Power Tower Buying Guide

Contents

Body Size
Durable Materials
Available Space
Multiple Workout Stations
Price
Sturdy Construction

There are several factors you have to consider when you plan to buy a power tower. Not only do you want a quality tower, but you need one that fits your specific exercise needs, budget and your body size.

Body Size

Your size matters, but while most towers work for most weights, some are build with large and powerful people in mind. An example of this is the Weider Power Tower, which took its cue from the demands of world class athletes like Boyer Coe, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Platz.

Durable Materials

Everything from the cushion and covering on the back pad to the various grips on the machine must stand the test of time as well as the frame so it does not show much wear and tear.

Durable materials on a tower include steel tubing with a powdered steel coating so the apparatus doesn’t look like it has been through the ringer after a mere few months of use, high quality foam or rubber on the hand grips, quality vinyl upholstery and thick foam cushioning (if a back pad is present).

Available Space

Prior to making a purchase, consider the space you have available. Some towers have a small footprint while others take up quite a bit of space. All you have to do is decide where you want to put the tower, measure the area and then compare it to the dimensions of the power towers you are considering. When you measure, leave additional space on both sides. Having that additional room is important because you want to be able to use the push up and pullup stations without having to move the tower.

Also, do not forget about height. You want sufficient clearance room at the top. This is especially a consideration if you plan on putting the tower in your basement or another room in the home with lower than average ceilings.

Multiple Workout Stations

The purpose of a power tower is adding variety to your workout routine so look for one with multiple workout stations. Most models on the market support pushups, triceps dips, chin ups, knee raises, and more. In addition to adding variety, multiple workout stations mean better results since many muscle groups are activated. Additionally, more stations will prevent muscle imbalances which occur due to undertraining certain areas of the body.

Price

How much you spend depends on what you can afford along with what you want in a tower. Lower end models like the Stamina 1690 power tower offer a quality frame made of non-corrosive steel but does lack a back pad meaning less comfortable knee and leg raises.

Some will also notice design flaws in less expensive towers like restricted movement when performing certain exercises and compromised ergonomics. Such drawbacks are just a result of an inexpensive, simplistic design and do not affect user experience much.

Models at the higher end of that price range will have all the bells and whistles like ergonomically spaced dip handles, extra padding, and square tubing for increased stability as featured on the XMark Fitness Power Tower with Pull-Up Station.

For large people, like world class body builders you will need something that is very stable and strong, like the Weider Power Tower.

A higher price tag usually means the manufacturer really kept the user in mind during the design process. Fortunately, several models on the market offer quality without the expensive price.

For a more complete list of power towers, see our list of the top power towers 2018.

Sturdy Construction

A weak and unstable tower is useless. When buying a tower there are a few ways to determine whether the construction is top notch.

If buying in person, you can determine whether a power tower is sturdy by trying it for yourself. As a plus, you can ask any questions you may have.

As for those who choose to buy online, first read the description and specifications. Look for phrases like “steel construction” and “sturdy frame”.

After that, read the customer reviews and see what they have to say about it. If it is flimsy and troublesome, customers will make that clear.

Even if you are planning to purchase your tower online, you can find the model at a fitness retailer nearby and go try it out. Most retailers allow customers to test the equipment. The power tower should feel solid, certainly shouldn’t wobble and you must be able to use it comfortably.