Pull-ups aren’t for squeamish people. I recall being able to effortlessly complete a dozen or so pull-ups without breaking a sweat. However, as I’ve gotten older, effortless pull-ups have become increasingly difficult to come by. Fortunately, there are a variety of pull-up bars on the market that will meet the demands of anyone wishing to add a new piece of equipment to their home gym.
There are numerous advantages to including pull-ups into your weekly practice. Pull-ups can help you achieve your fitness objectives by increasing upper body strength and muscular mass. Pull-ups are “the king of back workouts,” according to Brad Baldwin, a New York City-based personal trainer and two-time Strongman National Champion.
“[Pull-ups] force you to work harder,” Baldwin explained to Insider. “They’re fantastic for growing stronger and achieving that desirable V-shaped torso.”
It’s a good idea to start slowly if you’re new to strength training. After years of lazy living, I tried to do some pull-ups and promptly tore a muscle in my shoulder. Don’t make the same mistake as me. Instead, begin with tricep dips and push-ups on a daily basis.
When you’re ready to try a pull-up, lower your pull-up bar or stand on a box to reduce the amount of space you have to pull your body as you gain strength. Then, with your feet on the ground at a more challenging angle, pull yourself up to the bar.
The bars I provided in this tutorial are adjustable enough to help you work up to your goals because executing a pull-up is a developing process. I’ve also included some pointers on how to shop for an at-home pull-up bar, as well as details on how I conducted my research.
How do we put pull-up bars to the test?
Each pull-up bar in this guide was put through a battery of testing to determine how it stacked up against the competition in four different categories: ease of installation, build quality, adaptability, and value. Here’s how each criterion had a role in determining which pull-up bars made the cut:
Installation easiness: The ease of installation of an at-home pull-up bar is an important aspect since you not only want to avoid fumbling with a difficult setup, but you also want to know that once it’s placed (and installed correctly), it’ll stay put. It’s understandable to have reservations about a pull-up bar that hangs perilously in your doorway, so this was one of the first things we looked at during our testing.
Quality of construction: It’s not just about the above categories when it comes to relying on a pull-up bar to hold your weight; it’s also about the build quality. The pull-up bar will be significantly less comfortable and safe to use if it is readily bent or if its components are shoddily built-on and likely to fall off.
The versatility of a pull-up bar is a byproduct of its ease of installation, as most will require you to remove it if you want to close the door whose door frame it is located in. However, some (like as our top option) allow you to close the door even after they’ve been fitted. This category also includes the actual build design, as well as whether or not it allows for multiple grip positions.
The worth of a pull-up bar is determined by a combination of the three characteristics listed above, as well as the price. Although it is preferable to shop for a premium, well-built product, it is not always necessary to spend the most money to have the best pull-up bar. While it may appear to be costly at first, it saves you the trouble of having to purchase several, less expensive solutions more frequently.
Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar
Cons: Drilling into the door jamb is required for installation, and heavy-duty use may cause the foam grips to wear out.
The Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar is easy to use, installs quickly, and is composed of durable chrome steel.
The Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar is built of chrome steel and comes with three mounting hardware sets, two of which can hold up to 300 pounds. The medium-duty door mount can hold up to 150 pounds and isn’t meant to be used above waist level.
Without the door mounts, the bar can be used for sit-up foot support and other light workouts. The bar is adjustable and fits doorways ranging from 26 to 36 inches wide. It may also be fitted so that a door can still close.
Non-slip, extra-long foam grips are included on the bar. Garren Fitness advises against using the Maximiza for gymnastics, and they recommend exercising caution when performing the first few movements to ensure the bar is properly fitted (a smart practice with any pull up bar.) Garren Fitness offers a full satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re not happy for any reason, you can obtain a full refund with no questions asked.
Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bar
Cons: There have been several reports of manufacturer faults.
The Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bar is your best bet if you want to accomplish a variety of pull-ups without using a door frame.
For conventional, wide-grip, and 20-inch parallel-grip pull-ups or chin-ups, the Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bar includes three high-density foam grip settings. For increased durability, this model has a powder-coat finish. The reversible 14-inch risers can be used with either 16- or 24-inch joists.
Instructions, a template, and mounting hardware are included in the mounting kit. A drill, tape or pencil, and a step ladder are required. With this device, Ultimate Body Press promises a very hazy 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Because the bars aren’t bonded to the mounting brackets, long-term durability may be compromised (though perhaps the satisfaction guarantee would cover it).
Iron Gym Pull Up Bar
Cons: There are some plastic pieces in this product.
The Iron Gym Pull Up Bar is a good option for novices who want to do pull-ups but don’t want to invest a lot of money.
The Iron Gym Pull Up Bar hangs from a doorframe and is held in place by tension. It doesn’t need to be drilled to be installed, yet it still feels safe. The steel structure can withstand up to 300 pounds of pressure. You can also remove the pull-up bar to perform sit-ups, push-ups, and dips because it’s not permanently attached.
The bar is constructed of plastic and steel, and it includes everything you’ll need to put it together, including a hex open wrench. Standard and broad pull-ups both have foam grips. The parallel grip handles, on the other hand, are undersized and awkwardly placed. Finally, this model includes a detailed training and nutrition guidance.
Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar
Cons: For some, the wide grip may be too wide, there have been current quality complaints, and it may not fit all doorframes.
The Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar is a great option if you want a pull-up bar that you can easily attach to your doorframe and remove when you’re done.
For hammer grip, close grip, and regular grip pull-ups, the Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar offers three padded grip positions. Because of the 300-pound weight capacity, this variant can be used with a weight vest. There is some assembly involved, but the bar comes with all of the necessary equipment.
The Multi-Gym Pro is height adjustable and compatible with doorframes up to 6 inches deep and 33 inches wide. Push-ups and sit-ups can be made easier by placing the bar on the floor. Perfect Fitness also offers a one-year warranty on the quality of this device.
Stamina 1690 Power Tower
Cons: Wobbling issues, pricey compared to regular bars, and takes up a lot of room
Platform push-ups, sit-ups, knee and leg raises, dips, pull-ups, and more are all possible with the Stamina 1690 Power Tower.
The Stamina 1690 Power Tower is a free-standing full-body workout machine with padded foam grips in five different spots. The assembled structure measures 49 inches long, 42.5 inches broad, and 81 inches tall. The tower’s base has non-slip endcaps.
According to Stamina, the capacity is 250 pounds, but in actuality, it’s closer to 200 pounds. This type may be used for tricep dips, sit-ups, push-ups, and leg raises in addition to pull-ups and chin-ups. However, there is no backrest to help with leg rises.
What to look for when buying a pull-up bar
- Pull-up bars for at-home use aren’t a one-size-fits-all market; there are several various styles to pick from, each with its own set of benefits. Here’s a rundown of the most prevalent types of at-home pull-up bars:
- The cantilever-style, molding-mounted bars are one of the most common pull-up bar variants. They are simple to install and remove and don’t require any lasting changes to your home. They also come with a variety of grip options. When looking for these doorframe pull-up bars, however, pay attention to the measurements of the bar and the sizes of the frames they work with to ensure a perfect fit.
- Mounted: There’s also a type of pull-up bar that requires drilling and installation. In our guidance, we included ceiling-mounted and door-mounted solutions. They are designed to support heavier loads but are less portable. There are also wall-mounted bars, but we couldn’t discover any that were worth suggesting.
- The final group of pull-bars is known as the power towers. These are self-contained components that don’t require drilling and can be used for a variety of workouts. Power towers, on the other hand, are often more expensive, have a larger footprint, and many versions have wobbling issues when bigger people undertake strenuous workouts.
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