Pull Up Bars

How to Pick the Right Pull-Up Bars for You

A common exercise in any fitness regimen is pull-ups, but they can be hard to do in your home without a proper pull-up bar. When searching pull-up bars to find the right one for your needs, consider factors like mounting, comfort, and safety.

There are several different types of pull-up bars (sometimes called chin-up bars) depending primarily on their distinctive methods of mounting and use, the most common being the following:

• Telescopic pull-up bar - Also known as a doorway pull-up bar, this type mounts in a standard doorway. It supports quick and spontaneous pull-ups anytime you pass through the doorway. This is best for narrow grip pull-ups and average height or shorter, so make sure before you buy that it fits your doorway.
• Leverage mounted pull-up bar - This type of pull-up bar rests on a door frame's front edge and uses your body's own weight to secure it in place. It's portable and requires no drilling or another fixed mounting, and it's best if you are an average weight or lighter and you use it on thicker door frames.
• Wall-mounted pull-up bar - By being screwed into a wall, this type of pull-up bar is one of the most secure for any body size or type.
• Ceiling-mounted pull-up bar - Another secure choice of a pull-up bar, by mounting to the ceiling, this type allows for more swinging and a wider variety of exercises that can be performed with it.
• Joist-mounted pull-up bar - Similar in features and benefits to the wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted options, this type requires an exposed ceiling joist or step from which to hang it.
• Free-standing pull-up bar - Also known as a pull-up bar stand, this type requires no mounting, as it provides its own sturdy frame. You simply need enough space on the floor to place it.

Once you know what type of affordable pull-up bar would be most suitable for your needs and space limitations, other considerations to make in your decision include the following:

• Length - A pull-up bar on eBay will generally range between 24 and 48 inches.
• Diameter - Pull-up bars typically have diameters ranging from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch. If the diameter is smaller than 1 inch, foam grips should be used to maximize safety.
• Supported weight - Pull-up bars typically support body weights from 200 to 600 pounds. The pull-up bar you buy should support at least one-and-a-half-times your body weight.

A used pull-up bar for sale can be as practical and beneficial as even a brand-new bar. Oftentimes you can find ones in as-new condition for a cheaper price than you can a brand-new one. If you're mostly concerned about function and don't mind a few aesthetic blemishes, used pull-up bars could be a way for you to save money on the price of one.