WHAT IS A PULL UP BAR?

A pull up bar is made up of a bar to grip hold of and two brackets which can be mounted on a suitable wall or ceiling. Pull up bars are used to train the back, biceps and shoulders but can be used for a range of core exercises too.
They’re ideal for anyone looking to train using their own bodyweight. And perfect if you want to practise and train regularly at home.

A straight pull up bar allows you to easily vary your workout between wide and narrow grip positions. You can also get multi grip pull up bars which are great for helping to vary your workouts further and keep a more neutral grip – which can help if you have any issues with your joints.

Power racks usually also come with a pull up bar built in. So, if you’re thinking of setting up a home or garage gym, this is great way of including a pull up bar in your set up without the need to drill into walls or ceilings.

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WHY TRAIN WITH A PULL UP BAR?

Pull ups are one of the best ways to train your back muscles and build a v shape. And bodyweight exercises allow you to train more naturally. They’re also great for improving your functional fitness levels.

Pull up bars also allow you to train your core. And there are lots of ways you can supplement your training to get stronger and improve physique.

And because there is so much you can do using a pull up bar, there’s always something new to focus on and challenge you.

BUYING A PULL UP BAR

Pull up bars are one of the best tools for building strength. They’re simple, versatile and easy to set up at home so you can train regularly.

When doing pull ups, there’s a lot to master and there are plenty of different variations you can do too. But the challenge keeps things interesting, so there’s always something to focus on and something new to try.

And once you’ve mastered pulling up your own body weight, you can start to add more on by grabbing a weight belt with a chain and adding a weight plate.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PULL UP BARS

Pull ups aren’t easy. But that doesn’t mean they’re impossible. By setting yourself goals and training regularly and progressively, pretty much anyone can do a pull up.

They’re not only an impressive feat, pull up bars are a great training tool and easy to set up at home.

There are a few different types:

• Wall mounted
• Ceiling mounted
• Power rack pull up bar

WALL MOUNTED

Wall mounted pull up bars are great for garage gyms. This is because the walls are usually made from solid brick so you can set up your pull up bar securely, and at the right height. We always advise consulting with a builder before installing your pull up bar as it is crucial that the wall is strong enough to take the forces that occur during use.

Considerations:
Wall mounted pull ups are great for helping to make sure your bar is at the right height for you. However, they’re not usually suitable for kipping pull ups. So, if you want room to swing, you’re best off going for a ceiling or rack mounted pull up bar.

CEILING MOUNTED

Ceiling mounted pull up bars are ideal for lower ceilings where you can reach the bar from the ground. They usually allow for more movement when doing pull ups. This can be especially good if you want to do moves such as front levers and kipping pull ups. As per wall mounted bars, we always advise consulting with a builder before installing your pull up bar as it is crucial that the ceiling is strong enough to take the forces that occur during use.

Considerations:
Ceiling mounted pull up bars don’t allow you to train far above the bar. So, you won’t be able to do more advanced moves such as muscle ups where your torso goes above the pull up bar.

POWER RACK PULL UP BARS

Power rack pull up bars are integrated into power racks. They allow for the most freedom in terms of movement and will usually allow you to perform advanced moves such as muscle ups and kipping pull ups. You don’t need to start doing DIY and you won’t be restricted by the wall or ceiling. They’re ideal for everyone from beginner to advanced.

Considerations:
Power racks take up more space than a pull up bar, so you’ll need a suitable space to set one up. However, this will benefit you more in the long run as you can also use the rack to perform a range of other gym exercises such as squats and bench press, so it’s worth considering whether you want to extend your home workout routine.

GRIP THICKNESS

Just like when you use a barbell, grip thickness will make a difference to the difficulty level of your pull ups.

Generally, the thicker the bar, the harder it is to do pull ups on. The thinner the bar, the easier it is to use. However, some people prefer a thicker bar as it can be more comfortable to use depending on your hand size.

KNURLING

Knurling is the textured effect you find on some weight bars and pull up bars. It’s designed to help you grip onto the bar and is rough to touch.

Knurling is ideal for anyone looking to work on their pull ups as it will help you hold onto the bar. It’s also great for hanging as it offers more grip than a smooth powder coated finish.

Knurling however can interfere a little with your training if you are doing more mobile moves such as muscle ups. So, a smooth bar can make things easier, depending on how you want to train.

MULTI GRIP

Multi grip bars are ideal for helping you train a range of muscles through various grip positions.
They’re versatile and a great choice for beginners as they allow you to try different grips and find the most comfortable.

If you’re more advanced, then you may prefer a single bar. This gives you more freedom to move around the bar as well as perform more advanced pull ups.