The pull-up bar rules!

[Dominique]

One of my favorite piece of equipment in my home gym is the pull-up bar (looks like I'm not the only one😞

 

It was inexpensive, doesn't take any real-estate (hangs from the ceiling) and I can use it whenever I please, to lift myself up, stretch, do leg raises etc.

However, my own weight has started to become too light for strength training (5 x5) so I've complemented it with this item:

This allows me to do weighted pull-ups & chin-ups. I'm starting light, with 5 + 1.25 = 6.25 kg, but I will be able to increase the weights to keep progressing. I did try it with a 20 kg plate for 1 rep.

The belt also works fine for dips.

[Raviv]

That is cool.  I have the type that sticks in the door frame like this:

I always worry that it's going to pull the moulding off from around the door frame.

[emili]

I marvel at you both since the only way I can get my chin above the bar is to do it on the machine at the gym. And I am not weak- just a loser 🙂

[Raviv]

Heh - never said I could DO a pullup, just that I have a pullup bar and make attempts a few times a week.  I still can't even come close to doing one.

[Dominique]

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@emili wrote:

I marvel at you both since the only way I can get my chin above the bar is to do it on the machine at the gym. And I am not weak- just a loser 🙂

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@emili: it’s a lot harder for women, who have less strength in their upper body (in comparison to men). My 18-year-old niece, who is in decent shape, couldn’t do one either. To a large extent, being able to lift your own body boils down to the ratio of muscle mass to fat: muscle is what lifts you, fat is dead weight. I could hardly do one rep when I started (1.5 years ago), but it’s clearly something you can train. Start hanging from the bar, increasing the time you’re holding it: this will strengthen your grip (if you can’t hold the bar for more than 5-10 seconds, you’ll have a hard time performing one pull-up); beside, a stronger grip is useful in everyday life, especially as you get older. What you can do also to get started is assisted pull-ups/chin-ups with a rubber band, as shown in this video. 

[WendyB]

Looks awesome. I would also relly need to work at it.

[Ryboflavin]

@Raviv: I've had two mishaps with door-frame style.  One severely bent a metal door frame at the top, causing the door not to close.  Had to plane the top of the door down.  The second, the bar slipped off the frame and I banged my knees something awful.  I'll never use that kind again.  Be careful! Or always use the best form possible.

I have a stud pull up bar in my garage.  I love it.  I also hang my heavy bag from it. Works great.

http://www.studbarpullup.com/

[Raviv]

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@Ryboflavin wrote:

@Raviv: I've had two mishaps with door-frame style.  One severely bent a metal door frame at the top, causing the door not to close.  Had to plane the top of the door down.  The second, the bar slipped off the frame and I banged my knees something awful.  I'll never use that kind again.  Be careful! Or always use the best form possible.

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Thanks for the warning!  We're renting, so no construction at the moment.  I guess it's a good thing that I can't pull myself up very far and have lots of tools!

[DerrickS]

@emili @Dominique @Raviv One great way to work your way up to being able to do a pull up is to do a slow negative pull-up. Instead of pulling your body up to the bar, have a foot stool or some kind of platform that gets you up to the bar and slowly lower yourself until you are in the beginning position of a pull-up and repeat.

Works all the same muscles as a pull-up. It's also a great tool to have after you've done pull-ups to failure and want to keep going. 

[Baltoscott]

Nice set up, @Dominique.  I've also got a door frame version, but I'm trying to scout out a place in the house where I can mount one where it won't bug my wife too much.  

[Dominique]

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@Dominique wrote:

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However, my own weight has started to become too light for strength training (5 x5) so I've complemented it with this item:

This allows me to do weighted pull-ups & chin-ups. I'm starting light, with 5 + 1.25 = 6.25 kg, but I will be able to increase the weights to keep progressing. I did try it with a 20 kg plate for 1 rep.

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This is me with 16 kg hanging between my legs 

Now doing chinups for 5 sets of 3 reps with that extra weight (current body weight 64 kg + 16 = 80 kg)

[SunsetRunner]

That is awesome @Dominique congratulations! 16 kg between your legs  not everyone can! 
Personally I love Pull-up bar because it's a pretty complete tool to build muscle. You can work your abs, arms, back, and for even your chest ( if you do some calisthenics). 

Keep up the good work!