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Best Gymnastics Bar For Home – 7 Great Kip Bars And One Winner
With everything going on in the world today, it’s important to be able to keep up your exercise routine at home. One of the easiest things you can do is use a gymnastics bar. With so many options available, it can be hard to find the best gymnastics bar for home.
To help, we’ve put together this nifty and extensively-researched article. In addition to looking at products for home use, juniors and children, we’re also going to take a look at some that are great for beginners.
We’ll also be looking at a practical buying guide to help you figure out what you should look for before making your purchase. This includes what kinds of exercises you can do with these bars, as well as some of the different types.
By the end of the article, you should have a good idea about how to choose the best home kip bar. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Best Home Kip Bar – Our 7 Picks
Gymnastics Training Bar For Home Reviews
Tumbl Trak Junior PRO
Let’s start with the product we awarded a “Best Pick” badge. Tumbl Trak has been innovating in the gymnastics gear business since the early ’80s, introducing a vast array of quality products – and this kip bar isn’t an exception.
For those that are nervous about the edges of a gymnastics bar, you don’t have to worry about this one because they are rounded. This helps ensure that your children won’t come down on a corner and end up getting injured.
In addition, the base is 4ft by 6ft, which helps keep it from moving around or flipping. The base itself is made from powder-coated steel and the bar is made from 1.5″ of solid wood.
It only has 6 knobs and 4 bolts, which makes assembly a breeze. It has a 125lb weight limit for use, so you can be confident that it will grow with your child.
This is even more true when you find out that it has an adjustable height between 38″ and 59″. While it doesn’t fold down, it’s quite compact and great for those without much room.
Pros
- It’s easy to put together.
- It’s made of sturdy materials.
- It doesn’t shake or wobble too much.
Cons
- The holes don’t always line up on the adjustable bar.
Tumbl Track Jr – Kids’ Gymnastics Bar
If you’re looking for something for younger children, you should check out the Tumbl Trak Expandable Gymnastics Training Jr Kip Bar.
It has the same rounded corners, as well as a 3rd bar on the base for added support. The great thing about that is that you don’t have to use the added stabilizers if you don’t want to.
It has a weight limit of 75 pounds (but with optional base extensions the weight limit can be easily increased all the way up to 125 pounds) and can be adjusted between 38″ and 56″.
Z ATHLETIC Expandable Bar (with mat included)
Unlike the other products here, this one actually comes with a mat. This means you won’t have to spend extra and wait additional shipping time to receive it. The mat itself has dimensions of 4ft x 6ft x 2in.
The base is made from steel and the bar has a core made from fiberglass. This results in the pull-down weight limit being around 300lbs and the weight limit during use is around 120lbs. It’s a great option for those that want to use it with their growing children.
You can adjust the bar anywhere between 38″ and 58″. This gives a lot of freedom about who can use it.
It can be installed with less than 10 bolts and the only tool you need is a simple wrench. These 2 things combined make assembly quick and easy.
The company has been making these products for 25 years, so you can be confident in the quality.
Check current price at Amazon here.
Pros
- It comes with a safety mat.
- It can be adjusted to several different heights.
- It can be put together quickly and easily.
Cons
- The bolts aren’t the best.
- Some people have reported missing pieces once delivered (rare incidents).
Milliard Professional
Not only can this bar hold up to 140 lbs, but it doesn’t need any additional parts to make that happen.
It can also be adjusted to heights between 3ft and 4.75ft. In between these 2 heights, you can set the bar at 10 different intervals. This makes it perfect for use with growing kids.
You’ll also feel confident in putting it together because the instructions are very clear and easy to understand.
When fully assembled, the bar measures 54″ wide and 72″ long. With this being the case, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of room to set it up and safely use it.
In addition to having 4 feet, it also has a rubber cap on each of them. This really helps minimize how much the bar moves and reduces the chances of flipping.
One final benefit of this particular bar is that the adjustable knobs have soft covers to ensure there aren’t any injuries.
Pros
- The knobs have soft covers.
- It has 10 different height intervals.
- It can hold up to 140lbs.
Cons
- People have found that some of the screws are missing.
- There aren’t any tools included.
No products found.
FBSPORT Gymnastics Training Kip Bar
One of the greatest things about this FBSPORT gymnastics bar is that it can be folded up and stored in several different places. This is great for those that don’t have a lot of room to leave the bar set up.
Another great thing is that it can be adjusted anywhere between 3ft and 5ft, which means it can be used by many different people.
It’s made with a 6 point base to give extra stability and balance. You’ll also notice that the base has rubber caps on each point to help minimize the chances of swaying or swinging.
This particular bar is great for gymnasts that are levels 1-4 and it has a weight limit of 140 pounds.
The base is made with high-quality steel and the bar is made from sturdy wood. The clips for the adjustable bar are made from metal, which means you don’t have to worry about them breaking off.
Overall, it’s a great product to help beginners perfect their moves.
Check current price at Amazon here.
Pros
- It has a 6 point base with rubber caps.
- It can be adjusted between 3ft and 5ft.
- The materials are high-quality.
Cons
- You might want to add padding to the bar to minimize splinters.
- The instructions aren’t very clear.
Nimble Sports Purple Junior Adjustable Horizontal Bar
When looking for a junior kip bar review, we found that this product was a great option.
This bar can hold up to 300 pounds, which means even older kids can easily use it. In addition, it can be adjusted to 5 different heights, which are: 36″, 42″, 48″, 58″ and 60″.
The base part is 4 inches wide, which will fit well with most safety mats. The bar is made from wood and measures around 1.5″.
The lock bolts for the adjustable height are made of sturdy metal and the base has rubber caps to ensure it doesn’t slide around or flip over while using it.
Everything besides the bar is made with high-quality steel and the bar is made from sturdy wood. It’s great for any child who is beginning their journey and trying to get their moves down.
More images and reviews at Amazon here
Pros
- It’s very sturdy.
- It has metal locks and rubber caps for increased safety.
- The materials are high-quality.
Cons
- It’s a bit wobbly when you get closer to the weight limit.
- Depending on how vigorous the moves are, it might need something to hold it down so it doesn’t flip.
Safly Fun’s Gymnastics Bar for Kids
This bar by Safly Fun is a great gift for kids and can be the perfect bar to start them out on their gymnastics journey.
It’s extremely sturdy and can hold up to 110 pounds. In addition, it can be adjusted to 4 different heights, which are: 34.8″, 40.5″, 45.5″ and 51″. With these options, you have a decent amount of freedom.
It’s also very easy to assemble. The directions are clear and it only has 5 parts that you need to setup. If need be, you can check out the video that comes with the product to help you with your installation.
It’s made with aluminum, which means it’s quite sturdy and should stand up over time.
In 4 spots on the bottom of the frame, you’ll see that they have a non-slip rubber ring to help ensure the base stays where you need it.
You’ll also see that the poles for the bar are in metal bases and the pin that keeps the bar in place is also situated in metal brackets.
One other great thing is that it can be easily folded up for easy storage.
Pros
- It can be folded for easy storage.
- It’s very easy to set up.
- All parts are sturdy and high-quality.
Cons
- When getting close to the weight limit, it can shake a bit.
- It’s not great for flooring like hardwood or tile.
Choosing The Right Gymnastics Bar for Home
Now, that we’ve looked at a few of the best gymnastics training bar for home products, let’s talk about a buying guide. This is going to help you know what to expect and assist you with your purchase.
These are only a few considerations, so make sure you’re doing as much research as possible.
First, The Basics – What is a Gymnastics Bar?
Many people wonder what exactly a gymnastic bar is and what it’s made of.
In short, they are horizontal bars that help a gymnast do various kinds of tricks and moves.
They come in a few different configurations, but they all help with these moves.
A standard bar has a diameter of around 1-1/2 inches and a width of around 4ft. The reason they are usually this width is that it fits perfectly with most mats.
The frame is made from steel and the actual bars are usually made from fiberglass with a coating of wood or just wood.
What Is a Kip Bar? Is it the same as a gymnastics bar?
A kip bar is a bar that’s made specifically for kids to start practice kip drills (which is a basic skill, but more on that below). The size is actually pretty the same: diameter usually around 1-1/2 inches, and the width is around 4ft.
The base is usually made of powder-coated steel and the actual bar is usually a type of sturdy wood.
Even though it’s extremely similar, it’s not the same thing as a normal gymnastics bar because it’s made for children instead of anyone.
Can I make My Own Instead of Buying It?
Sure thing, we even have a detailed guide on how to make a DIY gymnastics bar. The wood is a common choice material for building the bar by yourself. However, even the best-made wood bar won’t be the right one for performing complex tricks.
The ready-made bars are certified and thoroughly tested to make sure they won’t break or get damaged in any other way. Safety first, always remember about it!
What Kind of Practice Can You Do on a Horizontal Training Bar at Home?
Now that you know what a gymnastics bar actually is, it’s important to know some of the practices you can do with it.
Keep in mind, these aren’t the only ones you can do, but they are some of the most common. It might take some practice, but you should be able to do these easily after some time.
Kip Drill
The kip drill is usually the first skill that will give them a challenge. A kip is when the gymnast swings below the bar and comes out in front.
Kip drills are things you can do to help you be able to achieve this move. These will help strengthen your muscles and give you the needed balance.
Other Practices
While some of these are great for beginners, some need to be performed by those that have more experience. Keep in mind, even if the practice is for beginners, it’s going to take some time to learn them. We’ll list a few below, but remember there are more than just these.
- Cast
- Leg Cut
- Pullover
- Underswing Dismount
- Front Hip Circle
- Single Leg Basket Swing
- Forward Stride Circle (Mill Circle)
- Single Leg Squat Through
- Back Hip Circle
What Types of Kip Bars Are Available?
Knowing what types of bars are available when searching for the best kip bar for home is essential. Not only will this help you find the type of bar you need, but you can see which ones would be best for the positions you plan on doing.
Adjustable Horizontal Bar
An adjustable horizontal bar is one where the bar sits horizontally and the height can actually be changed.
The exact heights will differ from bar to bar, but most of them will range between 3ft and 5ft. This makes it perfect for multiple different ages and heights.
4 Feet High Horizontal Bar
A 4 ft high horizontal bar is one of the most common types. As the name suggests, this is one bar that’s 4 ft high and sits horizontally.
These are great for things like flipping or launching into the air. Most of the time, these are the perfect solution for kids since they are so small.
3Play Bars
3Play bars are multiple bars connected by a base. Since everything is connected, it’s actually 1 unit instead of multiple. The most common are uneven, parallel and double.
Uneven is when the bars are different heights, a parallel is when there are 2 bars side by side at hand level and double is when there are 2 bars at the same height.
Each of these are great for different things, so make sure you know which you should choose.
What to Look for When Choosing?
When getting ready to purchase a gymnastics training bar for home, it’s important to know what you should be looking for.
Not only will these give you an idea of what to expect with the product, but it will also help you purchase the one that’s best for you. There could be other considerations, but these are the most common ones.
Purpose
You’ll want to think about what you’ll need the bar for. For example, some might be looking for a kids gymnastics bar, while someone else might be looking for a beginner’s gymnastics bar with mat.
By figuring out what kind of bar you need, you’ll be able to narrow down your buying choices.
Size (Height and Weight Limits)
Another consideration is the actual size of the bar. In addition to thinking about the maximum height, you also want to consider the maximum weight.
It would also be a good idea to try and find one that has an adjustable height, so more than one person can use it.
When looking at bars, make sure you find one that will fit your height and weight.
Materials / Construction / Build Quality
Since you’ll be up in the air and doing many complicated positions, it’s important that you find a bar that’s made with high-quality and durable materials.
Try and find something with very strong metal, as well as decent padding for your hands. You should be able to see this information right on the box or item description page.
Features
Considering the different features of each bar you’re considering is quite important. The best way to figure out which is best for you is by actually comparing the features.
Some might have locking mechanisms when you adjust the height, while others might not.
You’ll also want to consider things like how easy it is to put together, how easy it is to move around, how easy it is to storage and finally what kind of accessibility it has.
Combos and Sets
Finally, consider what kind of combos or sets each product has. Some might come with safety accessories like mats, while others might require you to buy them separately.
Even if the bar doesn’t come with anything, there should be sets or bundles that you can buy from the same company or brand.
Price Factor – How Much is a Home Kip Bar?
Another consideration is how much the gymnastics bar costs. While it’s not always the case, most of the time a cheaper bar will be of lower quality and a more expensive bar will be of higher quality.
Depending on what you’re looking for, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and over $300.
Safety Tips
One last thing to consider is what safety tips you should take into account. Since you’ll be up in the air, a gymnastics bar can cause quite a few different injuries.
By using these tips, you’ll have less chance of any injuries or dangerous situations from happening.
Use Mats
You want to make sure you use mats when you’re practicing with this bar. You might even be able to find a gymnastics bar with a mat included (like the one from Z ATHLETIC).
Not only will they help soften the blow if you happen to fall, but they’ll also give you extra stability when you’re getting ready to do any exercises.
Make a Space Around It
One other thing you want to make sure you do is to make plenty of space around the bar.
The biggest reason for this is because you want to be able to do any position without having the risk of busting your head.
You also want to be sure that there isn’t anything dangerous you can land on if you happen to slip or go flying off of the bar.
Best Gymnastics Bar for Home – Bottom Line
In conclusion, you should be able to find the best gymnastics bar for home quite easily if you take the reviews and buying guide information into consideration. For us here at jump-life.com, the choice is clear – Tumbl Track Junior PRO is our best home kip bar pick.
The more you practice with one of these bars, the better you’ll get. You might find that you love this type of exercise and include it in your daily regime.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
