How to Make Gymnstic Bars

Parallettes can provide an excellent upper body workout to include in your cross-training circuit. Use parallettes as a simulation of parallel bars for dips, handstands, wallstands, ab exercises and several other gymnastic exercises. These bars are made from PVC pipe and are easy and inexpensive to create.

• 1

  Clean your 10-foot section of pipe. Ensure it is dry before you start work on it. Make marks with a pencil along the pipe at 24 inches, 48 inches, 56 inches, 64 inches, 72 inches, 80 inches, 85 inches, 90 inches, 95 inches, 100 inches, 105 inches, 110 inches and 115 inches from the end of the pipe.

• 2

  Put a piece of electrical tape around every inch marker on the pole. Use the saw to cut the pipe on the top edge of each strip of tape to create two 24-inch, four 8-inch and eight 5-inch sections.

• 3

  Use the primer and glue to attach one elbow connector to each 8-inch strip section of pipe to create the legs of the parallettes. Glue these legs to the two 24-inch poles. Ensure that your legs are parallel to one another to create a top for the parallettes.

• 4

  Glue the 5-inch sections to the T-shaped connectors so that the pole will connect to the finished tops. Glue the end caps onto each end of the 5-inch sections, then glue the 5-inch pieces to the finished top.

• 5

  Sand the finished poles so the chalk will apply to the poles.