The best portable dip bars are made of durable steel, which allows for a higher weight capacity range. A portable dip station should also be true to its name and be lightweight enough to move and store easily. Such a compact dip station should allow you to adjust the height and length for more comfortable positioning and a wider exercise selection. Lastly, a foldable dip bar should come with anti-slippage and stability-enhancing perks that allow you to perform the exercises safely.
Top 6 Portable Dip Bars Reviewed
1. Top pick: Sunny Health & Fitness Dip Station
The Sunny Health & Fitness Dip Station has several unique design features that make the equipment more comfortable and easy to use. Starting with the safety connector, which connects the two parallel bars together. This helps with stability and can allow you to perform versatile exercises safely.
- Material: Steel Frame
- Color: Silver
- Item Dimensions: 45.5 x 23.5 x 29.5 inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Station with Safety Connector
- Max Weight Recommendation: 250 lbs
Additionally, the width of the bars can be adjusted through a knob at the bottom. The width of the bars can be as narrow as 23.5 inches and as wide as 31 inches. Although 31 inches might still feel restrictive for some people, it should allow most people to perform dips in a comfortable manner.
Also, the bars come with a soft foam handle grip, that keeps your hands safe. An issue with a dip bar can be the constant friction between your palm and the handles. This causes callouses and can tear your skin. But the foam handle grips should prevent these possibilities.
The frame itself is made of steel, which is quite durable and long-lasting. It can handle up to 250 pounds, which is ideal for beginners. But, if you’re a seasoned lifter and can perform these types of calisthenic exercises with weights or a weighted vest, you might find the weight limit to be restricting.
As for the portability of the equipment, it’s easy to assemble and disassemble, which makes it ideal if you need to save space at your home gym or enjoy working out in different environments. The slimmer design and the overall dimensions also take up less space at your home than most other dip stations.
All of this equals to a very affordable piece of equipment, that can be used for many different exercises and workout regimes while being stable and safe at the same time.
Positives:
Space-friendly piece of equipment
Adjustable width
Foam hand grips
Safety connector for more stability
Could be better:
Max weight capacity is only 250 pounds which is lower than most dip stations
The slim design can have durability issues
2. Runner-up: BalanceFrom Multi-Function Dip Stand
- Material: Steel
- Color: Grey, Red, and Yellow
- Item Dimensions: 40.1 x 27.95 x 29.5 inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Stand
- Max Weight Recommendation: 500 lbs
The bar is also very adjustable. The height can adjust from 40.15 to 51 inches, so it works great for both smaller and larger users. Plus, the heavy-duty frame allows for up to 500 pounds of weight. So, you can perform weighted sets of dips easily. Also, once you adjust the height to its maximum, you could even do pull-ups with the dip station. And there are push-up handles at the base for even more versatility.
One drawback is that there is a vertical post on one side of the dip station. It’s there to provide more stability but could interfere with some gymnastic or calisthenic movements.
For grip, the dip station comes with padded foam handles. Also, to help with stability, there are non-slip foot pads, too.
However, the size of the dip station is on the larger spectrum which might not be suitable for every home gym. Plus, the heavy-duty steel does make the dip station heavier, which lowers its portability.
Positives:
Comes with a 2-year warranty
- High-quality steel construction for more durability
Up to 500 lbs weight limit
Padded foam handles
Non-slip foot pads
Could be better:
Bulkier design that takes up more space in your home gym
Post on one side of the dip station could interfere with some gymnastic or calisthenic movements
The Fuel Pureformance Dip Station is made of 12 and 14-gauge steel, which makes it highly durable. In addition, the equipment comes with a powder-coated finish to prevent any rust or corrosion. While for stability, there are two gussets at the base, which prevent the dip station from moving or wobbling as you perform your exercises.
- Material: Metallic-Fiber and Steel
- Color: Mix of Black & Blue
- Item Dimensions: 29. 92 x 24. 8 x 38. 58 inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Station with Olympic-Style Rings
- Max Weight Recommendation: 300 lbs
The handles are also angled, which can be safer for your shoulders and gives you more variety with your dips as you can pick different angles to target different chest and tricep areas. The handles are also padded to keep your hands safe.
The station is easy to assemble and it’s lightweight, so there shouldn’t be any issues with portability. In fact, the smaller dimensions make it perfect for a home gym as you can easily store the equipment.
However, one drawback is the height. The dip station isn’t adjustable, so 29.92 inches is the maximum height of the equipment. This might not be ideal for taller users as they would have to bend their knees to perform most exercises.
Plus, the versatility of the equipment isn’t all there. This is primarily for dips and if you want to add some multifunctionality, then you would have to pick the dip station with the Olympic-style rings option. Of course, this would mean a higher price tag, but the addition of Olympic rings will give you more exercises to pick from.
Positives:
12 and 14-gauge steel with a powder-coated finish
Angled handles are more comfortable for your shoulders
Lightweight
Could be better:
Height cannot be adjusted
Limited exercise variety
With a max capacity of 1100 pounds, the YOLEO Adjustable Dip Bar is a great foldable dip station. The bars are made of heavy-duty steel with a 1.5mm thickness that will last you a long time. The handles also come padded with density foams, which protect your hand and give you plenty of grip.
- Material: Steel
- Color: Black
- Item Dimensions: 28.7 x 35 x 31 inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Station with Safety Connector
- Max Weight Recommendation: 1100 lbs
With a max capacity of 1100 pounds, the YOLEO Adjustable Dip Bar is a great foldable dip station. The bars are made of heavy-duty steel with a 1.5mm thickness that will last you a long time. The handles also come padded with density foams, which protect your hand and give you plenty of grip.
Stability is another main focus of the dip bars. They come with a double safety connector, which joins the parallel bars together to prevent any slippage or wobbling during your workout. This makes the bars ideal for both carpeted and hardwood home gyms.
As for the adjustability, both the height and width can be changed. There are 3 different height levels covering 30.7'' to 35.43'' and 6 different width levels covering 35'' to 41''. These should be able to accommodate most people, but even at its tallest height, it might be too short for taller users.
And once you’re done using it, you can essentially compress it by lowering both the height and width and making it very practical to store away and save space in your home.
Plus, the overall weight of the dip bar is almost 25 pounds, which makes is very lightweight in terms of portability.
Positives:
Padded density foam handles for better grip
Max weight capacity of 1100 pounds
Double safety connector for more stability
Adjustable height and width
Could be better:
Might not be suitable for tall individuals
Not as versatile as other dip stations
- Material: Metal
- Color: White and Black
- Item Dimensions: 24 x 36 x 36 inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Bar
- Max Weight Recommendation: 350 lbs
This is also a one piece construction, so the two dip bars are fused together. This has its benefits, but one negative can be a lack of versatility. You cannot adjust the angles of bars or the positions to do different workouts.
However, despite it being one piece, the dip station can easily be disassembled. So, storing it and saving space at your home shouldn’t be an issue. Plus, it’s still pretty lightweight, making it a portable piece of equipment.
It is made of metal instead of steel, which might cause some durability concerns as steel is more durable and sturdier than metal.
Also, even though the 3-foot length is beneficial for tall users, that type of length is only ideal if the dip station comes with additional stability perks, which this one doesn’t. With it lacking stability, it limits the exercises you can perform. So, if you’re intending to do calisthenic or gymnastic movements, you might have to think twice before purchasing this dips station because the 3-foot height could wobble too much for your liking.
Positives:
3 feet in length which makes it ideal for tall users
Can easily be disassembled and assembled
Two different width positions
Could be better:
Not as stable as other dip stations
Isn’t as durable as steel dip machines
- Material: Steel
- Color: Black
- Item Dimensions: 34 x 32 x 38 Inches
- Type of Attachment: Dip Bar
- Max Weight Recommendation: 661 lbs
Additionally, the handles come with foam grips, which protect your hands and stop them from slipping. However, the handle width or height is not adjustable. So, the preset position could be too narrow for you. Also, the lack of adjustability narrows down the number of exercises you can safely perform as well.
But, you could add push-up rings or straps to increase the versatility of the product, but both attachments are sold separately.
It is easy to assemble and is lightweight enough to be moved around easily. The dimensions of the product are also perfect for storage as the dip bar won’t take up needless space.
Positives:
Up to 661-pound weight capacity
Foam floor pads for stability
Foam grips on the handle to prevent slippage
Could be better:
Width and length can’t be adjusted
Limited exercise variety
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Portable Dip Bars: Benefits
Space Saving
When it comes to the dips, you have three main options. Either get a dip station, a dip bar, or a portable dip bar. A dip station is big and bulky and will take up a lot of real estate in your home gym. It’s also not as versatile. A simple dip bar can be a great option as you can move it around easily, but the issue is trying to find a place to mount it.
A portable dip bar is a perfect marriage of these two options. The bars are small and lightweight enough that they don’t take up much space and can be moved around if you prefer. This also makes them easy to store, freeing up your gym space for other use when you don’t need them.
Versatility
Another benefit of a portable dip bar is that it can be a very versatile piece of equipment. Once again, your traditional dip station will likely have a post or padding on one side of the station. This limits your range of motion and makes the area primarily for dips.
But with a portable dip bar, the front and the back of the bars is free for you to perform swinging exercises, inverted rows, core exercises, and even certain gymnastic and Callisthenics movements.
Portability
Of course, one of the best benefits is in the name. Portability. Most portable dip bars are lightweight and can be disassembled with relative ease. This makes them a perfect candidate for portable training as you can take them outside or to a different gym and do your workout.
It’s also important to see how easily a portable dip bar can be put back together, as it’ll determine how much portability you will have with your equipment.
When Do You Need Portable Dip Bars?
Callisthenics Training
Callisthenics training is a form of strength training that only uses your body weight to strengthen and build muscles. However, a limitation of this type of workout can be progressively overloading muscle groups to build muscle and strength. That’s why it’s important for callisthenics training to have equipment like folding dip stand, so athletes, users, etc. can add a variety of exercises and movements to continue progressing toward their fitness goals.
Gymnastic Training
Gymnastic training is some of the hardest and most worthwhile training you can do to build functional strength and mobility. But, a lot of gymnastic training requires space and specialized equipment. A folding dip stand can be perfect to perform certain gymnastic exercises like the L-sit to build a strong core, a full planche for your shoulders and back, negative hefestos for building arm strength, and archer dips just to name a few.
Comfortable Dips
An issue with dips can be that they put a strain on your shoulders or cause pinching in your back. That’s why many people prefer to do a different tricep or chest exercise. However, the issue isn’t with the exercise itself, but rather with your traditional dip stations. Those stations have a preset width, which can be too wide or too narrow depending on the person. Either way, it can lead to injuries.
However, with a portable dip bar, you can adjust the width according to what best suits your body and perform them in a safe manner.
What To Look For In Portable Dip Bars?
Design
Of course, like all workout equipment, design plays a big factor. Certain portable dip bars come with a connected base, which can limit the angle adjustability but will provide you with more stability.
The design also plays a factor in the height of the dip bars. If the bar is too low, it could limit the versatility of the equipment. However, if it's too tall, then there could be some stability issues.
Safety
Safety largely depends on the materials used to make the bar and how stable it is. The material make up of the bar comes in several options such as steel or aluminum just to name a couple. This is important because the materials will tell you how sturdy the bar is so that it won’t bend or break as you’re performing the exercise. Also, the materials will determine how much weight the bar can handle too.
While the stability factor is largely determined by the base of the dip bars. As mentioned before, some come connected at the bottom to provide you stability. While others might have a naturally wide base.
Adjustability
The adjustability of the dip bars will mainly depend on the width and height. If you can maneuver the dip bar, then you’ll be able to adjust the bars to your liking. This can also open up a variety of new exercises.
While the height of the bar is largely preset, but there are certain portable dip bars that allow you to change the height.
Multifunctionality
The multifunctionality of the equipment is very valuable, as well. If you wanted to do exercises like the L-sit, inverted rows, full planche, and so on, you should make sure the dip bar gives you plenty of space in front and behind you. Plus, is tall enough for you to get underneath it as well. Once again, if you can adjust the width, the more versatile the dip bars will be.
Also, the thickness of the handles plays a factor in this. You usually need a strong grip if the handles are thicker. This can limit the type of exercise you can do.
FAQ
Are Portable Dip Bars Worth It?
Folding dip bars can be a very versatile piece of equipment that allows you to perform several different types of muscle-building and functional strength movements. Especially if your goal is to improve your bodyweight strength along with your core and balance, portable dip bars are essential.
Is a Portable Dip Bar Better Than an Average One?
It mainly depends on what you wish to do. If you simply want to perform dips, then any dip machine option is good. But, if you have other concerns like trying to save space, needing portability, or wanting more versatile equipment, then a portable dip bar can be better than your average one.
Conclusion
Collapsible dip bars are a great for functional strength and muscle building, especially when you’re able to adjust the height and width of it dip bars. This can open up an array of exercises and workout regiments that can provide you with a full body workout if done correctly.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Dip Station is the best dip bar that meets this criteria.
What are your favorite workouts to do on a dip station? Do you have specific hand place or elbow angles that feel more comfortable for your shoulders? How important is portability and space saving features of a product?
Let’s discuss all of this and any other questions you might have in the comment section below!
Also read:
References:
- Jim Stoppani's Guide To Dips // Bodybuilding: https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/jim-stoppanis-guide-to-dips.html
- 7 Most Effective Dip Bar Exercises for Beginners// Theworkoutdigest: https://theworkoutdigest.com/dip-bar-exercises-for-beginners/
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.