We wanted something minimalist but that also sported bulletproof functionality, so we kept the design as simple as possible. Our perfomance stanards were similarly spare: suitable for world-class strength athletes, capable of being set up in virtually any room, stable enough that "kip" wasn't a blink from "tip," and fully worthy of being the centerpiece in your gym.

The footprint is roughly 4 ft. (1.2 m) square and the overall height is 7'3" (87" or 2.2m). We made the chinning bar itself 1-1/4" (32mm) in diameter--large enough for comfort, but not so large as to be unwieldy if your hands do no fall into XL territory and beyond; and to provide you with a more secure grip, we used a crinkle-finish powder coating on the bar itself.

To give you the level of performance we had in mind, IronMind developed a press-and-lock (PNL) system specifically for this unit, reducing tolerances to the point that you will have to use a block of wood (provided) and a hammer or 5-lb. barbell plate (not provided) to tap the pieces into place before locking them down . . . a task that is simpler and quicker than changing a light bulb.

So, kip, kip hooray! If pull-ups or chins figure prominently in your workout routines, a sturdy, dedicated chinning bar setup should be a cornerstone of your gym. Whether you are just starting off--struggling to chin once or twice--or are a devotee of Brad Johnson--pursuing the levels of chinning power he demonstrates in Bodyweight Exercises for Extraordinary Strength--this is the chinning bar for you.

No. 1450 $389.95