Ok, so - I have been looking for a free-standing pull-up bar for a month or two now. However, these systems are pretty spendy ($150-200). I was talking to my recruiter, and he gave me a brief outline of what they constructed while he was in Iraq.

Simple design, very cheap.

Supplies Needed

- (x2) 2 by 4s. (These will be your support beams.)

- (x2) bags of cement mix. (One will work fine too, just split the bag between the 2 beams.)

- Shovel and/or post hole digger. (To make the holes for your support beams.)

- A bubble level. (AKA spirit level. To make sure your support beams are straight and level.)

- Tape measure. (Optional, but to make sure your beams are lined up correctly with each other.)

- Bucket. (For gravel & mixing, depending on the type of concrete mix you get.)

- Hammer. (Optional, to beat down and compact the rocks around your beam when setting it.)

- Milk Jug. (I had a concrete mix that you poured dry into the hole, then you poured the water on it. No pre-mixing was needed. So I just filled up a milk jug with water and used that. You can use a hose, whatever - just be sure to follow the instructions on the mix about how much water you need.)

- Gloves. (Protect your hands!)

- Spade. (I used the spade to "smooth" the concrete around the post - It helps to get all the air bubbles out.)

- Bar (Some type of strong, metal bar - This will be your pull-up bar. Make sure it can support you!)

- Drill (To make the holes for your bar.)







Step 1

Laying the beams is like laying any fence post support. The hole diameter should be 3 times the post/support beam diameter. The hole should be deep enough to take up 1/3 of your support beam. Before you put your beam in, fill the bottom of the hole with about 3 inches of gravel. This allows for water drainage.

Then, set your support beam in the center of the hole. Take about 3-5 medium sized rocks and placed them snug in the hole, around your beam. Compact them by beating them down with a hammer. Your post should be able to stand by itself now.

Next, pour another 2-3 inches of gravel evenly around the hole. Take your hammer and compact the gravel you just poured. This ensures that your beam has a nice secure and sturdy base.




Step 2

It is now time to fill the hole with concrete. Following the instructions on your mix bag, fill the hole leaving 3-4 inches leverage between the concrete and the top of the hole. The remaining leverage can be filled with the dirt you removed to dig the hole.

All throughout the process of filling with gravel and cement, be sure to keep checking how level your beam is.

Now, place the other beam the same way. Make sure it lines up with your first beam - Distance between the beams depends on what size people will be on your pull-up bar. An average distance would be something like 3-4 feet.

Let your concrete dry - Check your mix bag for how long it should take. I would give it at least a day or two to sit.




Step 3

Now that your support beams are in place, it is time to drill your holes for the bar. Go about 5-6 inches down from the top of your beams, and drill a hole just snug enough for your bar to fit into. Make sure each hole you drill is even with the other. You don't want a lopsided bar!

I recommend you get a bar that is a little longer than the width of your beams, so it sticks out on either side. That way it doesn't slip and you take a trip to the ground, very hard. Or you can take a bar that has screws protruding near the end of it, so if it does try and slip, the screws will act as a safety and stop it.

I hope someone will try this - It works great! I will get the completed bar pictures up sometime in the next few days.

Any questions, just ask!

LOL, i live in a neighborhood...I could see the look on my neighbors/dads face right now hahahahahaha.......

Well, if i still lived in the country then id consider it, But i dont, and theres a gym thats about 1.5 km away that i can run to (will be doing that soon)

Good idea though!

James

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Megan(7 years old)-" You dont have four arms,you have two!"


Thats almost as fun as watching JB weld dry.....

Good thread.

I find that children's playgrounds have plenty of "pull-up" places. And if you go there on off times (like really early in the morning) you will have the place to yourself. LOL

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Ha, very true.

Hahahahah or go during the time that kids are there....just to see their (and their parents) reactions LOL

James

__________________
Me-"Hah! told you my forums weren't useless...."

Megan(7 years old)-" You dont have four arms,you have two!"


Thats almost as fun as watching JB weld dry.....

I have had a setup like this for aprox 8 years. I used 4x4's and drilled aprox 3 inches into both posts after marking them with a level. Then I inserted the bar. Works Great

BTW IMHO fluctuating grip pull-ups are the best comprehensive upper body exercise period.

PS I live in a townhome community. I have this disguised with a few potted hibiscus and a hanging geranium pot. Looks like part of the landscaping!

Ha Throw some good old camo on there and trick the neighbors. I like it.