Gymnastics offers a lot of health benefits both for adults and for children. Finding the right equipment doesn’t always seem easy, because it is not as common as fitness gear. Finding the best gymnastics bar is crucial as they’ll help you train properly and safely right from your home.
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. In fact, this article will walk you through the 5 best gymnastics bars under $200. So keep reading if you want to know more.
What To Look for in Gymnastics Bars For Home
When you first start looking for a gymnastics bar, you need to check out the construction, specifically the base and the materials used, which will also give you an insight into the stability and heavy duty of the bar.
In fact, stability is arguably the most essential factor for good gymnastics training bars. You’ll be doing a lot of jumping and twirling and you need to make sure your bar can withstand all that without any issues. Some features that tell you the bar is stable and will last a while include:
- steel, triangular frame,
- non-slipper base,
- curved edges,
- floor stamp.
You also want to make sure the weight limit is a good fit. Ideally, the bar should have a weight limit well above that of the user. This is especially valid if you’re buying the gymnastics bar for a child.
You want to be able to use it for a few years and since kids grow fast, if the weight limit is too small, you could end up needing a new bar every year. You never want to overload the bar, as this could be very dangerous and lead to accidents.
Next, look at the size, both height and width, and adjustability. Most bars have an adjustable height, but you’ll still need to take into consideration the height of your ceiling and that of the person who’ll use the bar.
Width is a little more complicated, as most bars do not come with adjustable width. That means you need to find the size that best fits the space you have at home.
Of course, don’t forget you need space around the gymnastics bar. It isn’t enough to find one that fits, if there isn’t any space to move around it, you won’t be able to make much use of it.
Finally, take into consideration the skill level. If you’re buying a gymnastics training bar for a child or someone who’s never used one before, it could be intimidating if you start with an advanced bar.
Top 5 Best Gymnastics Bars For Home Under $200
1. Tumbl Trak Palette Bars
The Tumbl Trak Palette Bar is very sturdy and comes with steel construction. It is also coated with a high-quality powder that will make it look brand new for a long time. It is easy to see this bar was designed with safety and stability in mind. It has curved edges that reduce the risk of injury.
And if you’re worried the bar will tip mid-spin, you can forget about this risk! Tumbl Trak gymnastics bar has a floor stamp of 4 by 6 inches, making such accidents impossible.
The weight limit is 125 lbs, which is very good for a bar that is aimed at children. The height ranges from 38” to 56”. And if your little one wants a color bar, Tumbl Trak will help you there as well, because they have several color options.
2. Z Athletic Elite Gymnastics Bar
If you want the a high quality option, the Z Athletic Elite might be the gymnastics training bar for you. It is slightly more expensive depending on the retailer, but the quality, sturdiness, and heavy duty are all amazing and make it worth the money.
The materials used include steel and fiberglass. The usage weight limit is 145 lbs but the bar has a direct pull-down limit of 500 lbs. It has an adjustable height of 3 ft to 4.8 ft, so it’s safe to say your kids will be able to use it for a few years.
It is effortless to assemble, and the best part is that it comes with a 5-year warranty. So if anything gets damaged during transportation or in the 5 years, all you need to do is contact Z Athletic and they will repair or exchange the damaged parts.
3. Costzon Junior Training Bar
Costzon’s Junior Training Bar is perfect for beginners and advanced gymnasts who want to do easy exercises, levels 1-4. You have a few colors to choose from. It has double-locking mechanisms that increase safety during exercises. The height is adjustable and ranges between 36” and 59” at a 2” interval.
It supports 220 lbs and has a triangular base, which increases stability, while the rubber floor pads ensure it won’t slip.
It doesn’t have curved edges, which does pose a small risk of injury.
Reviews are positive, users are happy about the sturdiness, the fact that it holds a lot of weight, but also that it is very easy to assemble. Some people are, however, discontent about the quality, and claim the bar tearing after only a few uses. Others find that despite the claim that it holds 220 lbs it doesn’t feel sturdy enough if you’re over 100 lbs.
Keep in mind that this bar is built with beginners in mind, so if you’re more advanced this might not be the bar for you, even if it seems to otherwise fit your requirements.
4. Milliard Professional Kip Bar
If you’re looking for a gymnastics bar that looks fun and will “invite” your child to use it, Millard Professional Kip Bar could be an answer. Their bar comes in two bright colors: teal and pink. You’ll also receive a sticker pack so that your child can personalize it even more.
But that’s not the only reason why this gymnastics bar is great. It has an adjustable height from just 35” to 57′. It is made out of maple wood with a fiberglass core. As a result, it is both stable and flexible. The frame is made of steel which is the standard for these types of bars. Plus, it has a rubber base, which means it is very stable and won’t slip or move around easily.
Also, don’t be fooled by its name. Even though it is labeled as a bar for ‘professionals’ it can be used at any level. The maximum weight allowed is 140 lbs, which is a fairly good number, though some would argue it should be higher to feel safer.
Most users are happy with the product, which has a high rating on Amazon. Complaints are usually not about the product itself, but about the packaging and the fact that many received it without any bolts or screws to assemble it and also without any instructions.
There is also no specified warranty and no money-back guarantee, which might make some people think twice before buying it.
5. Safly Fun Gymnastics Kip Bar
One of the worries you might have when purchasing a gymnastics bar for home use is: ‘where will I store it?’. Sure, you can assemble them before every use and then take them apart, but that’s really not an ideal solution.
The Safly Fun Gymnastics Kip Bar is truly meant to be a gymnastics bar for home use: it is foldable, which makes it very easy to store even when you don’t have a lot of space. And if you do need to take it apart and reassemble it later, this process is very easy. It only has 5 main parts and it comes with an instructional video and all the tools you need. This is helpful, especially if you’re buying for someone who’ll only use it occasionally.
The Kip Bar has a triangular structure, which makes it very stable and safe. It also comes with rubber footing which protects both the one exercising and the floor.
Does it have any cons? Yes, there are some. For instance, the height is adjustable, but only on 4 levels: 34.8”, 40.5”, 45.5”, and 51”. This is a bit limiting, especially compared to other bars that allow adjustments every 1-2 inches.
It is also not suitable for advanced users. So if you find your child becomes very good and passionate about gymnastics, you may need to invest in a new bar sooner rather than later.
So, Which One Should You Buy?
Choosing the perfect gymnastics bar is not as hard as it sounds and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Make sure to have an idea about how often it will be used and the space you have in your home. From there, look for durable and safe materials and structures, adjustability, and weight, to ensure the bar you’re getting will be a great fit.
Which one is best? That depends a lot on what you need it for. If you need something for occasional use, that’s easy to store away the rest of the time, Safly’s bar is a great choice. If you want something more versatile, that can be used by beginners and advanced people alike, Millard could be a great fit. Finally, if you want the highest quality and are willing to invest a little more, you can go for the Z Athletic bar.
If you like this article, check out our other reviews at Dumbbellsreviews.com for more home gymnastic equipment, supplements, and other products that will help you have a healthy, active lifestyle.