Best Backyard Monkey Bars For Calisthenics (2024)

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The best thing about training calisthenics is that, on a basic level, it requires minimal equipment. You can do pull-ups by hanging from a tree branch and do dips, push-ups, and squats on a park bench. The same goes for backyard monkey bars, which allow you to perform a huge variety of resistance movements in one compact space. 

But, if you choose to invest a few dollars into a proper setup, you’ll have access to a range of exercises to do with your buddies which includes a combination of climbing, parkour, and gymnastics training. In this article, we’ll introduce you to different setups for a backyard calisthenics gym in your outdoor space. 

Buying Guide for Monkey Bars in Your Backyard (2024)

If you find that you don’t have space inside your home for a calisthenics home gym, you can move outdoors. If you have space, check out this Top 10 Home Garage Gym Review to see how you can optimize your indoor garage to turn it into a world-class fitness environment. 

Monkey bars are highly underrated pieces of fitness equipment. They’re no child’s play because even as an experienced calisthenics athlete I can get an incredible workout in simply by using monkey bars in the comfort of my own backyard.

But before you start your search for the best backyard monkey bars, bear in mind these key considerations.

1. Your Calisthenics Goals

Knowing your training goals is vital as it determines what kind of set-up you’ll have in your outdoor gym. There are a variety of options you can choose from starting with a standalone pull-up bar, parallel bars, monkey bars, or a combination of all three with many more. 

A complete backyard calisthenics gym should have a pull-up bar and parallel bars to cover the fundamental movements such as pull-ups, push-ups, and dips. If you want to learn more about calisthenics foundational exercises and how to program them into your routine, read this: How To Start Calisthenics: A Beginners Guide.

A pull-up bar will build your upper body strength in your arms, back, and shoulders. Parallel bars will also target your shoulders, arms, core, and legs. With these two types of equipment, you can build your strength and tone with consistent use. 

2. Where You’re Going To Place The Monkey Bars

We recommend putting your outdoor gym on a grassy spot rather than a solid, tough ground to cushion possible falls. No worries if you haven’t got this similar area in your garden, you can consider purchasing a safety mat along with it. Also, it’s important to choose an area that is level. If not, your balance could be compromised and the likelihood of accidents will increase. 

3. Figure Out The Right Size For You 

The ideal size of your monkey bars will depend on the available space you’ve got for them and, above all, how tall you are. There are various options in the frame size from tall to short and you can go for bigger options if you’ve got plenty of room, however, you need to be careful when it comes to the height of the bars so that you can avoid painful falls. 

4. Durability

A great set-up should be both worthy of your workout and your woodwork. Depending on the materials you’d want to choose the ones that could withstand outdoor elements. The two main options are:

• Galvanized steel and wood: galvanized steel pull-up bar offers a higher level of UV resistance, which makes it ideal for all weather conditions. Wooden posts will be the most cost-efficient and it looks great. However, be prepared for more maintenance to sustain its durability especially if they are exposed to an outdoor environment
• Complete galvanized steel: metal bars are more durable than their wooden counterparts. But, they’ll be more expensive and will give a less natural feel

5. Price 

Of course, the more features your set-up has, the higher the price tag. Having your backyard monkey bars manufactured, transported, and installed into your outdoor space will be expensive, but it’ll be worth it in the long run when your health and physique develop. At the minimum level, a stand-alone pull-up bar should be sufficient to train most calisthenics movements. If you want a complete setup, I suggest you add parallel bars to your list.

Best Backyard Monkey Bars Set Up  

1. Rogue V2 Castro Rig

Price: $2,210.00

Product link: https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-v2-castro-rig-10755

Specifications: Units must be bolted down for use (concrete anchors are included), 3×3” 11-gauge steel, dirty south pull-up bar, 2 squat rack positions, 2 pairs of J-cups, 15-in height for rope climb, and fat and skinny bar options are included

Item dimension: 70 x 43 x 180 inches (LxWxH)

Pros:

• Solid heavy-duty rig
• Made in the USA
• Easy construction and solid once built and anchored down

Cons:

• No dip bars included
• The bottoms of all four posts can be rusted out from the inside

The Rogue V2 Castro Rig is a “beast” of an outdoor gym. It’s highly versatile for a next-level strength training experience. This set-up comes with a small footprint and you can do a variety of exercises from pull-ups, squats, bench work, and robe clumps using monkey bars in your backyard. 

The Dirty South Pull-Up Bar is adjustable to accommodate all heights. Easy to install and you can personalize it according to your needs. 

2. Get RXd Powder-Coated Outdoor Builder Rig

Price: $1,133.00

Product link: https://www.getrxd.com/powder-coated-outdoor-builder-rig.html

Specifications: 2x squat stations with 4x powder coated J-cups, 1x multi-height bar, 3x pull-up stations, and 4x sets of concrete anchors

Item dimension: 4-ft x 6-ft Footprince, 12-ft/15-ft Height

Pros:

• Solid heavy-duty rig
• Accommodates all weather conditions
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Vague installation instructions

Take your workout outdoors into the backyard and on this weather and rust-resistant set-up. This is an all-in-one pull-up rig that comes with two lifting stations and lots of room for a variety of bodyweight movements. The pull-up bars are adjustable to accommodate athletes of all skill levels. 

3. SimpleSesh

Price: $3,200.00

Product link: https://www.swingsesh.com/collections/fitnessplaysets/products/simplesesh

Specifications: Premium heavy-duty U.S. steel coated with UV-resistant, weather-resistant plastic coating, four 2-1 / 2-in posts with 1-in holes (2-in spacing), and 8 custom color options.

Item dimension: Pull-up bars (8-ft & 6-ft heights), dip bar,  box jumps (16-in & 23-in heights), and total footprint (9.5-ft x 4-ft)

Pros:

• Heavy-duty construction coated with high-quality thermoplastic coating
• Easy installation
• 10-year structural components and accessories warranty

Cons:

• Expensive

The SimpleSesh is what I call an all-in-one outdoor gym. This model includes pull-up bars, bars, bars, box jumps, and a core station. It also comes with J-cups so that you can rack up the barbell to do weighted squats.

Train your every muscle group in the comfort of your backyard. The heavy-duty steel used to construct this set-up will stand the test of time, is low maintenance needed and is movable. Unlike wooden structures, there’s no need to worry about the structure cracking, warping, rotting, or splintering. 

4. Get RXd Freestading Builder Rig

Price: $1,325.00 – $2,330.00

Product link: https://www.getrxd.com/4ft-freestanding-builder-rig-intermediate2.html

Specifications: 3-in x 3-in, 7-gauge, and 11-gauge tubing, 2x squat stations, 4x powder coated J-cups, and powder coated universal pull-up bars and monkey bars

Item dimension: Pull up bar dimension (55.75” x 4.25”) & dip bar dimensions (77.72” x 27.87”)

Pros:

• Solid heavy duty rig
• Great freestanding rig with minimal space
• Weather resistant

Cons:

• Dip bars are not included
• It has to be bolted onto the concrete floor

Maximize your bodyweight training and target many muscle groups on this multifunctional outdoor gym rig. Perfect for training outside in the fresh air, this rig comes with monkey bars, pull-up bars, and two squat racks. Structurally strong, with the right diameter to support the range of correct hand grips. Low maintenance and is great for users whose looking to develop strength. 

5. Kenguru Pro All in One

Price: $2,799.00

Product link: https://www.kengurupro.us/product/kenguru-pro-all-in-one/

Specifications: Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction, corrosion resistant,  all elements of construction are secured together with aluminum clamps in the response to the height of the client’s wishes.

Item dimension: Pull up bar dimension (55.75” x 4.25”) & dip bar dimensions (77.72” x 27.87”)

Pros:

• Stable construction with five stable columns that are securely anchored under the ground 
• Powder-coated quality steel to withstand all weather conditions
• Good for TRX and gymnastic rings

Cons:

• Expensive

This multifunctional outdoor rig is perfect if you want to create a personalized calisthenics gym in your garden to train outside in the fresh air. These bars are ideal for improving your strength, endurance, and flexibility. Kenguru is a professional sponsor of major calisthenics competitions across the US and Europe and has hosted the World Steet Workout & Calisthenics Federation (WSWCF) on numerous occasions. 

The Takeaways

Outdoor gyms are great for getting you to exercise and combat today’s sedentary lifestyle. Most of us are aware of the positive effects training has on our bodies such as improving strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility, along with wider benefits including training with friends, and improved cognitive skills. 

My personal favorite is the Rogue V2 Castro Rig as it is the most versatile workout station in the list above. A truly all-in-one pull-up rig that allows you to squat, bench, and do other strength-based movements within its framework. Plus, it’s Rogue Fitness, a brand known for its American-made quality and durability.

If you want a personalized plan that tailors each progression according to your strength and regularly applies progressive overload to ensure that you are advancing your fitness journey. Register for online coaching here. We look forward to meeting you!