Reviews on the Pull-Up aka Push-Pull Tower?

Aquajock

Aquajock

Cathlete
Greetings, sportsfans:

I am contemplating getting the Pull-Up / Push-Pull Tower, as well as some angled risers for my step bench to be able to do incline supine upper body work.

For those who have the Pull-Up Tower, do you feel you're getting your use out of it? I am especially interested in bringing in pull-ups and chin-ups back into the mix (I really like the vertical pull-up variation with your legs in a tailor-sit position), as well as being able to add weight to my barbell presses.

Thoughts, please?

TIA!

A-Jock

ETA: I'm posting this inquiry on the Video Fitness forum as well.
 
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True confessions.... my tower is still in its shipping box -- I haven't been doing heavy weights for a while after an injury last year. But, I will highly recommend those slanted risers! They are so much safer for incline work.
 
Love mine!!

It went together in 5, maybe 10 mins. It really doesn't take up a whole lot of space, and now I have a place to do pullups/chinups (well, modified ones ;))

I can squeak out a couple chin ups from a cross legged position and about 3/4 of a pull up, so I've been doing the version where I'm in more of a plank position. Still works the back quite nicely. It also comes with straps/handles that you can use to do the pullups/chinups instead of hanging on the bar. That, however, is waaaaaay beyond my current capabilities. Maybe some day.

I also love for a rack for bench presses. Rolling up and down w/ a heavy barbell for presses is a pain in just about everywhere!!! Love it as a weight rack for that purpose. I haven't quite figured out the positioning of it yet for incline bench presses, I can't get it quite right. Almost had it with the chest workout last Mon. Maybe tomorrow I'll get it just right. It will just take some tinkering.

I know in the ads, it was also shown being used for pushups and stretching. Haven't tried that yet. It did come w/ a nice poster showing probably at least 20 uses or variations on things. The sticker on it says it holds 350 lbs. I've never put that much weight on it, so I don't know. The max I've put on it for a barbell is about 90. I weigh about 178-180, and it hasn't collapsed.

When you first build it, it has a little wiggle/wobble to it, but as you put weight on it, it steadies. I recall a post where SNM says it is supposed to be like that. Kinda like the way skyscrapers blow in the breeze so they don't blow over. (That's why I don't go in skyscrapers. Creepy!)

I haven't taken mine apart since I built it, but I can't imagine it would be that difficult, since it went together so easy. It is all tubes into tubes or pins into holes. The clips that hold the barbell adjust up and down in seconds, as does the pull up bar. I think the shipping weight on it was 40 lbs, but I swear it maybe weighs 20 or less. I keep in the the corner and just pick it up and move it to where it needs to be for the workout.

I don't use it for every workout, probably once or twice a week, but it has been very useful and I love it. Especially for the safety issues of the down/up with a barbell for presses with no spotter.

Buy one, you won't regret it.

Can't comment on the slanted risers, don't have them. I use a bench.

Nan
 
We use ours all the time. Not too hard to put together. It does have some "play" in it, but feels solid when you put your weight on it. I've never used it to hold a barbell, but I use it for supine pull ups. I like how easy it is to do different variations of pullups. DH also has the perfect pullup, which also gives nice variations, but of course doesn't have the added "push" benefits, plus it's nowhere near the TV. (And now that we have both, we can do STS at the same time!)

I probably use it most for pushups, and it has made a huge difference in my wrist issues while doing pushups.

I have never taken it apart; I just pick it up and move it where I want it. It's not heavy at all. It sticks a bit when raising and lowering the bar, but it's not a major issue. Other than that, we really like it!

edit: I don't think mine came with a poster...I'd be curious to see it!
 
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I don't have a spotter and for doing chest presses it is easier to have the weight above you rather than rolling onto your back and flipping it over, and then repeating to set it down.
It's much easier to change weights on an elevated bar rather than lying on the floor. DH uses it too as he uses heavier weight and he didn't like flipping the bar either.

I'm not strong enough to do 'full" pull ups or chinups but with the bar I can stick my legs out in front and do a modified version for the full 30 seconds. you can change the angle gradually as you get stronger. like spyrosmom, I'm much more aware of back involvement vs just arms when using it.
It went together quickly and my bench slides right under it. I consider it money well spent.
 
I use mine the way Nan described and I love it! It has made life so much easier, especially with those chest presses! I was having to work my way up and down on my step to do them (very carefully) and I couldn't put all the weight on my barbell because I couldn't get back up until I got my PPT! It's the best purchase I've made so far!

I do have to break mine down and reassemble it each use and it's not that bad. I have it down to a science and can get it done in less than 5 mins. up or down! I store it up against a wall with all my other workout gear.

I have not had the problem with adjusting it for incline work. I had to tweak it a bit the first couple of times until I could remember where I set the bar and my step, but no problem since then.

I would definitely recommend getting one!
 
I use my tower for chest presses with my slanted rises. They work great together, especially while doing STS. Linda
 
I love mine. But, I think my twin 3 year olds love it even more. They hang from it much more than I do pull ups with it ;)
 
I have to agree. I have just started M2 with both the tower and the slanted risers (didn't have either the first time around) and they make a HUGE difference. In addition to the pull-up capabilities (I had to use tubing the first time), I love having a weight rack. I can use much heavier weights than without the rack.

And the slanted risers put me at a much better angle for working different parts of my chest. Before the slanted risers, I just used 3 regular risers on 1 side of my bench, and 1 on the other -- not nearly enough angle. Now, I can feel a real differences between the flat and angled bench.

Both purchases well worth the money, IMHO.
 
I agree with everyone else that the slanted risers are a must.

The tower is light weight and easy to move around. Personally, however, I think the tower is a bit large and not so easy to tuck away in the corner of a room or something (without dismantling it). That said, I understand there is a reason for its size and it is a sturdy piece of equipment.

Also, DH and I both use the tower. I'm 5'6" and it's the perfect height for me to do pull-ups. DH is 6' and he has to curl up his lower body (sort of like a cross-legged hanging crunch) when his arms are extended at the bottom of a pull-up or else his rear end hits the floor. So you may consider this if someone tall will be using the tower. But my DH still enjoys using it and likes it better than the gadget you hang over the door frame.
 
Thanks for posting this question A-Jock! I ordered the tower last week and and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. It was lovely to read reviews! Im in the second week of Meso 2 and i really needed it for all the chest and back work PLUS i will absolutely have to have it for its squat rack capabilties once its time for meso 3. My plyo days are OV-ER.

Glad to hear everyone loves it;)

jes
 
You guys are such enablers... I had been wanting both the slanted risers and the tower for the last year or so, and I had finally completely convinced myself that I didn't need them... Now after reading everyone's reviews, I want them again. Thanks for starting this thread, A-Jock...:p!!!!! Grrrrr....
 
Love it, highly recommend it! It is perfect of course for chest presses, I also ended up buying the slanted risers for incline work, my incline bench is too tall to use with it. I also use it to do the "easier" pull ups, with my legs straight out, I don't think I will ever be able to do a pull up sitting cross legged like Cathe does. Never used it for stretching or pushups.

It is very easy to build, and very easy and fast to adjust the bar height. It would annoy me to break it down after every use, but I suppose it's doable.

I could not be happier I bought this, even if just for the chest press work, it was 100% worth it for me.
 
Thanks again, friends, and follow-up question:

Is it my imagination, or would this tower also be good for positioning a barbell for overhead presses? I still have a troublesome "sticking point" getting dumbbells from the below-the-shoulder position to the above-the-shoulder position, and the Tower would, it seems to me, to be good for grasping the barbell while seated on the bench, trunk vertical.

Thoughts?

A-Jock
 
Aquajock said:
Thanks again, friends, and follow-up question:

Is it my imagination, or would this tower also be good for positioning a barbell for overhead presses? I still have a troublesome "sticking point" getting dumbbells from the below-the-shoulder position to the above-the-shoulder position, and the Tower would, it seems to me, to be good for grasping the barbell while seated on the bench, trunk vertical.

Thoughts?

A-Jock
Click to expand...

I think so. Because if I am sitting, I can position the holders so the bar is at, above, or below shoulder level. It may depend on the height of your bench/step as well, but I don't see why not.

Nan
 
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