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What is the Best Door Pull Up Bar? Your 3 Best Options

The pull up: what other movement screams fitness like the pull up does? A long standing metric for top fitness and peak conditioning, the pull up demonstrates that one has mastered upper body strength.

You see it in all major athletes’ exercise programming as well as in professional’s functional training (think: military, fire fighters, police). But now, mainstream exercise programs that have become popular have enlightened beginners and gym enthusiasts alike to the power of the pull up.

There’s no other singular move that engages so many upper body muscle groups while building strength and torching body fat. But moving your body manually - especially in a pull up - usually doesn’t come naturally and instead, is acquired after consistent practice and intentional training.

Luckily, all you need to train to do a pull up is a pull-up bar! And, the most convenient pull-up bar is one that fits directly in your door frame, prominently reminding you to get your training on and lift your body up!

The first time I thought about putting a pull-up bar in my door frame, I imagined an intensely vivid scenario about the bar itself falling out mid pull-up while I crashed to the floor. Can you relate? Luckily, that’s never happened - and if you get a great pull-up bar and install it correctly, then it shouldn’t happen to you either!

What's the Best Door Pull Up Bar? 3 Types to Choose From

The first thing you need to know is that there are three different types of door frame pull-up bars that you can choose to best fit your needs. We’ve included a description of each type as well as some of the best pull-up bars for each category. Dive in to find the best door pull up bar for you!

1. Leverage Doorway Pull Up Bars

The doorway pull up bar uses leverage to keep itself up so you don't have to bother with drills and screws.

This type is definitely one of the most popular because it is so easy to install and does not require any heavy-duty construction. Many people do not want to have to drill holes into their door frame or be stuck with a pull-up bar in a door frame at all times.

This kind of pull-up bar is designed to fit standard doorways, but you will likely need a doorway with trim, since the bar is braced over the top of the doorway. Many of these bars can also be used on the floor for push-ups and dips, which makes it more versatile and more appealing to those looking for a full-body functional workout.

Another advantage of these types of pull-up bars is that they include various grips so the user can alternate between a wide grip or a narrow grip, for example. The major downfalls for this category include the perception - and sometimes the reality - that they are less sturdy, as well as the lack of options for beginners who are working toward mastering the pull-up.

But if you’re already able to do a vertical pull - or at least start one - and don’t want to bother with installation, then this type is the best option for you. Here are a few of our favorites:

Stamina Doorway Trainer

best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best door pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar

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The perfect basic model, the Stamina is equipped to hold up to 250 lbs and includes three different grips for pull-ups plus can accommodate push-ups, sit-ups and dips (from the floor).

The foam cushioning on the grips is comfortable and does not interfere with workouts. It’s easy to assemble and put in a doorframe or take out; this piece of equipment does exactly what you need it to do in providing the perfect framework for your calisthenic workouts.

It fits standard door frames (24"-32" wide), but if your house is older or your trim is extra thick, it may not work for you.

best door pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best door pull up bar

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A bit on the sturdier side, this pull-up bar has a 300-pound weight capacity and is designed to fit standard doors 24" to 32" wide with doorway trim or molding up to 3 ½ inches wide. That is really important to measure, because many users have purchased this bar and then discovered it wouldn’t fit any door in their house.

While it does offer three hand positions and can be removed for dips, push-ups, and more, there are a few critiques worth mentioning. First, because of its design, the functionality of this bar may not be great for super tall people. The wide grip option is also only as wide as the door frame (instead of extending outward like the Stamina), and when on the ground, is too low to effectively do dips unless you put your feet up on a low stool.

Overall, though, it's a very affordable and remarkably stable pull up bar that's easy to assemble and easy to use and will allow you to meet your daily quote of pull ups without a hassle.

best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar

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There are some very distinct pros and cons to this PerfectFitness bar; let’s start with the good. First, it is one of the most adjustable bars in terms of being able to fit into a variety of door frames; it can fit a door that’s anywhere from 27-35 inches wide and 5-8 inches thick.

It also holds up to 300 pounds of user weight and is overall a great, sturdy piece of equipment. It also can easily be used for push-ups, dips, and more, like the other models that have been reviewed. The cons? Many users have reported that this bar is made with weak bolts and cheap parts, so despite the higher weight limit, it feels less sturdy.

If you have a unique door frame that needs a more versatile bar, then this is the right option for you - just be diligent in checking all the parts and ensuring that you’ve got a sturdy piece of equipment.

best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar
best door pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar

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This is the ultimate doorway trainer; it comes with tremendous versatility thanks to the attachable dip bar that can double as an inverted row bar plus a bodyweight suspension trainer system that will take your workouts to the next level. In fact, this pull-up/dip bar allows for over 35 exercises to be performed!

It does work for standard doorways (24-32” wide), so make sure to measure your door before buying. The weight capacity is designed to hold up to 300 pounds, and users overwhelmingly report feeling sturdy and secure.

Because of the inverted row function, this is an excellent option for beginners who are building the strength to be able to perform a standard pull up. The only (potential) downside of this equipment is that it runs a bit pricer than the competitors, but the versatility it gives you is well-worth the one-time investment.

2. Extension Doorway Pull Up Bars

An extendable door pull-up bar is pretty much what it sounds like; it is a straight pull-up bar that extends to fit in various size door frames! It comes with a mounting kit for extra stability.

Some of the obvious cons of this category are that it provides less flexibility and versatility, and it can be frustrating to take down or move around. In order to do more than a pull up or chin up, you’d need multiple mount settings to move it to a lower setting for sit-ups/crunches/dips. But, it does not require as many specifics when it comes to door frames, so it’s a good option for those who do not have adequate trim to hold a leverage-type bar or a standard doorway.

Another perk is that it takes up minimal space; some of the leverage bars are a bit bulkier and definitely take up more house/storage space. One final thing to consider: if you’re a beginner, you would need to use a chair or some kind of support underneath you to help you build strength to get a full pull-up, since this bar does not give the option for inverted rows or other similar strength building exercises.

Otherwise, if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills, standard pull-up bar that is reliable and sturdy, or if you have unique door frame requirements, then this is a good option for you.

Maximiza Pull Up Bar

best door pull up bar

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This Maximiza bar does exactly what you need it to do without any major let-downs. It was designed well with ergonomic foam grips that cover pretty much the entire bar, and it can fit door frames up to 36” long. It also comes with three different mounting sets, so you can use it for some minimal ab work as well as the pull-ups.

As far as weight capacity goes, there are two different options: the medium set holds up to 200 pounds, while the heavy set holds up to 300 pounds. One thing to consider is that although the bar extends from both ends, it uses a spinning mechanism to do so. When put into the door frame (which has some give), this can cause the bar to slightly spin while performing pull-ups.

It’s also important to consider that you are limited to the width of your door frame if you want to do wide-grip pulls, so be sure to account for that if you’re a taller person or have a smaller door frame.

best doorway pull up bar

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This bar is similar to the Maximiza but has two different stand-out mentions. The good thing about this bar is that it doesn’t have to be screwed in, unlike the Maximiza- although obviously, it feels much more secure when it is in fact screwed in - especially if you are on the heavier side. A

nd, if you have small children who may want to play on the bar, then you definitely don’t want it to be unsecure as the consequences could be catastrophic. But if you like the versatility of being able to move it around in different door frames or in different positions on the door frame without hassle, then this is a very attractive option.

The other stand-out is that the metal bar is not covered with foam grips like the Maximiza, so be prepared to adjust your grip to hold on to metal if you want to play with various grip positions. Otherwise, it offers the same perks - fits standard doors up to 36” in length and also holds up to 300 pounds of user weight. Plus, it's one of the most affordable pull up bars!

3. Installable Doorway Pull Up Bars

This is the most invasive type of doorway pull-up bar because it does require installation, but the trade-off is that you get a sturdier system and don’t have to worry about it not fitting the door.

Because it has to be installed, you’ll want to ensure that you have a doorway at home that you don’t mind constantly having a pull-up bar attached to, and you may need to consider hiring someone to install it if you don’t have handyman skills!

But if you’re a serious pull-up enthusiast and need a sturdy, reliable, constant bar that you can easily knock out exercise sets on, then the installable option is a great route for you.

Perfect Pull Up System

best doorway pull up bar
best doorway pull up bar

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The Perfect Pull up System is a unique, sturdy pull up option for beginners and experienced people alike. It is designed exceptionally well, as it includes an adjustable swing arm that accommodates all fitness levels. This means that you can easily do straight pull-ups, or you can adjust the bar to perform inverted rows or Australian pull-ups - both of which are known prerequisites to the traditional pull-up.

It actually comes with a Navy SEAL inspired workout poster to show beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts. One thing to consider is how high you want to install the bar; while its recommended to put it at the top of the doorframe, some users have noted that being that high can limit their pulls. If you are concerned about that, you can easily mitigate it by installing it a bit lower - just make sure you have clearance for your head when you walk under it!

The only other thing to mention is the foam grips; they are only in one place on the bar, so it can affect the grip positioning when trying to switch it up. All in all, this is an awesome pull-up system that can be used for a full workout for any fitness level.

If you made it all the way to the end here without hopping up to measure your door frame and get your own pull-up bar, then we’ll send you off with a good luck and happy shopping! We hope our guide and reviews will help you find the best doorway pull-up bar to meet your unique needs. Enjoy!

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Best Pull Up Bars for Home Use: The Ultimate Guide - Home Gym Rat - July 1, 2019

[…] are easy to use, require little to no assembly, and take up virtually no space. We do have a full door pull up bar review guide, but here is the “cliffs notes” […]

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