Dip bars come in various sizes and configurations, which can make it challenging to pick the right one for your home gym.
Fortunately, we can break down the entire process by looking at the types of dip bars and what factors to consider before making a purchase.
Read on to learn everything there is to know about dip bars and see which are the 7 best dip bars on the market in 2024.
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Best Foldable
The wall-mounted dip bar by fringe sport is a fantastic option. It is sturdy, of great quality, and can handle up to 600 lbs. The bar is foldable and only comes out 4” (10.1 cm) from the wall when folded.
Best Overall
The Rogue Monster Lite Matador is an excellent dip bar from a reputable company. One of its notable advantages is that it is designed to be attached to a squat rack upright. Specifically, it is designed to work on a 3” x 3” rack (7.6 x 7.6 cm).
Best Adjustable
These stands are adjustable, which means you can make them taller or shorter, depending on what you want to do. Specifically, these can go from 30.51” (77.5 cm) to 45.28” (115 cm).
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The 7 Best Dip Bars For Your Gym In 2024
- Best Dip Bar Overall: Rogue Monster Lite Matador
- Best Foldable Dip Bar: Fringe Sport Mountable Dip Bar
- Best Wall-Mounted Dip Bar: Odoland 2-in-1 Wall Mount Pull-Up Bar and Dip Station
- Best Parallel Dip Bars: ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station
- Best Power Tower w/ Dip Bar: Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station
- Best Adjustable Dip Bar: Sportsroyals Adjustable Parallel Bars
- Best Alternative (Loadable Dip Machine): Titan Plate-Loaded Seated Dip Machine
1. Best Dip Bar Overall: Rogue Monster Lite Matador
Type: attaches to a rack
Maximum weight recommendation: 500 lbs (227 kg)
Material: 7-gauge steel
Pros:
- Easy to mount
- Adjustable height
- Incredibly durable and of high quality
- Cool design
Cons:
- You can only mount it on a rack
The Rogue Monster Lite Matador is an excellent dip bar from a reputable company. One of its notable advantages is that it is designed to be attached to a squat rack upright. Specifically, it is designed to work on a 3” x 3” rack (7.6 x 7.6 cm).
Rogue doesn’t list the information on their website, or at least we couldn’t find it, but the hole diameter of the dip bar is ⅝”, which is 1.58 cm. It’s best to measure the hole diameter on your squat rack to ensure this is a good fit.
If you’re into making minor tweaks, check out this cool video that shows you a neat hack to make the Monster Lite Matador fit a 1” perfectly.
The bar is large enough to work for bigger trainees and feels sturdy during training, so long as you secure it on your squat rack upright.
One neat advantage is that you can adjust the height up or down based on what you need. You can even set the dip bar in an overhead position and use it for pull-ups.
2. Best Foldable Dip Bar: Fringe Sport Mountable Dip Bar
Type: wall-mounted
Maximum weight recommendation: 600 lbs (272 kg)
Material: 14-gauge steel
Pros:
- Cool design
- Durable and able to withstand up to 600 lbs
- Foldable to save space when you’re not using it
Cons:
- It can be difficult to install
The Fringe Sport dip bar is designed to be mounted to a wall, which might be great for some people but not for others. For example, if you’re renting a place or don’t have a garage or basement, it likely won’t work for you.
Additionally, installing a dip bar on a wall can be tricky, and you must ensure it is secure before suspending yourself in the air.
Other than that, the dip bar is of excellent quality and gets the job done. It is made of high-quality materials and is rated to handle up to 600 lbs (272 kg). You can also fold the dip bar when you’re not training. It comes out 4” (10.1 cm) from the wall when folded.
The bar features a cool design, and the handles are 25” (63.5 cm) apart at the widest point and 13” (33 cm) apart near the base.
One drawback is that the bar doesn’t come with the hardware required to mount, so you would have to get the necessary things yourself.
3. Best Wall-Mounted Dip Bar: Odoland 2-in-1 Wall Mount Pull Up Bar and Dip Station
Type: wall-mounted
Maximum weight recommendation: 440 lbs (200 kg)
Material: alloy steel
Pros:
- It doubles as a pull-up bar and dip station
- You can take it off the wall to save space when you’re not using it
- Multiple grip options
- Durable build made to withstand up to 440 lbs of weight
Cons:
- You might have to call a professional to install it on your wall
The Odoland 2-in-1 wall-mounted bar is a fantastic solution for people looking to do pull-ups and dips on the same piece of equipment. It is designed in a way where you can easily switch between the two mounting options quickly. In fact, the product is designed so well that you can do dips and pull-ups in a superset.
The product comes with four mounting brackets you attach to the wall. You must secure the top two in a slightly higher position for the pull-up bar to be high enough while you exercise. Then, secure the bottom two brackets below for dips, hanging leg raises, and similar exercises.
Instead of securing the bar itself, you only have to place it on the mounting brackets, which allows you to put it on and take it off as you see fit.
Both versions of the pull-up/dip bar come with various options for your training. The pull-up bar comes with two grip options, and the dip bar comes with handles and pads for the back and elbow, allowing you to use it as a power tower for movements like hanging knee raises.
4. Best Parallel Dip Bars: ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station
Type: freestanding
Maximum weight recommendation: 400 lbs (182 kg)
Material: iron tubing
Pros:
- Durable and holds up to 400 lbs of weight
- Freestanding, so there is no installation required
- You can move it around if necessary
Cons:
- It might not feel as stable as other options on our list
The ProsourceFit dip stand is a fantastic freestanding option. The product consists of two dip stands you place parallel to one another to do your dips. In addition, you can use these stands for other movements like:
- Inverted rows
- Suspended knee/leg raises
- L-sits
- Planche progression
You can do any activity you would perform on parallel bars at the gym or in your local park.
A notable benefit of these is they are pretty light, compact, and require no installation. You can move them around your home or even take them outside for a nice workout when the weather permits.
The product only costs $85 (at the time of writing) but provides all the functionality you will need in your training. Plus, these are rated to support up to 400 lbs of weight, which is enough for most trainees.
5. Best Power Tower w/ Dip Bar: Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station
Type: freestanding power tower
Maximum weight recommendation: 400 lbs (182 kg)
Material: steel alloy
Pros:
- An all-in-one solution for bodyweight exercise
- Sturdy and reasonably durable
- Freestanding, so it doesn’t require installation
- You can do a variety of effective exercises
Cons:
- More expensive
- It takes up more space
If your budget allows it and you have a bit more spare room at home, the Sportsroyals power tower is a great pick.
The item is about as expensive as a Rogue dip bar but offers much more than a pair of parallel handles. It includes a pull-up bar, a captain’s chair (for leg raises and such), dip handles, and bottom handles for push-ups.
Put simply, the power tower is an all-in-one solution that allows you to do various exercises.
Thanks to the larger size, it is sturdy and feels quite secure during your training. The product is rated for up to 400 lbs.
One drawback is that it takes up more space, which might be problematic if you want to fit it at home. But if you have the space and are looking to make a long-term investment, you can’t go wrong with it.
6. Best Adjustable Dip Bar: Sportsroyals Adjustable Parallel Bars
Type: freestanding
Maximum weight recommendation: 1,200 lbs (545 kg)
Material: steel
Pros:
- Adjustable height
- Freestanding, so they don’t require installation
- You can move them around your home gym
- Incredibly durable and able to withstand over 1,000 lbs of weight
Cons:
- More expensive
The Sportsroyals adjustable parallel bars are the second product from this company on today’s list. These resemble the ProsourceFit dip stand we reviewed above but also offer some unique benefits.
Most notably, these stands are adjustable, which means you can make them taller or shorter, depending on what you want to do. Specifically, these can go from 30.51” (77.5 cm) to 45.28” (115 cm).
You can also make one stand shorter than the other to mix up your training and try new things.
For instance, you can set one stand at the lowest setting and the other at the highest to perform inverted rows with your legs suspended in the air.
Another difference is that these come with pairs of handles at the bottom, which you can use for push-ups. As such, you can quickly switch between activities to maintain a quick pace and not waste time.
Plus, these are freestanding, light, and compact. You can move them around your home and only take them out when you want to train. There’s no installation required, and you can make the adjustments quickly.
Perhaps surprisingly, these are rated to support up to 1,200 lbs (545 kg), which is a lot for such an item in that price range.
7. Best Alternative (Loadable Dip Machine): Titan Plate-Loaded Seated Dip Machine
Type: plate-loaded dip machine
Maximum weight recommendation: 200 lbs (91 kg)
Material: 11-gauge steel
Pros:
- You can adjust the resistance as you see fit
- Quite durable and of high-quality
- Relatively compact
- Up to 200 lbs of active resistance
Cons:
- It isn’t a traditional dip bar
- More expensive than other options
Perhaps you’ve decided that a dip bar isn’t for you. Maybe you want to invest in something with more flexibility or simply don’t enjoy regular dips. There’s nothing wrong with that.
In that case, why not consider a seated dip machine rather than a dip bar? These are a fantastic alternative because you can adjust the resistance based on your strength. Don’t have the strength to suspend yourself in the air and do dips? No worries - add the weight you can handle on the machine and hammer your chest, shoulders, and triceps.
The plate-loaded dip machine by Titan Fitness is a great option because:
- It is affordable
- It is made of quality materials
- It provides up to 200 lbs of active resistance
- It isn’t difficult to put together, even if you’re not savvy with tools
The machine comes with a pair of loadable sleeves located behind the seat. These have a diameter of 49 mm (1.92”), which is 1 mm less than the sleeves of a standard barbell, and will fit most standard weight plates.
You can adjust the seat height for a comfortable experience. The only real drawback is that the product only comes with one year warranty, which might not be enough if you plan on using it in the long run.
The Benefits Of a Dip Bar For Your Gym
1. Build Upper Body Strength
One notable advantage of owning a dip bar is that it helps you develop upper body strength. Specifically, a dip bar is excellent for strengthening the muscles involved in pushing: the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
In addition, a dip bar develops midsection strength and stability, promoting better balance on various upper and lower body exercises.
2. Do Effective Bodyweight Activities
The second notable benefit of a dip bar is that you can do several effective bodyweight movements and overload your muscles even if you don’t have any other equipment.
One excellent exercise is the bodyweight dip that develops your chest, shoulders, triceps, serratus anterior, and core. Other great activities include:
- Static holds (hold the top position of a dip)
- Negative dips (lower yourself slowly)
- Scapular dips (depress and elevate your scapula)
- Knee/leg raises
- Inverted rows (on certain dip bars)
3. Keep Your Training Varied & Engaging
Getting enough equipment for a home gym can be challenging, and you might be fairly limited on exercise selection for a while.
In addition to a power rack, pull-up bar, and adjustable dumbbells, a dip bar provides enough versatility and keeps your training fun and engaging.
What to Consider When Buying a Dip Bar
1. Functionality
The first thing to consider when purchasing a dip bar is the overall functionality, given your existing gym setup and available space.
As you saw from the list above, there are four primary types: wall-mounted, parallel dip bars, those you attach to a power rack upright, and free-standing ones.
For example, the Rogue Monster Lite Matador might be your best option if you have a solid Rogue rack because it clips right on.
In contrast, you might consider a pair of parallel dip bars, such as the ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station, if you’re limited on space and prefer not to drill holes in your wall.
Or perhaps you have lots of free space and are looking for an all-in-one solution that also comes with dip handles. In that case, a power tower (Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station) might work best.
2. Safety
Safety is arguably the most important factor when purchasing any fitness equipment.
Before making a purchase, consider how safe a dip bar would be for you. Specifically, you should evaluate the bar’s weight capacity, the materials used to make it, and how it is anchored.
For example, if you want to get a wall-mounted bar, consider these questions:
- Is your wall made of high-quality materials?
- Can you safely drill holes, or would it be better for a professional to install the bar?
Similarly, if you want a bar that attaches to your squat rack, make sure it is sturdy and won’t topple as soon as you suspend yourself in the air. If necessary, bolt your squat rack to the ground for extra safety.
3. Warranty
When purchasing a dip bar, the warranty might seem arbitrary, but it pays to make your decision carefully.
If you’re going to use your dip bar several times per week, or have other people use it, pick one with at least a few years of warranty.
Almost any dip bar is likely to be okay even after years of regular use, but paying a bit extra could save you trouble down the road.
4. Price
Last but not least, we have the price. It can be tempting to pick the cheapest dip bar because it is just a piece of metal, but I advise against that.
While there are plenty of budget solutions, a cheap product will likely affect the training experience, possibly causing you to use the bar less frequently. Or, if you use it frequently enough, it might wear down faster, forcing you to buy a new one within a couple of years.
A slightly more expensive option will generally be better because it would be of better quality and last many years.
The Best Dip Bar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a dip bar worth buying?
A dip bar is by no means mandatory for your home gym setup, but it can be a valuable addition because it would allow you to do several effective exercises.
It comes down to deciding whether you would enjoy activities like dips and parallel bar knee raises.
2. What exercises can I use a dip bar for?
Here’s a list of great activities you can perform using a dip bar:
- Static holds (hold the top position of a dip)
- Negative dips (lower yourself slowly)
- Scapular dips (depress and elevate your scapula)
- Knee/leg raises
- Inverted rows (on certain dip bars)
3. What type of dip bar should I get?
It’s up to you. I’m a fan of free-standing options, such as the ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station and Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station. I also like the adjustable parallel bars by Sportsroyals.
A power tower is great because it offers a lot of versatility, and the other free-standing options don’t require any assembly or installation and can be moved if they get in the way.
Still, a wall-mounted dip bar or one you add to a squat rack can also work great. It mostly comes down to your home gym layout and your existing setup.
You might even decide that you don’t want a dip bar but would instead get more use out of a dip machine. In that case, I strongly recommend the plate-loaded option by Titan Fitness.
The Best Dip Bar Conclusion
There you have it:
Seven of the best dip bars on the market in 2024. Each of these comes with its unique advantages, and you should go with the one that best fits your needs, goals, budget, and available space.
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