# What size pipe for a pull-up bar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963 "2014-02-22T18:41:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/1 "2014-02-22T18:41:00Z")
I’m going to mount a pull-up bar in my garage. I’ll probably just use a length of threaded pipe from Home Depot. Assuming it’ll be 3-4’ long, and I weigh about 220. What size diameter and material (galvanized or black, does it matter) should I use? ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/2 "2014-02-22T22:03:25Z")
I put up a bar on my kids’ tree house for more acrobatic pursuits, but I tested it out ahead of time (290 lbs. for 5.5 pull ups). We used a 36" by 1.5" OD galvanized pipe ($8 with two end caps) from the local lumberyard. It is surviving Seattle rainy winters quite well although I did notice that the galvanized is being worn smooth from use- I like the original “grippyness” of the galvanized but the kids wanted something more polished for spinning around on. I wouldn’t recommend less than 1.5" diameter as that is almost too thin to be comfortable for long for me. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/3 "2014-02-22T22:31:56Z")
1.5" allows a good grip. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/4 "2014-02-22T23:02:08Z")
If you’re really concerned, use 1-1/2 inch pipe, capped and sturdily mounted, and slide a piece of 1 inch inside it. (I think that combination just works… it might be 3/4 inside 1-1/2). It may bend very slightly over time but no more… and far less than a single pipe will. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/5 "2014-02-23T01:28:38Z")
Sounds like 1-1/2 is the way to go…thanks! On second thought, I guess I’ll make that the minimum. I have big hands, so I might just have to wrap my hands around some pipe and see what feels good. IYKWIM. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/6 "2014-02-23T01:57:29Z")
The right size bar is important. [![](http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/11/45/3/192/1922729/f3a8827661150472_chin-up.jpg) ](http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/11/45/3/192/1922729/f3a8827661150472_chin-up.jpg) you planning to do both chin ups and pull ups? chin ups the palms facing in works your biceps and pecs. pull ups with palms out works the back muscles. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/7 "2014-02-23T05:17:08Z")
I’ve set up a couple chin-up bars using 1.5" closet rod (the heavy gauge variety). Very strong, stainless chrome, cheap. You can secure it with the end caps made for the purpose or run chain or cable through it. Diameter might be a little big, but it won’t bend. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-pipe-for-a-pull-up-bar/681963/8 "2014-02-24T00:50:34Z")
I got a 72" 1-1/2" o/d galvanized pipe. Don’t have much wall space, so I had to get creative. I have attic steps nailed to studs on one wall, so I married up a couple of 1x4 and screwed them between steps. Then I bored a 1-1/2" hole through them. Bored same hole through the 4x4 and put diagonal bracing from it down to the floor from 3 sides. Ran the pipe through the 4x4 and the married 1x4, put a cap on each end. End result, I can slide the 4x4 up close to the wall when I don’t need it. It’s not 100% stable, but it’s close enough and it’s strong enough that I won’t worry about it falling over.