The Pull Up Project and a Free Standing Portable Pullup Bar Review
Since hitting the road fulltime in our RV last fall, I’ve managed to keep working out. However, it’s been hard to consistently find a place to do pull ups and over time I “lost” them. But now I’m prepared to “find” them again with my new free standing portable pull up bar from Trapeze Rigging.
A workout doesn’t feel complete without pullups. I love my kettlebells but if there is one thing kettlebells lack, it’s getting a heavy pull. I’ve tried to get by with row variations and my suspension trainer but there is nothing quite like being able to pull your bodyweight.
The last few months, I’ve been on the lookout for playgrounds but not every campground has a playground and not every playground has a suitable place for pullups. A doorway pullup bar wasn’t an option because we don’t have a suitable door frame and not to mention the damage that door frame pullup bars can cause.
A few weeks ago, I received a free standing portable pull up bar from Trapeze Rigging. It’s a pullup bar/dip station from a company who makes custom circus equipment. How cool is that!
Trapeze Rigging was started by Trevor Boswell. Trevor spent 30 years traveling the world as a catcher on the flying trapeze! If there is anyone who understands the importance of a strong and safe pullup bar, it will be Trevor.
I’ve been using my portable pull up bar regularly and I love it. Really, truly, love it.
It’s perfect for home gyms, P90X users, in-home personal trainers who bring their own equipment, and travelers like me!
Not only is the free standing portable pull up bar sturdy, it’s also light (made of high quality aluminum) and easy to assemble. Here’s the proof.
Easy and Fast Assembly of the Free Standing Portable Pullup Bar
Less than a minute to assemble it even for a mechananically challenged girl like myself. It’s even quicker to disassemble.
Other reasons I love my portable pull up bar.
Not only can you do pullups but the bar can easily be configured for inverted rows or dips by leaving out the top pipe.
Height adjustments can be made in a combination of ways. You can move the pins up and down.
And/or you can position the pull up bar (the horizontal cross bar) over the side pipes with the bar on the bottom.
Or you can flip over the pull up bar for more height.
It’s made in the USA.
The handles allow for a variety of grips.
It’s sturdy. While there is some slight movement of the bar during motion, it feels very solid. Brent was spotting me during this picture. While it’s awesome for pull ups, dips, rows, and hanging ab exercises, it’s not made for wannabe gymnasts.
I also love that some of my fitness heroes use it. Check out Mark Sisson using his portable pull up bar and Steve Maxwell using it in his backyard.
There is also a custom fit carrying bag for easy transport.
Lastly, Nico says it makes a comfy pug bed.
You can’t put a price on the feeling that comes with being able to do a pull up. This first time I did an unassisted pull up I was ecstatic. For most women, being able to perform a dead hang pull up is a big milestone. There is nothing like it and I can’t wait to get my pull up back.
So the next few months, I’m taking on The Pull Up Project. I’m going to be setting up my new free standing portable pull up bar at every campsite with the goal of being able to once again do unassisted pull ups by the end of the year.
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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Journey with our family on the road at New School Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!
Disclosure: I was provided the free standing portable pull up bar for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own
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Good luck with your Pull Up Project!
Thanks Andrea!
Love that pull up bar! Adds a whole new element to our workouts…
Thank you for making room in the RV/truck for another toy! xoxo
I want to be able to do a pull up. so. bad.
You will, you will!!
Can you upload a video of you or better yet
The guy in the pictures, doing pullups or dips.
I’m 6’3 195 lbs, and I want to know if its not wobbly for me
And if the height of this product fit for me to do pullups without
Bending my knees.
Thanks,
Ben
Hi Ben. That’s my husband doing pull ups. He is 5’10” and 175 lbs. It’s not too wobbly for him. I don’t have time to do a video right now but I’ll try to do one soon. In the meantime, here is a video of Mark Sisson doing pull up progressions on the same bar http://youtu.be/76HjVOoUX6U and of Steve Maxwell using it http://youtu.be/TjVtDshvAGs. The Steve Maxwell one is a little short but you can see it moves a little but it’s definitely sturdy enough for a man. The standard pull up can can be adjusted to a height of 7′ and the XL Elite 7’6″ so yes you should be able to do pull ups without bending your knees but I would measure the length of your upward reach before decided if you need the XL.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for your reply.
I would appreciate this so much if you’d
Convinced and film your husband to do a set of 10
Pullups& 10 dips .
I looked at the other videos, but I couldn’t find
any of them doing consecutive pullups/dips.
I really want to see a person near my size
Do a full set of pullups & dips.
Thanks again,
Ben
Nico is sooooooooooo cute. And I love the fact that you had videos of two super fit older men doing demos. LOVE Mark Sisson!
PS LOVE the fact that you demo’d the set-up- that was my concern and you alleviated my fear of a lengthy set-up process!
Thanks Debs! That was my concern too but it’s really really simple.
I think you and Mark Sisson might be neighbors. Maybe we can go do some primal spying when I’m back in CA. 😀
Yes! He’s in Malibu and he shot that video at my fave park on the bluffs. Michael Landon park. I’ve done many a workout there.
What an awesome piece of equipment! Some day I’ll be ready for pull-ups. Great find!
isthe pullup bar sturdy enough to use a TRX system with it?
I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner somehow I didn’t see your comment. This pull up bar would most likely tip over using a TRX with it unless it was anchored down. Hope that answers your question.
Hi Jennincat,
Would having a second stabilizer bar help further with stabilization?
Simon
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