One of the best bodyweight exercises you can do at home is the pull-up or chin-up. Research shows that pull-ups, in particular, activate the rectus abdominis. You can work your shoulders and chest using pull-up workout bars.

When selecting a home use pull-up bar, you need to consider several things, such as the bar’s weight capacity, space required, and ease of installation, according to Chris Gagliardi, ACE, a scientific education content manager, and certified personal trainer. We researched dozens of pull-up bars and evaluated them for durability, price, weight capacity, space required, and ease of use.

Reviewed & Approved

Made durable and sturdy, Iron Gym’s Pull Up Workout Bar can be used for pullups, triceps dips, or sit-ups. We also recommend Mllieroo’s Multifunctional Pullup Bar as a budget-friendly way to get in your pushups or tricep dips.

Here are the best pull-up bars on the market.

We chose this pull-up bar as our top pick because it’s durable and can be used for other exercises, such as sit-ups. The bar requires zero screws or fasteners. Simply hook it onto the top of the door frame and you’re good to go, as it uses your leverage to hang onto the frame. Use the bar to perform wide-, narrow-, or neutral-grip (palms face each other) pull-ups and chin-ups.

Best Overall

Iron Gym Pull Up Workout Bar

  • Extremely versatile

  • Durable and sturdy

  • Affordable

  • Easy to assemble and install

  • May not work with thick door frames

  • Foam may mark door molding

Take it off the doorway and you can use it for tricep dips or hook your feet under it for sit-ups. The max weight for hanging is 300 pounds, and the only requirements are a doorway that’s 24 to 35 inches wide. 

Price at time of publication: $24

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions: 12.99 x 36.61 x 11.02 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required

For an affordable price, you get this easy-to-install pull-up bar. Like the Iron Gym tool, it simply hangs on the door frame, so you don’t have to worry about attaching it with hardware or doing any damage. You can also take it down for other exercises, like pushups and tricep dips.

Best Budget

Mllieroo Multifunctional Pullup Bar

  • Affordable

  • Easy-to-install

  • Versatile

  • Comfy hand grips

  • Low weight capacity

  • Won’t work with wide door frames

Keep in mind that its maximum weight capacity is 220 pounds, and it won’t fit door frames wider than 36 inches. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions: 37 inches wide | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Assembly:  Assembly required

If you’re looking for a pull-up bar you can take with you to stay fit on the road, this one is bound to be a good travel companion. In addition to easily fitting on top of the door frame (no screws required), it features foam pads on the corners, so it won’t do any damage to doorways in hotels or other guest accommodations.

Best Portable

Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pullup Bar

  • Lightweight and portable

  • No drilling or screws required

  • Comfortable foam grips

  • Sturdy

  • Assembly directions are not clear

  • Doesn’t fit wide doorways

Able to fit it into any opening that’s up to 33 inches wide and up to 6 inches deep, the entire contraption weighs 8 pounds and can hold up to 300 pounds. Perfect Fitness also offers a one-year warranty should anything go wrong. 

Price at time of publication: $55

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions: 15 x 38 x 14 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required 

To keep your walls and doors free from workout equipment, mount your pull-up bar to the ceiling. This one bolts tightly together and then fastens to the ceiling, with the attachments placed either 16 or 24 inches apart. With it, you get four foam grip placements for your pull-ups and chin-ups, with a neutral positioning that leaves your hands 20 inches apart.

Best Ceiling Mount

Ultimate Body Press Ceiling Mounted Pullup Bar

  • Easy-to-install

  • Sturdy

  • Comfortable, ergonomic grip

  • Durable

  • Expensive

  • Installation may be difficult

Need help installing? Ultimate Body Press offers US-based tech support if you get stuck. 

Price at time of publication: $98

Key Specs:Type: Ceiling mounted | Dimensions:  38 (W) x 14 (H) inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: Not available | Assembly: Assembly required

This free-standing pull-up bar can hold up to 250 pounds. Its footprint spans 49 inches long, 42.5 inches wide, and 81 inches high—an important measurement to keep in mind so you can ensure that you have enough space at the top of your pull-up or chin-up.

Best Tower

Stamina 1690 Power Tower

  • Easy to assemble

  • Versatile

  • Secure hand grips

  • Efficient design

  • May be too big for some spaces

  • May not be ideal for very tall people

With a price point less than other towers, this one is a great addition to any home gym, as long as you have the space for it. In addition to your pulling exercises, the bar also has foam grips for dips, pushups, and sit-ups. 

Key Specs:Type: Free-standing tower | Dimensions: 49 x 42.5 x 81 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required

Unlike other doorway pull-up bars, this one fits inside the frame of any doorway measuring between 26 and 39 inches, making it suitable for smaller spaces. The chrome steel bar comes with two sets of heavy-duty door mounts and one set of medium-duty door mounts that screw into a wooden frame—don’t use the bar without steadily attaching it to the brackets first. The heavy-duty mounts hold up to 300 pounds, while the medium mount can handle up to 150 pounds.

Best for Small Spaces

Garren Fitness Maximiza Pullup Bar

  • Good for small spaces

  • Affordable

  • Two sets of mounts

  • Works for large range of door widths

  • Mounts must be screwed into doorway

  • Some say padding is too thick

Price at time of publication: $45

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions: 27.56 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 150 to 300 pounds, depending on mount | Assembly: Assembly required

If you’re looking for a more permanent pull-up bar option for your home gym, mounting it to the wall is the way to go. This steel Yes4All tool bolts into most surfaces, with 16 inches of space between the two bars that sit perpendicular to the wall—the perfect amount of space you want between your hands when performing pull-ups.

Best Wall Mount

Yes4All Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Pullup Bar

  • Affordable

  • Good for small home gym

  • Multiple grip options

  • Versatile

  • Wall installation required

You get multiple grip options with this bar, too, and can choose between a wide and narrow grip. That means you can easily switch up the angle at which you work your upper body, effectively targeting different muscles. Additionally, each grip option has foam handles to support your hold. 

Price at time of publication: $30

Key Specs:Type: Wall mount | Dimensions: 40.25 x 7.25 x 3.25 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Assembly:  Assembly required

When the weather’s nice and you want to take your workouts outdoors, this pull-up tool easily sets up anywhere. The foldable bar is about 100 inches tall, so shorter individuals will need a step to grab the top, but this also means that people of all sizes can do pull-ups without their feet touching the ground. Weighing just over 60 pounds, it does take some strength to move around. However, the easy-to-use design makes it simple to store.

Best for Outdoor Workouts

KT KHANH TRINH Free Standing Pullup Bar

  • Very sturdy

  • Good for outdoor workouts

  • Generous weight capacity

  • Easy to store

  • May be too tall for some people

  • Heavy

The sturdiest piece on this list, the KT Free Standing Pullup Bar can hold up to 485 pounds. 

Price at time of publication: $390

Key Specs:Type: Free standing | Dimensions: Not listed | Maximum Weight Capacity: 485 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required 

Not quite ready to do a full pull-up? This bar can help you get there. By screwing the sides into your door frame, the bar moves up and down like a lever, so you can adjust its height. For those new to pull-ups, simply move it down to the bottom (at its lowest height), walk your feet underneath it so you’re in a reverse plank, and pull yourself up from there.

Best for Beginners

Perfect Fitness Basic Pullup Progression Bar

  • Good for beginners

  • Adjustable

  • Easy to install

  • Has to be screwed into door frame

  • May not work for very tall people

The farther your feet are from the bar, the more difficult the exercise will feel. As you get stronger, move the bar to the top. 

Price at time of publication: $33

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions: Not listed | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required 

Suitable for door frames that range from 23 to 36 inches wide, this popular pull-up bar can fit in most doorways, whether it’s narrow, wide, or unusually shaped. It’s ready for immediate use with no assembly or drilling required. Made from heavy-duty steel, this bar is durable, stable, and can hold up to 400 pounds. The buffer plastic pads help prevent scuff marks or other damage to your door frame.

Best for Doorway

AmazeFan Pull Up Bar Doorway with Ergonomic Grip

  • Easy to store

  • High maximum weight

  • No assembly required

  • Very sturdy

  • May not work with certain door trim

  • Hangs low

Even if you have sweaty hands, the cushioned handles will give you a secure hold and allow for both close and wide-grip pull-ups. It also includes a dip eyelet, which you can use to hang a punching bag to enhance your workout. Once you’re done with your session, just fold up the bar and store it under your bed or in your closet to save space.

Price at time of publication: $47

Key Specs:Type: Doorway | Dimensions:  39.5 x 10.5 x 1.77 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 400 pounds | Assembly: No assembly

If you’re looking for a bar that allows you to perform multiple exercises, you should definitely consider the Relife Power Tower Workout Dip Station. It includes a pull-up bar with wide and close grips, a back bar with grips for leg lifts and dips, and push-up grips at the bottom. Constructed from high-quality steel, it can hold up to 330 pounds and the suction cups on the bottom keep it securely in place. The height and back cushion are adjustable, allowing for comfortable workouts, regardless of the user’s size.

Most Versatile

RELIFE Rebuild Your Life Power Tower Workout Dip Station

  • Very versatile

  • Easy to assemble

  • Good value

  • Stays securely in place

  • Takes up more space

  • May not work for very tall people

Despite its complex functionality, this station is easy to put together and comes with all the necessary tools for assembling it.

Price at time of publication: $250

Key Specs:Type: Free-standing tower | Dimensions:  26.4 x 35.4 x 58.5 to 89 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Assembly: Assembly required

What to Look for in a Pull-Up Bar

Stability

Hanging from a bar means you need one that supports your body weight, so check the max weight for your bar before you buy. It’s also super important to follow all instructions when assembling your pull-up bar so it stays locked in place as you move. Finally, make sure it feels sturdy before you start counting reps. Security is the most important characteristic of your workout. 

Final Verdict

Location

Deciding where you want your pull-up bar is a big box to check. Whether you’re looking for one on top of the door frame, inside the frame, on the wall, the ceiling, or as a free-standing tool, decide where it’ll work best in your space. Then, make sure you have the room for it, based on the manufacturer’s measurements. 

Comfort

Look for bars with grips you find comfortable, like foam pads that protect your hands. If you prefer a certain hold—wide, narrow, or neutral grip—buy a bar that fits your favorite hand positioning or one that offers all three, so you have options for your pull-up.

Versatility and Portability

If you’d like to do more than just pull-ups or chin-ups, look for a product that offers a variety of grips and allows you to perform other exercises. “Some doorway bars can be removed and used for push-ups and sit-ups,” Gagliardi says. Plus, some pull-ups bars can easily be used in other locations, if you like to keep up with your workouts while traveling.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Mallory Creveling has been covering the wellness industry, including fitness gear, for more than a decade. As a certified personal trainer, she also knows what works for those looking to improve their fitness and how to help them choose the right equipment to achieve their goals. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How to build a pull-up bar (DIY)
  • If you want to build your own pull-up bar, you first need to decide on the style, including wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or free-standing. You can find designs and instructions for pull-up bars online. The instructions should also list the materials needed, which may include galvanized steel pipe, galvanized cap fitting, wood posts, 2 x 4 wood for mounting boards, and Kee Klamp fittings, nuts and bolts, or wood screws.Once you’ve gathered all of the materials and tools you’ll need to build the pull-up bar, you can start by cutting the wood posts for the base of an outdoor pull-up bar or the mounting boards for a ceiling-mount or wall-mount bar. Next, you’ll need to secure the posts in the ground or mount the boards on the ceiling or wall. Then you’ll need to attach the horizontal bar. Finally, test the bar to make sure it’s secure and stable before you start using it.
  • What is the best diameter for a pull-up bar?
  • Most pull-up bars are 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Sometimes the grip size may be smaller or larger depending on the size and age of the athlete.
  • How to install a pull-up bar
  • Installation of a pull-up bar depends on the type of bar, which may include a ceiling-mounted, doorway, or wall-mounted bar. Each type of bar requires a different set of hardware and brackets, which should all be included with the pull-up bar you’ve purchased. The product should also come with installation instructions, but the basic steps are similar for most pull-up bars.You should use a stud finder to locate an existing wall stud, floor joist, or rafter for safe and secure mounting. Measure out the distance required to mount the brackets and then use a pencil to mark spots to drill pilot holes. Next, pre-drill pilot holes on the marked spots to make it easier to install the mounting bolts. Then you can use an adjustable wrench or socket to install the bolts in the holes, and when the bolts are tightened, you can put the bar in place. Before using it, pull on it to make sure it’s secure and stable.
  • Are doorway pull-up bars safe?
  • “Doorway pull-up bars are safe if used appropriately and when the manufacturer recommendations are adhered to for assembly, placement, acceptable doorway dimensions, and weight capacity,” Gagliardi says. Be sure to check the product’s requirements and safety guidelines before installing and using it.
  • Do pull-up bars damage door frames?
  • Yes, doorway pull-up bars can damage the door frame over time. It’s more likely to cause scuffing, paint chipping, or indentations if the pull-up bar isn’t installed properly or doesn’t match your door frame dimensions. To avoid damage, follow the installation instructions exactly and place a rag, towel, or another padding under the places where the equipment touches.

If you want to build your own pull-up bar, you first need to decide on the style, including wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or free-standing. You can find designs and instructions for pull-up bars online. The instructions should also list the materials needed, which may include galvanized steel pipe, galvanized cap fitting, wood posts, 2 x 4 wood for mounting boards, and Kee Klamp fittings, nuts and bolts, or wood screws.

Most pull-up bars are 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Sometimes the grip size may be smaller or larger depending on the size and age of the athlete.

Installation of a pull-up bar depends on the type of bar, which may include a ceiling-mounted, doorway, or wall-mounted bar. Each type of bar requires a different set of hardware and brackets, which should all be included with the pull-up bar you’ve purchased. The product should also come with installation instructions, but the basic steps are similar for most pull-up bars.

“Doorway pull-up bars are safe if used appropriately and when the manufacturer recommendations are adhered to for assembly, placement, acceptable doorway dimensions, and weight capacity,” Gagliardi says. Be sure to check the product’s requirements and safety guidelines before installing and using it.

Yes, doorway pull-up bars can damage the door frame over time. It’s more likely to cause scuffing, paint chipping, or indentations if the pull-up bar isn’t installed properly or doesn’t match your door frame dimensions. To avoid damage, follow the installation instructions exactly and place a rag, towel, or another padding under the places where the equipment touches.

Additional reporting to this story by Christine Luff

Christine Luff is a health and fitness writer for Verywell Fit covering running, which she lives and breathes. Her passion for the sport filters through all aspects of her life—as a fitness writer, avid runner, certified running coach, and mom of two very active kids.