Of all the home gym equipment you can invest in, a heavy-duty pull-up bar is without a doubt one of the wisest investments. A pull-up bar works the arms, shoulders, and back and also increases flexibility and stamina.
Although it seems tough for plus-size guys and beginners, it takes grit and perseverance to build your muscles and strengthen your core.
However, if you’re new to pull-up bars, choosing the right one can be challenging. For this reason, we’ve created a handy guide that will help you choose a reliable pull-up bar along with a list of the 5 best heavy-duty pull-up bars.
Best Heavy-Duty Pull-Up Bars Reviews
KT Toes Don’t Touch Ground Foldable Free Standing Pull Up Bar (771 lbs)
If you’re looking for a highly versatile free-standing pull-up bar, this is a great choice. This bar allows you to do all pull-up and chin-up variations without losing stability. With just simple tools, you can easily adjust the height of the bar to suit your workout needs. It is easy to fold into a long rectangular frame that makes it convenient to carry and store.
Features
- 100.4-inches max level
- High-quality foam grips
- Non-slip rubber pads
- High-strength alloy steel
Pros
- Durable design
- Versatile and comfortable
- Highly stable
- Easy to fold
Cons
- Terrible customer support
Related: Heavy Duty Elliptical
ONETWOFIT Multifunctional Wall Mounted Pull Up Bar (440 lbs)
The ONETWOFIT Multifunctional Wall Mounted Pull Up Bar is made of heavy-duty steel, which gives you the rigidity and stability you need to support your weight. This wall-mounted pull-up bar is ideal for performing various exercises that build muscles across the back, chest, arms, and core with leg raises, push-ups, chin-ups, and push-ups. It is equipped with highly padded back and arm cushions that give you optimum comfort when working out.
Features
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Well-padded cushions
- Strong suspension anchors
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Heavy-duty construction
- Versatile
- Comfortable design
Cons
- Hard to install
Related: Heavy Duty Treadmills
Iron Age Pull Up Bar (440 lbs)
The Iron Age Pull Up Bar comes with a very solid, compact, and space-saving design. This doorway pull-up bar helps you perform several grip pull-ups that activate different muscles in your back, arms, and shoulders. With this pull-up bar, you don’t need to assemble it to start your workouts. Additionally, it also comes with a foldable design that makes it easy to store.
Features
- Smart Hook Technology
- Soft foam handle
- 6 inches handlebar
- High-strength carbon tube
Pros
- Stable and secure grip
- High-quality construction
- No assembly needed
- Versatile
Cons
- May damage the door frames
AmazeFan Pull Up Bar Doorway with Ergonomic Grip (400 lbs)
The AmazeFan Pull Up Bar Doorway with Ergonomic Grip is made with solid and high-quality steel construction that has a foldable design for easy storage. This doorway pull-up bar can fit in almost all standard doors, even narrower and corner doors. This bar is specially designed to build up your full-body effectively and is great for a variety of fitness workouts.
Features
- Ergonomic Angled Grips
- Solid steel construction
- 2 detachable buffer plastic pads
Pros
- Durable construction
- No installation needed
- Widened and enhanced grip
- Lifetime 24-hour service
Cons
- Not ideal for doors with wide trims
Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar
This doorway pull-up bar is a versatile tool that helps you work on the upper body using chin-ups, pull-ups, and abdominal works. The Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar is a great choice for anyone who wants an affordable and space-saving bar that fits in most doorway frames. What’s more, it comes with assembly tools, safety brackets, and a safety manual.
Features
- Heavy-duty steel
- 300 pounds weight capacity
Pros
- It fits in most doorframes
- Easy to install
- Heavy-duty construction
Cons
- Durability is questionable
- Terrible return process
Types of Pull-Up Bars
Doorway Pull-Up Bar (Telescopic)
This is one of the most simple and straightforward types you can get out there. The doorway pull-up bar requires no real mounting or any mounting hardware. It comes with a piece that sticks on top of the door frame and a counterbalance piece to keep it in place. These pull-up bars are relatively cheap, have a low weight limit, and limited capabilities.
They are the best options if you don’t want to mount any gear on your wall, if you want a quick pull-up workout, or if you want to move it from one door frame to another.
Ceiling Mounted Pull-Up Bar
This pull-up bar is designed to be screwed into the ceiling. This bar is permanently mounted in one spot, thus offering adequate support and weight-bearing capabilities.
These gadgets tend to be durable and strong, have a decent weight limit, quite comfortable and have multiple grip positions as well. However, when mounting this pull-up bar, you have to pick a good spot and ensure that your ceiling can support your weight and the bar.
Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
This pull-up bar is similar to the ceiling-mounted model; the only difference comes in the mounting spot. The wall-mounted bar is quite durable, comes with a fair number of grip positions and a higher weight limit. This type of pull-up bar is a good option if you have a permanent spot to locate it and if you don’t mind drilling some holes in your wall.
Joist Mounted Pull-Up Bar
This bar is quite similar to the ceiling-mounted model. It has the same capabilities as a ceiling or wall-mounted pull-up bar. The joist-mounted pull-up bar is well-built and strong, has fairly high weight limits, and comes with multiple grip stations.
This pull-up bar requires a well-exposed joist to mount, and it must be very solid to support your weight. It is a great option if you have an unfinished room or garage with ceiling rafters or joists.
Free-Standing Pull-Up Bar
This pull-up bar functions as a full workout station equipped with a pull-up bar. If you want a full-body workout, the free-standing model is the best choice. However, this is by far the most expensive pull-up bar model since it comes with so much extra and solid construction. This model will give you a full-body workout without the need for mounting.
Safety Tips When Using a Pull-Up Bar
Adopting the following precautions can help reduce the risk of injury when using a pull-up bar:
- Never attach a bar on an unsteady doorframe. If your doorframe looks weak, choose a model that doesn’t attach to the doorframe.
- Tighten the screws regularly. After a few weeks, you should tighten the screws that hold the bar in place.
- Choose a pull-up bar on body weight. Before placing an order, ensure that the bar can support your weight. You can check this information on the company’s website.
- Cushion a possible fall. When using a pull-up bar, ensure you have a well-padded mat on the floor.
Best Heavy Duty Pull-Up Bars Buying Guide
When choosing the best heavy-duty pull-up bars, do you really know what to look for? While some guys may go for renowned brands or fancy designs, there are some factors to consider before placing an order.
Grip
This is a crucial factor to consider when looking for a heavy-duty bar. You’ll want a bar that comes with either rubber grips, foam grips, or a knurled texture. This ensures that you don’t crash to the ground or slip off while exercising. A knurled bar has the best grip and is durable but may cause calluses. Rubber or foam grips are soft and more comfortable but are less durable and may crack after some time.
Weight Limit
If you’re a heavy guy, be keen on the weight limit of the machine. As a general rule of the thumb, a high weight limit is linked to a high-quality pull-up bar.
Size
The pull-up bar you need to buy should fit nicely in your home with the risk of you falling off or damaging other equipment while using it. Measure keenly the space you want to place your pull-up bar to ensure that it fits the space.
Durability
A heavy-duty pull-up bar is a valuable investment. It should serve you for long without breaking. Also, look for a product that comes with favorable warranty terms and ensure they’re clear. The best brands will offer a lifetime frame warranty and five years on accessories and parts.
Ease of Assembly
Don’t be carried away by the physical appearance of a pull-up bar and forget to check its assembly procedure. Some pull-up bars have a convenient size and build that can be assembled in a few minutes, while others can take hours.
Always look for a bar that can be assembled in the least time possible and doesn’t require any special tool to install.
Versatility
This refers to the number of grip options offered by the pull-up bar, along with additional features that will help you perform various exercises. Always look for a versatile product that has a balance between performance and comfort.
Budget
Finally, the pull-up bar you choose depends on how much you’re willing to spend. However, there’s a relationship between price and quality. High-quality pull-up bars have a higher price point, but they will offer exceptional services.
Conclusion
Pull-up bars are great strength training equipment, and any fitness enthusiast should own one. Remember that your fitness needs should guide you to find the right bar that works for you. Pick one from the products reviewed above and enjoy safe and comfortable workouts. Happy shopping!