Pull Up bar

[oblio]

My chiropractor has suggested that I get a pull up bar to use as part of my exercises. One that fits in a doorway.

Can anyone suggest a make/model that would be a safe bet? The last thing I want is it giving way when I'm hanging off it!

Ta

[Animal]

There's usually two types:

Ones that extend out across the door frame like this one:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/locking-door-mount-p...

and this type which can be moved very quickly and work be essentially bracing themselves against the door frame. To my mind these are much safer:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/no-screw-doorway-wei...

[oblio]

Thanks

My only concern on the second type would be are the door frames strong enough to take the weight? By that I mean the wooden part that this sits on above the door.

Edited by oblio on Wednesday 8th November 09:24

[Smitters]

oblio said:

Thanks

My only concern on the second type would be are the door frames strong enough to take the weight? By that I mean the wooden part that this sits on above the door.

Edited by oblio on Wednesday 8th November 09:24

They don't work by pulling down on the frame, so it's fine. Essentially, by setting the bar 20cm away from the doorframe, when you put weight on, it tries to push the lower brace pads through the wall. Yes there is a downwards pressure, but much less that your bodyweight hanging on some puny architrave.

With either of the designs linked, you need to be doing smooth movements. No jerking or "kipping", or you will damage the walls and door and if it comes off, yourself. It may also be helpful to buy some heavy duty bands you can loop over the bar and put a knee or foot in to provide assistance initially and to help with proper form and full range of motion.

[oblio]

I see. Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense

The problem I have though is that the door is fairly flush to a wall so I wouldn't have the space for the bar on one side.

[g3org3y]

I have this one from Amazon for the door frame.

There are only two or three doorways in our house it can be used on owing to the space required on either size.

Works great though, not had any issues. Feels v secure.

[Boom78]

I just wouldn’t be be able to trust any doorway pull up bar for fear of ending up on my ass or damaging internal frame/wall. If I was going to get one it would be an anchor fixed wall one or one made from scaffold/timber in garden.

[Mazinbrum]

Got one of these in my garage, much better if you’ve got somewhere to install it.
https://mirafit.co.uk/mirafit-m2-multi-grip-wall-m...

[Hoofy]

I've had the original Powerbar since someone ran a PH challenge many years ago. I still use it every other day!

It's located in the same place and hasn't ruined the doorframe. The contact point is smaller so with forethought, I put some padding between the plastic protection (which doesn't really do much) and the wooden frame. There is still some marking but it's far less than it could have been had I not thought things through.

The PB2 protects the woodwork much better I think? https://amzn.to/47ayTZG

[TheThing]

I have always found the doorway pull up bars to be very restrictive. If you have the room it maybe worth investing in a freestanding bar like a pullup-mate or one of the cheaper alternatives.

I would also take the height into consideration. Depending on the type of movements you are going to be doing it maybe worth investing in a set of rings to hang from the bar. These will allow your wrist to rotate and alleviate some of the stress you will be putting on your wrists, forearms and elbows.

[Hoink]

Would something like a "pull up mate" do? Takes a couple of minutes to setup and packs away in a storage bag. You'll get one cheap on Facebook marketplace and no risk to damaging your doorframe or falling off.

[272BHP]

If at all possible then a proper solid metal one fixed to an outside wall is the way to go.

They are not too unsightly if you can put one to the rear of a house or even better an outbuilding.

[dai1983]

Bar of some type fixed to the beams in your loft hatch? Was what I had when I lived at my mums.

Or garage joists

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Resurrection- Decathlon seems to be the place to go but what if youre 100-120kg?! Will it 'stay' and not .... chin you.

[Bluevanman]

You're better off with a free standing dip station pull up combo if you have the room, there's always loads on Facebook marketplace for sale.I sold mine to make room for a bike so now have a doorway setup,it works for me but I'm 73kg, I wouldn't be so confident if I were 100kg +

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Agree. Ive got space. I'd rather be safe that knock myself out

[Hoofy]

I wouldn't risk it. You'd either have it come down or damage the doorframe in some way at the very least with the way it transfers the weight. I'm just over 70kg.

[Bluevanman]

Hoofy said:

I wouldn't risk it. You'd either have it come down or damage the doorframe in some way at the very least with the way it transfers the weight. I'm just over 70kg.

I've been using one like this for about a year, albeit I've modified it recently to accept a dip bar attachment.

It feels perfectly safe and the doorframe is unmarked, but then again it's a 1930's house so probably better built than something more modern

[dai1983]

Would seriously consider getting a set up that you can hang gym rings off if if you have space or find somewhere local like a park that has something suitable to hang them on.

With rings the motion of a overhand pull up is more natural as your hands end up facing each other at the top. Plus with rings you can do other bodyweight exercises such as pulls, deficit press ups, dips(hard as hell) etc.

Pull ups are great but I now use the assisted machine as I can proper target my lats and do more reps. With just a bar my arms tend to blow out before I start feeling my lats.

[Bluevanman]

dai1983 said:

Would seriously consider getting a set up that you can hang gym rings off if if you have space or find somewhere local like a park that has something suitable to hang them on.

With rings the motion of a overhand pull up is more natural as your hands end up facing each other at the top. Plus with rings you can do other bodyweight exercises such as pulls, deficit press ups, dips(hard as hell) etc.

Pull ups are great but I now use the assisted machine as I can proper target my lats and do more reps. With just a bar my arms tend to blow out before I start feeling my lats.

Here you go
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPOTRAVEL-Multifunctional...
I have this one also but don't like the way the neutral grip handles are offset, it makes it pull against the wall rather than the doorframe which I don't like so I modified the original bar I showed above with parts from this 1 so it pulls down onto the door frame and still allows me to do all variants of pull ups,dips,rings etc