You probably arrived here because you are looking for a good tow bar for the house or to go to the gym. This accessory is a very good option to effectively muscle your upper body, whether it be your arms, back, or shoulders and abs.
But then the choice is vast, among the traction bars, we find in particular the famous cylindrical bar that we install in the frame of a door but also the more complete weight training stations, and the models that can be fixed on a wall or on the ceiling. So which model is best suited to your needs? We explain all the advantages and features to take into account to find the model that will fit you 100%!
Specification
With dimensions of 98 cm x 45.6 cm x 27 cm for a total weight of 4 Kg, the Door Gym (2 years warranty) is easily attached to any door and supports up to 110 Kg. Compatible for doors between 45 and 85 cm wide, it offers 3 positions.
Key Features
Thanks to its quick assembly, the Adidas Door Gym can be easily attached to any door. Its height adjustable frame and foam padded handles make it versatile (chest, pectoral, biceps and triceps). It is the ideal compromise between solidity and reliability.
Specification
The UMI model measures between 72 and 92 cm long, so it can be used for almost any door. Its structure supports a maximum weight of 220 kg. It is easy to adjust to the door frame and has an anti-slip system. It is guaranteed for two years.
Key Features
The UMI bar is equipped with an intelligent and patented fastening system that distributes the weight evenly. In addition, installation is quick and easy. It is made of PVC and stainless steel. Its characteristics make it the best quality-price ratio on the market.
The 5 best Pull-up bars according to Musclopedia
To allow you to easily exercise at any time, to vary your home exercise programs and to get good upper body tone, you will need a quality pull up bar.
Below we leave you our comparative table in which we have included the most important characteristics of the three best models on the market that we have selected from the Musclopedia team. So you can compare them and choose accordingly, or at least get an idea of the options available to inspire your choice.
Benefits of Pull-up bars
Exercise without leaving home
Did you know that physical inactivity is one of the secondary causes of most deaths in the developed world? On many occasions, whether it is due to a lack of motivation or habits or because we have a very active life in which we feel we don’t have time for anything, we neglect a very important part that contributes to maintaining our health: physical exercise.
Saving time and money
But it is up to us to take the step to change these habits and integrate exercise into our daily lives. To make things easier, it is good to have the necessary tools at hand to reduce excuses. For example, having equipment or accessories at home that allow you to get some exercise without having to go to the gym or club, if you go just in time, and without having to spend money every month in installments, if you are not able to have these recurring expenses, may be your ideal solution.
For all these reasons, the adjustable drawbar or other types of bars are a great option. You can easily install it in your home and have one more for the routines you already do or to motivate you to take better habits in your daily life.
Why should you use pull up bars?
To tone your muscles
By using a structure to dominate, you will have many advantages that you will notice in the short and long term. First of all, you’ll get to play sports. In addition, this device will help you strengthen your upper body muscles. Which muscles are used by the tractions?
Depending on the exercises you do and the handles you use, you will strengthen muscles such as the trapezius, dorsal, obliques, biceps, pectorals, spinal erectors, rhomboids, deltoids, abdominals, forearm and hand muscles.
As you can see, this is a group of muscles that will allow you to tone and strengthen yourself for other tasks and circumstances in your daily life. In addition, it will help you improve your calisthenics skills, if you practice it, by strengthening your muscles through exercises such as pull-ups, chin and chest to bar exercises, among others.
For all levels
A tow bar, whatever its type, is useful whether you are a beginner or an advanced user. Indeed, if your strength training exercises become insufficient over time, you will have no problem continuing to evolve.
You can, for example, add weight (with weighted vests or by hanging dumbbells or discs, for example) or do more complicated exercises, such as weight training (if the structure you buy and the place where you install it allow it, of course).
If, on the other hand, you’re a beginner and have trouble getting your chin over the bar, don’t worry and don’t be discouraged, because there is a solution. All you need is a rubber band to help you perform the pulls until you have acquired sufficient muscle strength.
You can also use elastics of different strengths to gradually reduce support as you progress. Another solution, if you don’t like rubber bands, is to use a drawer or a support on your feet and reduce the height for less help.
It’s a multi-joint exercice
Another very interesting point in favor of this accessory is that, even though it is intended for “mastery”, there are many variations of this exercise or exercises that you can do with the simplest model on the market. In addition to the different holds you can do (prone, prone, mixed, narrow, wide…), you can also do static, L-shaped, negative, strict, rubberized, jumping, kipping, butterfly, chin up, chest to bar, muscle up, sweater, toes to bar, knees to elbow… or just hang on to the bar, which is also an exercise!
As you can see, regardless of your physical level, integrating your mastered skills into your routine will benefit you both in terms of increased variety in your workouts, and in various physical aspects that will gradually be noticed. Not to mention the feeling of well-being that comes from an intensive workout. We guarantee you great satisfaction!
How to choose a pull-up bar?
Its material
The material(s) from which these elements are made will be an important consideration for several reasons. First, the overall durability of the accessory will depend on it. And we want it to last as long as possible.
On the other hand, it will also be related to the maximum weight it can support (an important aspect that you should also check and take into account before choosing one model or another, otherwise you may be at risk of accidents). However, it is also important to consider the material of manufacture if you plan to place the accessory outside, in the garden or outdoors, as it will have to be a material that resists well to these conditions and avoids the accelerated deterioration of the device.
With all this, we recommend you choose stainless steel models, as they will better resist to use and the passage of time, both indoors and outdoors. You must also consider the material of the grip areas or handles, as they must be padded or at least non-slip to avoid accidents and also avoid the use of magnesium (less expensive and less messy for the structure and clothing).
Its functionalities
As you may have already seen, the structures or accessories of these sports equipment are varied and offer different functionalities depending on the model and brand.
The choice of one or the other will depend on the goals you have set for yourself and the use you want to make of the bar in your weight training or toning program.
On the one hand, there are the simple bars that will only allow you to dominate, with various holds, and some of the other exercises we mentioned above. On the other hand, you will be able to get models with a few extra options, such as handles to make jumps or bottoms, hooks to hang punching bags or other accessories.
Finally, there are the models with complete structures in which you can also place other accessories such as supports to use the bars to make squats, push presses, shakes, etc, In any case, in order to make the right choice, you will have to take into account the use you are going to give it, as we have already mentioned, as well as the place where you are going to place it, because it will not be the same to have only the space of a door as to have the wall of a garage or the space of a garden. These are all important factors to consider.
Types of Pull up Bars
Depending on the criteria you consider, there are several ways to classify the types of bars to master. The most common and the one that makes the choice easier is the one based on where the accessory is installed. The following types are differentiated:
Door models
It is also known as a spreader bar and there are several types inside. First of all, there is the model that is placed inside the door frame and extends until enough pressure is exerted on both sides to secure it.
Then there is the model that is placed behind the door, which may remind you of the hangers that are also made to be placed there. Finally, there are the models that are attached to the support beams of the door, which will take a little longer to install than the previous two. It’s a good option for a home installation.
The wall models
It is an ultra-compact model that can be used at home. As its name implies, this model must be wall-mounted.
They are generally models with a small structure that allows you to do several types of holds and exercises in the same accessory. The fixing is usually not very complicated, but it must be very solid.
The traction station
Also known as a Roman chair, this more complete rigid structure often offers options for other types of exercises, such as weight bar supports, weight benches or accessories for making bottoms, among others. They can be mounted on the floor or on mobile structures.
They are usually made of heavy parts, so when assembled, they are very safe and do not move. They are perfect models if you wish to obtain a more complete equipment and have space to place it in the garden, terrace or garage, for example.
Ceiling pull bars
Although the installation system is a little more complex than the previous ones, it is one of the safest models. They are also usually made up of a small structure that gives you the possibility to do several exercises or holds.
The ceiling-mounted pull bar is an ideal model if you don’t have a lot of space at home. It will allow you to train without cluttering up your walls.
Its installation
We are not going to deceive you by telling you that what we buy, whether it is one of these structures or any other device or equipment, has a simple installation that does not complicate our lives unduly. This is a great advantage that we all appreciate.
In this case, the vast majority of models have very simple installations, there are even those in which you have almost nothing to do. On the other hand, models with slightly more complete structures will require a little more time to handle and assemble, but as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that model, you won’t have any problems.
How to use it
Although it may seem obvious, you should always consider the use you will make of this device, as with the vast majority of purchases you make in your daily life.
It is not the same if you intend to use it infrequently for sporadic routines, as if you plan to use it intensively.
In the first case, you can get one of the simplest and usually cheapest models, such as those that mount on a door or wall. In the second case, especially if you are a professional or serious sportsman, you should consider the more complete models, such as the model with structure, for example. In this way, you will be able to get more out of your investment and perform other types of exercises with a single piece of equipment.
FAQ
You still have doubts about this article? Don’t worry. We’ve collected the most common ones below and we’ll answer them for you. Take a look at them, as they will certainly solve some of your remaining doubts.
Q. How much does a pull-up bar cost?
R. The price of a drawbar varies and depends on the type you choose. For example, you can find simple wall bars starting at €15, door models starting at €20 and full frame bars starting at €100.
Q. Where do I put a pull up bar?
R. Each type of bar will be adapted to be placed in a specific location. There are models to be placed on the door frame, others that can be fixed to the wall and others that have a complete structure that does not need to be anchored.
Q. How do I install a pull-up bar on a door?
R. First, locate the support beams at the top of the door and mark them. Next, center the bar so that the supports are above the center of the beams and mark it. Drill the holes, place the beam and insert the lag bolts.
Q. How do I put a pull bar on the wall?
R. In a suitable location, place the drilling template on the wall, at least 45 cm from the ceiling. It can be fixed with tape. Make the holes following the template. Place the plugs or adapters. Then screw the structure firmly in place.
Q. Which muscles are used when pulling?
R. Mainly, with the different traction exercises, you will work the muscles of the upper body, i.e. the back, arms and pectorals. Depending on the type of grip you do, one or the other will be activated more intensely. In addition, other muscles of the body are also activated in a secondary manner.
Q. Where can I buy a pull-up bar?
R. This type of sports accessory can be found in many fitness stores. However, we recommend that you take a look at online stores such as Amazon, for example, where they offer a wide variety of models and affordable prices for all budgets.
Reasons to do Pull-up
In conclusion, if you’ve come this far, you’ll have learned a lot about this sports accessory and you’ll know that it’s a perfect way to tone the upper body, improving certain aspects of your physique, such as posture and dexterity during other activities.
Integrating your workouts into your regular exercise program will increase the variety of your workout routines, which will increase your motivation, while improving your fitness and condition that you will enjoy, both in the short and long term.