If you find yourself having trouble pulling yourself up, you can get up on the bar using a chair and do a 'controlled descent' (let yourself drop down slowly).

I haven't bought the bar yet either - my hubs makes fun of me because I've been using soup cans or sand filled containers for weights. He said I'd fit right in with the infantry guys he works with; they're always using random things to lift with. I had planned to use the pull up bar at his office, but didn't realize how integrated the workouts are; everything back to back, so it looks like I'm going to have to find one after all.

It's funny you should post this - I was just googling what to sub for pull ups in the mean time!

I bought the bar but it doesn't fit in my house so I have to use my gargage door and a chair. Also, though, if you have access to a gym that has a pull down bar on one of their machines, that is a great substitute as well. I have had to do this on one day so far. Between working two jobs and trying to sync my schedule up with my boyfriend's as much as possible (it's great to be able to do it together) I've already had to improvise a lot. I am finding, though, that I am still getting a great workout with excellent results. Day five of week two, woo hoo!