Building exercise equipment for the home gives you the benefit of selecting the type of machines that suit your program. If you're isolating certain muscle groups, you can build exercise equipment to develop those muscles. Many trainers preach the benefits of all-around exercises like pull-ups and push-ups that have the potential to affect different muscle groups by simply changing the position of your hands.
You can build multi-purpose equipment for the home using several types of materials. Redwood and polished steel pipe combine to make an attractive platform that can be used for pull-ups, chin-ups and as a pulley for cable weights.
Pull Up Bar
Step 1
Select an area for a pull-up bar. Use a stud finder and mark the location of a ceiling joist above a drywall or plaster ceiling at that area. Measure 32 inches from that mark and use the stud finder to locate a second ceiling joist.
Step 2
Mark a 1-foot wide rectangle between the ceiling marks. Cut the rectangular piece with a utility knife and the section of drywall or plaster to expose the ceiling joist. Remove any plaster nails or drywall screws from the edges of the joist.
Step 3
Determine the height of the pull-up bar. Calculate the distance from the ceiling to the height of the pull-up bar and add 12 inches. Cut two pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch clear redwood to this length using the finish handsaw.
Step 4
Drill 1/4-inch pilot holes at the one end of each piece for lag screws. Drill into the face of the pieces, about 1 inch from the sides and 6 inches from the ends. Start lag screws with washers into the pilot holes.
Step 5
Measure 3 inches from the opposite end of each piece and make center marks for the 1 3/8-inch pipe flanges that will support the pull-up bar. Align the center of the flanges with the marks and drill pilot holes for the mounting screws on the flanges. Attach one flange to a redwood piece and set the other flange aside.
Step 6
Align both redwood pieces at opposite sides of the rectangular opening. Attach them to the ceiling joist using a socket and ratchet to drive the lag screws. Use the hacksaw and cut a length of 1 3/8-inch polished steel pipe as the pull-up bar that spans between the redwood pieces.
Step 7
Insert one end of the pull-up bar into the flange on the redwood. Slide the other flange onto the opposite end of the pull-up bar. Align the flange with the pre-drilled pilot holes and attach it with 1-inch stainless steel screws to complete the pull-up bar.
Tips and Warnings
- The pull-up bar can be used as a pulley rest for cable weight exercises.
Things You'll Need
- A-frame ladder
- Stud finder
- Utility knife
- 2-inch-by-4-inch clear redwood
- Finish handsaw
- Electric drill
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- 1/16-inch drill bit
- 3-inch lag screws with washers
- 1 1/2-inch pipe flanges
- 1/8-inch wood screws
- Screwdriver
- Socket and ratchet
- 1 3/8-inch polished steel pipe
- Hacksaw
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