This tutorial is about building an outdoor pull-up bar. The outdoor pullup bar is far from perfect, but I am very satisfied with the outcome. Having an outdoor pull up bar is great because one can perform various other exercises with the addition of extra weight. These exercises include muscle-ups, side to side pull ups, and wide grip pull ups. In addition to pull ups, you can hang chains or rope with handles to add gymnastic style ring functionality. You can perform ring push ups, back workouts, and ring dips. Pull ups and ring dip workouts are great for core muscle stabilizers, a major component of crossfit style. The outdoor pull up bar setup will cost around 70-80 dollars for tools and building material needed.
Hope this helps.
For the outdoor pull up bar, you will need the following
1. Four 50lb bags of quick drying concrete. I believe I used only around 3 bags and a quarter
2. Two 8 foot long wood beams
3. One 4 foot long quik tube which is optional
4. Two long screws with nuts to secure the iron pipe
5. Iron pipe. They come in one size at Lowes. I believe its around 5 feet long.
6. Drill bit to drill through the iron pipe
7. Shovel
8. Some string to keep the wooden beams straight
9. Paint to coat the iron pipe from rusting
10. A level to level out the pull up bar
11. Some water for the concrete
12. Permission from the wife to build a pull up bar in the backyard, jk
Since the wooden beams are 8 feet long, it is recommended that the holes should be 2 feet deep and 12 inches in diameter. Once you dig through the first 12 inches, you will reach a pretty hard layer. This part is going to be the toughest part of the project. It may even leave you sore the next day.
Once you finish digging the first hole, dig the second 4 feet away.
When finish, cut the quik tube in half and place them inside the hole.
First place th first wooden beam into one of the holes. You may need the help from a friend to help keep the wooden beam standing and leveled while you pour the concrete into the hole. Once the wooden beam is in place and the concrete is poured, secure the beam with string to keep the beam balanced. I nailed a few nails on the side of the wood for the string to grasp onto.
Now that the first wooden beam is in place, simply follow the directions on the concrete mixture bag and add water. Once your finished, move onto the other beam and do the same.
Allow the concrete to cure for the next 3 days to be on the safe side.
After the concrete is finished curing, it is time now to secure the pull up bar.
But first, be sure to use the anti rust paint to coat the pull up bar to prevent rusting in rainy weather.
Now, I first gouged out a hole in the wood using a drill bit. Afterwards, I put the iron pipe through the hole and lined up the other end to the other wooden post and created a mark. Be sure to use the level so your pull up bar is parallel to the ground.
Drill the second hole. After that is complete, you can now place the other end of the pull up bar into it.
I then took my iron pipe drill bit and created a hole through the wood and iron pipe. I then drill the screw through and secured it with the nut.
Now that everything is in place, your outdoor pull up bar is complete. I hope this tutorial has been of some help for all those looking to step up their crossfit and home work out routines.
To add more versatility to the pull up station, you can purchase some rope or chains from home depot or lowes to allow for ring dips. I purchased a pair of 6 inch iron pipe and threaded the chains through and tied the chains together with clamps.
Lessons Learned
If I were to do this again, I would probably not of purchased the quik create tubing. I think the cylinder shaped holes would be able to hold the concrete just fine.
I also probably would buy the cheaper concrete and mix the mixture. This would save money and probably time with the drying.