The 7 Best Home Pull-Up Bars, Tested by Fitness Editors
Bring the ultimate bodyweight workout to your home gym.
Expert consulted: Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and David Otey, C.S.C.S.Reviewed by Charles Thorp, NASM
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PULL-UP BARS are essential equipment. It’s a grand statement, but we stand by it. Pulling yourself from a dead hang until your chin is over a bar recruits all of your back muscles, requires core strength, and proves you have full command over your body weight. The pull-up is a time-tested move that you should get good at, no matter your fitness goals.
If you don’t have access to a pull-up bar, you can buy one for your home. Most pull-up bars are affordable, easy to install, and last a lifetime. Our team researched and reviewed some of the most popular pull-up bars on the market to bring you this list.
Best Home Pull-Up Bars
What to Consider
Type of Pull-Up Bar
- Doorway pull-up bars hook onto your door frame. They’re easy to assemble, install, and store. Bars that attach to your door frame are usually made from cheaper materials, don’t feel as secure, and can limit your range of motion. “I think door-mounted pull-up bars are an easy option for many but stability of the equipment will always be a concern,” Otey remarks. Measure your door frame beforehand to ensure the bar fits.
- Wall-mounted pull-up bars are drilled into the wall. “I prefer wall-mounted bars, assuming they’re installed properly,” Otey says. They’re sturdier than doorway pull-up bars but require a wall to mount them and some basic tools. You also can’t store it away easily, so it’ll be a semi-permanent fixture in your home.
- Free-standing pull-up bars are usually built into another piece of equipment, like a power rack or captain’s chair. They take up more space. However, some can be easily stored (see the BaseBar below). Other free-standing pull-up bars, like ones built into a squat rack, are great additions to a more robust home gym. “These are a good option if you can dedicate the space to them,” Otey adds.
Construction
Different pull-up bars use different materials, which affects their durability and stability. Mounted and free-standing pull-up bars are usually constructed from metals like steel. These bars are the most stable and durable because they’re bolted into the wall or attached to a sturdy base (like a power rack). They’re also the most expensive.
Pull-up bars that you mount into your doorframe are cheaper and more convenient than the other pull-up bars listed above. That said, they’re often constructed from plastics and, although some are weight-rated at 300 pounds, don’t feel as secure.
“I’d go with steel—all day,” Otey says. Plastic isn’t unsafe (our tester’s Iron Gym, made from plastic, has held up fine over two years of use). However, Otey considers steel a surer thing in terms of durability and stability.
Read More: 5 Exercises to Help You Perfect the Pullup
Available Space
Door-, wall-, and ceiling-mounted pull-up bars require less space than free-standing pull-up bars. If you’re building a larger home gym, you probably want a squat or power rack with a pull-up bar to get the most bang for your buck. However, if space is tight or you follow a simpler routine, a door- or wall-mounted pull-up bar is the most space-efficient option.
“A pull up bar should take up minimal space,” Otey says. “It's used for a relatively short list of exercises, so you don't want to dedicate too much space unless you have zero limitations.”
Weight Capacity
Your body weight will help you determine the type of pull-up bar you’ll need. Door-mounted bars can generally support between 250 and 300 pounds. If you weigh close to or more than that, you’ll want to purchase a free-standing or wall-mounted pull-up bar; the models on our list can support from 400 to 850 pounds.
Do you perform weighted pull-ups? Don’t forget to factor in the total weight your bar will need to support, not just your body weight.
OUR FAVORITE WEIGHTED VEST DEALS
Installation
Mounting a pull-up bar to your ceiling or wall (make sure you mount it into the studs!) results in a sturdier set-up. You’ll also need the right tools. It’s more complicated to install (though still fairly simple), and you’ll end up with holes in your wall (which isn’t great if you rent). Wall—and ceiling-mounted bars are a more permanent fixture.
Free-standing pull-up bars are a mixed bag. If you buy a power or squat rack with a pull-up bar, the entire structure will take hours to set up. If you get a power tower or a product like the BaseBar (see below), building it can take some time, but you won’t need any mounting hardware or power tools.
Door-mounted pull-ups usually only require 15 minutes of your time, an Allen wrench, and some screws and washers (which are often included). Note that door-mounted pull-up bars can often scuff the molding around your doorframe, which we found you can remedy with fresh paint or a Magic Eraser.
How We Chose
The MH team researched and tested over a dozen pull-up bars. Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness & Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, and writer Andrew Gutman have each tried various models on this list to form educated opinions about each product. We also talked with MH Advisory Board member David Otey, CSCS, for general recommendations on what to look for in a pull-up bar.
Our list includes pull-up bars of all types (see above), that can hold over 200 pounds, and are built to last. Keep reading for our seven favorite home pull-up bars.
Titan Fitness Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull Up Bar
Pros
- Has a sturdy, 11-gauge steel build
- Supports up to 400 pounds
- Costs less than $100
Cons
- Only comes with a straight bar
- Sticks out two feet from the wall
We like the Titan Fitness Adjustable Depth Pull-Up Bar because it’s sturdy, bare-bones, and relatively affordable. The mounting is a touch more complicated than doorway-mounted and freestanding bars, but Titan’s pull-up bar holds up to 400 pounds and feels stable.
“This is my favorite wall-mounted pullup bar and the one I recommend to most of my clients,” says Men’s Health Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS. “Assembly is pretty easy, and the unit is sturdy enough to handle weighted pullups and even a jump up onto the bar. Tighten the bolts every few months (they occasionally loosen a bit), and you’ll be all set.”
For less than $70, we love that Titan offers an 11-gauge steel build. And although some folks may not love how far the bar juts out from the wall, the depth allows more clearance for movements like muscle ups (assuming you have the vertical space), leg raises, and L-sit pull-ups. You do need a wall with studs that can accommodate over four feet of length, but this shouldn’t be a problem for most people.
Read More: The Best Home Gym Equipment
| Type | Wall-mounted |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs. |
| Product weight | 23 lbs. |
| Materials used | 11-gauge steel |
| Bar diameter | 1.25 inches |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Pros
- Offers multiple grip options
- Has the heaviest weight capacity — 850lbs
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Requires a sturdy wall for mounting
- Bar design makes neutral-grip pull-ups difficult
More grip options mean more ways to target your back muscles (of which there are many!). XMARK offers a wide 50-inch bar with neutral-grip handles that are set narrow, wide, and wider than you probably ever need. You can also opt for the standard overhand and underhand grips. For this reason, we think this sturdy-as-hell bar (which supports over 800 pounds) is the best multi-grip pull-up bar option.
“I installed the XMARK pull-bar in my garage gym and, for my space, I can’t imagine have going any other way,” says Men’s Health Fitness & Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, NASM. “First and foremost, I like how sturdy it is. I also appreciate the diverse amount of grips it offers, allowing me to switch hand positioning, as well as go from pull-up to chin-ups, is a huge plus. When you are building out a home gym, you are trying to get the most out of your space, and this piece offers a lot in that capacity.”
It’s worth noting that the neutral bar handles are set between two straight bars that run perpendicular to the neutral bars. This design means that whenever you use the neutral-grip handles, you’ll have to pull yourself up and out to avoid hitting your head on the bar and achieve a longer range of motion. It’s not the most convenient design, but many people may not even mind.
Read More: The Ultimate Pull-Up Guide
| Type | Wall-mounted |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 850 lbs. |
| Product weight | 48 lbs. |
| Materials used | Alloy steel |
| Dimensions | 50.25”L x 23”D x 23.75”H |
| Bar diameter | 1.10 inches |
| Warranty | Lifetime in-home frame warranty |
Pros
- Supports up to 600 pounds
- It can adjust to two heights — 33 and 52 inches
- It is a minimalist free-standing bar that can be easily moved and stored
Cons
- You can’t perform pull-ups from standing
- It isn’t stable enough for kipping pull-ups
- It takes up more space than a mounted pull-up bar
“I love BaseBar because it’s a standalone unit, and doesn’t need to be bolted into my wall or attached to a door frame,” Samuel says. “It’s also super-versatile in that it has 33-inch or 52-inch heights. I can do rows and gymnastics work at the lower height, or shift it to the 52-inch setting for pull-ups and chin-ups.”
The BaseBar supports up to 600 pounds, which is enough for most folks. Still, weight capacity doesn’t always equate to stability, as Samuel found when using the bar. “If there’s a weakness to the unit,” he says, “it’s that it doesn’t handle well with kipping movements (although few in-home pull-up bars truly do). That said, it hasn’t left marks on my walls and is extra-easy to move from room to room.”
The adjustable height allows for various movements, like inverted rows, knee tucks, and front levels. When you’re done, store it in the corner of your room or your closet. You’ll barely know the BaseBar is there.
Read More: Exercises To Help You Perfect The Pull-Up
Pros
- Once assembled, the bar mounts and unmounts in seconds
- The bar is easily stored for a clean space
- You can travel with this bar
Cons
- Bar can feel wobbly and unstable at times
- The weight capacity is 300 pounds, the lightest on our list
- It can potentially damage your doorframe if you’re too rough
The Iron Gym bar isn’t going to win any prizes for its build quality or aesthetics, but it’s a relatively cheap and reliable option. This is your best option if you want to do more pull-ups at home on a budget. I’ve used this bar for over two years, and it’s held up just fine. The neutral handles are the most comfortable and are the ones I use most often. The bar has scuffed up my doorframe, but I was easily able to remove the marks with a Magic Eraser.
You can perform overhand-, underhand-, and neutral-grip pull-ups on this bar, making it one of the more versatile pull-up bars on our list. This bar is rated to hold up to 300 pounds, so a 180-pound guy can do weight pull-ups with up to 120 extra pounds. It doesn’t feel as stable compared to wall-mounted or free-standing bars, however. The frame will bend slightly while you use it, and if you move too quickly, it may feel like it’ll pop off the frame — which has never happened to me.
Read More: Men's Health Home Gym Essentials
| Type | Door-mounted |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs. |
| Product weight | 4 lbs. |
| Materials used | Plastic, metal |
| Dimensions | 37”L x 37”W x 11.5”H |
| Bar diameter | 1.5 inches |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime frame warranty
- Supports up to 500 pounds
- It is only 8-inches deep for a less intrusive feel
Cons
- The shallow depth and straight-bar design limit you to pull-ups and chin-ups
- One of the more expensive bars on our list
Rogue is renowned for its manufacturing quality and design, and the Jammer pull-up bar is no exception. With the word “Rogue” laser-cut into the top of the bar, this bar will add cool to your home gym. Its no-frills design makes pull-ups accessible wherever you mount it.
We like that the bar sticks out only eight inches, making this the most compact mounted bar on this list. It’s designed to mount over your doorway and offers enough room for your hands and wrists — making overhand and underhand pull-ups an option — and for your chin to clear the bar. With a weight capacity of 500 pounds, you won’t have to worry while banging out sets of weighted reps.
Read More: Best Men's Health Fitness Awards
| Type | Wall-mounted |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 500 lbs. |
| Product weight | 33 lbs. |
| Materials used | 11-gauge steel |
| Dimensions | 43”L x 8.875”H x 7”D |
| Bar diameter | 1.125 inches |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime frame and structural weld warranty |
Pros
- Extremely travel-friendly
- Compact design for easy storage
- Fits most doors: 2-4” tall and 4.5-7.5” wide
- It can be used for push-ups
Cons
- No neutral-grip handle option
- Supports only 250 pounds
CrossGrips are a door-mounted option with a unique design that offers the most versatility and convenience of any pull-bar on our list. Weighing just two pounds each, you can throw these into almost any bag and attach them to any door. You can also perform other exercises on them (like l-sits and push-ups).
We also like that you can adjust them horizontally, making your grip as wide or narrow as the door frame allows. The weight limit is low compared to other options on our list, but we think it’s a fair trade for the portability of the CrossGrips.
Site note: Truett Hanes of MTN OPS used these to train for his world record setting 8100 pull-ups in 24 hours in 2023. So while they're small and compact, they can hang with the best.
Read More: Attempting The 24-Hour Pull-Up Record
| Type | Door-mounted |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 250 lbs. |
| Product weight | 1.9 lbs. (each) |
| Materials used | polycarbonate frame; powder-coated handles |
| Dimensions | 7”L x 10”W x 3”H |
| Warranty | 2-year warranty |
Pros
- It is a squat stand, which allows for more versatility
- It can hold up to 1,000 pounds
- Constructed with 11-gauge steel
Cons
- This squat stand takes up considerably more space than other bars on this list
- This is the most expensive option on our list
Looking to build out your home gym? Most squat stands and power racks come with pull-up bars, so you can take the two-birds-one-stone approach. We like Titan’s T-3 Squat Stand because it supports 1,000 pounds, has a fairly compact footprint, and is constructed with 11-gauge steel.
Because you’re buying a squat stand, not a pull-up bar, you’ll need considerably more space — not just for the stand but for the plates, barbell, and bench you’ll presumably pair with this purchase. Also, consider this a straight bar, so you only have two grip options for pull-ups.
Read More: How To Properly Back Squat
| Type | Free-standing pull-up bar |
|---|---|
| Weight capacity | 1,000 lbs. |
| Product weight | 140 lbs. |
| Materials used | 11-gauge steel |
| Dimensions | 47”L x 42”W x 92.5”H |
| Bar diameter | 1.25 inches |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
David Otey, CSCS is a fitness writer, NYC-based strength coach, and Men's Health Advisory Board member who specializes in strength and hypertrophy protocols as well as athletic performance. For more on Otey check out www.oteyfitness.com.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.
Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
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