A free-standing pull-up station is a piece of multi-functional equipment that stands on its own. Often referred to as a pull-up dip station, it allows for a variety of exercises besides pull-ups, hence a robust solution for working out in the comfort of your home.
It offers the most space for your exercises out of all pull-up bar options. Pimp it up with the right accessories, such as gymnastic rings, suspension trainers, squat pins, and you are all covered.
The only caveat with free-standing pull-up stations is that they are rarely if ever foldable, hence taking up the most space in your room. Thus it’s best to place them in a fixed place dedicated to fitness.
Here is my review and guide to choosing the best free-standing pull-up stations for your needs and space limitations to suit a compact home gym.
For a quick answer, The ones we recommend:
- Stamina 1690 Power Tower
- Body Champ VKR1010 Power Tower
- Cap Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand
- Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System
- Rogue S-2 Squat Stand 2.0
REVIEWS
Rogue S-2 Squat Stand 2.0
The Rogue S-2 is a rack that is as sturdy as it looks. While it may not be your typical pull-up dip station, the J-cups included allow you to squat and bench press which is already much more you can ask from in this category.
With smart Rogue accessories, you can further upgrade the S-2 to a complete home gym. This stand is highly customizable and is compatible with a variety of 2×3” attachments, including safety spotter arms, the Rogue Matador dip station, Rogue Landmines, weight storage bars, and much more, allowing for a high-intensity home workout.
The fat-skinny pullup bar can be adjusted and placed at a height of up to 80 inches, and a skinny bar can be positioned 88 inches off the ground. J-cups are included so that you can use a barbell for bench press, and squats.
The S-2 Squat Stand has a relatively small footprint of only 48 inches square, and its height of 92 inches makes it a great fit for ceilings as low as eight feet. This rack provides excellent stability with its bolted triangle plates and 146-pound 11-gauge steel frame. The weight capacity is upwards of 1,000 pounds more than enough even for the most jacked dudes.
Pros:
- Includes J-cups for barbell use
- Takes up minimal space
- Highly customizable into a complete home gym through a host of Rogue accessories
- Excellent durability and high amount of stability with bolted triangle plates
Cons:
- On the higher end of the budget
Stamina 1690 Power Tower
The Stamina 1690 Power Tower is a lightweight option for a round upper body bodyweight workout. The handles on the stamina allow you to perform basics, that are sit-ups, pushups, pull-ups, and tricep dips.
The pull-up bar is curved at each end and is covered with comfortable padding. The angled bar ends put less strain on the shoulders in case of wide-grip pull-ups.
The Stamina 1690 takes up little space, measuring only 49×42.5 inches set up. It also stands at 81 inches, fitting under almost any ceiling height. However, due to this lower height, the pushup bar on the bottom may get in the way of your feet, an issue only for taller individuals.
Pros:
- Provides for multiple exercises
- Takes up little space
- On the lower end of the budget
- The lightweight frame is easy to move in and out of the garage/backyard
Cons:
- Doesn’t include J-cups for classic barbell exercises
- The lower bar may get in the way during pull-ups
Body Champ VKR1010 Power Tower
The Body Champ VKR Power Tower not only includes a pull-up bar with extra-wide handles, but it also has the attachments for other bodyweight exercises, including pushups, hanging leg and knee raises, crunches and dips. The seam-stitched quality cushions provide comfortable support for your back and elbows during leg raises.
This free-standing pull-up station has a steel D-shaped frame base providing extra stability. It also comes with non-slip pads on the bottom to keep the tower from sliding and to protect your floors.
The VKR Power Tower measures 58.5 inches in length by 46.5 inches in width, which is slightly larger than some of the other products on our list. It also measures 83 inches in total height.
Pros:
- Includes arm supports and backrest for abdominal exercises
- Allows you to perform a number of bodyweight exercises
- Ability to perform wide-grip pull-ups with extended handles
Cons:
- Takes up a slightly larger amount of space
- No J-cups for barbell use
Cap Barbell Power Rack Exercise Stand
The CAP Barbell Power Rack similar to the Rogue S-2 is simple in design but provides a great multi-function piece of home exercise equipment. The stand comes with double-gusseted uprights to provide extra stability.
The package includes a fixed position pull-up bar at the top, but it does not include any handles to allow for neutral or wide-angled grips. It also includes adjustable J-cups to hold a barbell.
The frame measures 46 inches in width and 50 inches in length, making it one of the more space-efficient models on our list. It also weighs only 61 pounds, making it easy to maneuver should you change its place frequently. As a downside, this station may not be stable enough for swinging and kipping motions.
It measures 85 inches in height, giving you plenty of space to hang beneath the bar while still being low enough for in-home use.
Pros:
- Includes J-cups for barbell use
- Compact design limits floor space use
- On the lower end of the budget
- Lightweight frame
Cons:
- Does not include other bodyweight attachments
- Not stable enough for swinging or kipping motions
Body Power Deluxe Rack Cage System
This Deluxe Rack Cage System is built to accommodate a complete full-body workout with an array of bodyweight and barbell attachments. This power rack includes a dip station, band pegs, and pull-up handles for numerous grips and hand positions.
In this category, J-cups come as no surprise, adjustable to 15 different positions, and catch bars are also included to increase safety during exercise.
The Body Power is built for durability and can hold up to 500 pounds on the racks and up to 300 pounds on the pull-up and dip handles, but it is also on the larger side, measuring 45 inches in width and 63 inches in length. The product also includes pegs for weight storage. Just make sure to rack the plates evenly between the pegs on both sides to prevent the frame from tipping over.
Pros:
- Pull up handles allow for a large variety of hand positions
- Includes J-cups and safety bars for barbell use
- A high amount of stability with optional mount anchors
Cons:
- Takes up a larger amount of space – might be overkill for smaller apartments
- Not stable enough for weight storage when the bar is in use
- On the higher end of the budget
How to Select the Right Free-Standing Pull Up Station
There are many factors that should be considered when deciding on which pull-up station is the right choice for you.
Size
One of the biggest factors is size and space. If you are looking to put one of these stations in your home, it is important to consider how much space you have available. You may have an entire room dedicated to workout equipment, or you may need something that you can store away against the wall to preserve space.
Budget
Budget is another major consideration. These products come in a number of styles and are made out of various materials. Each of these variables affects the price of the product. In general, a free-standing pull-up station is not the category of home gym equipment you should spare money on. Keep in mind a carefully selected rack can substitute a whole gym in terms of exercise variability. If you need to change your pull-up station later because of wobbling and measly built that’s going to cost you much more have you gone quality in the first place.
A workout station like this is the cream of your home gym, you won’t regret the extra investment.
Attachments/Extras
You also have to consider what functionality you require for your station. If you are in need of only a pull-up bar, there are plenty of options available. However, other units can include arm supports to use for abdominal strengthening, J-cups that can be used to hold a barbell, dip and landmine attachments, and various available hand positions for pull-ups. These extra functionalities can be handy to have if you want to get more out of your exercise equipment.
Note that adding extra attachments is usually only an option for holed, squat rack-like pull-up stations.
The Benefits of Using a Free-Standing Model
Home gym equipment comes in a variety of different forms. The most common of these are wall-mounted, rig style, and free-standing. Wall-mounted products require that you have a permanent place and a heavy-duty wall you can attach the station to. Rigs are often on the larger side and have a bigger floor footprint, making them less ideal for in-home use.
On the other hand, free-standing equipment is often easier to move around and position. Such models do not require any mounting apparatuses or tools and do not utilize as much material to construct. There’s no need to drill walls or ceilings.
Also since free-standing racks are placed away from the walls they provide extra freedom in terms of movement ranges without blocking motion. Think of a human flag, a german hang, or a front lever. These exercises are way more effective if you don’t have to be careful around the edges.
Performing the Proper Exercises
When using a pull-up station, one of the most obvious exercises to perform is naturally the pull-up. However, there are many variations that can strengthen different muscles in different ways. Placing your palms facing you will increase the use of your biceps in the motion while facing your palms away from you reduces their impact. The width of your hands also has an effect on the muscles involved. A wider grip will recruit the muscles on the outer portion of your back, but a closer grip will stimulate more centered muscle growth.
Consider this before buying a free-standing rack as many models tend to not use a single bar, but just handles on the sides which only allow for wide grip pull-ups.
Pull-ups can also be performed using a weight belt. If you are able to perform a high number of pull-ups and want more growth, you can add weight to your exercise. It goes without saying that with added weight should come extra stability. Always check the weight limit of your rack and its floor space for lateral stability.
It is important to mix up the variations of pull-ups you perform. Investing in a multi-grip pull-up bar not only triggers your shoulder stabilizers but also ensures that you are stimulating all of the muscle groups in your back evenly which can keep your shoulders healthy on the long term.
Stations can also be used during high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These workouts involve quickly working through a circuit of exercises with limited rest. One advantage of a free-standing pull-up rack is that you can switch back and forth between exercises in a space and time-efficient manner.
Here are some pull-up variations to merit some ideas from:
Can a Pull Up Station Replace a Gym Membership?
There are many benefits to having access to an entire gym and all of its equipment, but you also have to set aside time each day to travel to and from the gym, fit your workouts into your schedule, and pay the potentially-high fee each and every month.
While a free-standing pull-up station may not fully replace all the exercises of a well equipped gym, but it can easily provide a full-body workout especially if you’re function oriented.
Having a free-standing pull-up station can be a great alternative to a gym membership, here’s why: most athletes get quick and strong doing the basics that are sprints, jumps, throws. These exercises can rarely be performed in a commercial gym. The rest are usually squats, bench presses, and pull-ups. These are the big exercises, the bread and butter of your training. For more variety, a pair of adjustable dumbbells, bands and a suspension trainer should do the trick, and there you have 90%+ of all the exercises you ever need for serious gains. The rest is up to smart programming and dedication.
Things to Keep in Mind
Before selecting a pull-up station, it is important to keep a few things in mind. The first of these is your ceiling height. Not only does the equipment need to be shorter than the ceiling, but you also will need extra space to allow your head to reach over the bar during the motion of a pull-up.
Keep in mind that muscle-ups require even more space above the pull-up bar.
Also, consider the distance away from the wall or any object a couch bed, you name it. In some exercises, including leg raises or kipping pull-ups, your legs will swing upwards. Leave enough space so that you can perform these exercises without being inhibited by furniture or room structure.
Conclusion
The winner of the Best Free-Standing Pull Up Station is the Rogue S-2 Squat Stand 2.0. This product offers a compact and space-efficient design, and its bolted 11 gauge steel frame is built to withstand decades of serious abuse.
What really sets it apart from other competitors is its versatility through the compatible 2×3″ accessories that can be assigned to it like a Matador dip station, a landmine post, and even a cable-pulley system. The stand also includes J-cups, allowing for heavier barbell training such as barbell squats, military press, or bench press. Armored with these accessories it’s easy to finish an effective and complete home workout without any compromise.
The Rogue S-2 squat and pull-up stand offers a great all-around product for all types of users, for crossfitters, powerlifters, and beginners alike, and is the clear winner of this best free-standing pull up station review.
