Pushups remain one of the most popular exercises for building the muscles in your chest, upper back and shoulders. However, some people find it difficult to assume the pushup position on a floor or experience problems with strain on their wrists when using the flat-hand position. Handlebars for pushups elevate the platform and allow you to stabilize with a grip instead of depending on the palms of your hands. The average do-it-yourself enthusiast can make a set of pushup handlebars with mountain bike or touring bars and grips that you can find at bicycle accessory stores.
Step 1
Cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood 24-by-24-inches with a circular saw as the base. Cut a piece of 4-by-6-inch lumber 12 inches long as the upright support for the handlebars.
Step 2
Stand the upright on end. Put a uniform layer of wood glue on the upper end of the upright. Place the plywood base flat atop the upright and center it each way.
Step 3
Attach the base to the upright with four 2-inch wood screws that you drive with a power drill and screw-tip attachment. Drive the screws flush with the face of the plywood.
Step 4
Turn the assembly over onto the base. Position the mountain bike or touring handlebars atop the upright so the bars are parallel with the 6-inch-wide edges of the upright. Center the bars each way.
Step 5
Fit a pair of 1-inch pipe clamps onto the center section of the handlebars. Space the clamps 3 inches apart. Attach the handlebars to the upright by driving a 2-inch wood screw into each hole on the flanges of the clamps with the power drill and screw-tip attachment.
Tips and Warnings
- Handlebars vary in diameter. Obtain pipe clamps that fit snugly on the bars. If necessary, drill two holes in the bars and drive wood screws into the upright to keep the bars from rolling when you work out. Sand the edges of the plywood base to avoid snagging carpet. Finish the base and upright with stain and clear sealer or exterior trim paint.
Things You'll Need
- 3/4-inch plywood
- Circular saw
- 4-by-6-inch lumber
- Wood glue
- 2-inch wood screws
- Power drill with screw-tip attachment
- Straight handlebars with grips
- 1-inch pipe clamps
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