Build a set of pushup bars for less than ten dollars
There are a lot of exercise products on the market today. Some are good ideas, and some are just overpriced fads. One of the least expensive exercise methods is the use of your own bodyweight. I needed a set of pushup bars and didn’t want to send money to China by buying a set at the local box store.
Fortunately, I had some leftover building materials lying around.
With about 30minutes and some 3/4″ PVC, you can make a set of pushup bars that work well and can be stored easily. Here’s what the finished product looks like. (click images to biggify)
For this, you’ll need the following lengths of schedule 40 PVC and connectors.
- (2) 6.5″ pieces
- (8) 1.5″ pieces
- (4) end caps
- (1) 19-25″ section (connects grips, your width will vary)
- (4) 90 degree elbows
- (4) 90 degree slip tees (not threaded)
To assemble, use the short 1.5″ pieces to connect the end caps to the tees, the 90 degree elbows to the tees and 6.5″ grip sections. If you cut the pieces longer than 1.5″, the elbows and tees won’t rest against each other and will cause a weaker joint.
You won’t need to glue the pieces, simple friction will hold them together. If you choose to glue them, don’t glue the grips to the tees so you can rotate them as needed for different pushup variations. You’ll see the connection highlighted below that should be free to rotate.
Connect the “top” tees of the two grips with the longer section of PVC. This will keep your pushups uniform. Your grip width will vary, so start with the longer 25″ section and slowly trim it back until the grip width is right for you. Remember you haven’t wasted any pipe, until you cut it too short, so trim carefully.
Last, you’ll need two 5″ pieces of 3/4″ pipe insulation for grip padding. It isn’t a requirement, but trust me, it makes a world of difference. I originally tried building this with 1″ PVC, but found it too large for grips after the insulation was added. If that’s what you have, it will work, but I found it less comfortable.
I weigh a little over 200lbs, and this was plenty strong enough to hold me. It is important to use schedule 40, as other PVC may not be as strong and faceplants from an elevated pushup can be painful.
