Homemade Parallettes

What is a Parallette?
Parallettes are a gymnastics tool that simulate parallel bars which are similar to dip bars.
You can use a pair of parallettes to to wallstands, handstands, dips, ab exercises, and tons of
other weird, gymnast stunts. The following tutorial explains the process of making your own
parallettes. The entire process shouldnt take more than an afternoon, and is quite
inexpensive because it uses PVC pipe.

Required Tools and Equipment

PVC Pipe about 6 feet, and a diameter that

is comfortable in the palm (probably 1 inch or
greater in diameter)

A hacksaw (for cutting the PVC)

[4] PVC T connectors

[4] PVC Elbow/90 degree joints

[8] PVC end caps

Here is a picture of all the required PVC pieces for ONE parallette (remember, youll need to
double this to get two parallettes)

Building Instructions
The process of actually building the parallettes should be pretty simple based on the
completed images. In the event that you would like step-by-step instructions, however, just
follow the images below:

Step 1

Step 2

Cut a piece of PVC pipe about a foot Cut two pieces of pipe about 4-6 inches in length
and a half in length, then attach the and attach them into the other end of the elbow
two elbow pieces.
pieces.
Step 3

Step 4

Attach two T joints.

Cut four pieces of pipe about 3-5 inches in length

and attach them to all the open ends of the T
joint. This will serve as the base for your
parallette to prevent it from falling over.

Step 5

Step 6

Add four end caps to all open holes. Make sure all the pieces are held tightly together,
you may glue them if you like. I didnt glue
them, and I would recommend that you dont so
that it can be disassembled. Set it upright and
youre ready to start exercises.

High Pushup Bar

This set of pushup bars is made of 3/4" piping with piping insulation for
the handles. Dips with feet elevated can also be performed on this. The
handles can be rotated for any desired angle.
An 18" pipe was used for the width, but any desired width can be
obtained by combining any two lengths of pipes with a connector.
- Bruce Tackett

Some Other Such Sundry Piping Items

A combination pushup and reverse pushup stand

A triceps pushup stand.

Step 1: Material

-3/4" PVC pipe

-(8) 3/4" PVC endcaps
-(2) 3/4" PVC 45 degee joints
-(2) 3/4" PVC 90 degree joints
-(4) 3/4" T-joints
-Foam Material
Tools:
-PVC primer and cement
-Hack Saw
-Hot glue + hot glue gun

Step 2: Measure and Cut

Standard Hand Grip Piece:

Angled Hand Grip Piece:
Support Piece:
Feet Extension Piece:

Step 3: Connect

6.75" (x2)
6.25" (x2)
4"
(x2)
2"
(x4)

Now that all of the pieces are cut, you just need to glue them into place.
Take some of the primer and apply it onto the joints. Then apply the
cement right after the primer is applied. Once the glue is on and the
pieces are connected, give them a 1/4" twist to "lock" it in. This should
give the bars a secure fit.

Step 4: Apply the Foam Grip

The final step is to add the foam grip to the standard and angled handle
sections. First cut the foam piece to the length of the sections and then
use hot glue to attach the foam. Try to make it so the seam that is created
is on the bottom of the handles.

No Screws or Holes Pull Up Bar / Door Gym

Step 2: Materials

Now that we have our measurements, we need our materials:

-3/4" galvanized steel pipe (Length will be determined from door
measurements)
-2 x 4-directional coupling
-2 x 3-directional coupling
-2 x 45 degree coupling
-4 x 90 degree coupling
-2 x close nipple (meaning no pipe between threads)
-2 x 3/4" x 3" nipple
-2 x 3/4" x 4" nipple
-2 x 3/4" x 5.5" nipple (Length will be determined from door
measurements. This is dependent on the depth of the door.)
-6 x 3/4" x 6" nipple
-duct TAPE
-sponge
-detachable links
-Pipe wrench
-measuring tape
-pipe insulation
-athletic tape*
-painters tape*
*=optional

Essas sao as argolas que eu tenho aqui em casa que uso pra fazer exercicios de ginastica
olimpica.
Eu peguei uma barra de ferro 5/8 e pedi um serralheiro pra arredondar e fazer as argolas,
a medida do diametro interno e de 18 cm. (isso da uns 60 cm de barra pra cada argola)
Depois comprei 8 metros de corda, pra prender, ai fiz o seguinte.
Coloquei duas camisas velhas na dobra entre o caibro maior e o menor do telhado (nao
precisa se voce usar algum gancho pra prender) so pra corda nao agarrar ali mesmo na
juncao.
Passei em forma de U ao inves de cortar a corda ao meio, pelo simples fato de que posso
nivelar mais facilmente uma argola com a outra quando mudar a altura.
Em seguida fiz um laco numa altura que eu alcanco com os bracos esticados,
simplesmente pegando a corda nesse meio e dando um no, deixando uma abertura.
Essa abertura, e onde vai regular a altura, eu simplesmente passo a ponta da corda dentro
da argola, e passo pela abertura do no, depois vou puxando ate deixar a argola na altura
desejada (como num esquema de polia), ai fecho com um no duplo e pronto, qualquer
desnivel que tiver eu corrijo puxando um pouco de um lado ou de outro.
Para a pegada, eu usei uma camara de ar velha de bicicleta e silvertape. A camara eu abri
ela e parti em duas, depois fui enrolando varias e varias vezes deixando mais grosso no
meio, e selei com silvertape, ficou bem confortavel sem ser mto macia e atrapalhar alguma
coisa, unico problema e que se eu estiver muito suado a pegada escorrega, to pensando
em colocar um negocio daqueles que colocam em raquete de tenis pra solucionar esse
problema.

As Argolas presas no caibro do telhado (isso fica no meu quarto)

Detalhe da pegada

P.s: Agora dei uma melhorada na pegada, achei uma fita isolante aqui, ela escorrega
menos que a silvertape quando ta suado, espero que ja seja suficiente.

Colete de carga

While preparing for my sons' next track and field event, I felt we needed a
edge; strength training. First I looked online for vests but found them to be
either really expensive or not made for children.
The one's I did find for children were the Sensory Integration weighted
vest for kids with D.I.S.(Dysfunction of Sensory Integration), they were
expensive ($50-$125), didn't offer enough weight and were just not cute.
So I decided to try and figure out how to make a cheap weight vest whose
weight could be adjusted depending on the exercise.

Step 1: First Attempt

My first attempt wasn't bad but the vest was too bulky, the sand shifted to
the bottom of the vest and the weight wasn't adjustable.

Step 2: Materials

Supplies:
1. Duct Tape (The Stronger the Better) 60 yd $8.99 Ace Hardware
2. 2" Velcro sticky back (Industrial Grade) 15 ft $25.00-Amazon
3. 1 1/2" D Rings (4) $1.00 sewing supply store
4. 1 1/2" Nylon webbing $25.00 (50 yd roll) sewing supply store
Tools:
1. Yard stick
2. 18" ruler
3. (2) Scissors (1) for Duct tape (1) for Nylon webbing
4. Sewing machine (easier) or needle and thread (harder)

Step 3: Let's Begin

Measure the person who the vest is for.

First measure from collar bone to collar bone ( my sons were 11" and 8
3/4").
Second measure from the top of the sternum to right below the navel (12"
and 9 3/4") or just add an inch to the original measurement.

Step 4: Let's Tape

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Cut one strip of duct tape double the size of the second measurement
( you'll be making the front and the back of the Vest) . Continue cutting
and slightly overlapping each new strip on top of the preceding until you
have reached the width of the first measurement. Then clean up the
edges.

Step 5: It Takes Two

Cut the duct tape fabric in half, now you have two pieces (front & back of
vest). Next begin making the straps by cutting and measuring a piece of
duct tape about 33". Cut another piece the same size and lay it on top of
the first, you now have one strap (repeat for second strap).

Attach both straps to the front and back of the vest, make sure the person
head can easily fit thru the opening of the vest.

Step 6: Sew

Measure out how much webbing you will need and cut one strip for the Drings and one to secure the vest around the waist.
You can either use a machine (quicker) or if you don't have a machine
hand sew (slower).
Take two D-rings feed one end of the webbing thru them and sew the
webbing together, repeat on the other end.

Step 7: Add Straps

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This Step is pretty simple. Measure about 3" from the bottom of the vest
and duct tape nylon webbing to the outside of the vest. Melt edges of
webbing to keep them from fraying.

Step 8: Velcro up

Cut velcro to size and stick it to the vest. Put as many strips as you want
(I placed 5 so that I could bring the weight up to ten pounds on each side
for a twenty pound vest).
And that's it for the vest, but we are not yet done, let's make some
weights.
I will next show you how to make two different sizes a 1 lb which I call a
Burrito (because of it's shape) and a 1/2 lb Biscuit (small size). Which will
attach to the vest adding weight that can be adjusted depending on
need.

Step 9: How to make a 1 lb Burrito

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Supplies:
1. Sand (50lb bag) $3.99 Ace Hardware
2. Gray duct tape 55 yd (Nashua) $2.70 Home Depot
3. Black duct tape 60 yd (Tuff Stuff) $8.99 Ace Hardware
4. 2" Velcro sticky back (Industrial Grade) 15 ft $25.00-Amazon
5. Ziplock Sandwich bags $3.99 grocery store
Hardware:
1. 1 cup measuring cup
2. Scissors
3. Scale (optional)

Step 10: How to make a 1/2 lb Biscuit

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Supplies:
1. Sand (50lb bag) $3.99 Ace Hardware
2. Gray duct tape 55 yd (Nashua) $2.70 Home Depot
3. Black duct tape 60 yd (Tuff Stuff) $8.99 Ace Hardware
4. 2" Velcro sticky back (Industrial Grade) 15 ft $25.00-Amazon
5. Ziplock Sandwich bags $3.99 grocery store
Hardware:
1. 1/2 cup measuring cup
2. Scissors
3. Scale (optional)

Step 11: Before and After

Since having made these vest our training sessions and and my sons'
overall event times and distances have improved, There are some tweaks
that I want to do to improve on the vest but given the results, I would say
they were a success! This completes this Instructable, I hope you enjoyed
it.