So, you’ve made the change-your-life decision of getting a Primal 7 system but aren’t sure where to install it? This guide was designed to help you figure out what’s right for you.
The first thing to decide is whether or not to install it using a bar or a door.
A bar is a good choice if:
1. Your doors don’t close securely.
2. You don’t have a door in a good location.
3. You want to do push-ups or other movements directly under the system.
4. You want to leave your system hanging.
5. You plan to do pull-ups.
6. You plan to do intense workouts with running, jumping, etc.
A door is a good choice if:
1. You have a door that closes toward you.
2. There is enough space in front of the door and on the sides so you can move around in the system.
3. You plan to focus on low impact exercises, like the ones covered in Foundations Program and Pain Relief Programs.
4. You don’t plan to do pull-ups.
5. You want to try out your Primal 7 before committing to a bar.
If your door meets the criteria above but you’re doubting whether it could really be strong enough to support you and your Primal 7 system, try doing our Door Confidence Check.
Door Confidence Check:
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Stand on the side of the door you will not be using the Primal 7 on.(Your Primal 7 system should be set up on the side of the door that closes towards you, so the full door frame supports you. However, for this Confidence Check, you should stand on the opposite side of the door, where the door closes away from you. It may seem counterintuitive but you are going to mimic the pulling force of Primal 7 by pushing on the opposite side of the door.)
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Stand one foot away from the door, place your hands in front of your shoulders as if you were going to do a push-up. Place your hands on the door and shift your body weight forward so you’re leaning gently on the door. The door should stay flush against the door frame and feel secure as you lean.
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If you felt safe when leaning on the door from one foot away, take a small step back and lean into the door again. The door should once again feel sturdy as you lean into it.
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If you felt safe leaning on the door from two steps away, take another small step back and try it again. Leaning into the door like this simulates the type of pressure that your system will put on the door frame when you use it on the other side of the door. If you feel safe leaning on your door from three steps away, that’s a good indicator that your door is sturdy enough to support your use of the Primal 7 System.
If you’ve decided to use a door, this video will help guide you through installation.
If you’ve decided to use a bar, the next question is: do you want a wall-mounted bar or a bar that goes in your doorway?
To help you decide, here are some pros and cons for each:
Wall-mounted Bar Pros & Cons
Pros:
+ Wall-mounted bars are the most secure option, allowing for high-intensity exercises.
+ You can leave your system hanging without disturbing a doorway.
Cons:
- Wall-mounted bars require more space for setup.
- Depending on the bar you choose and how handy you are, you may require installation assistance.
- If you are renting your home, your landlord may have issues with you drilling holes into the wall.
Doorway Bar Pros & Cons
Pros:
+ Doorway bars tend to be more affordable.
+ They are easier to remove if you change your mind about where you’d like to have it.
Con:
- You won’t want to leave your Primal 7 system hanging on the doorway bar if it is a high-traffic passageway.
If you’ve decided that a wall-mounted bar is right for you, one of these should do the trick:
1. Rogue P3 Pull-up System
Rogue P3 Pull-up System – $135
Our favorite is the Rogue P3 Bar. You can mount it to the wall or a ceiling joist and it’s super sturdy, which allows for higher-intensity exercise. You could even use the attachments to connect your Primal 7 system to a weight-bearing tree limb.
(Note: We include the Rogue P3 Pull-up System in the Primal 7 Station.)
2. A Handrail / Grab Bar
Moen 36-inch Grab Bar – $29.98
You can find handrails, aka safety bars or grab bars, at Lowe’s and most hardware stores for $30 or less. As long as you’re not looking to do pull-ups this is a good, affordable, space-saving option. We do not have a specific recommendation but here’s an example. Just be sure you choose one that is at least 24-inches wide, as you’ll want your Primal 7 straps to be shoulder-width apart.
If you’ve decided you want to use a doorway bar, be sure to choose an elevated bar.
Here are two to consider:
1. The GoFit Elevated Chin-Up Bar
GoFit Elevated Chin-up Bar – $39.99
We recommend the GoFit Elevated Chin-up Bar. Compared to the other options on this list, the GoFit Elevated Bar is probably the easiest to use. There’s no hardware, no need to drill holes in your wall, and it’s easily removed.
2. Teeter EZ Inversion & Chin-up Rack
Teeter EZ Inversion & Chin-Up Rack – $99.99
The Teeter EZ Inversion & Chin-Up Rack is a more heavy-duty option. Though the mounting brackets need to screw into a wooden door frame, the bar is still removable. Weight capacity: 250 pounds.
Regardless of which bar or door you choose for your set-up, here are a few final tips:
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Make sure you have enough space before installing your bar and/or system. For standard use, you’ll need between six and eight feet of space in front of the Primal 7 system’s anchor points, and between three and four feet on the sides. This should provide enough for all of the movements covered in our Foundations program, Pain Relief Programs, and Proga (yoga) programs. If you plan to do more rigorous exercises with side-to-side movements, like speed skaters or Supermans, we recommend about ten feet of space in front and between six to eight feet of space on the sides.
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If you’re choosing a bar, check the weight capacity and choose one that supports your full weight.
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Most bars come with installation guides but there are some out there that don’t. In case you need help figuring out how to install your bar, we’ve put together this set of instructions: http://bit.ly/22bzmTQ
We hope you find a set-up that suits your needs. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@primal7.com or call us at 512-899-2054.