9 Best Stall Bars For Fitness Sport And Health Reviewed 2023
If you're in the market for stall bars, wall bars or a
Swedish ladder (it has many names), then we have the best picks for your
workouts, therapy, CrossFit, assistance training and more.
We select products we think are useful for our readers. We
may earn money when you click on links on this page. View our disclosure for
more details. Today we share our best stall bar picks which are essentially
activity stations that allow you to perform a variety of physical movements.
Whether you like bodyweight workouts, practice gymnastics,
ballet, yoga, train CrossFit, do Parkour, are doing therapy, or need a steady
object to assist you during your exercises, stall bars are an incredibly handy
setup that can help you achieve the desired outcome.
Nowadays especially, home gym setups are becoming more
realistic; if we had to recommend a list of useful pieces of equipment to have,
this would be one of them.
Best Stall Bars
Ranked
1.
Vita
Vibe Core Series Stall Bars
Vita Vibe Core Series 36 We’re starting our list with the
Vita Vibe core series stall bars that have a lot of great features at a mid
price point.
It has a patent-pending modular design that allows the
rungs/bars to be adjusted. We also like that it includes an adjustable chin-up
bar for back and biceps training and more. Both the rungs and chin-up bar are
adjustable to 36″ wide.
The distance from the wall to the backside of the rungs is 3
5/8″. It’s a nice compact setup that’s made from quality material and the wood
is natural Ash wood. There are also three purchase options that allow you to
choose from three different heights that include 74, 82, and 90″ tall. So really,
it’s great for most heights. The stall bars should ideally be mounted to a backer
board for optimal safety.
Product features:
* 36″ wide and adjustable
* 74-90″ tall
* Chin-up bar offset by 8″
* Ash wood adjustable and removable rungs
* Adjustable chin-up bar
* 12-gauge steel frame
* Dark mystic gray powder coat finish
* 250 lbs weight capacity
Pros:
* Chin-up bar is great for pull-up variations and more
* Different height options
* Adjustable width
Cons:
* Few complaints about installation process
About the brand
Vita Vibe is a USA company that offers high-quality ballet
and fitness products. They started in a garage with the idea to offer
affordable ballet barres to the masses, and now make top-notch products that they
stand behind for 10 years.
2.
Urban
Cycling Apparel Stall Bars
Urban Cycling Apparel Swedish Ladder If you prefer an all-wood
setup that’s also easier on the pocket than many stall bars, then you might
like this ladder from Urban Cycling apparel.
It’s made of natural and environmentally-friendly materials
including solid pine wood that’s sanded smooth and polished. The ladder is
equipped with 10 rods for a variety of activities and we think this one is a
really good value.
Product features:
* Natural, environmentally-friendly materials
* Solid pine wood
* 77” x 32.5” x 6”
* 1.3 inches in diameter
* 330 lb max weight capacity
Pros:
* Made from environmentally friendly parts
* Affordable compared to many options
* Good overall value
Cons:
* Few complaints about sturdiness (may need reinforcement)
* Not adjustable
3.
Limitless
XVP Fitness Stall Bars W/ Suspension Trainer Strap
Limitless Xvp Fitness Swedish Ladder We know you were
probably enjoying seeing a cheaper option such as our previous pick. But for an
extra Benjamin, you can have “limitless” features (ok maybe not but there are a
lot).
The setup comes with 11 bars that are “strategically placed”
to help users have an optimal experience no matter the purpose. The top bar is
offset from the rest of the ladder which is ideal for gymnastics, CrossFit,
pull-ups, therapy, and more. The bars are made from high-quality wood for peace
of mind and long-lasting durability.
We also really like that these Swedish bars come with a
suspension training strap that allows you to perform bodyweight resistance
exercises.
Product features:
* 32″ wide
* 7’8″ tall
* Layers of tough matte sealer add strength and durability
* Pine wood
Pros:
* Offset bar allows for pull-ups and more
* Comes with a suspension training strap
* Good for smaller spaces
Cons:
* Few concerns with bars/rung flex when using
* Not ideal for those over 200 lbs
4.
FC
Funcheer Stall Bars
Fc Funcheer Solid Beech Wood Stall Bar The FC Funcheer stall
bar ladder is made from sturdy beech wood and comes with wood rings and a
suspension trainer which is always a welcome addition.
The suspension straps are made of durable nylon with foam
rubber handles and it’s also adjustable for different heights and exercises.
You can use the rings for gymnastics-type exercises or as an alternative grip
for certain exercises.
The top bar is offset for pull-up variations and similar
activities.
Product features:
* 1.5″ diameter rods
* 32″ wide
* 7’8″ tall
* Made from beech wood
Pros:
* Very sturdy setup
* Comes with wood rings and suspension trainer
Cons:
* Few complaints about assemble process
5.
Artimex
Sport Stall Bars (216-F)
Artimex Wooden Swedish Ladder If you got deeper pockets then
hear us out. Artimex stall bars are made in Europe from premium-quality
beechwood.
Not to mention, there are 16 rungs/bars so you have lots of
options there. The top bar is offset for pull-ups and the height is 240cm or
7.87 feet tall which is ideal for most places. They’re also so confident in
this product that there’s a 15-year warranty. The features are definitely worth
the price, especially with 16 rungs!
Product features:
* 240cm high
* 2 feet, 11 inches wide
* Beechwood
* 330 lbs weight capacity
Pros:
* Has 16 rungs (a lot)
* Includes pull-up bar
Cons:
* Pricier option than others on this list
About the brand
Artimex Sport Germany offers sports custom products and
high-quality materials. They manufacture stall bars for a variety of
disciplines.
6.
Vita
Vibe VSB Series Stall Bars
Vita Vibe VSB Series 36 Another one from Vita Vibe (because
they’re great), the VSP Series Stall bars are made of heavy-gauge steel with a
36″ wide design and three height options. The bars are made of ash hardwood.
The number of rungs/bars on the ladder depends on the height
you choose (72, 80, and 90 inches). For example, the 72″ has 9 rungs + 1
chin-up bar, while the 80″ includes 10+1, and the 90″ comes with 11 bars plus
one chin-up bar.
That’s the beauty of options!
The backside of the mount, to the rungs, is 5″ which is
adequate for most activities and the stall bars can be mounted side by side for
even more versatility.
Product features:
* 36″ wide stall bars
* 72, 80, and 90″ height purchase options
* 300 lbs weight capacity
Pros:
* Choose from three purchase options
* Good value
Cons:
* Chin-up bar may be too close to the wall for some
About the brand
Vita Vibe is a USA company that offers high-quality ballet
and fitness products. They started in a garage with the idea to offer
affordable ballet barres to the masses, and now make top-notch products that they
stand behind for 10 years.
7.
Suples
Gladiator Stall Bars
Suples Gladiator Wall If you don’t mind spending a little
more, the Suples Gladiator bar is a step up (pun intended). It’s also just as
rugged as it sounds too.
The ladder is 8 feet tall, 3 feet wide, and 1 foot deep. The
13 rungs are spaced six inches apart and the top bar sticks out rather far
which is perfect for those who want plenty of space to train.
The material is beech wood and pine.
Product features:
* 8′ tall/93″
* 3′ wide
* 1′ deep
* 1.5-inch dowels/rungs
* 7 feet, 6 1/2 inches x 2 feet, 9 1/2 inches
* Beech wood and pine wood
* 400 lbs weight capacity
Pros:
* Super rugged and durable for lots of activities
* Supports 400 lbs which is more than many other options are
capable of
* Includes an instructional DVD
* Wall accessories available (not included)
Cons:
* Not adjustable
* 8 feet or 96 inches tall is pretty high for a lot of
ceilings
About the brand
Suples was started by accomplished Bulgarian weightlifter
Ivan Ivanov who also coached for the US national and Olympic wrestling
programs.
He shifted his focuses to innovation and entrepreneurship to
develop high-quality training equipment that’s been used all over including
being approved for use by the USA Greco-Roman national team and Olympic Games.
For those who don’t know, “Suples” is a powerfully explosive
wrestling throw derived from the word Supple that “defines a combination of great
strength and flexibility”.
8.
JOYMOR
Stall Bars
Joymor Gymnastics Another attractively priced option is
JOYMOR stall bars that comes in under $200. The ladder is made from strong and
heavy wood to ensure optimal safety and performance. It also includes a back
pad too for comfort which is a good addition. It’s a good option for your
workout space regardless of your living situation.
Product features:
* Includes back pad
* Sub-$200 price point
Pros:
* Very good value
* Strong and heavy design for optimal performance
* Includes a back pad for comfort
* Could be used by kids under supervision
Cons:
* Not a lot of information available on this product
About the brand
JOYMOR is surprisingly a kid’s focused product brand that
sells toys. Their mission is a “more joyful childhood” hence the name.
But they apparently offer pretty decent stall bars at an
affordable price.
9.
Dani
LLC CM Stall Bars
Dani Llc Wall Bars Dani LLC stall bars are great because the
top bars are easily removable and you have more pull-up options due to the
design. The beech and pine wood are
environmentally friendly with a protective coating. At a mid-price point, the Dani LLC CM offers a unique and
versatile feature.
Product features:
* 87′ tall
* 31′ wide
* Adjustable pull-up bars
* Removable horizontal struts
* Beech and pine wood
* Environmentally-friendly materials
* Protective coating
* 265 lbs ladder weight capacity
Pros:
* Easy to install design
* Has protective coating
* Adjustable and removable pieces allow more activity
options
Cons:
* Few complaints about bar thickness/not as strong as other
options (using a wider grip may be safer)
* A little narrower than others but it’s good for smaller
spaces
What Are Stall Bars Used For?
The short answer… a lot!
We like stall bars because they can be used for a variety of
disciplines and activities including bodyweight resistance training, gymnastics
movements, mobility exercises, postural correction, pain relief, arthritis,
etc. Not to mention, you can attach accessories, use a suspension trainer like
the TRX, and alternatives, or wrap resistance bands around them for more exercise
variety.
If you have a home gym or plan on putting one together, we
recommend getting a set of wall bars to complete your setup.
A Mini History Lesson
Stall bars go way back to the 19th Century. The handy
contraption was actually invented by a man named Pehr Henrik Ling from Sweden
(hence the name Swedish ladder) who suffered from arthritis pains until he
found relief from using wall bars to perform therapeutic exercises.
He eventually founded the Royal Institute for Gymnastics
where his teachings became the standard. As emigrants came to the US, stall
bars became more popular and the rest was history.
Swedish ladders were adopted in schools, gyms, and many
other places because of their functional use.
What To Consider When
Choosing Stall Bars
As with almost any category of exercise equipment, there are
differences between products, and depending on the intended use, you have to
find one that best suits your needs.
For example, your budget, design, features, ease of
assembly, and brand are common factors that oftentimes determine which product
someone decides to go with.
Height and width
This one is muy importante because if you buy a Swedish
ladder that’s too tall for your space, well, we have a problem now don’t we.
Make sure to check the height before ordering and many of the options on this
list of best stall bars offer a few different heights to choose from.
Typically, the ladders are around 7-9 feet tall (so are a
lot of ceilings) and you also have to remember to give yourself enough space if
doing pull-up movements too. But there are shorter options too like the Vita
Vibe bars on this list.
Ideally, you’d be able to reach overhead with arms extended
and the bar would be high enough to give you ample room for your activities.
But space can be a limiting factor sometimes.
As for width, 36″ or 3 feet is commonly recommended as it
provides ample room for most people to do all their activities. There are
narrower options such as 2 feet wide bars however, the narrower you get, the
less room you have to workout. But this may be good for those with smaller
spaces and smaller individuals may find it suitable.
Material
You’ll notice a common pattern with many stall bars being
that they’re made using wood, specifically beech, Pine, Oak, and Ash. Now, some are made using a combination
of wood and metal, or either wood or metal.
Wood is great and very commonly used for home setups, however, depending on
the thickness of the wood and rungs and weight of the ladder, you’ll have to
ensure it can support your activities.
A recommended and common rung/bar diameter is typically 1.5
inches which should be sufficient for most people if they remain at or under
the weight capacity for a set of stall bars. Metal is definitely stronger and
heavier and is aesthetically different (not better) as well. Although, we did
not include any completely metal options.
The most important thing is to get a good quality ladder
because you definitely don’t want it giving out when you’re hanging on it.
Features/accessories
When it comes to stall bars, well, not all are created the
same. For example, you have different heights, designs, materials, etc. Then
you have a certain number of rungs or bars depending on the height. So there
could be 7 or 16 bars on the ladder.
Some of the pull-up bars have more offset which means they
stick out farther from the rest of the ladder than others which is better for
gymnastics and CrossFit-type movements.
As for features, you have suspension straps that come with
some stall bars like the Limitless XVP Fitness ladder. Some chin-up bars are
adjustable too which we really like, although it’s not a must.
Budget
If you don’t have a lot to spend on stall bars, then you
might be in luck. There are some just under $200 that will still do the job.
Although, if you can spend a little more, then you’ll probably get something of
better quality and with more to offer.
Most are a few hundred dollars and some can get into the
thousands. Our picks range from low to mid-range so you can choose how much you
want to spend on a Swedish ladder.
Benefits of Stall
Bars
Build muscle and strength
Stall bars can support a decent amount of weight and
exercise variations. You can do pull-ups, push-ups, suspension training and so
many great workouts using a Swedish ladder.
It’s also good for those who do not have much strength
because they can hold onto the bars for assistance during things like
bodyweight squats, or do elevated push-ups which are much easier.
Many times, we have to do the aforementioned exercises
holding onto a countertop, doorframe, or by placing our hands on the wall to
elevate the upper body. But believe me when I say that the bars make it so much
more convenient.
Calisthenics
Training: A Beginner’s Guide
Decompress and loosen up
You can use stall bars to hang from and decompress your
spine. This is good for everyone to do in the morning before starting your day
to maintain a healthier spine and body. You can also use it for general
stretches and mobility work.
Practice your discipline
Whether it’s ballet, CrossFit, gymnastics, or powerlifting,
stall bars allow you to modify your body position or use the pull-up bars to do
sport-specific workout routines.
The good thing about having a ladder in your training space
is that you can also attach accessories to it like rings (comes with the FC
Funcheer bars), dip bars, straps, etc and diversify your training. Some options
come with a few of the accessories such as a suspension trainer but many don’t
include accessories.
It’s therapeutic
Stall bars are used in gyms, clinics, and in medical
facilities because they’re so useful for various types of therapy.
They’re great for stretching, arthritis, mobility,
rehabilitation, pre-rehabilitation, and more.
It’s fun for everyone and gets you active!
If you’re anything like me, such a contraption brings out
your inner child and it’s hard to resist. But when done safely, it can be a
good way to get you and your family off your butts and moving.
In fact, kids use them too although they should be supervised
for safety, of course.
But not just that, those with limited mobility or other
structural issues could use it to improve a specific condition and their
overall fitness. Sturdy bars/rungs make for a great, ergonomic option to grip
onto and do a variety of movements.
How To Use Stall Bars
Want some gnarly exercise ideas to target different areas of
your body? Here are over 75 movements that you can do.
As you’re probably aware (especially if you’re a regular
visitor at the Fitness Volt website), stronger muscles and a stronger body
overall, carry many benefits.
For instance, building total-body strength is necessary for
your structural health both when you’re younger and older. A strong core
protects your back and spine against injuries and a rugged posterior (backside
of the body) helps with good posture and performance.
Then, of course, building strength is necessary for building
muscles and a more functional body that can actually do things like climb,
pull, push, etc.
FAQs
What are the bars on a
wall ladder called?
So there are a few common terms including bars (obvious),
rungs, and dowels.
Are stall bars safe
for anyone to use?
A quality set of stall bars is safe for most to use for a
variety of activities. For elderly individuals and those with injuries, it’s
recommend to use stall bars under the supervision of a medical professional.
Wrapping Up
If you didn’t know what stall bars are and how to use them,
we hope you’re well-acquainted now. There are so many great uses for a Swedish
ladder and who doesn’t feel like a kid when they see one?
But it’s seriously used for so many different things and the
benefits are well worth the investment.
Whether it’s for fitness, therapy, ballet, CrossFit, or
anything else you can think of, we think you’ll get great use out of a quality
set of stall bars, and anyone on this list will do the job.
Remember, there are different designs and price points so be
sure to read through to ensure you choose one that best suits your needs.
