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- Pull up bars are easy to install, can support your weight without wobbling or bowing, and are pleasant to use as you work toward your fitness goals.
- The Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar is our top pick because it has comfortable foam grips and unobtrusively fits in any standard door frame.
Pull ups are not for the faint of heart. When I was a spry young lad, I could crank out a dozen pull ups or more without a second thought. But after years of cheeseburgers and sitting at a computer, the pull ups are harder to come by. Fortunately, there are a number of pull up bars on the market that fit the needs of novices hoping to turn over a new leaf in the new year as well as seasoned bodybuilders looking for a new addition to their home gym.
We must first note that you should consult with your physician before starting any exercise program. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rattle off some pull ups after years of sedentary living and quickly tore a muscle in my shoulder.
For many motivated individuals looking to begin strength training, dips and push-ups may be better stepping stones on your way to performing a pull up. You might also try mounting your pull-up bar lower or standing on a box. Pull yourself up to the bar with your feet on the ground at an increasingly difficult angle. The Greatist has several other tips for building up to doing a pull-up. The good news is the bars we review in this guide are versatile enough to help you work up to your goals.
One of the most popular types of pull-up bars is the cantilever-style, molding-mounted bars. They do not require a permanent alteration to your home and are easy to install and remove. They also feature several grip options. However, when shopping for these door frame pull-up bars, pay special attention to the dimensions of the bar and what size frames they work on to ensure you can get a proper fit.
Next, there is a class of pull-up bar that requires drilling and mounting the unit. We included ceiling-mounted and door-mounted options in our guide. They tend to be rated for heavier weights but are less portable. Wall-mounted bars are also available, but we didn't find any models worth recommending.
Lastly, there are power towers. These are freestanding units that do not require drilling, and you can generally perform a wide array of exercises with this equipment. The downsides are that power towers usually cost more, have a large footprint, and many models have problems with wobbling when heavier individuals are performing intense workouts.
Before deciding on the best pull up bars, we performed hours of research combing through the ratings and reviews of hundreds of customers and experts. Our guide only features models with a strong track record of durability, versatility, and ease of assembly.
Here are the best pull-up bars you can buy:
- Best pull-up bar overall: Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar
- Best ceiling mounted pull-up bar: Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bar
- Best free-standing pull-up bar: Stamina 1690 Power Tower
- Best door frame pull-up bar: Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar
- Best affordable pull-up bar: Iron Gym Pull Up Bar
Updated on 01/03/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices and formatting.
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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