P90X Chin Up Bar: Easy Installation
The P90X Chin Up Bar is a highly recommended piece of equipment. It’s main use is to help develop your shoulders, back and arms. Installing it is actually quite easy. The ingenious design allows nearly all of your weight to be distributed to the outside of the door frame, so only two small brackets are necessary. These brackets mainly support the weight of the bar itself, preventing it from physically sliding down the doorframe, and allowing you to easily remove the bar when not in use.
First follow the included instructions and assemble the P90X Chin Up Bar. Next, you need to locate a suitable doorframe. Choose one that’s out of the way from high traffic. You may also want to consider a location that’s near your TV where you’ll be following along with your P90X workout. The bar fits residential doorway openings (trim required) 24″ to 32″ wide (supports up to 300 pounds), so be sure to measure your doorway.
Next, you need to install the included brackets for the P90X Chin Up Bar either directly into the top trim or right above, into the wall itself. Be sure to install them on the appropriate side of the doorway—that is the side that the door opens in to.
Now, standing on a stool or step ladder, measure to find the center of the top of your door frame. From there, measure roughly 4″ to the left of that point and 4″ to the right, and mark each of these locations. This creates 8″ of space between the brackets. Next, screw in the 4 supplied screws per bracket and you’re done! Now all you have to do is grab your P90X Chin Up Bar and guide the flat top portion through the opening of the doorway and “hook” it firmly on the brackets. Feel free to pump out a few chin ups as your reward!
Follow-up question on chin-up bar; I have a very wide pass-through which is not exactly a doorway but has an overpass which is about 7 feet high as such
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so can I attach the chin-up against the wall above the pass though itself as opposed to inside a frame, i.e. hang it off the lowered wall?
Hi Michael,
It’s going to be tough for us to give you alternative installation advice as the chin-up bar is specifically designed to be used in a doorway with a door frame. We do have a 30 day money back guarantee and you can give it a try and send it back if it doesn’t seem like a good fit for your residence.
Also you could alternatively opt for the Resistance Band Upgrade Kit which comes with a special doorway attachment. This allows you to do modified Chin-Up exercises with the use of Resistance Bands all of which is fully demonstrated in the workout videos.
By the way, you don’t have to be near the TV to do your Chin-Up Bar exercises. If it’s in the other room you can simply hit pause do your set and return to the DVD when you’re done to continue.
I live in an old victorian with original wood trim. Is there a maximum trim width or wall thickness restriction for mounting?
Hi Helene,
If you are standing in your doorway, look up and measure the thickness or width of the trim. If this part of the trim is more than 7.5 inches, then chin-up bar probably wont work in your doorway. If the height of the trim on the top of the doorway is a problem, you can always mount the brackets into the trim itself if the surface is flat.
There is an alternative to the chin-up bar if it wont fit in your doorways. The resistance bands along with the upgrade kit can be used to do the same exercises as you would with the chin-up bar. Please visit the following link for more information about the use of the upgrade kit.
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandUGKit.php
I currently rent….am concerned that brackets will leave holes
or damage door frame? I want to do the program but apparently
need the chin-up bar to make this work. Help.
Hi Debbie,
The Chin-Up Bar does require you to mount brackets on the top of your door frame. If you are unsure about using the Chin-Up bar in your apartment, you can use the Resistance Bands along with the Resistance Band Upgrade Kit to do modified versions of the Chin-Up Bar exercises. Check out the link below for more information on Band Upgrade Kit:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandUGKit.php
Feel free to stop by any time if you have any questions.
-Erin
Staff
I tried to assemble the chin up bar but the screws will not go completely thru the nuts for a tight, secure fit, so I am left with nearly all loose screws right now…any idea what the problem is. Was I possibly given the wrong size nuts with my chin-up bar? It is the official P90X chin-up bar ordered straight from the official P90x/Beachbody Web site.
Hi Jerry,
We are sorry to hear you are having difficulty with your Chin-Up Bar. Please visit our customer service area and submit your issue with our support form. There, one of our customer service representatives can assist you.
-Mike
Staff
I am having the exact same problem as Jerry?? I even had another set of screws sent to me thinking that was the problem, but it’s the same way again. What am I doing wrong? So far customer service has not been able to help.
Staff Reply:
January 28th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Jerry & Kelly,
We’d like to help here. One thing that we have found is that you need to have both the right size screwdriver as well as a pair of pliers or wrench
What you want to do is hold the nut with the pliers securely then with the other hand screw the in the screw. This typically will get you past the immediate tightness in the nut when it’s held tightly and when the screwdriver is the sized right for the most torque. Please let us know if this solution works for you and if not we’d be happy to assist you further…
Staff:
I have a new Chin-Up Bar and the same issue as Jerry & Kelly. It looks like there is a small blue metal lining at the tip of the nut which prevents it from screwing onto the bolt. I don’t want to damage the nut trying to force it on. I also have tried pliers and a drill without luck.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Hi Ben,
We have heard a couple of comments regarding this issue. If you have tried using the combination of the screwdriver in one hand and pliers / wrench in the other with no luck, you may even want to try 2 set of pliers on each side, one on the bolt the other on the nut and turn in opposite directions to try and tread it on just enough to get it going. If all else fails and you have ordered the P90X Chin-Up Bar from us simply contact us at:
CustomerService@ExtremeBodyWorkout.com with your original order number and we would be glad to send you out a new set of hardware.
Once installed, can the chin up bar be removed to allow for the door to be closed or should it stay in the brackets at all times?
Staff Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Hi Sarah,
The Chin-Up bar can be removed from the doorway if you need to shut it. The brackets would be mounted on the wall above the door frame and the Chin-Up bar can be lifted up out of the brackets and removed from the doorway.
-Mike
Staff
Hi. I ordered p90x a few months ago and am just getting started and cannot locate the screws for the pull up bar anywhere. is there anyway I can just order replacement screws? I have all the parts for the bar, just not the screws. Thanks.
Staff Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Hello Paige,
Please visit our customer service page and submit your request with our support form. One of our customer service representatives will be more that happy to assist you.
We mounted the bar per the instuctions. When my husband (180 lbs.) attempted to use the bar both brackets bent. Do you offer sturdier brackets?
Staff Reply:
March 26th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Hello Fenyd,
We are truly sorry to hear about the brackets bending. Usually the brackets are there strictly for stability. The door frame is what supports the bar and its occupant. The brackets are not meant to be used alone without a door frame. The P90X Chin-Up Bar supports up to 300 pounds and fits doorways up to 24″ – 32″ wide, but a doorway with trim is required. If you need additional brackets, please contact our customer service department and they will be able to assist you further.
We’re glad to know your husband wasn’t hurt. Keep us updated on your progress.
-Russell
I do not understand, I have had the same problem as jerry, the nuts arent made for the screws. why is this? I am so confused, I really dont want to order another pair of stuff, but is this a mistake or has everyone had the same problem? I tried the pliers thing but the nut will only go so far!
Staff Reply:
April 1st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Hi Saim,
Here is the trick to getting the nuts onto the screws. You need to pairs of pliers or two wrenches. The way the nuts were made is with a strong rubber/plastic inner filling. If you grab the nut with one plier and the screw with the other plier and turn at the same time, that should get it started. Once it gets started, you should be able to screw it on with no problems.
-Nate
Hi, my doorway is exactly 31″ with the trim, will it be a problem? Also, there isnt a lot of space between the door frame end and the wall, just a couple of inches. I read somewhere that the total lenght is 41″. Is it accurate?
Thanks
Staff Reply:
April 14th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hello Hemendra,
Unfortunately, your doorway isn’t going to be big enough for the Chin-Up bar. Here is some installation details and an alternative to the Chin-Up bar:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/blog/2008/07/01/p90x-chin-up-bar-easy-installation/
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistance-bands-complete.php
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandUGKit.php
Hope this helps!
-Russell
The holes on the chin up bar dont even line up right…the long bar that goes across doesnt line up with the U shape bars…am i a moron?
Staff Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Hello John,
Please contact our customer service representatives and they can assist you with your situation.
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/customer-service.php
-Russell
I am currently 23 and i am very seriously considering buying the P90X program. I am wondering about the pull up bar. Will it hold my weight? I currently weigh 260. Im also worried about pulling down the molding over the door. Please help…thank you
Staff Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hello Josh,
The P90X Chin-Up Bar will hold up to 300 lbs and will not do any damage to your door frame. You can check out the features here:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/chin-up-bar.php
Enjoy your workouts!
-RJ
Josh it says 300lbs. Since you’re near the limit, you probably want to avoid doing chins with any extra weight or using too much momentum.
will the chin up bar function without the brackets?
Staff Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Hello Brett,
Yes it will but its not recommended the brackets add extra protection.
~Tacha
I was assembling my chin up bar and noticed I didn’t have all my nuts for the bolts. Who do I talk to?
Staff Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hello Robert,
Please contact our customer representatives Mon -Fri 9 to 5 pm 866-492-0438 and they can further assist you.
~Tacha
Does the chin up bar come with a DVD for different work outs or a training program?
My wife purchased P90X with the pull-up bar for us both to use. After assembling the pull-up bar, I see that the supports that contact the door frame have no cushioning, only hard handle-grip type coverings. We have very expensive wooden trim and it will definitely not withstand the pressure from those hard round surfaces without damage. If we apply our weight, it will push into the door frame, making dimples in the wood.
I warn any of you thinking about purchasing this to examine your door trim before buying. We are going to have to wrap the supports with towels or something every time we use it. I see this as a big flaw in the design.
P.S. Here are some other reviews of this bar that support my complaint:
http://maggiewang.com/2006/01/29/chin-up-pull-up-bar-links
http://www.weightloss-hq.biz/fitness-equipment/p90x-pull-up-bar.html
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1T1XC4SU9OETD
Hey just ordered the P90x chin up bar and did not receive any instructions with the order. Can you email me the instructions to assemble the chin-up bar?
Thanks
People with bolt problems,
Your local hardware store offers nuts and bolts all day long. If you are having problems with the supplied nuts and bolts as I did, go there with the chin up bar and explain the problem to one of the floor reps. they will be able to provide you better quality hardware for under $5.00.
I received my chin-up bar, but it did not complete with all the screws. The guide does not indicate the size of the screws so I am having a hard time finding what I need at a local hardware store. Can you please send me the sizes of all the screws required and how many are required? I cannot use the chin-up bar until I have it properly assembled.
Thank you
Staff Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Hello Nicole,
Please contact our customer service department to complete this request.
Can I mount the chin-up bar directly onto the wall instead of using the door? Thanks
Staff Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hello Lisa,
The chin up bar can not be mounted directly on the wall. As you will need the support in order to do the workout with the bar.
So i I had the same problem with the nuts and screws. Sure the wrench on the bolt and screw driver on the screw works but with a lot of strength and pressure needed. It definitely was NOT an easy installation.
Hello, my trim is 0.4 inch. Will this be enough to hold the bar from sliding down the molding?
Also, my molding is quite thick, around 4.5 inch. Is this still ok?
Thanks!
Hello, my trim is 0.4 inch. Will this be enough to hold the bar from sliding down the molding?
Also, my molding is quite thick, around 4.5 inch. Is this still ok?
Hi, I’ve just finished the assmebly of the bar and i also installed the brackets on top of the frame but I installed it on top of cabinet doors which is about 1.5m wide on the opening and I just realized that my wall isn’t made of wood but plaster, do you think it will hold my weight? thanks
[...] with it spell out the directions and the bar really only takes minutes before it is ready for use. Check out this blog post about installing the bar if you need some additional help. Unlike tension bars, the P90X pullup bar is sturdy and safe. You [...]
OMFG.. i am having the same screw and nuts problem and trying to get them together. but it’s definitely not a easy job and even the screw get thru the nut’s blue part, it’s soooooooo fxxking hard!!!!#@!@$#@@# and my other screw is all messed up so that the driver won’t fit anymore!!!! how crap!!!
The chin up bar ,while may be sturdy, will do damage to your doorway trim. I suggest using alternative if you have beautiful trim work or just don’t want to damage your trim. The damage can be lessened by placing a washcloth, sock, etc. against the doorway trim while putting up the bar. If I had to do this again, I would never have allowed my husband to purchase the bar. Also as far as installing goes the enclosed instructions are completely inadequate. The brackets need to rest directly on the door frame or they will bend. Also, do not use the measurement guide on the instructions, the 13.75 inches between brackets is totally wrong. You need two people to install. One person should hold brackets above doorway and the other should place bar on and then line it up with the outside trim. The brackets should be on the inside of the veritcal attachment bars. Mark the holes of the brackets with a pencil and then remove bar and brackets and begin drilling. Installation is relatively simple from there.
Somehow the instruction paper on how to install my chin up bar is missing. Do you have any link to how you install it?
I got my chin up bar but no installation instructions. Can anyone help me out?
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