How To Make Really Simple DIY Parallettes

Parallettes are excellent for coordination and strength training.

Probably, not many people have a set of parallettes at home or even know them.

They are a popular set of exercise tools, especially in gymnastics. But that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate P-bars into your training routine at home.

In this article, we’ll look into how to make simple DIY Parallettes for your home gym.

You can use three typical materials to make DIY Parallettes—PVC, wood, and galvanized steel. Of the three, PVC is the most straightforward and most affordable DIY parallettes. You can assemble one at the cost of $35.

However, the wooden and galvanized steel version may outdo the PVC version in aesthetics and sturdiness. If you feel confident enough, we’ll show two step-by-step guides to make DIY parallettes from the two materials highlighted (galvanized steel and PVC).

Later on, in the article, we’ll share tips on some Parallettes exercise routines. Plus, share some of the advantages of this versatile training utility.

How to Make DIY Parallettes—PVC

First off, let’s start with the simplest one so you can catch on and get down to business already.

Components

1. You’ll need 1 ¼” or 1 ½” PVC pipe that will be cut into various pieces to form the sections of your DIY Parallettes. The ideal length of the pipe is about 10 feet. Some stores will cut your pipe into various sizes for free.
2. Cut the pipe into two 20-inches, four 10 inches, and eight-five inches’ sizes.
3. Next, you’ll need about four T joints, four 90 degrees’ elbow joints, and eight caps. 
4. You can either use a combination of PVC glue and Primer or Cement and primer (a can for each will do).

Tools

1. Hacksaw or a PVC cutter (if you got power tools, they’d make work easier assuming the guy at Home Depot didn’t cut the pipes for you)
2. Marker or pen or pencil

Preparation

Now, you have already gathered our very inexpensive materials and tools to begin work on our DIY parallettes. This step by step guide will show you how to start the process from the top.

The initial process is to cut the 10 foot PVC pipes into two—20 inches, 4—ten inches, and 8—5 inches pieces. If you have the cleaning aids, you should clean the edges of all the pipes you’ve cut.

Using a tape measure and a marker or pen to mark each size as described above. Cut the PVC pipe into the right lengths using a hacksaw or cutting tool. The 10-foot pipe will produce enough pipes for the parallettes and even some leftovers.

You can start cutting the more extended sizes and finish with shorter ones. A straightforward way to cut your piece is to cut one equal length, for instance, for one of the 4—10 inches PVC pipe, then use it to measure and cut the remaining pieces.

After cutting, please ensure you have the pieces according to the numbers we’ve highlighted here. The Parallettes, as the name suggests, stand parallels when in use while the longer pipes act as the holding bar as you train.

The remaining shorter pipes will form the base and the elevation (the shortest 5 inches PVC will form the elevation, and 10 inches’ pieces will form the base of the DIY parallettes.

Assembling and attachments

Once you’ve cut all the pieces, assemble them, then attach each piece with its corresponding elbow or T joint even before applying the bonding materials. It helps to see whether your DIY parallettes meets a desirable standing. Ensure your pair of parallettes are level and well elevated.

If you are using the cement and primer combination for the bonding, make sure they are perfect. If cement stays for longer, it may harden. As standard plumbing practice, the primer comes in purple color, but you can choose a clear one if you want.

The primer and cement mixture can create permanent concretebonding. Also, glue and primer create a permanent and robust bond as well.

When attaching, you need to start the horizontal attachment (although it doesn’t matter where you start). Remember to read the primer’s instructions, cement, and glue carefully before applying them.  

Cement and primer tend to bond almost immediately, so you should ensure that every PVC section is in the right place and angle.

The 90 degrees’ elbow is quite sensitive when applying—you need to ensure that they fit perfectly. If they are not lined up in the same direction, Your DIY parallettes may be twisted. The caps and T joints tend to fit with fewer hassles.

The cement and primer are pretty straightforward, but it can get untidy. You can use a piece of cloth or used newspaper to avoid creating a mess. Use the brush that comes with cans to apply the cement and the primer. Apply them in a well-ventilated area because the compounds used in making these products are irritating.

Once you have attached the horizontal bar and elevated pieces, you can now attach the base. The elevation piece is drawn from the T joint facing up. On the other hand, the caps are fixed at the edges of the base pipe.

And that’s how you create simple DIY parallettes.

How to Make DIY Parallettes—Galvanized Steel

The best size of galvanized steel is about ¾’’ for creating DIY Parallettes.

Purchase pipes with screw threads because you’ll need them. Just like PVC pipes, you also need elbow and Tee joints.

Materials

1. Eighteen inches galvanized steel pipes—4 pieces
2. Twenty-four inches’ pipes—2 pieces
3. Six inches pipes—8 pieces
4. 90 Degrees elbows (four pieces)
5. Tee joints (four pieces)
6. Mini tennis balls (eight)

Tools

1. Pliers or pipe wrench
2. One folding utility knife

Steps by Step of Making DIY Galvanized Steel Parallettes

1. Connect the edge of an elbow and twenty-four-inch galvanized pipe. Join them by screwing together.
2. Create a U shape by attaching pieces of an eighteen-inch pipe to the other edge of the elbow.
3. Connect the Tee joint to the edge of the U shape.
4. On the Tee Joint’s open side, attach a six-inch piece of metal; by now, you have a visible structure. However, remember to tighten each screw using the pipe wrench or pliers.
5. The mini tennis balls are placed on the edge of the open pipes. They are cut to size (exactly ¾ inch size) using the foldable utility knife. The tennis balls help to protect your floor from metal scratches.

The tennis balls will work fine on wooden floors. However, on a carpeted floor, you may use perfectly fitting caps. Because this type of DIY parallettes is not permanently bonded, you can take it apart.

In fact, you can improvise or add longer bars for your own training pleasure.

What to Watch Out For While Making DIY Parallettes?

• The horizontal bar shouldn’t be too long because it may hang from the pressure of body weight.
• Be careful with the measurements to ensure they fit accordingly. Otherwise, the final product may be unequal.
• As stated earlier, cement tends to harden over time, and its bonding alongside the primer happens so fast.
• Ensure the galvanized steel pipes have screw threads on the edges.
• Also, not all exercises can be done on the homemade Parallettes—some might break it.

The Benefits of DIY Parallettes for Home Workouts

Training stability

Once the DIY Parallettes are done, they form an excellent training means for stability. The stability training will concentrate on both your large and small muscles.

When you are performing lift-ups on these bars, your core is under pressure. If it’s done repeatedly, your body will develop stability over time.

Helps with dips and push-ups

Beginners or seasoned trainees do not have a problem doing push-ups or dips on the DIY parallettes. Both of them are comfortable with the bars.

Of course, if your body has not been trained for vigorous pushups or dips, you are still comfortable with the parallettes. Over time, your body starts adapting to the pushups, which is ideally desirable progress.

Advance to complex exercises with a parallettes

The great thing about the DIY parallettes is that you can extend your pushups and dips further. Ordinarily, a pushup is limited by the floor. However, the elevation provided by the Parallettes means you can go deeper.

Similarly, you can engage in tricky dips, and you can try out some gymnastic style training. While it is involved, it is suitable for exercise.

The parallettes are a practical exercise training tool that is easy to create by using the steps we’ve shared here.

Conclusion

The parallettes assist in making your exercises better, more complex, and develop your core. If you are a beginner in basic pushups or dips, the parallettes will help you advance your training game.

Additionally, advanced trainers alternate between multiple bodyweight exercises and burpee. With your pairs of DIY parallettes, you get practical and affordable options to perfect your training game.

With this guide, you can create a parallette that you can share with your family. Some families have training enthusiasts who would use the DIY version.