For those who have been reading my posts on P90X would know that I’ve been using the Everlast Chinning Bar that I purchased at Big 5 instead of the recommended Chin-up bar for the P90X program (basically to save money). I noticed that a lot of people have been checking out my first review on the Chin-up bar so I thought I would do another follow-up on it.
POSITIVE: I’ve been using the Everlast Chin-up bar with and outside of the P90X program and I am still satisfied for the most part. Everything is still in tacked…no loose screws or anything like that. Pull-ups have been my weakest workout and so having the chin-up bar in my house has definitely helped me improve. When I first started the P90X program I was at the most able to do 10 pull-ups. Now I am able to do 3 sets of 7 reps in perfect form. I am no longer embarrassed to do pull-ups at the gym.
Also, a little tip for those who are using the pull-up bars for the P90X workouts: when you can no longer do regular pull-ups during the exercises, swallow your pride and use a chair to help you do more pull-ups. TRUST ME, it helps!
NEGATIVE: One of the downsides about using the chin-up bar is that the wooden piece that sticks to the wall has a sandpaper like grip to it which eventually scratched the paint off of my wall:
You can probably cover it with something that’s soft. I’m not really picky when comes to the paint because I can always retouch it, but for those who are picky, keep this in mind. The only other negative thing I can say about the chin-up bar is that I can’t do wider pull-ups. It’s pretty much limited to the width of the doorway. Then again, all the “doorway” pull-up bars are like that. I stand corrected. See comment below.
UPDATE: 4.25.09
I am starting P90X again this year on my new blogsite: www.liveitbuzzed.com. This time I plan to finish all 90 days with phase 2 & 3 pictures! Please check it out!
Filed under: Health and Nutrition | Tagged: Everlast Multi Function Chinning Bar, liveitbuzzed.com, p90x
Being able to do wide-grip is one of the things that I like about the P90X pull-up bar. I haven’t seen the progress that you have yet but it’s just a matter of time. =)
You are absolutely correct!!!! I went and checked out the P90X pull-up bar and it does have the wide grip which the Everlast doesn’t have. I assumed too early. Thanks for pointing that out! I will delete that last comment on my blog.
Do you find that the bar is more effective than the bands? Or have you used the bands for pull-ups?
Hey Nick,
Thanks for the comment. As for your question, I have not used the bands for pull-ups. I have used the bands for other workouts (biceps, chests, triceps) and I have noticed the difference between bands and free weights. With weights you exert all your energy at the beginning of a rep (for example a bicep curl). With the bands, I noticed that all my energy is exerted at the end of the curl due to the increased tension of the band.
Sorry I didn’t really answer your question, but I believe they can both be effective. It’s just a matter of what’s more comfortable for you.
Are you able to do all the pull and chin up exercises with the everlast bar?
I haven’t done the P90x pull-up exercises since the beginning of this year, but from what I remember, yes, I was able to do them. I believe the big difference between Everlast and the P90x Chin-up bar is that you can go wider with your pull-ups/chin-ups. I can’t go as wide as I want to with Everlast. I do have a membership at the gym so I do my wide pull-ups/chin-ups there. If you have the extra $64 to cough up (comparing prices in Amazon) then I definitely recommend getting the P90x Chin-up bar. But with the extra $64 you can save, you can buy the dumbells or your protein shake.
Oh and one more thing to mention, I am able to increase my pull-up repetitions from 3 sets of 3 reps TO 3 sets of 8 reps using Everlast so it works. Good luck!