If you’re asked what is one of the best exercises for increasing upper body strength without going to the gym or using weights, you’d probably say doing push-ups.
This is totally true, but you can also do pull-ups AKA chin-ups. You just need a special bar mounted in your home gym and use your own body weight, without investing in weight plates or something similar. These bars can be mounted on walls and they’re very safe to use.
If you go for some of the best wall mounted pull up bars, you have the chance to work your entire upper body including your chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and abs. These handy bits of kit come with multi-grip handles, allowing you to impact your muscles from different angles.
This article is all about wall-mounted pull-up bars. You’ll learn how to use one, how to install it, the different types of exercises you can do with it, and what are the health benefits of using them. Keep reading to expand your fitness knowledge!
| Image | Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice  | 9.6 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 9 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 8.8 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 9.1 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 8.7 | Check on Amazon | |
 | 8.4 | Check on Amazon |
Contents
Wall Mounted Pull-up Bar Reviews
Let’s look at a few of the better wall-mounted pull-up bars for home use that are available on the UK market.
The first one in our list comes from JX Fitness and it’s an affordable and versatile pull-up bar. This model is made from heavy-duty stainless steel and it’s capable of sustaining a maximum weight capacity of around 125 kg (275 lb – that’s nearly 20 stone).
This is a great thing because even if you’re a relatively heavy person weighing around 90-100 kg, you can still strap a 20 kg weight plate around your body and do weighted pull-ups which further strengthens your upper body.
The frame is fixed on the wall using 4 screws on each side. The bars contain 6 handles which are covered with high-density foam for extra comfort and grip when doing pull-ups and chin-ups. 2 of the handles allow for a wider grip, 2 are for a normal grip and 2 handles are parallel. Use these 6 handles to impact your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and back from different angles.
At the same time, the frame also features 3 eyelets – one on each side and one in the middle. These eyelets are specially designed to sustain TRX ropes or punching bags. Therefore, if you want to take your workout routine to the next level, you simply buy some extra accessories and attach them to the existing pull-up bar. Since this product is rated for about 125kg, you can hang a very heavy punching bag from it without problems.
Another great advantage is that this model comes with a warranty period of 2 years, so have peace of mind that they are confident in their products. At around 7 kg in weight, the bar is also relatively lightweight and it comes mostly pre-assembled, so you just have to put the pieces together, attach it to a wall, and you’re good to go.
Summary
We really liked this pull up bar because it covers all your bases. It can hold additional equipment, it has 6 handles as well as a steel frame. You just have to find a place for it in your home gym and you’re set for years of training your upper body.
If you’re looking for a stronger pull-up bar which can hold weights of up to 150kg then this commercial bar from GYM MASTER is up to the job.
As most of the other pull up bars, this is also made from heavy-duty stainless steel and it features a black finish, making it look pretty badass in your home gym. The bar is mounted on the walls using 6 strong screws and it comes with a central pipe-like bar which you grab when doing the pull-ups or chin-ups.
What makes this accessory different from the other pull up bars is that the horizontal bar can be installed closer or further away from the wall. The frame has 2 sets of holes where you can put the central bar, placing it either 33.5 cm or 53.5 cm away from the wall. This is a useful feature for those moments when you might want to do exercises using the wall for support.
Although this bar doesn’t have an eyelet for a punch bag, it is possible to add one by wrapping a punching bag’s steel chain around it. In this case, you might want to keep the bar at the further distance from the wall to allow swing room for the bag.
When it comes to dimensions, this accessory is 133 cm long and 61 cm deep, so it offers plenty of space for you to move around and do a wide variety of physical exercises.
Summary
We like the fact that this pull-up bar is made from some of the most durable materials out there. That’s why it can safely sustain weights of up to 150 kg.
- Very strong bar
- The central bar can be positioned closer or further away from the wall
- Made from heavy-duty steel with black powder-coated finish
- The central bar doesn’t have foam cushioning, so you might have to use sport gloves to protect your palms
If you’re looking for an affordable and versatile pull-up bar then this model from Xn8 Sports might be suitable for you. This piece of equipment is made from aluminium and hence weighs just 5 kg, yet it’s very strong and stable.
This pull up bar features a multi-grip system, meaning that it comes with 6 different handles for you to use when training. 2 handles offer a wide grip, helping you focus on your triceps and back muscles when doing pull-ups. 2 handles offer a closer grip which is ideal for doing chin-ups and strengthening your biceps and chest muscles. The last 2 handles are parallel and help you focus on your forearms, biceps, triceps, and shoulders at the same time.
The handles are covered with high-density foam which ensures a stable grip and improves your comfort level when training. But this is not all. The bar also comes with 3 eyelets for TRX ropes, slings, and a punching bag, if you want to take your training routine to the next level.
Although this bar weighs just around 5 kg and it’s made from steel alloy, it can hold up to 220 kg. The central eyelet is ideal for hanging a punching bag while the other 2 eyelets (mounted one on each side) are designed for TRX ropes. The TRX ropes allow you to impact your muscles at different angles and even work your legs if you want, so this bar is very versatile and practical.
Lastly, we’d like to mention that the manufacturer also sells this piece of equipment in multiple colours. We know that aesthetics gets a lower priority when it comes to your home gym but it is quite handy that this bar is available in black, silver, white or grey.
Summary
This wall-mounted pull-up bar is one of the best available on the market today. It comes with 6 handles, it can hold a lot of weight, and it’s not that difficult to install it either, so it’s ideal for both beginner and experienced fitness enthusiasts.
- Available in multiple color options and it can hold a very large amount of weight
- 6 foam-covered handles allow for a varied training routine
- Can hold a punching bag
- Affordable
- Nothing really
This is a pull-up bar that doesn’t fit the conventional mold, but has a tremendous fitness potential, check this one out. This “monkey-style” pull up bar is wider than regular bars and it features numerous handles you can grab to work your upper body. At first sight, this bar comes with no less than 6 handles, but you can also grab the frame itself and the bar between the handles giving you different pull up variations to impact your muscles in many ways.
Its design really suits CrossFit enthusiasts, but anyone can use it.
As a drawback, the bar doesn’t have eyelets to add a punching bag or TRX equipment, but that’s a minor downside. If you get really creative, you can attach a punching bag and slings by wrapping them around the numerous handles this bar features.
Summary
This pullup bar is designed to hold a lot of weight and offer a great variation of exercise. If you have a wall that will take it and want to invest in a stable piece of equipment this is a fantastic choice.
- A plethora of handles to grab and exercise
- Also great for CrossFit
- It’s quite heavy so best to have an extra pair of hands to put it up
We’d like to present you another great pull up bar made from stainless steel. This model from ONETWOFIT comes with 6 handles covered with foam cushioning for comfort.
The 6 handles offer you a stable grip giving you parallel ones, narrow or the wide grip. You can easily work your entire body in different ways and impact your muscles from different angles. At the same time, the bar also comes with 3 eyelets, one placed centrally and one on each side. These are great for hanging a punching bag or TRX ropes and slings, depending on your preferences.
The bar itself is not very heavy, it weighs around 8.2 kg, but 2 people are required to install it successfully, especially if you go for the ceiling model. The bar also sits at around 64cm away from the wall, so you can happily add a punching bag and practice your boxing skills.
Summary
Very sturdy and one of the better wall mounted bars available. The supplied mounting bolts aren’t that great though but an easy fix with a trip to your local DIY store.
- Can hold a punching bag and TRX ropes
- Comes with a Pull-Up Guide ebook for free
- Foam covered handles
- Affordable
- Nothing really
Let’s take a look at a different pull-up bar which can be mounted on the wall. This model from AQF is made from stainless steel, but it’s secured into the wall using a horizontal metal beam as well as a vertical one which sits at around 20-30 cm underneath. This 2-point fixation design offers tremendous stability and strength to the pull-up bar, allowing it to safely sustain 130 kg.
The bar isn’t covered with protective foam, so they are not “marked” per se, but you’ll know to grab the bar somewhere in the middle for a narrower grip or at the outer ends of the bar for a wider grip. Best of all, the frame also features an eyelet where you can hang a punch bag and there is plenty of clearance from the wall.
Another great advantage of this bar is the simple fact that it comes with all the tools and accessories necessary for installation, so you don’t have to run to the nearest home improvement store to buy pliers, for example. The bar is also coated with a special substance called red oxide which protects it against rust, corrosion, and other forms of degradation. Best of all, you can even install the bar outdoors as it’s weather resistant.
Summary
This pull up bar doesn’t fit the regular mold when it comes to wall mounted pull up bars, but it’s a great accessory which can also be installed outside. It holds a punch bag, it offers a narrow and wide grip for doing pull-ups and chin-ups and it also holds 130 kg, so there isn’t much else to ask for.
- Holds a punching bag
- Can hold a large amount of weight
- Affordable
- Handles are not covered with foam
What are Wall Mounted Pull-up Bars?
As the name implies, this accessory consists of a metallic frame or bar which can be mounted on the wall using screws. The bar is made from steel and generally can support more than 100 kg, even up to 400 kg in some cases. A pull-up bar is mounted at heights around 2 meters and it features handles inclined at different angles, so you can work your biceps, triceps, and shoulders from different positions.
Pull up bars are also easy to install and once you’ve attached them to a wall, you can use them forever. Each bar uses a set of heavy-duty screws / rawl plugs to keep the thing in place while you do explosive movements.
They are great because they take up far less space than a freestanding pull up bar or power tower and more secure than a doorway pull up bar.
What Can You Do on Them?
Although they look pretty simple and straightforward, you can actually achieve a lot on them – it’s not just about pull ups. You can train your entire upper body in different ways if you know what exercises to do and also add other accessories such as TRX ropes.
Here are just a few ways you can use a wall-mounted pull-up bar in your home gym.
Chin Up and Pull Up Exercises (Close and Wide Grip)
A chin-up is when you grip the bar with your palms facing your chest and you lift yourself upwards. You strive to bring your chin as close to the bar as possible and that’s when you know you’ve completed the exercise. Then you lower yourself down and repeat for as long as you need. This particular exercise works your biceps, shoulders, and chest, but your abs will also benefit as well.
A pull-up is when your palms are facing away from your chest. You grab the bar and hold on to it while lifting yourself upwards. Again, you try to lift yourself as high as possible while keeping proper form. This particular exercise works your triceps, forearms, and back muscles as well as your abs (the latter can be further pushed with sets of leg raises).
At the same time, you can also use different grip positions. As a general rule of thumb, closer grips focus more on the chest muscles while wider grips focus more on the back muscles.
Keep in mind that some pull-up bars also come with parallel handles. You grab those as you would grab a hammer and lift yourself upwards, working your forearms, biceps, triceps, and back muscles.
TRX Ropes and Sling Exercises
Many pull up bars also come with eyelets which allow you to add TRX ropes for a wide variety of exercises. These ropes allow you to do air pushups, rows, squats, lunges, and more. The combination of a pull-up bar with TRX ropes allows you to work your entire body, so as long as you have this affordable combo in your home gym, you’re golden.
Punch Bag
At the same time, some pull up bars come with a central, stronger eyelet which allows you to hang a boxing bag there. As you probably already know, a punching bag helps you develop explosive power, burn thousands of calories each week, and learn key punching and kicking techniques.
All that you have to do is to ensure that your wall-mounted bar is firmly fixed in place and link the punching bag’s chain to the central eyelet. Then you grab a pair of bag gloves and release all your daily stress and tension on that bag!
Benefits Of Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars
There are numerous benefits to having a pull-up bar in your home gym. Let’s cover some of the most important ones.
Work Your Entire Upper Body
A pull-up bar allows you to use your own body weight to perform a wide variety of exercises. These exercises strengthen your biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest, back, and abdominal muscles. There isn’t much other fitness equipment that lets you do that.
Excellent for Building Muscle
If you are into building muscle mass, a pull-up bar will help you do that. The best and most efficient way to build muscle is to lift heavy weights and eat a lot of calories (preferably protein and complex carbs). Your own body weight can be considered a “heavy weight”, whether you walk around at 50kg or 95kg.
If you’re at the beginning of your fitness journey, you might find it difficult to do even a few chin-ups. However, if you persist and train regularly, you’ll slowly build up from several chin-ups to entire sets of 10-20 chin-ups at a time. Your body will also adjust gradually and you’ll see a big difference when you look in the mirror.
Inexpensive Fitness Accessory
Another advantage of a pull-up bar is the simple fact that it doesn’t cost that much money and you can use it for years. It’s almost impossible to offer a specific price here because it depends on the bar’s features, but you’ll rarely find one having a price in the 3-digit numbers.
Doesn’t Occupy A Lot of Space
In fact, it doesn’t occupy floor space at all, if you think about it logically. These pull up bars are mounted directly on walls and at a height of around 2 meters. They don’t stay in your way, they don’t obstruct your path, and you can use them right away, without any preparation at all.
More Secure
Providing you’ve mounted it to a solid brick wall then we’d trust it a lot more than door frame mounted bar. With modern house construction being what it is with plasterboard internal walls then you might find it is more ideal for a garage gym.
Versatile Fitness Accessory
Another benefit of pull up bars is that they usually come with 4, 6 or even 8 handles which are inclined at different angles. As a result, you can impact your biceps, triceps, and shoulder muscles in different ways, focusing on developing a specific muscle group each day. Pull up bars also allow you to train your forearms which will make you better at arm wrestling, if that’s a thing for you.
Considerations
To enjoy all these benefits provided by pull up bars, you must learn how to properly use one first. Let’s cover some safety considerations first, so you know everything about your wall-mounted pull-up bar even before taking it out of the box.
First of all, pull up bars are usually made of steel and they have handles padded with soft cushion. This accessory comes as shorter bars which are assembled together using screws. The instruction manual provided in the box will let you know where each component fits and what screws to use to keep them together. In most cases, assembly tools will also be provided in the package. You’ll certainly need a drill though!
The design of a pull-up bar is quite different, depending on its features and number of handles, etc. However, most of them come with 2 strong vertical supports which are attached to the wall. These usually contain the most screws for holes and they support your weight while training.
On top of these supports, you’ll find a combination of parallel and horizontal bars. This is where the handles are situated and this is the part you hold on to when lifting. When installing a pull-up bar in your home gym, make sure that the wall your attaching it to is made from bricks. Wooden walls are not sufficiently though to sustain the bar and you don’t want to fall and injure yourself while training. A garage is often a great place to mount one.
Installing The Pull up Bar
This is definitely one of those jobs that you’ll benefit by having someone help you. Use quality fixings (preferably rawl bolts) and it’ll last a lifetime. Don’t forget this is a live, moving load and not a static load like a bookshelf.
Finding The Best Height
The height at which you install the bar is also important and this depends mostly on your own height. If you’re the only one who uses the bar, you might want it to be 10-20 cm above the top of your head or even higher, so you can stretch your arms and legs without touching the ground.
If your family members and friends use the bar too, you might want to find an average height, not too high but not too lower either. As a result, your kids can also use the bar and you might just have to bend your legs a little when doing pull-ups, so you don’t touch the ground.
As a general rule of thumb, wall-mounted pull-up bars installed at a height of 2 m are ideal in any home gym, but again, this height can vary from case to case.
Conclusion
In this article, we tried to provide you with several different options that offered some variation. Depending on your goals, preferences and fitness level, you can go for one which offers more versatility or a simpler pull up bar that offers basic exercise but can handle plenty of weight without any problem. Just remember the key to a safe installation is a good wall that can handle the weight!
In our view the JX Fitness is the best pull up bar in our roundup if you are looking for good, all-round value. However, if you are a bit on the heavy side, then the XN8 is a really good choice as it has a high max user weight of 220 kg. The fact that you can also hang punch bags makes it a winner too.
