Pull-ups are one of the key training tools for rock climbers, as pull strength is key to your success in the sport. However, you don’t have to go to the gym to get your pull-ups in, thanks to the fact that a home pull-up setup can get the job done. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best pull-up bars for climbers.
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What is the Best Rock Climbing Pull Up Bar?
To decide on the absolute best rock climbing pull up bar, we have examined dozens of pull up bars for rock climbers and reviews left by real users who bought and used them. Based on what they experienced and shared, we have shortlisted the top 9 rock climbing pull up bars for you to consider, including their most important features, to help you make an informed decision.
On top of that, to make it easier for you, we have also compiled a list of key/ critical things and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to consider before buying pull up bars for rock climbers. You can find it further down in the article. So without further ado, here’s introducing the best rock climbing pull up bar.
1. Stamina Door Gyms Boulder Fit Doorway Trainer
This steel doorway pull-up bar is extremely versatile, allowing you to use it for a wide variety of exercises, from push-ups to tricep dips to pull-ups. Additionally, it includes two rock climbing holds, making it an excellent option for climbers looking to improve their grip and forearm strength. It easily attaches to your doorway and can also be quickly removed, allowing you to use it for ab, chest, and arm exercises on the floor as well.
Pros
- Includes climber specific holds
- Sturdy steel construction
- Foam grips for comfort
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Doesn’t fit all standard doorways
2. Metolius Rock Rings 3D
The Metolius Rock Rings are an excellent option for those looking for a portable pull-up training tool that also lets you target a bit of finger strength. The rock rings come with convenient straps that allow you to hang them in a variety of places, they are extremely portable, and they require no assembly. However, due to the fact that they are not fixed like a traditional hangboard would be, they offer minimal stability and might present difficulties for beginner climbers.
The rock rings are a dynamic exercise tool that can serve a multitude of purposes. They offer three distinct finger ledges plus offer the ability to do pull-ups. They can be a great option to hang in a space that doesn’t provide enough room for a proper hangboard.
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Portable
- Suitable for training a variety of finger positions
- Can train both pull-ups and chin-ups
Cons
- May be difficult for beginners
- Little stability
- A bit on the pricier end
- Bulky/ heavy for traveling purposes
3. Letsgood Wooden Pull Up Climbing Hold Grips
These beechwood training bars are excellent for climbers looking to increase their grip or pinch strength. They come with hanging straps that make them easy to mount in a variety of places, including parks, pull-up bars, and more. They are extremely portable and can be mounted in both a horizontal and vertical setup, making them incredibly versatile. Work on pull-ups or grip strength anywhere with these convenient training tools.
Pros
- Great for increasing climbing grip strength
- Lightweight and portable
- Impact resistant
- Versatile
Cons
- Can only be placed on a pre-mounted pull-up bar
- Perhaps more suitable for the more advanced climber
4. Metolius Project Hangboard
The Metolious Project is a multipurpose wall-mounted pull-up bar that will fulfill all of your climbing training needs. This rock-climbing pull-up board is simple to mount and requires no assembly. Additionally, aside from training pull-ups, you will be able to work on your finger strength thanks to the variety of finger ledges that the board offers.
This is one of the most popular ones you see at many gyms around the world. Besides its pretty swirly blue colours and the versatility of the use, it also comes with a clear set of instructions how to set it up without injuring yourself or breaking something in the house.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Excellent for training a wide variety of climbing strength exercises
- Offers both crimp and finger pocket options
Cons
- May not come in the color displayed
- You must attach it to a 2×4 plank of wood
5. ROSRAN Doorway Pull Up Bar
While not as specifically designed with climbers in mind, this doorway pull-up bar will allow you to work on all of your necessary pull and push strength skills, like pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, and tricep dips. It is incredibly easy to hang, as it fits into your doorframe and doesn’t require any drilling to mount. It has cushioned bars for comfort and even comes with a bonus hand strengthener, perfect for those climbers who also want to target grip strength.
Pros
- Easy to mount (no drilling required)
- Very affordable
- Suitable for a wide range of upper-body training need
Cons
- No climbing-specific holds
- Difficult assembly
6. Escape Climbing 3 Wood Power Ball Pack
These high quality ashwood balls are made with industrial grade hardware and are excellent for climbers looking to work on their sloper training. The wood offers a smoother surface than the plastic that many other climbing training balls are made of, and they can be easily installed anywhere using a carabiner, chain, or webbing.
Pros
- Smooth wood surface comfortable on hands
- Easy to install in a variety of places
- Portable
Cons
- The wood may be a bit slippery
- Not suitable for beginners
7. Metolius Wooden Rock Rings
Very similar to their other model, Metolius also makes a set of wood rock rings. They offer a smoother surface than the resin of the original rock rings and are perhaps even better for those looking to train crimp strength, as they come with labeled 38, 20, and 15mm ledges. However, as with the original rock rings, their lack of stability might pose difficulties for beginner climbers.
If you are looking for something sleek looking in your house and still a very reputable brand, then this light brown/ creme colour pair here is your best bet for a portable wooden hangboard.
Pros
- Great option for when you have limited space
- Labeled edges for finger training
- Easy to hang and mount
Cons
- Can’t train slopers or finger pockets
- Can present the risk for injury for beginner climbers
8. IronMind Eagle Loops
These super-light finger trainers are a great option for frequent travellers. At less than 2 ounces, you could easily put the IronMind Eagle Loops in your backpack or suitcase to take them on the go. They’re a great option for training finger, grip and pull strength, but you’ll have to have a pull-up bar to attach them to.
Pros
- Easy installation and mounting
- Great for travelling
- Good for training finger strength and pull-ups
- Lightweight
- Incredibly portable
Cons
- Requires a pull-up bar to set them up
- Can potentially cause blisters on your skin
- Limiting in the types of exercises that you can do
- Not as specifically targeted for basic pull-ups
- Can be dangerous for beginners to use
9. Beastmaker 2000
Perhaps the best hangboard pull-up bar on the market, the Beastmaker 2000 is an excellent training tool for any climber, from beginners to experts. Its range of holds lets you train pull-ups, crimps, slopers, and 3-finger, 2-finger, and 1-finger pockets as well. Though it is on the pricier side, this is a hangboard that you will be able to use for a lifetime.
What makes it so unique is that there isn’t another board out there that gives such precise training for every single finger type. Also, the variation of depths (Deep, mediuma and small pockets) makes it a real gem when you want to get very technical in building your finger strength.
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Fit for any level of climber
- Allows you to train a wide range of hand positions
- No assembly required
Cons
- Premium Pricing
- Cannot be mounted without drilling
Verdict
Following all the research, comparisons and information we have gathered about these top rock climbing pull up bars, we can confidently say that Stamina Door Gyms Boulder Fit Doorway Trainer is the best rock climbing pull up bar out in the market.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Letsgood Wooden Pull Up Climbing Hold Grips as an affordable alternative.
Lastly, if you are looking for something with all the best features made with high-quality materials and would like to consider all the premium options out there, we strongly recommend the Metolius Project Hangboard.
What You Should Know Before Buying Rock Climbing Pull Up Bars
What’S The Top 10 Best Rock Climbing Pull-Up Bars
We have gone through endless products to arrive at our decision of what the best rock-climbing pull-up bar is. We focused on a number of factors, like versatility, assembly, and quality, and have ordered our choices starting with our favorites and ending with the ones that we like the least. Be sure to check out the buying guide/ FAQ section at the end of the article if you have any doubts about which climbing pull-up bar is right for you or want to know how exactly to train with them.
Most Important Features To Look Out For
When it comes to choosing a rock climbing pull-up bar, there are a number of things that you will want to keep in mind. If you are just hoping to train pull-ups, your options are much more extensive, as the majority of products on this list are suitable for pull-up training. However, you may want to invest in a more versatile hangboard pull-up bar if you are looking to train finger and/or sloper strength as well.
Precautions To Take Note Of
It’s especially important to be aware of your climbing level and abilities before selecting a rock climbing pull-up board, especially if you are a beginner. Most experts recommend that you don’t start finger-specific training until you have been climbing for at least 6 months, so perhaps a hang board that includes crimp ledges and pockets, or a hanging pull-up device that provides minimal stability, could be dangerous for new climbers, presenting the risk of finger injuries.
Basic Setup/Usage
The basic setup and usage of a rock climbing pull-up device will depend on the product’s specific makeup. While certain rock climbing pull-up boards must be drilled into the wall or a wood plank, others can be hung on an already existing pull-up bar or simply mounted in a doorway. Be sure to read the specific manufacturer’s instructions before setting up your product to ensure its proper usage.
Questions and Answers About Rock Climbing Pull Up Bars
Are pull-ups good for rock climbing?
Pull-ups are in fact one of the most effective exercises for climbers. They allow you to train power, lock-off strength, core strength, and more. Given that the pulling movement is one of the most common movements that is performed when rock climbing, pull-ups are an exercise that is incredibly transferable from the gym to the wall.
How is a rock climbing pull-up bar different from a normal pull-up bar?
While a normal pull-up bar will likely only offer you options to do pull-ups and chin-ups, a rock climbing pull-up bar often provides other holds, like crimps, pockets, and slopers, that allows you to train your finger strength and develop the specific muscles that you need to use when climbing.
What muscles do rock climbing workouts on pull-up bars build?
Rock climbing workouts on pull-up bars target a variety of muscle groups that are useful for climbing. If you are strictly doing pull-ups, you will be strengthening your lats, biceps, traps, delts, pecs, and shoulder muscles. However, if you decide to work on crimps, pockets, or pinches on your rock climbing pull-up bar, you will be targeting finger and forearm strength.
What is the best pull-up endurance workout?
A pull-up endurance workout can be a great way to increase your endurance in climbing while working on a variety of relevant muscle groups. Perhaps the best pull-up endurance workout is pull-up intervals. Start a stopwatch for 20 minutes, and every minute on the minute, do 2-5 pull-ups, however many you are capable of doing with good form and without tiring yourself out too much. Repeat the one minute intervals until you have completed at least 50 pull-ups, but feel free keep going up to 100 if you’re feeling strong!
How do weighted pull-ups help in climbing?
Weighted pull-ups are a great way to work on your max-strength and power, something that certainly comes in handy when climbing burly boulder problems or working a powerful crux move. Once you are able to do pull-ups with added weight, pulling just your bodyweight up the wall will seem significantly easier.
What is the best rock climbing training to do on the pull-up bar?
The best rock climbing training to do on a pull-up bar depends on your goals. If you are looking to work on power, focus on one-arm pull-ups or weighted pull-ups. If you’d like to improve your static strength, work on lock-offs or frenchies. Finally, plenty of core strength exercises can be implemented on a pull-up bar, such as leg raises, L-hangs, and front levers.
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