Fit a pull-up bar to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a wall-mounted pull-up bar safely into solid brick or block, using load-rated fixings and checking for cables and pipes first.

PB-01Confirm your wall is solid brick or blockTap the wall where you plan to fix the bar. A dull, solid knock all the way across means solid masonry. A hollow sound, or a change from solid to hollow as you move along, means you may have dot-and-dab plasterboard over masonry, or a stud wall. Drill a small 3mm pilot hole and check what comes out: brick or block gives fine red or grey dust; a stud wall gives timber dust or fine steel swarf and the drill will feel like it hits nothing solid for 10-12mm first. A pull-up bar puts a strong, repeated pulling force on the wall, so plasterboard on timber studs, metal studs, dot-and-dab, or lath and plaster on their own will not hold it — only solid masonry, or a fixing that goes right through to the masonry behind, is safe for this job.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · 3mm masonry drill bit

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PB-02Find cables, pipes, and your stopcock before you drillRun a detector over the whole fixing area, in both directions, before you drill anything. Detectors miss deep cables, cables in metal conduit, and anything behind metal-backed board, so treat every hole as if something could be there until you prove otherwise. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt about what's behind the wall, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn the water off at the stopcock before you start.

PB-03Mark and level the bracket positionsHold the bracket or bar bracket plate against the wall at your chosen height and mark the fixing holes with a pencil. Use a spirit level across the top of the bracket to keep it dead level — an out-of-level bar puts uneven load on one fixing. Double check the height gives enough clearance above your head with arms extended.

1 each · Spirit level

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Pencil

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PB-04Drill the fixing holesUse a hammer drill or SDS drill with a masonry bit matched to your plugs — typically 10mm for M10 sleeve anchors or heavy-duty plugs. Drill straight and level to a depth of 65-80mm, a few mm deeper than the plug or anchor length, so dust doesn't stop it seating fully. Pause and vacuum dust out of each hole as you go, especially in block, which is softer and clogs holes fast.

1 each · 10mm masonry drill bit (SDS or standard shank)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Small vacuum or dust brush

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PB-05Fit heavy-duty plugs or sleeve anchorsFor a pull-up bar, use heavy-duty masonry plugs or M10 sleeve anchors rated well above the combined weight of the bar and the heaviest user — never light-duty plastic wall plugs. Push or tap the plug in flush with the wall, or insert the sleeve anchor and tighten just enough to grip, without fully tightening yet.

1 pack · M10 x 100mm heavy-duty sleeve anchors (set of 4)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PB-06Mount the bracket and barLift the bracket into place over the anchors and start each bolt by hand before tightening any one fully. Tighten in a criss-cross order, a little at a time, so the bracket pulls in evenly and doesn't warp. Finish with a socket or spanner until each bolt is fully tight and the bracket sits flat with no rocking.

1 each · Wall-mounted pull-up bar kit

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Socket set or spanner

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PB-07Load-test before you use itHang your full bodyweight on the bar gradually rather than jumping straight into a pull-up. Watch and listen for any movement, cracking, or the bracket pulling away from the wall. If anything moves, take the bar down and check the fixings — do not use it again until it's solid.

PB-08Clean upVacuum up all masonry dust from the floor and skirting, and wipe down the wall around the bracket. Bin plug packaging and offcuts, and store any spare anchors or bolts somewhere you'll find them if you need to re-tighten later.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Cloth

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides