The pull-up is a basic compound exercise that works, not just the back, but the entire upper body, including the muscles of the core. It is a key exercise that every home gymer should be adding to their routine. That means investing in a pull-up bar. In this article, we set our sights on the 10 best adjustable pull-up bars that you can use in your doorway.
The best adjustable pull up bar on the market right now is the Iron Age Doorway Pull Up Bar. This is a bar that extends beyond your door frame allowing you to get a wider than door width grip, even having angled ends to provide more options. It fits almost all doors and comes with bonus power straps.
The 10 Best Adjustable Pull-Up Bars:
We have done the research for you so that you can spend more time benefiting from your new adjustable pull up bar opposed to searching high and low for the right adjustable pull up bar for you. Here are the top 10 adjustable pull bar bars hat you can find on the market today:
1. Iron Age Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Angled bar ends
- 400 lb max user weight
- 30-inch bar length
- 6 grip pads
- Power straps included
Cons:
- Will not work with all door frames
The Iron Age Pull Up Bar is an extremely secure, functional pull up bar. It is ergonomically angled to allow for the ideal hand positioning. The bar length is just over 39 inches, allowing most people to get a wider than shoulder-width grip.
With a maximum user weight of 400 lbs, the Iron Age Pull Up Bar is extremely strong and safe. It has a very secure affixing system and does not leave any marks or scratches on your door frame. There are a total of six foam grip handles on the bar to allow for different grips. Each one is sweat and slip-resistant. Your purchase also comes with a pair of power straps along with foam surface pads to keep your door frame in pristine condition.
2. Feierdun Doorway Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- No screws or drilling required
- Unique rotation locking system
- Anti-skid PVC mats
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Limited grip width
The Feierdun Doorway Pull Up Bar is a bar that fits between your doorframe. It provides you with a unique patented rhombus structure at each end that affixes to the door frame. This system requires no screws or drilling but provides an incredibly secure hold. It makes use of a unique rotation of the pole to secure the bar between the door. The system is fitted with soft anti-skid PVC mats that go between the end of the bar and the door frame to make sure that your doorway is not marked.
A sturdy locking mechanism ensures that the bar will not rotate or otherwise move while you are using it. The bar will foot on all doorways between 72 and 92 cm in width. This bar is easy to install, lightweight, and able to be transported with you when you travel. The bar is so safe, mark free and easy to use that you can confidently use it when staying in a motel or hotel.
3. Garren Fitness Maximiza Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Well priced
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Max user weight of 300 pounds
Cons:
- No locking mechanism
The Garren Fitness Maximiza Doorway Pull Up Bar is an extremely popular model, with more than 2,000 ratings on Amazon at an average of 4.5 stars. People love its simple design, compact nature, low price point, and ease of installation. The bar is made from heavy-duty chrome and covered with slip and sweat resistant foam hand grips. The bar comes with sturdy door mounts that are screwed into your door frame. You get three sets (2 heavy-duty and 1 medium) so that you can use the bar with three different doorways.
The Garren Fitness Maxima is a safe, secure pull-up bar that has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. However, it does not come with a locking mechanism, so there is a possibility that you might get some rotation of the bar during use.
4. Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Many gripping options
- 4 versions
- 300 lb max user weight
- Can be used for a range of other exercises
Cons:
- No assembly instructions
The Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Pull Up Bar fits over your door frame and extends out to provide you with wide pull up grip options. There are four versions of this pull-up bar:
- Multi-Gym Pro
- Elite
- Sport
- Original
When removed from your doorway, this versatile bar can also be used to do such exercises as dips, push-ups, reverse dips, and sit-ups. One of the great things about this bar is that it provides you with a range of gripping options, including neutral and hammer grips. The max user weight of this bar is 300 lbs. The bar will work with doorways that are up to 33 inches wide. Installation is a piece of cake and will not leave any marks on your doorframe.
5. SPRI Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- 300 lb max user weight
- 12 gripping options
- 6 foam grips
- Marck and scratch-free
Cons:
- Only works with doors up to 32 inches in width
The SPRI Pull Up Bar features an extended bar that provides you with 12 different gripping options, including neutral and hammer grips. The bar comes with 6 different soft foam grips that are sweat-resistant to ensure that you don’t slip around while exercising. This bar will work with nearly all doorways and doesn’t leave any marks or scratches on your door frame. The max user weight is 300 pounds and the bar will work with doors up to 32 inches in width.
6. Ikonfitness Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Large hook technology
- Screwless installation
- 440 lb max user weight
- Soft foam outer grips
Cons:
- No inner grips
The IkonFitness Pull Up Bar makes use of smart large hook technology to deliver a very secure and safe pull up experience. There are no screws required with this bar; simply hook it in place and start exercising. The raised bar design actually allows the bar to sit higher than the top of the door frame, which makes it great for taller people. This bar has an impressive max user weight of 440 lbs. Soft foam outer grips provide comfort.
7. Chriffer Doorway Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- 440 pounds max user weight
- 30 seconds to install
- Very secure
- Plastic safety pads
Cons:
- Only one set of grip pads
The Chriffer Doorway Pull Up Bar is another hook type doorway bar that elevates higher than the actual height of the door frame. You get three grip options on this bar, wide, close, and vertical gripping options. Plastic pads are attached to ensure that the door surrounds are completely marked and scratch-free. With no screwing in required, you can set this bar up in around 30 seconds. The maximum user weight on this doorway pull up bar is also 440 pounds!
8. AOAOGYM Multi Grip Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- 550 lb max user weight
- Screwless design
- 6 gripping positions
Cons:
- Quite bulky
The AOAOGYM Multi Grip Pull Up Bar is the most powerful of all of the pull-up bars reviewed on this page at 550 pounds max user weight. This is a completely screwless design bar that sits on top of the door frame. Protective pads prevent damage to your door frame. This bar provides you with six different gripping options to allow you to work your back and biceps from every angle. It will work with doorways with widths of 24 to 33 inches. This is a very safe and tight bar that will provide you with many years of reliable service.
9. AmazeFan Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Max weight 300 lbs
- Telescopic locking system
- Free wrist straps
Cons:
- Limited hand width
The Amaze Fan Pull Up Bar is a simple, functional telescopic doorway bar. It provides a very secure hold and will not leave any markings on the door surrounds. It is constructed from durable iron and covered with foam grips to ensure your training comfort. The max user weight on this bar is 300 lbs. Your purchase comes with a pair of wrist straps to make your workout even better. Your purchase also comes with an instruction and workout manual.
10. Yes4All Pull Up Bar
Pros:
- Multi gripping options
- Very solid and secure
- 12-month warranty
Cons:
- Some reviewers note scratches on door surrounds
The Yes4All Pull Up Bar is a hook arrangement bar that provides you with a lot of gripping options. There are plenty of foam grip pads to keep your hands secure and slip-free. This bar will fit with doors from 28 to 33 inches. This is an extremely solid and secure bar that is easy to install and can be used for a range of different exercises including dips and sit-ups. Your purchase is covered by a 12-month warranty.
Adjustable Pull Up Bar Buying Guide
Types of Pull Up Bars
Doorway Pull Up Bars
Doorway pull up bars are removable bars that allow you to get your pull-ups and chin-ups in wherever a doorway exists. The bar can be fitted at the top of the door opening and securely attached without damaging the door frame. These type of pull up bars usually have a telescopic design that allows you to open it up in between the frame.
Most of them also have a pair of mounting cups that can be screwed into the door frame. The use of these cups, however, is generally optional. That means that you can get a good workout in without any visible signs being left on the door frame.
There is also doorway pull up bars that fit over your door frame. These versions have the advantage that they allow for a wider than doorway hand grip.
Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars
Wall-mounted home pull up bars connect directly to a concrete wall or to the studs in a plastered wall. These bars are generally easy to install and take up less space than a doorway bar. A wall-mounted pull-up bar gives you the room to perform some moves that are simply not possible when you are working within the confines of a doorway.
One of these is the muscle-up exercise. Of course, a wall-mounted pull-up bar is going to be a permanent fixture, so make sure that it’s not going to be an eyesore. If you’re in a rented property make sure that your bar is not going to cause issues with your landlord.
Power Tower
A Power Tower is a free-standing unit that allows you to do pull-ups and chin-ups in addition to a number of other exercises including dips, hanging leg raises and push-ups. As a pull-up option, a power tower is quite a bulky investment, although many of them are designed to fit into the corner of your home gym.
Buying a sub-par pull-up bar is almost as bad as not buying one at all. Here are 5 key considerations to look out for when shopping for your next pull up bar:
Rigidity
The most important thing to be sure of is that your pull up bar will support your body weight. If you are not totally confident that the bar is going to support your body weight, then you are unlikely to have the right mindset to push to the limit in your pull up or chin up workout. Check the maximum user rater of the pull-up bar you are considering – it should be at least 50 pounds more than the weight of the heaviest person that will be using it.
The majority of pull-up bars out there are rated to about 300 pounds but the doorway models that are telescopic are usually less than that.
Grip Options
Different hand spacing and grips provide a different workout effect on the muscles of your biceps and back. So the more options your bar provides, the more effective your training will be. The bar should allow you to have a variety of hold widths. Those that have a variety of grips, including a neutral grip will provide more training options.
Door Attachment
You need a door attachment system that is 3 things:
- Safe
- Simple
- Mark Free
Doorway pull up bars are not as secure as wall-mounted systems but the best ones will securely hold your body. Make sure, though, that the bar is easy to install and takedown. If it isn’t, you will probably not use it consistently. Finally, you do not want a bar that leaves scratches or markings on your door surroundings. Check user reviews to ensure that this is not the case.
Bar Thickness
A variation in the thickness of the bar will allow you to work your forearms far more effectively than a constant grip.
Mounting and Screws
Your pull up bar should come with all of the mounting pieces and screws that you need to affix the end pieces to the doorway or to attach your wall mounted bar to the wall. It should also come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
Padding
Your pull up bar should be fitted with a generous amount of padding in the form of hand grips. These will allow you to get a comfortable hold on the bar while also eliminating sweat slippage. Be sure that the grip is not too thick or it will not allow you to get the stronghold that you need when doing multiple rep sets of pull-ups.
FAQs
Will a Pull-Up Bar DamageUp My Doorway?
Whether or not a pull-up bar will damage your doorway will depend on the quality of the doorway pull up bar that you purchase. Of course, all manufacturers will claim that their pull up bar would never do any damage to your door frame. Yet, many still do. The best way to find out is to check the reviews that have been left by verified purchasers of the product. Make sure that the ends have some sort of padding to protect the door jambs.
Are Doorway Pull-Ups Safe?
The majority of doorway pull up bars are safe. They will have been vigorously tested and will state their maximum user weight on the packaging. Of course, the reliability of the pull-up bar will be totally dependent on your ability to attach it properly. As previously stated, you should also purchase a pull up bar with a maximum user weight that is at least 50 pounds heavier than the weight of the heaviest anticipated user.
How Many Pull-Ups Should I Do?
That depends on how many you can do in one set. If you can do fewer than 15 pull-ups in a row, we suggest going for 3 sets of 8-10 reps. If you are able to pump out 20 or more reps in a set, then go for 3 sets of 12-15 reps. A very effective way to get your rep numbers up is to target a goal number and get there in as few sets as possible.
Why should I be doing pull-ups?
Pull-ups are a greater overall body strengthener. For one thing, they are one of the best things that you can do to strengthen your forearms and your gripping power. They also directly work your latissimus dorsi (lat) muscles. These are the muscles that deliver that classic V shape that is the epitome of the muscular male physique.
Pull-ups are also a very good exercise to include when you are trying to lose weight. It is a metabolically demanding move that burns an impressive number of calories. On top of that, the wider your back and the more pronounced your V shape, the smaller your waistline looks. Pull-ups are a compound movement in that they work a number of muscle groups at the same time. These include the muscles of the back, biceps, shoulders, and core. That is why the pull up is often referred to as the upper body squat.
A final benefit of the pull up is that it is an awesome indicator of overall strength. Many people walking down the street can’t even do a single proper pull-up. So when you are able to pump out 15-20 with perfect form, you will be setting yourself as a breed apart!
Conclusion
The best adjustable pull up bar on the market is the Iron Age Pull Up Bar, which provides you with a 400 lb max user weight, angled bar ends, foam pads, a secure and easy to install hold, and a complimentary pair of power straps. Grab this bar and you will never have to worry about finding a place to pump out your pull-ups ever again!
This article was last updated on December 14, 2022 .
