If you are looking into P90X and wondering if you have to purchase the pull up bar to successfully transform your body, the short answer is: no. The more complete answer is: the P90X pull up bar has the potential to take your fitness transformation even further in a shorter amount of time. This high quality piece of equipment can take your total body transformationn to the next level. While you don’t need the P90X chin up bar to be successful it is a highly recommended accessory to the P90X system.
The P90X pull up bar is easily installed and removed. With metal brackets that fit above a 24-32″ trimmed doorway, the chin up bar can be quickly removed when not in use. When it’s time for your workout, you just click it into place and “bring it”!
An excellent piece of fitness equipment, the P90X pull up bar is made of heavy gauge steel that is rated for up to 300 pounds. The professional grade foam grips make for a comfortable hold. And speaking of holds, the design allows for 6 different grip positions, maximizing the moves and benefits you can reap from a singular piece of equipment.
There is no doubt that progress can be made without the P90X pull up bar, but it’s true that progress can be multiplied exponentially with the chin up bar. By utilizing your own body weight you are giving yourself the perfect amount of resistance in a singular piece of equipment. To truly dedicate yourself to the P90X program and to see the most dramatic results in 90 days, the P90X chin up bar is a near necessity.
Oct 12, 2008 @ 18:55:47
hello i purchased the p90x rull up bar and it does not fit my doorway aws my door is to deep and doesnt allow the bar to fit inside. what do i do?
Oct 13, 2008 @ 10:45:18
Hi DK,
Please contact us directly at
customerservice@extremebodyworkout.com
we will be happy to assist you with this issue.
Nov 29, 2008 @ 10:31:31
Hello
I want to order a pullup bar but i have heard very negative comments about this bar.
The buyers are saying that the material of this bar is cheap and it bends.
Here is a good comment for all to see and read.
Dec 09, 2008 @ 09:12:27
Hi Ibn,
We have many customers who have purchased the P90X Chin-up bar and in all honesty we have never had any complaints on the build quality. It’s very sturdy yet light weight, and as long as you assemble and install it correctly it will perform as advertised. If for any reason the P90X Chin-up Bar fails, by bending etc. we would be more than eager for you to inform us and we would replace the unit or refund you without hesitation. We fully stand behind the P90X Chin-Up Bar, it’s a quality product and a crucial component to the program.
Mar 15, 2009 @ 19:47:13
Question for staff when buying this bar. Where I hang this bar I won’t have a view of the television which i play my p90x workout on. Will this be a problem?
Hello Eric,
As long as you can hear your TV from where your Chin-Up Bar is, you will have no problem training along with the video. If you are still a little weary about it, take a moment before the actual workout and just skim through the DVD to familiarize yourself with the workout. Either way, you will be able to follow right along with Tony.
-Nate
Apr 27, 2009 @ 15:14:21
Will any pull up bar do?
Hello Chris,
We recommend using the P90X Chin-Up Bar because it his multiple positions for pull-ups.
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/chin-up-bar.php
-Russell
May 27, 2009 @ 19:41:40
Will this harm the door trim? How does it stay in place and support the weight without pulling too much on the frame of the door?
Hello Kay,
The bar shouldn’t damage your frame. It sort of pulls from the top of the inside of the frame and leans against the front. If you place a small piece of cloth or foam between the bar and your frame, that will prevent any rubbing that may occur.
-Mike
Jun 02, 2009 @ 23:17:32
The only exercises i am not able to do are the ones that require a pull up bar because it doesn’t fit in any of my doorways. What about using bands for these exercises? What equipment do i need to buy to use the bands instead of the bar. Please advise.
Hi Vinnie,
The bands along with the band upgrade kit can be used to do modified versions of the chin-up exercises. Here is the link to the upgrade kit:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandugkit.php
-Erin
Aug 06, 2009 @ 01:19:01
My door frames are not very strong in my opinion or even thick (Maybe 1/2 inch) . Would they be able to withstand this?
I am looking forward to starting the P90x program but don’t know if I would be able to without a pull up bar.
Hello Zak,
If you think the bar may be too much for your doorframe to handle, the resistance bands along with the band upgrade kit can be used to do modified versions of the chin-up exercises. Here is the link to the upgrade kit:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandugkit.php
-Erin
Aug 09, 2009 @ 11:02:51
I want to purchase P90X and this chin up bar to assist me in the program. I have not done either yet for a couple of reasons. 1. This chin up bar has some major restrictions… The depth of the frame of my door is 8 inches, and from out edge of trim to outer edge of trim the door measures almost 35″ and in the inner edges of door jam about 31.5″. Will this unit fit in my door way? Probably not; from the research i have done if the depth of the doorway is more than 6″ you’re out of luck… Is this true? 2. Any other free standing unit, or unit that can be used to accommodate my above listed problem is far too expensive. Please shed some light for me so i can get started with p90x or continue to be sedentary
Sep 10, 2009 @ 21:24:56
I have been looking up P90X for some time now. I am 19 years old and wish to get in shape while I still can. I have been reading this page and see that my door frames will not work at all. But you have said to use the upgrade kit for the bands. So, i may do that instead.. & or take the bar to a friends house.. not sure yet. Any ways, like I said, i am trying to get into shape. I really want to try P90X. I was hoping if you could give me more information on how to buy,and what other items I will need to do this workout. Please contact me ASAP. I really want to get started ASAP…
Hi James,
all you need to do is visit our store at http://www.extremebodyworkout.com and click on the P90X tab. All the equipment and supplements are all right there on that page. As far as the equipment goes, the only other item that you will need is a yoga mat. You already know about the bands and the upgrade kit. You will need bands for resistance work too.
The only supplement that is necessary is the Recovery Formula. This really helps with muscle soreness and helps to repair them after a workout. The protein bars and a whey protein is very useful to have, but it’s not a necessity.
-Mike
Sep 16, 2009 @ 07:45:37
To those with extra thick door frames who still want a pull-up bar in their own home:
The P90X can be easily modified with a drill and a few parts out of your local hardware store’s plumbing section. I ordered this bar without checking how thick a door frame was supported, and so I had to elongate the backstay.
This can be done with two each of the following:
2and1/2″ by 1/2″ nipple (steel, for joining two female sections of pipe)
2and1/2″ by 3/4″ nipple
3/4″ to 1/2″ reducing coupler
The 3/4″ nipple should fit snugly over the smaller tube (the one that goes inside the tubes of the backstay).
The 1/2″ nipple should fit inside the large tube of the backstay.
Using a rubber mallet, hammer the 3/4″ nipple as far onto the small tube as it will go (it should settle just short of the rubberized grip).
Screw on the reducing coupler to the 3/4″ nipple, and then screw the 1/2″ nipple into the reducing coupler. If you have an exceptional grip, hand tight should be enough. If not, gently tighten with a pipe wrench.
You will need to drill through the nipple while staying aligned with the existing holes in the P90X pullup bar’s frame. This requires a 1/4″ drillbit. Once this is done, assemble the handle loops (the part you have been modifying) to the cross bar (the longest piece). You will find that the backstay should slip onto the 1/2″ nipples. It will probably be a little loose, or at least not tight enough for comfort. Again, the nipple should be drilled with a 1/4″ drill bit and a 1/4″ bolt at least 1and3/8″ long should be used together with a nylon nut.
This modification expands the pullup bar by at least 3″, thick enough for my giant 7and1/2″ door frames.
Oct 02, 2009 @ 21:57:24
Is it possible to do chin ups without any type of door frame? I’m thinking about setting up a group of ppl. to do p90x together, but there isn’t enough doors to go around.
What would you suggest?
Hi Eddie,
maybe press pause and take turns and spot each other. If you don’t have enough doors, the only other option would be a free standing chin-up bar. Those can be expensive and take up a lot of room.
-Mike
Feb 02, 2010 @ 14:18:23
Hi,
I have an old farmhouse with very thick doorframes. My guess is at least 8″ wide. Will I be able to install this product?
Feb 20, 2010 @ 15:22:07
@ Kevin
I have a 7.5″ doorframe. I used your modification and it worked like a charm. Thanks.
@ Jen
Kevin’s mod is plenty big enough for a 8″ doorframe.
Mar 25, 2010 @ 07:42:54
Hey I set up the pull up bar, but is the part that hooks to the door suppose to be a little wiggly or loose? because im pretty sure i set it up right and tightened it good, but the top part is still moveable
Apr 18, 2010 @ 22:24:20
I will be doing P90X in my garage and the doorway will not support a chin-up bar. Do you have any other suggestions on a brand that I can install on my joists? Thanks.
May 15, 2010 @ 16:11:00
I just purchased the P90X program and have been very excited to start it. However, I just put the pull up bar together, thinking that I ought to buy the bar associated with the program rather than any old chin-up bar. Now that I have the chin-up bar assembled, however, I have learned that hardly a door frame in my entire house is a good fit. Either the door opens up against a wall, thereby not allowning enough room for the bar to fit, or there is not enough room between the door and the ceiling to allow for the brackets (or my head), or there is no molding above the door to support the bar, or the doors that actually do work are in a part of my home that are far from preferrable for working out in (like the dining room). Now, I’m kind of stuck with this bar, don’t know what to do, and feel defeated before I’ve even started the program. I think the program should forewarn about these issues with its big, bulky chin-up bar before advertising it for sale as an add-on.
Hello Andy,
I’m sorry the bar can’t fit anywhere in your home. If you have the box, you can return it if it hasn’t been too long since you bought it.
You can try the resistance bands with the upgrade kit for use with your door. This will work in any door that has hinges. You can do the same movements as you would with the chin-up bar, but in a modified way with less resistance of course.
Here is the link to the upgrade kit for the bands. (You have to buy the bands separately)
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/resistancebandugkit.php
Check out the video to see how it works.
-Mike
Jun 07, 2010 @ 19:50:17
I am getting p90x very soon. I have a concern about the pull up bar. My door frames are very weak and hence will not withstand the pull up bar. So, based on the other postings I will have to get the resistance bands. However, will i still get the smae results in the same time frame?
Hello Jessie,
the resistance bands with the upgrade kit can simulate the same movements, but there will be less resistance. With the bar, your body weight is the resistance and you are pulling against gravity. With the bands, you pulling towards your body with a maximum of 50 or so pounds depending on how far you stretch the bands. So you results will be different, in terms of bulk vs lean, but you will still be working the correct muscles.
-Mike
Jul 27, 2010 @ 12:27:32
I have extremely high ceilings and door frames, so the resistance bands are my only option, I’m assuming?
Hello Jennifer.
The bands might be best if you can’t reach the chin-up bar! Unless you want to use a chair to help you reach?
-Mike
Aug 23, 2010 @ 09:01:48
So does this means that I wont be able to use my P90X Pull Up Bar because I don’t have a door trim???
Nov 26, 2010 @ 15:56:54
My wife and I would like to buy the P90X and use at our local gym. The video will be played in a side room, but the chin up bars are in the main gym area – will this be an issue, or is running back and forth between room and gym a simple option?
thanks !
Jan 15, 2011 @ 19:20:58
Hi,
I can’t place a chin up bar and unfortunately do not have hinges on my doors as they are “pocket doors” so I dont think I can use the resistance band either. Do you have any suggestions? Please let me know asap as I want to purchase the P90X right away!
Thanks!
Jan 17, 2011 @ 19:07:35
Hi, I just bought the P90x online and I’m awaiting for the arrival. Do I HAVE to have the pull-up bar because I live in a dorm and so I can’t screw anything into the walls unless I want to get charged for it. Are there alternatives with the resistance band that I could use?
Mar 08, 2011 @ 13:10:25
My doors are the correct size but none of them have a frame around them…they are all pocket doors. Is a frame required to hold the chin up bar?
Hello Nick,
a frame is necessary for extra support. There are brackets that you screw into the wall above the door, but you want to have a frame to help support the bar.
-Mike
Mar 20, 2011 @ 18:43:54
I live in a mobile home…..can I use a pull up bar in my doorways without any problems
Hello Chris,
your doorframe needs to be able to support a good amount of weight. Can they support your weight plus the weight of the bar? The bar was designed to hold up to 300 lbs so your doorframe would have to be just as strong to be safe.
-Mike
Jul 20, 2011 @ 17:47:23
Just got my bar in the mail, have 2 issues with it….
1. Two of the foam pads are town about 2 inches each
2. Have a 24″ door and a 28″ door as options, this bar fits neither. In both cases the end of part #3 in the build instructions (the curved bar under the long horizontal bar) hits the door frame rather than part of the padded part of the bar. If your doorway is less that 30″, you’ll likely have this issue too. This bar should state the it fits 30 – 32″ doorway, not 24″ to 32″ ones. To get mine to work, I’ll have to saw off parts of it and make some custom padding.
My advice…. buy a bar from someone else. Preferably a local store so you can return it if you have issues like this.
Jan 13, 2012 @ 20:21:33
im kinda mad because i want 2 use the p90x chin up bar………but my door frame is 8 inches and can not fit the chin up bar……i hope that in the near future beachbody or somebody makes a chin up bar that can fit ANY door frame lol that would held alot because i been looking and so far i cant find anything that can help anybody know were i can find a chin up bar that can help me if so send me a pm on facebook please and thank u