12 Best Pull-Up Bars For Home Gym In 2024
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
Getting a correct pull-up bar might seem daunting with so many different options and specialized variations out there. Regardless of whether you’re doing strength training, muscle toning, or perhaps you’re simply looking to enhance your overall fitness; it doesn’t matter. What you want is – the best pull up bar that your hard-earned money can buy.
This is where we step in! By using our expertise and decades of knowledge, we’ve checked the market for the twelve best ones that you can find.
This way, you’ll know that whichever one you choose, you won’t make a wrong decision. It’ll simply come down to your preferences, needs, requirements, and your overall budget.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Rogue Jammer Pull-up Bar.
Rogue’s Jammer bar is the best pull up bar for home and an exceptional piece of equipment (like the majority of Rogue’s products). It’s made in the USA and allows you to have a gym-grade experience in the comfort of your home.
Our team of professional athletes with multiple decades of combined weightlifting experience have tested out 30 different pull up bars. After rating and reviewing them based on 4 key parameters (durability, workout versatility, construction, and price & quality), our experts have selected 12 of the best ones that money can currently buy. More than 350 hours (combined) have been invested into this. We’ll also ensure that this list is updated frequently as new contenders come that can challenge the current rankings.
Let’s dive straight into it, and let’s pull up!
Top 12 Best Pull Up Bars Reviewed
- ROGUE JAMMER PULL-UP BAR – Top Pick
- ROGUE P-3 PULL-UP SYSTEM – Runner-up
- ROGUE INDIVIDUAL PULL-UP SYSTEM – Best Portable
- ROGUE MIL PULL-UP STATION – Best Pull Up Station
- TITAN Ceiling Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar – Best Ceiling-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull Up Bar
- TITAN 48-In Wall Mounted Multi Pull-Up Bar – Best Wall-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull Up Bar
- REP WALL/CEILING MOUNT PULL-UP BAR – Best Wall and/or Ceiling-Mounted Pull Up Bar
- SUNNY Doorway Chin-Up Bar / Door Pull-Up Bar – Best Adjustable-length Doorway Pull Up Bar
- IRON AGE Pull Up Bar For Doorway – Best Doorway Foldable Pull Up Bar
- Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull Up Bar – Best Compact Pull Up Bar Grips for Door Frame
- ONETWOFIT Wall Mounted 2 in 1 Pull Up Bar – Best Multifunctional 2-in-1 Pull Up & Dip Bar
- LYHOME Portable Pull Up Bar – Best Portable Pull Up Bar with Handles
Product | Total | Durability | Workout Versatility | Construction | Price & Quality |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rogue Jammer Pull-up Bar | 39.5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Rogue P-3 Pull-up System | 39 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 |
Rogue Individual Pull-up System | 38.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10 |
Rogue Mil Pull-up Station | 38 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9.5 |
Titan Ceiling Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-up Bar | 37.5 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
Titan 48-in Wall Mounted Multi Pull-up Bar | 37 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Rep | 36.5 | 9 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
Titan Doorway Chin-up Bar / Door Pull-up Bar | 36 | 9 | 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Iron Age | 35.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Jayflex | 35 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Onetwofit | 34.5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 |
Lyhome | 34 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
1. ROGUE JAMMER PULL-UP BAR
- Item weight: 33 lbs
- Material: Steel
- Dimensions: 43’’L x 8.87’’H (stringer)
- Diameter: 1.125’’
- Extension from wall/ceiling: Depth from mounting surface: 8.25’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Wall-mounted
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
- Additional options: Customizable finishes
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Rogue’s Jammer bar is the best pull up bar for home and an exceptional piece of equipment (like the majority of Rogue’s products). It’s made in the USA and allows you to have a gym-grade experience in the comfort of your home.
This pull-up bar is robust and heavy-duty. It has a 43’’ stringer and 0.375’’ thick laser-cut steel brackets supporting a custom-finished 1.125’’ diameter bar. This combination of sturdy materials ensures that the bar Is reliable, durable, and stands toe-to-toe with equipment you would find in commercial gyms – diameter is simply the same as in your regular olympic barbell – how convenient is that!
It effortlessly merges fitness with daily activities. The design is very user-friendly and encourages you to work out anytime, which means you can seamlessly integrate pull-ups into your everyday life as you pass through your doorway, and it won’t compromise your space.
You can choose between knurled and smooth finishes and have a selection of textured black powder coat (which shows scratches sooner than other finishes), stainless steel, or ten exclusive Cerakote finishes. This may not add much to functionality, but if you’ve ever tried to blend fitness equipment into your living space, you know what a challenge that is and how much different finishes help with it.
Each order includes a set of six 0.375’’ x 2.5’’ wood lags to simplify the setup process for standard wood stud walls. But if you prefer alternative mounting surfaces, then it would be best to ask a professional to do it for you.
This pull-up bar is robust and heavy-duty. It has a 43’’ stringer and 0.375’’ thick laser-cut steel brackets supporting a custom-finished 1.125’’ diameter bar. This combination of sturdy materials ensures that the bar Is reliable, durable, and stands toe-to-toe with equipment.
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2. ROGUE P-3 PULL-UP SYSTEM
- Item weight: 31 lbs
- Material: 11-gauge steel
- Dimensions: 24’’L x 23’’H
- Diameter: 1.25’’
- Extension from wall/ceiling: 14’’ or 22’’ depth
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted
- Weight capacity: 500+ lbs
- Additional options: Can be set up vertically or horizontally, can serve as a rings station
Rogue’s P-3 Pull-Up System is just as robust and durable as the top-pick, but you’ll need some DIY skills to install it because it requires a bit more work. If you’re not handy, it would be best to have a professional install this one for you.
This wall mounted pull up bar is made of the same 11-gauge steel as Rogue-s full-scale rigs and racks. It’s compact and designed for ceiling or wall-mounts and provides a reliable exercise setup, especially for those with limited space. It anchors to concrete or wood studs and offers adjustable bar positions. You can select between 14’’ or 22’’ from the wall or ceiling, so you can adjust it to your preference and what your space allows.
Multifunctionality is its best feature, because besides being an excellent pull-up bar, it can also be a rings station, or you can expand it by daisy-chaining multiple brackets – you just place them apart and insert a single 1’’ steel tube or 1.25’’ OD pipe through them. This makes it easier to customize the length. Unfortunately, you won’t find mounting hardware included, so that can delay the installation process if you don’t already have everything you need at home. It could also be an added expense.
However, despite its few little drawbacks, this system is high-quality, durable, and versatile. This isn’t the best chin up bar there is, but it’s very close.
Multifunctionality is its best feature, because besides being an excellent pull-up bar, it can also be a rings station, or you can expand it by daisy-chaining multiple brackets – you just place them apart and insert a single 1’’ steel tube or 1.25’’ OD pipe through them.
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3. ROGUE INDIVIDUAL PULL-UP SYSTEM
- Item weight: 7 lbs
- Material: 14-gauge steel, heavy-duty black nylon
- Dimensions: 43’’L, straps- 16’L x 1.5’’W
- Diameter: 1.25’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Ceiling or any suitable mounting points
- Additional options: Straps available in 3 colors, ability to use the IPS without straps if you already have a compatible set
This portable garage pull up bar can transform any space into a home gym, and it weighs only 7 pounds. You can use this anywhere that you can hang the straps, so it’s ideal for those who don’t have the option to mount gym equipment to the wall.
This system, known as the IPS within the Rogue Compound, uses hooks in ceiling joists for strap suspension, so it’s a very adaptable solution for almost any workout setting. You get a pair of heavy-duty 1.5’’ wide and 16’ long nylon straps that are the same quality as Rogue’s standard straps. They’re available in black, ranger green, and desert tan colors. The straps ensure a secure hold and allow you to set the system up and take it down quickly. If you already have a set of compatible straps, you can purchase the IPS without them and save some money.
The 43’’ pull-up bar is made of 14-gauge steel, has a 1.25’’ diameter, and incorporates built-in stays to attach the suspension straps easily. Unlike fixed pull-up bars, the IPS has a suspension design that will make you engage your core extensively to minimize swinging while training, which adds an interesting kind of challenge.
The strap height is adjustable, so you can adapt it to the type of workout you’re doing: they can be higher for pull-ups and lower for dips, push-ups, etc. You can also swap the bar with rings and convert it into an all-encompassing Rogue Portable Gymnastics station.
Since its standout feature is the fact that it’s so portable, it would be great if it came with its own transport bag, but it’s a minor inconvenience.
The 43’’ pull-up bar is made of 14-gauge steel, has a 1.25’’ diameter, and incorporates built-in stays to attach the suspension straps easily. Unlike fixed pull-up bars, the IPS has a suspension design that will make you engage your core extensively to minimize swinging while training, which adds an interesting kind of challenge.
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4. ROGUE MIL PULL-UP STATION
- Item weight: 146 lbs
- Material: 2x3’’ 11-gauge steel
- Dimensions: 62’’L x 93’’H
- Diameter: 1.25’’
- Extension from wall/ceiling: No
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Freestanding
- Additional options: Attachable step with detent pin and rubber insert included
This pull-up station is military-inspired, and it’s designed to meet the specifications of the Army Combat Fitness Test’s “Leg Tuck” event.
The station is built from 2x3’’ 11-gauge steel and it’s the epitome of durability. No exaggeration – this thing is built like a tank, and it will last you forever, no matter what you do with it. It can withstand every type of workout, no matter how intense. It will rock a bit during kipping, so, if possible, try to weigh its base down a little to make it more stable.
It’s 62’’ wide between uprights and provides more than enough room for maneuvering. It suits people of all heights and can be used for military training, commercial gyms, or home gyms. The pull-up bar’s height can be adjusted from 86’’ to 90’’.
You’ll also get a detachable step that’s compatible with the heights used in the Army’s Climbing Pods. The step has a large rubber insert that covers all metal edges, so you don’t need to worry about injuring yourself during intense workouts. A lot of thought went into designing this bar, and Rogue made sure the only thing you need to focus on is the workout itself.
The station has a black powder coat finish, while the step has the MG Rogue Red finish to make it more visible. Of course, there’s also the laser-cut Rogue branding near the rear crossmember tube.
If you want to take this with you, you can buy the Handle Kit that streamlines breakdown, storage, and transportation. Since it weighs 146 pounds, it’s not the most travel-friendly without the kit, which includes Rogue wrenches, a 1000D Cordura hardware pouch, and nylon webbing cinching handles.
It’s 62’’ wide between uprights and provides more than enough room for maneuvering. It suits people of all heights and can be used for military training, commercial gyms, or home gyms. The pull-up bar’s height can be adjusted from 86’’ to 90’’.
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5. TITAN Ceiling Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
- Item weight: 34 lbs
- Dimensions: 9’’L x 50’’W x 16’’H
- Diameter: 1.3’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Ceiling-mounted
- Additional options: Knurled handles
Titan’s multi-grip at home pull up bar now comes as a ceiling-mounted version and it’s perfect for home gyms. It enables a lot of different grip orientations and angles, so you can effectively work on your strength and endurance.
The bar has a powder-coat finish that makes it look stylish and helps with the grip. And while we’re on the subject of grip, the handles on this are knurled, so your grip is going to be really secure. If you’re not used to a more aggressive knurling, it may be slightly uncomfortable at first, but you’ll be able to get used to it because it’s not too bad.
This ceiling pull up bar is all about helping you build strength: it’s robust, sturdy, and has traditional, narrow, angled, and neutral grip options to make your workouts more versatile. It seems like it will have no issue with staying in pristine condition for a very long time, even the powder coating is good quality (and that is known to be prone to scratches and shows signs of use pretty soon).
It is 16’’ high and 50’’ wide, with a handle diameter of approximately 1.3’’. It will feel comfortable during workouts, and more importantly, its sturdy construction gives a sense of security. The 4’’ hole spacing on cross members for ceiling mounting and 47.5’’ spacing between cross members makes the setup adaptable. Unfortunately, Titan includes concrete anchor bolts in all orders, which is inconvenient because most ceilings are wood, so you will likely need to run out to the hardware store before being able to mount this.
The bar has a powder-coat finish that makes it look stylish and helps with the grip. And while we’re on the subject of grip, the handles on this are knurled, so your grip is going to be really secure.
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6. TITAN 48-In Wall Mounted Multi Pull-Up Bar
- Item weight: 40 lbs
- Material: 12-gauge steel
- Dimensions: 50’’L x 30’’D x 24’’H
- Diameter: 1.22’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Wall-mounted
- Weight capacity: 600 lbs
- Additional options: 8 different bars for various positions, non-slip paint grips for safety
Titan did great with this wall mount pull up bar because it’s a very comprehensive way to do upper body workouts. There’s a multitude of grip options available and you can do extensive variations in pull-ups and chin-ups.
This one mounts to the wall and, like the previous one, has a grippy powder coating that seems very nice quality. You won’t need any additional equipment (like gloves) to make your grip more secure, because the coating does a fantastic job.
The bar’s setup is perfect for standard pull-ups, of course, but also for integrating gym rings, resistance straps, and suspension-mounted strength stringers. These can add quite a bit of versatility to your workouts.
It is a heavy duty pull up bar made of sturdy 12-gauge steel, so if durability is your priority, you’ll love this because it’s as durable as it can be. Its working length is 48’’ and offers more than enough space for all grip options and maneuverability, and the 1.22’’ diameter gives a nice comfortable hold.
However, there’s no mounting hardware and no instructions included in the package, which is annoying because equipment needs to be properly set up in order to work. So, you not only have to go out and spend more money on hardware but also need to find instructions on how to set the bar up. Once you do, though, you’ll love it and forget how the setup process got on your nerves.
It is a heavy duty pull up bar made of sturdy 12-gauge steel, so if durability is your priority, you’ll love this because it’s as durable as it can be. Its working length is 48’’ and offers more than enough space for all grip options and maneuverability, and the 1.22’’ diameter gives a nice comfortable hold.
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7. REP WALL/CEILING MOUNT PULL-UP BAR
- Material: 11-gauge steel
- Dimensions: 50’’ total width, 46’’ usable width
- Diameter: 1.25’’
- Extension from wall/ceiling: 14’’ or 26’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Wall or ceiling-mounted
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
- Additional options: Ability to attach pull-up bands, rings, or straps
Rep’s bar can be mounted to either the wall or the ceiling, and such options are always nice to see, because versatility means a lot for a home gym pull up bar. This is super easy to install, and once it’s mounted, it stays securely in place.
Since it’s made of 11-gauge steel, you would think it would feel impressive and sturdy. Now, as a whole, this is a durable setup, but the bar itself is flimsy and flexes during use. It doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall apart, but the flexing can be a little distracting and annoying.
If you set it up properly, the bar supports up to 500 lbs. It has a 1.25’’ diameter, which adheres to the standard size for pull-up bars, and it’s coated with a powder that’s supposed to be non-slip and it’s meant to improve your grip and prevent slipping. The coating, however, is not grippy enough, and the bar is very smooth, so you may need some gloves or chalk to help your grip.
You can attach pull-up bands, rings, or exercise straps to it. It has 46 inches of usable space, which is plenty, and you will have enough room for kipping pull-ups and other dynamic workouts.
With a few tweaks, this would be a 10.
If you set it up properly, the bar supports up to 500 lbs. It has a 1.25’’ diameter, which adheres to the standard size for pull-up bars, and it’s coated with a powder that’s supposed to be non-slip and it’s meant to improve your grip and prevent slipping.
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8. SUNNY Doorway Chin-Up Bar / Door Pull-Up Bar
- Item weight: 3 lbs
- Material: Chrome plated steel
- Dimensions: 24.5’’L x 3’’W x 3’’H
- Extension from wall/ceiling: 24.5’’ to 36’’
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Door-mounted
- Weight capacity: 220 lbs
- Additional options: Weight-bearing brackets for chin-ups, non-weight bearing brackets for sit-ups, padded handles
- Warranty: 1-year structural frame, 180 days other parts and components
Sunny’s chin-up/pull-up bar is super affordable, simple, and effective. If you don’t have a home gym, that’s completely fine because all you really need is a doorway to install it.
It’s made of chrome-plated steel and has a weight capacity of 220 lbs, which is far from impressive, but it’s still a functional bar. The hand grips are very comfortable thanks to the padding, and the entire thing is covered in non-slip coating, making the grip secure and comfortable.
Its length is adjustable and ranges from 24.5’’ to 36’’, so it can fit various door frame sizes and fit snugly into them. The problem is, it gets a little loose, and you’ll need to tighten it frequently. It’s a few seconds out of your day, but make sure not to forget about it before your workout.
This is a multi-use bar that offers an array of exercises beyond your ordinary chin-ups and pull-ups. Not that there’s anything wrong with the classics, but sometimes, you need to freshen it up a bit. From leg lifts to serving as a foot anchor for sit-ups and crunches, this simple bar can do a lot. The inclusion of weight bearing brackets for chin-ups and non-weight bearing brackets for sit-ups adds some additional support and it’s a great feature to see.
It's a great pull up bar for an apartment, a garage, or a small home gym because it easily fits anywhere.
It’s made of chrome-plated steel and has a weight capacity of 220 lbs, which is far from impressive, but it’s still a functional bar. The hand grips are very comfortable thanks to the padding, and the entire thing is covered in non-slip coating, making the grip secure and comfortable.
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9. IRON AGE Pull Up Bar For Doorway
- Item weight: 9.3 lbs
- Material: Carbon steel
- Dimensions: 3 8.6’’L x 11.2’’W x 2.3’’H (package)
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Door-mounted
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Additional options: Foldable, multiple grip options
Iron Age is dedicated to changing the way we approach strength training and they’re the inventors of the Hook Style Doorway Pull-Up bar. They’re focused on innovation and empowering people to reach their fitness goals.
This foldable indoor pull up bar offers a secure and adaptable platform for upper body workouts. It’s made of carbon steel and has a weight capacity of 400 lbs, which means it is likely to stay stable during workouts and is not supposed to flex.
The design is really innovative and has an ergonomic angled end that protects the wrists. The height is optimized for shoulder-width pull-ups and improving exercise precision. This pull-up bar also has a smart hook design that attaches to the door frame — it’s supposed to minimize damage, but sadly, it leaves black marks behind.
Its best feature is foldability: it saves space and allows you to put it away quickly after your workout. You can use the bar for sit-ups and push-ups as well as traditional chin-ups and pull-ups. The door width compatibility ranges from 22.83’’ to 36.22’’ and a depth of 8.27’’, so it can fit even in the corner doors near walls.
This isn’t the most durable piece of equipment and it’s not something that’s going to last you for years and years. It feels flimsy compared to other equipment on this list, and the rubber pads that help the bar stay in place on the door frame start tearing soon.
This foldable indoor pull up bar offers a secure and adaptable platform for upper body workouts. It’s made of carbon steel and has a weight capacity of 400 lbs, which means it is likely to stay stable during workouts and is not supposed to flex.
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10. Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull Up Bar
- Item weight: 5.11 lbs
- Material: Alloy steel
- Dimensions: 10’’W x 7’’H
- Extension from wall/ceiling: Not applicable
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Doorway mounted
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Additional options: Foam-lined, interlocking design for storage
Jayflex aims to deliver compact, innovative equipment that you can easily take with you wherever you go and be fit anywhere, and these pull-up bar grips go hand-in-hand with their philosophy.
These grips basically transform your doorway into a pull-up bar. They’re made of alloy steel and they’re very convenient and portable. They allow for narrow, wide, and neutral grip options, so you can do pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, and dips. The design strives for ease and functionality, but there are some flaws to consider.
The standout feature is the setup – it’s incredibly easy and straightforward. The grips take about 15 seconds to install, and you don’t need any tools to do so. They have a foam-lined interlocking design that makes them easy to store and, for such compact pieces, they have a decent weight capacity of 250 lbs. It’s not the best out there and it would be great if it was higher, but you need to keep in mind that this is not your regular pull-up bar that you can mount securely into place.
They’re incredibly lightweight and convenient, but there’s no way to lock them into place, so you don’t have that sense of security you get from traditional pull-up bars, and it can be distracting. Lastly, these grips leave marks on your door frames, so that may be an issue.
The standout feature is the setup – it’s incredibly easy and straightforward. The grips take about 15 seconds to install, and you don’t need any tools to do so. They have a foam-lined interlocking design that makes them easy to store and, for such compact pieces, they have a decent weight capacity of 250 lbs.
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11. ONETWOFIT Wall Mounted 2 in 1 Pull Up Bar
- Item weight: 11.9 lbs
- Material: Metal
- Dimensions: 33.27’’W x 18’’H
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Wall mount
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs
- Additional options: Multiple grip positions, 2-in-1 design for pull-ups and dips
2-in-1 design is always great to see because home gyms are usually strapped for space, so if there’s a chance you can find equipment that can save it, don’t hesitate to get it. This is both a pull-up and a dip bar.
This pull-up and dip bar is made of metal and feels sturdy and heavy-duty. The powder coating protects it from rust and corrosion and makes it grippy. Its design allows you to flip it 180° and transform it from a pull-up bar to a dip bar within seconds and provides multiple grip options.
You can’t install this on drywall, plaster, or any cavities. Ideally, it should be placed on a concrete or brick wall and needs a 9’’ x 6’’ area to be mounted. The installation process is somewhat difficult, so make sure to pay close attention to the instructions.
Once you install it, you’ll notice it’s quite close to the wall, which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. On the one hand, you’re working out almost uncomfortably close to the wall, but on the other hand, the fact that it doesn’t protrude too much means it’s not taking up too much space.
The powder coating protects it from rust and corrosion and makes it grippy. Its design allows you to flip it 180° and transform it from a pull-up bar to a dip bar within seconds and provides multiple grip options.
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12. LYHOME Portable Pull Up Bar
- Item weight: 3.6 lbs
- Material: Steel with silicone wrapping
- Dimensions: 4.33’’W x 4.53’’H
- Mounting option (wall, door, ceiling-mounted, freestanding): Door-mounted
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs
- Additional options: Gear locking technology, dynamic handles, replaceable climbing ropes
- Warranty: 1 year
This is a super compact, highly portable way to stay active on the go and it’s designed to be convenient. It weighs only 3.6 pounds and you can fit it into any backpack or travel bag.
This pull-up bar with handles focuses on being easy to use. Its steel interior is wrapped in silicone, and it doesn’t leave marks on your doorway, which is a common issue with this type of equipment.
Before making a purchase, make sure to measure the size of your door frame. It’s made to fit in a lot of different sized doorways, but that doesn’t mean it will fit literally anywhere.
The weight capacity is 330 lbs, and although that’s not bad, there are a few concerns regarding durability. The strings to which the handles are attached are scary thin and it doesn’t seem like they would be able to hold 330 lbs without snapping. The cable is also not the most durable and it’s prone to fraying, so even though this bar is a great idea and works well in theory, it’s best to use it carefully.
This is a super compact, highly portable way to stay active on the go and it’s designed to be convenient. It weighs only 3.6 pounds and you can fit it into any backpack or travel bag.
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Experts Who Contributed To This Article
6 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
20 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology, Sports Nutritionist
5 Types of Pull Up Bars
When you think of a pull-up bar, it is possible that only one picture comes to mind, especially if you’re not familiar with them. However, one of the best things about pull-up bars is that they are quite versatile, and part of what makes them versatile is the variety of types. Each caters to different space requirements and workout preferences, so if you don’t like pull-up bars, chances are you just haven’t found one that’s going to suit you.
1. Wall-Mounted
These are fixed to a wall surface using brackets or mounts and provide excellent stability. Wall-mounted pull-up bars are known for their stability and can withstand regular use without issues. They usually allow for various grip positions and offer extra features, like multiple handles or attachments.
2. Ceiling-Mounted
Mounted to the ceiling, this type of pull-up bars offers high clearance for pull-ups. They are ideal for people who want more overhead space or have specific ceiling structure preferences for their workouts.
3. Doorway
Doorway pull-up bars are some of the most common and convenient types. They attach to the door frame and don’t need drilling or permanent installation. The best thing about them is how portable they are, so if your workout space is limited or you want something you can easily take with you, these are a good choice.
4. Flying-Ladder
They usually consist of a horizontal bar that’s attached to two vertical poles or structures that look like a ladder. They offer different height adjustments, and you can place them outdoors or in spaces where you don’t have enough overhead clearance for a ceiling-mounted pull-up bar.
5. Freestanding
Like the name suggests, freestanding pull-up bars are standalone structures that you don’t need to attach to a wall, ceiling, or door. You can place one of these almost anywhere, so if you don’t have an appropriate mounting surface or want something that can be moved, a freestanding pull-up bar might be good.
Type | Installation | Stability | Portability | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wall-Mounted | Wall with brackets or mounts | Hight | Not portablr | Various grip positions |
Ceiling-Mounted | Ceiling | Hight | Not portable | High clearance |
Doorway | Door frame | Moderate | Portable | Space-saving, no drilling, easy setup |
Flying-Ladder | Assembled structure | Hight | Limited | Height adjustments, versatile placement |
Freestanding | Standalone structure | Hight | Portable | No installation, versatile placement |
What to Look for When Choosing a Pull Up Bar?
When it comes to picking out a chin up bar for home, the process involves a lot more than just deciding on the right type. You also need to think about a few important factors because you need your pull-up bar to be durable, functional, and you want it to fit in your space comfortably.
You could do your research online and go through some pull up bar reviews, but the best thing to do is to know what you need to pay attention to and what differentiates a good pull-up bar from one that will be a waste of time and money.
1. Durability
If your pull up exercise bar isn’t durable, it won’t last for a long time, and before you know it, you’ll need to get another one, which can be pricey. Go for a bar made of sturdy materials that can withstand frequent use. Imagine breaking the bar during pull-ups…
2. Workout Versatility
Versatile pull-up bars are better value for money. Some bars have multiple grip positions and attachments, do they allow you to do other workouts, like chin-ups, push-ups, leg raises, etc.
3. Weight Capacity
Make sure your pull-up bar can support your weight. Bars that have a high weight capacity are usually more stable and provide more safety during workouts.
Tips From the Champ
Diameter plays a big part when it comes to pull-up bars because it ensures a comfortable secure grip. For most people, a diameter of 1.10’’ to 1.26’’ is ideal. Bars that are too thick can be very challenging to your grip, while those that are too thin will cause discomfort.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
4. Grip Options
Check what grip options the bar offers because they have varying grip widths and designs, like angled grips or foam-padded handles that cater to different hand sizes and preferences.
Our expert Tania Shaiko confidently noted:
“For me, when choosing pull-up bars, the main thing is that it should not be too tough for women's hands!”
5. Space (Where You Can Mount It)
Think about where you want to place your new pull-up bar. Some are meant to be mounted to the wall or on the ceiling, some to door frames, while the others are freestanding so you can place them anywhere. The bar you choose must fit into your space without issues. If you want to fit in some muscle-ups be sure you have enough space for that as well!
6. Overall Construction & Quality
Examine the overall build quality and pay attention to the construction and finish. A bar that’s made well is more durable and offers more stability than the rest.
7. Material
Materials like steel or alloy steel are your best bet because they’re known for their strength and longevity. Some of them even have foam or silicone padding to protect your door frame or walls and add some comfort to your workouts.
7 Benefits of Exercising on a Pull Up Bar
Working out on a pull-up bar is a fantastic way to strengthen a lot of different muscle groups and comes with quite a few health benefits. It’s also a great way to add some versatility to an already established workout routine and break through plateaus.
✅Stronger Upper Body
Pull-ups focus on your upper body and target your back, shoulders and arms. If you work out regularly, a pull-up bar can help you strengthen and tone these muscle groups.
✅Core Engagement
Although their primary focus is not the core, pull-ups still can do a decent job at engaging it because the abs and obliques are responsible for stabilizing your body during the exercise. This constant engagement helps make the core stronger, which leads to better stability and balance.
✅Better Grip Strength
To do a pull-up successfully, you need to grip the bar firmly, which contributes to improving the strength of your grip. Over time, consistent pull-ups can strengthen your hands, wrists, and forearm muscles.
✅Versatility
A pull-up bar isn’t limited to just chin-ups and pull-ups: they allow you to do a whole range of exercises, like leg raises, hanging knee tucks, modified push-ups, etc. It’s a single piece of equipment that you can use to get a full-body workout.
✅Improved Posture
Exercises like pull-ups strengthen the muscles in your upper back, which can help in correcting poor posture caused by slouching or sitting for prolonged periods.
✅Multi-Joint Exercise
Pull-ups are an essential multi-joint exercise that effectively works multiple muscle groups in the upper body. When you do pull-ups consistently and correctly, they can serve as a good benchmark of fitness and strength.
✅Mental Health Benefits
Physical activity, can do wonders for your mental health – it improves your mood and reduces stress levels.
5 Exercises You Can Perform Using a Pull Up Bar
Once you decide to include a pull-up bar in your routine, then what? What exactly do you do with it and how to keep yourself from getting bored by repetitive workouts? The great thing about pull-up bars is that they’re so versatile and you can do all sorts of exercises with them.
Like with any other form of exercise, it’s important to warm up before and cool down after it, so don’t forget that.
1. Pull-Ups
Probably the first thing anyone thinks of when it comes to pull-up bars is good ol’ pull-ups. If you want to switch it up a bit, you can vary the intensity because different types of pull-ups activate your muscles in different ways.
Or expert Jacek Szymanowsky shared:
“Show me a weak man with a strong back. Strong back is crucial for performance. Think about this - You can’t fire a cannon from a canoe. Not many exercises are so fundamental for your back muscles like simple pull-ups. You can see them very often in my training plan. Personally I like to do weighted pull-ups, using Fat Bar on my Rogue Power Rack.”
Grasp the bar with an overhand grip and place your hands shoulder-width apart. Engage your shoulder blades, pull yourself up until your chin clears the bar. Pull-ups focus on the upper back, biceps, and shoulders.
2. Chin-Ups
They’re basically pull-ups with an underhand grip and hands placed closer together. They target the same muscles pull-ups do with a bit more emphasis on your biceps, and are great for building strength in your upper body.
3. Hanging Leg Raises
Hang from the bar and slowly raise your legs until they are parallel to the ground or go further and try toes 2 bar exercise. This is going to target your abdominal muscles, especially the lower abs, and help build core strength.
4. Muscle-Ups
Muscle-ups are advanced and combine a pull-up and a dip. Start with a pull-up and then go into a dip once your chest is at bar level. This is an excellent upper body exercise that targets multiple muscle groups, but it’s not particularly beginner-friendly.
5. Dead Hang
It sounds like a ridiculous name for a workout, but dead hangs are a fantastic way to decompress your spine, improve the strength of your grip, and engage the stabilizing muscles in your upper body.
Or expert Sergiy Putsov shared:
“In my arsenal of training exercises, I use the pull-up bar for pull-ups with different grips for back training. I also do leg raises to train the abdominal and core muscles. The most important characteristics for me are that the pull-up bar should be slippery and have an optimal diameter of up to 28 mm (1.1 in).”
All you need to do is to hang. Relax your shoulders, extend your arms, and hang from the bar.
FAQ
Is a Straight Bar Best for Pull-Ups?
It’s commonly used, but whether it’s the best or not depends on your preferences. Some people find straight bars ideal for pull-ups, but others like variations like neutral or angled bars that offer different hand positions.
Is a Thick Bar Better for Pull-Ups?
Again, this is something that’s going to depend on what you like because a thick bar poses a challenge for your grip and forearm. It can improve the strength of your grip but can also cause hand fatigue, so think about what your goals are and what feels comfortable.
Can You Get Abs With a Pull-up Bar?
A pull-up bar focuses mostly on your back, shoulders, and arms. It does engage your core muscles, but it’s not the most effective way to develop your core. But if you still want to work on your core strength with a pull-up bar, do exercises like leg raises, toes to bar or hanging knee raises.
Are Pull up Bars Worth Buying?
Absolutely! Pull-up bars are a fantastic way to target different muscle groups, help develop the strength in your upper body, and break through plateaus. Compared to other fitness equipment, they’re relatively inexpensive, space-efficient, and easy to use.
Conclusion
Pull-up bars are miracle machines when it comes to your upper body. Regardless of whether you’re a gymnast, a rock climber, a weightlifter, or simply looking to build/tone your upper-body muscles, a pull-up bar is a surefire way to almost guarantee results.
From what we’ve established in the review section of the article, the best pull-up bar that you can get and the one that scored highest across all given categories is the ROGUE JAMMER PULL-UP BAR. For those who are looking for other mounting options, there are plenty more to choose from.
What we would love from you, the reader, is to share your experiences with pull up bars with us in the comments section below. Any tip, question, thought, or concern – it doesn’t matter. Write it all down, and we’ll see how we can help, or even how we can learn from you!
Also read:
- Trap Bar Exercises
- How Much Does a Trap Bar Weigh
- How Much Does A Barbell Weigh
- Types Of Barbells
- Best Olympic Barbell
References:
- Ashish Sharma, Vishal Madaan, Frederick D. Petty, “Exercise for Mental Health,” Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 8, no. 2 (2006): 106.
- Hyoung-Kil Park, Min-Kyung Jung, Eunkyung Park, Chang-Young Lee, Yong-Seok Jee, Denny Eun, Jun-Youl Cha, Jaehyun Yoo, “The Effect of Warm-Ups with Stretching on the Isokinetic Moments of Collegiate Men,” Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 14, no. 1 (2018): 78-82.
- L. Vigouroux, T. Cartier, G. Rao, É. Berton, “Pull-Up Forms of Completion Impacts Deeply the Muscular and Articular Involvements,” Science & Sports 38, no. 2 (2023): 150-160.
- Peter Ronai, Eric Scibek, “The Pull-Up,” Strength and Conditioning Journal 36, no. 3 (2014): 88-90.
- Ronald L. Snarr, Ashleigh V. Hallmark, Jason C. Casey, Michael R. Esco, “Electromyographical Comparison of a Traditional, Suspension Device, and Towel Pull-Up,” Journal of Human Kinetics 58, no. 1 (2017): 5-13.
- Stacey Carter, “Why It's Important to Cool Down after Exercise, According to the Science,” LiveScience, https://www.livescience.com/why-its-important-to-cool-down-after-exercise-according-to-the-science (accessed November 17, 2023).
- Victoria Hamilton, “How to Do Pull-Ups,” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/how-to-do-pull-ups (accessed November 17, 2023).
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All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
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Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Oleksiy Torokhtiy is a professional athlete boasting 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. With multiple European and World titles under his belt, he has showcased his prowess in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Upon concluding his illustrious career, Oleksiy dedicated himself to coaching. By 2022, he had conducted over 200 weightlifting seminars worldwide. He is the visionary behind an international sportswear and accessories brand known for its motto, “Warm Body Cold Mind.” Additionally, he is an esteemed author and the creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
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