Missing Dips so need to make purchase; Rogue Matador or alternative?

[VTLifts]

I used to do weighted Dips at the gym that had an old bodymasters dip station. I think the bars had a very modest angle and that the width was on the narrower side, which was comfortable and felt good on my shoulders.

Been months since I've done any Dips and looking to change that.

I have a rogue SML-1 monster lite rack with conversion kit, so effectively a mini power rack (24" deep crossmembers).

Thus evaluating whether to get the matador ($117 after tax & shipping) or a freestanding alternative.

I do not have space for one of those large power tower / dip station combos (bummer bc those are constantly sold used for little $$). So choice is matador or a pure dip station. I found a thread a few years ago on this topic, but not much insight.

I've been looking used for a good compact dip station since last fall with no luck. So I'd probably have to buy it new.

Thoughts? Pros / Cons of matador and freestanding dip station? Any specific freestanding models to get or avoid? I know there are numerous garbage freestanding dip stations out there.

[ncsuLuke]

I like my matador and it's easy to put out of the way when you aren't using it. Only reason I'd get a standalone station is if I had a ton of space and couldn't think of something better to use it for.

[blue9steel]

I'm happy with my matador, no desire for a separate dip station even if I had room.

[rpark]

I like my matador and it's easy to put out of the way when you aren't using it. Only reason I'd get a standalone station is if I had a ton of space and couldn't think of something better to use it for.

Agree with ncsuLuke, matador is easy to setup and remove as needed.... if you have a shortage of space. I have a ton of space but like to reserve it for a better future use.

[EricAtl]

If you can make the space.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/dip-station.htm

[snailsrus]

If you have a 90 degree kitchen counter angle you can just do them there

[VTLifts]

If you can make the space black widow dip station]

That's really nice but unfortunately outside the price range. Probably shouldve mentioned that in my post but would hope to stay around price of the matador.

Based on comments so far and positive comments I've seen elsewhere it feels like matador will be my best option considering price, space and quality of product.

[cwcmac]

That's really nice but unfortunately outside the price range. Probably shouldve mentioned that in my post but would hope to stay around price of the matador.

Based on comments so far and positive comments I've seen elsewhere it feels like matador will be my best option considering price, space and quality of product.

Lots of standalone ones on craigslist or ******** marketplace. I have an old either parabody or body solid one I piked up for $25. Really like the standalone more

[Deep-Voiced-One]

In my opinion I would rank the dip stations as...

1. Stand alone dip station (if space isn't an issue with adding a stand alone due to other equipment, since it takes the extra work of setting up the attachment versions out of the equation).

2. Dip attachment that lays on/across swing in safeties (because it's in the middle/inside of the rack you could potentially get more clearance to not hit your head when doing them, also while most likely not an issue anyway...the weight on the rack is being dispersed evenly on each side during dips), this could likely be fabricated by BWTG, or other various builders...

3. Matador style dip attachment (perfect for those who do, or don't have swing in safeties, nor space for a stand alone dip station), just a matter of being mindful of where your height adustment is and where it's attached to avoid banging your head on say a front porch, or pullup bar attached overhead.

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with any of these options depending upon your needs/wants and circumstances.

[William2018]

I have a power tower in the backyard, but the dipping bars are too far apart, so a few months ago I purchased some parallel gymnastic bars and they work a treat and are easy to store in any room.

Similar to these (left).

[VTLifts]

I like my matador and it's easy to put out of the way when you aren't using it. Only reason I'd get a standalone station is if I had a ton of space and couldn't think of something better to use it for.

I'm happy with my matador, no desire for a separate dip station even if I had room.

Agree with ncsuLuke, matador is easy to setup and remove as needed.... if you have a shortage of space. I have a ton of space but like to reserve it for a better future use.

Can you lean forward a good bit without scraping your head on the uprights? What if you choke up on the handles for a narrower grip, do you still have that clearance?

[VTLifts]

I have a power tower in the backyard, but the dipping bars are too far apart, so a few months ago I purchased some parallel gymnastic bars and they work a treat and are easy to store in any room.

Similar to these (left).

Those gymnastic bars don't look high enough to do weighted dips? I feel like the plates would hit on the floor at the bottom. That station on the right is more of what I'd consider.

[supramax]

Those gymnastic bars don't look high enough to do weighted dips? I feel like the plates would hit on the floor at the bottom. That station on the right is more of what I'd consider.

I used two chairs back to back for over 50 years. Now, I use Lebert Equalizers. If you want to make dips more difficult, just go slow.

[TheShadowMan]

Matador(monster lite version) looks good, not too expensive, easy to store, my only issue with it is the site doesn't mention the weight capacity. Might want to shoot em an email about that or the head scraping against uprights(which could be remedied by facing away from the rack) concerns, before purchasing.

[William2018]

Those gymnastic bars don't look high enough to do weighted dips? I feel like the plates would hit on the floor at the bottom. That station on the right is more of what I'd consider.

You can elevate the bars by setting them on some books or a few iron plates. I just keep my legs raised and lean forward.

[ncsuLuke]

Matador(monster lite version) looks good, not too expensive, easy to store, my only issue with it is the site doesn't mention the weight capacity. Might want to shoot em an email about that or the head scraping against uprights(which could be remedied by facing away from the rack) concerns, before purchasing.

If someone breaks a matador because they had too much weight on it I'd like to know about that one. That would be the absolute last of my concerns. What is more important is you are putting it on a stable rig. If you tried to do dips on a squat stand without a pullup bar for instance, or you put it on the outside of the squat stands you could possibly tip it over.