A Total Workout for the Body
With the exponential growth of urban population showing no signs of plateauing any time soon, the demands on the average person’s domestic space grow weightier year on year. Since the economic crisis, growing numbers of people are choosing to downsize their home and, for those with a home gym, this often means their fitness equipment must be sacrificed to account for the loss of space. The IG total upper body workout bar addresses problems of space utilization in a pull-up bar which offers multiple workout options in a single piece at a mid-range price.
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As the title suggests, the Iron Gym offers a workout for the entire upper body, making it much more than a simple pull-up rail. One major feature is the offer of three different grip positions. The equipment is fitted with three special grip zones offering a wide, narrow or neutral (parallel) grip. All three can be utilised with a pronated or supinated grip. These fancy terms are simply technical descriptions of the relationship your hands have to the pole as they grip them. A pronated grip is when your palms face away from you as you perform the exercise, while a supinated grip occurs when your palms are turned towards you.
Using different grips helps accentuate different muscles during your workout. In circuit and weight training this is an essential feature of any routine. This Total Upper Workout Bar offers this opportunity in a single piece of very simple equipment. Achieving the same results over this many muscle groups would otherwise require many weights and space-consuming apparatus. With the IG all you need is a suitable aperture. In addition to pull-ups, the equipment is also suitable for leg raises to give attention to the oblique and abdominal muscles.
If you think that is where the exercise possibilities of the Iron Gym end, then it may come as something of a surprise to discover that the above functions account for about two thirds of its possible exercise options. Once removed from the frame, the piece can be set on the floor and used to enhance a number of workout routines. Push-ups, crunches and dips can all be incorporated into your circuit, simply by taking the equipment down and using it on the floor.
The variety of different workouts and circuits this equipment offers is staggering. Consider this; a standard pole, such as the Sunny Health and Fitness Door Way Chin Up Bar, can typically offer two variations of pull-up/chin-up and leg raises. This gives the possibility of 6 different circuit permutations. With the 9 basic exercises that are possible on the IG, there are 362,880 possible circuits of 9 exercises one can perform! You’d certainly never get bored with your routine.
Another desirable feature of this piece which sets it apart from its competitors is the ease with which it can be set up and taken down. Requiring no screws or even tools to hang, the pole can be put up in seconds and used immediately. This is because it relies on its own weight combined with the weight of a user to hold it in place. Added to the modest dimensions (13 inches x 36.6 inches x 11 inches), the convenience of this kit is hard to parallel. Easily stored and retrieved from under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, this equipment provides the maximum of compact convenience with the utmost of versatility.
One could be forgiven for expecting a price tag for this bar, but surprisingly it sits somewhere near the middle of the market. With all the functionality of this exercise scaffolding at a relatively medium price, it represents real value for money when viewed alongside its competitors.
For all this bar’s impressive qualities, it could not be said that this equipment is a perfect choice for everyone. It has some negative points and these should be expounded here. One drawback for some will be the inability to perform ‘kipping’ on this pole. Kipping is a particular way of performing a rep by swinging your hips and using the horizontal movement to give the momentum to raise your chin above the level. While there is much debate about the safety and efficacy of this form of pull-up, it is undoubtedly popular among many, particularly fans of cross-fit. Unfortunately, because the rod is unfixed, any sharp movements can cause the frame to jump, resulting in damage to the wall or frame or injury to the user.
The problem of kipping is common to all door frame poles. Another drawback which the Iron Gym inherits is the problem of its height. Most internal egresses are a little less than 7 foot tall, meaning that all but the shortest of people will have to bend their knees to perform a repetition without touching the ground. A dead hang would be all but impossible.
For many, the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks here, and what you lose in height installation and the ability to perform kipping is more than made up for in the easy installation and storage of the IG, not to mention its value for money and wide range of functions. I don’t have any hesitation in recommending this pull-up bar.