The sheer variety of exercises possible with pull-up bars makes them one of the best pieces of equipment you can buy. What’s more, they’re far more affordable than most other equipment with many options under $50. If you’re ready to expand your burgeoning home gym, check out our top picks for the best pull-up bars, below. But first things first, you’ll want to consider safety features. TJ Mentus, an ACE-certified personal trainer and expert panelist of Garage Gym Reviews, says that any bar you install in your home should be firmly secured in place and “unable to be dislodged.” “Make sure that it has enough capacity to hold your body weight, and there should not be any give to the bar,” he adds. Typically, pull-up bars are about 1.25 inches thick, but some occasionally have a wider diameter. Per Mentus, the latter will be more challenging, which you may or may not want, depending on your goals. Finish is another varying factor to consider. Mentus says that power-coated bars are slicker, especially for sweaty hands. He instead recommends a raw steel bar, noting they “work best” due to the textured grip. Stability is also essential; specific movements, such as kipping pull-ups, will need increased strength to ensure your safety. Finally, the best pull-up bar for you will need to fit the space. A door mount may be preferable if space is limited, but if you want to involve additional body movements or are a heavier lifter, a sturdier wall or ceiling-mounted system will be better. “Strengthening the upper back is important for stability and strength throughout the upper body and maintaining good posture,” he adds. Pull-ups are also ideal for improving grip strength, which will transfer to many other exercises both in daily life and the gym. “Pull-ups will improve your strength-to-bodyweight ratio, making you more efficient at lifting and pulling your own body weight,” Mentus explains. Each metal contraption weighs less than 9 pounds yet can support up to 300 pounds. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. Just note that some users complain that tricky construction may cause some bolts to extend past the padding, damaging your walls. This issue is typically a result of user error, but it means you’ll need to be extra careful with assembly. What Customers Say: Reviewers are in agreement—this pull-up bar packs the most bang for its buck, earning more than more than 20,000 positive reviews. One writes: “I needed a chinning/exercise bar to fit unobtrusively in my apartment. This ProsourceFit bar …fits snugly over a doorway and is high enough that I don’t have to remove it when I’m not using it. It’s solid, and I never feel like it won’t support me when I’m working out.” A range of grip options means the equipment is not only great for pull-ups, but offers options for those wanting to incorporate leg raises or tricep dips into their routine. Although it’s made from a durable stainless steel, the weight limit is on the lower end of our selects at just 250 pounds. However, the purchase includes free access to Müüv, an audio coaching app. What Customers Say: Customers appreciate the sturdy weather-proof construction of this system. A reviewer ravs, “I was skeptical about this item, but I went on with the purchase because my local park has a similar-looking station, and I love it. Once it arrived, it took me about 2 hours to assemble(alone). Now I’ve had it for about a year, and I absolutely love it. I am 5’11, and it’s perfect for me, the diameter of the bars are good, and it’s been sitting outside under rain and sun, and it’s good as new.” The wide footprint of this steel bar makes it perfect for various bodyweight exercises, including leg raises and kipping pull-ups. While it may be too large for some homes, the foldable design makes it an excellent option for taking along to your favorite park or beach. Plus, it also has padded grips to minimize calluses. What Customers Say: The Khan Trinh system has fewer reviews, but the ones that do exist are glowing. As one shopper says, “In a sea of ‘just okay’ exercise equipment, this is an exceptional standout. This is a high-quality product. Very sturdy, yet mobile. My toes don’t touch the ground when hanging, even on the lowest setting… Don’t get the cheap bar that you’ll throw out in a year. Get this and have an essential piece of your home gym for a lifetime.” Multiple grip options ensure you can do wide, narrow, and parallel pull-ups, as well as chin-ups. Similar to other over-the-door options, it can also be used on the floor for push-ups and tricep dips. To sweeten the deal, purchase also comes with a free e-book and pull-up band to help with training. What Customers Say: Customers love the great value of this bar. One user sums it up best: “I absolutely love this pull-up and dip bar! It was extremely easy to set up, and it’s super convenient to be able to do a workout in my house. I would definitely recommend purchasing for anyone that is looking for a high-end pull-up bar!” Move the bar up and down the frame at different heights to allow more variety in your exercises, such as push-ups, incline rows, or assisted sit-ups. As the bar fits within the doorway, wide-gripped exercises won’t be possible with this one, and exaggerated motions, like kipping pull-ups, are not recommended. What Customers Say: Customers appreciate the robust and compact design, with one writing, “In my opinion, this is your best option for a home pull-up bar. Because the mounting bracket is screwed into the door frame, the bar is as sturdy as your door frame. You can also mount it to allow doors to close, and it is pretty visually unobtrusive, so I just leave it up all of the time.” This door-mounted bar is also easily taken down, so it can be used as a push-up or dip bar. What Customers Say: You’ll not only find more than 16,000 5-star ratings for this bar, but it also comes expert-recommended by Mentus. He says, “The Iron Gym Pull-Up Bar will work for most people and is affordable. It fits in a standard doorway and is easily removable and lightweight, so it can be stored away when not in use.” Conquer wide, narrow, and neutral pull-ups, as well as both angled and normal chin-ups. When you’re ready to move on, the included yoga rings provide a sturdy anchor point to expand your growing home gym with rings or bands. Just note this system only has notches in the metal to offer grip, instead of padding. Expect blisters if your palms aren’t used to the intensity of the metal. What Customers Say: It is tough to beat the price of this quality system. One 5-star reviewer states, “Super sturdy once you find studs. The only issue I had, which is no fault of the product, is finding a set of studs at exactly 48”. Once you find that it’s simple!” While mounting any product can create headaches, this pull-up bar makes it simple by setting up the bars exactly 48 inches apart i.e. the standard distance between ceiling studs. Plus, it has four separate bolting points to ensure everything stays sturdy. Customers note that you may want to work with a partner and use a personal set of tools, rather than the supplied wrenches, for a smoother installation. What Customers Say: 94% of customers give this ceiling-mounted design a positive rating. As one person raves, “This is a great product, extremely sturdy which for me was the most important factor when hanging something from my ceiling. Multiple grips make all the difference to me, and customer support was great with a few questions I had after ordering.” While the sleek design won’t be an eyesore—you can thank the white finish—there are a few downsides to the design. It only supports 220 pounds or less, and the mounting is not strong enough for more exaggerated movements, like kipping pull-ups. However, it offers plush hand grips and boasts an under $35 price point. What Customers Say: One customer raves, “Easy to install, sturdy, and hides in the door. Great for exercise and stretching.” Another adds, “Relatively easy to install and very functional for myself and kids.” What’s more, the entire system weighs less than four pounds, as it’s made from a aerospace composite. Simply pack away for travel in your carry-on and install upon arrival in less than 8 seconds. Although compact and lightweight, it can still support up to 250 pounds for pull-ups, chin-ups, and more. What Customers Say: Users love this simple system, one saying, “I am super pleased with how easy these are to install. The design is brilliant. They are so portable.”
