The Ultimate Guide To DIY Pull Up Bar — Wall-Mounted, Doorway, Ceiling-Mounted, and Pull-Up Stand

The pull-up is a foundational exercise that has been a part of strength cultures around the globe for centuries. It symbolizes upper body strength and is a staple in most bodybuilding regimens to build muscle mass.

Vertical pulling exercises like pull-ups help build a broader back, which can improve your physique’s aesthetics by accentuating your V-taper. Building a bigger back and shoulders can give the illusion of a smaller waist, a quality highly valued in competitive bodybuilding.

The great thing about pull-ups is that you don’t need commercial-grade equipment to perform pull-ups. You could perform pull-ups by hooking a broomstick to high anchor points. Plus, they can be done by people of all experience levels and be programmed into any training regimen. Beginners can perform assisted pull-ups using a resistance band or a spotter. Conversely, advanced exercisers can make this exercise more channeling by using additional resistance.

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about DIY wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, doorway, and freestanding pull-up bars. We will also explore the benefits of building a DIY pull-up bar. We have a lot to cover, so sit tight and read on.

Why Build a DIY Pull-Up Bar?

Here are the benefits of building a DIY pull-up bar and why it should be a part of your home gym setup:

Build Muscle and Strength & Improve Aesthetics

Contrary to what most people think, you don’t need fancy training equipment to build an enviable physique. You could build a chiseled body just by performing bodybuilding exercises on pull-ups and dip bars. Don’t believe me? Look up calisthenics.

Versatility and Convenience

A pull-up bar is a versatile training tool. Besides employing it for its intended use, you can use a pull-bar as an anchor to hook up a DIY cable pulley machine or resistance bands to perform exercises like triceps extensions, lat-pulldowns, and chest flyes.

Installing a pull-up bar in the right spot can help improve your overall health and fitness. I highly recommend reading about the grease-the-groove method (we have an excellent article on GTG pull-ups). In short, the grease-the-groove method involves having training equipment near you and using it throughout the day until you achieve your training objective.

Budget-Friendly

Pull-up bars, even the commercial ones, are relatively budget-friendly. That said, you can build a DIY pull-up bar of similar quality at almost half the price. Plus, high-quality pull-up bars last you a lifetime. So, don’t hold back from spending a few extra dollars if you can find better quality materials.

Customization

Pull-up bars come in different shapes and sizes, and every bar might not suit your training needs. For example, some commercial gyms have angled pull-up bars to bias the lats. However, these bars might work against you if you want to use them for muscle-ups or typewriter pull-ups.

Plus, you can alter the dimensions of the pull-up bar depending on where you’ll be installing it and the exercises you intend to perform. Case in point — the CrossFit pull-over. To perform a pull-over, you should have enough space between the bar and wall to pass through. Most wall-mounted pull-up bars are too close to the wall to complete the pull-over.

A DIY pull-up bar allows you to build a bar according to your specifications. You can choose the exact specifications you need for the type of training you’ll be doing. Newbies should seek expert guidance while building training equipment from scratch. It will save them a lot of wasted time, effort, and money in the long run.

4 DIY Pull-Up Bar Ideas

Here are the four best DIY pull-up bar ideas, including the tools and materials required and the step-by-step process:

Doorway Pull-Up Bar

The DIY doorway pull-up bar is arguably the easiest and the most popular among home gym owners and hobbyist exercisers. You could buy an adjustable or fixed doorway pull-up bar on Amazon for relatively cheap, but we are going the old-school way and building things with our bare hands.

Fixed doorway pull-up bars are the best option for people who don’t want to build a dedicated home gym but appreciate having some training equipment in their home. The final result of your DIY doorway pull-up bar will depend on the quality of the materials you use.

Tools & Materials:

1. Metal Pipe: One ¾-inch thick, 48-inch long threaded galvanized pipe; Two ¾-inch thick, 10-inch long threaded galvanized pipes
2. Two Flanges: Two ¾-inch floor flanges. These will help you mount the bar to the doorway. Make sure these match the diameter of the metal pipe.
3. Elbows: Two ¾-inch thick, 90-degree elbow pipe fittings.
4. Four Wall Anchors and Screws: To secure the flanges to the doorframe. They should be the same size as the pipes.
5. Tape Measure: For precise measurements.
6. Level: To ensure everything is straight.
7. Drilling Machine
8. Lag Screws
9. Pencil
10. Pipe Wrench

Steps:

Here are the step-by-step guidelines for building a DIY doorway pull-up bar:

Step One — Take Measurements

Measure the doorway’s width to determine the pipe length needed for your DIY project.

Step Two — Purchase the Materials and Tools

You can easily find all the materials and tools required for building a DIY doorway pull-up bar in a hardware store. Alternatively, you could buy them online. I prefer buying the DIY project materials in a store, as it allows you to inspect their quality.

Step Three — Attach the Elbows

After you have the pipe ready, attach the 90-degree elbows to each end. Ensure the elbows are tight.

Step Four — Add the Pipe and Flanges 

Attach the smaller pipes to the other end of the 90-degree elbows, and then add the flanges on both ends.

Step Five — Mark Drill Hole

Stand on an elevated surface next to the door frame holding the pull-up bar. Set the pull-up bar at the desired height and use a pencil to mark the screw holes on the door frame through the flanges. Then, take down the pull-up bar.

Step Six — Drill the Holes

Drill pilot holes into the door frame on the marked spots. The holes should be aligned, or the pull-up bar will be crooked, which can lead to strength and muscle imbalances. Use a level to check the alignment.

Step Seven — Secure the Flanges

Position the flanges on the drilled holes and secure them to the door frame using wall anchors and screws. Ensure they are tightly secured. The stability of your pull-up bar will depend on the flanges.

Step Eight — Test

Before you begin using new DIY equipment in your workouts, you must ensure they are sturdy and stable. Hang onto the pull-up bar to ensure it can take your weight. Reassess the structural integrity of the barbell if it wobbles under your weight.

More Accessible DIY Doorway Pull-Up Bar

Now, there is an easier way of building a DIY doorway pull-up bar. You could drill two ceiling fan hangers at an equal height into a door frame and slide a metal rod through them. While this process is much easier, the bar is unstable and could slide out of one side during an intense pull-up session.

You could combat this problem by inserting a longer pipe, but it would look awful and is not recommended, especially if you plan to install the pull-up bar inside your house. You could get away with this in your basement or garage gym. Although these are DIY projects, we want them to look nice and polished.

Who Should Build a DIY Doorway Pull-Up Bar?

1. Beginners.
2. Those who want a pull-up bar in their room.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Doorway Pull-Up Bar?

1. Folks who live in a rented space and don’t have permission to drill into the doors or walls.
2. Advanced exercisers who want to use the pull-up bar for high-skill gymnastics movements like muscle-ups.

Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar

Wall-mounted pull-up bars are incredibly sturdy and can take a beating. While most people drill the wall-mounted pull-up bar directly into the wall, we will take a different approach. For our DIY pull-up bar project, we will mount the pull-up bar to a wooden block and attach it to a wall.

Using a wooden block allows you to attach it to three or more wall studs, which distributes your weight across a bigger surface area, providing additional stability and security. Without the wooden block, you can only directly attach a pull-up bar to two wall studs if lucky. Attaching the pull-up bar directly to the wall not only increases your risk of injury but it can also damage the wall. If you have ever seen a pull-up bar ripping off the wall, it is because the flanges are not drilled into the studs.

Tools & Materials:

1. Metal Pipe: One ¾-inch thick, 48-inch long threaded galvanized pipe; Two ¾-inch thick, 10-inch long threaded galvanized pipes
2. Wood Board: 2 × 6 ft
3. Two Flanges: Two ¾-inch floor flanges. These will help you mount the bar to the doorway. Make sure these match the diameter of the metal pipe.
4. Elbows: Two ¾-inch thick, 90-degree elbow pipe fittings.
5. Four Wall Anchors and Screws: To secure the flanges to the doorframe. They should be the same size as the pipes.
6. Tape Measure: For precise measurements.
7. Level: To ensure everything is straight.
8. Stud Finder
9. Lag Screws
10. Drilling Machine
11. Pencil
12. Pipe Wrench

Steps:

This is how to build a wall-mounted pull-up bar:

Step One — Get the Tools and Materials

The tools and materials you need for this DIY project are almost the same as the previous one, with the wood block being the only big difference. You can find a 2 × 6 ft wooden block in a hardware store. Alternatively, you could get it from a carpenter’s workshop.

Step Two — Assemble the Pipe (Pull-Up Bar)

Begin this project by assembling the pull-up bar and threading the long galvanized steel pipe into 90-degree elbow joints on both ends. After ensuring the joints are tight, add the smaller pipes on the other ends of the elbow joints.

Attach the flanges to the shorter pipes’ ends. Prefer buying flanges with four screw holes. Flanges will connect the pull-up bar to the wooden block and the wall, and getting flanges with multiple screw holes can deliver better security.

Step Three — Test the Bar’s Level

Set the bar on the floor on the flanges. Use a carpenter’s level to assess if the bar is even. Ensure all the components are threaded tightly and at the same level to avoid unevenness. Make the necessary adjustments to ensure the pull-up bar is even.

Step Four — Locate the Studs on the Wall

The easiest and most effective way of finding the wall studs is to use an electronic stud finder. Instead of buying a stud finder for this project, rent it from a carpenter. Hold the stud finder up to a wall, and it will find the weight-bearing beams. Mark the studs on the walls using a pencil.

Mark the drilling points on the studs and the wooden block. Drill at least three equidistant holes into the stud and wooden block vertically. Ensure that the flanges don’t overlap with the holes meant for the studs.

Step Five — Attach the Pull-Up Bar to the Wooden Piece

Drill the flanges into the wooden block and use a socket wrench to secure them to the board. Pre-mark and pre-drill the wooden block to make the process easier and foolproof.

Step Six — Connect the Board to the Wall

Place the board over the studs again and fasten the board to the wall with eight lag screws 31 in (79 cm) long and 3⁄8 in (0.95 cm) wide. Use a socket wrench to secure the connections.

Step Nine — Test

Using the steps mentioned in the first DIY pull-up bar project, test this DIY wall-mounted pull-up bar before using it in your workout.

Who Should Build a DIY Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar?

• Advanced exercisers who want to perform high-skill exercises on the pull-up bar.
• People who train in their garage or basement gym.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar?

• People who live in a rented space and are not allowed to drill into the walls.

Ceiling-Mounted Pull-Up Bar

The ceiling-mounted pull-up bar is an excellent option for folks with a congested home gym and cannot accommodate a wall-mounted pull-up bar. The steps for building a ceiling-mounted pull-up bar will remain mostly the same as the door-mounted and wall-mounted bars, the only difference being the placement of the bar. However, we’ll make a more elaborate structure with multiple grip options for this DIY project.

Attaching the pull-up bar to the ceiling can be difficult, and you might need someone to assist you. However, it is worth the extra effort, as a ceiling-mounted pull-up bar gives you the extra leg room to swing your legs to perform kipping pull-ups, front levers, or muscle-ups without banging your toes or heels into a wall.

Tools & Materials:

1. Metal Pipe: One ¾-inch thick, 48-inch long threaded galvanized pipe; Two ¾-inch thick, 10-inch long threaded galvanized pipes; Two ¾-inch galvanized pipes, at least 12 inches long
2. Wood Board: Two 2 × 4 ft boards
3. Two Flanges: Two ¾-inch floor flanges.
4. Elbows: Two ¾-inch thick, 90-degree elbow pipe fittings.
5. Four Wall Anchors and Screws: To secure the flanges to the doorframe. They should be the same size as the pipes.
6. Tape Measure: For precise measurements.
7. Level: To ensure everything is straight.
8. Stud Finder
9. Lag Screws
10. Drilling Machine & ¼-inch drill bit
11. 16 ¼-inch Wood Screws
12. 8 ¼-inch Washers
13. Pencil
14. Pipe Wrench
15. Step Ladder

Steps:

Follow these steps to build a ceiling-mounted pull-up bar:

Step One — Get the Tools and Materials

You can find all the tools and supplies listed above in a hardware store. Feel free to tweak the design to add more grips.

Step Two — Find the Ceiling Joists

Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. Most ceiling joists are about 16 inches apart. This 20-inch DIY ceiling-mounted pull-up bar should extend just beyond the edges of two ceiling joists. Mark the center of the joists on both ends using a pencil.

Folks installing the pull-up bar in their basement can skip this step as they will be drilling the wood board directly into concrete. On the other hand, make sure you don’t drill the pull-up bar into a false ceiling.

Step Three — Screw Together the Pull-Up Bar

If you’ve read through the previous DIY pull-up bar projects, you’re probably well-versed in how to screw together a pull-up bar. Attach the smaller pipes to the 48-inch pipe using elbows. Screw flanges into the ends of the pipes that will attach to the wooden piece.

Before you screw the pull-up bar to the ceiling, place it on the floor on the flanges and use a lever to check if it is even.

Step Four — Pre-Drill the Holes

Drill eight holes in the designated places. Pre-drilling can help prevent the cracking of the two-by-fours and joists. Drill two holes into each end of the two two-by-four boards. Ensure precision while drilling the holes. Drilling too many holes into the board can spoil its aesthetics.

Also, place the floor flanges against the wooden boards and mark the drilling holes with a pencil.

Step Five — Attach the Board and the Pull-Up Bar to the Ceiling

Attach the boards to the ceiling using washers and wood screws in the pre-drilled holes. Using washers will prevent the screws from sliding out during your workout. Then, screw the pull-up bar to the wooden board using wood screws.

Step Six — Test

Hang onto the bar to test its sturdiness and stability. Yank on the bar to ensure it can handle your weight during high-intensity workouts. Also, consider the weight of other people who will be using this pull-up bar.

Who Should Build a DIY Ceiling-Mounted Pull-Up Bar?

• People with limited space in their home gyms.
• Those who want to use a pull-up bar for high-skill gymnastics movements.
• People who want a pull-up bar with multiple grip options.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Ceiling-Mounted Pull-Up Bar?

• People who cannot mount a pull-up bar to the ceiling.

Pull-Up Stand

This freestanding pull-up bar can be installed in your backyard and is an excellent choice for people who want to perform high-skill gymnastic movements on their DIY pull-up bar. It is also the best choice for people who want a pull-up bar for weighted lifts.

Tools & Materials:

1. Pressure-Treated Wood Posts: Two 4” × 4” (10cm × 10cm) posts about 10ft (3m) in length
2. Metal Pipe: 5 foot
3. Shovel
4. Drilling Machine with a  1 1⁄4 inch (3.2cm) bit
5. Concrete
6. Two 19-liter Mixing Buckets
7. Measuring Tape
8. Pencil

Steps:

Use these steps to build a pull-up stand:

Step One — Get the Tools and Materials

This is a pretty straightforward pull-up bar, and you can get all the tools for this project in a hardware store. Ensure you get pressure-treated wood posts, as they are rotting-resistant and can handle weather changes. Also, depending on your requirements, feel free to get taller or shorter wood posts.

Step Two — Get Your Hands Dirty

Dig two 3-foot holes 4 feet apart in your backyard. You must change the distance between the holes depending on the steel bar size you’ll be using. Each hole should be big enough to hold a 19-liter plastic bucket. Test the holes by placing the buckets inside them.

The holes should be roughly the same size, or the pull-up bar might be uneven. Alternatively, you’ll have to make the adjustments after installing the bar, which is never fun.

Step Three — Drill Holes in the Wooden Poles

Mark a spot on both the wooden posts 4 inches (10cm) down from the top. Use an electric drill with a 1 1⁄4 inch bit to create a hole in the wooden posts. Use a different bit size if you’re using a thinner bar. Remember, the pull-up bar should fit snuggly inside the holes.

Step Four — Mix Concrete in the Buckets

Get two buckets that are about 1 foot wide and 3 foot deep. Mix one bag of 80-pound (36-kilogram) concrete mix in each bucket. The concrete should be consistent. Using a bucket instead of pouring cement directly into the ground improves the stability of the pull-up bar.

After mixing the cement, place the buckets in the holes dug in the ground. Ensure the cement is even after the bucket is put in its place. Then, carefully plant a wood post in the center of each bucket. You might need additional assistance for this step.

Step Five — Thread the Bar

Once the bars are in place, thread the bar through the holes drilled at the top. Ensure the bar is even using a level. Adjust the depth of the bars in the buckets if you need to make adjustments.

Step Six — Let the Cement Dry

The cement should be thick enough to bear the pull-up bar’s weight. Give the cement 24 hours to set. Return after 24 hours and check if the bar is even. If everything is in order, fill back the holes and level the ground. 

Step Seven — Test

As always, you must test DIY equipment before using them in your workouts.

Who Should Build a DIY Pull-Up Stand?

• People who want to build a pull-up stand in their backyard.
• People who want a sturdy pull-up bar for weighted lifts.
• Those who want to use their pull-up bar for high-skill gymnastics movements.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Pull-Up Stand?

• Those who want to train indoors.
• People who don’t have space in their backyard or those who move homes frequently.

Which DIY Pull-Up Bar Should You Choose?

The DIY pull-up bar you choose will depend on your training objective and experience. Beginners can opt for the doorway pull-up bar. However, I recommend this pull-up bar for children (below 100 pounds), as heavier individuals can damage the doorway.

The wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and freestanding DIY pull-up bars are great for beginners and experienced exercisers alike. The wall-mounted pull-up bar is easier to install than the ceiling-mounted bar. However, people who lack the space to install the former can go with the latter.

The freestanding DIY pull-up bar is the most versatile. You could use them for weighted pull-ups or rig up a pulley machine on them without the fear of the bar ripping off the walls or doorway. You can also tweak the freestanding pull-up bar’s design and use metal instead of wood to make it more sturdy.

FAQs

How do I make the pull-ups more challenging?

There are several ways of making the pull-ups more challenging, including:

1. Use a thicker bar: If you don’t have access to a fatter bar for your DIY pull-up bar project, you can add some Fat Gripz to your bar. A thicker bar is more challenging to hold onto and will result in greater forearm and biceps engagement.
2. Add weights: Use a dip belt or hold a dumbbell between your feet while performing pull-ups to make the exercise more challenging.
3. Advanced variations: Experienced exercisers can try typewriter pull-ups, front-lever pull-ups, or even muscle-ups.
4. Tweak your rep tempo: Most people spend one second on the isometric and concentric phase of the pull-up and at the isometric contraction points at the top and bottom. Switching up your rep tempo will increase your time under tension and bias hypertrophy.

Can I tweak the shape and design of the pull-up bars listed in this article?

Absolutely! This is one of the best things about DIY projects. You are not only allowed to but encouraged to change the size and dimensions of the equipment to fit your unique needs. However, you must ensure that your design changes don’t compromise the structural integrity of the pull-up bar. Always test your DIY training equipment before going full-send on them.

How often should I perform pull-ups in a week?

There is no strict rule on how often you can perform pull-ups. That said, your training frequency will depend on your training experience and objectives. People who follow high-volume hypertrophy-focused programming can perform pull-ups twice or thrice a week. However, you must allow your muscles at least 48 hours to recover between workouts.

On the other hand, some people, like the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, performed pull-ups on every upper body training day as a warm-up. There is no reason why you can’t follow in the Governator’s footsteps.

Wrapping Up

The pull-up bar is an incredibly versatile training tool and should be a part of your home gym, irrespective of your experience level. It is also a great tool to stretch your body every morning.

Depending on the available space, your training experience, and objectives, you can choose between the doorway, wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or freestanding pull-up bars. You cannot go wrong with any!

If you have any questions about the DIY pull-up bars, drop them in the comments below, and we’ll be happy to help!

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