Most people who cannot do a pull-up are not weak so much as stuck between two bad options: a band that fights you at the top of the rep, or a lat pulldown that does not train the same pattern. In 2026 the market for assisted machines has widened, with newer hydraulic and lever-based models arriving at prices that were not available a year ago, including a hydraulic assist trainer that lists at under $100.
An assisted pull-up and dip machine counterbalances part of your bodyweight so you can train the full movement with good form and then reduce help as you get stronger. This roundup compares six options based on spec sheets, manufacturer claims and owner feedback, not on our own lifting. Prices below come from Amazon’s current listings through the buttons on each card.
Comparison
| Spec | Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Assisted Pull-Up & Dip Machine | Body-Solid S2ACDX-2 Pro Clubline Series II Chin and Dip Machine | GMWD 600 lbs Leverage-Assisted Chin and Dip Machine | Sportsroyals Assisted Pull Up Bar Station | Body-Solid PVKC83X Multi-Function Pull Up and Dip Station | EPHESPORT Pull Up Assist Machine with Hydraulic Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Price | $1253.99as of Oct 11, 2026 | $3438.00as of Oct 11, 2026 | $549.99-$637.99as of Oct 11, 2026 | $299.99as of Oct 11, 2026 | $319.00as of Oct 11, 2026 | $99.99as of Oct 11, 2026 |
| Type | Plate-loaded counterbalance | Weight-stack assist | Plate-loaded lever with 1:1 counterweight | Power tower with band assistance | Power tower (no assistance) | Hydraulic assist trainer |
| Capacity | 400 lbs | — | 600 lbs | 450 lbs | — | 660 lbs |
| Exercises | Pull-ups, chin-ups, dips | Assisted chin-ups, assisted dips | — | Assisted pull-ups, dips, knee raises, push-ups | Pull-ups, dips, vertical knee raises, push-ups | — |
| Grips | Multi-position neutral handles | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kneepad | Folds up for unassisted reps | — | — | — | — | — |
| Assembly | Hard | Hard | — | Moderate | Moderate | Easy (90% pre-assembled) |
| Weight Stack | — | 235 lbs | — | — | — | — |
| Construction | — | Commercial-grade steel | — | — | — | — |
| Use | — | Home and commercial | — | — | — | Works with a pull-up bar |
| Footprint | — | — | 44.5"W × 60"L × 88.6"H | — | 35" × 42" × 83" | — |
| Shipping Weight | — | — | 202 lbs | — | — | — |
| Frame | — | — | 11-gauge steel | — | Heavy-gauge welded steel | — |
| Ceiling Height | — | — | 93-95" recommended | — | — | — |
| Band Resistance | — | — | — | 22-88 lbs stackable | — | — |
| Height Settings | — | — | — | 6 (64.56"-87.01") | — | — |
| Weight | — | — | — | — | 64 lbs | — |
| Assistance | — | — | — | — | — | 6 levels, 90-180 lbs |
| Base | — | — | — | — | — | H-shaped steel with 4 rubber feet |
| Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → |
Prices change daily — tap Check Price for the current Amazon price. Numbers shown were verified on the "as of" date.
Quick Picks
Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Assisted Pull-Up & Dip Machine is the editor pick for lifters who own plates: counterbalance assistance, a foldable kneepad and a 400 lb capacity.
Body-Solid S2ACDX-2 is the premium pick. A 235 lb selectorized stack and commercial construction, at a price that only makes sense if several people will use it.
GMWD Leverage-Assisted Chin and Dip Machine is the best value machine. It gives you a counterweight lever for a fraction of the cost of a stack, as long as you have the ceiling height.
Sportsroyals Assisted Pull Up Bar Station is the best band-assisted tower, with stackable bands and six height settings.
Body-Solid PVKC83X is not an assist machine. It is the tower to buy once you no longer need assistance.
EPHESPORT Pull Up Assist Machine is the cheapest way to try assisted training.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Assisted Pull-Up Machine
Weight stack vs plate-loaded vs bands vs hydraulic
A weight stack changes assistance with a pin, which is the fastest and most precise option, but it costs the most. Plate-loaded counterweights are cheaper and scale with plates you may already own, though the increments depend on your plate sizes. Bands are inexpensive but give the least help at the point where you need it most. Hydraulic assist sits between the two, with fixed settings.
Assistance range
Check the maximum assistance against your bodyweight. A listing that tops out at 180 lbs of help is generous for a lighter user and little help for a heavy one. If your goal is a first pull-up, you want fine steps near the low end so you can keep cutting assistance.
Footprint and ceiling height
Measure before you buy. The GMWD lists a 44.5” by 60” footprint and a recommended ceiling height of 93-95”, and towers like the Body-Solid PVKC83X stand 83” tall. Add room to step on and off.
Dips as well as pull-ups
Most of these machines do both. Assisted dips are a useful progression for people building chest and triceps strength, and the same counterbalance applies. If you only want one movement, a cheaper tower may be enough. Our dip bars roundup and pull-up bars roundup cover the unassisted side.
Floor protection
Machines this heavy are hard on bare concrete or hardwood. If you are building a room around one, read our lat pulldown machine roundup for other back-training options and put a mat under it.
Detailed Reviews
Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Assisted Pull-Up & Dip Machine
Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Assisted Pull-Up & Dip Machine
Pros
- Foldable kneepad flips up so the same machine handles unassisted pull-ups and dips as you progress
- Plate-loaded counterbalance means you dial in assistance with plates you may already own
- Multi-position neutral-grip handles let you vary grip width and angle
- Linear bearings, nylon rollers and pulleys are listed for smooth, controlled reps
Cons
- Priced well above the budget options, which is hard to justify for a beginner who only needs a few months of assistance
- Large machine that needs dedicated floor space and a confirmed ceiling clearance
- Plates are not included, so assistance is only as fine-grained as your plate inventory
Titan’s machine uses plates as a counterbalance, so assistance scales with what you load. The kneepad folds up, which means you can switch to bodyweight reps without leaving the machine. That is the feature that makes the price easier to justify: it keeps being useful after you no longer need help. Multi-position neutral handles add grip variety. The downside is cost and size.
Body-Solid S2ACDX-2 Pro Clubline Series II Chin and Dip Machine
Body-Solid S2ACDX-2 Pro Clubline Series II Chin and Dip Machine
Pros
- Selectorized 235 lb stack changes assistance with a pin, with no plates to load between sets
- Commercial-grade steel construction aimed at heavy, repeated use
- Pin-select assistance lets you reduce help in small steps as you get stronger
- Brand has a long track record in home and commercial strength equipment
Cons
- The most expensive option here by a wide margin
- Heavy commercial machine that is a real project to assemble and move
- Single-purpose station that does chin-ups and dips, not much else
This is the commercial-style option. A 235 lb selectorized stack means you move a pin instead of loading plates, which is the best experience for a shared home gym. The listing describes commercial-grade steel. The price is the obstacle, and it covers only two exercises.
GMWD 600 lbs Leverage-Assisted Chin and Dip Machine
GMWD 600 lbs Leverage-Assisted Chin and Dip Machine
Pros
- Plate-loaded lever with a 1:1 counterweight system is far cheaper than a weight stack
- Band peg adds a second way to scale the movement
- 600 lb capacity and a triangular frame design are listed for stability
- Covers pull-ups, chin-ups, dips and core work on one frame
Cons
- Listed footprint is roughly 44.5" by 60", so it is not tiny
- Recommended ceiling height of 93-95" rules it out for many basements
- Lever starting weight of 3.5-4 lbs means the lightest setting is not zero assistance
GMWD’s lever uses a 1:1 counterweight and adds a band peg for extra modes. The listing shows a 600 lb capacity and a recommended height range of 5.0 to 6.2 ft, so check that against your own height. The ceiling requirement is the practical filter: 93-95” is more than many basements have.
Sportsroyals Assisted Pull Up Bar Station
Sportsroyals Assisted Pull Up Bar Station
Pros
- Stackable bands give 22 to 88 lbs of assistance, enough for most beginners
- Six height settings fit a wider range of users and ceilings
- Chin-assist pad switches to a back cushion in seconds, per the listing
- Also covers dips, knee raises and push-ups, so it does more than one job
Cons
- Band assistance is not smooth at the bottom of the rep the way a counterweight is
- Less assistance available than a 235 lb stack or a heavily loaded counterweight lever
- Bands are a wear item that will eventually need replacing
A power tower with stackable bands rated 22 to 88 lbs. It adjusts across six heights and swaps between a chin-assist pad and a back cushion. If you want assisted pull-ups plus dips and knee raises on one frame, it is a sensible mid-priced route. Owners who want smooth assistance across the entire rep will prefer a counterweight machine.
Body-Solid PVKC83X Multi-Function Pull Up and Dip Station
Body-Solid PVKC83X Multi-Function Pull Up and Dip Station
Pros
- Heavy-gauge, all-sides welded frame gives it a stable feel for its size
- Padded vertical knee raise station with oversized handgrips
- Compact 35" by 42" footprint
- Pairs with a band or a cheap assist trainer if you still need help
Cons
- No built-in assistance at all, so it is for people already doing reps
- 83" overall height needs a standard ceiling
- Does not do the assisted-dip progression the machines above do
This is the “graduation” pick. It has no assistance, but it is a well-built tower with a vertical knee raise station, dip handles and a push-up station 12 inches off the floor. Buy it if you can already do reps, or pair it with bands.
EPHESPORT Pull Up Assist Machine with Hydraulic Support
EPHESPORT Pull Up Assist Machine with Hydraulic Support
Pros
- Lowest price in the roundup by a large margin
- Six assistance levels from 90 to 180 lbs
- Arrives about 90% pre-assembled
- Hydraulic support is meant to avoid the sudden rebound of loose bands
Cons
- Newer, lightly documented product, so long-term durability is unproven
- Hydraulic assistance is less adjustable than plates or a weight stack
- Needs a pull-up bar or frame to use, which adds cost if you do not own one
The cheapest way into assisted training: six hydraulic levels from 90 to 180 lbs and a base rated to 660 lbs. It is a newer listing, so read recent owner reviews before relying on it for long-term use.
FAQ
Do assisted pull-up machines work for building your first pull-up?
They let you practice the full movement with less load, which is the common approach for working toward a first unassisted rep. You reduce assistance over time as strength improves.
Is a weight stack worth the extra money over plate-loaded?
If several people will use the machine, yes: changing a pin is faster than loading plates. For one user, a plate-loaded counterweight does the same job for much less.
Can I use an assisted machine for dips?
Yes. The Titan, Body-Solid S2ACDX-2 and GMWD machines are all listed as pull-up and dip machines.
How much ceiling height do I need?
It varies by machine. The GMWD listing recommends 93-95”, and tower-style products stand around 83” to 87” tall. Measure before ordering.
Are bands good enough?
Bands are fine for light assistance and tight budgets, but they give less help at the bottom of the rep, where many beginners struggle.
Conclusion
For most home gyms with plates, the Titan Fitness Plate-Loaded Assisted Pull-Up & Dip Machine is the best choice: assistance you can scale, plus a kneepad that folds away when you outgrow it. If budget is the main constraint and you have the ceiling height, the GMWD is the better value, and the EPHESPORT is the cheapest way to try assisted training. Anyone outfitting a shared gym with a budget should look at the Body-Solid S2ACDX-2.