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Best Power Towers

Updated September 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Weider Power Tower
Weider
Power Tower
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For Everyday Use
Bottom Line

Designed for upper, core, and lower body workouts, this versatile power tower comes recommended by our fitness expert.

Pros

Tough build withstands a hefty amount of weight without shifting around. Offers push-up and pull-up stations for your upper and lower body. All gripping areas been padded for comfort and friction. Offers 4 different functions in a single tower.

Cons

Confusing assembly, and some of the parts are tough to put together correctly.

Best Bang for the Buck
Body Champ Fitness Multi Function Power Tower
Body Champ
Fitness Multi Function Power Tower
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This dependable, standard-issue model has basic features that earn it our expert's approval.

Pros

Equipped with standard chin-up and pull-up bar. Wide and narrow grips for targeting specific chest and shoulder muscles. Heavily padded horizontal bars for abdominal exercises like leg lifts and curls. Comfortable back pad. Ankle-high horizontal bars act as both push-up handles and footholds.

Cons

Vertical handgrips may be spaced too closely together and cause friction when completing pull-up exercises with a wide grip.

Steelbody Strength Training Power Tower
Steelbody
Strength Training Power Tower
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Rugged Design
Bottom Line

This durable, steel fitness station is organized for comfortable workouts; our expert likes the design.

Pros

Made with durable steel for stability, and reinforced with an external veneer that resists wear and tear during high-intensity workouts. Ergonomically designed pull-up bar mitigates tension in hands and wrists. Adjustable triceps bars. No-interference padded backrest sets back from pull-up station.

Cons

Elbow pads may be too low for taller users to complete leg-dependent exercises.

Everyday Essentials Power Tower with Push Up
Everyday Essentials
Power Tower
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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

Our expert notes that the solid frame and durability make this a great choice for the serious fitness enthusiasts.

Pros

Exceptionally high weight capacity of 400 pounds. H-frame base and durable steel maintain security and stability. Adjustable features facilitate nuanced workouts and adapt to each user's height and resistance preferences. Comfortable, padded backrest and elbow bars.

Cons

Handgrips on pull-up bars may slip and need to be secured.

Stamina 1690 Power Tower
Stamina
1690 Power Tower
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

This is a standard model for callisthenic exercises, including push-ups, pull-ups, and triceps dips.

Pros

Basic features for beginners. Stores easily in apartments, living rooms, basements, and garages. Comfortable and secure foam hand grips. Excellent for basic dips and pull-ups. Versatile, ankle-level push-up hand grips. Easy, quick assembly. Has a 250-pound weight limit. Steel frame.

Cons

Not the right pick for kicking pull-ups or other front-to-back motions.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
170
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best power towers

It’s all too easy to find reasons to avoid working out, but a home power tower aims to make exercising even easier. A power tower uses your own body weight to increase muscle definition and tone, offering a full body and core workout that’s an alternative to free weights. It is more convenient than going to the gym while still offering a variety of workout options. Depending on the power tower, it may be more cost effective than going to a gym or investing in weights.

A power tower offers a variety of positions to work out your arms, legs, shoulders, back, and abs using your own body weight. Basic power towers include pull-up and dip stations. The more elaborate a power tower, the more exercises it will allow, including leg and knee raises and push-ups.

Before choosing a power tower, it’s important to first determine what your fitness level is — where you are in your journey and where you want to go. A simple power tower could help you get motivated, while a more complex one could help create an elaborate home gym.

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If you’re struggling with pull ups, try a neutral grip. Holding parallel bars with your palms facing each other tends to be easier than standard pull-ups, in which your hands share the same bar.

Key considerations

How much space do you have?

You will need to know exactly where you want to position your power tower and how much space is available for enough freedom of movement. It’s not enough just to have the measurements for the actual power tower; keep in mind where your body might end up in relation to it.

Some offer exercises where you will be elevating your body and end up over the actual height of the system. Other workouts might find you beside the power tower or swinging your legs in a particular direction. Make sure you have enough space for both the power tower and your body, with no danger of damaging anything nearby.

How self-motivated and creative are you?

How motivated are you to work out regularly? How much variety do you seek in your workouts? If you are hoping that the acquisition of a power tower will motivate you, then it may be best to start with an entry-level model. However, such a model might not provide enough variety to keep your motivation level up. While routine may appeal to some users, it can also be a rut for others, especially if the power tower has a limited amount of exercise options. On the flip side, if you’re a gym rat and know you’ll use a power tower routinely and for more advanced exercises, investing in a great model is worth it.

Expert Tip
A great exercise sequence when using a power tower is a push & pull sequence, which will target the upper body muscles, including the chest, mid-back, biceps, and triceps. First, perform a set of pushups using the tower’s handles and immediately follow it with a set of pull-ups using the tower’s pullup bars. Perform 3 sets of 10-15 reps.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

How else do you exercise?

Are you looking to start your fitness journey, accelerate it, or supplement it? A low-cost, entry-level model might benefit those gym enthusiasts who already have a membership but sometimes can’t get out of the house. If you have a treadmill or elliptical at home for your cardio, a more elaborate power tower could serve as the perfect complement for creating a home gym.

How much weight can the power tower hold?

Always check to see the weight limit for the power tower. Keep in mind not only your current weight, but what your future weight could be if you intend to add a lot of muscle. Also, keep in mind whether or not your might be adding weights to some of your exercises. More advanced exercise enthusiasts may be doing pull-ups and dips with extra weights around them.

Who is it for?

If you are going to be the sole user of the power tower, then you can rather easily match your body type to a specific model. However, if a partner, roommate, or teenager is going to use it as well, you may find the need to choose a power tower that offers some adjustable bars or rests to better accommodate different body types.

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Expert Tip
A great accessory for a power tower is exercise bands that you can attach to the pull-up bars. These allow you to place your feet in them and provide assistance with doing the exercise.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Features

Workout bench

If you have quite a lot of space available for your power tower, you may want to opt for one with a workout bench. This addition allows you to incorporate a whole slew of workout options, including a variety of sit-ups, curls, and free weight exercises. Benches are different, too — they vary in terms of inclination, barbell holder, ease of taking on and off, and storage requirements. 

Push-up station

To add some variety to push-ups, some power towers have handles at the bottom so you can perform the exercise at a slight incline. Push-up declines, in which your feet rest over the ground on an object, may also vary so pay attention to this if it’s an important feature to you.

Sit-up station

Some power towers feature a low horizontal bar (possibly adjustable) under which you can place your feet and ankles in order to get more resistance while doing sit-ups. It comes in handy when you’re lacking a gym buddy.

Grip variety

Many individual exercises, such as pull-ups and dips, can be slightly altered depending on the way your hand is facing. Check to see what variety of grips the power tower offers before selecting. If there is just one horizontal pull-up bar, that exercise is limited.

With a pair of perpendicular grips, you add another component that is better for beginners. Certain grips are better for beginners while others are best suited for the more advanced athlete.

Adjustability

Some power towers are static; core body workouts are performed without the ability to adjust height or settings. Others allow dip height, for example, to change to the user’s desire. If your power tower will be used by multiple exercisers, the ability to adjust the height of certain parts may be necessary.

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Expert Tip
Most Power Towers come with dip bars that can provide excellent exercise for the triceps and chest. However, the dip exercise can also place too much strain on your shoulders IF you have a history of shoulder problems. The best practice is to seek advice from a qualified fitness professional to learn techniques when performing this exercise.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Power tower prices

Inexpensive

Many versions can run for around $150, with some even closer to $100. Most of the power towers in this price range will be basic models, offering dips, pull-ups, and the limited variety that comes with those positions.

Mid-range

These power towers can run from $150 to $300, offering more stability, quality, and likely a few more features, such as a push-up station. These may also be basic as far as features, but with a more ideal shape, size, and better durability.

Expensive

Some power towers, including those with more brand name recognition and those that appeal to serious athletes, can cost well over $300. Usually, these have a lot of features, are very adjustable, and include a warranty, as well as a more ergonomic, comfortable design.

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Don’t skip leg day! This oft-repeated phrase exists for a reason. It’s a reminder to spread the exercise love around your body; don’t just work the same areas over again.
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Tips

  • Think about how often you’ll use the power tower. Be honest with yourself about your dedication to working out. Are you being aspirational with your exercise goals, or are you ready to commit? If you’re going to workout infrequently, then a lower-cost machine might be a wiser investment. Those who are more committed or want the very best will want to invest in a power tower that is more durable and versatile.
  • Create a workout plan. Don’t just jump right into your brand-new power tower. Keep in mind that it’s a tool used to help improve your fitness, so it’s up to you to determine how to most effectively employ it. A workout schedule, a specific regimen across days and weeks, as well as other forms of exercise, and a healthy diet are necessary to get the most out of your power tower. The power tower will help you get fit, but you have to lead the way.
  • Be sure to stretch. When it comes to any type of workout, there is an inherent possibility of injury if you’re not properly prepared. Make sure to stretch before and after your workout, and don’t rush or push yourself.
  • Know your form. Often machines at the gym are created in a way to make it easy for someone to jump in and workout. When you are doing bodyweight exercises, there is less constraint so it’s easier to fall out of form and hurt yourself or simply be less effective. Even the simplest exercises, like a push-up, require proper form.
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Be sure to rest. Even if you’re highly motivated, give your body time to rest and recuperate. Taking a break from working out is an important part of building strength and muscle.

FAQ

Q. How effective are bodyweight exercises?

A. Bodyweight exercises are great for beginners, anyone who doesn’t want to or can’t go to the gym, and those who want simpler workouts. There is a great deal of research to suggest that switching from free weights and weightlifting to bodyweight exercises can lead to the same amount of muscle gain and definition. By increasing reps, sets, and variations, you can progressively overload your body into building muscle and gaining fitness, similar to adding more weight at the gym.

Q. How much does a power tower weigh?

A. While it’s important to keep in mind how much the power tower can support in weight, the unit’s own footprint is an important factor, too. Some with heavy-duty material and elaborate extras will weigh far greater than some simpler models that will allow the power tower to be moved with ease.

Q. What will join the power tower to make a great workout?

A. It’s important to come up with a plan of action. That could mean any variety of apps that will keep on you about working out. It could also mean getting a fitness tracker to help monitor your health and activities. If you’re seeking a balanced workout, then a treadmill or elliptical would add cardio options to your home gym.