Customer Reviews

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar

5 star:		(388)
4 star:		(179)
3 star:		(56)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(62)

 

 

The Iron Gym is a great chin-up bar; it works exactly as advertised. It is very easy to assemble, use, and attach and remove from a doorway. It seems extremely stable, and I have no problem believing it could support the claimed 300 lbs.
Some things to keep in mind:

As other reviewers have mentioned, it sits a little too low to be effective for dips, but putting your feet on a low stool helps with that problem.

Apparently (according to the ad copy) the ab straps are now included in the box--they were not included when I ordered mine from Amazon, and shipping is an additional eight dollars for the straps. Bummer.

Assembly is pretty straightforward, but you want to make sure everything is tightened down, or the bar will feel unsteady, especially when used for push-ups and dips. But be careful not to over-tighten the bolts that go through the plastic brace--it looks like it would be fairly easy to 'strip' the unreinforced square bolt holes in the plastic brace.

When assembled, the total cross bar length is just a hair under 37" wide. In addition, a plainly visible metal safety clip has to be installed (by hand, no screws required) between the top of the door frame and the wall. Just a couple of things to consider before choosing location.

Finally, at the time of this review, the Iron Gym is available for the same price at Linens-n-Things. If you have one locally, you could save yourself shipping since Super Saver shipping is not offered for this product.

Assembly was a breeze and took about 10 minutes. The piece that mounts to the back of the door jam is plastic so I was a little weary of whether it would hold up well or not. I did a couple slow pullups using the various positions to make sure it wouldn't fall apart on me and then did some reps and it feels pretty solid. I'm 180 lbs and it held fine, and supposedly can hold up to 300 lbs. It has grips and handles for the different various of pullups and chinups, which is what drew me to it over the other types I looked at. It can also be used for pushups, dips (although not very effective as you can't get very low), and situps using the doorway.

Overall, it does was it claims and feels like a pretty good piece of equipment. After a week of regular use it remains solid and hasn't done any damage to the door or wall. I would recommend this product for those who don't want to, or can't, mount a bar.

I am not sure why there are reviews of the Iron Gym that are below a four. The IRON GYM is a great buy for the money. It does what it advertises and supports my 235lb. weight with no difficulties. Unlike others, I knew what I was paying for.

So, the one caveat I have with the Iron Gym is that it really does not offer a "wide" grip for taller/wider grip individuals like myself. The "wide" grip will be as wide as your door frame's opening width. But, this fact was obvious to me before I bought the product (just look at the photos). Nonetheless, the three variable grips offered (wide, inner and arched bar) are perfect and allow for a fantastic workout.

The quality is quite good and NO parts were missing. It is true that the AB Straps are "FREE" for $7.99 s/h with an included mail-in card. But, I did not buy this for the ab straps ... I can get more effective ab exercises with core and yoga mat routines.

PURCHASE TIP: Your local BED BATH & BEYOND and/or LINENS N' THINGS has the iron Gym in stock. They charge $29.95 + tax but NO SHIPPING (obviously, because it is in stock). They also offer an unconditional 60 Day no-questions asked return policy if you are disappointed by the product. You can frequently find 20% OFF or even $10 OFF any $30 purchase coupons on your local paper or mailings for each store. They each accept expired coupons and each others coupons (at least my local stores do). So, I purchased mine for $21.35, with no shipping charges or worries of return charges). Sometimes Amazon has the best deal. But, with this item, it pays to shop around!

My door frames are only 3.75" thick (including trim), so the IronGym sat at an angle, and didn't but VERY slightly sit on the edge of the trim on top. In fact, as soon as I put it up on the doorframe, it dropped to the floor and the screw heads put a dent in my foot and my laminate flooring.

For this item to work properly, you'll want to make sure your door frame is between 5.5 and 6 inches thick. Too thin and it will just fall off, to thick and the plastic brace won't sit flush on the wall. Either way, you wouldn't want to put ANY weight on it if it isn't flush.

I live in a 42 year old apartment building...maybe new buildings have thicker walls?

Otherwise, the construction is about what you would expect for $30 (paid $24 with coupon at bed store), and I don't think it would have too much trouble holding up for a while if it actually did fit the door. I overtightened one of the screws with very little effort, and stripped the plastic brace, so that the screw just spins. (I was using the supplied tools...DON'T use real wrenches as they would destroy the product!)

If anyone wants mine, they can find it in the ga

I bought the Iron Gym, but when I got it out of the box, the manufacturer had failed to provide the proper bolts required to assemble the product. I was missing a single bolt -- without it, I could not assemble the Iron Gym. I went to hardware stores trying to find a properly sized replacement, but nothing I found exactly fit. So then I called Pro Fit, Iron Gym's manufacturer. I spoke to two people on the phone, including Carolyn, the "supervisor." Neither would even consider sending me a replacement bolt in the mail. Keep in mind a replacement bolt costs only a few cents, and could be sent via standard shipping for 42 cents. Thanks, Pro Fit, for screwing up your product and providing such delightful and considerate service when your customers try to fix it. I'll never buy one of your products again!

Believe it or not, I had this type of in home pull-bar when I was a Marine Corps recruiter back in the mid 90's. (My wife purchased it for me.) It worked great then just as it does now. If you are heavier in build not to worry. I weigh in at a solid 250 and it supports my weight just fine. Make sure you tighten all of the screws with a real wrench and not the one that is supplied by the company if you want to ensure that the bar is stable. If you have low doors be prepared to fight gravity a little more too. That's not necessarily a bad thing...just makes you work harder. I would recommend this product along with the perfect push-up. Also, you can order the ab straps with the pull-up bar...I didn't have to pay any extra shipping but I read that someone else that commented on here did...just read the fine print first and know what you are getting and you won't be disappointed.

I saw this product on TV. Since I did not have to make holes in the wall I thought I would give it a try. When I put it up I was unsure it would be able to support my weight even though I only weigh 170lbs. so I hammered 4 finishing nails on the top trim of my door. The first time I tried it I was only able to do 3 pull ups. It has been about 3 weeks and I can do max about 10 pull ups. I do them about 3 to 5 times per day. I feel stronger and I have been told that I look a bit more shaped.

The best thing about this product is that the pain in my lower back has gone away. I don't know if it has to do with my body hanging and streching while I do the pull ups or if it has to do with my muslces getting stronger on my arms, shoulders, and upper back but I am very happy.

I just ordered another one for my brother.

I ordered this product from the Iron Gym website, and received it about three weeks later. I have mixed feelings about that website. More on that later.

About the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar:

You need to assemble it, but that's okay. It should only take about 15 minutes or so to do.

This product is great if you don't have that much time to go to the gym or don't have access to one. Along with free weights, this is a very good product to have.

If you have an open doorway, with the top of the door frame/molding half an inch wide or more, get this product (see the photos I posted).

I work out with it about two times a week (exhale on the way up, inhale on the way down!) doing two sets of ten repetitions. The bar remains firm and steady while I do my pull-ups. I feel the strength coming to my upper body already. Great!

You can also do other exercises besides pull-ups. You can do pushups, dips, and sit-ups with it. Very versatile!

There is also a booklet that comes with the bar that is informative. It suggests a starting work out plan, workout tips, different ways to hold the bar, eating recommendations and of course, how to assemble the workout bar.

But be sure you have a doorway that meets the measurements for the workout bar - check your door width, door frame/molding width, etc. You don't want to waste your money.

My only concern: the workout bar is mainly made of metal with foam around the metal (to protect your walls and comfort your hands). But the bar that holds the workout bar to door frame/molding is made of plastic(?). Hmmmm. After a few hundred workouts, will this plastic bar still be up to the task? You don't want that piece breaking on you while doing your pull-ups!

All in all, the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar is a good product to use and worth the price I paid. It does hold my 168 lb. weight easily. It's well made and I am happy with my purchase.




P.S. One thing I didn't like about the Iron Gym website is that they suprise you with these "optional fees" when you're ordering from their site:

- For instance the "free" ab straps - just pay the $6.99 shipping and handling fee(?!) [just put them in the box Iron Gym!!]

- Because they get so many orders you can pay for the "priority handling within the warehouse fee"(!?), so you supposedly get your order done before the others. Oh brother!

Take your chances with Amazon!

This is a decent and cheap product. It does what its suppose to do. It may be flimsy compared to actual pull up bars seen in gyms, but if you need something for the home, this is not a bad pick. Problems may arise if there is not a doorway available that will allow this gizmo to hang properly(DIY'ers may not need to worry!). That said, for the price and what its used for, especially in combination with other small, portable equipment, this can round your collection out.

I was worried that this would not be strong enough to hold my 240lbs or that it would damage the door and door frame. Surprisingly, it is quite sturdy. It stays in place above the door frame (requires a door frame with the molding across the top, I wanted to use it on a hallway frame that did not have the top molding and it does not work there).

A problem is that when trying to do pull ups with the wide arm grasp, your arms will rub against the sides of the door frame. This does not keep you from doing wide-arm pull ups, but it can be a little annoying.

For chin ups and pull ups with the inside grips, it works well. And it works pretty well for sit ups.
I tried a push up with it and decided against it because if it happens to break while doing a push up you could break your wrists (even though it would probably hold up, I don't think the benefit is worth the risk).

Even though this is a decent product for the price (and is strong enough to hold me at 240lbs), I think there are better products out there (they might cost a little more). The Power Trainer Pro Power Trainer Pro Looks like it might be better because it has the handles sticking out away from the door frame (might eliminate the problem where the arms hit the door frame) but according to the reviews, it might not be as sturdy as this item.

Assembly was easy enough. The instructions are not great, all they give you is a picture that you have to follow, but I did it in about 5-10 minutes. Do not over tighten the screws as they cannot handle that.... I knew that going into it from reading it on a review, and I still over tightened, so be careful.

I will be surprised if this lasts a year, but for now it is giving me a good workout and is easy to put up and take down.