Top 4 best doorway pull up bars [2025]

Calisthenics Home - Equipment - Top 4 best doorway pull up bars [2025]

What is the best doorway pull-up bar? To answer that question, we’ve written this blog post. A pull-up bar for your door frame is indeed one of the most convenient fitness devices you can have at home, as it allows you to train with a variety of different exercises.

We’ve personally gone through quite a few different pull-up bars in our years of calisthenics training. Based on this experience, we’re happy to guide you to the best pull-up bar that you can install on or in your door frame.

2 types of doorway pull up bars

There are 2 variants of the doorway pull-up bar, with the main difference lying in the installation of the bar. In the first variant, you place the bar between the door frame, while in the second variant, you anchor it at the top of the frame.

There are several advantages to using a door pull-up bar. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and require little storage space.

Choose the variant that best suits the doorframe where you want to hang it and get started with pull-ups!

Top 4 best doorway pull up bars

Below you’ll find our top 4 pull-up bars for your doorway. Our selection for the best pull-up bar is based on factors such as our own experiences, price, weight capacity, and safety.

#1 Gornation Pull-up bar extend it

Gornation Door Pull Up Bar Extend-it

Best in between pull up bar 

Get 10% OFF with code: "HEAVYWEIGHT10"

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gornation.com

Our favorite ‘in between door frame’ pull-up bar is the Gornation Pull-Up Bar Extend-It, thanks to its excellent adaptability and stability. Due to its rotatable design, the bar is suitable for most standard door frames (74-90 cm).

The Brand Gornation

Gornation is a well-known brand in the calisthenics community, loved by both beginners and advanced athletes. This brand stands for innovative, sustainable products that enhance athletes’ performance. With their focus on high-quality materials and user-friendly design, Gornation has built a strong reputation in the world of calisthenics.

Safety & Weight Capacity

Thanks to the three non-slip rubber ends, the bar provides extra grip and stability during your workout. This ensures you can train without worries, even during intensive exercises. Additionally, this pull-up bar has a weight capacity of 440 lbs. This gives you more than enough room to perform bodyweight exercises and even weighted workouts.

Simple installation

Gornation Extend-It Pull up bar is easy to install and remove, without the need for permanent fixtures. This greatly enhances usability, especially if you want to frequently move or store the bar.

Note: It is not recommended to place a pull-up bar between hollow frames. The powerful securing mechanism may cause damage to the frame.

#2 Pullup & Dip Doorway Pull-up Bar

Pullup & Dip Doorway Pull-Up Bar

Best anchored doorway pull up bar 

Get 10% OFF with code: "HWC10"

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pullup-dip.com

Pullup & Dip doorway Pull-Up Bar is our favorite ‘over the door frame’ pull-up bar. This bar offers more space for your workouts. Since the pull-up bar extends above the door frame, it is ideal for taller individuals. With a weight capacity of 110 kg, it is a sturdy and versatile choice for your home gym.

The Brand Pullup & Dip

Pullup & Dip is a leading brand for calisthenics and strength training equipment, known for its innovations, particularly in pull-up bars and dip bars. They focus on developing high-quality products specifically designed to enhance the training experience for both beginners and advanced athletes.

Height

The Pullup & Dip Door Frame Pull-Up Bar stands out due to its unique design and practical benefits. This bar offers one significant advantage over most other door frame pull-up bars: its height.

As shown in the image, this pull-up bar is attached to the top of your door frame, which means that the bar you pull up on extends above the frame. This design allows for more space to pull, unlike many other models where the bar hangs below the door frame.

This makes the Pullup & Dip Door Frame Pull-Up Bar the ideal choice for taller individuals. If you are over 180 cm, this bar is definitely the best option, as you have more freedom of movement without hitting your head or legs, which is often a problem with other models.

Multi Grip

This door pull-up bar offers various grip positions for more variety in your exercises. This allows you to easily adjust your workout and target new muscle groups, making the product not only functional but also challenging for different training goals.

Suitable for Various Exercises

With a weight capacity of 110 kg, the bar is suitable for a wide range of exercises, from pull-ups and leg raises to seated dips and push-ups. This versatility makes the Pullup & Dip Doorway Pull-Up Bar ideal for both beginner and advanced athletes.

Free resistance band

When purchasing a Pullup & Dip door pull up bar, you will receive a free resistance band worth 15 euros.

#3 Gornation deur pull up bar 'hook it'

Gornation pull-up-bar-hook-it-product-photo

Gornation Door Pull Up Bar Hook-it

Get 10% OFF with code: "HEAVYWEIGHT10"

Shop now!

gornation.com

Third on our list is the Gornation Hook-It Pull-Up Bar for you door. This is an affordable and sturdy solution for looking for a reliable doorframe pull-up bar. This pull-up bar features a simple design with a straight bar. You can easily install the bar when you want to train and store it conveniently when you’re done.

Weight Capacity

One of the biggest advantages of the Gornation door pull-up bar is its higher weight capacity of 130kg / 286 lbs. This makes it a strong choice for heavier athletes. The bar is equipped with rubber ends that prevent damage to the door frame.

Straight bar

This pull-up bar has a straight design, which is a personal preference for some athletes. This straight bar provides a consistent grip and helps keep the wrists and arms in a natural position. Additionally, it gives you plenty of room to experiment with different grip types without interference from other grip positions.

#4 Pullup & Dip Door Pull-Up Bar

Pullup & Dip Door Pull-up Bar

Get 10% OFF with code: "HWC10"

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pullup-dip.com

The Telescopic Door Pull-Up Bar from Pullup & Dip is designed for quick and easy installation. No screws or drilling are needed, making it perfect for those who don’t want to make permanent fixtures.

Suitable for Various Door Frames

This pull-up bar is suitable for door frames with a width of 27 to 35 inches. This makes the bar versatile and suitable for most standard door frames. Please note, you cannot use this pull-up bar with hollow door frames either.

Weight Capacity

With a weight capacity of 440 lbs, the Pullup & Dip Door Pull-Up Bar is one of the strongest options on the market. This makes it suitable for various exercises and heavier athletes.

No Damage to the Door Frame

The pull-up bar is designed not to damage your door frame. This makes it a safe choice for use in rental properties or temporary setups.

Benefits of a doorway pull-up bar

A door-mounted pull-up bar is the ideal fitness device for home use. Below are some of the benefits of a door-mounted pull-up bar:

Convenience: A door-mounted pull-up bar is an easy and safe way to start training pull-ups. You don’t have to travel to the gym and never have to wait for someone else to finish. All you have to do is attach the pull-up bar to your door, and you’re ready to train.
Space-saving: A door-mounted pull-up bar takes up very little space. And you can easily store it away when you finish your workout. This makes it ideal for people living in small spaces or those with limited storage space.
Affordable: Compared to other fitness devices, a door pull-up bar is very affordable. You don’t need a gym membership or expensive home equipment to get a good workout.

All in all, a door pull-up bar offers many benefits for anyone looking to train at home. For just a few tens of euros, you can perform a full-body workout whenever you want.

Disadvantages doorway pull up bar

Another important consideration when deciding against a door-mounted pull-up bar is the structural integrity of your door frames. If your door frames are not robust enough to support the weight and stress associated with pull-up exercises, it poses a safety risk. Ensuring that your door frame can handle the load is crucial to prevent damage and accidents during workouts.

Additionally, proper alignment and fit with the door frame are essential for the stability of the pull-up bar. If it doesn’t securely attach to the door, there’s a risk of instability during exercises, which can compromise both the effectiveness of your workout and your safety.

Furthermore, if your fitness goals include mastering muscle-ups, a door-mounted pull-up bar may not be the most suitable option. The space between the door frames may limit your range of motion and hinder your ability to perform certain advanced exercises. In such cases, opting for a wall-mounted pull-up bar provides a more versatile and spacious setup, allowing you to pursue a wider range of calisthenic movements.

In summary, while door-mounted pull-up bars offer convenience and space-saving benefits, it’s crucial to assess the suitability of your door frames and consider your specific fitness goals before making a choice. For those aiming for advanced exercises like muscle-ups, exploring alternatives like wall-mounted pull-up bars may be a more effective and safer option.

Exercises with a door mounted pull up bar

With a pull-up bar for your door, your possibilities are endless. Below, you’ll find the most popular exercises that you can train at home.

Pull ups

During pull-ups, you hang from the bar with your palms facing away from you. Then, you pull your body upward until your chin is above the bar. This is an ideal exercise to train your back and arm muscles.

Chin ups

This is a variation of pull-ups where you grip the bar with your palms facing towards you. This variation, known as chin-ups, places more emphasis on your biceps.

Leg raises

This is the ideal abdominal exercise for home. In this exercise, you hang from the bar and lift your legs upward until your toes touch the bar. With this exercise, you primarily train your abdominal muscles.

Front lever

The front lever is a static exercise where you position your body parallel to the ground with your face towards the bar.

In the video below, you’ll find more exercises that you can train at home with a pull-up bar.

alternative to doorway pull up bar

Of course, there are other ways to train your pull-ups at home. You can install a wall mounted pull up bar, and this can even be done outdoors. The significant advantage of this is that you can also train muscle-ups.

Alternatively, you can opt for a pull-up station. These are a bit more expensive, but they immediately provide the opportunity to train dips as well.

Additional calisthenics equipment

In addition to having a place at home to train pull-ups, there are numerous possibilities to further expand your workout. For example, you can attach rings to the bar. This provides you with the opportunity to train many additional exercises, such as dips, support holds, and bicep curls on the rings.

If you’re not yet able to do pull-ups, it’s advisable to invest in resistance bands. These bands allow you to gradually train towards your first pull-up and chin-up. Without these bands, you make the process much more challenging for yourself.

Once you’ve mastered bodyweight pull-ups, you can take the next step in your strength training. Simply add weight using a weighted vest or dip belt. Of course, be mindful not to exceed the weight capacity of the bar.

FAQ about doorway pull up bars

Below, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding pull-up bars.

What is a doorway pull up bar

A door-mounted pull-up bar is a fitness device that is installed between your door frames or at the top of your door frame. You can use it to perform various exercises, including chin-ups, pull-ups, and leg raises.

Can a doorway pull-up bar cause damage to my door frame?

If the pull-up bar is installed correctly, it should not cause any damage to your door or door frame. However, it is important to ensure that your door (frame) is sturdy enough to bear the weight.

Can I use a door-mounted pull-up bar if I am heavy?

This depends on the pull-up bar you purchase. Some have a weight capacity of up to 1000lbs, making them suitable for almost anyone looking to train pull-ups.

What are alternatives for a doorway pull up bar?

There are various alternatives to a door-mounted pull-up bar. You can opt for a freestanding pull-up bar, also known as a pull-up station or power tower. Alternatively, you can choose a wall-mounted pull-up bar.

Which muscles do you train with a pull-up bar?

With a pull-up bar, you primarily train your back muscles, including the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and rhomboids, as well as your biceps and forearms.

How high should a pull-up bar be installed?

Ideally, a pull-up bar should be hung at a height where, with fully extended arms, you can just reach the ground. This ensures that you can perform the full range of motion for the exercise.

What's the best doorway pull up bar?

The best pull-up bar depends on your needs, preferences, and available space. There are various types of pull-up bars on the market, including wall-mounted pull-up bars, pull-up stations, and door-mounted pull-up bars.

Can I train pull ups every day?

For beginners, we advise against training pull-ups every day. Your muscles need sufficient time to recover between sessions. Overloading can and often will lead to injuries. Start by training pull-ups two to three times a week, and you will see results soon.

Nick Verheij

Nick Verheij is a calisthenics athlete and certified calisthenics and streetlifting coach. In 2022, he founded Heavyweight Calisthenics to help other 'heavyweights,' for whom calisthenics is often more challenging, to make safe progress.Since its founding, thousands of athletes have downloaded the beginner program from Heavyweight Calisthenics. Additionally, the Heavyweight team has personally helped hundreds of athletes with one-on-one coaching and calisthenics clinics.Are you interested in collaboration? Email nick@heavyweightcali.com.