Fitness and health have always been a part of my everyday routine. With healthy living now more vital than ever, I believe setting up a home gym is a great idea to stay fit even while indoors.
But if you don’t know which equipment to choose, a pull-up bar or chin-up bar is a good starting point. Read on this review-buying guide and learn the things that can help you find the best chin-up bar in Australia to start your home workout today!
The Best Pull Up Bars
| Image | Product Name | Max User Weight | Width Range | My Rating | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Approx. 136kg | 24″ to 32″ | 4.8/5 | ||
 | 200kg | 28.3″ to 38.19″ | 4.7/5 | ||
 | Approx. 113kg | 28″ to 33″ | 4.6/5 | ||
 | Approx. 158kg | 24″ to 39″ | 4.4/5 | ||
 | Approx. 181kg | 27.56″ to 36.22″ | 4.3/5 |
| Image | |
| Product Name | |
| Max User Weight | Approx. 136kg |
| Width Range | 24″ to 32″ |
| My Rating | 4.8/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Product Name | |
| Max User Weight | 200kg |
| Width Range | 28.3″ to 38.19″ |
| My Rating | 4.7/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Product Name | |
| Max User Weight | Approx. 113kg |
| Width Range | 28″ to 33″ |
| My Rating | 4.6/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Product Name | |
| Max User Weight | Approx. 158kg |
| Width Range | 24″ to 39″ |
| My Rating | 4.4/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Product Name | |
| Max User Weight | Approx. 181kg |
| Width Range | 27.56″ to 36.22″ |
| My Rating | 4.3/5 |
| Where to Buy |
What is a Pull Up Bar?
A pull-up or chin-up bar is simple equipment with a bar and two brackets on both ends. Here are some of the reasons that make it a great addition to your home gym:
- Time saver. No need to visit a nearby gym or keep up with gym schedules.
- Cost-efficient. You can skip spending on gym membership fees or hiring an instructor.
- Pull-up bars can be set up in your garage door frames or mounted on the ceiling or wall. Most pull-up bars would be suitable to be positioned at the door frame.
- Chin-up bars allow you to do a range of core and bodyweight exercises. They also work with other accessories for exercise variety.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Pull Up Bar
There are many types of pull-up bars available in the market. While this gives fitness enthusiasts options, first-time users may find equipment selection a challenge. And so, I’ve identified some factors that can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect pull-up bar for you.
Grip positions
Typical pull-up bars have a simple bar with narrow and wide grip to allow you to work on specific upper body parts. A narrow grip, for example, keeps your arms closer together to improve your chest muscles. On the other hand, holding on the wide grip keeps your arms apart to strengthen your back muscles.
Advanced pull-up bars have neutral and monkey bar grips to let users do other types of exercise. More grip positions mean more flexibility for beginners and pros. When considering grip positions, make sure to choose based on your exercise routine and budget. Remember that multi-grip pull-up bars tend to cost more, though may be better for body workouts.
Grip type and thickness
Choose a pull-up bar that gives you a secure yet comfortable grip. Thinner bars are generally easy to use, but others may find thicker bars more comfortable to hold. The bars also have three basic types of grip: foam, rubber and knurled.
Foam and rubber grips are more comfortable, but they tend to crack. Knurled bars are the most durable and offer the best grip. However, they can cause calluses and may hinder other exercise types. I personally prefer the grip handles to have foam padding as they feel more comfortable.
Price
The type of chin-up bar you want, its complexity, construction and capacity are all factors affecting its cost. While you can always opt for more expensive equipment, budget-friendly options are also ideal, depending on your needs.
For instance, if you live in a small space and plan to do occasional pull ups only, an affordable door frame pull up bar may be a better choice over free-standing ones. With price in consideration, you should also not forget about max user weight capacity.
Durability and weight capacity
Different materials make up pull-up bars. Their construction is also the basis of the equipment’s durability and cost. Less expensive pull up bars, for example, has a max user weight limit of 113 to 136kg. Pricier pull-up bars are more durable and have a higher user weight limit of up to 363kg. You will need to make sure you do not max out on the weight capacity for safety purposes. Injury may happen if the weight capacity is exceeded.
Versatility
I also highly recommend the door frame pull-up bar as an addition to your home gym as listed in the table above for best pull-up bar Australia. This is because not only the pull up bar can be easily installed with little damage to your home, you can literally do a number of bodyweight exercises.
Pull up bars is a very versatile piece of equipment as it enables you to target specific muscle groups. With the right grip options chosen such as wide grip on a pull-up bar, you can add body workouts into your exercise routine. Strength training and core endurance such as leg raises and sit ups are really good workout suitable for fitness enthusiasts. If you are not really hardcore about it, pull ups and push ups on a pull up bar are great for strengthening back muscles too.
I have been including pull ups and sit ups into my home workout to improve my body strength and I feel great just sparing 10 minutes a day to do these training. I have to make sure I squeeze in at least a few sets of exercises a day for consistency. Like the saying goes, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it”. I want to keep my muscles badly after having my daughter.
Installation or assembly requirements
Some pull-up bars require proper measurements and mounting know-how. If you are staying in a rented property, drilling on solid walls or ceiling may not be allowed. In this case, you may want to consider a door frame or free-standing pull-up bar. These options may also be best if you prefer simple assembly instructions and do not have the tools for permanent fixing.
Comparison of Different Pull-Up Bar Types
The factors to consider I’ve described are mainly dependent on the type of pull-up bar you want. For quick reference, here is a table summarising the basic features of 5 of the most common pull-up bar types.
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Versatility (Grip Positions) | Installation | Load Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doorway | 2 to 3 | Easy | Up to 160kg |
| Wall mounted | 3 to 4 | Moderate | Up to 200kg |
| Ceiling mounted | 3 to 4 | Difficult | Up to 250kg |
| Joist mounted | 2 to 3 | Difficult | Up to 300kg |
| Free standing | 3 to 4 | Easy | Up to 299kg |
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Doorway |
| Versatility (Grip Positions) | 2 to 3 |
| Installation | Easy |
| Load Limit | Up to 160kg |
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Wall mounted |
| Versatility (Grip Positions) | 3 to 4 |
| Installation | Moderate |
| Load Limit | Up to 200kg |
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Ceiling mounted |
| Versatility (Grip Positions) | 3 to 4 |
| Installation | Difficult |
| Load Limit | Up to 250kg |
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Joist mounted |
| Versatility (Grip Positions) | 2 to 3 |
| Installation | Difficult |
| Load Limit | Up to 300kg |
| Pull-Up Bar Type | Free standing |
| Versatility (Grip Positions) | 3 to 4 |
| Installation | Easy |
| Load Limit | Up to 299kg |
Door frame pull-up bar
Compared with other types, the door frame or doorway pull-up bar is the cheapest, easiest to install and most adjustable and space-efficient. This type does not require mounting gear that can damage your home and is the best option if you’re unsure about your ceiling or wall stability. It may have limited grip positions and weight limits, but it’s excellent for most users who want simple equipment and a quick pull-up workout.
Wall-mounted pull-up bar
The wall-mounted pull-up bar is very durable and versatile, making it ideal for more serious fitness enthusiasts. However, it requires permanent installation, drilling some holes and a strong wall structure to withstand stress. Make sure that you do proper measurements for spacing and clearance, so you can perform several exercises without hitting the wall.
Ceiling-mounted pull-up bar
Ceiling-mounted pull-up bars are your next-level wall-mounted bars. They are more durable, have a higher weight limit and best for advanced users. What I like about these chin-up bars is that they give you more space to swing your feet and do all sorts of exercises without hitting anything. However, it is also more expensive and harder to install. Accurate measurements are essential to ensure safe head clearance and proper spacing in between brackets.
Joist-mounted pull-up bar
To install joist-mounted pull-up bars, you need a rafter of a ceiling. The joist needs to be exposed and very solid. This chin-up bar is ideal for your garage or unfinished rooms at home with ceiling rafters. Similar to ceiling-mounted bars, a joist-mounted model provides ample exercise space for variety. You also need to jump to start your routine with this bar type. I highly recommend this for users who want an added level of difficulty to their workout.
Free-standing pull-up bar
The free-standing pull-up bar, or power tower, is by far the most expensive among all types. Depending on the model, it may have dip bars, foot pads for sit-ups, knee and leg lift stations and more that add up to its cost. However, this also makes the equipment perfect for users that need a full-body workout. It’s easy to assemble, but its base may not fit in small spaces.
FAQs on Pull Up Bars
Are pull-up bars safe? And how can these keep me stay fit and healthy? Read this FAQ section to help you decide whether pull-up bars deserve a spot in your home gym.
Do pull-up bars damage door frames?
Pull-up bars are unlikely to destroy well-built door frames. Pull-up bars evenly distribute the force of your weight to the door frame’s top trim and its two opposite sides to prevent damage. However, before setting up your doorway pull-up bar, you may have to watch out for these points that may lead to door frame damage:
- Poorly built or old door frames. Glued door trims may not be strong enough to withstand the force from a pull-up bar. Also, older homes may have door frames that are already falling apart and need to be renovated first for safe exercise equipment installation.
- Unstable door trim material. Make sure that you are installing your bar on traditional wood trim to support your body weight. Plastic or composite material is not a very stable door trim option for your pull-up bar plan.
Are doorway pull-up bars safe?
Two main factors make doorway pull-up bars safe. One is your door frame construction. The trim around the door is bolted into the header beam behind your wall, making it strong enough to support most body weight. The second factor is the design of your doorway pull-up bar. Its ends press the sides of your door frame, while the force of your weight securely locks the bar, preventing it from slipping or popping out of place.
How many pull ups can the average person do?
The ExRx.net noted that average males at age 10 do one pull-up repetition. This number increases to three pull-ups at age 13, then to seven at age 17 and older. The Australian College of Sports & Fitness has also given similar standards. However, there is no definite number of pull-ups for an average person because you can always do as many pull-ups as you can if you train for them, regardless of your gender or age.
The number of pull-ups you can do is really up to your capacity. If you’re a beginner, I suggest you perform a few pull-ups to exhaustion then record your results. Strive to top your previous results after every few weeks to progress.
Does hanging from a bar build muscle?
Pull-ups are no easy feat, even for pros. So, instead of going straight for pull-ups, start your training by just hanging on a pull-up bar. This exercise is also known as a dead hang. It stretches your upper body and works on various muscle areas including your upper back, shoulders, core, forearms, hands and wrists. Aside from building muscle, dead hangs can also help relieve sore back or shoulders and strengthen your grip.
Stay Healthy at the Comfort of Your Home
Indoor equipment like a pull-up bar makes it more convenient to keep up with your health goals. And if you’re a beginner crafting your home exercise routine, it’s never too late to start now. Choose the ideal pull-up bar that suits your needs and consult fitness experts for advice.