No prizes for guessing the first thing I do to test pull-up bars: five max-rep sets of pull-ups with a two-minute rest after each set. It’s great for straight-bar dips, and while you can use the short bars for parallel bar dips, it’s a little shaky.

Some bars come with multiple different attachments that can determine the nature of your workout: thicker bars will make your pull-ups more of a challenge, while thinner ones should be prioritised by beginners and those looking for a more comfortable grip. It can also be folded to be (almost) flush to the wall, making it more appealing for people who want a sturdy option in their home. While initially it’s tough—to the point of seeming impossible to beginners—our four-week pull-up plan will help you to build up the strength to knock out a set in less than a month. From here, generate the kip swing by tensing your glutes and abs, while thinking about opening and closing your shoulders.Not only will you unlock pull-ups and chin-ups – upper body-building royalty – into your repertoire, but you’ll also be able to add straps or rings, adding endless variety to your training.

Boasting all the bells and whistles – including a bench and punching bag – this pull-up rack offers a variety of grip positions so you perform pull-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, push-ups and vertical knee raises. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. On the one hand, pull-up bars can be placed almost anywhere – transforming any door, ceiling or spare wall into a home gym – and they’re often the most wallet-friendly choice. And if you're supplementing a routine that's already inclusive of cardio and other forms of weight training, you'll be even better off. You can add resistance bands to make pull ups easier, using the elasticity of the band to help you move upwards, eventually progressing to smaller bands and, later, none at all.We found that it mounted to an exterior wall without a problem using the supplied expansion bolts and the foam that covers the six different handle positions were comfortable and easy to grip. You’ll need a cupboard to fit its awkward L shape, or sling it under a table in the garage like I do.

Suitable for pull-ups, chin-ups, leg raises and more, you can fix the equipment to both the top and bottom of a door, or even benefit from using it on the floor for different styles of exercises and push-ups. No warranty, guarantee, condition, service/installation, subscription, or trial is included in the purchase. I found the best way of installing it was to hold both ends level with my palms, then angle my wrists awkwardly inwards so I could twist the central rubber bar with my fingers. This pull-up bar supports a maximum user weight of 300kg and comes with three handle positions to help maximise your bodyweight work. Simple, adaptable and totally unforgiving, it allows you to cultivate total upper body strength by pitting downward force of gravity against your own weight.When it comes to no-frills home training, the humble pull-up rack – or pull-up bar, if you’re short on space – is hard to beat. This bar will be amazing and especially for people or gym owners who are looking for a very stable indoor bar with high loadability.