Best equipment to practice pull/chin ups at home

[masraum]

I see lots of apparatus to perform pull/chin ups at home using doorways. I suspect a lot of it is junk, but some are probably made and work fairly well. Anyone have any specific recommendations for something that they have that is made well and is secure?

[fireant911]

I use this one - https://www.amazon.com/Sportsroyals-Multi-Function-Station-Training-Equipment/dp/B0D3PN1TY6/ref=asc_df_B0D3PN1TY6?mcid=5c677feb689b30088cc015a d41d5df43&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693769126934&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16171338083521256573&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017663&hvtargid=pla-2326555518882&psc=1. At $139 it is quite affordable PLUS you can do dips as well.

I wish I would have waited and bought this FlyBird unit - https://flybirdfitness.com/products/flybird-power-tower-with-assistance-bands-starter101. A bit more expensive at $329 but there is a 25% off available (the black Friday sales price was even cheaper). Three years ago I purchased a combo weight bench and adjustable dumbells from FlyBird and these have performed super great!

Here is a picture of my little home gym!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fireant911

I use this one - https://www.amazon.com/Sportsroyals-Multi-Function-Station-Training-Equipment/dp/B0D3PN1TY6/ref=asc_df_B0D3PN1TY6?mcid=5c677feb689b30088cc015a d41d5df43&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693769126934&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16171338083521256573&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017663&hvtargid=pla-2326555518882&psc=1. At $139 it is quite affordable PLUS you can do dips as well.

Here is a picture of my little home gym!

That looks like a much better option than the usual "over the door frame" sort of bars. And the price is very reasonable. The only downside is the amount of space that it takes. I'll see what the missus thinks. Maybe we could have it inside for a bit and then once everything is done, it could be moved to the garage.

[cabmandone]

Marketplace... great place to find a pullup/dip station like the one pictured.

[Dantilla]

In my old house, I just bought a ADA grab bar from Home Despot and mounted it on a beam in the garage.

Since moving, I just go out to one of the sheds and grab the bottom 2x4 of the rafters.
A 2x4 is not as comfortable on the hands, so I only do a few at a time.
I'm going to mount another round bar somewhere, so I'm inclined to do more.

[cabmandone]

BTW, if you haven't done pullups in decades like I haven't. just lay down, put a bar at the maximum arm reach then pull yourself up to it (called an inverted row) It'll work roughly the same muscle group. Also you can do pull downs if you have that cable rig in the lower right hand of that pic above. Both are easier on the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff.

If ya really wanna go wild, lookup "Recon Ron pull up program" Enjoy.

[zakthor]

I find there are natural places everywhere to do pullups on. Is there a park nearby with a play structure?

I'd pay money to avoid having to own a dedicated pullup structure.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

In my old house, I just bought a ADA grab bar from Home Despot and mounted it on a beam in the garage.

Since moving, I just go out to one of the sheds and grab the bottom 2x4 of the rafters.
A 2x4 is not as comfortable on the hands, so I only do a few at a time.
I'm going to mount another round bar somewhere, so I'm inclined to do more.

Yeah, I've thought about setting something up in the garage. It's just a crap environment. It's detached, not conditioned (which is fine if it's not cold, hot, or humid which accounts for 90% of our weather) and essentially a sieve. If I set something up there, I'll probably never use it. I think there may be hooks on the porch that were once used for a swing. Maybe I could get something setup there. At least that would be close.

Originally Posted by cabmandone

BTW, if you haven't done pullups in decades like I haven't. just lay down, put a bar at the maximum arm reach then pull yourself up to it (called an inverted row) It'll work roughly the same muscle group. Also you can do pull downs if you have that cable rig in the lower right hand of that pic above. Both are easier on the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff.

If ya really wanna go wild, lookup "Recon Ron pull up program" Enjoy.

Yeah, it's probably been 10-15 years since I did a pull up. I think in the 15-20 year period, I could probably do 5.

Originally Posted by zakthor

I find there are natural places everywhere to do pullups on. Is there a park nearby with a play structure?

I'd pay money to avoid having to own a dedicated pullup structure.

I'm not aware of any park with jungle gym or anything like that nearby. I'm in a very rural area. The closest Home Depot is nearly an hour away. And if I have to drive someplace, it's not going to happen.

[zakthor]

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Pull-ups are pretty extreme. How many do you intend to do?

Having a bar with straps to hang off is sometimes more comfortable and interesting. There’s a bunch of cool ab stuff you can do with a pull-up bar.

How about set up some pull-up straps in your garage for now. Bust out as many as you can in a minute and call it a day. Hot, cold, humid it’s just a minute and the pull-ups will hurt more than the weather.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

BTW, if you haven't done pullups in decades like I haven't. just lay down, put a bar at the maximum arm reach then pull yourself up to it (called an inverted row) It'll work roughly the same muscle group. Also you can do pull downs if you have that cable rig in the lower right hand of that pic above. Both are easier on the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff.

If ya really wanna go wild, lookup "Recon Ron pull up program" Enjoy.

Originally Posted by zakthor

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Pull-ups are pretty extreme. How many do you intend to do?

Having a bar with straps to hang off is sometimes more comfortable and interesting. There’s a bunch of cool ab stuff you can do with a pull-up bar.

How about set up some pull-up straps in your garage for now. Bust out as many as you can in a minute and call it a day. Hot, cold, humid it’s just a minute and the pull-ups will hurt more than the weather.

Two very good posts above.

I have one of those doorway bars, they can be dangerous and let go expectantly, so you have to weary. Other designs seem destined to pull off tacked on wood trim.

However if used only for stretching to gradually feel your weigh and activate chest and back muscles prior to using resistance bands or free weights then they are good, just accept their limitations (and your own).

I recently purchased some nice HPYGN brand (on Amazon) resistance bands and bands with handles and set them up in my shed (using black pipe as a chin-up rig), but cold and hot weather severely limits their use. I also used them in lieu of a cable pulley apparatus via hooks spaced 8 feet apart on the wall.

FYI: the inverted row can be done off of a barbell set up on chairs, or from dip bars. I used to describe them as "upside down push ups" before I knew the official name "inverted row".

I recommend doing some floor exercises to strengthen your core before advancing on to anything else, otherwise back issues and or rotator cuff issues may show up sooner rather than later.

Of all the exercises that I thought were to be worthless but turned out to be the best the "Dead Lift" gets the prize from me (strengthen the core).

Of all the exercises I thought would be the best but turned out to be ineffective, I'd say struggling to do 1-3 chin ups goes into my hall of shame. I mean just three years ago I was able to do six in good form, but even those were not enough reps to get me to the "as advertise" nirvana.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by fireant911

I wish I would have waited and bought this FlyBird unit - https://flybirdfitness.com/products/flybird-power-tower-with-assistance-bands-starter101.

Wow, what a great machine (if you have the floor space).

Maybe I need to move my pie eating ottoman and make room for one haha.

Flybird Fitness Power Tower Assisted Pull-Up and Dip Station Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Yu8LtaWHw&t=10s

Now, as the name suggests, the primary function of this equipment is to allow you to do assisted bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups and dips. This is ideal for people who are just getting started in training or haven't yet developed the strength to do full unassisted reps of those exercises.

When I wear out the $75 of stretchy cords I bought, I'm getting something from Flybird.

EDIT:

I have the older discontinued "Perfect Fitness" doorway pull up bar, the new one solves some issues, but still looks very entry level to me. Like hand tools or power tools, if it barely can get the job done, you are less likely to use it.