The aftermath of COVID-19 has made it harder than usual to get a good workout. With closed gyms and limited access to outdoor areas, many have turned to work out at home.
There are many great options to train at home with basic equipment, even using your own bodyweight for calisthenics exercises. Staple moves like squats, push-ups, and sit-ups cover most of the major muscle groups.
One main muscle group can get left behind in bodyweight programs, however. Pulling movements are important to train the back, biceps, and rear shoulder muscles that improve our posture and create a balanced physique.
With many not having enough space or the budget to invest in equipment or full frames to perform fundamental back exercises like the pull-up, there is a simple and budget-friendly solution. Some of the best pull-up bars can be easily mounted within any doorway at home, giving you that last piece of the puzzle that will allow you to get a full-body workout at home.
This article will provide reviews of many of the best pull-up bars for your home, comparing each on price, features, and overall quality. Check out our list and see which pull-up bar might be the best addition to your home gym!
1. Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull-up Bar
Summary
The Perfect Fitness Multi-gym doorway pull-up bar is a great option for those who want to be able to do more than just pull-ups. This bar doesn't require any drilling to keep it in place, so can be easily removed and placed on the floor for additional exercises like push-ups, dips, and even assisted sit-ups by hooking your feet under the padding.
The three padded grips allow for all the basic pull-up variations, from an underhand chin-up to a standard shoulder-width neutral pull-up, and a comfortable wide-grip pull-up for more advanced trainees.
If you want versatility and don't want to have to screw your pull-up bar into the door frame, this might be a good place to start.
Pros
- No drilling required
- 300 lb capacity for use with weight vests
- 3 padded grips
- Can be used for other exercises
Cons
- Might need additional padding to protect non-standard or ornate doorways
Key Takeaway
A simple but effective pop-in doorway pull-up bar, with comfortable grips able to be used for a range of different exercises for a whole body workout.
2. Yes4All Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Pull-up Bar
Summary
The Yes4All Heavy Duty wall-mounted pull-up bar is not your average home pull-up bar. This heavyweight steel constructed frame can handle some serious weight, allowing for higher intensity moves like muscle ups and kipping pull-ups if you're into CrossFit or other forms of high-intensity training.
This bar also allows enough clearance from the wall to add more accessories, letting you train all manner of other exercises if you so desire. Make sure to assess your wall to properly install this bar - and pick the right spot, because once locked in, this bar isn't as easy to pick up and move as some of the other options on this list.
You'll notice too that this is only a straight bar, however, Yes4All offers a multi-grip upgrade that will allow for every type of grip if you prefer more steps between difficulty levels.
Pros
- Heavy-duty 500 lb weight capacity
- Solid steel frame
- 30-inch wall clearance
- Can attach Olympic rings or a TRX
Cons
- Requires full installation into the wall
Key Takeaway
This is a slightly more hardcore option for serious trainers. If you don't mind bolting this bar into the wall, it can handle all manner of high-intensity training.
3. Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar
Summary
The Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout pull-up bar is a great entry-level option for anyone to get into the doorway pull-up bar market to give it a try at a minimal cost.
This bar provides decent weight capacity, portability, and a range of padded grips and exercises, not requiring any bolting into your door.
The Iron Gym bar is not adjustable, so just make sure to measure any doors you may want to use this with before deciding on a purchase. This is basically 'the' door frame pull-up bar that many will think of when you mention this type of equipment, and that's because it's a popular design that delivers the basics of what you need from a home pull-up bar.
Pros
- Low price
- Good weight capacity and grip options for a cheaper model
- Portable and easily packed away
Cons
- Not adjustable so make sure your door will accommodate
Key Takeaway
A good budget option that will let you try a portable doorway pull-up bar without breaking the bank. Not the best, but will get the job done. Be sure to check your door measurements to accommodate this bar.
4. Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull-up Bar
Summary
The Garren Fitness Maximiza is a heavy-duty chrome steel door-mounted bar. A smaller, more compact model, this bar is easily screwed into the inner door frame. It comes with multiple sets of heavy-duty screw-in attachments, so you can even set up multiple points on your door if you want to use it for assisted push-ups, dips, or other variations like Australian pull-ups.
This pull-up bar is adjustable to fit a wide range of door widths. It's a simple design, and the only downside is that it will only be as wide as your doorway, so wide-grip or neutral grip pull-ups aren't an option here.
If you're happy with a simple option that doesn't take up as much space hanging around the top of your door, this kind of bar is a good option. You'll even be able to close the door with this bar still installed.
Pros
- Smaller footprint
- Adjustable to fit any door frame
- Multiple bolt-in attachments
Cons
- Requires screwing into the door frame
- Not as versatile as other options
Key Takeaway
If you want a non-intrusive, simple bar that you don't mind bolting in, the Garren Fitness Maximiza is a great narrow to shoulder-width grip pull up bar that won't take up as much real estate around your door frame. Just lock in and your set to go.
5. ROGUE Jammer Pull-up Bar
Summary
The Rogue Jammer Pull-up bar takes home pull-up bars to the next level. Rather than a single padded grip, this bar has the option to use knurling on its steel frame that will give you a grip similar to an Olympic barbell.
This bar is for those who want to feel like they are training at the gym, in the comfort of their own home. Another cool feature is that this bar comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, to add your own personal touch to the look.
This jammer bar bolts in above the door, so make sure the appropriate studs are in place to support its weight. The benefit of this is that it will not impede the function of the door at all.
The part that separates this from the others is the high-quality materials it is made of. The cast-iron weight plates will stay solid no matter the wear and tear. The smooth extra-wide handle allows for easy and smooth kettlebell movement during the complex exercises of kettlebell swings, cleans to press, and Turkish get-ups.
Pros
- Gym-quality at home
- Knurling for extra grip
- Customization options
Cons
- One of the more expensive options on this list
Key Takeaway
Rogue is known for its quality products, and this bar is no exception! If you want a solid pull-up bar with extra grip and a gym-quality at home, this bar is a no-brainer. Plus it comes in a bunch of different colors!
6. ROGUE P-3 Pull-up System
Summary
This bar is Rogue's version of a ceiling or wall-mounted pull-up bar frame, offering a very solid set-up for your home gym.
The P-3 is a nice wide bar that will allow you to do high-intensity CrossFit moves such as kipping pull-ups, toes-to-bar, and attach rings or handles for bodyweight moves.
Again, not a portable or lightweight option, and lacks a neutral grip positioning for the hands, but this is a very solid, CrossFit box quality bar that will serve the hardcore home trainers well while they wait to get back into the gym.
Pros
- Solid construction for wall or ceiling mount
- Heavy-duty suitable for high-intensity training
- Rogue name guarantees high quality, long-lasting product
Cons
- Requires your own mounting hardware to install
- Not as portable or versatile as other options
Key Takeaway
A rogue pull-up bar will never disappoint. If you don't mind locking this bar into your ceiling or wall, it provides the strength and clearance to complete any WOD the same way as you could in the gym.
7. Titan Wall Mounted Pull-up Bar
Summary
Titan Fitness is another top-quality equipment provider with this wall-mounted pull-up bar option. This heavy-duty steel frame provides a nice wide 53-inch bar with a matte black powder coating to provide extra grip and prevent slipping, unlike some competitors which use chrome or glossy finishes on their bars.
If you have a good garage gym or solid wall space to mount this bar into, it will provide you with the only bar you'll ever need to train your back and upper body muscles at home. This bar will take any kind of swinging, knee raises, or high-intensity moves you can think of - just make sure the wall or ceiling you attach it to is sturdy enough to handle the force.
This bar comes with all the necessary attachments to mount it, just bring your own tools along for the job.
Pros
- Super strong 500-lb weight capacity
- Long 53" for wide grip
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
Cons
- Requires solid wood or concrete walls to mount to
Key Takeaway
Another great heavy-duty, gym-quality option for home. Titan Fitness delivers a great product for those with the tools and appropriate mounting place for use in your home gym.
8. REP Wall-mount Multi-grip Pull-up Bar
Summary
This pull-up bar from REP is one of the best wall-mounted pull-up bars out there. With this bar, you can train yourself in every type of pull-up, from narrow-neutral, 45-degree, underhand, wide neutral overhand, and a nicely angled wide-grip similar to a lat pulldown bar at the gym.
This REP bar is wall-mounted so not portable, but if you purely want this thing as a way to train specifically your pull-ups, in any variation, this is one of the best options.
A passive knurl provides extra grip and the bar has a nice diameter to train your grip strength without being too thick. Since you only get stronger in the grip that you train in, this bar will prepare you for any type of pull-up workout that gets thrown your way.
Pros
- A good half-dozen grip variations
- Solid heavy-duty frame
- 21.5" wall clearance
Cons
- Quality comes at a price, so make sure the investment is worth it for your situation
Key Takeaway
For a wall-mounted pull-up bar serving the single purpose of giving you as many grip options in a solidly constructed package, this bar from REP is near unbeatable. Not the cheapest option - but this is definitely an example of 'you get what you pay for.
9. Iron Age Pull-up Bar
Summary
The Iron Age pull-up bar may be more aptly named the 'New Age' pull-up bar. It is designed with state-of-the-art Smart Hook technology, allowing a much smaller, more compact, and foldable design to appropriately distribute the load away from the door frame for extra protection. But don't be fooled - this bar is still stronger than most doorway pull-up bars, with a weight capacity of 440 lbs.
Requiring zero assemblies or installation, simply turn the hooks out and pop them into the door. The top bar adds an extra six inches of height - an advantage for taller people who can often struggle with doorway pull-up bars, having to tuck their legs to avoid hitting the floor.
And the best thing about the ergonomic design of the Smart Hook bar is that it is able to be folded to a much smaller footprint than its competitors, to be easily stored between uses.
Pros
- Foldable design makes it the most portable for easy storage
- The extra height of the bar is great for taller users
- Newly-engineered design to protect your door
Cons
- Only suitable for standard door widths
Key Takeaway
At first glance, a strange-looking design - but don't be fooled. This very well-designed and engineered bar will protect your door frame, and is foldable for super easy storage. A cool and unique pull-up bar, it's worth the small extra investment to its cheaper but lower quality peers.
10. Ultimate Body Press XL
Summary
The Ultimate Body Press XL pull-up bar is a high-quality doorway bar. It adjusts width to fit a range of doorways, without requiring any installation. It features an S-shaped bar that adds extra height and distance away from the door, giving you more freedom to perform your pull-ups.
Coming with all the standard grip positions, this Ultimate Body Press bar can also be placed on the floor for additional exercises, with that S-shaped bar giving you some extra elevation for moves like dips, which is great if you want to get a full range of motion.
Pros
- Extra elevation and distance from the door
- Multiple grips
- Portable with no installation required
Cons
- Grips can be a little narrow for users with a longer limb-length
Key Takeaway
A solid option for a doorway pull-up bar, with extra height and distance away from the door to give you more space to move. The S-frame design feels good to lift with.
11. Sagler Doorway Pull-up Bar
Summary
A simple, classic doorway pull-up bar, the Sagler bar has multiple grip positions and can be taken out for floor exercises like some of its peers.
This bar is also very low-priced, so you'll get a great back, arm, and shoulder workout at home for the price of one gym visit.
While there's nothing fancy about this bar, there's also nothing wrong with having a solid, basic option that will let you train your pull-ups at home, then easily pop it out of the door and store it out of the way between uses.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Easy to put together
- Will get the basic job done
Cons
- Nothing unique or impressive, just a standard bar
Key Takeaway
A no-frills option, the Sagler doorway pull-up bar is a quick and easy way to get some bodyweight exercises at home. If you don't need anything fancy or heavy-duty, this bar will get the job done with no problem.
12. Sunny Health & Fitness Doorway Chin-up Bar
Summary
Sunny Health & Fitness has provided a great little set-up-and-go doorway bar here. While it comes with bolt-in supports, the bar itself can be easily popped in and removed. The bar is also adjustable to varying widths of doors.
While it's not something that can be used for every exercise under the sun, this bar can be placed in lower positions in the door for things like elevated push-ups, reverse rows, or bar dips.
The Sunny bar is an easy, cheap entry into a home pull-up bar to add to your home equipment.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Adjustable to fit multiple door widths
- Simple and effective
Cons
- Lower end weight limit, not to be used with weight vests or added accessories
Key Takeaway
A sturdy, chrome-plated bar that is able to be set up in seconds and takes up virtually no space to pack up. Not the most heavy-duty bar out there, if you just need a cheap way to set up, pull up, and pack up, the Sunny Health & Fitness bar is a great little bargain.
Conclusion
There you have it! Those are some of the best options for the different types of home pull-up bars in their various styles, uses, and price ranges. To further help you decide, the next section will provide a buyer's guide for some of the important things to consider before deciding on which pull-up bar might be best for your home.
Important Features of a Pull-up Bar
1. Functionality
You'll want a pull-up bar that allows you to do the greatest range of exercises possible, with grip positions and features that allow you to get a total upper body workout.
If you want to train your chin-ups with the most grip positions, go for something like the REP Multi-Grip Bar. Want to practice your CrossFit kipping pull-ups or hanging sit-ups or muscle-ups? The Rogue or Titan ceiling-mounted bars might be better for you.
Your home workout is tailored to you, so go for the bar that helps you achieve your goals most effectively.
2. Safety
While pull-up bars offer a perfect fitness alternative to the gym, you want to ensure your safety at all times while completing upper body workouts at home.
Pull-up bars can be easy to install, but make sure any door frames you use don't put you at risk when hanging off the bar.
3. Protection for Mounted Door / Wall
The last thing you want to do is damage your doorframe or drywall. Make sure your bar has quality door mounts, or that any site you choose to attach your bar to can handle the load.
While it's great that many door frames can accommodate bars that are easy to install, invest in a good quality option that can handle your body weight, and not damage your property.
Benefits of Using a Pull-up Bar
1. Pull-ups are the Best Bodyweight Back Exercise
Getting a great workout can be achieved with no equipment for most of the body. But to pull your weight against gravity requires something to hold on to. Pull-ups are one of the best compound exercises, strengthening not only your back muscles but hundreds of other supporting muscles as well.
2. Pull-ups are one of the Best Core Exercises
Most people are aware of how good pull-ups are for your back muscles. But many don't know that one of the best ab workouts you can get is by doing pull-ups.
Your core muscles are the anchor that keeps your body rigid and connected and can be the weak point for many people's pull-ups. So practice your pull-ups for that sculpted six-pack you've been dreaming about!
3. Closed-chain Arm Exercise
Most arm exercises are open-chain, meaning your hands move freely, which usually requires external weights to provide resistance.
The great thing about pull-ups and chin-ups is that they anchor your hands, creating a close-chained upper body pull exercise that uses your body as resistance. While not the easiest exercise, there's no other calisthenics movement that can add as much strength and size to your arms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average weight limit of pull-up bars?
The pull-up bars on this list have weight limits from around 250-500 lbs. The average max weight for doorway pull-up bars is around 300 lbs, with more heavy-duty wall and ceiling-mounted bars being able to take a max weight of up to 500 lbs. This allows the use of added accessories such as weight vests and handles, or more explosive exercises like muscle-ups.
What is the best doorway pull-up bar?
For my money, one of the best doorway pull-up bars is the Iron Age Smart Hook bar. It's lighter and more compact than cheaper options while being able to take much heavier loads, while also giving you more elevation above the floor for foot clearance.
Do pull-up bars damage doors?
Cheap, low-quality pull-up bars can have a lack of padding, and the fact that you don't screw them in means the pressure does have to be put through parts of the door frame. It's important to invest in a good quality product and to make sure your door is able to handle the added weight.
Are pull-up bars effective?
Pull-up bars are one of the best investments you can make in a home gym. They are a hard exercise for the average person, but with practice, the best pull-up bars will give you a super strong, lean, balanced total upper body.