Table of Contents
First, the Dumb One
A multi-grip pull up bar with adjustable brackets to fit any size power rack.
This idea is directly based on inquiries I keep getting. There are several power rack manufacturers who make multi grip pull up bars, but they are made to fit one specific sized rack only. Many owners of other racks are wishing they could get one. Hence, adjustable brackets!
The brackets would be tightened on well enough with clamps, not secured with pins, so there is no need to use holes that might be non-existent on the top frame of some racks. For regular pull ups it’s not going to move if you apply any decent pressure with a clamp. It mostly just sits on top of the rack.
If my squiggly drawing is worse than I think, here’s one of many existing ones:
As you can see, there is no tolerance for a rack that is a different width or has different sized holes (or no holes at all). Yeah, I know, Titan has it mounted upside down.
That one is nice, but it pretty much only fits the Rogue rack, and maybe a couple others, I don’t know.
My first assumption is nobody has made an adjustable one because no manufacturer wants to make something like this when they’re either perfectly happy with the fixed size ones they have for their own power rack, or they don’t even see the need for more than a straight pull up bar. So it would have to be a specialty manufacturer that wants you to use their pull up bar on someone else’s rack.
Every rack is around 47-49″ wide, and the tubing will be 2-3″ thick. A little adjustment range and you can fit it on any rack.
The brackets would add to the complexity. Even just a short adjustable range means lots of considerations in the parts and adjustment mechanism, and making sure it holds tight but is easy to mount and dismount. Suddenly it becomes a lot more complex and expensive to make than a one-piece welded bar.
Some power rack attachments would be inappropriate to adapt to adjustable versions in this way because they need to be reliably strong with no moving parts, like safety bars or J-hooks. I’ve listed those kinds of things in the power rack attachments and compatibility list to help you find some to fit, but it does not include pull up bars because so many things about it need to fit right.
What do you think? Am I missing something? Leave me a comment below. Or if you work with steel, design one, and I’ll be happy to help get the word out for you to help you sell them!
Smart Shoulder Mobility
Donnie Thompson is an accomplished powerlifter who has also worked with a lot of clients for mobility training. Someone mentioned this video to deal with shoulder problems, and I thought it was so simple and well laid out that I bought a couple bands straight away.
I found that the 50-125lb WODFitters 41″x1.75″ band is about right for me for this purpose. I think Donnie is using like a 2″ or wider one, but he’s a big strong guy. You can get any brand. Just pay attention to the length and width. I got the WODFitters one mostly because they had the clear sizing info I was looking for in the description, and other brands had confusing or missing info.
Anyway, you got shoulder issues, maybe give that a shot to warm up and stretch your shoulders at the start of your session.
Another Giveaway Coming
Ok, this is sooner than I expected. After the Weight It Out plates giveaway, I suggested on IG that I might run another giveaway soon. Still in the works, and sooner than I expected, actually. Look for an announcement in mid-May! It’s another valuable USA-made product that you’ll be very interested in winning.
New Starting Strength Recommendations
I updated the guide on the best equipment for Starting Strength, incorporating Rip’s latest recommendations on what to use in his popular Starting Strength program meant for novice lifters.
What I lay out there is not 100% according to Rip. Much of the guide is colored by what I like, but in the context of his program and his sometimes controversial recommendations.
Why brackets at all?
A 47″ pull-up bar can be affixed using different width bushings and 6″ bolts to fit larger width racks.
The bushings would carry very little lateral load, and would properly keep the bolts in shear (their strong axis) and out of bending moment (their weaker axis).
If it’s a rack where the top frame has holes, and the holes are spaced just right so you can get both bolts in (you don’t want it to rotate), and the pull up bar is too short rather than too long, I can see how it could be retrofitted. But many racks are going to not meet at least one of those specs. I’m thinking if it can slip right over the top of the rack and uses no holes at all, it ought to fit just about every rack.
Good point on the slip over style, I a see your point: Not all racks have thru-holes on top.
Re hole alignment, an oval or slot on the pull bar could mitigate hole alignment issues.