Best Power Towers – Introduction
What are the best power Towers for your home gym today?
You don’t need a lot of fancy or expensive equipment to get fit, build muscle, get stronger, or lose weight.
In fact, you can achieve all these goals using nothing but your body weight.
After all, people have been working out using calisthenic exercises for thousands of years.
That said, it’s always nice to have several exercise options so that your workouts are never boring and to keep your muscles guessing (and adapting) with different training approaches.
Even then, you don’t need to go overboard with exercise equipment, and adding a barbell, resistance bands, adjustable bench, and dumbbells to your fitness arsenal will ensure your workouts are never repetitive.
That said, there is one piece of equipment that really will add a lot to your workouts, especially if you train at home and prefer bodyweight exercises like pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, and push-ups over bench presses and lat pulldowns.
We’re talking about power towers.
This article explains what a power tower is, what you can use it for, and some of the best models currently available.
There’s also a workout to try!
What Is A Power Tower?
In simple terms, a power tower is a freestanding pull-up and dip station that’s ideal for home use.
They’re light, compact, and very versatile.
Because they are freestanding, they don’t need to be fixed to a wall or ceiling, so they’re ideal for anyone that doesn’t want to have a permanent pull-up bar in their home.
Most are supplied in sections, but they’re usually pretty easy to put together using nothing but a wrench or two.
My current power tower took about 90 minutes to put together, and I did it by myself.
It really was a very straightforward job.
Once you’ve put yours together, you have an all-in-one workout station that you can use for the following exercises.
Please note; some have more or fewer functions, depending on the design:
- Pull-ups
- Chin-ups
- Parallel bar dips
- Incline rows
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Captain’s chair leg raises
By pairing your power tower with some simple bodyweight lower-body exercises like lunges and squats, you can train your entire body from multiple angles without relying on weights or resistance bands.
You can use a power tower for almost any type of workout, particularly general strength training and bodybuilding.
But because you can move quickly from one exercise to the next, they’re also suitable for circuit training and high-intensity interval training.
What to Look for In A Power Tower
To the uninitiated, all power towers look much the same.
But, before you start spending your hard-earned cash, take a moment to consider the following information, so you get the right one for your needs.
Weight capacity
Some power towers are stronger than others.
Make sure yours is strong enough to support your weight.
Also, if you plan on doing exercises like weighted pull-ups and dips, be sure to take that into account, too.
Available exercises
Some power towers offer more exercises than others.
If you really want to do neutral grip pull-ups, make sure there is a parallel handle to use and not just the standard horizontal bar.
Indoor vs. outdoor use
And some are specifically designed for outdoor use.
They’re rust-proof, rugged, and designed to withstand harsh weather.
In contrast, a standard power tower won’t last long left outdoors.
If you plan on using your tower outside, make sure it’s made for that purpose.
Height
Power towers vary in size.
Make sure your chosen model will fit in your training room and that you will be able to do pull-ups and chin-ups without hitting your head on the ceiling.
Note that you don’t need the tallest power rack because you can do pull-ups and chin-ups with bent knees.
A more compact power tower should be fine for all but the tallest users.
Stability and sturdiness
If you plan to do things like kipping pull-ups and plyometric push-ups or attaching resistance bands to your power tower, make sure you choose a sturdy model.
While all models are stable enough for regular pull-ups, push-ups, dips, etc., not all of them are suitable for more dynamic workouts.
The last thing you want is for your power tower to tip over during use.
Ease of construction
Some models are easier to put together than others.
Read the reviews to find out what other users thought about constructing their power towers.
Also, check that you have the right tools for the job or that any tools needed are supplied with your purchase.
Warranty
There isn’t a lot to go wrong with a power tower, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible.
Look for at least a 12-month warranty so you can buy with confidence.
Some products come with a five or even 10-year warranty.
Power Tower Workout
Not sure where to start with a power tower?
Here’s a full-body workout that you can do without any extra equipment and in minimal space.
Remember to spend a few minutes warming up before you begin, starting with some light cardio such as jogging or jumping rope.
Follow that with dynamic mobility and flexibility exercises for your major joints and muscles.
This is a circuit workout.
Do each exercise in turn, resting only a few seconds between each one.
After completing the last exercise, rest for 1-2 minutes and then start back at the top of the list.
*AMRAP = As Many Reps as Possible. Pump out as many as you can before moving on to the next exercise.
7 Best Power Towers for Your Home Gym
Not sure which model to buy?
Here are seven of the best currently available!
#1. Stamina Outdoor Fitness
If you want a power tower for outdoor use, this Stamina Outdoor Fitness is the model for you.
It’s sturdy and won’t rust, so you can set it up and leave it in your garden or yard for outdoor workouts.
On the downside, it doesn’t have any padding or non-slip hand grips.
It’s very much a bare-bones pull-up, dip, and push-up station.
Pros:
- 300 lb. weight capacity
- Rust-proof finish
- Pull-up, dip, and push-up bars
- Two-sided design
- Very strong, stable, and sturdy
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- No padded handles/grips
- No captain’s chair function
#2. Harrison Fitness Multi-Function
If you want to combine dumbbell or resistance band exercises with your bodyweight workout, this Multi-Function Power Tower from Harrison Fitness could be a great choice as it comes supplied with a fold-down bench!
It’s also solid and sturdy.
Pros:
- 500 lb. weight capacity
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Non-slip handles and footrests
- Adjustable height pull-up bar
- Pull-up, dip, and push-up bars plus captain’s chair and sit-up functions
- Padded Bench, backrest, and forearm pads
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Quite heavy
- Takes up more space than a standard power tower
#3. Stamina Power Tower 1698
The Stamina Power Tower 1698 is a lightweight product that’s ideal for home use and small workout areas.
While it’s not packed with features, it has everything you need for a great workout.
However, it is not suitable for heavy users or weighted pull-ups/dips.
Pros:
- 250 lb. weight capacity
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- Non-slip handles
- Pull-up, dip, push-up, sit-up, and leg raise functions
- Lightweight, tubular design
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- No back or forearm pads for leg raises
- Quite tall
- Not the most stable power tower on review
- Not suitable for heavy exercisers
#4. Bowflex BodyTower
Bowflex makes high-quality, innovative home workout equipment.
This Bowflex BodyTower is no exception.
Their take on the power tower offers a couple of useful features to add an extra dimension to your home bodyweight workouts.
Pros:
- 300 lb. weight capacity
- Compact footprint
- Multi-grip pull-up bars
- Adjustable height dip/push-up bars
- Handles for body rows
- Non-slip, antimicrobial foam hand grips
- Abs blaster arm loops for hanging leg raises
- Built-in exercise display board
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Push-ups and dip bars are combined into one
- Quite heavy
- Not the most straightforward power tower to put together
#5. Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip
This sturdy power tower is built to last.
With strong, square tubes and thick padding, it should provide many years of reliable use.
If you are a little on the heavy side or plan on doing weighted pull-ups or dips, this Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station Pull-Up Bar would be a good choice.
Pros:
- 400 lb. weight capacity
- Adjustable pull-up and dip height
- Captain’s chair with padded forearm and backrests
- Push-up handles
- Very sturdy, stable design
- Compact footprint
Cons:
- No sit-up function
- Some users found the dipping bars a little narrow
#6. Fitness Reality X-Class Power Tower
If you are looking to buy a power tower that never needs replacing, this High Capacity Multi-Function Power Tower from Fitness Reality could be the product for you.
It’s very strong, built for stability, and designed for hardcore workouts.
On the downside, you’ll need plenty of space as the pull-up and dip bars are on opposite sides of the frame, so you’ll need to be able to access it from the front and the back.
Pros:
- 400 lb. weight capacity
- Multi-grip pull-up bars, including parallel handles
- Powder-coated frame
- Adjustable dipping station
- Padded arm and backrest for hanging leg raises
- Non-slip hand grips
- Adjustable crossbeam for sit-ups, Bulgarian split squats, etc.
- Bolt holes for fixing to the floor
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Large footprint
- Quite heavy
- Not the easiest model to put together
#7. Steelbody STB-98501 Power Tower
This Steelbody Strength Training Tower is designed a little differently from every other product on review, but this adds a lot to both its appearance and functionality.
You can access all the exercises from one side, so this is a very compact power tower that’s ideal for small training areas.
However, it’s adjustable and still very easy to use.
Pros:
- 300 lb. weight capacity
- Adjustable dip and push-up bars
- Curved, multi-grip pull-up bar
- Padded forearm and backrests for hanging leg raises
- Compact footprint
- Padded leg supports for sit-ups
- Powder-coated finish
- Solid, stable design
Cons:
- A little pricier than other models
- Quite tall
- Heavy
Best Power Towers – Wrapping Up
Adding a power tower to your home gym will open up lots of new training options.
With this training station, you can train your chest, back, arms, and abs, all within a couple of yards of space.
Combine a power tower with bodyweight leg exercises like lunges and squats, and you really have everything you need to train your entire body.
Power powers vary enormously in price, so whatever your budget, you should be able to find a product that’s right for you.
Just make sure the model you’re thinking of buying is strong enough to support your weight, will fit your training area, and has all the functions you want.
Then, once you’ve got your tower assembled, give my full-body power tower workout a try!
