Most commercial "doorway" pull-up bars are trash. They damage your molding, restricted your movement, and feel wobbly. For less money, you can build a Rock Solid industrial steel pull-up bar that mounts to your ceiling or wall joists. It will hold 500lbs+ (if you hit the stud) and looks like a cool loft fixture.

Prefer to buy instead of build? If DIY isn't your thing, here are the best ready-made options:

• Garren Fitness Maximiza (Doorway) — $30
• Yes4All Wall Mount Bar — $50
• Titan Fitness Wall Mounted Bar — $80

The Materials List (Home Depot / Lowe's)

Go to the plumbing aisle. You want 3/4 inch Black Iron Pipe (or Galvanized if outdoors).

1. 1 x Floor Flanges (pack of 2): These are the round plates with 4 screw holes that mount to the wall.
2. 2 x 90-Degree Elbows: To turn the corner.
3. 2 x Nipple Pipes (6 inch or 12 inch): This determines how far the bar sticks out from the wall/ceiling.
4. 1 x Long Pipe (48 inch): The bar itself. 48" fits standard stud spacing (16" on center) with overhang, or you can cut it to fit.
5. 8 x Lag Screws (Lag Bolts): 3/8" diameter, 3 inches long. Crucial: Do not use drywall screws. You will die.

Total Cost: ~$20 - $30 depending on pipe prices.

Tools Needed

• Drill
• 3/16" Drill bit (for pilot holes)
• Wrench or Socket set (for lag bolts)
• Stud Finder
• Degreaser (TSP or dish soap) - black pipe is oily!

Step-by-Step Build

Step 1: Clean the Pipe

Black iron pipe comes covered in industrial grease to prevent rust.

• Action: Scrub it with degreaser and a rough sponge. Dry it perfectly. If you want, spray paint it matte black (Rust-Oleum) for a cleaner look and better grip texture. Check price on Amazon →

Step 2: Assemble the "U"

• Screw the Nipples into the Flanges.
• Screw the Elbows onto the Nipples.
• Screw the Long Pipe into the Elbows.
• Tighten: Use a pipe wrench (or stick a screwdriver in the hole and turn) to crank it tight. The threads are tapered; they get tighter as you turn.

Step 3: Find the Studs

• Use a stud finder. You MUST hit the center of the ceiling joist or wall stud.
• Standard studs are 16 inches apart (center-to-center).
• If your bar is 48 inches long, measuring to fit studs is tricky with pre-cut pipe lengths.
• Hack: Screw a 2x6 wood stringer across the wall into multiple studs. Then mount your pull-up bar to the 2x6 anywhere you want. This is the safest method.

Step 4: Mount It

1. Hold the assembly up (you need a friend).
2. Mark the holes.
3. Drill pilot holes (creates a path for the screw so wood doesn't split).
4. Ratchet in the lag bolts until the flange sinks into the wood.

The Result

You now have a bombproof, fixed bar.

• Pros: Rigid. High clearance (head won't hit ceiling). Wide grip possible.
• Cons: Permanent. Can't take it down easily.

Variations

• The "Neutral Grip" Add-on: Buy two "T" fittings and two small nipples to create handles coming off the main bar for neutral grip pull-ups.

This bar is the core of any budget gym. Combine it with a DIY weight bench and you have a full upper body station.

Recommended Gear from This Article

Product	Best For	Price Range
Garren Fitness Doorway Bar	No-drill option	$30-$40
Yes4All Wall Mount Bar	Sturdy wall mount	$40-$60
Titan Fitness Bar	Heavy duty	$70-$90
Rust-Oleum Matte Black	Finishing the pipe	$5-$10
Black Iron Pipe Flanges	Mounting hardware	$10-$20