Chin up bar from the rafters?

[RumRiver5.0]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to help myself out a bit as I don't have much time just yet for the gym. There isn't any secure place in the house for me to mount a chin up contraption so I am looking to hang it from the 7' rafters in the garage. My plan for the bar is to either get something premade or adapt something with my welder and attach it to the rafters. I also think the rafters are pretty weak and will need to be sistered in that area for this project at the very least. If anyone has any ideas on what I can do, materials I can use or adapt, I would really appreciate it.

 

[jrsavoie]

I used 1/2" pipe and mounted it in the stairwell. Near the header.

 

[nadogail]

If your ceiling is open, i would consider using the joists to support my weight. I would spread the load across at least two joists and make sure that you static test the bar before you hang any live weight rom it.

 

[RumRiver5.0]

If your ceiling is open, i would consider using the joists to support my weight. I would spread the load across at least two joists and make sure that you static test the bar before you hang any live weight rom it.

What I am considering is running full length 2x4s with clips staggered and bolting through them the bar mount.

 

[rayra]

way to turn a molehill into a mountain, OP

There's a wide variety of chin-up bars available which will hang from your door jambs. Slip it into place, use it, take it down put it behind the door. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H7OW5KY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jrsavoie]

way to turn a molehill into a mountain, OP

There's a wide variety of chin-up bars available which will hang from your door jambs. Slip it into place, use it, take it down put it behind the door. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H7OW5KY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't like those. Maybe op doesn't either.

 

[ycgoat]

I have had one on the garage door for years.

 

[brownbagg]

i got one of those door way bars, when i was young chin up. now that im old, tied a rope for squats for the knees, rope is to get back up

 

[olds70supreme]

I used 1" threaded pipe and two tees in my basement. Worked great. All pre cut lengths from Menards.

 

[75gmck25]

I ran a 2x4 across the garage ceiling so it spanned two joists. Then I screwed a vertical 2x4 on each end with long deck screws so the verticals hung straight down. For the bar I used standard iron water pipe with round threaded fittings on each end (3 screws in each) and mounted the pipe between the ends of the vertical 2x4's. It held up for a lot of years of use.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

This is Garage Journal, people. OP will need to start with a full-polish 1" titanium bar, and somehow get hold of a cnc machine to make custom brackets. Then, the joists will need to be reinforced with hurricane brackets (to say nothing of the sistering, already mentioned). He will need custom lighting and wiring (don't forget to pull a permit, and hire a licensed electrician). Finally, the garage floor will need to be lowered 3.62" in order to provide full extension during the "hanging" phase of the exercise. Be sure to reinforce the slab, and then the epoxy coat to protect from random drops of sweat.

 

[mike93lx]

way to turn a molehill into a mountain, OP

There's a wide variety of chin-up bars available which will hang from your door jambs. Slip it into place, use it, take it down put it behind the door. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H7OW5KY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Doing pull ups with trim nails, caulking and paint holding me up? No thanks.

 

[JRC3]

Doing pull ups with trim nails, caulking and paint holding me up? No thanks.

Exactly. Damage and/or pain are a likely result.

 

[ZRX61]

Check this out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJPW84J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RumRiver5.0]

Check this out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJPW84J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wow, that is fantastic! I may just do this. I love dips. I just don't know about the strength of the studs in my wobbly attached garage.

 

[milkovich]

1.5 erw and some deck screws

 

[ZRX61]

Wow, that is fantastic! I may just do this. I love dips. I just don't know about the strength of the studs in my wobbly attached garage.

The issue is the part that screws to the wall doesn't appear to be 16in/oc.. so then ya have to fabricate something to go between the wall bracket & the studs.. Chunk of 1/4in steel plate ought to do it

 

[usmc_noma]

I used 1" steel pipe connected in a U shape with flanges at the end. I connected the flanges to 2x4s that spanned across three ceiling joists. It has held me up doing the Murphy twice among other pull up related exercises. Currently I have 4 bikes that have been hanging from it for months.

 

[Squankum]

Some hazy old pics from the older days of my "Underground Lair" thread.

- 2" antenna mast (go bigger on diameter, it builds grip) (recent browsing has reminded me that stores don't carry antenna - mast anymore, black iron pipe would be fine, too)
- "plates" made out of plywood, hole saw
- carriage bolts through the floor joists but nails or screws would be fine

I put the pipe right up against the bottom of the joists because I need the bar to be high. Cloth "trainer's tape" for grip and also prevents pipe from slipping one way or the other. (It really doesn't want to slip.)

 

[jrsavoie]

Some hazy old pics from the older days of my "Underground Lair" thread.

- 2" antenna mast (go bigger on diameter, it builds grip) (recent browsing has reminded me that stores don't carry antenna - mast anymore, black iron pipe would be fine, too)
- "plates" made out of plywood, hole saw
- carriage bolts through the floor joists but nails or screws would be fine

I put the pipe right up against the bottom of the joists because I need the bar to be high. Cloth "trainer's tape" for grip and also prevents pipe from slipping one way or the other. (It really doesn't want to slip.)

Better be position conscious or you'll knock your noodle.

That can be harder doing one handers

 

[brownbagg]

Doing pull ups with trim nails, caulking and paint holding me up? No thanks.

drywall screws

 

[mike93lx]

drywall screws

You install trim with drywall screws?

 

[Squankum]

Better be position conscious or you'll knock your noodle.

That can be harder doing one handers

I'm conscious for every bit of it! I can't crank them out, that's for sure.

It's not a perfect bar -- room for head isn't great, and I don't get a full hang, either. But it's better than no bar.

 

[Sumboodie]

1.5 erw and some deck screws

I'd trust that to hang clothes on, but not my 200+lbs attempting pullups.

 

[nadogail]

Pull Ups can help trim your weight, I am told. I have not tried this myself.

 

[JRC3]

Pull Ups can help trim your weight, I am told.

Sure, if you do several hundred a day. LOL https://www.google.com/search?q=pul...hUKEwjz7-GKl8_7AhWJjlMKHYelB6EQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

 

[jrsavoie]

We used to say No bar too far

 

[jrsavoie]

I used to do

Sure, if you do several hundred a day. LOL https://www.google.com/search?q=pul...hUKEwjz7-GKl8_7AhWJjlMKHYelB6EQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

I used to do 100 a day for a warm up. And then climb all day in.
Did 10 pullups & 10 chinups with each hand & then did 30 each with both hands

 

[jrsavoie]

I'm conscious for evert bit of it! I can't crank them out, that's for sure.

It's not a perfect bar -- room for head isn't great, and I don't get a full hang, either. But it's better than no bar.

That's why mine ended up in the stairwell going to the basement. I could get full hang and had plenty of head clearance.
I would start with 10 finger tip pullups on the headset on the way downstairs from the bedroom.

 

[Squankum]

Sure, if you do several hundred a day. LOL https://www.google.com/search?q=pul...hUKEwjz7-GKl8_7AhWJjlMKHYelB6EQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

Mr. Goggins used to weigh 300 pounds...

 

[JRC3]

I'd bet 2 dollars that Mr. Goggins lost weight with proper diet and aerobic exercise before pullups were a goal.

 

[ordpete944]

way to turn a molehill into a mountain, OP

There's a wide variety of chin-up bars available which will hang from your door jambs. Slip it into place, use it, take it down put it behind the door. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H7OW5KY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And there are tons of YouTube videos of these flimsy pieces of tin collapsing under the user's weight and them crashing to the floor. They are quite amusing. Don't forget to video it!

 

[CraigStu]

So when you guys do chinups your feet are not hanging below you? If my bar would have fallen down I would have dropped maybe 15 inches and landed on my feet. milkovich's bar might be weak w/ just one deck screw but 2 deck screws would hold it. A 200# guy is only putting 100# on each bar hanger.

 

[mike93lx]

So when you guys do chinups your feet are not hanging below you? If my bar would have fallen down I would have dropped maybe 15 inches and landed on my feet. milkovich's bar might be weak w/ just one deck screw but 2 deck screws would hold it. A 200# guy is only putting 100# on each bar hanger.

Depends on how high the bar is. Not many people can hang from something around door frame height without bending their knees. Also, if you can hang straight legged, it means you either have to jump up to the bar or use something to climb up

 

[RumRiver5.0]

I need full hang. I hate to say it but my stronger days are behind me. Lower back issues but yes, pull ups and chins. If I'm below 200 that probably means I'm dead.

 

[msharley]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to help myself out a bit as I don't have much time just yet for the gym. There isn't any secure place in the house for me to mount a chin up contraption so I am looking to hang it from the 7' rafters in the garage. My plan for the bar is to either get something premade or adapt something with my welder and attach it to the rafters. I also think the rafters are pretty weak and will need to be sistered in that area for this project at the very least. If anyone has any ideas on what I can do, materials I can use or adapt, I would really appreciate it.

You want 1-1/4" black iron pipe (right diameter for full grip)

I would drill two 2X6's with 1-1/2" holes. (1-1/4" if using 1" pipe)

Secure the 2x6's to your joists with 5/16" x 3" SPAX screws....

Thread both ends of 1-1/4" pipe (1" if you have stubby fangers)....

Slide pipe into 2x6's . Install caps on pipe.

There you have it. Sturdy chin up bar for $20!

 

[mpire]

The shower curtain rods in my school dormitory were on 3/4 inch pipe going from stall to stall. It was more than enough for us to do pull ups.

It was just a bar, some 90 degree ends, and some screw on end flanges



Granted the shower walls were block, but this could hold two of you.

I also use these to hang wheels on my garage walls.

That being said, not sure how jerky you are, but we did notice some lateral forces from having a heavy punching bag hanging from the garage rafters. My grandfather ended up reinforcing it with cross bracing for the side to side movement.

 

[Walkers]

It never ceases to amaze me how foolish some of y’all are. This is an excellent opportunity for the OP to get a forklift or front loader tractor in order to have something to do pull ups from at the right height, and adjustable. Either that or build a detached shop with a proper place for a pull up bar (Right next to the mini fridge).

 

[mike93lx]

It never ceases to amaze me how foolish some of y’all are. This is an excellent opportunity for the OP to get a forklift or front loader tractor in order to have something to do pull ups from at the right height, and adjustable. Either that or build a detached shop with a proper place for a pull up bar (Right next to the mini fridge).

I keep saying it.

A telehandler would solve this problem

 

[Walkers]

I keep saying it.

A telehandler would solve this problem

A telehandler would solve problems he doesn’t even know he has!