How to Install a Pull up Bar in the Garage Gym

By Navy SEAL Veteran 1-7-2014
How to Install a Pull up Bar in the Garage Gym
Are you looking to build up your body but don’t want to spend your hard earned money on a globo-gym membership?

Need to find a way to knock out a quick workout but only have a few dollars to spend?

Check out out these easy tips to set up your own pull up bar in your garage gym.

If you click on any link we may get a commission from Amazon.com which helps keep gas in the truck and the lights turned on. So if you want to help a disabled veteran – click the link and buy toilet paper in bulk.

You will quickly be on your way to doing workouts in a short amount of time.

Tip #1 JOIST BEAM

In your garage space or upstairs closet you may have exposed wooden beams. With a tape measure check the spacing of the beams in the ceiling (joist). For best results you will want to mount the pull up bar to more than one beam. Joist are typically spaced 16 inches apart.

Question: I can’t do a pull up or chin up. What is the best way to learn?

I would use wooden gymnastic rings and set them up so that your feet touch the ground.

Then I would slowly pull myself back up to the rings like rowing.

We call these ring rows and they are a very good way to begin learning how to do pull ups.

Tip #2 ATTACHMENT

Get everything ready and then attach the mounting board with lag bolts / appropriate screws. You may want to drill pilot holes to make it easier to screw in. Use at least two bolts for each joist. Once mounted, test the board to make sure it does not shift.

Question: Is it ok to wear gloves when doing pull ups?

Yes; the famous Bar-Barians wear gloves so we think it is ok. You will not be able to wear gloves at BUDS or Special Forces training. Crossfitters use tapes and variations of gloves.

We like the RockTape G-LOVES although they are a little expensive you can use them for a Spartan Race also.

Tip #3 TEST
Lightly weight the pull up bar to test the strength. Then add your weight (you may want to put a pad underneath in case pull up bar shifts. Then swing back and forth and finally – do a pull up. Congrats – your now have your own pull up bar in your new garage gym.

Question: I don’t have much time and am I very handyman like.

What is about the easiest pull up bar to install that you can recommend? I need to attach it to the wooden overhead joist in my garage.

We like the Stud Bar Pull up Bar for a garage gym. Rogue Fitness makes one also that is very similar.

Tip #5
If you have space above the joist – you may want to add a swinging pull up bar. Take a chain and drape over joist and secure with nuts and bolts or locking ring. You can then attach a pipe to the chain. Drill a hole through the pipe to add bolts or an eyelet. You can also use webbing but make sure you put a piece of cloth to reduce wear on the joist above.

In our garage gym we installed our pull up bar connected on the beams above in the ceiling. It works very well and is solid.

Questions from athletes in our gym and our readers online.

Question: “Coach, what are some other ingenious ways to attach a chin up bar to the a beam?”. I have seen a bar placed through the rafters and then secured with webbing. When you are pulling down on the bar it can’t be pulled through the rafter so it is very secure.

Question: My hands get ripped when I do a lot of pull ups. What can I do to help prevent or at least repair them? There are a lot of hand repair products out on the market. One that I like is RipFix.

Check out RipFix by Winnies, the ultimate hand repair cream and callus treatment for home fitness gym enthusiasts. This 1.34 oz tin is your complete hand care solution, perfect for preventing and treating rough, dry, and ripped hands. Made with a proprietary blend of camphor, coconut oil, and other natural ingredients, RipFix hydrates your skin deeply and accelerates healing.

Whether you’re a gymnast, weight lifter, rock climber, or engage in any activity that causes hand injuries, RipFix is essential in your gym bag. It’s easy to use anytime, including before bed to heal your hands while you sleep. Say goodbye to painful tears and hello to faster recovery with RipFix, the trusted choice for athletes’ hand care needs.

Check price at Amazon.com

Question: What is a good diameter for a garage pull up bar? a good size pull up bar diameter is 1 and a quarter to 1.5 inches. The pull up bar at BUDS Navy SEAL training is 2 inches in diameter which is much harder to do pull ups on.

Question: Coach, I am running low on money, can you tell me how to build your own Rogue pull up rig? You can try to build a CrossFit rig but unless your good with metal fabrication then it will be hard to replicate the quality of a professional rig.

Question: How hard is it to make a crossfit rig? It is harder to make a CrossFit rig than set up a simple pull up rig in your garage. You can try and make one and probably have ok success with building a CrossFit rig – but you have to take into account the time you will spend and mistakes you will make. It is easier to just buy a CrossFit rig but it may be more fun to make your own.

Question: So I can attach pullup bar to ceiling joist? Yes; check out how the joist lay out and the dimensions of your pull up bar. Check out the tips and videos above.

Question: What is the best way to make a homemade chin up bar garage? Use a double PVC pipe (one inside the other) and rig webbing through it and wrap around the beams in the ceiling. Cost is about $8.

Question: How do you build your grip up enough to do pull ups? First I would start out doing Australian pull ups. You can also just hang from the bar to build up your grip. Try to hang for 15 seconds. Then 30 seconds and build up.

About the Author:

Brad McLeod, a former Navy SEAL, brings his firsthand experience in tactical operations and special forces training to gear reviews. With a focus on quality and reliability, Brad offers insightful and unbiased assessments of military, tactical and fitness equipment, helping fellow warriors and outdoor enthusiasts make informed decisions about their gear choices.