The presentation is really improvised and some expressions, though proving my inspiration (...), sounded funny also to me... . At first I thought this was bad, then changed of mind. Besides, it's worth watching it anyway for content and tips. Filmed in the UK in early 2009 and soon uploaded.
After struggling to fix a pull up bar between doorways, sliding off under my just above average weight (192lbs), or spoiling the door frames, nose stuck to the top frame in the top position and feet to be raised from the floor in the bottom position, here the solution !!!
PULL UP BAR INSIDE THE HATCH AREA !!
Maybe the best thing for a small or jammed up flat with low ceiling, provided... it's got a hatch leading to a loft.
It's functional and space saving and it feels better also mentally: when my chin goes up enough, I get an acnowledgment and reward by looking around in the loft. As for the lower body, the legs are nicely straight and you are not tempted to cheat or deceive yourself by touching the floor. The only downside is that you might prefer to avoid pull ups to failure or tired from previous upper body exercises (which is not advised anyway, pull ups being usually listed as to be done first) because you need a bit of energy to come down to the floor in a controlled manner, by climbing down the rope (if you have one) or stepping on or avoiding whatever object you used to step up. Unless you used nothing (requiring some jump or climb) and the floor is clear. As that area under the hatch in my case is not free or wide enough to jump up safely, I found a compromise allowing me both to jump or step down on a little ladder I use to go up, shifting it a bit aside once grabbed the bar.
I fixed the pull up bar above ceiling level, into the hatch space, just above the inner frame normally holding up the hatch door into position, but without leaning on it and routinely holding my weight: I can't rule out that over time the frame would weaken or snap. It's enough as safety feature.
Anyway, as the frame (I believe it to be standard at least in U.K.) is already there, no works are required. And even if your hatch was different, drilling holes in that area is far less invasive and visible than anywhere else in a flat and it matters less if you spoil a bit that surface. Moreover, at least in my case, the sides there are flatter and more coarse, so the hold is stronger and, as a matter of fact, the bar never slided down. However, the security frame below it'd better be there if you prefer to avoid any climbing or jump (meaning a waste of energy, also in readjusting grip and balance) thus you use an object to step up: in case of a fall due to the bar coming off unexpectedly, that object would make things worse... . Better falling suddenly on a clear floor, no problem if you realize and get ready for it on time (unless you are ageing, overweight or have back/legs issues). So, the frame maybe is not a must if the area is wide and clear and you are young or light or anyway it's ok for you jumping to grab the bar and risk falling, otherwise it'd better be there. In order to make it even more secured I put 2 nails on the open sides to prevent the bar from sliding sideways thus coming off that way. The nails are far enough to allow using all that area where the bar best fits and easily shifting it in there (if wish so), but close enough to prevent it from coming off.
However, ONE WORK IS PROBABLY NEEDED IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE BAR THERE PERMANENTLY, instead than setting it up every time you exercise (which can be done, as you would on a doorway, but it's even more of a hassle at ceiling height). HAVING IT THERE PERMANENTLY IS the BEST thing, MAKES THE ALL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXERCISING OR NOT ON A DAY YOU ARE just a little lazy or IN A HURRY, basicly MAKES IT ALL WORTH, as personally I would not do it otherwise. If the bar is close enough to one side, it still allows you to get through to the loft with plenty of room. Unless you have to carry bulky stuff, in which case you remove it.
THE PROBLEM IS ONLY about HOW YOU CLOSE THE LOFT, since the bar is going to rest where normally the hatch door is. So, unless you keep the loft open all the time (I doubt it), YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE HATCH DOOR AND-OR MODIFY SOMEHOW THE WAY IT SHUTS (as I did) to allow for the pull up bar to be there.
Easier shown than said... .
For now also a provisional climbing rope (for car towing...), hangs down from the roof through the hatch with some knots to help me up, as it's too thin to do without.
A thicker rope would be better (though over a certain thickness it gets tough again for the opposite reason).
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great idea. You could screw a jar lid into the loft opening at both sides to keep the pull up bar more in the middle. If you cut down into the edge of the lids to give you a U shape,it could be moved when you wanted to .
Mongothegr8 6 months ago
@Mongothegr8 That's really good thinking too and more sophisticated. However, it adds work already to the pull up bar set up (not really avoidable for the climbing rope...), whereas I intended this video as "a rough set up" for people willing to exercise but not so much to drill and shape things for the purpose: it's enough having an opening to the loft made in that fashion...
giammira 6 months ago
Crazy strength, keep it up!
Check out my channel, i just made a PULL UP VIDEO!
CrossfitRJG 10 months ago
@CrossfitRJG I just realized about your comment months later (not checking so much my video no more isn't it ?...). Ok, I don't actually show my "crazy strength" in the video but thanks...
giammira 6 months ago
I take it the iron gym can't support your weight?
Devonmsmith 11 months ago
@Devonmsmith.. Iron gym? Noooo: am I so heavy? (Where did I imply that?.) I am just a normal 90 kilos guy. The sliding was due to the smooth surfaces. I mind also about not spoiling them. As for the possible snapping of the loft entrance frame, it depends on the quality and age of the material .. . The video is more about finding a better setting where to exercise at home, mentally (e.g. see around) and phisically (free movements, stretch out the legs all the way, no cheating possible etc...)
giammira 11 months ago