Pull-up bar buyers guide
Pull-ups are an efficient way to work out your biceps, triceps, forearms, wrists, grip strength, lats, shoulders, and your core. They are often referred to as the “upper body squat” due to the benefits that they can have on building your upper body muscles and improving strength.
One of the great things about pull-ups is that you don’t need any large gym equipment as they can be done practically anywhere with a good pull-up bar. That being said, there are a few things to consider before spending your hard-earned cash. Here we will take a look at our best pull-up bars, the different types of pull-up bars available and the features to consider if you are in the market for one.
back to menu ↑What are the best pull-up bars?
Below you will find our best pull-up bars from the hundreds of pull-up bar reviews that we have researched and analysed in great detail.
back to menu ↑What are pull-up bars?
A pull-up bar is a great fitness tool for building your upper body strength. They enable you to perform pull-ups and chin-ups (close grip pull-ups) from the comfort of your own home. There are a few different types of pull-up bars to be aware of which are as follows.
back to menu ↑Doorframe pull-up bar
Doorframe pull-up bars simply mount on the inside of a doorway, they are probably the simplest version of indoor pull-up bars. These bars push against either side of the doorway to secure in place and can usually be adjusted to fit the width of the door frame.
The advantages of these bars are that they are simple, compact and budget friendly. However, you may have to bend your knees when doing pull-ups and may struggle with wider grip pull-ups.
back to menu ↑Free-standing pull-up bar
As the name suggests, these pull-up bars are built on a frame that stands on the floor. They are often known as power towers and allow you to perform other exercises such as dips, push-ups and leg raises. These are also easy to setup but will demand a slightly bigger footprint in your home gym space and may be more difficult to move around. Free-standing pull-up bars should be stable and able to withstand a good amount of weight.
back to menu ↑Wall-mounted pull-up bar
Wall-mounted pull-up bars are very durable as they are fixed firmly to the wall. The bar should be at least 40cm away from the wall to ensure that it is functional with ample room to perform your pull-ups. They are more complicated to setup and can limit the body movements that you can do without hitting the wall. However, they can still be a great option for advanced users with specific needs.
back to menu ↑Ceiling-mounted pull-up bar
This type of pull-up bar is very similar to the wall-mounted pull-up bar but is instead screwed to the ceiling. They provide plenty of room for your exercises but will take longer to setup and are more suited to advanced users.
back to menu ↑Joist-mounted pull-up bar
There are various types of joint-mounted pull-up bars. Think of them as the type that you see outdoors which are mounted on two tall wooden pylons. They aren’t really suitable for using in your home gym but are durable, low cost and leave plenty of room to exercise.
back to menu ↑Leverage-mounted pull-up bar
These pull-up bars are mounted on the edge of the door frame and don’t require any drilling or holes as they secured with your own body weight. They can easily be dismounted when you have finished your workout. This makes them a simple, compact and versatile option. However, they are not very secure and can damage your door frame if you don’t go careful.
back to menu ↑What are the benefits of pull-up bars?
Having a pull-up bar in your home gym gives you a chance to build your upper body strength when it suits you. Pull-ups and chin-ups have a range of benefits such as the following.
- Strengthen upper body
- Build your back, arms, chest & shoulder muscles
- Improve your grip strength
- Improve overall body strength & fitness level
- Improve physical health
- Boost mental health
- Save on gym membership costs
How to choose the best pull-up bar for you
There are a few key features that you will want to keep an eye out for if you are shopping around for a suitable pull-up bar.
back to menu ↑Size
You will want to check the size of the pull-up bar to make sure that it will fit in the space you have for it, whether that is your doorframe or floor space if you are considering a freestanding pull-up bar.
back to menu ↑Weight
Make sure you check how much weight the pull-up bar can hold. You wouldn’t want it to cause an accident and injury if it is not capable of holding your weight. Consider if you are planning to use a weighted vest or dip belt as this could significantly increase the load.
back to menu ↑Grips
Take a look at what type of grips the pull-up bar supports and how comfortable it is. The more grip variety there is, the greater the variation you can have in your workout to target muscles from different angles.
back to menu ↑Budget
The best pull-up bars you can choose from will depend on your budget. You can narrow down your search according to price range which will prevent wasting time looking at those which you cannot afford. Don’t worry, there are pull-up bars to suit all budgets although you wouldn’t want to cut costs now only to regret it in the future.
back to menu ↑Conclusion
No matter what pull-up bars you choose, all of these options can deliver the incredible benefits of resistance training in a relatively small, convenient and budget friendly package. The best pull-up bars are an essential fitness accessory for anyone looking to build upper body strength from the comfort of their own home. You can combine pull-up bars with push-up stands and dip stands, for a compact and all in one workout routine that challenges the major muscle groups.
Happy training!
Rich
Rich is an avid bodybuilder who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to the sport. He has a strong passion for health and fitness, living a clean lifestyle with a commitment to helping others educate themselves and fulfil their true potential.
