We often think that being fit requires spending long hours in the gym or using expensive and sophisticated equipment.
While it does call for commitment, fitness doesn’t have to be complicated.
It’s amazing the benefits you can get from a simple bar that you can attach to common features of your home, like a wall or a doorway.
Pull up bars are a great tool to perform basic or intense upper body workouts. There is no need for elaborate equipment. Gravity and your own body weight create resistance.
How much simpler can it get?
It might be simple, but don’t underestimate the benefits of pull ups.
They work your back, shoulders, chest, arms, biceps and triceps. Because more than one muscle group is utilized, you effectively melt extra fat and build muscles faster. Pull ups also help improve posture by enforcing the correct torso position.
Pull up bars are versatile pieces of equipment. Most models also enable you to perform sit ups, push ups and dips using the same bar. Best of all, they are usually really affordable!
In this post, we give you more information about this amazing tool and also list the top pull up bars on the market today.
Best Pull Up Bars: Comparison Table
| Image | Name | Type | Weight Capacity | Price | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar | Doorway Leverage Bar | 300 lbs. | $ | 10 / 10 |
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ProSource Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar | Doorway Leverage Bar | 300 lbs. | $ | 9.9 / 10 |
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Stamina 1690 Power Tower | Freestanding Bar | 250 lbs. | $$$$$ | 9.8 / 10 |
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Ultimate Body Press Wall Mount Pull Up Bar | Wall Mounted Bar | 300 lbs. | $$ | 9.5 / 10 |
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Sunny Health & Fitness Door Way Bar | Doorway Telescopic Bar | 220 lbs. | $ | 9.3 / 10 |
Wall/Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bars: Features To Look For
Pull up bars enable you to have an intense upper body workout without the need for elaborate equipment.
What exactly do you need to know to make sure that you will buy the product that perfectly fits your needs?
Quit the guessing game right now and refer to our checklist below.
Size of the Bar
Pull up bars can be anywhere between 24 to 28 inches long. For a wider grip, the bar should be more than 32 inches. As for the diameter, 1.25″ or 1.5″ is ideal. If it is less than 1″, the bar should be foam covered for a better grip.
User Weight Support
This could indisputably be the most important factor to consider in choosing a pull up bar. Because you will use your full body weight as resistance, firm support is imperative. While pull up bar weight support varies from 200 to 600 lbs., it would be great if it can hold at least 50% more than your weight.
Assembly
Do you intend to install your pull up bar permanently? Or do you have limited wall space and want a bar that can be attached to door frames for more convenience? Whatever your final decision may be, bear in mind that correct installation is vital because any error may result in serious injury.
Price
The doorway pull up bars are more affordable while the wall and ceiling mounted ones are slightly more expensive. The freestanding or multi-functional bars are the most pricey among the group.
Best Ceiling Or Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars
If you are keen on buying your own pull up bar, look no further because we have the ones that you should consider on your priority list.
We tried each available brand and model there is, from assembly to every exercise routine possible, and found the best pull up bars on the market today.
1. Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar
For its versatility and ease of use, the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar takes the number 1 spot in our best pull up bars list.
The main advantage of the Iron Gym Workout Bar is the variety of workout options that it offers.
First off, you can do several modifications of the pull up. You can use the overhand grip or have your palms face each other for a neutral grip. You can also do chin ups with a reverse grip. Its 24″ to 32″ width gives you the option to use a narrow grip to work your arms, shoulders and chest, or a wide grip to challenge your lats.
Variation doesn’t end with the pull ups. You can also use this multipurpose bar to perform push ups, tricep dips, and crunches. Although you can do push ups without any equipment, using the Iron Gym Workout Bar makes it much more comfortable for your wrists than just your bare hands flat on the floor. Tricep dips and crunches don’t require it either, but the bar provides some welcome assistance.
We love how easy it is to set up. There may be no screws or bolts but the bar is very stable as long as it is used correctly. There is an optional safety clip to keep the bar from coming off the frame but you have to remember that it is not made for swinging or any similar movement. This solid metal bar can take up to 300 lbs. of user weight.
A key to enjoying the Iron Gym Workout Bar, like any other doorway pull up bar, is to make sure that it is compatible with your door frame. You’re lucky because it fits most standard frames that are 24” to 34” wide and 5.5″ thick. The trim width requirement of 3.5” is also common so that should not be a problem.
Overall, using the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar is an inexpensive, uncomplicated way to build strength and sculpt your upper body.
2. ProSource Multi-Grip Pull Up Bar
Multi-functionality seems to be the name of the game and the ProSource Multi-Grip Pull Up Bar does it so well, worthy of seizing the second spot in our top 5 list.
ProSource didn’t think two or even four grips are enough. Instead, it has 10 cushioned foam grips and 2 PVC textured handles so you can perform wide, neutral or narrow-grip forms of pull ups and chin ups. This 41″ leverage pull up bar gives you room for a wide range of motion. With a single piece of equipment, you can strengthen your back, shoulders, arms, and abs.
We also appreciate its portability. After doing pull ups, you can put it down and position it against the door frame so it holds your feet while you perform sit-ups and crunches. Turn it over on the floor and you have supports for tricep dips and push ups. But if you decide to use it mainly for pull ups, it comes with J brackets so you can mount in on a door frame for a more permanent installation.
This training bar is made of high grade steel and can take up to 300 lbs. of user weight. Even so, it comes with a lifetime warranty!
For versatility and convenience, choose the ProSource Multi-Grip Pull Up Bar.
3. Stamina 1690 Power Tower
Entering the list in third place is a freestanding pull up bar, the Stamina 1690 Power Tower.
If you don’t want to worry about door frame sizes and wall installations, a freestanding bar is perfect for you.
The Stamina 1690 has several workout stations for a comprehensive exercise that you can do right in the comfort of your home. All stations are foam padded for extra comfort.
You will not run out of exercise options with the Stamina 1690. You can choose between the outside or center grips for pull ups or chin ups that shape your back, arms and shoulders. The push up station has raised handle bars that minimize the strain on the wrists. The sit-up station allows you to perform crunches and other ab workouts while your feet rest on comfortable grips. Lastly, the tricep dips station strengthens not only your triceps but also your abs by helping you execute knee raises.
The Stamina 1690 is a stable tower made of sturdy steel frame. Weighing 61 lbs., it can take on users of up to 250 lbs. It also has non-slip end caps that ensure stability while also protecting the floor.
If you want an integrated workout using nothing more than a single solid equipment and your own body weight, you will not go wrong with the Stamina 1690 Power Tower.
4. Ultimate Body Press Wall Mount Pull Up Bar
Coming in at fourth place is another multi-purpose bar, this time of the wall-mounted variety. If you are looking for a durable and versatile tool to help boost your upper body strength, the Ultimate Body Press Wall Mount Pull Up Bar will end your search.
It enables you to work different muscle groups by simply changing the grip. At 10, 24, and 36 inches apart, they are perfect for wide or narrow grips. Aside from standard pull ups and chin ups, you can also do neutral or hammer grip pull ups to work your latissimus dorsi or the largest muscle in the back.
Bar stability is vital in pull up exercises. With the Ultimate Body Press Pull Up Bar, you do not have to worry because it stays secure as long as it is mounted correctly on standard 16″ spaced wall studs. Aside from the thick and rigid powder-coated steel bar, the mounting plates are just as solid. It can hold a maximum user weight of 300 lbs.
It’s not all strength as comfort is also a key characteristic of this bar. You can focus on proper body form because your palms snugly rest on handles that are covered in high density foam.
Although setting up the bar can be challenging, you can always support the package instructions with assembly videos available online. We also recommend getting better quality bolts to make sure that you mount the bar perfectly.
To widen your workout options even further, you can opt to buy accessories that are compatible with the Ultimate Body Press Pull Up Bar. You can get the Ab Straps for hanging knee raises that are great for trimming your waist. You can also purchase the Gymnastic Rings for a variety of weight training exercises.
If you prefer wall mounted pull up bars, the Ultimate Body Press Pull Up Bar is a great choice.
5. Sunny Health & Fitness Doorway Bar
If your space and budget are limited, you can opt for a telescopic pull up bar. And one of the best is the Sunny Health & Fitness Doorway Bar.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Doorway Bar is made of sturdy, chrome plated steel bar. It fits any standard door frame but can be adjusted from 24.5″ to 36″ long.
Quick and easy installation is one of the main reasons why a lot of people choose this type of pull up bar. By simply twisting the bar and holding it against the door frame, you instantly have a solid bar for your pull ups and other upper body exercises. Although it is great on its own, you can also use the brackets for more stability.
It may be a single bar but it also chalks up points in the multi-functionality category. Aside from pull ups and chin ups, you can also use it for leg raises. Lower the bar and you have a foot anchor for sit ups and crunches. Whether pull ups or sit ups, you can be sure that your grip will be comfortable and stable because of its soft, non-slip padding.
While its weight capacity is a bit lower than other pull up bars in our list, we have no doubt that it is strong enough to support intense workouts.
For its superior performance, the Sunny Health & Fitness Doorway Bar absolutely gives great value for money.
Honorable Mentions
It was fun testing all the pull up bars on the market today. Do you know what the not-so-fun part was? Having to choose just 5 products for this list!
In the spirit of fairness – and to make life even easier for you – we are supplementing our list with two more notable pull up bars.
1. Stamina Doorway Trainer Plus
The Stamina Doorway Trainer Plus is another leverage pull up bar that is definitely worth considering.
Assembly is done in a snap. You can effortlessly attach and remove it from the doorframe, although a lot of people recommend keeping it fixed as a reminder to workout as regularly as possible. It does not leave marks so there is no need to worry about fixing or repainting.
While it says that it fits standard doorways, there is no specific doorframe size requirement. We strongly advise that you check the measurements to make sure that the 37″ bar conforms to your doorway.
This multi-purpose bar allows you to use five grip positions. There are 3 normal grips and 2 hammer grips to strengthen and tone your upper body muscles. You can also put it on the floor and use it for your ab and tricep workouts.
The grips are covered with thick, non-slip padding that is very useful in preventing blisters. If you are comfortable, you are more likely to extend your workout time and achieve better results.
This pull up bar can ably support up to 250 lbs. of user weight.
If you are looking for simplicity, affordability, and efficiency, the Stamina Doorway Trainer Plus could be the perfect pull up bar for you.
2. Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Elite
Our last entry is another versatile and easy to use doorway pull up bar, the Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Elite. It belongs to a range of the highly-rated pull up equipment from Perfect Fitness.
Its best feature is its adjustable design that allows it to fit door frames up to 33 inches wide and 6 inches deep. It is a common problem to have doorway pull up bars that end up returned or unused because they cannot be installed in the first place. You won’t have to worry about that because this bar can fit different moulding heights and door thicknesses.
Another unique characteristic of the Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Elite is its U-shaped grip. Other bars also enable you to perform wide, close and hammer grip pull ups but its ergonomic and padded handles are more comfortable than the more common straight bars.
Aside from pull ups, you can also use the bar on the floor as a support for sit ups, push ups and dips. All that workout for less than $50!
It is generally easy to assemble but we recommend the use of stronger bolts than the ones that come with the bar. You will also love the pads that are thick enough to protect your door frame or floor. Not only is drilling unnecessary, even paint markings will not bother you.
This solid bar has one of the higher weight capacities on the market. It can take up to 300 lbs. and if necessary, you also have the assurance of a 1 year warranty.
Overall, the Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Elite is an efficient bar that can help you perform a variety of upper body exercises.
Types Of Pull Up Bars
Before you can get hold of the right pull up bar for you, you have to understand your options. What product will best help you in achieving your desired upper body strength?
Read on to get to know the different types of pull up bars.
Doorway Pull Up Bars
Doorway pull up bars are simply attached between door frames. It is perfect for those who do not have enough wall space, or if drilling holes is not an option.
There are two types of doorway pull up bars: the leverage and the telescopic or extending pull up bar.
Leverage pull up bars allow you to grip at various distances. You can choose to use a close grip, a neutral grip or a wide grip, thus working out different muscles.
This type does not require permanent installation. Instead, you rest it on top of a door frame while your own body weight keeps it in place. It is usually portable and can even be used for other exercises such as push ups, dips and crunches.
On the other hand, the telescopic pull up bar looks very much like the shower curtain rods in your bathroom. You simply extend the bar so that the ends push against the door frame and you’re ready to go. Because of its uncomplicated design, it is among the cheapest types of pull up bars.
However, your range of motion may be limited because the bar is not wide enough and you need to bend your knees so your feet do not touch the floor.
Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars
This type of pull up bar is screwed onto a wall, typically that which is made of brick.
The advantage of wall mounted bars is that they give you a free hand to decide the height of your pull up bar. You are not limited by any structure so you can install it as high as you prefer.
However, there is no option to remove it frequently because it is a permanent fixture. You have to make sure that you select the perfect spot where you will do your workouts regularly.
Freestanding Pull Up Bars
Unlike the previous types, freestanding pull up bars are larger pieces of equipment. They also cost more than their portable counterparts.
A freestanding pull up bar can be a tower, a rack, or a frame that stands alone. Aside from pull ups, it also allows you to perform dips, sit-ups, push ups, and leg raises.
Regardless of the type of pull up bar that you end up purchasing, your success is still in your own hands. If it spends more time being idle, not even the most expensive or elaboratelydesignedpull up bar is good enough.
Top Pull Up Bar Brands
It does not come as a surprise that our top pull up bars came from highly regarded names like Iron Gym and ProSource. They have extensive years of experience in manufacturing and marketing various fitness products that make an active and healthy lifestyle more possible.
Iron Gym
Iron Gym is well-known for versatile and easy-to-use equipment, making them ideal for home training. Do you know that our top-rated pull up bar, the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar, has already sold over 20 million units?
Aside from their pull up bars, they also have barbells, dumbbells, abdominal trainers, and other useful exercise accessories like mats and weight vests.
If you want to own gym quality products that are not only effective but also very affordable, look for the Iron Gym tag.
ProSource
Believing that fitness is key to success and happiness, ProSource offers affordable, portable and accessible products. It finds ways to make working out possible even without gym memberships and despite everyone’s busy schedule.
From selling resistance bands online, it has evolved into a company that provides a wide range of fitness and recovery products. You can check them out for yoga and pilates accessories, cross training and strength and toning equipment, rollers and muscle therapy tools, and their signature resistance bands.
Their pull up bars are easy to install, multi-functional, and portable. Like all of their products, the bars also boast of high-grade materials and solid construction so you could, as their tagline goes, train like a pro.
Buying A Pull-Up Bar: Other Things To Consider
Are you still contemplating whether or not you want your own pull up bar?
Let the following advantages convince you further.
Convenience
You can achieve similar results with just a pull up bar as from multiple equipment like dumbbells, barbells, or weight machines. Less space requirement, less cost!
Compound Exercise
Having your own pull up bar will more likely increase the time you spend working out. And because pull ups use multiple muscles at the same time, you can gain mass quickly and more efficiently. With dedication and consistency, you can say hello to stronger and trimmer back, shoulders, chest and arms!
Quick Variations
You can easily switch from one exercise or target muscle to another by simply changing your grip. There is no need for a separate equipment or a major adjustment to the bar itself.
Undeniably, a pull up bar is a simple but powerful equipment to boost your upper body strength and improve overall fitness.
Best Pull-Up Bars: Conclusion
If you are lacking the space but not the motivation to workout at home, a pull up bar is your best go-to equipment.
Whether doorway, wall-mounted or freestanding, they require very little or no space at all. And because of the conspicuous location, it’s easy to grab anytime and inject a few minutes of exercise in your hectic schedule.
While they cost as low as $25, you can do different workouts with a single bar. You can do several variations of the pull up. You can also perform sit ups, push ups and tricep dips. Really excellent value for money!
Iron Gym and ProSource are just two of the names that you can trust when it comes to pull up bars and even other fitness product requirements.
Join more than 20 million patrons and get hold of your own Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar!
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