Are you searching for the best dip bars for your home gym? Look no further! In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know.
A dip station is an excellent piece of equipment for training your chest, triceps, and shoulders at home. It allows you to perform the (weighted) dip, one of the most effective compound body-weight exercises.
Curious about the different types of dip stations and which ones are best suited for your needs? Keep reading to find out more.
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Our favorite: Gornation premium dip bars
Don’t want to read the full blog post and just want to know the best option on the market? Go for the premium dip bars by Gornation. This calisthenics brand is renowned for its high-quality products, and these dip bars are no exception.

What are dip bars?
Dip bars are calisthenics materials entirely focused on training dips, consisting of two parallel bars attached to a sturdy base. There are various variations of this, such as dip bars that are one piece, or variants where you use a set of parallettes.
Benefits of training the (weighted) dip
There are many benefits to training dips. For example, you can scale this exercise endlessly by adding weight, gradually building up significant pushing strength.
Additionally, training dips helps develop strength that overlaps with other pushing exercises. For instance, the handstand push-up will become much easier as your weighted dip strength improves.
It’s no wonder that the dip is considered one of the most fundamental exercises in calisthenics.
Do you want to know more about the benefits of the dip and how to perform this exercise? Then check out our weighted dip blog.
What types of dip bars are there?
If you want to dip at home, you have various options in terms of design. Below, I’ll give you the pros and cons of each category, along with a buying tip for our favorite dip bars.
Dip bars
Dip bars / high parallettes consists of two parallel bars, each with its own base. This has both advantages and disadvantages.
One major advantage is their versatility. You can use them for dips and handstand training, but you can also lay them flat to train push-ups and L-sits. With them, it’s even possible to practice bodyweight rows and other pulling exercises.
However, these functionalities come with a drawback. Because the parallel bars are separate, they are less sturdy than a pullup / dip station. Therefore, they are not as comfortable for training dips where you hang weight from your body.
Best overall dip bars: Gornation

Gornation is the most renowned brand in the calisthenics community, crafting top-quality equipment since 2015 from their base in Germany.
These parallettes are the highest quality available in the market. One specific bonus of these parallettes is that they come delivered with a connection part, allowing you to connect the dip bars and stabilize the parallettes even more.
Wall-mounted dip station
You can also choose to mount a dip bar on your wall. If you have a strong wall where you can attach it, you will definitely enjoy using it. Additionally, they are often built to combine a pull-up bar and dip bar in one unit.
Best wall mounted dip bars

Power Tower
A power tower is an excellent piece of equipment for anyone looking to build strength and versatility in their workouts. It combines several exercises into one compact station, offering you the ability to perform pull-ups, dips, push-ups, and even leg raises. This all-in-one design makes it a great addition to any home gym, especially for those who want to target multiple muscle groups with one piece of equipment.
The dip station on a power tower is particularly beneficial for targeting your triceps, shoulders, and chest, making it an essential exercise for building upper body strength. With adjustable features and a sturdy build, a power tower provides the support and stability needed for both beginners and advanced users, allowing you to perform exercises safely and effectively. Whether you’re looking to increase muscle mass, improve endurance, or add variety to your routine, a power tower is a valuable investment for anyone serious about their fitness journey.
Best power tower

What should you consider when choosing the best dip bars?
If you’re looking for a good dip station, there are a few things you should consider. Below, we’ve listed the 2 most important points for you.
weight capacity
Always take a close look at the maximum load capacity of the dip station. This is the weight that the station can handle. This is incredibly important because it tells you about the stability of the station.
You should consider your goals here. If you’re planning to train heavy weighted dips, then you’ll naturally want a higher load capacity than if you’re only going to train bodyweight dips.
Width of the parallel bars
A good dip width is approximately the length of your forearm plus a fist. When the width between the bars is wider, this is detrimental to your dips, making them difficult to execute properly.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a dip station that suits you well.
Better dip stations have bars that are slightly tilted towards each other, making them suitable for (almost) everyone.
If you are relatively short, it may also be wise to opt for parallettes because you can determine the distance between the bars yourself.
What does a dip station cost?
Fortunately, there are many different types of dip stations on the market, so there is probably one that fits within your budget. The cheapest ones start at around €50. This is not very expensive, but you won’t get very high quality for that price.
If you want to purchase a high-quality dip station, it will cost several hundred euros.
How do you add weight to your dips?
If you’re planning to train weighted dips, you’ll obviously need two things: the dip station and weight.
In most cases, you can add weight to your dips by simply carrying some extra weight. This can be in the form of weight plates, a weight vest, or even a backpack with water bottles in it.
The two calisthenics equipment options to build up weight in the long term are a dip belt or a weighted vest.
Personally, I find a dip belt considerably more comfortable than a weight vest for weighted dips. With a dip belt, you can add much more weight (especially important in the long term), and a weight vest restricts your mobility during the exercise.
If you’re interested in a weight belt, I recommend getting one with a strap rather than a steel chain. These are much more comfortable.
The two best brands for this are the King Of Weighted weight belt and the GORNation weight belt.

FAQ About Dips and Dip Bars
What are dips and how do they work?
Dips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps, shoulders, and chest. To perform dips, you lower your body between two parallel bars and push yourself back up. This movement engages the upper body muscles and is great for building strength and muscle mass.
What muscles do dip bars target?
Dip bars primarily target the triceps, but they also engage the shoulders (deltoids), chest (pectorals), and even the upper back. By adjusting your body position, you can emphasize different muscles in the upper body, making dips a versatile exercise.
Are dip bars good for beginners?
Yes, dip bars can be great for beginners. If you’re new to dips, you can start by doing assisted dips with your feet on the ground or using resistance bands for added support. As you build strength, you can work up to full, unassisted dips.
How do I perform a dip properly?
To perform a dip correctly:
- Grip the dip bars with your palms facing inward, and lift your body off the ground.
- Lower your body slowly by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Push back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Make sure to keep your elbows close to your body and avoid swinging or jerking your movements.
Can dip bars help build muscle?
Yes, dip bars are an excellent tool for building muscle, especially in the triceps, chest, and shoulders. By regularly incorporating dips into your workout routine and progressively increasing the difficulty, you can effectively build upper body muscle.
Can I do weighted dips on a dip bar?
Yes, you can perform weighted dips by using a dip belt with added weight, or a weighted vest. This is an effective way to increase resistance and challenge your muscles further as you get stronger.
How often should I use dip bars in my workout?
The frequency of dips in your workout depends on your fitness goals. For beginners, 2-3 times a week is usually enough to allow for muscle recovery. More advanced users can increase frequency and intensity, incorporating dips into upper body workouts or using them for strength-building routines.
Are there any safety tips for using dip bars?
To avoid injury while using dip bars:
- Make sure the dip bars are sturdy and properly set up.
- Always warm up before starting dips to prepare your muscles and joints.
- Maintain control throughout the movement, and avoid going too deep into the dip to prevent shoulder strain.
- If you’re new to dips, consider using assisted variations to reduce the risk of injury.
Conclusion
No matter how you want to dip, there’s always a dip station/dip bar that meets your needs. I wish you the best of luck in choosing your dip bars and, of course, in training your dips!