Inverted row, incline push-up bar question.

dmtull

I want to do incline push-ups and inverted rows in my apartment. Unfortunatly the building is old so the walls are mostly plaster and something else so I am stuck with trying a door fram bar or improvising something cheap. Most door frame bars says it can handle up to 220 lbs. I weigh about 250-260.

What is the typical % of my weight used for say 45 degrees or so on inverted rows and incline/decline push ups?

Also any ideas to improvise cheaply. My only idea is a bar set between to cheap chairs.

h7463

Hi! I'm doing the inverted rows at home, too. The ideal height for the bar is about at your belly button, when you stand up. Later, to make it more challenging, you can put your feet up on a bench while you do them.
You'll be sitting down underneath the bar, and your arms should just reach it. It won't make a difference for your bar as far as weight limits, because the 'startup' row will bring your full body weight to the bar, with the momentum needed to get you going. For an effective inverted row, at any angle, the center of gravity of your body will still be too close to the bar. No safety there. Chairs won't hold the momentum, either!
I have sturdy utility hooks mounted left and right on my door frame, and I use a heavy weight bar in it. You can also use a piece of metal pipe. At door frame width, you might be ok with 2" pipe, but take one that you can still wrap your hands around. Check utility hooks for max load, and use appropriate screws.

Train safe!

jacksonpt

I like a little movement in the bar when I do inverted rows. If I were in your shoes, I'd look at utility hooks screwed into the ceiling joists and hang gymnastics rings from them. Gymnastic rings are great for a lot of exercises... it would basically be like a DYI TRX system.

h7463

jacksonpt wrote: »

I like a little movement in the bar when I do inverted rows. If I were in your shoes, I'd look at utility hooks screwed into the ceiling joists and hang gymnastics rings from them. Gymnastic rings are great for a lot of exercises... it would basically be like a DYI TRX system.

^This is a cool idea! I might do this and finally get some use out of my suspension straps! Never could find a door to hook them to in this house...
For the incline pushups, though, this might not be a good idea, if the OP is still a beginner. The straps do not give a beginner the much needed stability, and can result in shoulder injuries. A solid bar makes this a bit safer, IMO.
Another advantage of the bar in the beginning, compared to the straps is, that you can easier practice a variety of grips (close grip, wide grip, underhand grip...), while working up to full unassisted pullups.