Can I Install a Pull Up Bar in My Closet?

Question

I should have rephrased the question to: "Was this a good idea?"... Considering that I have already installed the pull-up bar in the closet.

I didn't install it into the beams/studs in the wall, just into pure sheetrock. I tried a couple pull ups and it seemed completely sturdy.

I weigh about 160 lbs and dont plan on getting any bigger than 180 lbs... Will the sheetrock be able to support my weight?

Answer 1

nope bad idea. the Sheetrock was not meant to support that kind of weight. the wall anchors are rated to about 20 pounds. ( depending on the type.) all they do is distribute the weight more. eventually they will pull lose and you will fall. if the joists are not in the right place for the desired position of the bar, install a board on the underside of the ceiling first. then you can s***w that into the joists and the pull up bar into the board. a two x four with 3 1/2 inch screws will be more than strong enough. the breaking strength of most screws is in the neighborhood of 100 pounds. the shear strength is greater but you are not exerting a shear force.

Answer 2

The bar will support you for a while then it WILL FAIL.  Most likely it will fail when you are hanging from it doing, "just one more pull up".  Then when you do fall it will likely take out a section of drywall.  It may only pull the screws looses, but with the anchors you have a good chance of an entire section pulling down.  

The length of the screws you used do nothing to add to the strength of the mounting because they only go into air after the first 1/2 inch of drywall.

If I were you I would mount a 2 x 4  of between 18 and 34 inches long perpendicular to 2 (and preferably 3) studs. and then mount your bar to the 2 x 4.  It does not have to be in the center of the length of 2 x 4, but the closer to the center the better.

I used to use a pull up bar that I mounted in the door way to my closet.  It was held in place by pressure and did not require any screws.

Answer 3

This is not a bad idea.  It's a horrible idea.  Drywall will hold a picture, provided it's not too big.  It will not hold a 160 lb. person.  Since this is in your house, and a closet to boot, the drywall is 1/2".  That will not hold, and you may get hurt when it lets go (it will).  

Here are some other methods, which are relatively simple.

Attach the bar into the studs.  If the guys who built the house lined the studs up in the walls, they should be directly across from each other.  You can use a small finish nail to find the stud.  Once you find the edge, move over 3/4" to get to the center.  Then attach your bar there.

Attach a 2x4 block to each wall.  Again, find your studs, and s***w the block to the studs using 2 #12x3" screws in each stud.  This works well if the studs are not directly across from one another.  Then attach the bar to the blocks.

I hope this helps you out.  Good luck.