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Pull-ups are arguably one of the best exercises for upper-body strength and overall functional fitness. Although they’re sometimes seen as an advanced-only exercise, even beginners can benefit from them—the best pull-up bars support a range of pull-up variations and modifications that anyone can do.
A team of certified fitness professionals and long-time exercisers have sifted through the bottomless pit of pull-up bar listings on the internet; ordered and personally tested more than a dozen of them, and brought you this guide to the best pull-up bars so you can easily order the one that best fits your home gym setup and get to work. We rate each pull-up bar from 1 to 5 on a range of factors, including:
- Assembly and Mounting: How easy is it to get it installed?
- Construction and Durability: How durable is it?
- Workout Versatility: How many exercises can you do with it?
- Grip: Can you hold onto it easily?
Best Pull-Up Bars in 2024
- Best Overall Pull-Up Bar: REP Fitness Wall-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
- Best Pull-Up Bar With Squat Rack: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar
- Best Doorway Pull-Up Bar: Rogue Jammer Pull-Up Bar
- Best Pull-Up Bar for Home: Titan Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
- Best Ceiling Mounted Pull-Up Bar: Giant Lifting Pull-Up Bar
- Best Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar: PRx Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
- Best Freestanding Pull-Up Bar: BaseBlocks The Big Bar
- Best Budget Pull-Up Bar: Titan Fitness 3 Position Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
- Best Power Tower: Weider Power Tower
Best Pull-Up Bars Video Review
Best Overall Pull-Up Bar: REP Fitness Wall-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
Good for: People who want to practice advanced calisthenics and multiple pull-up variations
Best Overall
REP Fitness Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
Product Highlights
- 700-lb weight capacity
- Multi-grip option
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Can be used with bodyweight suspension systems
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-weight capacity
- Multiple-grip capability
- Variety of workouts
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Compatible with body suspension trainers, resistance bands and gymnastic rings
Cons
- Need a lot of space to mount
Bottom Line
If you are someone who enjoys doing a variety of different pull-up routines and has enough space to properly mount it, you will not be disappointed with the REP Fitness Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar.
The REP Fitness Wall-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar is our top overall pick because of the amount of workout variety it offers for a reasonable price. It features close-grip, neutral-grip, and wide-grip options, as well as a 2-inch thick rear bar for grip strength training.
This item has two external bars and six internal short bars, creating a virtually unlimited number of ways you can alter your grip. A multi-grip pull-up bar is a great way to challenge your pulling strength and increase functional fitness.
Thanks to the multiple grip options, you can also use this pull-up bar for a variety of suspension training or gymnastics ring setups.
The REP Fitness Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar is constructed of 11-gauge steel and boasts a weight capacity of up to 700 pounds (if installed properly, as noted by REP). There is also a version of this pull-up bar that’s compatible with REP PR-4000 racks and REP PR-5000 racks.
Price | $139.99 |
Type | Wall-mounted |
Max user weight | 700 lbs |
Grip positions | 5+ |
Best Pull-Up Bar With Squat Rack: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar
Good for: People who want a squat stand with a pull-up bar
Best with Squat Rack
Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Cage
Pros & Cons
Cons
- 2-in x 3-in 12-gauge steel
- Spotter arms sold separately
- One-year warranty
Bottom Line
This is an affordably priced power cage that comes with a pull-up bar.
A basic squat stand with a pull-up bar attached can get you a long way. Our team of product testers loves the Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar because it’s simple, sturdy, and versatile.
The pull-up bar itself is a standard straight bar with a 1.25-inch diameter and smooth finish (no knurling). It fits into an adjustable mount on the squat rack uprights, so you can move it up or down by 2 inches. This is helpful for accommodating trainees of different heights—no more standing on plyo boxes if you’re short! You can set the pull-up bar anywhere from 82.25 inches to 70.25 inches from the ground.
Certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says she’s impressed by the rack and pull-up bar, especially for the price, but noted it felt slightly unstable since it wasn’t bolted. We rated it a 3.5 out of 5 for stability in our Fringe Sport Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar review.
Although the squat stand is made of 2-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel, Fringe Sport recommends avoiding kipping movements unless you bolt the rack into the ground. You can certainly try, but with the rack weighing just 145 pounds, it will likely wobble some, especially if your floor is uneven.
That said, it has a 1,000-pound weight capacity so it gets a 5 out of 5 for durability and construction.
This squat stand includes J-cups, weight horns, and battle rope anchors, too, making it an extremely versatile piece of equipment that allows you to do more than just pull-ups.
RELATED: Best Battle Rope
Price | $299 |
Type | Squat rack |
Max user weight | 600 lbs |
Grip positions | 1 |
Best Doorway Pull-Up Bar: Rogue Fitness Jammer Pull-Up Bar
Good for: People who want the sturdiest doorway pull-up bar available
Best Doorway Pull-Up Bar
Rogue Jammer Pull-Up Bar
Product Highlights
- 11-gauge steel
- Mounting hardware included
- Comes in different colors and finishes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made of 11-gauge steel
- Comes with mounting hardware
- Available in a variety of colors and finishes
Cons
- Depth from mount is less than 9 inches
- Cerakote and stainless steel cost more
Bottom Line
The Rogue Jammer Pull-Up Bar is by far the best doorway/door frame pull up bar on the market, however, it's at a completely different price point than the rest of the competition. If you're looking for a simple pull-up bar that isn't permanently attached and is lightweight and priced for the budget-friendly, look elsewhere. However, if you'd like a pull-up bar that can be used for any movement and for any weight of person (including weighted pull-ups) this is your best and really, the only option.
The Rogue Fitness Jammer Pull-Up Bar is not your average doorway pull-up bar. Most doorway bars simply slip over your doorframe, which leaves a lot of room for mishaps.
The Jammer may be more accurately described as another wall-mounted pull-up bar, but it is designed to mount specifically into wooden studs above a door frame. Rogue Fitness encourages buyers to hire a contractor for alternate mounting plans, and mounting the Jammer somewhere other than above a door may void your warranty.
All that said, the Jammer is the last door-mounted pull-up bar you’ll ever need. When installed correctly, it has a 500-pound weight capacity, which is much higher than the average doorway pull-up bar. This is due to two things: that the bar is installed into wooden studs, and that it’s made of steel that’s nearly half an inch thick.
One of our favorite things about the Rogue Jammer pull-up bar is its customization options. It’s available in several colors and finishes, from a standard black powder coat to full knurling to colorful Cerakote.
The big downfall, according to our product testers, is that this bar has a depth of just 7 inches, which means it’s basically impossible to do anything but strict pull-ups and chin-ups. (But, that goes for all doorway bars, not just the Jammer.) I also want to point out that it’s generally unsafe to do kipping movements on doorway pull-up bars—while the Jammer bar is probably sturdy enough due to its installment style, it’s still rather close to the wall and could cause an accident.
Price | $140 |
Type | Wall-mounted |
Max user weight | Not disclosed |
Grip positions | 1 |
Best Overall Pull-Up Bar: Titan Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Good for: Anyone who wants a sturdy, well-priced, wall-mounted pull-up bar
Best for Home
Titan Wall Mounted Pull Up Chin Bar
Product Highlights
- Heavyweight steel construction ensures stability
- 500-lb weight capacity
- Matte black powder coating
- Adjustable mounting
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
- Weight capacity of 500 lbs
- Can be mounted on concrete or wood
- Heavy-duty steel construction
Cons
- Mounting hardware not included
- May not work for kipping movements
- Short 1-year warranty
Bottom Line
This pull-up bar is a great option for home gym owners looking for an affordable way to do suspended work. It has a high weight capacity and can be bolted to a variety of surfaces.
The Titan Fitness Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar earned a spot as our top pick for home because it checks all the boxes for a low price: For less than $100, this bar boasts a 500-pound weight capacity, 34-inch bar-to-mount depth, a 1.2-inch bar diameter, and multiple mounting options.
You can secure this 11-gauge steel behemoth to a wall or ceiling, provided you purchase the correct mounting hardware (it’s not included in your purchase, unfortunately) and properly locate studs.
This bar is Coop’s favorite because of its versatility. He loves that you can mount it on wood studs that are 16, 32, or 52 inches apart; or on any concrete wall at any width up to 52 inches apart. What this means for you is that more types of home gyms can accommodate this pull-up bar.
The Titan pull-up bar comes with a black powder coat finish, which is not the best for grip, but it’s pretty standard among different manufacturers.
The sturdy construction and versatile mounting options on this bar make it a great choice for people who want to do more than just pull-ups: When installed correctly, it can support you for kipping exercises, resistance band movements, and more.
Price | $74.99 |
Type | Wall-mounted |
Max user weight | 500 lbs |
Grip positions | 1 |
Best Ceiling-Mounted Pull-Up Bar: Giant Lifting Pull-Up Bar
Good for: People with limited wall space or those who want to prioritize kipping/CrossFit exercises
Best Ceiling Pull-Up Bar
GIANT Lifting Pull-Up Bar
Product Highlights
- Black pull-up bar
- Mount to either the wall or the ceiling
- Heavily discounted due to increased difficulty mounting
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wall or ceiling mounted
- Free shipping
Cons
- Only 1 year warranty
- Materials and user weight capacity are not listed
Bottom Line
If you’re good with tools this could be a great way to get a deal on a pull-up bar. The Giant Pull-Up Bar is discounted 50% because it will not align perfectly with wall studs. That will make the mounting process more complex. You will have to mount the bar to a stud that has been lag bolted into the wall. However, once it is mounted it will be functional. Currently, there are no customer reviews for this product.
Simple and straightforward, yet versatile and durable: This sentiment perfectly describes the Giant Lifting Pull-Up Bar, which can be mounted to the wall or ceiling.
It has a 24.5-inch depth, leaving plenty of room for kipping or chest-to-bar chin-ups. It also comes with a powder coat finish that takes lifting chalk well, so you’ll be able to grip it just fine.
There is, however, one major issue. Giant Lifting says the pull-up bar will not align with wall studs unless it’s mounted to a stud that’s been lag bolted into the wall, so if you’re not very handy this might not be the best choice for you.
Price | $149.99 |
Type | Wall-mounted |
Max user weight | Not disclosed |
Grip positions | 1 |
Best Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar: PRx Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Good for: People who want an ultra-stable pull-up bar
Best Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
PRx Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Product Highlights
- Unlisted with capacity
- Very grippy
- Around $200
- Must be used on walls with 16″ or 24″ spaced studs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable
- Around $200
- Great grip
Cons
- Weight capacity not listed
- Very wide
- Must be placed into studs
Bottom Line
A durable and very grippy pull-up bar that must be on walls with 16" or 24" spaced studs.
Want to avoid going viral by falling on your you-know-what while trying to hit a pull-up? The PRx Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar isn’t going anywhere, and according to customer reviews it’s one of the grippiest pull-up bars on the market. In other words, you don’t have to worry about a hidden camera catching your blunder and making you internet famous.
RELATED: How To Do a Pull-Up
While this bar doesn’t specify its weight capacity, we’re sure it can withstand most people if properly installed. It must be placed in studs spaced either 16 or 24 inches apart. Some people have even installed it on their ceiling joists.
Best Freestanding Pull-Up Bar: BaseBlocks The Big Bar
Good for: Those who want to practice calisthenics and can’t (or don’t want to) drill holes in their walls
Best Freestanding
Baseblocks The Big Bar
Product Highlights
- Bar designed for taller people and use in apartments
- Features foldable feet to decrease footprint when stored
- Thicker bar to train grip strength
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lifetime replacement warranty
- Adjustable height 81” or 45” and foldable legs for storage
- Attach bands or rings
- 3 months free access to Baseblocks+ app with order
- Happiness Guarantee – return within 100 days (minus shipping cost)
- Free shipping to USA and Canada
Cons
- Limited customer reviews
- Assembly required
- Large diameter (2”) bar may not be ideal for all users
Bottom Line
The Big Bar was designed with taller users in mind, featuring a 81” maximum height. The bar features BaseBlocks signature thick bar, with a 2 inch diameter, to challenge and improve grip strength. There are limited customer reviews but they were generally positive. Finding the bar solid, some customers noted it took time to adjust to the 2 inch bar.
Most home gym equipment isn’t built for apartments, so we’re happy to see The Big Bar from BaseBlocks fill that void. This freestanding pull-up bar requires no drilling, has an adjustable height, and comes with foldable feet that makes the already compact workout equipment even smaller.
It has an impressive 660-pound weight capacity, though the steel gauge is not listed so we’ll have to leave the durability score at a 3 out of 5 until we get more details. The steel has a powder coat finish, so it should be easy enough to grip no matter which exercise you’re doing.
Speaking of which, this bar is meant for more than just pull-ups. It can be set to 45 inches tall for muscle-ups or rows and can be used with bands or rings to amp up your bodyweight workout. We’ll give it a 5 out of 5 on versatility.
The bar diameter is 2 inches, which is slightly thicker than other pull-up bars on this list. That just means that those with smaller hands may struggle to get a good grip the first few times, but as the old saying goes there’s no gain without any pain.
When you’re done, you can fold the feet to reduce the floor space by about 30 inches. That might not sound like a lot, but when you’re living in a studio every inch matters.
Price | $245 |
Type | Free-standing, portable |
Max user weight | 660 lbs |
Grip positions | 1 |
Best Budget Pull-Up Bar: Titan Fitness 3-Position Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Good for: Trainees looking for an inexpensive, simple product to get some upper body work in
Best Budget Pull-Up Bar
Titan 3-Position Pull Up Bar
Product Highlights
- 5 different bars for many positions
- Foam grips for added comfort
- High quality steel construction
- Includes mounting hardware and instructions
- Can be used as mount for exercise and resistance straps and bands
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Three pull-up grip options
- Affordable
- Foam grips
- Mounting hardware included
- Can be used with resistance bands
Cons
- Relatively low weight capacity
Bottom Line
Titan Fitness’s multiple grip pull-up bar has 1 center bar that extends into a handle on each side and parallel bars going forward. With all of these available surfaces, many different pull-up grips are available depending on which muscle groups you want to work. The comfortable padded foam handles are easier on the hands than knurled surface bars and work better with bare hands than with gloved ones. Mounting at a height just at the tips of your fingers allows you to do pull-ups without touching the ground. The center bar is perfect for use as a mounting place for our resistance bands!
For a no-frills pull-up bar that won’t dent your savings account, check out the Titan Fitness 3-Position Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar, which costs less than $40 and offers as much versatility, if not more than more expensive options.
This wall-mounted pull-up bar allows you to perform chin-ups, pull-ups, and wide-grip pull-ups depending on what movements you’re looking to do on a particular day. The center bar can also be used with resistance bands, increasing its versatility score to a 5 out of 5.
It’s a different story when it comes to durability. This only has a 250-pound weight capacity and TItan doesn’t list what type of steel it uses, so we’re giving it a 2 out of 5 in that category.
The grips also come with foam padding, rather than knurling for a tighter grip like you see on other pull-up bars. Some people might like that, though a few people on our team preferred versions without the foam. There might also be some issues with it down the line, depending on how often you use the bar and how sweaty it gets. Still, you really can’t beat the price.
Price | $34.99 |
Type | Wall-mounted |
Max user weight | 250 lbs |
Grip positions | 3 |
Best Power Tower: Weider Power Tower
Good for: Home gym owners who don’t want to mount anything and prefer multi-purpose gym equipment
Weider Power Tower
Product Highlights
- Versatile piece of equipment
- 30-day iFIT membership, trainer-led workouts
- Easy to assemble
- 300 lb weight capacity
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Versatile piece of equipment
- 30 day iFIT membership, trainer-led workouts
- Easy to assemble
- 300 lb weight capacity
Cons
- Pull-up bar height is not adjustable
- Some reviewers stated that sandbags are needed to keep the tower from slipping or shaking
Bottom Line
The Weider Power Tower is a versatile piece of equipment to use for strength training in a home gym. If you have the room for it, you can perform a variety of upper body and core exercises.
Weider Health and Fitness is one of the most recognizable brand names in the fitness industry—as it should be, having been founded by Joe Weider, one of the fathers of bodybuilding.
Weider fitness equipment is now nestled under iFIT (previously ICON Health & Fitness), which is why the Weider Power Tower comes with a 30-day free membership to iFIT programming. That’s great news for beginners who may need assistance learning how to perform exercises on this piece of equipment.
The Weider Power Tower features steel construction and ergonomic padding to support your forearms, elbows, back, and knees during exercises that aren’t pull-ups—’cause you can do much more than pull-ups on this power tower.
Thanks to its multi-functional design, the Weider Power Tower supports many movements, including different pull-up variations, elevated push-ups, triceps dips, leg raises, knees-to-chest, and more. It also has anchors for battle ropes and resistance bands.
There’s only one big downside to this product, and it’s that the tower weighs only 86 pounds. This means it could feel wobbly during certain exercises, especially any kipping movements. However, the low weight also means it’s relatively easy to move around, despite the lack of transport wheels.
One thing to note is that this tower has a lower weight capacity than the other pull-up bars on our list. With a max user weight of 300 pounds, some people may not be able to incorporate weighted pull-ups or dips.
Price | $217.80 |
Type | Free-standing, portable |
Max user weight | 300 lbs |
Grip positions | 2 |
Other Pull-Up Bars We Researched and Tested
Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar: We ordered this popular doorway pull-up bar but found it to be clunky during testing and not as comfortable to use as our budget pick, the Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym bar.
Stamina Doorway Trainer Plus: This is yet another budget-friendly door-mounted pull-up bar with foam grips. In our testing, we determined it wasn’t bad, but nothing special.
Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pull-Up Bar: A unique ceiling-mounted pull-up bar, the Ultimate Body Press features patented reversible risers and both 16-inch and 24-inch joists. It’s an interesting design concept, but ultimately didn’t impress our testers enough to make the top list.
OneTwoFit Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar: This is a cool quasi-power tower product that takes up no floor space, but a regular power tower is better for most people since it’s portable and likely more durable over time.
ProsourceFit Multi-Use Doorway Chin-Up Bar: This simple tension pull-up bar didn’t feel sturdy during use, and we wouldn’t recommend it for anyone planning to do a high volume of pull-ups or weighted pull-ups.
Rogue Fitness P-4 Pull-Up System: The Rogue P-4 pull-up bar is much like the Titan Fitness Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar, but it’s much more expensive, and we think the Titan one is a better value.
Rogue Fitness P-3 Pull-Up System: The P-3 is a slightly smaller version of the P-4.
Titan Fitness Adjustable-Depth Pull-Up Bar: This is similar to our top pick, the Titan Fitness Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar, but we don’t think most people need the adjustable depth, since the fixed version has a 34-inch depth to support multiple exercises.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Pull-Up Bars
Our guide to the best pull-up bars started with in-depth research on dozens of pull-up bars available from major equipment manufacturers, as well as Amazon and other retailers.
What we noticed straight away is that many pull-up bars are pretty much the same. (This is just like dumbbells: Most rubber hex and cast iron dumbbells are made in the same factories, but branded differently for varying companies.)
RELATED: Best Adjustable Dumbbells
After sifting through tons of product listings, our team of product testers created a list of pull-up bars to order and test. The pull-up bars were delivered to our product testing facility in Springfield, Missouri, where our facility manager assembled and installed them all.
Our experts then spent several weeks using the different pull-up bars in the testing facility, both in workouts and in isolation. Here are some of the criteria we judge pull-up bars against:
- Assembly process and mounting
- Grip options
- Stability and durability
- Weight capacity
- Workout experience/variety
- Construction
- Value
Why You Should Have a Pull-Up Bar in Your Home Gym
Pull-ups are truly one of the best (and hardest) bodyweight exercises out there. A pull-up bar will provide one of the best returns on investment as far as exercise equipment goes: Here’s a look at how they can up the ante on your home workouts.
Develop Upper Body Strength
“Pull-ups are one of the most challenging bodyweight exercises you can perform, and, I’d argue, one of the most effective, too,” says Nicole Davis, ACE-certified personal trainer and Garage Gym Reviews editor.
“They require significant upper body strength, core strength, and grip strength, and will take your functional fitness to the next level. If you integrate pull-ups into your training program you’ll strengthen not only your back muscles—namely the lats—but muscles in your chest, shoulders, arms, and core, too,” she explains.
RELATED: Best CrossFit Grips
Increase Functional Fitness
Pulling strength is one of the most crucial skills for developing overall functional fitness, which refers to any type of physical activity or skill that supports you in daily life activities.
Although pull-ups primarily train the upper body, you can use a pull-up bar as part of full-body workouts. Try incorporating pull-up variations into workouts with other functional movements, such as squats, lunges, sit-ups, or push-ups, to increase functional strength and stamina.
RELATED: What Muscles Do Pull-Ups Work?
Save Space in Your Home
If you’re creating your home gym in a small space, a pull-up bar is a great way to incorporate strength training equipment. You can do many exercises on a pull-up bar to build strength, and they don’t take up much space (especially if they’re on the ceiling).
Easy Access to Exercise
Compared to other types of home gym equipment, pull-up bars aren’t as cost-prohibitive or space-prohibitive. Most of our top picks cost less than $150 and are relatively easy to assemble and install.
This makes pull-up bars much more accessible to most people than larger, more expensive equipment such as power cages or cardio equipment. Plus, once a pull-up bar is assembled, it’s ready to go at all times—you don’t need to do any setup or even press a button to turn it on. No excuses!
How to Choose the Best Pull-Up Bar for You
Consider these factors as you search for a pull-up bar for your home gym.
Mount Type
There are four main types of pull-up bars: ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, door frame-mounted, and freestanding. The best mount type for you depends largely on your home gym setup and what kind of workouts you intend to do with your pull-up bar.
Wall- and ceiling-mounted bars tend to be the sturdiest, while doorway bars tend to be less expensive but less durable. Freestanding bars are great if you want a multi-purpose piece of equipment that allows you to train multiple muscle groups.
Grip Options
Choosing a pull-up bar with multiple grip positions provides more opportunities for targeting different muscles. For example, wide-grip pull-ups primarily engage the latissimus dorsi (lats), while neutral-grip pull-ups put the rhomboids and rear deltoids under more duress.
Construction and Stability
Not everyone needs a super heavy-duty pull-up bar, but those who intend to do weighted pull-ups, kipping pull-ups, or other intense exercises on their bar should pay close attention to the construction of products they’re interested in. The sturdiest pull-up bars will feature steel tubing, minimal bolt-together parts, and hefty mounting brackets.
Weight Capacity
Be sure to check the weight capacity of a pull-up bar before purchasing one, especially if you intend to perform weighted pull-ups. The last thing you want is your pull-up bar to tear through the wall mid-set.
Workout Versatility
There are two factors that create versatility in pull-up bars: grip options and dimensions. With more than one grip option, you can do more than one type of pull-up exercise. And with larger dimensions—particularly greater depth between the bar and the mounting site—it’s safer to do kipping pull-ups, toes-to-bars, muscle-ups, and other movements.
Power towers offer even more versatility, with dip stations for working out the triceps and pectorals, plus supports for leg raises and other core exercises. Freestanding pull-up bars double as squat racks, so you can use them for barbell work, too.
Cost
Do you plan on using this pull-up bar on a regular basis or are you only going to use it once or twice a week (if that)? If you’re in the first group then spend a bit more on your pull-up bar, but if you’re in the second consider decreasing your budget and using the money for things you’ll use more often.
How to Use a Pull-Up Bar
The first step to using a pull-up bar is following all manufacturer’s directions on properly installing your pull-up bar. That means drilling into studs if required and any other steps to ensure the equipment won’t come out of the wall or doorway.
Then, follow these steps:
- Stand beneath a pull-up bar, using a platform if you can’t reach on your own. Use a box or stool if you can’t reach.
- Grab the bar with an overhand grip, keeping your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Wrap your hands all the way around the bar.
- Draw your elbows toward your obliques and pull yourself up to the bar by squeezing your shoulder blades back and down while contracting your lats. Pull until your chin passes the bar and avoid rounding your shoulders.
- Control your descent and remain on the bar until your elbows and shoulders are fully extended.
- Go for another rep or drop yourself down (safely).
Pull-Up Bars FAQs
What bar is best for pull-ups?
The best pull-up bar depends on your current setup, preferences, and budget. Many options are available, and while we love a wall-mounted pull-up bar, that won’t work for all home gyms.
To help you get started, here are a few of our picks for the best pull-up bar for different situations.
Best Overall Pull-Up Bar: REP Fitness Wall-Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
Best Pull-Up Bar With Squat Rack: Fringe Sport Garage Series Squat Rack With Pull-Up Bar
Best Doorway Pull-Up Bar: Rogue Jammer Pull-Up Bar
Best Pull-Up Bar for Home: Titan Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Best Ceiling Mounted Pull-Up Bar: Giant Lifting Pull-Up Bar
Best Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar: PRx Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Best Freestanding Pull-Up Bar: BaseBlocks The Big Bar
Best Budget Pull-Up Bar: Titan Fitness 3 Position Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Best Power Tower: Weider Power Tower
How many pull-ups can an average person do?
Pull-ups are one of the most challenging bodyweight exercises to master, so it’s hard to say what the average is. This depends on factors like age, weight, and training history, and many new to exercise are unable to perform a single pull-up initially.
Some may not be able to perform any pull-ups, and some may have no trouble with this exercise. For reference, the United States Marine Corps requires that biological men be able to perform a minimum of 4-5 pull-ups, depending on age, while biological women must be able to perform a minimum of 1-4 pull-ups, depending on age.
Is a curved pull-up bar better?
A curved pull-up bar allows users to perform pull-ups with a variety of angles and widths, while a straight bar is a bit more limiting. For those with shoulder or elbow pain, a curved pull-up bar may provide a more comfortable training experience, though both curved and straight pull-up bars can be very effective.
Is a thick or thin pull-up bar better?
This depends on personal preference. A thick pull-up bar may be more durable, but challenging to grip for those with smaller hands, while a thin pull-up bar may be easy to hold, but not feel very secure.
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