Best Power Tower
I actually just finished a back workout that consisted of pull ups, pull ups and more pull ups. So I thought I better give you the lowdown on the Best Power Tower for your home gym!
In case you are wondering, Power Towers are also known as a Pull Up Dip Station. And as you guessed, it’s made for doing pull ups and dips. And most also allow you to do knee/leg raises with your back against some comfy padding.
Anyway, let’s find you the best power tower by going through my top picks.
1. Fitness Reality Power Tower
2. RELIFE Power Tower
3. Weider Power Tower
Equipment Considerations
Before buying a power tower, there’s a few considerations you should make.
Versatility
The first consideration is the different exercises that can be performed. All power towers let you do pull ups and dips. Actually they all allow you to do leg raises too. But some give you a comfy padding to lean against and rest your forearms.
You might want comfy padding, especially if you aren’t used to doing leg raises. Otherwise, it’s perfectly fine to do them from a hanging position. This is my preferred as you get a lot more core activation.
In addition, some power towers come with additional handles so you can do assisted pull ups aka body rows. And also assisted dips. Kinda like chair dips.
Ceiling Height
Definitely don’t buy a power tower if you can’t fit it in your home gym. At the very worst, it can live outside. I actually prefer to do my workouts outside in the fresh air. But each to their own.
Also, before you do anything, make sure you have your ceiling height measured. Once you’ve got this number, compare it to the height of your desired power tower.
And don’t forget to account for your head when at the top part of a pull up.
Here’s the formula >> power tower max height = ceiling height – head height
You need to make sure that your power tower maximum height is less than or equal to the ceiling height minus your head height.
Drop my a comment below if you have any questions.
Budget
I’m a strong believer of the phrase, ‘you get what you pay for’. This seems to be especially true when it comes to home gym equipment.
While you can get away with cheap equipment, you definitely pay the price difference in other ways. For example, some power towers can be quite flimsy and wobbly. If you want a secure pull up dip station that doesn’t move, make sure you invest in something more solid.
Weighted Exercises
If you plan on performing weighted dips or pull ups, then the cheap options are actually out of the question.
Make sure you take the weight capacity into account.
My top pick will ensure you can perform weighted exercises and even muscle ups.
Adjustability
The is usually only a consideration for cheaper power towers. I’m referring to be able to adjust the height of the power tower. If you’re relatively tall, you might need to adjust the height of your pull up dip station.
I’m 6ft 2″, which usually means I need to do one of two things with cheaper power towers. The first is adjusting the height. The second option is making sure my knees are bent backwards at 90 degrees so you don’t touch the ground.
Power Tower Workout
Check out the video below that shows you a basic power tower workout.
If you need some exercise guidance, then check out this epic article on how to do a pull up.
Or this one on how to do a dip.
Power Tower Reviews
1. Fitness Reality X Class High Capacity Multi Function Power Tower
The Fitness Reality Power Tower is one of the best pull up dip stations on the market. It gives you the ability to do a lot more exercises than its competitors. It’s also much sturdier with a higher weight capacity. This extra strength allows you to do weighted exercises and even muscle ups. All without the power tower wobbling around.
Weight Capacity = 400lbs
Height = 83″
Height Adjustable = No
Multi-grip Pull Up Bar = Yes
Exercise Options = Pullups, Dips, Body Rows, Knee Raises, Push Ups
PROS
CONS
2. RELIFE Power Tower Workout Dip Station for Home Gym
The RELIFE Power Tower is my second favorite. First of all they have a clever motto; REBUILD YOUR LIFE. Secondly, the power tower height is adjustable so there’s no need to worry about ceiling height. And thirdly, you can do all of the same exercises that you can do with the Fitness Reality pull up dip station. It’s just slightly less sturdy at a weight capacity of 330 pounds. But this is more than enough for most people.
Weight Capacity = 330lbs
Height = 88.6″
Height Adjustable = Yes, the height can be adjusted from 58″ to 88.6″.
Multi-grip Pull Up Bar = Yes (technically)
Exercise Options = Pullups, Dips, Knee Raises, Pushups
PROS
CONS
3. Weider Power Tower
The weider power tower is probably the most searched and well known pull up dip station for home gyms. It’s also one of the most affordable. It has all the same features as the Fitness Reality Power Tower but with less weight capacity. The lesser weight capacity means that the frame won’t be as sturdy. So if you don’t mind a small amount of frame wobble, then this is the one for you.
Weight Capacity = 300lbs
Height = 83″
Height Adjustable = No
Multi-grip Pull Up Bar = Yes (technically)
Exercise Options = Pullups, Dips, Knee Raises, Pushups
PROS
CONS
Final thoughts about the best power tower
It was a very close match between the Fitness Reality and RELIFE Power Towers. My top pick is the Fitness Reality Power Tower because it’s sturdier and allows for more exercise variations.
However, the RELIFE Power Tower is actually more suited to a home gym due to the adjustable height. So if you have a short ceiling height and/or low budget, I recommend the RELIFE pull up dip station. Otherwise, go all out and get the Fitness Reality Power Tower.
Note: if you are planning on purchasing a decent power rack, there’s no need for a power tower.
