Despite its simplicity, a horizontal bar is probably the single best piece of strength equipment you can have. Dollar for dollar, you can squeeze out more exercises and hit more muscle groups than with any other piece of home fitness equipment. Want a V-shaped back? No problem – do wide and short grip pull-ups. Bulging biceps? – bust out some chin-ups. Six-pack abs? – leg raises and windshield wipers are your ticket to that coveted chiseled torso.
We’ve spent our fair share of time on a pull-up bar, but not nearly as much as 24-hour pull-up world record holder Brandon Tucker. Tucker, a Georgia-based former Army Ranger and Manager and Head Coach at Uncommon Athlete, busted out an astonishing 7,715 pull-ups in 24 hours. Over a 14-month period, he logged more than 220,000 pull-ups, so saying he knows what makes a good pull-up bar is a gross understatement.
Tucker says width and depth are the most important things to look for in a bar. “You need room,” he says, “and the ability to do advanced movements,” such as muscle-ups, wide-grip pulls and leg raises without hitting the wall or beams. He recommends a bar width of at least 48 inches and a set-up that sits far out from the wall.
With Tucker’s recommendations in mind, your search for a proper pull-up bar does not stop at solely dimensions. There are plenty of structures that can cater to your fitness needs. Ranging from removable door-mounted options to standalone structures like power racks, here are a handful of common pull-up bar types to make the buying process less of a strain.
Types of Pull-Up Bars
In essence, any stabilized structure can serve as a pull-up bar. All you need, really, is a sturdy surface to grip and an area to raise and lower your frame. But, rather than running through your local park searching for the perfect branch — or undoubtedly ripping out your downstairs plumbing pipes with an attempted free-hang — there are a number of pull-up bar types to fit your needs.
Two of the simplest forms of pull-up bars are wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted bars. These structures bolt into already present studs or joists in your house framing, providing a durable, sturdy build that can support your weight. Wall-mounted units typically feature enough depth for you to comfortably move without hitting the wall, while ceiling-mounted models hang from the beams above your head. These pull-up bar types do require some more advanced installation and may not fit every household, however.
Next, if you don’t have a secure wall or joist to mount into, structured pull-up bars can be a safe option that doesn’t require additional hardware. These pull-up bars can pull double-time as a horizontal beam in squat stands or power racks, providing excellent structural support for a variety of other strength training exercises. If you’re not in need of extra equipment and want to solely focus on pull-ups or dips, there are pull-up towers that give you plenty of bar length for a comfortable grip in a freestanding silhouette.
Lastly, For fitness enthusiasts tight on space, doorway pull-up bars can repurpose your room’s entryway into an all-encompassing fitness studio. This style of bar uses leverage to maintain its positioning, either by applying outward force against the doorframe or pushing against the opposite side of the wall for locked-in support.
Titan Fitness Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
With a smooth, powder-coated 32mm bar for excellent grip and a durable, 11-gauge steel frame, this wall-mounted bar from Titan Fitness is as solid a pull-up bar as they come. The 34 inches of depth provide plenty of room for kips and chin-ups, but some might not like the added space, as it can quickly take over a wall. Thankfully, though, if you have the height available, this impressive pull-up bar can also be mounted from the ceiling for muscle-ups and other functional training modalities.
- Bar Length: 53.5 inches
- Material: 11-gauge steel
- Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
Rep Fitness PR-1100 Power Rack
If you want to perform pull-ups and chase down a new squat PR, then we recommend the PR-1100 Power Rack from Rep Fitness. The multi-grip structure allows for multiple hand placements and exercises, and the space within the rack allows for plenty of movement, too. Because of the durable yet heavy 14-gauge steel construction — as well as the fact that a power rack will most likely be accompanied by a barbell and free weights — we recommend setting up this home gym equipment on your ground level. You don’t want your pull-ups to cause your second floor to come crashing down.
- Bar Length: 44 inches
- Material: 14-gauge steel
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
Best Choice 50-inch Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
This bar boasts some impressive stats at a very approachable price point. Sporting a 50-inch bar width and 32 inches of wall clearance, you’re free to kip, swing and wide-grip away without encountering any space limitations. Why is it cheaper? Well, the discount is in the details, as iron is a cheaper alternative to other steel pull-up bars. Steel is more rigid than iron, making it more stable during dynamic movements and, thus, more expensive. Will you notice the difference? That depends on your size and strength.
- Bar Length: 50 inches
- Material: Iron
- Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
Titan Fitness 48-inch Wall-Mounted Multi Pull-Up Bar
Varying your grip during pull-ups is a great way to emphasize certain muscles over others. For example, wide-grip pull-ups target the back, whereas a close grip works the arms. No other bar gives you more grip positions than the Titan Multi Pull-Up Bar. This steel unit has eight different non-slip, powder-coated bars for endless options. The only downside? Mounting takes a bit more effort. Still, at such a fantastic price point, it’s worth the trouble.
- Bar Length: 48 inches
- Material: 12-gauge steel
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
Yes4All King Stud Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
If you want the benefits of a doorway pull-up bar but still want to secure your gear to a sturdy wall, this mounted pull-up bar from Yes4All is our top choice. Multiple grip options are spread across the 36-inch bar, all with soft foam coverings for a comfortable lifting experience. Plus, the inline holes make finding a stud much easier for simple, quick installation. We do recommend, however, upgrading the screws for a sturdier, more secure setup.
- Bar Length: 36 inches
- Material: Alloy steel
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Iron Age Doorway Pull-Up Bar
The Iron Age Doorway Pull-Up Bar provides plenty of security in a compact, easy-to-use profile. The center support rod and opposite-entry hooks keep this structure in-place as you perform each rep. Additionally, the foam padding at each grip point makes your pull-up sets exceptionally comfortable. There’s also an additional suspension training hook in the center, but the weaker weld around this joint could be susceptible to failure, especially over extended use. Best to save this foldable pull-up bar for just that: pull-ups.
- Bar Length: 39.17 inches
- Material: Iron
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
FEIERDUN Doorway Pull-Up Bar
Another doorway pull-up bar, the FEIERDUN places the bar in-between your doorframe, which can help save your decorative trim. Soft grips in the middle provide a cozy hand platform for any pull-up or chin-up exercise, and the secure locking mechanism is designed to not scuff up your walls. Just make sure to have your bar as level as possible before use, though. An off-kilter bar can become detached more easily, so take a few extra precautions before getting into your workouts.
- Bar Length: 28.3–36.2 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
CAP Barbell FM-905Q Color Series Exercise Stand
Squat stands can be an effective solution to performing barbell squats without the additional space of a traditional power rack. They can also be premium pull-up bars, and we’re big fans of this Color Series from CAP Barbell. With 46 inches of available bar space for great shoulder workouts, these vibrant squat stands can be a great addition to any garage gym. While you will need some additional ceiling clearance, this is one piece of at-home fitness equipment that is sure to get its use.
- Bar Length: 46 inches
- Material: Steel
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Titan Fitness Ceiling Mounted Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
The Multi-Grip pattern offered up by Titan Fitness is already showcased in this list, so it makes sense that the best ceiling-mounted pull-up bar follows that silhouette, right? With an out-of-the-way design and plenty of grip options to choose from, if you’re looking for a ceiling-mounted structure, we can’t recommend this impressive steel profile more. The medium knurling gives plenty of bite for that locked-in feel, although it may be too much for some. Plus, expansion bolts are included, so you can securely mount this pull-up bar to your ceiling with ease.
- Bar Length: 47.5 inches
- Material: N/A
- Weight Capacity: N/A
