by Agent G

Created on: July 01, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Is it possible to maintain or even increase your strength, flexibility, and agility at home in just a few minutes a day, using just your body weight? You can if you use total body movements such as the pull up. Pull ups are one of the most difficult, but also the most beneficial, exercises to preform for strength and muscle development. In order to effectively execute a full pull nearly every muscle in the upper body, including your core, is employed. Unfortunately, most individuals do not have access to a simple study bar, where they can perform this exercise on a regular basis.

In my search to find a simple piece of inexpensive equipment, I use to perform pull ups and chin ups in my apartment where I cannot install a bar, I found the Iron Gym. The Iron Gym is a simple piece of inexpensive workout equipment that hangs over any standard door frame to create a sturdy pull up/ chin up bar. Although I find that the comfort grips are absent in the exact spot I prefer to grip for a dead hang pull up, I still recommend the Iron Gym if one lacks a place to perform pull ups. It was very, very simple to assemble, with no tools required. Moreover, it does not need to be installed-it simply latches over a door frame without any damage, even to old frames.

In addition to pull ups and chin ups, one can hang from the bar and perform a variety of core exercises, such as raising the knees to elbows or simply tucking the knees to the chest. These are stellar exercises for core, back, shoulder, and grip strength. The Iron Gym can also attached to the lower part of the door frame to lock your feet for full sit ups and can be used for tricep-isolating push ups and tricept dips. However, I find that those 3 features are something anyone can manage sans equipment. It can be found at any local fitness or vitamin stores or online. Unfortunately, it does not fold up in any way so it is not ideal to store and is useless for travel.

I would not recommend the Iron Gym for anyone who is not already in good athletic condition, as it will be of little use. If you are unable to do an assisted pull up (jumping from the ground or using a friend to support your legs), this product is unforgiving. However, for those who are in moderate to excellent shape but cannot install a pull up bar in their home, this is the product for you. The sturdy construction, comfort grips, and various hand positions make it a perfect compliment to a quick home workout, including the Crossfit workouts. Pairing 10 reps each of pull ups using the Iron Gym, sit ups, push ups, and air squats into a 12 to 15 minute circuit can provide the total body home workout. Although the Iron Gym is a very simple workout gadget, it can be a very valuable piece of equipment in even the busiest athlete's armamentarium.

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