Types of pull-up bars for home
Pull-up bars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The setup can also differ greatly. So, consider carefully where you want to place the bar.
Doorframe pull up bar
This is arguably the simplest type of indoor pull up bar, requiring only the installation of a bar within a regular doorway. On both sides, the bar must contact the door frame. It can also be altered to fit the width of the door frame.
The major benefits are its low cost and ease of use. However, if you are tall, you might need to stoop when performing pull-ups. Wide pull-ups could also be problematic.
Wall-mounted pull up bar
This is one of the stronger pull-up bar varieties. It involves the installation of a pull-up bar in the wall. For the bar to be functional, the bar should extend at least 15 inches (~40 cm) out from the wall.
The drawback is that it needs drilling through the wall and has a somewhat complicated setup. Additionally, there isn’t enough space for different body movements without bumping against the wall when the pull-up bar is placed so close to the wall. This particular style of pull-up bar is better suited for more experienced users with more demanding requirements.
Ceiling-mounted pull up bar
This is very similar to the wall-mounted bar. The only major difference is that this pull up bar is screwed into the ceiling. It gives you lots of room for workout on the pull up bar. This kind of bar, like the wall-mounted pull-up bar, is better suited for people with more experience.
Free-standing pull up bar
This is another example of an easy-to-install pull-up bar. However, compared to the doorframe pull-up bar, this type requires significantly more floor area. It has numerous grip options and can support up to 700 pounds (317 kg). The majority of free-standing pull-up bars also have dip bars attached, which is a great perk. The drawback is that it’s difficult to maneuver and control.
Best pull-up bars for home gym
Best overall
Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar
The Perfect Multi-Gym Pro allows you to perform challenging workouts at home. The device can be utilized as a doorway pull-up bar or for sit-ups, push-ups, and dips, targeting muscles in the arms, chest, core, and back. For pull-ups with a normal, close, or hammer grip, the padded handles offer three different grip positions. Want to increase the intensity? With a 300 lb. weight restriction, the Multi-Gym Pro is suitable for use with a weighted vest.
Assembly is quite simple with good instructions along. Two Allen wrenches are also included to aid in installation. Before you insert the screw on the doorway and make sure it fits snugly, do not tighten it. It fits on the doorway quite securely once you locate the perfect fit. It has a safety pin that you may use to fasten it to the wall for a little added security.
However, the safety clip could be stronger, and ideally more than one safety clip should be included with the bar.
Best wall mounted
OneTwoFit Wall-Mounted Pullup Bar
This bar is designed to be put into a solid stone, brick, or cement block wall. It is not meant to be put on sandwich panels, drywall, hollow brick walls, or honeycomb brick walls.
The bar is absolutely excellent and incredibly strong. It’s simple to mount as well. For hanging other items like sand bags or stretching ropes, it features additional metal rings. The pull-up bar and dip tower that are included in the package can be readily dismantled for boxing.
With the different handles available on this model, you may do wide, hammer, or close-grip exercises to target a variety of different muscle areas.
The drawback is that the bar length for wide grips appears to be a little too long, and wide grip pull ups can be harmful for shoulder health.
Best for garage gym
Titan Fitness Wall-Mounted Multi Pullup Bar
This sturdy pull-up bar, which has a 500-pound weight maximum, is a wonderful strength addition to add to an existing gym or quickly convert a room into one.
All of the heavy-duty steel components—the central bar, the two L-brackets—have a lovely, thick layer of powder coating. The bar slides through two holes in the wall brackets, allowing you to mount each wall bracket separately and simplifying installation.
The width of 32″ works well for any type of pull-up, muscle-up, leg raise, etc. Additionally, it enables the bar to extend from both sides of the bracket, giving you a convenient location to keep different pieces of gym equipment. When securely fastened, there is virtually no rattling or movement of any type, which is typical of lower-quality systems. The bar’s power coat gives it just the right amount of roughness for a secure grip. Grip tape would be quite useful if you find it necessary. I particularly enjoy the slightly bigger bar diameter compared to a conventional barbell for two reasons: it forces greater grip strengthening and evenly distributes the load among the hands.
Best ceiling mounted
Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mount Pull-up Bar
With this bar, you may intensify your at-home training and tone your lats, rhomboids, and traps. You can effortlessly center mount this pull-up bar below 16-inch floor joists or 24-inch ceiling joists using creative dual-position risers.
You can exercise three significant back muscle groups with a 20-inch parallel grip. The angled parallel grip covered in high-density foam keeps your hands comfortable during arduous, lengthy workouts, whether you’re performing chin-ups, wide-grip pull-ups, or other difficult activities. You may concentrate on your form and repetitions with this ergonomic training equipment’s more natural hand posture.
Best for doorframes
Iron Age Pull Up Bar Doorway
The Iron Age Pullup Bar has exactly what you are looking for in a door mounted pullup bar.
The design is incredibly durable. The placement of the bars, hooks, and pads helps to securely hold the entire construction in place. Additionally, the grips do not harm the door frame, which seems to be a problem with less expensive ones.
It does leave a small mark on the wall where it hooks on just above the door frame, but that could be easily fixed by applying some painters tape to the wall to reduce the friction. It will also leave a small scratch on the door, but I believe any pull up bar will do that.
- No assembly: comes out the box ready to go
- Foldable, so you can flatten it out for easy storage
- Higher bar position above the door frame – great for taller people
- Bar is very comfortable to grip
Best free standing
Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station Pull Up Bar
This is one of the shortest and narrowest power towers, so it can fit into your small house or garage gym. It is made for an adult, but it’s sized well enough for a teenager or even a 10-year-old child to use.
Its main advantage over other bars is that it can be adjusted to different heights. At its lowest setting, you can put it in a basement gym with a low ceiling and still do most exercises with your knees bent.
This exercise equipment is incredibly reliable and nicely constructed. The bolts are packaged well, and although a wrench is provided, I’d suggest using a ratchet and socket for the nuts. It can be pushed by one person who is sufficiently tall and muscular, and it adjusts easily. It is difficult to make a mistake because the bolts are sight-specific and are specified in the instruction manual but not indicated on the box. It’s a machine that matches those seen at a gym in quality.
The assembly instructions aren’t written in great English, but overall they’re clear, simple to follow, and include excellent diagrams. There are a few steps where the terminology can be a little confusing, but with the help of the pictures and common sense, none of it was difficult to understand.
This tower might not be for you if you have broad shoulders, male or female. The area where the arm cushions are is about two feet across from elbow to elbow. Below that level, every other handle is spaced about the same (2′) apart. Although the pull-up bar is wider, your entire body still needs to fit within it to allow for movement. This tower, in my opinion, can hold people of most heights, but only those who are thin to average in build. Although it is not designed or sized for children, a youngster can use it with some adaptations.
Best portable
Duonamic Eleviia Portable Pullup Bar
If you are usually on the go and want to do pull-ups, this is what you want.
They can be quickly clamped onto and removed from the door frame by a light spring pressure. Since they are manufactured strong, they are neither excessively hefty nor feather light. When you initially grip the handle, you may feel a bit nervous but soon understand that it will support you and you will feel confident enough to carry out your workouts.
The advantage of the Duonamic is that it doesn’t leave marks on the doorframe and can be mounted at any width for a variety of handgrip spacing, in contrast to other pull-up bars that mount across the doorway and rely on leverage to stay in place.
Another benefit is that it requires no assembly or disassembly and is very easy to pack in a typical-sized duffel bag or piece of baggage for travel.
If your doorway is low, you will also be hanging at that height because the handle is around the same height as a bar. One suggestion is to place it on the highest door ledge you can find in your home. If you don’t dangle naturally, cross your ankles, bend your knees until you feel like you can only support yourself by holding the handles, and then start.
The only drawback is that unless you take it down, your door won’t close. And… it’s a bit pricey. But well you get what you pay for.
Conclusion
With just a minimal equipment, you can definitely perform proper pull-ups at home and have a decent back workout session. What you only need to be aware of is your house’s layout so that you can purchase the right pull-up bar to setup at home.
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