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So you are looking to buy the best dip bars for calisthenics?
Trust me, doing that could be one of the best decisions you could possibly make.
From personal experience, I can tell you that including dip bars into your bodyweight routine is one of the most essential and important things you can do.
But what makes dip bars good and worth buying?
If I have to be completely honest – a lot of things.
The problem with buying such items is that the whole process could be very overwhelming.
With a quick google search, you can see that there are hundreds of different dip bars made from brands having different sizes and shapes…
That’s why it could take you a very long time until you come across some decent ones.
I know exactly how that feels because not so long ago I was in the exact same situation.
And it isn’t cool…
Hi there, my name is Bozhidar and in this article, I’ll help you get past the clutter, and have a clear understanding of what’s the best dip bars for you and your budget.
I’ll also share with you which dip bars I personally use and why.
Additionally I will give you 4 more great options I owned or tried so you can have solid alternatives depending on the type of training you want to go for.
I highly recommend you read everything till the end because that’s the ONLY way you will get all the knowledge you need to make the right decision.
Ready to start?
Before we do I want to tell you something important…
In order to help you out even more I’ve decided to make our massive guide “How to Start Calisthenics: The Ultimate Guide” 100% FREE!
To get it simply enter your best email below and I’m going it to send it to you. The information inside is solid and can really help you out.
Here you go:
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Are you in a hurry?
If for any reason you don’t have the available time to read the entire post I highly recommend you take a look at my personal favorite dip bars I have used for over a year now – the GoBeast Dip Station.
Click Here to check my dip bars’ latest price on Amazon
For that price, you can’t really want more.
These dip bars are lightweight, adjustable and are high enough to provide you with plenty of space for most exercises.
Because of the design, they can be attached to one another making them extremely sturdy and safe.
In addition to that, they are also very easy to assemble and don’t take a lot of space making them the perfect addition for a home gym.
Click here to check their latest price on Amazon
With that being said let’s check what are the other 4 options…
Even if my dip bars are awesome they are not the only ones worth checking…
Before I show you my in-depth reviews and comparison of all my favorite picks inside multiple categories take a look at this comparison table and see how they look compared to one another.
Feel free to click the little image or the product name if you want to learn more info about a specific model:
| Preview | Name | Best For | Weight Capacity | Height | Stability | Adjustability |
 | GoBeast Dip Station | Best Dip Bars for Calisthenics | 330 lbs | 31 – 35 inches | High | Yes |
 | Lebert Parallettes | Best Portable Dip Bars | 400 lbs | 12 inches | Medium | Yes |
 | Lebert Dip Bars | Biggest Freedom of Movement | 400 lbs | 28 – 31 inches | Medium | Yes |
  | BalanceFrom Dip Station | Best Adjustable Height Dip Station | 500 lbs | 40- 51 inches | High | Yes |
 | UBD Wall Dip Station | Safest Dip Station for Home Gym | 300 lbs | Varies | Very High | No |
All products are different from one another and are suitable for certain situations. Click on the picture or the name of a specific product to learn more. Keep reading if you want to find out which one is the best option for you.
I know that some of you might be questioning if investing in this type of equipment is really worth it.
Feel free to skip this section if you want to get straight for the products.
But in case you want to learn more stick with me because this might be useful…
Earlier I mentioned that using dip bars for calisthenics could really boost your results.
Here’s why...
Here are 7 good reasons why I believe you should get dip bars:
1) Dip bars are essential – No matter if you are a total beginner or more advanced – you need to do dips. They are essential bodyweight exercise for calisthenics that brings a ton of benefits [1]. And guess what – without proper dip bars, it’s going to be very uncomfortable or difficult to do them. And not only that – with enough available height you can do many different exercises and target your whole upper body at the convenience of your home. So with only one piece of equipment, you are getting a lot more than just the option to do dips.
2) They help you to increase strength – Using dip bars could really help you increase your upper body strength [2]. You can start only with your body weight and continue to improve on it. Combining a dip station with some additional resistance such as a weighted vest, resistance bands or a dip belt could skyrocket your strength and endurance results [3]. That on its own could result in better results in other areas as well.
3) Build more muscle – It’s a no brainer that doing dips the right way is going to help you build bigger shoulders, triceps, and chest. [4] Having well-developed muscles and strength could improve your abilities to do well in a lot of the main calisthenics movements you want to learn.
4) Save money – Buying dip bars is a one-time investment (if you follow my advice) and once you have them you can use them for many years. That way you can save a lot on gym memberships and other similar facilities that charge on a monthly basis. That’s one of the main reasons why I like to invest in home gym equipment. If you buy yourself a portable set you can even bring it with you in different places. Isn’t that going to help you save a couple of bucks?
5) Add convenience – You can train with them in any weather condition or time of the day. It doesn’t really matter if there is a huge storm or it’s snowing outside. You can quickly adjust them and complete a nice and effective upper body workout at the convenience of your home. I’m going that for several years now and I can tell that no gym can beat that freedom.
6) More variety – It’s not hard to see why a set of dip bars can be used for more exercises than just dips. That’s why with their help you are going to have a huge variety of different exercises and angles available to you so you can target your whole body. And guess what – doing different things using different angles is going to give you better results [5].
7) Works great with other equipment – If you are like me and have additional equipment lying around then you should be happy. A good dip station for calisthenics works well with a weighted belt, resistance bands or even a pair of gymnastic rings. If you don’t have such things available you can always use a weighted vest or a backpack full of books. The point I’m trying to make is that this equipment works well with a lot of other things you may have.
With that being said, let’s now see what are my favorite dip bars for calisthenics and why.
In order to be able to review and compare them properly I’m going to use these 8 categories so you can see which ones are the best ones for you:
Please read everything so you can see which ones are going to be best suited for your current situation and needs.
Let’s begin!
Click Here to check GoBeast Dip Station’s latest price on Amazon
My Experience and Opinion about these Dip Bars:
For me, these bars are the best because I’ve used them for over a year and they are still holding and looking great.
But my favorite thing is the extra 3 resistance bands you get as a bonus.
With the band’s help, you can easily increase or decrease the level of difficulty of every exercise you do so you can get faster results.
In my opinion that addition increases the maximum value you get and makes this product an even better investment than many of the similar models, you can see.
I believe that the GoBlast dip station is an excellent option for calisthenics because you can adjust both the height and the width.
Yes, with this model you get the freedom to adjust the station to your needs.
Don’t worry, you can do that only with the help of 2 easy to use lock pins
Sadly they are available only if you want to change the width, not the height. In order to change the height, you will need more time and an additional wrench.
I really love those because their frame is made from solid stainless steel that is really sturdy.
The whole design could easily withstand up to 330 lbs of pressure and years of usage and I can verify that.
I’ve trained with them countless times and everything is still working fine.
Even with all that steel, both parallel bars are very lightweight and easy to carry around.
Without any hassle, you can dismantle and store them anywhere you like. The whole process is pretty simple and straightforward.
The overall height of the bars is enough so even taller people can still use it.
I’m medium height and have plenty of room left so these bars would work great for a lot taller people than me.
In addition to that, because of the extra height, you also get the freedom to do all kinds of various exercises that you can’t really do on shorter models.
One of my favorite things I really like about this product is that both bars are combined with a tube.
That simple addition has a huge impact on the overall safety and stability you get.
Because of that feature, you have the ability to do all kinds of calisthenics movements without the fear of the whole thing collapsing.
That’s why I believe that the GoBlast dip bars are not only good but they are also very safe to use.
You don’t have to worry about using them at home because they won’t damage your floor.
I’ve trained with them inside my room and because of the thick rubber floor protectors I haven’t damaged the wood.
In addition to that, there isn’t any sliding around when you are going to use them.
Another thing I like about this product is that both bars have extra hand padding.
I find that important because having that extra material does really help with sweat and comfort.
Stability: Because of the extra connection these parallettes can become really stable and safe. They also have padding and a wide base which also helps. I’ve done plenty of exercises with them and so far I haven’t had any issues at all.
Portability: Sadly these dip bars are not small and once constructed take some time to separate into little pieces making them not the best choice if you are looking to take them inside your backpack. But they are still light enough in order for you to carry them from one place to another without any issues.
Quality and materials: I can say that I haven’t been very gentle with these dip bars and so far they are strong and don’t make any sounds or wobble around. Of course, we won’t count the little scratches but if you do outdoor workouts like me that would be normal. Overall I’m happy with the materials and find the quality really good.
What makes them unique and better?: The biggest things that separate my current dip bars from the rest you can find are the unique locking design and height. Both those things combined make them perfect for dips and a lot more exercises. And let’s not forget the good price.
Who are these dip bars best suited for?: In my opinion, these dip bars are best for people who are really into bodyweight training or building a home gym. They are also lightweight and don’t take a lot of space so you can take them even outdoors in the backyard. So if you want to do dips, push-ups, l-sit, and a ton of different other exercises these dip bars might be exactly what you are looking for.
What I like:
What I don’t like:
Quick Summary:
In my opinion, the GoBlast dip bars are the best dip bars for calisthenics you can get for your home.
They are ideal for many exercises, are fully adjustable, and very safe to use.
Because of the lightweight design, they are also portable and easy to store.
And on top of that, you are also getting 3 very good resistance bands inside the package.
Even since I’ve bought them I haven’t experienced any significant problems and that’s why I believe they are good.
Click Here to check GoBeast Dip Station’s latest price on Amazon
Click Here to check Lebert Parallettes’s latest price on Amazon
My Experience and Opinion about these Dip Bars:
If you are looking for portable dip bars for calisthenics you should definitely check these ones.
They have one of the shortest, lightest (only 5 lbs per bar), and most compact designs on the market. That makes them the ideal bars to carry around.
They are so compact that once dismantled you can place them inside a backpack and take them with you wherever you go.
Because of their size, you can easily store them under the bed or take them with you for a good calisthenics workout out in the open.
The whole process of mount/dismount is fairly fast and simple to do – you only need a small screwdriver and you are done.
As you can see the Lebert parallettes use a 2-piece design which does bring a couple of very useful benefits.
Because of that, you can easily place them at any angle or position you like – you are not limited by how far you can separate them.
That gives you the freedom to do all kinds of different exercises and hit your muscles from many different angles.
These bars are made from high-quality materials that can easily withstand a lot of beating and support up to 400 lbs of weight.
To be honest I’m really surprised by how something that small can hold so much weight but I won’t complain.
As you can see from the photo the ratio of height and width is quite the same so you won’t have any problems with stability and safety.
In addition to that Lebert has added 4 protection caps which are designed for 2 things:
I do really like the overall size of the area of the grip padding. It’s more than enough to provide you with plenty of holding space to use.
The area is large enough so you can even use both hands at once.
Having padding is great because it helps you keep your grip in one place while the material absorbs all the sweat from your hands.
The specific padding on this product is well made and has just the right thickness so it won’t have negative effect on your grip.
Stability: Because these dip bars are way shorter than the majority they are really stable. You won’t have a problem falling down and breaking something.
Portability: Because of their size I find these dip bars very portable. You can easily place them inside a bag or a backpack and take them outside for a quick calisthenics workout in the sun and fresh air. I really like to train with mine inside the near park when the weather is good.
Quality and materials: Even if they are smaller that doesn’t mean they are weaker. So far I’m happy with the overall quality. When you hold them they feel really well made and don’t make any suggestion for that stopping in the near future. So when it comes to materials they are really well made and quite lightweight at the same time.
What makes them unique and better?: In my opinion that is the design. I don’t know about you but I really like them and protect mine from scratches the best way I can. Also, the padding on the top side is way longer compared to some of the other models which makes it more comfortable to hold not directly at the center. And the weight is also really good.
Who are these dip bars best suited for?: From my experience with them I can say that they are perfect for people who don’t have a lot of space but still want to be able to do dips at home or at the near park. Even if you won’t be able to do regular dips, the tricep dips are nearly the same. Also, they are best suited for people who are looking for something compact and easy to disassemble to took inside a backpack.
What I like:
What I don’t like:
Quick Summary:
If you like to train out in the open and are looking for something you can easily take with you then you want to check the Lebert parallettes.
They are very lightweight, strong, and very stable.
With their help, you can a lot of exercises anywhere you want. And you get all of that for a very reasonable price.
If this is something you are looking for go and check them out.
Click Here to check Lebert Parallettes’s latest price on Amazon
Click Here to check Lebert Dip Bars’ latest price on Amazon
My Experience and Opinion about these Dip Bars:
As you can see the next product I will share with you is made from the same company – Lebert.
But even if the two products are made from the same company that doesn’t mean they are the same.
The main difference between them is their height.
These dip bars are way taller than the previous parallettes which is a good thing for a couple of reasons.
Having more height is going to provide you with more exercises and better range of motion [6].
So if you are still looking for a product that is somewhat portable but still has all the height you need then these Lebert Dip Bars might be exactly what you seek.
Their overall design is pretty much the same as the parallettes meaning everything is very well made and can easily withstand up to 400 lbs of weight.
With this product, you still get 2 separate bars you can place wherever you like meaning you get the freedom to do whatever you like.
And the best part is the fact that these bars are still very easy to use or dismantle.
You only have to deal with a couple of screws and you are ready to store them anywhere.
Both your floor and the bars are not going to get scratched because of the 4 protection caps you can find on the ends which also improve the overall stability you get.
With the Lebert Dip Bars, you also get decent padding protection that is going to make sure your hands are not slipping in the middle of a set.
The amount of material is enough, so you also get nice protection from calluses.
The only problem you might face with these dip bars is stability.
Even with the rubber feet and wide base, this 2-piece design is not very stable for a more explosive type of training. It’s also not recommended to spread them too much.
Even with that issue, they are still a very good product that gives you plenty of freedom.
One final thing I want to mention is that this is the only product that has a big variety of colors to choose from.
To be more specific, I’m talking about 6 different color options you can pick.
If I have to be honest I really like the chrome one.
Stability: Even if these dip bars are quite high I still find them very steady. But please be careful if you are looking to do very explosive movements because I don’t believe they are the best choice for that.
Portability: Because of their size and height they are still portable but to some extent. In my opinion, they are perfect to carry for a short place but not ideal if you will have to hold them for a long time. But if you are looking to mainly use them inside your home or backyard you won’t have any problems.
Quality and materials: With these dip bars you pay for what you get. Even if they are more expensive than the majority of other brands the quality of these is really good and in my opinion, they are worth every penny. A friend of mine owns a pair for about 2 years now and they haven’t gone anywhere.
What makes them unique and better?: The fact that they can support up to 400 lbs and can be bought at different versions depending on your height. So far this is the only brand I’ve seen to offer this. And the quality of these is also very good.
Who are these dip bars best suited for?: Because of the option to buy an XL version I believe that these dip bars are perfect for taller or bigger people. That way you won’t have any problem doing dips with a full range of motion. Also, they are great for overall bodyweight training or used as additional home gym equipment.
What I like:
What I don’t like:
Quick Summary:
If you prefer to have the absolute freedom to do anything you like and still have enough height for your exercises you may want to give a closer look at these dip bars for calisthenics.
The Lebert Dip Bars are durable, versatile, and easy to use.
With their help, you can train both at home or outside without any problems.
Click Here to check Lebert Dip Bars’ latest price on Amazon
Click Here to check BalanceFrom dip station’s latest price on Amazon
My Experience and Opinion about this Dip Station:
If you are looking for something that is more stable and secure for your home gym then you may like the 4th product I’m going to share with you.
As you can see this is a product that is not designed to be moved around very often.
Of course, you can still move it around but it’s not designed to be portable.
In my opinion, the BalanceFrom dip station is the perfect addition for people building a home calisthenics gym.
This dip station is compact, has a great price and it’s ideal for explosive training.
The whole thing is made from thick stainless steel that uses additional reinforcements and has a nice anti-rust finish.
As you can see this is an extremely durable product that is not going to go anywhere for many years.
Because of the wide squarely-shaped base and the heavy frame you will be reassured that everything is going to stay in one place even during the most explosive exercises you do.
The whole frame can easily withstand up to 500 lbs of weight.
What makes this product unique is the ability to easily adjust the height with ease.
You can change the height of the BalanceFrom dip station from 62.2” up to 84.5” only with the help of 2 rotatable pins for a couple of seconds.
This feature makes this product an excellent choice for people with different heights because you have the ability to adjust the bars towards your specific needs or adapt it for different exercises.
In addition to that this station has 4 solid rubber feet that are going to protect your floor while providing you with extra stability.
The whole design has additional push-up handles that may come handy for your chest routine.
With their help, your push-ups are going to have a better range of motion and depth which is going to result in more growth [7].
The included hand padding is also good and helps a lot with the overall comfort and sweat during use.
Sadly the product isn’t perfect.
The included assembly instructions are not that great and the width between the 2 bars is fixed and can’t be changed.
But even with these problems in mind I still believe this product is great for people looking to build an awesome calisthenics gym.
Stability: Compared to all the traditional lightweight dip bars this is like a tank. It is heavy, bulky, and uses a solid and thick frame so you won’t go anywhere no matter how explosive movements you try.
Portability: Because of the overall weight and design this dip station is made to mainly stay in one place. You can still move it around because it isn’t glued or nailed anywhere but it will be a real hassle if you need to move it somewhere far away.
Quality and materials: I like the materials used in this dip station and once used it really feels solid and safe. Everything is well made and if cared for properly this piece will last you many years and even decades.
What makes them unique and better?: In my opinion, the biggest difference is the width between the 2 handles. Even if it looks the same it’s a little wider than the majority of the other models making it perfect if you want to isolate your chest. Also, the fact that when adjusted to the max you can even do pull-ups with your knees bend backward. Isn’t that cool?
Who are these dip bars best suited for?: In my opinion, this dip station is perfect for people looking to build a home gym that doesn’t want to drill any holes inside their floor or walls. It is also extremely sturdy making it easy for more explosive type of training. Also, let’s not forget the fact that you can easily adjust the height making it ideal for both tall or short people.
What I like:
What I don’t like:
Quick Summary:
If you are looking for a very safe and secure dip station that at the same time has adjustable height you may like this product.
It is extremely well made, comfortable to use, and can hold a lot of weight.
The BalanceForm dip station is a good option for people looking to do more explosive or high above the ground exercises while keeping the cost down.
Click Here to check BalanceFrom dip station’s latest price on Amazon
Click Here to check the latest price on Amazon <<
My Experience and Opinion about this Wall Mounted Dip Station:
The final product I want to share with you is different from the rest.
I have decided to include it because for me this is the safest dip station for calisthenics.
The thing that makes it such are the 4 long bolts that hold in on the wall.
After you’ve installed it you can be 100% sure it’s not going anywhere.
So no more worrying about falling down and breaking something because it’s almost impossible.
But the best part is the price.
For a very reasonable price, you get 2 machines in one – this product is a combination of a dip station and a vertical knee station.
Even if not necessary the knee station could really be handy if you want to give your core a nice workout.
Having such addition does give you a bigger amount of exercises you can do.
The whole design is simple but strong. The frame uses thick stainless steel that can easily hold up to 300 lbs with ease.
All welds are good and the whole thing is finished by a nice protective powder-coated layer that also looks very nice.
Every part of this dip station is well padded making it comfortable to use.
The mounting process is fairly easy if you follow the instructions and all the required mounting hardware is included.
The quality and length of the bolts you get are good so you won’t have to buy new ones.
If you want to have a dip station that won’t take any floor space but still provide you with the freedom to do all kinds of exercises the Ultimate Body Press Dip Station may be a good pick for you.
Like all products, this dip station is not perfect.
As you can see the design is not portable and you can’t change the space between the bars or the height once you’ve mounted it.
If those 2 things don’t bother you and you are looking for something very sturdy and safe then this station might be a good fit for you.
Stability: Because you are going to bolt this dip station on your wall it’s the safest option money can buy. Once attached you won’t have to worry about stability and do whatever you like on it.
Portability: After you have attached it you can forget about portability. Well unless you won’t mind drilling more holes, this dip station isn’t going anywhere. So in case you are looking for portable dip bars feel free to check the other 4 alternatives I’ve given above.
Quality and materials: A close friend of mine has a wall-mounted dip bar like this in his garage and I have to say that this thing is really solid. The padding was thick and comfy and the overall quality of the metal was also great. So don’t worry, if you attach it correctly this dip station is going nowhere.
What makes it unique and better?: Well the fact that it’s a wall attachment. That on its own gives it a 10/10 when it comes to safety and stability making it really stand out from the rest. Also because of that, you won’t have any problems doing heavy weighted dips as well.
Who is this dip station best suited for?: If you are a big fan of weighted dips, leg lifts, and twisted exercises then this dips station is a perfect choice. With this solid piece of equipment, you won’t have a problem with a range of motion or weight limit. So in my opinion this dip station is great for home gym owners, or people that are tall or on the heavier side. (If I were you I would buy this and the portable ones…)
What I like:
What I don’t like:
Quick Summary:
If you are looking for a permanent dip station that you won’t need to move then this is something worth checking.
Once mounted the Ultimate Body Press Station is going to stay there no matter what you do.
Because of that, this is the safest product you can get.
It allows you to use as much weight as you want and do whatever you feel like doing without any fear.
Everything is well made and for a decent price, you also get a knee raise station too.
Click Here to check the latest price on Amazon <<
Making uneducated decisions is one of the worst things you can possibly do. Buying calisthenics dip bars without reading these 10 things is like driving a car without gas – it’s pointless.
Taking a few extra minutes to take a quick look it’s all it takes to save you a lot of money, time and nerves.
Okay, enough talking! Let’s begin…
Currently, there are only 2 types of dip bars you can choose from – the 1-piece design and the 2-piece design.
Both types are better for certain situations and needs. Let’s have a closer look and see what are their differences and which one is going to be the best option for you.
This type of dip bars is usually more secure and safe because all your weight is being distributed evenly through the frame. That’s why you get less wobble or the whole thing sliding back and forward during use.
The size of this type is usually bigger and it is going to take you more space. The height is good and the whole frame gives you plenty of space to work with. Because of how both bars are connected you won’t have to worry about balance or the whole thing falling down.
It’s far safer than the 2-piece model but it’s also somewhat limiting. The space between the 2 bars is usually fixed or have a limited amount of adjustability. Besides that, you can’t really change the angle or separate the bars in order to do more exercises.
The whole design is less portable and it’s usually heavier and bulkier than the 2-piece one. It takes more time to be disassembled and it’s harder to move around or stored in its original form.
This type of dip bars is a better option for more explosive type of training or exercises requiring more stability. If you want even more safety than that your best shot is to go for anchored dip bars. Once mounted to the wall you can be sure they are not going anywhere.
This type of bars is usually more compact, lightweight and versatile. It’s designed in a way that is more portable, easy to carry and has a faster disassembly process. That way you can take it with you wherever you go and have it up and running in no time.
It’s more convenient to store and you have the option to choose how much height you want – there are tall and short models on the market. Because both bars are independent of one another you have the ability to adjust the space and angle between them as you feel pleased. That is going to allow you to target your muscles a lot better and have a bigger variety of available exercises to work with.
Because of the way they operate they are less stable than the 1-piece design. That makes them more wobbly and dangerous if you try to do certain exercises or spread them too far. If you want to minimize that risk make sure that the base is wide enough and uses nice rubber feet. Having those 2 things can really make a difference with your workouts and your level of safety.
Portable dip bars are very important if you know that you are going to move them around quite often. If you are looking for portable dip bars make sure to select shorter and smaller ones. Those usually are lighter and are easy to assemble.
Those things are exactly what you want to have if you want to have the freedom to carry them anywhere you go. The downside of using portable dip bars is that they are not very stable because of the way they are made.
Another thing is that they aren’t very tall either which may be an issue for certain exercises. You can always go for something in the middle which has height and it’s still portable. Check out my recommendations for more info on that.
When it comes to adjustability and dip bars there are only two things you can adjust – the height and the space between the bars. Even if those 2 features are not really necessary to have they can be really useful when it comes to stability and available height. So if you have the option to get them, give them a try.
Sadly, there aren’t many models that can have both those options available at the same time. More often you have to choose between one or the other.
In my opinion, both adjustable options are important but for me personally having the ability to adjust the space between the bars is far more important because that way you can target different muscle fibers and do more exercises in general.
It’s also good to know how easy and time-consuming is the whole adjustment process. Do you have to use a separate tool to do it or simply have to rotate a handle and you are ready? It’s good to know those things before you invest in a model.
Some products from my recommendation do have these two features so if you find them important feel free to check them out.
Depending on which specific exercises you want to do, the dip bar’s height may vary but in general, the average height of a set of dip bars is between 25-35 inches. (63-89 cm).
If you want to do normal dips and have the ability to do more exercises aim for a taller product that allows you to have such freedom of movement.
Don’t forget that you are most likely going to have to bend your knees when doing dips so it’s not really necessary to go for a super tall model.
Also, take into consideration your height. If you are a very tall person who has long legs it’s going to be a lot better to buy the highest available option. As you know from the previous feature there are models that have adjustable height. That could be really handy for that type of situation.
Please, don’t get me wrong you can still do dips on shorter dip bars. It’s just going to be a different variation of the exercise but if you do it right it’s still going to have the same exact impact on your body.
Here’s a quick video showing you what dip variation I’m talking about:
If you want to increase the difficulty you can elevate your legs or add some additional weight.
I want to also add up that the height of the dip bars is also responsible for a big part of the balance. It’s simple physics: The taller a specific product is the worse stability you are going to get. If you are very close to the ground you won’t have such issues.
As you can see there isn’t a perfect option when talking about height. So depending on what you seek choose a height that is going to allow you to do what you want.
The usual weight of a regular set of dip bars is about 10 lbs a piece (5kg). That makes them combined weigh around 20 lbs or 10 kg. But this metric can be really individual because the weight of each dip bar really depends on the size, material, and thickness.
But the dip bar weight is really important because it directly affects the stability and portability of your equipment.
The heavier a set of bars are the more stable they will be so if you are looking for stability then you should go for a product that uses a heavier frame.
On the contrary, the lighter a pair of dip bars are the easier they are going to be to carry around. If that’s important for you go for a model that is lightweight.
As you can see there isn’t a winner when it comes to weight. You could have one or the other but not both things at the same time. Make sure to choose an appropriate weight depending on what is more important for you – stability or portability.
The average set of dip bars can handle between 330 lbs up to 500 lbs. (150 to 225 kg). That specific number is really important because it is directly responsible for how durable and safe they really.
As a matter of fact, it is recommended not to buy or use dip bars whose weight limit is below 300 lbs for your own safety.
Depending on the amount you can also see how good are the materials and their overall quality.
The bigger the number, the safer and more durable a specific set of dip bars are going to be.
If you are buying a dip station as a long term equipment then it’s going to be best for you to go for a product that has a relatively high weight capacity.
The reason behind this is that in time you will become bigger and stronger and you will start to add additional weight via a belt, a backpack full of heavy things or a simple weight vest.
Doing that is going to increase the total pressure your equipment must handle and you want to be sure that the frame can withstand the new load without any issues.
It’s always good to think in the long term before you make a decision.
If you don’t want to fall down and break something on your next workout it’s nice to make sure that your dip bars are made from really strong and durable materials and have a wide and stable base. Good materials to look for are stainless steel tubing and long and thick bolts that hold the different pieces together.
The best way to avoid collisions and meeting the ground face to face it to simply buy dip bars that you can anchor to the wall.
If you don’t want to drill your walls and still need to have portability your next safest option is to get dip bars that have a wide base and are relatively heavy.
Your best bet is to use a 1-piece design.
As I have explained earlier the design plays a very important role in safety. Because of that, 1-piece design is going to be a lot more stable and safe than using 2 separate bars.
Rubber feet could also improve the overall stability of a product while protecting your floor at the same time. It’s good to take a look at what type of feet does a certain item use.
Height is also responsible for stability. The taller a product is the worse the balance you are going to get.
One final factor that has some impact on stability and safety is the shape of the tubing on the base.
Having squarely-shaped stainless steel is going to be safer and more secure.
The problem with that is that 99% of dip bars use circular tubing.
In order to make sure your dip bars are durable they must be made from solid stainless steel. It is recommended to go for stainless steel instead of wood because steel is extremely durable that doesn’t bend or lose shape easily during hard usage compared to wood or plastic.
My guess is that when you buy home gym equipment you want it to stand in one piece many years ahead. In your favor, there are certain things that can help you with that.
Having it all around the product is going to make sure that your dip station can hold a lot of weight and continue to work properly for many years.
No matter what type of product you buy you are still going to have to assemble it. It won’t hurt to check some pictures and see how good are the welds or connections of the parts.
Another thing that is responsible for the overall durability is the shape of the tubbing. We are talking about square vs round. In my opinion, both types are very strong but when it comes to a winner we all know it’s the square design. It’s basic physics after all.
It’s always a good thing to check if your favorite product has any protective coating against rust, scratches, and oxidation. It may not sound like much but trust me, this is important.
You don’t want your bars to rot in a couple of months from rust right?
On today’s modern dip bars, you can find a lot more components than just steel. We are talking about things like plastic, rubber, foam, etc. If you want the whole thing to last a while you have to make sure that all components are made from durable and high-quality materials.
The best way you can learn that is to simply find out what do previous customers have to say about the durability of a certain product.
That could easily be achieved by reading some of the reviews they have left on the product page.
The best place to store your dip bars is somewhere relatively warm and dry where they won’t be placed in direct sunlight. Just make sure to leave them somewhere protected from the weather because most models are not design for long-term outdoor usage.
If you have limited available space and your plan is to store your dip bars somewhere else after your workouts then you may want to pick products that can easily be dismantled and are not bulky so you can store them inside your wardrobe or under your bed.
If you have plently of space then you can store them anywhere you like.
Depending on what’s your plan of storing the bars you do have 2 options to choose from – fixed or portable.
You can do that by checking out the product dimensions and the way they are assembled. Your goal should be to pick a product which assembly process is fairly easy to do because you may have to do that quite often.
On the other hand, if you are not going to move the bars a lot and they are going to mainly stay in one place then these things won’t be very relevant to your situation.
In that case, it’s best to look for additional functionality and bigger freedom of choice instead of dimensions and assembly process.
While having extra padding on your dip bars does help a lot with sweat, comfort, and improves gripping but it’s not really necessary to have. Instead of padding you can also wear a pair of gloves or use some chalk. Both options work the same.
So even thouh it is better to have padding than not have any this shouldn’t be a deciding factor if you should buy a specific model or not.
But if you have a big problem with sweaty hands then this feature is a must-have. Having extra padding is going to make your workouts 10x more enjoyable.
Using padding while working out does also reduce the occurrence of calluses and othercommon hand injuries.
It’s always a good addition if the pads can be removed and washed. I know this is a very rare occasion but if you come across such type of pads you will easily find out how handy that could be.
If a product you like doesn’t come with any padding that’s not a big deal. You can easily make yourself one by using some cheap wrapping material or use chalk or workout gloves instead.
Here’s a good video showing you a cheap way to solve this problem:
Of course, you can always use your creativity and wrap it up with anything else you like.
I know this isn’t the shortest article but I’ve tried my best to give you as much value as possible.
If you have not skipped important parts and have reached this point that means that you are now ready for your final decision.
It’s time for you to decide which are the best dip bars for calisthenics you would like to have.
Using all the knowledge and personal preferences pick one of the 5 products I have recommended above.
Doing that can save you a ton of time, money and future problems.
If you have difficulties deciding which dip bars to choose I would recommend you go for my personal favorite which ones I’m currently using – the GoBeast Dip Station.
Click Here to check GoBeast’s latest price on Amazon
In my opinion, they have everything you really need in such equipment.
My bars are lightweight, portable, durable, safe and affordable.
What else do you really need?
If you ask me these dip bars are perfect for calisthenics and can be used both indoor and outdoor.
Click here to check my dip bars on Amazon
But even with them you are going to still FAIL miserably if you don’t do these 2 simple steps:
STEP 1:
Master the art of bodyweight training by download our FREE guide How to Start Calisthenics: The Ultimate Guide.
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STEP 2:
Continue reading more awesome stuff about bodyweight training.
If you are looking for more great articles about calisthenics and great equipment feel free to check my latest posts you can find here.
Also, I highly recommend you to take a look at my latest content about pull-up bars, supplements, parallettes, and weighted vests. You may them useful.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article. It would make me very happy if you have found it useful.
That being said it’s time to end this.
If you like what you see and want me to write more please leave a comment below and share the post with your friends. This would mean a lot to me!
And of course, keep them skills growing!
Till we meet again,
– Bozhidar
