Best Pull Up Bars for the Home
If you’re building your home gym or just looking to add another piece of equipment to an existing one, you may consider a pull-up bar. Pull ups are notoriously challenging and used in various fitness tests, like the Navy Seals entry test. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not pull up bars for the home are worth it and detail the pros and cons of each type of pull up bar. So, let’s get started.
Wall Pull Up Bars
Wall mounted pull up bars are some of the most commonly used pull up bars for the home. They’re attached to your wall via several screws which hold the bar in place. The bar is usually situated around 15 to 30 inches from the wall. A greater distance allows for a full range of motion during exercises.
Pros of Wall Pull Up Bars
- Durability- Wall pull up bars are one of the most durable options. Most wall bars can take over 200 Kilograms of weight, and it’ll take a significant amount of force to bring the bar down if it’s secured effectively.
- Space Saving- If you’ve got a smaller space for your home gym, wall pull up bars are a great option. The bracket takes up virtually no room, making wall pull up bars an incredibly efficient piece of equipment.
Cons of Wall Pull Up Bars
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Hanging Pull Up Bars
Hanging pull up bars are attached to your ceiling. They’re attached in the same way as wall pull up bars, and the actual bar is a little lower than the mounting bracket, allowing you to complete pull ups with a full range of motion.
Pros of Hanging
- Freedom of Movement- As long as you leave enough space around your hanging bar, it can offer you complete freedom of movement. So, if you’re looking to do various exercises with a pull up bar, a hanging bar is one of the best pull up bars for the home.
- Sturdy- Just like wall pull up bars, hanging pull up bars are generally very sturdy and secure; therefore, you won’t have to worry about your bar breaking, allowing you to commit fully to your exercises.
Cons of Hanging Pull Up Bars
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Pull Up Bars for Door Frames
Pull up bars for door frames are another popular option. These pull up bars are placed either on the top of the door frame or within the frame using friction and outward pressure to remain in place. Personally, I would steer clear of the inside frame pull up bars as they are prone to slipping.
Pros of Door Frame Pull Up Bars
- Space Saving – Door frame pull up bars are a great option if you have a small home gym space. Most can be stowed away after use, and you only need a doorframe.
- Easy to set up – Door frame pull up bars are also much easier to set up than other types on this list. In fact, with most designs, you’ll only have to slot the bracket onto the door frame, and no screws are involved.
- Cost – Door frame pull up bars are also much cheaper than most other options on this list, making them perfect for a budget home gym.
Cons of Door Frame Pull Up Bars
- Limited space- Door frame pull up bars don’t give you much room to work out with. As a result, they’re not the best choice for anyone looking to perform more advanced exercises.
- Poor Durability- Door pull up bars can’t hold as much weight as other bars on this list. As the bar is not mounted to the door frame, it can also feel unsteady.
Free Standing Pull Up Bars
A free-standing pull up bar is much larger than others on this list. It’s an entire unit featuring two vertical parallel poles on a sturdy frame base, with the pull up on one side and often a dip station on the other. They’re commonly found in commercial gyms but also in home gyms.
Pros of Free Standing Pull Up Bars
- Durability- Free-standing pull up bars are incredibly durable and can take more weight than most other options on this list. So, if you’re looking for a piece of equipment you can trust, it’s one of the best options for a home gym pull-up bar.
- Versatility- Free-standing pull-up bars allow you to perform almost any pull up style movement you can think of. The ones that come with a dip station also allow you to train your triceps and abs.
Cons of Free Standing Pull Up Bars
- Space- One of the most significant drawbacks of a free-standing pull-up bar is how much space it takes up. It’s, therefore, not the best option for smaller home gyms.
- Cost- Free standing pull up bars are probably the most expensive option on this list, starting at around $200-$300 for something basic. So, unless you’re invested wholly in developing your pull ups, it might not be worth the money.
Squat Rack Pull Up Bar Attachments
Pull up attachment bars can be fitted to your squat or power rack and are usually bolted to the top of the frame via bolts or screws made of high-quality metal. If you already have a squat rack or power cage, a squat rack pull up attachment is probably your best option.
Pros of Squat Rack Pull Up Bar Attachments
- Makes use of Existing Equipment- Squat rack bars are one of the best pull up bars for the home if you already have a squat rack or power cage. It won’t take up any more space but will allow you to add dozens of different exercises to your workouts.
- Cheap – Because it’s just the bar, squat rack attachment bars are very affordable. This makes them one of the most cost-effective solutions if you already have a squat rack.
- Sturdy – These pull up bars have the highest weight ratings and, if fitted correctly, will never move making them the safest option.
Cons of Squat Rack Pull Up Bar Attachments
- Requires other equipment- An attachment pull-up bar will be useless unless you already have a squat rack or power cage. Because of this, they are unviable to a large percentage of people.
Is a Home Pull Up Bar Worth It?
Pull-up bars can take up a lot of room, require fixing walls or ceilings, or be expensive. As such, you might wonder whether they’re worth it.
While everyone’s circumstances differ, I can confidently say that, for most people, pull-up bars are absolutely worth it. They allow you to improve your calisthenics skills and develop key muscle groups, such as your back and biceps.
Beyond this, pull-ups are a gratifying exercise. You’ll probably struggle to do more than a few reps at a time when you first start. But, as you progress, you’ll notice significant increases in your strength, which is one of the most rewarding feelings as a lifter.
So, don’t be afraid of buying a pull up bar. You won’t regret it.
What Muscles do Pull Up Bars Work?
Pull up bars can work a variety of muscles. Here are the most commonly worked:
- Latissimus dorsi (Lats)
- Biceps
- Deltoids
- Rhomboids
- Core
As you progress to exercises to include muscle-ups, you’ll also be able to train your triceps with a pull up bar.
How High Should a Pull Up Bar be?
Ideally, the best pull up bars for the home should be at least 50 centimeters below the ceiling and high enough that your feet don’t touch the floor as you hang. These parameters will ensure you can get the full range of motion in your exercises. It will also make sure that performing pull ups isn’t uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts on Pull Up Bars for the Home
So, that’s everything you need to know about the best pull up bars for the home. A pull up bar is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment to invest in. It will allow you to complete full-body workouts, gain muscle with just your body weight, and improve your calisthenics skills.
If you’re looking to buy a pull-up bar, consider the pros and cons of what suits you and your home gym before deciding. But, once you choose the right pull up bar for your goals and circumstances, you’ll find that it completely revolutionizes the way you work out.
About the Author
James is a freelance writer with a passion for fitness. He has written for multiple businesses, and takes great pride in producing high-quality articles. When he’s not pounding away at the keyboard James is sweating it out at the gym, boxing, watching tennis, and playing video games
