller people

CONS

  • Some have said this model is too narrow and you have to exercise caution when doing dips and other exercises

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-BH6507 Dip Station

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-BH6507 Dip Station

These dip bars, like others in this list, comes with a durable one piece steel frame. One of its main draws is the adjustable safety connector that allows you to extend the width from 20 inches to 28 inches.


Without angled grips, you can sculpt your arms, chest, and shoulders with this fitness station. Multiple styles of dip exercises are possible. Included are also soft foam handles to prevent slippage and bruising. This model has a user weight capacity of 250 pounds.


Product Specifications

  • Item Dimensions: 46.3 x 26.4 x 29.5 Inches
  • Item Weight: 18.17 lbs

PROS

  • Durable foam padding
  • Excellent build quality
  • It's a good size for most average users

CONS

  • Bar height cannot be modified but it does have adjustable width
  • Might not be advisable for taller users

ProsourceFit Dip Stand

ProsourceFit Dip Stand

The ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station gives you the ability to train your core and entire upper body without having to buy expensive weights. This model is surprisingly light though it has been constructed out of durable iron. This model is adjustable to accommodate all body types.


Not only is this model easy to assemble, but it is also just as easy to break it down for extra portability. The ultra-sturdy iron tubes are connected with a stabilizing safety connector so you can exercise without the worry of falling. This model comes in red, yellow, or black, so you can find one that matches the color theme of your home gym.


Product Specifications:

  • Item Dimensions: 16 x 31 x 24 Inches
  • Item Weight: 23.5 lbs

PROS

  • Very easy to put together
  • Great price
  • Lightweight and easy to move or store
  • Details on how to use are included

CONS

  • Making adjustments can be difficult because of the tight fit between pieces
  • Can be wobbly when set up on a carpet

Lebert Fitness Equalizer Total Body Strengthener

Lebert Fitness Equalizer Total Body Strengthener

This fitness equipment is a simple, portable, multi-purpose bodyweight training set. If provides multiple ways you can strengthen your core, burn fat, and build lean muscle. All you require are these two bars to get a full-body workout in. Do a range of exercises, such as pull ups, tricep dips, L-sits, knee and leg raises, and more. 


This gym equipment is easy to assemble, easy to store, stable, versatile, and lightweight. The stainless steel bars come with solid foam grips and provide a stable grip for minimal arm and hand fatigue. The body weight exercises available on these bars are suitable for beginners and more experienced users alike.

PROS

  • Very easy to put together the separate bars and start using
  • Comes with exercise DVDs to get the most out of your equipment

CONS

  • Not always stable for some users
  • Not as suitable for taller users

AmazonBasics Dip Fitness Bar

AmazonBasics Dip Fitness Bar

This one piece fitness dip station comes with slip-free padded grips for a comfortable hold while exercising. The grips run up and over the top sections for extended coverage. This model is compatible with straps and push-up rings, but they’re not included. This quality dip station is made from heavy duty steel and has a high 661-pound weight capacity. It’s lightweight and portable, allowing you to easily carry it from one place to another.


It supports a wide range of exercises to build muscle strength. It’s perfect for leg raises and tricep dips. With your feet on the floor, you can do exercises such as armpit dips, back rows, and whole planks. Also included are floor pads to ensure non-slip placement and to protect against scratches. Use it in your basement, your garage gym, or even take it to a friend’s house.


Product Specifications:

  • Item Dimensions: 34.25 x 32.5 x 38.39 Inches
  • Item Weight: 22 lbs

PROS

  • Very sturdy for quality dips and inverted rows
  • Easy to put together with the instructions and tools included
  • Great value and quality for the cost.
  • Very high weight capacity

CONS

  • The footprint, when set up, is somewhat large
  • Not very easy to break down when you want to store it
  • Can be wobbly depending on your equipment

Tips for Working Out at Home

Now that you’ve decided on a high quality dip station for home use, here are some items you might want to consider when starting to train. 

There are quite a few different exercises you can do on each of the models listed above. The most common, of course, is dips. Dips are one of the best body weight exercises and they don’t require individual guidance to do correctly. 

The next exercise you might want to try is inverted rows when you lie beneath and use the equipment as a pull up bar. This is excellent for your biceps, forearms, and back muscles. 

Then you should try knee raises or L-sits. These exercises will work your core and develop your upper body. As you make progress working out with your dip bar, you can try more advanced exercises to isolate other parts of your body.

Sample Dip Station Workout

Here’s an example of an effective workout you can do with your shiny new fitness equipment:

You can do these exercises in supersets, meaning you can move quickly from exercise to exercise without taking a break for added intensity on different muscle groups. You can do as many reps as you can minus two. So, if you burn out at ten dips, do only 8. 

Do five seconds worth of an L-sit. If it’s too difficult for you to keep your legs fully extended, you might want to bend your knees. 

Together, the workout should look like this:

  • 1 Set of Dips
  • 1 Set of Inverted Rows
  • 1 L-Sit

Do each of these items for five rows with a 1-minute rest in between. You might want to introduce some lower body work like squats to work out your legs more thoroughly. You’ll want to make sure to maintain the correct form each exercise to get the most out of your training.

How to do Dips Correctly?

Conclusion

Out of all of the Dip Bars discussed in the article, I would recommend Sunny Health & Fitness SF-BH6507. It’s lightweight, easy to store, and adaptable, all of the things you might be looking for.

The CoreX bar covers all the needs that a home gym dip station has to have. For the price of one or two gym memberships, you can have a piece of equipment that will last you a lifetime of training, no matter how advanced you become.

This covers all the needs you might have for a home gym dip station. Always check the customer reviews before purchasing.

Questions and Answers

Are dip bars good?

When you use dip bars, otherwise known as dip stations, that are very versatile pieces of equipment that work almost all of the muscles in the upper body. If you don’t have much space for working out at home, a small dip station may be a suitable choice.

How to make dip bars at home?

The best way to make dip bars at home is using PVC pipe, with PVC elbows, end caps, and connectors. You can purchase the items inexpensively at a hardware store, included the necessary hacksaw, ratchet  cutter, goggles, and gloves. For a more precise breakdown of the steps, check this how-to guide

How tall should a Dip Bar be?

It is advised that the handles of a dip station be between 3 to 6 feet tall, so there will be enough space to perform a dip exercise adequately. 

How do you use a Dip Bar?

Check the videos above to learn how to maintain proper form when doing dips on a dip bar. 

Are dips better than pushups?

In general, dips are a little harder on your shoulders than pushups. Pushups are a more horizontal motion pressing on your pecs, triceps, and shoulders. 

What muscles does a dip bar work?

Doing dips on a dip bar primarily works your triceps, with the significant synergists being the pectoral muscles, the anterior deltoid, the rhomboid muscles in the back, and the pectoralis muscles (the sternal, clavicular, and the minor). 

What’s the best dip bar for calisthenics?

I would recommend the GOPLUS Dip Bars Fitness Dip Station. You can find out more about this equipment above, then take a look at the customer reviews.

How far apart should dip bars be?

The width between your elbows, so your arms are almost fully vertical when extended.