Many people enjoy doing pull-ups because they are a great way to work out the back and arms and are not too difficult once you get used to them. However, if you don’t have a pull-up bar or are looking for a new one to add to your home gym, you may be wondering how high should a pull-up bar be?
There is no recommended height for mounting a pull bar. You should have at least 20 inches or 50 cm of clearance above the pull-up bar in order to hang bent knees without your feet touching the floor. Assuming that you or the tallest person using the pull-up bar is an average height of 5’8, you should mount the pull-up bar at 7 feet or 2.1 m above the ground.
However, installing a pull bar at the right height will also depend on where you mount it, which brings us to the next topic.
Where can I mount a pull-up bar at home
In a home gym, there are three locations where you can mount a pull-up bar.
Door mounted
Installing a pull-up bar above the doorway is one of the most popular options due to its convenience and ease of use. You don’t even have to worry about the pull-up bar height because the height of the door frame determines it.
Door-mounted pull bars are usually the most affordable option, but that doesn’t mean they are poor in quality.
Several brands make great pull-up bars that are designed specifically for door installation, so you can be sure you’re getting a good product.
Make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully, and you’ll be set up in no time!
Want to know more? Click here Can Pull up Bar Damage
Door Frame?
Wall mounted
A wall-mounted pull-up bar is the most stable option, provided you have the space available. These pull-up bars also last longer and are sturdy, making them a great investment for a home gym.
Consider getting a multi-grip bar for a doorway pull-up bar, especially if you are tall.
A multi-grip bar offers more versatility, making them suitable for both tall and short individuals.
In addition, this wall mount equipment also allows you to perform more suspension exercises, which will sculpt your upper body and midsection.
By mounting the bars a bit higher than normal, your shoulders and upper body will benefit even more. Also, use wall studs for greater stability when installing pull-up bars.
Ceiling mounted
A ceiling-mounted pull-up bar is also a great option if you love to do regular pull-ups for a sculpted upper body. Along with a wall mount, a pull-up bar mounted on a ceiling is a permanent fixture, so it must be bolted in place with wall studs.
However, maintaining an optimal height for a pull-up bar is impossible for low ceilings. In addition, ceiling-mounted pull-up bars can give way to gravity and your weight, so keep that in mind.
Which is the best pull-up bar for you?
Narrowing down on the right pull-up bar for you depends on several factors. However, for a home gym, you need to ensure there is enough space to install a pull-up bar.
Check if you are working with a concrete wall, a wooden beam, or a drywall for wall and ceiling-mounted equipment. If your option is a doorway, check for nail/nail heads above the frame with your fingers, which is a good indication for you to install a pull-up bar.
A multi-grip bar is by far the top choice for home gyms. However, the ideal pull-up or chip-up bar is also one that supports your weight, has padding, and is relatively affordable according to your budget.
Pull-up bars for a doorway are the most affordable option, followed by wall/ceiling bars. The free-standing pull-up or chip-up bar is the most expensive, but these also require a lot of space, ideally in a garage gym or a dedicated home gym.
Check out my article on Prosourcefit Pull-up Bar Review
How do you find the right height to place your pull-up bar?
Figuring out the correct height to install this fitness equipment is very important before you mount it. As stated above, a pull-up bar height of about 7 feet above the ground is usually recommended.
However, not everyone is generously blessed with height, so mounting a bar too high can make it impossible for those who are shorter to reach it.
Installing a pull-up bar or a chin-up bar about the eye level of the tallest person to use it is a great idea. It works for tall people; short people can either use a stool or jump to grab the bar.
Another way to find the right bar height is to stand on your toes and reach overhead with your arms. Have a friend or your partner mark the point where your fingers are, and install the bar 2 inches above this point.
However, this technique works if you have unlimited space in your house and the bar is exclusively for you.
How much overhead space do you need?
An overhead space of 16 inches or 40 cm is ideal for a pull-up bar installation.
This bar height allows a full range of motion; you don’t have to worry about bumping your head at the highest point.
If you are not particularly tall, a couple of inches shorter than 16 inches will also work.
If you have low ceilings, try mounting the bar lower, so you keep 14-16 inches of head space. You might have to bend your knees slightly, but you can still hit the bars safely.
However, ensuring the perfect head space for mounting a pull-up bar is not as important as having enough space below it.
Consider mounting the pull-up or chin-up bars at other sites in your home gym if the ceiling is too low. Your safety is more important than having ripped arms and shoulders.
Ensure proper clearance
Ground clearance for a pull-up or chip-up bar installation is one of the important factors for doing this exercise with the right form and getting a full range of pull-ups.
Ideally, you want to perform chin-ups/pull-ups freely without your feet touching the floor. Performing this exercise at the lowest position might require bending your knees, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable or restricted.
The bottom line is to have enough room to do a proper pull-up – Grab the bar as you engage your core, relax your lower body, and pull up until the bar is next to your sternum. The elbows are extended fully, and you feel the tension in your biceps, so you get the full benefits of pull-ups.
If you can’t perform a full range of pull-up exercises, your pull-up bar height is probably not in the right position.
FAQ’s
Can people of different heights use the bar?
Yes. Persons of different heights can use the same bar for exercising if it is mounted at the right height. Shorter persons might need to jump, but a taller person can easily hang from the bars and execute a pulling motion.
Whether at a local or home gym, there is a huge difference in stature, so the bar height should cater to people of all heights.
What if you have a low ceiling?
If the ceiling in your home is not high enough to get the right head space and get your feet off the ground simultaneously, don’t despair, as you can work your way around it.
Try mounting the bars lower but keep the headroom about 14 to 16 inches. For proper pull-ups, you will need to fold your knees/legs.
However, if your ceiling is too low for pull-ups, you can try getting it over a sturdy wall in your home gym instead.
Are door-mounted pull-up bars as effective as wall-mounted ones?
Whether or not door-mounted bars are as effective as wall-mounted ones depend on how often you do pull-ups and if you do this exercise correctly.
A pull-up bar for doors is not as durable as those mounted on the wall or ceiling, but if you perform the pull-ups with the correct form and regularly, you can get the same results.
The Bottom Line
Pull-ups are a fantastic way to develop your upper body muscles and core. Furthermore, the equipment for this exercise is exceptionally versatile, which means it can be installed in various locations, including doors, walls, and ceilings.
The key is to mount the bar at a height that works for you and anyone using it so you get the full range.
The ideal bar height will allow you to hang and do pull-ups without having your feet flat on the floor or hitting your head on the ceiling above.
