The 7 Best Portable Dip Bar or Station

This updated guide reviews all of the best portable dip bars this year.

Have you ever wondered…

What’s the best piece of home gym equipment in the world?

Our opinion? The Portable Dip Bar. It nails each and every aspect one can possibly think of.

Price? Check. Versatility? Check. Portability? Check. And that’s just the beginning.

If you’re not convinced, and chances are you’re not, read on ahead. Step by step, we’ll guide you through our list of best portable dip bars.

And then, you can go through a list of reasons why and how you can buy the best one in our Buyer’s Guide. So, if you’re ready, let’s hop into it:

Best Portable Dip Bars – My Top Picks

1.

Ultimate Body Press Dip Bar Fitness Station

• Great for both tall and short people up to 6’ 5 feet
• Allows 2 width positions and weights up to 350 pounds
• Easy assembly/disassembly without any tools which takes 2-4 minutes max
• Pass-through design allows greater range and types of exercises
• Comes with 10 years manufacturer’s warranty against defects

This dip station is a great choice if you’ve got tall members or people of varying heights and sizes using the dip station. It supports 2 width positions and stands 3 feet tall which allows it to support people up to 6’5 tall and 350 pounds heavy. It takes up very little space, can be assembled without tools within 2-4 minutes, and allows almost all forms of exercises including full bodyweight rows.

2.

Black Mountain Products Heavy Duty Stand 3000-Pound Rated Dip Station

• Can bear up to 3000 pounds and people up to 6+ feet tall with great stability
• Weighs just 18.4 pounds thus can be easily moved around
• Can be easily assembled/disassembled in a few minutes
• Soft foam grips and stabilizing pads for extra comfort and stability
• Comes with a lifetime warranty against any damage or faults

When it comes to bearing heavy loads, none can outshine the Black Mountain Heavy Duty Dip Station. Capable of withstanding up to 3000 pounds and people 6+ feet, this dip station is great for heavier people who want to perform dips. Despite the immense strength, the station still weighs just 18.4 pounds, can be assembled/disassembled and comes with a lifetime warranty.

3.

Lebert Fitness Equalizer Total Body Strengthener

• Two-bar design allows you to perform lots of different motions and exercises
• Easily portable and can be stored anywhere without being disassembled
• Lightweight and durable; weighs just 8 pounds and can bear 400 pounds
• Foam grips on each bar for less fatigue and better grip

These extremely versatile and portable dip bars can be set up and used anywhere you like. The two separate bar design allows users to perform a vaster range of exercises and easily store them anywhere, however, can be a little unstable. Each bar can withstand 400 pounds and stands 28 inches tall, which is ideal for most people. Both bars have foam grip for a better grip and less arm and hand strain.

4.

Trademark Innovations Fitness Training Dip Station

• Sturdy steel built makes it durable and strong
• Weighs just 17.5 pounds and so can be carried anywhere
• Extra hooks for attaching handles or bands to perform even more exercises
• Padding on each bar along with rubber stops for more grip

The Trademark Innovations Dip Station is a great choice for those looking for a sturdy and versatile dip station on a budget. The bar weighs just 17.5 pounds and is tall enough for people of average height. You also have the option of attaching handles and bands to the bars for an even wider range of exercises. On the contrary, the dip station does take a while and effort to assemble/disassemble.

5.

Titan Fitness HD Dip Station Stand Body Press Black Solid Foam Grips

• Heavy-duty steel build capable of withstanding up to 750 pounds
• 39-inches high and 20-inches high which makes it great for people 6’2+ feet
• Easy to dismantle; weighs 19 pounds for easy portability
• Foam-padded handles for more grip
• Stabilizing pads and one-piece construction allow more intensive movements

For people who want more out of their dip station than just dips and rows, the Titan Fitness Dip Station is the one. Featuring a solid steel build capable of bearing 750 pounds and a height of 39 inches, it’s great for people who are on the heavier/taller side. Not only this, but the stabilizing pads and one-piece design also allows you to perform even more vigorous calisthenics and exercises.

6.

ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station

• Solid iron construction with a weight capacity of 400 pounds
• Separate bar construction for portability and easy storage
• Stabilizing connector bar allows more stability for a wider range of exercises
• Adjustable height from 31”-35” which makes it optimal for tall people

The Prosource Fit Dip Station combines the benefits of one- and two-piece stations for the ultimate portability and versatility. The height of the bars can be adjusted up to 35-inches, while it can withstand weights up to 400-pounds thanks to its sturdy iron construction. More importantly, the two bars can be connected via a stabilizing bar for even more stability and performing more exercises.

7.

CoreX Functional Fitness Parallette Dip Station

• Wide-base bars weighing 13-pounds each for extra stability
• Great for tall/heavy people as each bar is 34-inches tall and can bear 450 pounds
• Attachable handles and extra stability allow you to perform more motions
• Easy to store and assemble; can be transported anywhere due to separate bar design

If you’ve been looking for a two-piece dip station that also offers amazing stability, the CoreX Parallette station is the one. The wide-base, 13-pound bars with rubber pads won’t even move an inch no matter what exercise you’re performing. They’re 34-inches tall and can bear up to 450 pounds, making them ideal for heavy and tall individuals. The bars also allow handles to be attached for even more versatility.

8.

Yaheetech Heavy Duty Dip Stand Parallel

Yaheetech

• Sturdy built capable of bearing up to 500 pounds of weight
• 54-inches handles best for people of almost every height
• Compact design allows the station to be placed or stored anywhere
• Angled handles great for training different muscles like delts, triceps, shoulders etc.

The Yaheetech Heavy Duty Dip stand is another sturdy, solid, and well-balanced piece of equipment. But perhaps the greatest advantage to it is its 53-inches high handles, which can accommodate people of almost any height. The station is built from sturdy 2×2” steel bars and can hold weights up to 500 lbs. And despite their weight and assembly, the station is compact and can easily be placed or stored anywhere.

9.

Fuel Pureformance Deluxe Dip Station

• Solid construction from 12- and 14-gauge steel with powder coat
• Angled handles with a foam padding for extra comfort
• Attachable rings for additional versatility
• Allow you to perform multiple exercises and target more muscles

One of the sturdiest and most durable dip stations out there, the Fuel Performance Deluxe Dip Station is great for both gymnasts and bodybuilders alike. Built out of 12- and 14-gauge steel with a powder-coated finish, the station is built to last. The angled handles with foam padding protect your hands and add extra comfort. Also, the station comes with attachable rings for extra versatility.

15 Dip Station Exercises You Should Try

Buyer’s Guide

What Is A Portable Dip Bar/Station?

A portable dip bar must be one of the greatest inventions in the world of home gym equipment.

Not only is the portable dip bar more versatile and effective than a pullup bar, but it’s also much more compact, and as the name suggests, portable.

The portable dip bar or station is basically a frame constructed from metal which consists of two parallel bars that allow you to suspend yourself in the air by holding both the bars. From there on, you can perform a number of different exercises.

In modern times, the dip bar has become essential in both gyms and workplaces. It’s a very simple piece of equipment, yet it allows you to perform full bodyweight exercises and target multiple muscles in a single movement.

And what benefit does it have over other kinds of home gym equipment? Portability and Compactness. Most portable dip bar and stations can easily be assembled/disassembled, some even without any tools. And because most of the dip bars weigh between 15 to 20 pounds, they can easily be carried wherever you like.

Benefits of Portable Dip Bars

1. Saves gym membership fee

We all know how expensive gym membership fees can be. And the worst part is, most people don’t even fully utilize this facility that often, causing all your hard-earned money to go down the drain.

With a portable dip bar, not only do you save a ton of cash, but you also have the freedom to exercise wherever and whenever you want. If you’re too tired after work, perhaps you could do dips late at night, or maybe early in the morning. And you don’t even have to leave your home!

2. Takes up very less space

Perhaps the biggest benefit of portable dip bars compared to other home gym equipment is its compactness. You could easily place them in your room and most people won’t even notice it’s there. And most of these dip bars are just a small metal frame which can be easily detached and kept away.

You could keep it under your couch, your bed, in your cupboard or wherever you like. And once you’re ready to do some dips, just toss it out, assemble it and voila! Your home gym is all set up!

3. Cheaper than other home gym equipment

If you’ve ever looked at the price tags on home gym equipment, you probably know what we’re talking about. Just a few dumbbells and some plates could cost you hundreds of dollars. And let’s not even go towards treadmills and those 3-in-1 benches!

Compare that to a portable dip bar, which costs just as much as a decent pair of dumbbells. And let’s not forget how portable and lightweight a dip bar is. Also, the usual gym equipment restricts you to certain exercises and prevents you from progressing without buying new equipment. But with a dip bar, you could easily perform multiple movements and easily progress by buying a few plates.

4. Easy to set up and assemble

Some gym equipment can be quite complicated to assemble, especially the electrical ones and those that have multiple moving parts. Even a pullup bar takes time and strength to assemble.

On the other hand, a portable dip bar is up and ready to use within a few minutes from taking it out of the box. More than that, most of them don’t even require any tools to assemble. And even if they do, it’s usually just an Allen wrench.

5. Great for building solid upper-body mass

The two main exercises that one can perform with a dip bar are dips and inverted rows. Dips are a great exercise which mainly targets your chest and triceps as well as your shoulders, forearms and back. With inverted rows, more emphasis is placed on the biceps, chest, traps and back.

Other than that, you could also perform other exercises such as leg/knee raises and leg swings which target your core area and abs. All in all, if you want a more defined and muscular upper body, there’s no single equipment that’s better than the dip bar.

6. Strengthens elbow joints and lockout strength

When performing dips, your whole body weight is placed upon your arms, and the elbow is controlling most of the movement. And at the mid-point of each dip, you have to lock your elbows and push your body upwards, which again places a lot of force on your elbows.

Therefore, regularly performing dips will greatly improve your elbow joint strength and lockout strength which will also give you a boost in performance while doing other exercises and reduce risk of injury.

How To Use A Portable Dip Bar

There are two basic exercises you can perform with a dip bar, dips and inverted rows.

Dips

Note: Before starting off, we highly recommend that you fully understand the movement involved in performing dips. Because the movement basically places your whole body weight on your elbows, wrists and shoulders, doing the wrong movement can potentially cause injuries. Check out some tutorials on some other websites and watch a few videos which will help you understand the movement better.

Basically, there are two variations in dips, one which targets your chest muscles and the other which targets your triceps. In both variations, the main movement is rather simple.

Grab on to the bars at almost shoulder-width apart and raise yourself such that you’re suspended in the air. From this position, slowly lower yourself to a position where your upper arm (elbow to shoulder) is parallel to the bar you’re grabbing. From this position, push yourself up again to the starting position to perform a complete repetition. For the chest variation of dips, lean a bit forward while performing the whole movement. As for the triceps variation, keep your body straight at all times instead of leaning forward.

During this whole exercise, keep your elbows close to your body. Keep your hips straights and your core tightened. Only lower your body to the point where you start to feel some stretching in your shoulders. Do not forcefully lower your body beyond this point as it can potentially injure your shoulders. It’s up to you whether you want to cross your legs or bend your knees.

Inverted rows

Inverted rows are a great exercise to mainly target your back muscles and lats. They’re also great for working your biceps as well as your chest muscles.

To do inverted rows, you’re going to go under the bar instead of being above it while doing dips. Lay under one of the bars in such a way that the bar is in line with your waist. From this position, grab onto the bar with an overhand grip (palms facing away) at a slightly wider distance than shoulder width. Then, contract your core and hips and begin pulling yourself towards the bar.

Make sure your whole body is completely straight while performing this movement and that you’re not arching your back. When the bar touches your chest, slowly lower yourself towards the ground once again while still remaining straight to complete a full repetition.

Things To Look For In A Portable Dip Bar

Material

The material of the dip bar is one of the most crucial aspects and determines how long it’s going to last. Most bars are made out of steel or some sort of metal alloy, while some more solid ones have a coating on it to prevent the metal from ageing or rusting.

You’ll also find that most bars will have foam padded bars and for good reasons. They provide a lot of grip, prevent you from slipping your hand and injuring yourself and reduce your chances of developing callouses. However, foam padded grips might not be as durable as some other grips such as rubber, as they can wear and deform with time.

Weight Capacity

The weight-bearing capacity of a bar is perhaps one of the most important factors. After all, nobody wants their dip bar to break while their mid-air!

Most bars have a rating between 400-600 pounds, which is pretty good for a person of average weight/height and even above average. However, if you’re really worried about the weight rating or weigh heavier than average, we’ve also got a dip bar that’s rated at 3000 pounds. That’s how much a fully-grown black rhino weigh!

Height

Height plays an important role if you don’t want your knees bumping the ground with every repetition. When performing dips on most portable dip bars, you’re going to have to bend your knees to avoid hitting the floor. So, if the bar is too low, this becomes inevitable.

The usual 31-inch high bar is good enough for people up to 6 feet tall. If you’re taller than that, consider purchasing a bar that’s at least 33-inches high. It’s always better to have a bar that’s on the taller rather than on the shorter side. You could also opt for a height-adjustable dip bar which further adds to its functionality; however, they might not be as stable or sturdy.

Width

Width is just as important, if not more important than height. While performing a dip, it’s essential that your elbows are as close to your body as possible. And so, if the bars are too wide apart or too narrow, that simply won’t be possible.

Taller and heavier people will generally need wider bars, while shorter and skinnier people will need narrower bars. Some dip bars have angled bars which vary in width which are a much better option. You could also opt for a width-adjustable dip bar if you want to change it according to the exercise and your needs. But these also won’t be as durable and strong as the fixed ones.

Stability

Possibly the worst thing one could imagine is doing dips on wobbly bars. Or one that flips over while you’re doing dips. Stability matters a lot and most of it matters upon the build quality of the dip bar.

The ones with the best stability are usually those that have a very wide base. This distributes the weight over a wider space and thus reduces the chances of the dip bar flipping over. Also, it’s always good to have stabilizing pads at the bottom of the bar to prevent it from slipping on the floor. The more stable the dip bar is, the more vigorous exercises you can perform on it without injuring yourself.

Portability

There’s a reason why the dip bar has the word ‘portable’ attached to it. Having the option to carry the dip bar with you is truly a blessing. More so, it means that you can easily and quickly assemble/disassemble the dip bar.

Most portable dip bars in our list are made out of lightweight material and weigh around 15-20 pounds at max. More than that, they do not require any special assembly or tools to put together. This means that you can take this dip bar to your workplace, friend’s houses, park, or wherever you wish to exercise.

Extras

It’s never a bad idea to have a couple of extra features on a dip bar. Some common examples include attachable rings and handles. These allow you to do even more exercises such as suspended pushups and a few other gymnastics.

FAQ’s

How wide is a normal dip bar?

A normal dip bar should be anywhere between 18-24 inches wide for a person of average height and weight.

Are dips bad for your shoulders?

With proper form, dips are a perfectly safe form of exercise. It is necessary to avoid overstretching your shoulder and keeping your elbows tucked in to avoid injuries.

What muscles do dips work?

The main muscles which are activated during chest and triceps dips are the Pectoralis Major and Triceps Brachii respectively. Synergist muscles activated include Anterior Deltoids, Pectoralis Minor and Rhomboids while the Trapezius act as stabilizers.

Do dips increase the size of your arms?

Triceps dips do help you get bigger arms. Because 2/3 of your arms muscle mass consists of triceps, doing triceps dips will help your arms grow in both size and strength.

Are dips better than pushups?

Both exercises primarily target your chest muscles. However, dips are more advanced exercise and simply better at increasing strength and mass.

Do dips work your back muscles?

During both chest and triceps dips, your traps muscles are activated as they work to stabilize and balance your body while you perform the movement.

Do dips help you build mass?

Yes, dips do help you increase upper-body mass and strength. Because they’re a compound exercise, dips allow you to build mass on your chest, triceps, back and shoulders as well.

How many dips should you do in a day?

Doing dips every day isn’t ideal, but you can still perform 10 reps after every other day or two days. These could also be weighted dips, but that depends on your personal goals and level of strength.

Conclusion

By now, we hope that you’re convinced and ready to buy a portable dip bar for yourself. Before you do though, we highly recommend you go through our buyer’s guide. We did a lot of research and reviewing for you so you can just get one without needing any more information. Everything from budget, quality, versatility, we’ve covered it all. And if you have any questions, the FAQ’s section is always there to answer your queries.