Many fitness experts consider the pull-up to be the best upper back exercise you can do for strength building. Certified strength and conditioning coach Eric Cressey, in his book “Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks With the Ultimate Weight Training Program,” describes pull-ups as the single best back exercise and the only one that is indispensable.
Making your own pull-up bar at home requires little in the way of equipment and a small investment in time and skill. The dividends will reap you profits though, as long as you exercise.
Step 1
Use your hacksaw and cut the 1-inch diameter pipe to one 3-foot-long piece, two 9-foot-long pieces, and four 2-foot-long pieces. With the unions and elbows, this forms your complete pull-up bar set when constructed.
Step 2
Connect two of the 2-foot-long pieces of galvanized steel pipe together with one of the T-unions. Apply liberal amounts of pipe cement to the ends of the 2-foot-long pieces of pipe where they will insert into the T-union. Repeat this process with the other two pieces and the other galvanized steel T-union. These form the base of your pull-up bar.
Step 3
Attach one of the 9-foot-long sections of galvanized steel pipe to each of the T-union connections. Apply pipe cement to the end of the long section and the inside of the T-union before attaching them. Repeat this procedure with the other base leg.
Step 4
Attach the 90-degree elbows to the free ends of the 9-foot-long sections of galvanized steel pipe. Place these on with pipe cement and ensure that they are at right angles to the base legs. Apply a liberal amount of pipe cement to the inside of both of the 90-degree elbows.
Step 5
Connect both sections together by inserting the 3-foot-long section of pipe between the two elbows. This will form the cross-bar for your pull-up bar.
Step 6
Allow adequate time for the pipe cement to dry before using your new homemade pull-up bar. Paint the entire surface of the pull-up bar unit with rust-preventive spray paint to protect it from the elements.
Tips and Warnings
- You can attach accesories such as "Ab Blaster Straps" to your pull-up bar to facilitate other exercises as well. Place your pull-up bar unit on a rubber exercise mat if you are using it indoors. This will protect your flooring from damage.
- Everyone should consult their personal physician prior to implementing any new exercise regimen.
Things You'll Need
- 1-inch diameter galvanized steel pipe
- Two 90-degree galvanized steel pipe elbows
- Two T-junction galvanized steel pipe unions
- Hacksaw
- Tape measure
- Pipe cement
- Rust preventive spray paint
References
- "Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks With the Ultimate Weight Training Program;" Eric Cressey, M.A. CSCS; 2008
- APFT-Standards: "FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training;" Department of the Army; 1998
- "Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 2d ed;" Mark Rippetoe; 2007
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