Welcome to the updated 2020 guide of the best pull-up bars currently available on the market. A regular door frame or wall mounted pull-up bar can go a very long way.
If all you need in your home to do pushing movements is the floor, your pulling movements, will need a surface of some sorts to pull yourself to. Some pull-up bars can also be used to perform other movements like push ups, dips, and even some core exercises.
You can also upgrade your pull up bar with a pair of gymnastics rings, and have everything you need to build a serious physique, under your door frame. it’s important that the pull up bar you choose is sturdy, provides a comfortable grip, and can easily be set up safely, with no chance of moving about whilst you are working out.
Why Should You Do Pull-Ups ?
Some benefits of doing multiple muscle recruitment compound movements like pull ups include:
- improved posture development of functional strength ( meaning that it will facilitate your every-day life actions )
- alleviation of back pain
- hypertrophy/increased stabilization of the biceps, lats, shoulders, scapula, forearms, core and more.
In this article of the best pull-up bars, we will go over 3 different types of pull-up bars; doorway pull up bars, extendable pull up bars, and wall/ceiling mounted pull up bars. I will also talk about each of their advantages, price, and a general explanation on what to look for in each of these products.
Types Of Pull Up Bars
- Doorway pull up bar: uses leverage to safely anchor itself into your door frame.
- Extendable pull up bar: travel friendly bars which telescope out to fit into your door frame.
- wall/ceiling mounted pull up bar: the strongest pull up bar you can go for; this one will require that you drill them into your wall or ceiling.
Best Pull Up Bars Summary
Best doorway pull up bar
With it’s immense choice of different comfortable grips, ease of set up and quality steel construction. It is very popular with over 2000 positive customer reviews on Amazon, and a 4 star rating.
Best extendable pull up bar
A heavy duty steel bar, capable of withstanding 300 lbs. featuring non slip foam grips to protect your hands. It was the strongest, and once attached, the most secure bar I could find. It is also quite popular on Amazon with over 400 reviews and a 4.5 star rating.
Best doorway pull up bar
Spacious bar with plenty off wall clearance, and a lovely matte black powder coated straight bar to prevent slipping, and optimize performance for muscle ups, pull ups, and dips. Without mentioning it’s huge maximum load capacity of 500 lbs. great for doing weighted exercises safely.
Doorway Pull Up Bars
Doorway pull bars are quick to install and often offer the benefit of having a range of different grips to choose from. They are fastened in place by the use of leverage around the door frame.
When looking for the ideal doorway pull up bar you want to make sure that it has a sturdy construction and preferably, features different grip choices for optimum muscle recruitment. The following all fit these categories.
Easy to set up, travel friendly, this pull up bar is constructed with solid steel which can support up to 250 lbs. It comes with thick non-slip padding to protect your hands, and five different grip positions to choose from.
Use it either for regular pull ups, or place it on the floor and perform push ups, dips or core exercises with it’s variety of grips. This is a pretty hybrid bar available at a rather reasonable price.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- multiple grip positions
- comfortable padding
- requires sturdy door frame with trim, Assembled Dimensions: 37″ x 16″ x 11″
- sturdy steel construction
Features padded handles that allow for 3 grip positions to perform normal grip, close grip and hammer grip pull ups. The 300 pound weight capacity makes them all safe to use with a weight vest.
It stores easily and is ideal for use in smaller spaces. Placed on the floor, it can be used for core exercises, push ups, and dips; padded handles provide comfort and help to ensure correct form. What I personally love about this pull up bar is that it has patented door frame guards using a unique flat design with thick foam pads to help protect door frames. The Multi-Gym Original will securely fit door frames 27-35 inches wide, and includes a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- 300 lbs weight capacity allows for safe use of weight vests
- has thick pads that will protect your door frame
- One year manufacturer’s warranty
- will securely fit door frames 27-35 inches wide
This Heavy Duty Pull-up Bar provides an inexpensive way to tone and build muscles at home, without large equipment or marring your door frame with installation screws. Designed to slip into any standard doorways the Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar can be installed anywhere you have a sturdy door frame. But, if you have a permanent location in mind, it can also be mounted to the door frame with the optional, included J brackets.
Thanks to the awesome multi-grip design, you will be able to develop your back, chest, shoulders, arms, and abdominal compound muscles with one simple piece of equipment. In addition to traditional pull-ups and chin-ups, the bar allows you to perform hammer grip pull ups as well as core exercises like leg raises and l-sits. Built to last, the Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar is constructed of high-grade steel with ProSource Comfort Grip Foam for a secure and pain-free grip. The bar’s maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds within a sturdy door frame.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- 12 comfortable grips & various handles allow you to perform wide, hammer, close-grip exercises and fits all standard door frames (24 inches to 36 inches wide)
- Slip-in design fits standard doorways for quick installation and assembly guide included
- Made of high grade steel & built to last, it holds up to 300 lb
- limited lifetime warranty
Extendable Pull Up Bars
Extendable pull up bars are usually the cheapest and simplest to set up. They are however usually not as heavy duty or multi-purpose as a doorway pull up bar, or even better, wall mounted pull up bar. They are however very compact once folded up, and make the ideal travel companion, fitting in a backpack or suitcase.
This pull up bar is made from sturdy chrome plated steel. When mounted properly, it can support up to 220 lbs. It can adjust from 24.5 to 36 inches to fit your doorway safely and features some comfortable non-slip foam grips.
Includes weight bearing brackets for maximum stability during your chin-ups and non-weight bearing brackets for sit-ups.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Set up in seconds in almost any door frame and easily store away in a closet.
- holds up to 220 lbs
- easy to adjust, and doesn’t move around once set up properly
This bar gives you the ability to place the grips wherever you like, to adapt each movement to your comfort.
the bar has only one telescoping end instead of two, and comes with mounting dots to perform exercises such as tricep extensions or dips, sit ups, and more.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Fits doorway and openings up to 40″ long.
- easily adjust high of the bar with mounting dots and brackets
- adjustable grips
- holds up to 300 lbs
A decent bar, from which, you need minimal space in your house to do highly effective body weight exercises. The heavy duty chrome steel bar and the multiple screw-in door mounts provide safety and stability while giving you the flexibility to move it to different places or heights. The non-slip extra-long foam grips provide a firm grip and extra comfort to minimize hand fatigue. The Bar fits standard doorways between 26 and 39 inches wide and can hold up to 300 lbs.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- heavy duty steel bar – up to 300 lbs
- non-slip comfortable grips
- Only to be used without door mounts at low heights for light exercises, e.g. sit-up foot support
- fits standard doorways between 26 and 39 inches wide
Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars
Wall mounted pull up bars are my personal go to for when I’ve found a suitable spot to fasten them to, and a fantastic upgrade to the traditional door way pull up bars. They are the strongest kind you can get and allow you to do advanced exercises such as muscle ups and explosive pull ups or just heavy weighted pull ups and dips.
Once mounted to a wall, they will never budge and they are guaranteed to last almost a life time. Their solidity makes them ideal to attach and use other accessories such as rings, resistance bands, TRX straps and more.
This all steel welded construction combines the space saving versatility of a doorway pull up bar and the rigid performance of a mounted bar.
It features an angled ergonomic bar with three grip positions, ultra thick mounting plates and a 1.25 inch thick steel bar for confident and rewarding workouts and an ideal anchor for accessories such as rings or resistance bands.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Ergonomic grip which reduces the amount of strain put on your wrists, shoulders and elbows
- Utilizes king studs to anchor strongly above door frame or into wall
- USA tech support, complete installation hardware and 100% satisfaction guarantee included
- Universal fit for standard residential doorways 24-30 inches in width
The pull up bar boasts an all steel construction and an easy installation with just 4 screws needed, and a load capacity of 250 lbs. It allows the usage of 4 different grips, complete with comfortable hand grips to let you focus on you form.
The bar is 42 inches wide and the clearance from the wall can be adjusted anywhere between 14 and 21 inches.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Sturdy, functional, and easy to install
- 14-21 inches of wall clearance and a 42″ wide pull up bar
- complete hardware, mounting templates, instructions and USA tech support included
- high density foam grips
This heavy duty, wall mounted pull up bar is perfect for anyone because it can support up to an astonishing 800 lbs without a problem, making it one of the strongest mounted pull up bars on the market. The assembled Size is L 49″ W 24″ H 20″. They include all the necessary hardware and instructions you’re going to need for a straightforward installation.
Train your entire body functionally by not limiting yourself to pull-ups only; you can also use it as a dip or muscle-up station. It has a trustworthy 4.5 stars rating on Amazon and is my current personal garage gym pull up bar.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Extremely heavy duty with a 800 lbs max load capacity
- large variety of grips to choose from
- easy to install and the bar can also be reversed
- features and anti-rust coating so you can install your pull up bar outside
Another heavy duty wall mounted pull up bar, with a sturdy steel frame and a 52 inches long bar. It has a capacity of 500 lbs and can be installed vertically or horizontally with ease, depending on your preferences and available space.
The bar features matte black powder coating to keep it from becoming slippery during your workouts. I love this one because it provides plenty of wall clearance, and the simple, straight bar design is great for muscle ups. An all around very sturdy bar that absorbs explosive movements, great for calisthenics, bodybuilding, and crossfit.
What to take from this pull up bar:
- Heavy duty steel frame, 52 inch bar
- non slip coating
- lovely simple straight bar design
- good wall clearance
